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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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tryingtoexist Probably just a rant, any tips please let me know
  • replies: 3

BACK GROUND STUFF - So at school there was this beyond blue seminar that I found really helpful, and I’m here cause maybe someone out there can relate to me. In the past I haven’t had many friends, and only til a few years ago I really had myself. Th... View more

BACK GROUND STUFF - So at school there was this beyond blue seminar that I found really helpful, and I’m here cause maybe someone out there can relate to me. In the past I haven’t had many friends, and only til a few years ago I really had myself. Then during covid I had to juggle school work and take care of my mum, who was going in and out of hospital a lot and couldn’t really walk or get up easy. So I didn’t have anyone to talk to. On top of that I was also extremely bullied back at school by a certain person who said I should die and that no one liked me. I stuffed all those feelings away, I think because no one wanted to talk to me and I didn’t know what I was going through. Then the next year I forgot about all that and joined a really toxic friend group cause I didn’t know what having friends was like, I thought it was normal to be shut down and ignored. anyways, I started to just be sick of feeling so much that I started to feel nothing, to the point were I was completely numb and didn’t care if I died because I thought no one cared. I don’t know if I had depression, but I did used to purposefully hurt myself to feel something. Since then, I’ve found my way to God and realised I have a purpose, left that friend group, made new friends and started a ‘new chapter’ where I can feel happier. TO NOW - lately though, I’ve been trying to move on, but it’s been hard. I keep on wondering if things might have changed or if I really was depressed because I think I might have been and now I overthinking about that. And now I’ve been really anxious, I don’t know why, but I keep getting thoughts about: my parents dying people hating me failing school losing friends scared of talking in case I’m shut down zoning out and imagining terrible scenarios which has caused me to do: - getting chronic headaches - itching - fiddling - breathing fast - nausea - dizziness - weakness/fatigue for standing up - splitting headaches - biting my lip i know these things effect me from time to time but now they’re making my life difficult and causing me to leave in class by pretending to go to the bathroom, when in reality I feel like I’m going to breakdown crying or have a panic attack or puke. I hate that I haven’t told anyone but I want some advice like who should I tell, or how should I tell someone? Because I’m scared things will get even worse and no one will notice. I know people care but I don’t know if they can notice in time if that makes sense. i know no-one’s life is easy but I don’t think my life is good enough right now to considered ‘functioning’. I’m just not sure how to talk to my friends because they haven’t noticed at all and I’m scared they think I don’t trust them because I really do. I really hope if someone is reading this they can feel less alone, because it would be nice to know if I’m not completely alone in these feelings. Stay safe, much love<3

Trying Lonely
  • replies: 6

I feel like an imposter in this group. I have had an amazing 50 year career in nursing, owned my own home nursing business and several others. Been the manager at many community and aged care facilities. Always a go getter, confident person. As I got... View more

I feel like an imposter in this group. I have had an amazing 50 year career in nursing, owned my own home nursing business and several others. Been the manager at many community and aged care facilities. Always a go getter, confident person. As I got older I started to get anxiety. My marriage failed and I had to cope on my own. Which I did. I decided to move to NW QLD from NSW to be closer to my grandkids and great grandkids. They bring so much to my life. I've since retired, own my home and a new car. I should have it all, right? Then why do I wake up anxious every morning, no energy to face the day, struggle to maintain my house. I have 2 beautiful dogs that love exercise. I force myself to take them for walks. I can't sleep at night. Not unusual to be still up at 2am. I drink too much wine, thinking it will help me sleep and then feel like shit the next day. I got booked for low range DUI and lost my license for a month. So humiliating. That's when I realized I'd hit rock bottom. I'm seeing my GP, I've contacted a counseling service. I'm having major eye surgery in Townsville later this month and booked in to see a deep mind therapist to hopefully help with my fears and my addictions.I'm doing all I can to get back my life. I have so much to live for, but I sometimes wish I wasn't here any more. I can't live the rest of my life living like this.

hello____ I don't know what to do
  • replies: 1

hello, I'm in my final year of highschool this year, so year 12. I been struggling a lot with managing everything. I grew up in an household where my parents always fought, since the day that I could remember, and I don't really have the best relatio... View more

hello, I'm in my final year of highschool this year, so year 12. I been struggling a lot with managing everything. I grew up in an household where my parents always fought, since the day that I could remember, and I don't really have the best relationship with my parents and sibling. I also had a really traumatic incident happen to me a few months ago and I haven't really healed from it to the point that my hands are constantly shaking because of it. I keep everything to myself because I don't want to burden others but I currently just don't feel present. I feel like I'm just floating and observing everyone and everything. Nothing feels real and I'm at a point where I'm not doing my school assignments. I used to be very studious and loved school and it was my escape from my home life but now I hate it. I really don't know what to do because as much as I want to do my work, I open it up but nothing comes to my brain. Does anyone have any advice on how to help with me feeling like nothing's real?

4n0Nn13 Feeling hopeless
  • replies: 3

I’m not sure on where to start as I struggle with expressing my thoughts and feelings. I feel like I’ve been struck in this unhappiness for a while, it’s hard for me to explain it my partner what I’ve been experiencing internally. I find it an effort... View more

I’m not sure on where to start as I struggle with expressing my thoughts and feelings. I feel like I’ve been struck in this unhappiness for a while, it’s hard for me to explain it my partner what I’ve been experiencing internally. I find it an effort to try explain when I don’t really understand why I’m feeling the way I do. I have no motivation to do daily tasks as I’m waking up to a sense of dread, I don’t really have a sense of purpose and worry I’m thinking too much about what it would be like to just move on and not really do this anymore. I want to feel connected but I struggle with being vulnerable or when I do try to reach out, it’s been misunderstood and I’m feeling alone again.

Fen Depressed partner leaving
  • replies: 19

I was in a six year relationship with my partner. We had what I thought was a loving, stable and solid relationship. When my partner became depressed the relationship also ended as they broke it off without much warning. My question is, do depressed ... View more

I was in a six year relationship with my partner. We had what I thought was a loving, stable and solid relationship. When my partner became depressed the relationship also ended as they broke it off without much warning. My question is, do depressed partners come back once they’ve recovered and they can access emotions such as love again? Do they disappear or come back for a friendship or to the relationship they once had?

Tizzy Depression & Hopelessness of having just a normal life
  • replies: 3

This is getting unbearable now. I am nearly 67 and have had Depressive Episodes ALL of my life. I never feel like I have enough energy to do anything. I can’t escape because I can’t hurt the people that I love like that, but waking up everyday to thi... View more

This is getting unbearable now. I am nearly 67 and have had Depressive Episodes ALL of my life. I never feel like I have enough energy to do anything. I can’t escape because I can’t hurt the people that I love like that, but waking up everyday to this constant overwhelm, irritation & anger and sadness is so draining. Battling my mental health seems pointless sometimes. I see how others live. They don’t all have these issues. I don’t mean to be selfish or pitiful, but why me? Being alive just doesn’t seem to make sense to me. I haven’t ever felt “normal” whatever that is...just waking up each morning with some kind of joy or anticipation would be a start. I have been married for 46 years but want to separate from my husband. Ive had enough of his gaslighting and selfesh ways but i cannot financially support myself. I am nearly at Pension Age but that's probably not enough for me to manage an independent life with a roof over my head. I live for my children and grandchildren but they all live in different cities. I have lived here for 31 years but even though i know quite a few people i do NOT have a friend. Nope not one...not here...I do have one but she does not live here, although we are in contact weekly. I have too many things wrong with me to fix. IVe tried all kinds of therapy and medications and although they have helped a little at the time nothing has worked. I read about this new treatment coming available soon and I maybe can try that BUT I live in the Country NSW - so you think there will be a trained person to oversee this here...NOPE again I will miss out. I"ve had enough...I am exhausted and sick and tired of my life and my husband and my future.

meatloaf Work cover 30% impairment assessment
  • replies: 21

Hi I am about to undergo an assessment for whole person impairment as part of my work cover compensation case. I ve been told I need to be classified as 30% impaired and that this is difficult. My injury is psychiatric and I'm in Victoria. Has anyone... View more

Hi I am about to undergo an assessment for whole person impairment as part of my work cover compensation case. I ve been told I need to be classified as 30% impaired and that this is difficult. My injury is psychiatric and I'm in Victoria. Has anyone been through this?

Guest_22241677 Not sure what to do
  • replies: 1

I'm in my 20's and yet cannot figure out what I will do with my life. I'm not diagnosed with depression or anxiety (never went to the doctor's for it) but ever since I was a 10 I've been very sad and anxious with everyone and everything around me. I ... View more

I'm in my 20's and yet cannot figure out what I will do with my life. I'm not diagnosed with depression or anxiety (never went to the doctor's for it) but ever since I was a 10 I've been very sad and anxious with everyone and everything around me. I guess I can say I was abused by my dad at a very young age and my mum hand no power to stop him so the abuse sorta continued until I reached highschool where I realized that I can report to my teachers if I'm being mistreated at home. But unfortunately I've never reported it. My parents don't physically abuse me but sometimes there's a few verbal abuse especially from my eldest sibling whom I don't know why always lashes onto me and guilt trips me. I am emotionally sensitive since I was young and I would feel like crying every time none says anything bad about me or hits me. I guess all that trauma that I've built up till now is making me doubt what I want to be in the future as there's a lot of negativity in my household. I also avoid men (mostly middle aged ones) due to many horrible encounters I have as a child just made be afraid of them. They say that if you're in your 20s you should explore with different career paths but I was shamed by most of everyone I know (even my friends) for wanting to do culinary at tafe so right now I'm in university, feeling miserable and burnt out, doing a degree I have zero passion on. I feel like if I dif have supportive parents and if I lived in a positive household I would really enjoy life to its fullest. Anyways I might make another post about my life and emotional problems since I cannot really vent out to anyone close to me.

Gracie_PY4 Help Please 🙏🏻
  • replies: 1

To anyone who is reading I really need your help. I’m Grace and I suffer from depression and anxiety. I have the thoughts of I have no purpose, what’s the point, constant boredom, but also because of the fact the I work casual retail at a pet store t... View more

To anyone who is reading I really need your help. I’m Grace and I suffer from depression and anxiety. I have the thoughts of I have no purpose, what’s the point, constant boredom, but also because of the fact the I work casual retail at a pet store that I just started at. I used to work full time at Just Jeans and it was awful. I think that’s why my depression got so bad, my managers were up and down with moods, it was the same day over and over and constant pressure. I don’t want that same experience. I’m now stuck feeling completely little motivation for anything I do, going to bed is one of the best things to do because I’m away from life. My favourite thing to do is actually watching movies because I can distract myself from my constant feeling of this depression. My parents are really supportive and I do love them, but they’re getting more and more irritating. I’ve found that the last 2 weeks or 3 weeks have been hard around them because they’re trying to tell me what to do or they’ll say something so small to advise or guide me and then I shut off completely in a salty way. I don’t know why, it’s just like I don’t want to talk about it, and then I don’t want to talk to them. I really don’t know what to do. And I think there’s something wrong with me. Today I really struggled because they told me that it’s like walking on eggshells with me, and I don’t want that. I feel like I’m being a brat and being really difficult with them but when they talk to me I just don’t want to talk about that particular subject because it freaks me out so much and then I shut off. I feel like there’s really something wrong with me and now I don’t have anyone to talk to. I don’t want to talk to my parents anymore because I feel this way and it always ends badly. And I don’t want them to think that I’m an a attention seeker that goes “I have depression fake it easy on me” or “I have mental struggles at the moment please don’t talk to me at the moment about that stuff”. Like I don’t want them to think I’m using it as an excuse, but like it’s hard because it’s to talk about those fears and I don’t want to talk about it and I don’t really want to be around my parents. And I really am struggling (which they do know) and I’m stuck and don’t know what to do half the time and I’m just trying to do the best but like I don’t earn a lot of money, and so I have a lot of financial stress and worries. I find it hard to go out and seek for a job, force myself to socialise or do things because I don’t have the motivation. Honestly I just don’t know what to do?

Fusion2k4 The weight of the world is on my shoulders
  • replies: 4

- In 2024, my wife lost her job - I have been the sole income earner for this time - I am near bankruptcy. We have been trying to sell our house for over 8 months. We have only months left. - I have constant suicidal thoughts, with only external peop... View more

- In 2024, my wife lost her job - I have been the sole income earner for this time - I am near bankruptcy. We have been trying to sell our house for over 8 months. We have only months left. - I have constant suicidal thoughts, with only external people or pets being the reason I dont - Whilst I run businesses, I constantly make mistakes. - Recently, a client who I made millions of dollars, was upset I work for a competitor so that I could keep us afloat. Whilse she has a $5m home. - Some nights, we share a single steak between my wife, myself and our child - I work at great volumes, but can never achieve my goals - My wife applies for jobs, and maybe does 2 hours a day of projects. If shes not minding the kid, she is playing games or puzzles or things I have just had the weight of the world on my shoulders for too long I pray to god everynight I can never seem to turn the chapter

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