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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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Alannah57 Past delusions and present anxiety
  • replies: 2

This is going to sound bizarre. As a teenager I had a really strange period of time, like something out of a dream, where I thought the following things: that I was famous, that I was being watched by objects that had the thoughts of the outside worl... View more

This is going to sound bizarre. As a teenager I had a really strange period of time, like something out of a dream, where I thought the following things: that I was famous, that I was being watched by objects that had the thoughts of the outside world in them, and this was combined with elated/dreamy/moody feelings. In short, my sense of reality felt very warped. I kept being dragged down by feelings of emptiness and despair at being alive (depression), but also had really bizarre beliefs and feelings and behaviours. Also, hid my delusions because they felt so out-there, and I had a shift where it got so bad that I had to stop my delusions because it was getting out of control. During this time, I had weird mental hallucination kind of things where I saw flies that weren’t there, or heard a weird voice in my head once. But, since then, depression had been a recurring, big part of my life, as well as impulsive behaviours. I want to get perspective, and am trying to figure out how normal it is to have weird, implausible delusions.

Mel_N Major weight loss from depression.
  • replies: 1

Is anybody else experiencing drastic weight loss due to their depression? I never eat and when I want to I lose my appetite. My weight has changed majorly due to my depression and I’m so scared I’ll keep losing weight to the point it affects my healt... View more

Is anybody else experiencing drastic weight loss due to their depression? I never eat and when I want to I lose my appetite. My weight has changed majorly due to my depression and I’m so scared I’ll keep losing weight to the point it affects my health. Does anyone have some tips on how to eat when you’re not hungry? Or anything like that would be much appreciated:)

Dani_11 When you ignore your triggers
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I have Bipolar 2 and have been well for quiet a while. Just came back from the best holiday but definitely burnt the candle at both ends. Yes there’s a trigger I’m well aware of. Sent me into a hyper manic party state that was heaps of fun a... View more

Hi guys, I have Bipolar 2 and have been well for quiet a while. Just came back from the best holiday but definitely burnt the candle at both ends. Yes there’s a trigger I’m well aware of. Sent me into a hyper manic party state that was heaps of fun at the time and even though I know better I just went with it. Right now, at 1.15 in the morning I’m dark as. That’s how I explain depression. So I’m reaching out, saying hi and taking full responsibility for where my mind is right now. I live a good life and know how to keep well. Alcohol and sleep deprivation are my biggest triggers and the 2 things I just went with for 10 days away. Not one of my better life choices. Well, I’m paying for it now. So I’m gonna take stock and sprinkle some selfcare on myself and remind myself that tomorrow is a new day. An exciting brighter day. Thanks for reading. Dani. x Note to self - don’t drink alcohol and get a decent sleep. I should bloody know better!!

maturenature mild multi personality
  • replies: 2

in my mind, im almost identical to my brother and i hate it. my brother is cool and all, but for so long i have put up this character of being a dominating person, which he is definitely not, and it feels so obscure and depressing to think that im no... View more

in my mind, im almost identical to my brother and i hate it. my brother is cool and all, but for so long i have put up this character of being a dominating person, which he is definitely not, and it feels so obscure and depressing to think that im not who i thought i was. i so badly dont want to be that. i start to cringe any time im around him and he does anything at all. i only noticed how alike i am to him last time i was smoking weed. were born about 9 years apart, and if you were to compare photos of us side by side the only differences would be his absurdly long hair and my progressive weight loss. i just stared at myself in the mirror and started to dissect how different i am to every single person i'm around. im a lot like my brother when im around my parents, especially my dad. i cant stand being like him when im around my friends, especially girls. i have to keep up the, what now feels like, an act. the thing is the act is different around every single person i am around. im going insane just interracting with people and closely judging myself from the inside, what i now think is the true central me. i cant figure out who i am or how i truly feel or react to anything. i dont think im quite numb but it definitely feels like im headed that way. im popular, but have no real friends. i got to parties, but i dont hang out with people, not even in larger groups. my attitudes seem to be so inconsitent that i manage to push people away, or at least keep them on the edge of close friend and equentance to protect my self from people learning who i really am. i spend my time listening to music in my room, engaging in very long isolated exercise sessions, or staying up late to avoid contact with anyone. i just needed to tell someone. i could go through and make this easier to read, even make it more accurate to my experiences and thoughts, but whats the point.

JRRL Did I make the right/wrong decision. very depressed now.
  • replies: 7

Just recently quit my new job after only 2 months, I was made redundant before this that why I took this job in a hurry and the stress just keep piling up. I can't handle the company expectations for this new job and my spouse want me to take break w... View more

Just recently quit my new job after only 2 months, I was made redundant before this that why I took this job in a hurry and the stress just keep piling up. I can't handle the company expectations for this new job and my spouse want me to take break whilst I look for the next job. Never been unemployed before since 2005 and never had an annual leave since 2013. Now I'm seriously depressed and doubting myself for making such decision on quitting my job. I am not confirdent that I will get another one quickly.

Maree17 Help? Advice? Anything?
  • replies: 1

I'll summarise: • Suffering from depression for a few years now • Managed with antidepressants • Feeling numb, libido non-existent, questioning if the drugs are causing me to lack real joy also? • Constantly tired • Failed all units at UNI, dropped o... View more

I'll summarise: • Suffering from depression for a few years now • Managed with antidepressants • Feeling numb, libido non-existent, questioning if the drugs are causing me to lack real joy also? • Constantly tired • Failed all units at UNI, dropped out as of this mid-year break - feel as though constant tiredness and lack of motivation is the main cause for this. • Went off antidepressants cold-turkey about a month ago • Withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, hypersomnia, vivid dreams, low mood, foggy head, etc. • Sick of waiting for withdrawal symptoms to go away (I know it's not a good idea to quit cold-turkey and without medical advice - did it anyway cause I'm sick of feeling less-than-average). • Took antidepressants again for the first time in a month, tonight. Cant deal with the never-ending need for sleep, dizziness and brain so foggy sometimes I cant even formulate a single sentence. • Cant talk to loved ones about this because I know what I SHOULD be doing and what they would say/feel (and I dont want to burden them or make them feel like I'm a mess and cant look after myself). I just want to be normal and have normal emotions and be able to handle everyday things like UNI and work and the stuff that everyone else seems to get though, even though it can be a slog. I just want to feel like I can do normal things and be a functioning member of society. I dont know what to do. Exercise, meditate, seek help, spend time with friends, eat a good diet. I know that's what I'm SUPPOSED to do. I just dont have the energy or the willpower.

Transitory Online resources
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm dealing with a lot at the moment, but I don't know how to put it all down concisely. I've followed the basic steps, booked in with my GP, been referred by the online chat here. But all I really want is somewhere online to talk to someone, via... View more

Hi, I'm dealing with a lot at the moment, but I don't know how to put it all down concisely. I've followed the basic steps, booked in with my GP, been referred by the online chat here. But all I really want is somewhere online to talk to someone, via text preferably. Is that a thing? Beyond being given FAQ , information and referrals, I mean. Just to try to articulate what's going on. No one in my personal life is available, and I'm really struggling to deal with things. Betterhelp looks like a total scam, but that's the kinda thing I'm looking for.

Jaymore Some days are good but most are bad
  • replies: 3

It's getting increasingly harder to keep pushing through the pain I feel everyday. I have struggled with depression for 8 years and it feels like I'm just getting worse. My biggest problem is not being able to believe that people care about. I'm bles... View more

It's getting increasingly harder to keep pushing through the pain I feel everyday. I have struggled with depression for 8 years and it feels like I'm just getting worse. My biggest problem is not being able to believe that people care about. I'm blessed to have so many good people around me who tell me they love me a lot. Somewhere deep down within me I know that's true. But most of the time I just can't see it. As a result I just have a sense of loneliness all the time. I am scared to reach out because I feel like I'm a massive burden to the people that would support me. I know many people feel like this so I am wondering for some ways others use to reject this feeling of worthlessness and inadequacy.

Binga007 Don’t want to look like I’m seeking attention
  • replies: 2

Hey I’ve just recently joined the group after looking for some advice. I’m a male that for the past 3-4 years I’ve been suffering from depression. When I’m down I’m really down and get stuck in rut which I can’t get out of for sometimes days and week... View more

Hey I’ve just recently joined the group after looking for some advice. I’m a male that for the past 3-4 years I’ve been suffering from depression. When I’m down I’m really down and get stuck in rut which I can’t get out of for sometimes days and weeks on end. In the past, months have gone by when I wouldn’t eat or sleep or leave my room, but I thought I had finally got through this. Recently, I have started to experience some of these things again. Some days are really good, but some days are the worst I’ve ever been. My moods are never stable and I can feel myself taking it out on my girlfriend to the point where she gets really upset because I’m just so down. I feel like if I told her what I’m going through it might help her to understand a bit and make me feel a little better. But I feel like if I go out and tell her, I don’t want her to think that I’m making excuses or wanting sympathy or attention. I never really show my emotions so I struggle to speak about it. I’ve never spoken to anyone about this, as I don’t want people feeing sorry for me. Has anyone had similar feelings? How have they gone about opening up?

Jacko13 New here
  • replies: 1

Hi 1st post. Just found this while googling for answers. Im in my early 30's and diagnosed with serve anxeity and depression. Im married, with kids and quite successful. i currently get professional help from my gp and psychologist. lately i just fee... View more

Hi 1st post. Just found this while googling for answers. Im in my early 30's and diagnosed with serve anxeity and depression. Im married, with kids and quite successful. i currently get professional help from my gp and psychologist. lately i just feel empty and withdrawn. I feel so alone and feel like im going crazy. I dont feel i can talk to my family...when i say talk i mean the heavy stuff that is really on my mind. i wouldnt say im suicidal but some days i dont want to be here. Its quite hard to explain. I want to be here and wouldnt hurt myself, i just dont want to feel empty anymore. I guess if i could run away i probably would. I find it quite difficult to talk to people about how i really feel and what i am really going through. i guess i figured maybe i would find people who possibly feel the same so i dont quite feel alone anymore. im starting to struggle and with being a mum wife and working full time the pressure is on not to breakdown or fall apart. Its hard really hard. I have been trying to work on myself for years now and i guess right now i feel like i have fallen right back to rock bottom with no way up. I am trying to recover the best i can but its hard when you feel alone. i can see the toll it takes on my family and that breaks my heart. i am looking forward to being apart of the online forum. I may not post alot but i feel maybe just reaching out and hearing other peoples posts i might not feel so alone in my battle. Thank you Jacko