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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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JadeRebekkah losing hope
  • replies: 3

in 24yo I have been suffering from depression, anxiety and anorexia since I was 11. as i have gotten older everything has just gotten worse. I have been in therapy and medicated since was 18, been hospitalised the whole deal and nothing has ever help... View more

in 24yo I have been suffering from depression, anxiety and anorexia since I was 11. as i have gotten older everything has just gotten worse. I have been in therapy and medicated since was 18, been hospitalised the whole deal and nothing has ever helped. I don't know what to do anymore and im losing hope that I will ever feel any different and I can't keep doing it anymore

MiaApollo5 Here - Alive - But - Struggling.
  • replies: 3

It makes me angry, it makes me so angry. It makes me feel so small and the world is going to forget me or move on without me. I lost my mum four years ago and I still struggle with it. I can't tell if I was depressed afterwards or even before she pas... View more

It makes me angry, it makes me so angry. It makes me feel so small and the world is going to forget me or move on without me. I lost my mum four years ago and I still struggle with it. I can't tell if I was depressed afterwards or even before she passed. She went out one morning for her morning run and at 3am the next day she was found, police knocking at our door. How she passed still traumatises me to this day, it was of no ones intent. But it still sits with me in my mind at often strange times. I remember going to the supermarket that morning with family friends and wondering how I should be screaming. I wanted to scream at these people, I wanted the world to stop because mine had. And there I was buying chocolate croissants when my mum had just died. To this day I struggle to say 'she died' its so harsh and abrupt I usually opted for passed because it sounded so much more peaceful. I was 15 at the time, just starting VCE and felt like a failure because I couldn't focus on studying. We moved house and with it came the dawning sense of she really never would be coming home. I remember someone knocking on the door at the old house while I slept and in my half-awakedness I thought it was her, I cried long and hard. I remember even three years later police again knocking at the door and it all came back, they were after something or someone else. But my world sank and again I cried long and hard. I still think she will return one day. I still think she's at work and she's late. I remember sitting around the table the night of day we found out us four eating baked beans on toast, but all still hollow in our stomachs. So here I am now, struggling still. Because I really am. I have spoken to a grief counsellor, someone at headspace, a GP and now someone new. Maybe I'm doing this wrong, but I can't think of a right way to do it. I think when my depression flares it's ruddy head my anxiety flares too. Its new for me this anxiety but it's been gobbling me up whole, I have been crying at work thinking they all hate me and maybe they do. I feel so alone in this and maybe I am. So I guess I want to know what to do, how to do it, where to go, when to do things, whats right, whats wrong and will I ever feel like depression isn't sitting on my shoulders give me a nudge or push when I can take no more. I know life is worth living and there is beauty in it, I see it in the sun filled fields with morning fog just as I still see her, but I am struggling. I really am.

EmsLouise I feel empty.
  • replies: 4

My partner walked out on me half way through a mental break down and is on her way home which is 9 hours away. I had pleaded with her to stay but she left anyway. I feel empty but full of emotion, I need some sort of release, just to let the pressure... View more

My partner walked out on me half way through a mental break down and is on her way home which is 9 hours away. I had pleaded with her to stay but she left anyway. I feel empty but full of emotion, I need some sort of release, just to let the pressure out. She won’t answer my calls and she’s illiterate so I can’t text her how I’m feeling. I think this is the end of us. *side note* I am diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and PTSD but think there’s more undiagnosed issues.

risingangel Lost someone special
  • replies: 6

Ever since I have lost my grandad my life has been hard. Everytime I think of him I burst into tears. I don't know how to cope with loosing him since i used to talk to him about everything. Recently I started to write letters to him about how i'm goi... View more

Ever since I have lost my grandad my life has been hard. Everytime I think of him I burst into tears. I don't know how to cope with loosing him since i used to talk to him about everything. Recently I started to write letters to him about how i'm going even tho he wont get them. Is that a good idea? Any advice?

ALeo Jobs, unsupportive partner, stress
  • replies: 3

I recently was forced to leave a job and company I love because of a new bully manager who’s made my life miserable for the past few months. Now jobless, I’m stressed out with mortgage and bills. Worst of all my partner blames me for being unemployed... View more

I recently was forced to leave a job and company I love because of a new bully manager who’s made my life miserable for the past few months. Now jobless, I’m stressed out with mortgage and bills. Worst of all my partner blames me for being unemployed and kept saying I’m the problem instead. He was unhappy because we can’t afford to go on holidays. I had to re-adjust my spending as well which makes him more upset to the point he didn’t want to go out anymore because ‘we need to save money’ as you have no job. I cried almost every night and I’m at a loss. I’m trying my best to find a job but it’s been a few months. I sometimes looked at my friends social media updates with amazing jobs and supportive partner, which made me even sadder. Whilst I am applying for jobs late into the night my partner is in the bedroom sleeping. I felt so inadequate and desperate. I’m not coping well with the stress and negativity and wonder what I can do? Any advice will be great.

_Euphoria_ Can I deal with depression by myself?
  • replies: 8

I really don’t want to tell my parents, as that may burden them even more that they are right now. We are running out of money, and my brother needs help with schoolwork, and my dad needs to work long hours. My mum is easily stressed. Is there a way ... View more

I really don’t want to tell my parents, as that may burden them even more that they are right now. We are running out of money, and my brother needs help with schoolwork, and my dad needs to work long hours. My mum is easily stressed. Is there a way to cure it without getting help?

RoseToez Down in the Dumps.. not too bad but it like to vent..
  • replies: 2

I just recently went through a break up.. I feel like a fool for letting someone sponge off me and my 2 kids.. Controlling me into how he wanted things to be.. dealing pot from my house and even cooking DMT in my kitchen (without my kids being around... View more

I just recently went through a break up.. I feel like a fool for letting someone sponge off me and my 2 kids.. Controlling me into how he wanted things to be.. dealing pot from my house and even cooking DMT in my kitchen (without my kids being around). He head butted me during an argument.. I had cops remove him and put an intervention order on him.. now I'm left battling a pot habbit all over again.. haven't smoked since he left.. just trying to kick tobacco now. I just feel like an idiot for getting involved so much when my kids should be the most important thing in my life. My kids are 3 years and the other is 20 months. I guess now I know what's most important. I just feel stupid for letting it happen. The sad thing is I feel like everyone is sick of me, I'm in atleast $2000 debt with after pay and my parents... I spend too much on just crap. I've abused Afterpay and can't see myself even buying enough food shopping for the next 3 week's. I have no friends because I abused that during a break down I had 7 years ago. I'm Bipola type 2.. meds are helping the addictive situation.. I just want someone to vent to. I dont want to be in therapy. I cant be bothered. I dont miss him at all I'm just embarrassed at myself.

Avahi-Daemon My emotions are so disoriented
  • replies: 1

I don’t want to die but I also don’t want to be alive either. I feel like I understand more than other people because I’ve been through so much already and that everyone else is completely ignorant to all the things that really matter in life. It’s j... View more

I don’t want to die but I also don’t want to be alive either. I feel like I understand more than other people because I’ve been through so much already and that everyone else is completely ignorant to all the things that really matter in life. It’s just so much all the time and I don’t know how to deal with everything.

aidoru Feeling Like I’m Losing Grip
  • replies: 2

Hello! This is my first time posting. I’m a little nervous. Not even sure if I’m posting in the right category, ahah. I’m 14, diagnosed with GAD at around 10, depression late last year. Started taking medication last year. My anxiety reached a point ... View more

Hello! This is my first time posting. I’m a little nervous. Not even sure if I’m posting in the right category, ahah. I’m 14, diagnosed with GAD at around 10, depression late last year. Started taking medication last year. My anxiety reached a point roughly a year ago where I had to leave mainstream schooling, and now do school online. But my grades are slipping. This school isn’t working, as I have no motivation, no will to work, but I can’t go back to mainstream school. I feel like I’m going mad. My emotions are wonky. I’m always pitying myself. Ive been trying so hard and for so long to change, but I can’t. I can’t even get myself to see my psychiatrist again. I’m scared. Everything feels hopeless. But I don’t want to give up yet. My Mum has mental health problems, and so do my friends. I can’t leave them behind, but I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I don’t get out much either, regardless of how hard I try to. I don’t feel like dying. I’m scared of death. I just don’t want to be. This is all very vague, and I don’t really know what I’m looking for. Ive been hearing the same advice for so long, and it just doesn’t help anymore. There’s a lot more going on in my head, but thats for another time. Thank you for your time.

outrun I can't change my past and I don't know how to change my future. I'm miserable all the time.
  • replies: 6

I am convinced that I am locked into a future of unhappiness due to the life choices I've made. The regret I feel is overwhelming. I finished high school in 2010 with good grades. My first terrible decision was to enrol into a high-pressure undergrad... View more

I am convinced that I am locked into a future of unhappiness due to the life choices I've made. The regret I feel is overwhelming. I finished high school in 2010 with good grades. My first terrible decision was to enrol into a high-pressure undergraduate degree that I knew very little about, without even feeling as though it could be something I'd enjoy. My second terrible decision was to continue to struggle through the degree rather than drop out as soon as I realised it wasn't for me. I was already diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders coming out of high school, so I thought perhaps they were the cause for my lack of enjoyment and struggles at university. So I continued, for five years, trying to complete this undergraduate degree, often going part time, failing many subjects along the way. I was consumed with the effort of it. In the end, it got to a point where I knew I wasn't going to pass any of the upcoming subjects, so I dropped out altogether. I was now 24 years old, feeling as though I'd just wasted five years on nothing. I had gone travelling for perhaps a couple of weeks in all this time, and hadn't worked any job beyond some basic retail. My next terrible decision was to not explore the world about now that I was not caught up with university. I just worked doing a menial job, saving most of the money and spending it on nothing. This was driving me crazy, and without any better ideas, I made another terrible decision: I enrolled in another undergrad degree, in the same field as before, starting again in first year. I'm 26 now and more miserable than ever. I can't remember not being miserable. I feel like I've sabotaged any chance of being happy in life, for no reason. I wish I could press a button and go back 10 years, but I can't. I don't know how I can possibly be happy in the future now - if I had the freedom to do anything I don't even know what I'd do.