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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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Me_from_63 Depression
  • replies: 5

I am new here and must admit I am battling with so many things.

I am new here and must admit I am battling with so many things.

Bazleenus Handling the fatigue during a Low Episode with Bipolar
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, just more here to gather some advice or personal experiences on how to deal with the fatigue during a low episode with bipolar. Not sure if many of you experience anything similar, but its almost like where your body aches so bad its like y... View more

Hey guys, just more here to gather some advice or personal experiences on how to deal with the fatigue during a low episode with bipolar. Not sure if many of you experience anything similar, but its almost like where your body aches so bad its like you had a flu, and your neck, shoulders, and your whole body really become stiff and sore, and you just sleep and sleep and sleep, and you loose motivation to do anything including cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc etc Ive tried having baths, and excersising as much as i can to try like combat the feeling of no energy but its really hard when your body aches so bad. Im also diagnosed with adhd, so i take medication everyday, and usually this helps me focus and become a little more energised, but whilst this episode is happening, its like it doesnt even work... Have any of you found ways to combat this? Or is it more just a ride the wave and wait till it hits the shore kind of thing?

Mikey_girl Depression: need advice
  • replies: 8

Hi I'm new here. I went off antidepressants last year after 25 years. There is a long story behind this which I won't go into. I've been ill for most of this year and whether this was due to coming off antidepressants is undecided. No cause has been ... View more

Hi I'm new here. I went off antidepressants last year after 25 years. There is a long story behind this which I won't go into. I've been ill for most of this year and whether this was due to coming off antidepressants is undecided. No cause has been found after extensive tests. Im physically better but have become quite depressed to the point where I just want to stay in bed all day. I'm seeing a psychiatrist and am back on medication. Ive only been on the full dose for 2 weeks and also on some anxiety medication. I care for an adult daughter with a disability and my life has to work around this. Up until early this year I seemed to have a relatively happy life but I've completely lost the threads of that life. I feel empty and despairing. My question is this: at this stage do I force myself to do things like go for a walk etc? I've lost all motivation and I'm terrified I will feel like this forever. I don't seem to be able to feel any happiness at all at the moment. I live with my husband and 2 young adult children. My husbands been great but he has to work. Any feedback greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Rod_h Depression or Reality?
  • replies: 3

So I'm 44, ugly, weird... the kinda guy you see on public transport and are immediately uncomfortable around. When i'm introduced to people i can read the expression on their face they don't like what they see by the forced smile accompanied by a sub... View more

So I'm 44, ugly, weird... the kinda guy you see on public transport and are immediately uncomfortable around. When i'm introduced to people i can read the expression on their face they don't like what they see by the forced smile accompanied by a subtle, slightly uncontrollable snarl from the upper lip. In the workplace i have no hope of ever getting a high position. women don't want to be anywhere near me. Men don't either. Apparently I'm depressed? What if I'm not depressed? What If I'm just hyper perceptive? What If i can see clearly that I'm being judged by my appearance. Perhaps you are like me. Do you think a pill will make it all go away? chatting with a shrink will make it all better?...It won't change a thing. I've tried.

nicko44 How on earth do you get over the past?
  • replies: 4

I've made so many mistakes in my life. I feel so depressed about it. No matter what i'm doing i'm always thinking about it. I know there are so many people in worse positions than me but it doesn't make me feel better. I literally feel like killing m... View more

I've made so many mistakes in my life. I feel so depressed about it. No matter what i'm doing i'm always thinking about it. I know there are so many people in worse positions than me but it doesn't make me feel better. I literally feel like killing myself all the time. I've gone to the GP and seen a psychologist, it helps but i can only see him every few weeks. I'm 25. Wasted my education, been fired from jobs, i can't even get a proper job now. I didn't make any friends in the last 4 years. No one wants to talk to me or hang out with me. My hair has receded and i've gotten ugly. I met a girl online a year ago and went out with her for 7 months. It made me feel so good but now she has gone and she won't be coming back. I've gambled away all the money i've earned. I have about 500 in savings whilst my friends and people on instagram are buying houses. I spend my time and money going to brothels because i'm lonely. Hell, i've even made friends with some of the ladies and sometimes just go to talk to someone adn talk to a girl. I want to go back in time so bad. What the hell happened? Where did it go wrong? I want to end it so badly.I don't see it getting better too. thanks for reading i guess .

Hello_there K10
  • replies: 3

For those who have seen my previous threads, I've been told a lot to talk to a GP and things like that. I've done the K10 test and it told me to aswell (I scored high) But that doesn't feel like an option to me... Does anyone have alternative ways of... View more

For those who have seen my previous threads, I've been told a lot to talk to a GP and things like that. I've done the K10 test and it told me to aswell (I scored high) But that doesn't feel like an option to me... Does anyone have alternative ways of coping? I do sometimes use the kids help line webchat, and I'm thinking I should use it more regularly. Thank you

bluebear why do I feel like this?
  • replies: 6

Hey guys, I'm 25 years old and I have a amazing 7 year old son. My whole life I have been through these waves of stages where I am not motivated, constantly tired, nothing humours me and I just feel emotionless. Then some great days I have a surge of... View more

Hey guys, I'm 25 years old and I have a amazing 7 year old son. My whole life I have been through these waves of stages where I am not motivated, constantly tired, nothing humours me and I just feel emotionless. Then some great days I have a surge of motivation and I'm happy, excitable and want to talk more, will cook and clean etc. I am in a job where I am a leader in the business and I'm struggling to be motivated for work and find many days I have my happy/fake face on to tackle the day and by the end of the day I'm exhausted and my wall is back up again, my partner thinks I show no interest in him when really I feel like my body become unable to produce happy emotions, I'd rather just lie down and be silent. I am always tired, like I mean I wake up and I need to go back to bed again. I just don't know what is happening to me, I want to be happy but it is as if my brain will not let me. I have hardly no friends and I hate socialising because it makes me anxious and when I am able to socialise it feels like it is so hard to think of things to say. I hope this makes sense to anyone who is reading. I'm typing this now as I feel like this. Any advice would be amazing.

Mirage5636 Feeling completely lost and not myself
  • replies: 3

Hi , I’m new to the forum and I don’t really know how to start. For the last few years I’ve been feeling lost and not like myself - completely lonely and isolated. Recently I opened up to my family and my partner about it and said I needed help , tha... View more

Hi , I’m new to the forum and I don’t really know how to start. For the last few years I’ve been feeling lost and not like myself - completely lonely and isolated. Recently I opened up to my family and my partner about it and said I needed help , that I was deeply depressed and had no will to do anything , always exhausted and have no energy or confidence anymore. Their responses were that I’m lazy , making excuses and/or making up stories to get attention and they don’t believe how I’m feeling. Most have now stopped contact with me and my partner is threatening to leave if I don’t do something about it. This has just made me feel worse and completely lonely now , sad to say I don’t have one friend I could talk to about it. I feel like I hardly function now, 3-4 years ago I was this ambitious , outgoing and healthy girl and now I don’t feel like myself anymore. I haven’t had a restful sleep for years and have no energy , everything is an effort. I’ve gained a lot of weight, have crippling anxiety and extreme mood swings , I’m scared to talk to people , I cry constanly , have no job and always feel sick ,among other things. ive been to multiple doctors and psychologists about it , being diagnosed from clinical depression to borderline personality disorders , taking multiple antidepressants and been to the hospital a number of times and I feel like I’m just getting worse. I’m really scared and need help. any advice is greatly appreciated and thanks for reading.

GraceA91 Diagnosed with bpd and cant hold down a job.
  • replies: 1

I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and found out mine is genetic and environmental due to my family having all different mental health issues throughout generations. I have a fear of rejection, no self worth, unstable sense of... View more

I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and found out mine is genetic and environmental due to my family having all different mental health issues throughout generations. I have a fear of rejection, no self worth, unstable sense of self, anxiety, I tend to like people then devaluate them when they do 3 or more things that I consider to be bad, I can not handle any type of criticism,i have trouble maintaining friendships yet I can maintain my relationship with my partner, im always looking for validation from others, I tend to dissociate when under servere stress, I have memory lapses, I hallucinate when my anxiety goes through the roof and I have black and white thinking. Because of all this I have trouble coping in work environments and I had to quit my job. I was recently given exercises by a therapist to help me cope with my emotions and anxiety which has been helping but I fear that if I get a job and am subjected to so much stress that my bpd will get out of control again. Is there anyone else with bpd that has successfully held down a job and if so how do you cope with work related stress?

HlGHNOON How does one find healthy coping mechanisms?
  • replies: 4

I’ve been struggling with depression for a rather lengthy extended period, and found that my coping mechanism is to lock myself away and not act as a functional human being. I’ve never really known any other way of dealing with my issues, but I know ... View more

I’ve been struggling with depression for a rather lengthy extended period, and found that my coping mechanism is to lock myself away and not act as a functional human being. I’ve never really known any other way of dealing with my issues, but I know that it’s not healthy and can’t continue on, as it’s making the problem worse. I have ADHD on top of (what I assume to be as of yet) clinical depression, and it’s very hard to stay motivated to keep on going. If you have a suggestion, please let me know! I’d appreciate it to no end.

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