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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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fred2018 Words of encouragement needed
  • replies: 3

I just did TMS for a pretty bad depression, only done one side so far but was told to wait 2 weeks for the brain to have a rest and then onto left side. The mood and irritability which can very often turn to anger is quite the task to manage gonna se... View more

I just did TMS for a pretty bad depression, only done one side so far but was told to wait 2 weeks for the brain to have a rest and then onto left side. The mood and irritability which can very often turn to anger is quite the task to manage gonna see doctor to see if anything can be done whilst i wait to do more tms and dealing with family members has been interesting of late hah. I'm just neeeding to some words of encouragement, prayers also welcome hah whatever you have. I'm both amazed ive dealt with this problem for so many years and just what the power of our brain chemistry when things are disrupted. Anyway cheers

SwansandSharksMan Seeing someone who bullied you at school is now successful
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone When I was a t school I was an ok student. I did ok in math. I struggled with English and science but was ok in Geography and Economics. My biggest problem was that I was a slow writer, so didn't always complete exams. I did not get into ... View more

Hi Everyone When I was a t school I was an ok student. I did ok in math. I struggled with English and science but was ok in Geography and Economics. My biggest problem was that I was a slow writer, so didn't always complete exams. I did not get into University, I went straight into the workforce. I did ok. I was a good worker. I like to think I still am. I also struggled at school because bullying affected my confidence and made me anxious, so wasn't able to concentrate. There was a guy, who I thought was a friend, but was forever teasing me. He used to embarass me in front of others. He was one of those people who couldn't say anything nice and he was not happy until he was winding someone up. He did it all the time for no reason and I just hated it. My problem was I was too scared to stand up to him because I lacked confidence to stand up for myself. Nowadays I see his name in a a few publications and occasionally drive past his office and he has become very successful. I don't mean to be jealous, but it just irks me because he has probably got successful by be mean, pushy and nasty. Myself, on the other hand, will never be able to be a manager. I have just always struggled to have authority. Even my children don't do as I ask them. It makes me feel so sad.

fadedreality Workplace bullying?
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I have spent a heap of time looking at definitions of workplace bullying but my insistence on giving people the benefit of the doubt means I just don’t know. I do know it is destroying my mental health so it ticks that box. Before I go any fu... View more

Hi all, I have spent a heap of time looking at definitions of workplace bullying but my insistence on giving people the benefit of the doubt means I just don’t know. I do know it is destroying my mental health so it ticks that box. Before I go any further I have no intention of making an official complaint I only hope to use it to get approval from my boss to apply for other jobs internally (hr requirement and she said no to me last year.) Another team leader has for a while now taken to coming down laughing really loudly to tell my team leader about every little mistake I make. Her newest response to him when he appears laughing is oh, what now. I hear this and I do not even sit next to her and I have music playing in my headphones all day, every day (I just upgraded to expensive noise cancelling ones so now all I hear is the laughter and I don’t hear the negative chat anymore) so you can imagine what everyone else who sits closer actually hears (a co-worker who had made remarks about having no idea how I work listening to music even started wearing earphones - she sits much closer to her.) For the record my workplace has a quality target of 95%. I have never dropped below this (mostly 98-100% every week) even though I am the newest person in the team. Actually when I look at the little tracker thing that tracks our every second of the day, my quality is often the best in the team (multiple people below 95% despite some having 10+ years experience) at worst it may drop to the second best in the team. 🤭 Yes even when I learn something brand new my quality stays consistent - speed drops off, but quality stays. I unfortunately help his team a lot (all day every day at the moment) and it appears he has his staff reporting to him with every mistake I make (not even one a day) - he would not know about them otherwise. The work I am helping his team with I only got trained in in December last year - the training has proved horrible where some things I just was not trained on at all (and questions seem hugely discouraged here) and other things it appears I was told one thing as fact but I should have been told multiple other things as well. I have recently told this to my team leader where she made some kind of remark about how that is a hard situation to be in. At no stage am I actually told about the errors so I just get to keep on making them, while he gets to keep on laughing and making fun of my so far away from actually bad work. Bullying or not?

TRese It’s The Lies I Tell Myself
  • replies: 16

Hi, I'm new here because I can’t continue lying to myself about how depression and anxiety are really affecting my life. I’ll say things like “I’m an introvert, so I don’t really like socialising because I actually enjoy my own company” or “I’m very ... View more

Hi, I'm new here because I can’t continue lying to myself about how depression and anxiety are really affecting my life. I’ll say things like “I’m an introvert, so I don’t really like socialising because I actually enjoy my own company” or “I’m very independent, so I need my own space and freedom” but the honest truth is, I’m afraid of being vulnerable and getting hurt, so I push everyone away first - family, friends, colleagues and partners. I’m no different to anyone else, I have shame, guilt, insecurities, trust issues, trauma, confidence issues, anger etc. but these things drive me to isolate myself excessively (in more ways than one). My greatest desire and greatest fear are the same thing; letting people see the real me (as I truly am). The side of me that the world sees, is the version I’ve created, so that the real me can stay hidden (safe from harm) but I’m honestly so lonely - it was a struggle to even write “I’m lonely” because until now, I’d lied to myself so much, that I convinced myself that I’m 100% content (and or happy) with being alone (even for the rest of my life). I want to challenge the lies and beliefs that are holding me back (no longer serving me) and this post is the first (honest) step in the right direction.

TishaCat Stigma of Depression/Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, Im new on here, & actually feel really strange posting about something so personal. I wanted to talk about how as someone who has battled depression since I was a young adult, the pressure to be "normal" from family, & how they cannot see it as a... View more

Hi, Im new on here, & actually feel really strange posting about something so personal. I wanted to talk about how as someone who has battled depression since I was a young adult, the pressure to be "normal" from family, & how they cannot see it as a "real" illness, they say things like : its all in your head, just get on with it, don't be so negative etc. I also find myself to be my biggest judge too, its not a "physical" condition, so what gives me the right to usurp those with "real" problems. ( My parents were in the war & a concentration camp so therefore they experienced real hardship & in this era of wealth cannot see how anyone can be depressed) And wanting to push myself to get moving, go on do something you lazy woman goes the inner chatter (or worse) & feeling worse. Your thoughts are appreciated.

AlexDeLoser depression or sadness? being positive or being realistic?
  • replies: 9

Hey everyone, I just wanted some input on my thoughts on the topics of mental health. First i'd like to say- its probably a little ironic that I'm asking for objective answers when this is a support network, but anyway. Is it really depression that a... View more

Hey everyone, I just wanted some input on my thoughts on the topics of mental health. First i'd like to say- its probably a little ironic that I'm asking for objective answers when this is a support network, but anyway. Is it really depression that a lot of us are feeling? Being intellectually impaired, having no talent, no friends or even good relationships with family. I mean, i'm not in denial that depression exist, and from my understanding, they are chemical/hormonal imbalances in the brain making you predisposed to be more likely sad. Regardless, I don't believe an absence of being predisposed to being sad will make you not sad if you're life has no reason for happiness. Is it really being negative, or being realistic? I've heard almost everyone say, or at least imply ''you can't be bad at everything; you've got to be good at something. there is a place in the world for everyone!''. I can't even argue with this, logic is completely thrown out of the window. People want to believe in world of equity, believing that everyone has a place in the world, but is that really true? Do starving children in developing countries have a place in this world?And, as these injustices exists in other places of the world, why does it seem that they can't exist in developed societies? It's almost like- because of the fact you're living in a developed country, you're expected to be intelligent, good at things and meet standards and social expectations. Sorry everyone, I don't intend to sound mean or bad or anything like that. I'm just really tired of people being illogical and evasive. I'm the type of person who'd rather acknowledge my problems first, then see what I can do from there as appose to deny them as problems. Furthermore, I hope someone responds to this. Thanks everyone for at least reading to this point

Pale people shouldn't want to talk to me
  • replies: 1

Depression has made me an incredibly dull person. I don't really have hobbies or interests, because nothing interests me anymore. I never know what to say in a conversation; I just make it bad and awkward. I never really contact people for fear of be... View more

Depression has made me an incredibly dull person. I don't really have hobbies or interests, because nothing interests me anymore. I never know what to say in a conversation; I just make it bad and awkward. I never really contact people for fear of being a burden or annoyance in their lives. So why do people make the effort to text/call me? I legitimately do not understand?

Unicorn_Sparkles This is literally how dumb and stupid I am
  • replies: 10

It has been a nice day, so I decided to get out of the house, go for a drive and then on the way back, stopped at the local shops to see if either coles or woolies had caramilk, coz seriously, who doesn't love chocolate? Anyway, was literally in and ... View more

It has been a nice day, so I decided to get out of the house, go for a drive and then on the way back, stopped at the local shops to see if either coles or woolies had caramilk, coz seriously, who doesn't love chocolate? Anyway, was literally in and out within half an hour and now I've spent 2 hours looking for my stupid car and I ended up calling my parents coz I was so stressed out. All dad could do was laugh at me while I was telling him. He's on the way to the shops now, but I feel so dumb.

Mejo Never thought I'd ever be like this
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to this website, to this feeling, to this country...Came here almost 2 years ago full of motivation, thinking of a future, abandoning my career as a psychologist back home to pursue the dream my dad was trying to achieve before passing aw... View more

Hi, I'm new to this website, to this feeling, to this country...Came here almost 2 years ago full of motivation, thinking of a future, abandoning my career as a psychologist back home to pursue the dream my dad was trying to achieve before passing away, looking always forward. It turns out I've been almost 2 years doing nothing, in a job I never thought I'd be doing, alone, without friends, not even a relationship, soemthing which I've always been into since I'm a huge fan of loving, regardless the its implicit suffering. I've recently experienced something which opened an old wound. 10 years ago, Being humiliated (over trivial relationship issues) by the person I loved triggered a really particular anxiety in me...I've found so hard to have satisfactory sexual relationships, in cases I just...can't...oh gosh...this is so painful, stressful...depressive, humiliating ....not only I cope with anxiety but now the depression of thinking how I'm coming out of this....I wish I could meet someone special, but I feel I can't, I'm already shy + a sexual disorder or whatever it's called triggered by anxiety + seeing my dreams of meeting someone special or having a family destroyed....I can't even go to a party and behave as a regular 29yo guy because I'm even scared of meeting someone and have a one night stand....How did I get to this? how do I become what I used to be? I used to brag about being a tough guy, sensitive and empathetic to others, but strong wth my own emotions, now I'm broken to pieces, some may well say that's not that relevant but....Only guys can understand how important is that virility or manhood thing for us...I came here to honour my dad's memory, his dream of living somewhere else, I came here as a professional to keep studying and look for a future here...all I've found is loneliness and suffering. oh my, apart from studying, love is my passion and I've been deprived from it...I dont see a way out..I had never told this to anyone and is so embarassing and ...

akidwhoneedshelp Someone please help me :)
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Im 15 years old, sounds too young to be dealing with serious problems right? welp. I dunno. I have been diagnosed depression since about July 2018 and i was prescribed an SSRI. This was after I got into smoking pot at 14/15. I never really sm... View more

Hi all, Im 15 years old, sounds too young to be dealing with serious problems right? welp. I dunno. I have been diagnosed depression since about July 2018 and i was prescribed an SSRI. This was after I got into smoking pot at 14/15. I never really smoked that much and it was never a major problem but thats a point where i can say it started to go downhill a little faster than it had been for the 3/4 years prior to that. (even though i was so young i was always secretly upset, on the outside i was funn, crazy silly, crude and kind all at the same time. Anyway, i stopped smoking after being prescribed medication. In about april of 2019 i smoked for the first time in about 12 months. This didnt really affect me; i was still taking my medication but i really enjoyed myself. fast forward a month from then and my medication's dosage is increased. This seems to help for a bit. But i was having anxiety attacks everyday. Until about 4 weeks ago. I smoked marijuana again. Great time, however the next day was dreadful. It was an important day and i barely got through it. I smoked again a week later (this is during school holidays). Once again, no problem. skip two more weeks, my feelings are plummeting. Was this because of the pot? I cant say i know. God there is so much more i want to type. ok im getting off track but i feel i just need to get this all down: My two closest mates have also been dealing with depression since the start of 2019. Except the difference between them and me was that they were smoking pot every night for about 4 months. They never wanted to try and get me on it but it was sad seeing them deteriorate every day. Theyre situations are so much worse than mine. One's dad is dead, his oldest brother is a psycopath who ruined his family's lives before he grew up, his other oldest brother is a big time drug dealer (providing him with easy drugs). I just longed the feeling of numbness. i want to smoke so badly, i want to do all these drugs so badly because i dont see a future for myself. I have a dream but no motivation to follow it. there is so much more about me contributing to my total disatisfaction with life right now but 2500 characters can only explain so much. Thanks

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