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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

Jeriava How do I talk to my doctor?
  • replies: 9

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really ... View more

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really scared that they’ll judge me or won’t believe anything I say. I’m really anti social so I feel like I won’t be able to say what I wanna say or I’ll say the wrong thing causing them to just dismiss me and move me along without helping. I’m just tired of feeling alone, depressed and just worthless but I’m really scared to talk to them.

AGrace SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 132

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the ... View more

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

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Aussie.Girl Feels like my life is falling apart again...
  • replies: 2

I'm not sure what I'm hoping to accomplish by posting here. I guess I just need some reassurance and support. I don't really want to go into detail, but a lot has happened recently and I'm beginning to realise I am not coping as well as I thought I w... View more

I'm not sure what I'm hoping to accomplish by posting here. I guess I just need some reassurance and support. I don't really want to go into detail, but a lot has happened recently and I'm beginning to realise I am not coping as well as I thought I was. Now, the most recent issue is that I have injured my right hand (likely some kind of RSI or tendon injury) and everyone seems to think I'm being a bit dramatic over it and worrying whether I should be going to work in a few days time. Realistically this is a small problem compared with everything else but it feels like the straw that broke the camels back. It's a bit swollen and stiff but not really painful etc so I will keep a splint on it over the weekend and see a dr on Mon if it's not improving. I just feel useless. I was kind of distracting myself from everything by at least being productive or doing something enjoyable like playing games etc But now trying not to use/overexert my dominant hand means I can't really do anything and so I just end up sitting worrying about everything. I have watched two movies already today and would love to do something else, but I can't write/draw I shouldn't be playing games which require a controller, I shouldn't be trying to lift things or brush the dogs... The list goes on. Any advice? I just feel really defeated and overwhelmed with everything.

Helpadad Depression and Alcohol
  • replies: 58

Hi All,Its been now another year since my last post. .My wife is still in denial, despite still drinking in secret and hiding wine bottles in random places. She is still angry with the world and blames everybody but herself for the state she is in. H... View more

Hi All,Its been now another year since my last post. .My wife is still in denial, despite still drinking in secret and hiding wine bottles in random places. She is still angry with the world and blames everybody but herself for the state she is in. Her anger goes from 0-100 in seconds, and I do my best to protect the kids from it but feel I am failing. She won't get help, to get nothing is wrong. If I leave, it would destroy my kids.We built such a good life together, but she is never happy. I have prayed for light at the end of the tunnel but feel there is none. The words that come out of her mouth when she gets angry, it is hurtful. I believe she has BPD, because if all the different sides she has. She can be so kind and a beautiful mother, but then becomes the worse. Not sure what to do next, just wanted to say it out loud. Thanks for listening .

maddy hey guys
  • replies: 1

im following up with my last post i know how hard it can be and all someone need is someone that I is there for them and just so you know im here for you guys and btw ypu are worth it and no one can tell you otherwu=ise you all are beautifl people View more

im following up with my last post i know how hard it can be and all someone need is someone that I is there for them and just so you know im here for you guys and btw ypu are worth it and no one can tell you otherwu=ise you all are beautifl people

NQR__ Feeling alone
  • replies: 2

How to take the step in getting professional help? I know I need to, and have needed to for a long time. However I feel like I am too emotional to even begin to talk to someone. I imagine that conversation, the things I would need to verbalise and I ... View more

How to take the step in getting professional help? I know I need to, and have needed to for a long time. However I feel like I am too emotional to even begin to talk to someone. I imagine that conversation, the things I would need to verbalise and I am a mess just thinking about doing that. The things I feel are too much. but I live every day feeling like I’m an apple, healthy looking on the outside but rotting on the inside where no one can see. I don’t remember what it feels like to not live constantly in my head, anticipating conversations and what people think of me, being in a continuous state of justification, people pleasing…over analysing. It never stops. I fantasise when driving on the highway about what it would be like to pull down hard on the steering wheel and flip my car. I feel like I’m going crazy and I’m losing myself. A moment of normal conversation on the phone to being in tears seconds after hanging up. And I don’t even know why. I want to make sense of it and I want it all to stop. But how, when it feels to much to face?

Guest_77866763 DEPRESSION WORSENING
  • replies: 1

I have Bipolar & Borderline Personality Disorder for 35 years & had drug addiction for 40 years. I’m on many medications. I’ve taken multiple overdoses in my life with over 120 Public Psychiatric Admissions which makes me aggressive - I hate Psych Un... View more

I have Bipolar & Borderline Personality Disorder for 35 years & had drug addiction for 40 years. I’m on many medications. I’ve taken multiple overdoses in my life with over 120 Public Psychiatric Admissions which makes me aggressive - I hate Psych Units. I had to quit Cannabis fully 6 months ago due to developing ’Hyperemesis’. Although I’m on medication I still get manic & depressive periods that usually pass after a few weeks. Although I’m a loner with no friends, I’ve been feeling very lonely. I’ve been stable for 4 years but 2 months ago developed depression without a trigger, which is just getting worse. Apart from feeling down & unmotivated, I feel irritable with headaches & tension. Last week I took too much medication and went to Mental Health Services yesterday for help. They rang my daughter today & told her about the overdose, they had no right to divulge my private & confidential information to her especially when I told them I didn’t want her to know. I was so angry I rang them & abused them & threatened to punch the person in the face if I found out who told her & then I hung up on them. I wouldn’t do this in reality but regret yelling the threat at them & hanging up because I really do need their services to avoid ending up in hospital again. I don’t know what to do to get out of this state I’m in.

Frank Medication isn’t helping
  • replies: 1

I haven’t been on meds for bpd for long, but everyone I’ve talked too has had great results with a particular anti-seizure drug where as I feel the same, if not worse than a year or so ago when I wasn’t taking it I wanted to know if anyone has had no... View more

I haven’t been on meds for bpd for long, but everyone I’ve talked too has had great results with a particular anti-seizure drug where as I feel the same, if not worse than a year or so ago when I wasn’t taking it I wanted to know if anyone has had no results from different trypes and how to go about trialing something else

Anneliese struggling with Depression and autism for a teenage girl.
  • replies: 3

Hey for anyone who is reading this I'm turning 18 this year. I have been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and depression since I was three years old. I took medication since was three for the past 15 years of my childhood life. I didn't notice these sympt... View more

Hey for anyone who is reading this I'm turning 18 this year. I have been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and depression since I was three years old. I took medication since was three for the past 15 years of my childhood life. I didn't notice these symptoms, well to explain it further they didn't bother me as much, but my parents have suffered a ton of shit from me when I was little, tantrums, excessive crying, and many more. but apart from that I was the happiest I had ever been, so much joy that I never felt sadness. As I grew older, at the age of 13-15 when my body began to develop into a woman, hormonal emotions were coming out (which was completely normal at the time) some days I would feel sad, angry, tired and helpless. and when I got my first period I experienced typical teenage mood swings, but as you know when a cycle is done those mood swings tend to settle. However, my 'emotions' wouldn't go away, instead they would grow stronger and develop bigger until I got so used to them that it just ended up being normal. my parents questioned me if I was bipolar or something because I had insanely crazy mood swings every five seconds, but I just told them 'I was tired and its normal..' years go by, and i'm age 16, I start to notice something different about myself, something that I don't recognise anymore. It started small, like with the crazy outburst of emotions, but then it lead to other things like; not enjoying what I used to enjoy...for me it was (videogames) and even when I tried to force myself into playing them, I didn't feel the satisfaction that I used to when I played them. it wasn't just videogames it was all my hobbies everything that defined who I was. it soon came that I grew to a lack of motivation I didn't feel like completing any daily activities that I used to do, I didn't feel like moving an inch from my bed I just wanted to sleep and escape reality and I didn't know why, by this I was angry and upset and confused. life wasn't living for me and it still isn't now.. the worst part is I can't figure out if this is just a normal teenage experience or heavy symptoms of depression. and how do i fix this... how do i fix myself? how do I just be normally happy?

Elizabeth Louise Feeling Empty & Lonely
  • replies: 2

Feeling empty, lonely and isolated again. I know alot of it has to do with me being a little tired and maybe a little hungry. Going to fix myself a snack. Its been 18 months post separation (6 mths post Divorce)I have been doing everything I can to l... View more

Feeling empty, lonely and isolated again. I know alot of it has to do with me being a little tired and maybe a little hungry. Going to fix myself a snack. Its been 18 months post separation (6 mths post Divorce)I have been doing everything I can to look after myself. Excercise has helped me so much. I have been training for the City2Surf and planning on running that this weekend. I have got back into my hobbies again like photography, but it doesn't matter tonight I'm still feeling so empty.My children are with my ex husband this week. It kills me that I am here and they are there with him and I'm alone.I miss my little family. I miss my husband. I wish we were a family again.Does the emptiness ever go away?We speak every day and I'm worried if I ask him to try again it will put pressure on him and might push him away. He's afraid of getting back into the same dynamic where he couldn't cope. He fears being together means he will die from stress. I'm either alone for dinner or visit my parents to have dinner with then. But I just feel that where I should really be is with my little family that I created. Life feels still feels so empty. Nothing really makes me as happy as excited as I used to be pre 2020. I have tried to connect with friends but everyone seems to be busy to meet up and cancel last minute. I go out on the weekends I don't have the kids by myself either running, hiking alone, doing everything alone. When I have the children I'm usually stressed from their behaviour and they really trigger me when they fight and they dont listen to me. Its as though when I have the kids I'm anxious and stressed when I don't have the kids I'm anxious and lonely. It's one extreme to the other. I feel like I cant win.I want joy and fun and excitement and it feels like I'm just not getting enough or getting very little. I used to feel so much more happiness and joy and fun pre 2020. I don't know what more I can do. Please help.

SleepyRain Is there any type of help that will get me out of the situation I'm in?
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I don't know if this is the right thread to post this is but here we go. I'm in my 30s and currently living at home with my family right now (not married, no kids or anything like that). I don't have a job and its honestly hard for me... View more

Hello everyone, I don't know if this is the right thread to post this is but here we go. I'm in my 30s and currently living at home with my family right now (not married, no kids or anything like that). I don't have a job and its honestly hard for me to get one right now because of my social anxiety, depression and of how limited options there are in the small town I'm in. I contribute to the house with bills, chores, etc so I'm no freeloading even tho most days I feel like I could stay in bed forever. I do have some savings tho from when I was working and I am trying to look for options to work remotely/from home in any industry. My issue is I need to leave that current home I'm in but I don't know how. The environment I'm in has been toxic for around the past 6 months because of one of my family members. They are selfish and I don't see them changing, because of them there are constant arguments between everyone due to their behavior and actions. It is not my home, it is my mothers and she won't get rid of them "because they are family" despite all the trouble they are causing for everyone else. It's honestly been messing me up mentally and if feel like I'm on edge nearly everyday. I have told my family this and it's well, whatever to them I guess? It's not taken seriously or brushed off, unfortunately that's how my family has always been, not open with feelings/emotions and brushing off everyone else's issues. So I pretty much have to suck it up and get over it. I need to be away from this and I feel like I'm gonna completely lose it if I stay much longer. So, I'm wondering are there any services/help that can get me some sort of rental/accommodation despite having no job. Hope everyone has a good day/night.SleepyRain

Joesy Lost
  • replies: 1

I’ve spent my life keeping the peace and making others feel happy. Ive now made the first step to leave my husband as he doesn’t genuinely love me. He’s a covert narcissist and I’m so unhappy, lonely and severely depressed. I have never been alone in... View more

I’ve spent my life keeping the peace and making others feel happy. Ive now made the first step to leave my husband as he doesn’t genuinely love me. He’s a covert narcissist and I’m so unhappy, lonely and severely depressed. I have never been alone in my life and I’m terrified. I’ve moved in with my elderly mother and all my assets including home and husband are in NZ. He thinks I just need time away. I can’t address anything, focus, plan or think straight. I could just stay in bed all day. I’ve lost my spirit, hope and drive. This is not the normal me. I ran a business, had dreams, friends and hobbies. I have nothing less to give I’m 57 living with my 87year old mother with not a lot that will come from the sale of house after all credit cards cleared. I’ve now got total burnout and constant anxiety and lost all self confidence. I dread getting up in the morning and hate what I’ve become. I have a wonderful daughter and son in law, that have been my pillar. I now live in NSW. I’ve joined few women’s groups but can’t find that connection that suits who I would feel comfortable sharing my feelings with . I had a bad childhood and jumped straight into a needy marriage. I love being around people and feel terribly isolated and lonely sorry for the book guys