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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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StephanieV Loneliness
  • replies: 4

I’M French and 33 years old. Icame to Australia (backpacking) and then met my boyfriend. We love each other very much. (been together for 10 years) however he is a very popular person and has a lot of friends. Me on the other side I have no friends a... View more

I’M French and 33 years old. Icame to Australia (backpacking) and then met my boyfriend. We love each other very much. (been together for 10 years) however he is a very popular person and has a lot of friends. Me on the other side I have no friends at all. Well I have his friends but we don't have a lot in common. they like to socialise by drinking. which is fine but I don't drink and realised that if you don't drink then you don't socialise a lot here in Perth. I prefer to be outdoor. I have recently been separated from my one and only best friend she went back to France after breaking up with her partner. This has been heartbreaking for me. I was crying every day for 2 months. I have never felt so sad in my entire life. I miss her very much. She was my buddy, the one eating dessert and drinking tea with. I know sounds boring but that was our "French Time". I have been seeing a psychologist for 3 months and then stopped as I felt better. My partner just started the cricket season so he plays every Saturday. I know it's no big deal but for me when comes the weekend instead of looking forward to spend time with the loved ones I get anxious about spending another day alone. I don't have any family here so my partner is everything to me. I think this is a lot of pressure on him. I don't blame him but at the same time I have left everything behind and stayed here. I have been trying all sorts of meeting group but found myself not fitting in any group. It's whether 50+ walking groups, or young mums or youngsters wanting to party. I'm in my thirties with no kids... at that age you are married with kids or single. I'm in the middle. I have also a lot of Malaysian people around me. they are lovely however always wanting to do something the Asian way. I love it too but being French it's a bit of a culture difference. I feel stuck and don't know how to meet new people. I have become grumpy and I look depressed all the time. vicious circle. I spent the last weekend locked in the spare room crying because I had another argument with my boyfriend about me not having any friend. there is nothing he can do I know that and he is also getting tired of my ups and downs. I can feel it. I found hard to stay positive. I feel I have no purpose and no one appreciate me . all I want is to be happy and have good quality time doing things I love. I believe that happiness is to be shared. No one to share with …

mazzystar I’m feeling extremely low right now and can’t eat.
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I’m feeling incredibly down right now and can’t even bring myself to eat. I have no appetite at all. Does anyone have any tips on what to do? I’ve barely been able to focus at work and have spent all of my free time lying in bed. Everything... View more

Hi there, I’m feeling incredibly down right now and can’t even bring myself to eat. I have no appetite at all. Does anyone have any tips on what to do? I’ve barely been able to focus at work and have spent all of my free time lying in bed. Everything feels like way too much right now and I just don’t know what to do. I usually see a psychologist but right now I can’t see her again until next month. I’m feeling very stuck and trapped inside my own mind and would appreciate any advice. Thanks

Notanurse Lost and lonley
  • replies: 1

Ive recently achieved most of the goals i set for myself. I got the job i wanted, even though its casual i have secured a full time position with them already to start in january. I got the car i wanted. And ive finally moved out of my mums place, my... View more

Ive recently achieved most of the goals i set for myself. I got the job i wanted, even though its casual i have secured a full time position with them already to start in january. I got the car i wanted. And ive finally moved out of my mums place, my son and i couldnt be happier. But now the only things left on that list of goals is to get married, have more kids and go on a cruise. Since making my goals come true ive never been happier, and knowing ill have that fulltime work after the 3 month probationary period is a huge delight, i dont need to worry about that anymore. But i cant help but feeling incredibly lonley, realising how lonley i am now actually bought me to tears earlier. Being in my own place, it feels so empty with just me amd my son. I think constantly how amazingit woukd be to come home to my partner, or have that someone to talk to after work. I often feel terrible because my son will never have any close siblings. Its a nice feeling ticking off those goals but i kinda wish i hadnt just so my mind would be on somethi g other than having someone special. Its just becoming so hard to make some new goals because settling down and going on a cruise are the inly things i have left to want. How do you deal with lonliness? And setting goals.

SPOONO Is there anybody out there who knows something about DID, if so you're lying cos only people with it could possibly know.
  • replies: 3

I used to believe I had polar, but after 10 years experience I found I was a we, we have DID and no clue what to do or where to turn for help. So far my professionals have helped me with comments like 'thats rare', and the like. We, Jack who I've liv... View more

I used to believe I had polar, but after 10 years experience I found I was a we, we have DID and no clue what to do or where to turn for help. So far my professionals have helped me with comments like 'thats rare', and the like. We, Jack who I've lived with for thirty years, and I are constantly fighting for control of our human's head. J. the good guy who's mostly in charge, spends his life trying to sort out Jack's disasters. So far he's driven away my wife, my daughters and my brother who happens to be a social worker, that's why I maintain nobody knows. On the off chance somebody does know, please help me. spoono

Richard_C Worthlessness off the charts
  • replies: 9

Not sure why I'm even writing this here but, I guess I'm looking for help, something positive, anything really. I am seriously at the end of my tether. 2018 started out so fantastic and I was super grateful for everything coming my way in my business... View more

Not sure why I'm even writing this here but, I guess I'm looking for help, something positive, anything really. I am seriously at the end of my tether. 2018 started out so fantastic and I was super grateful for everything coming my way in my business and in general. Then something happened. I started drinking again, was completely off it in January/Feb which was great, it does me no favours. Then the months rolled on up till now. My business is dying with a lack of clients, good clients and I feel like I have made all the mistakes a person can. It has cost me dearly. I can't even pay myself a wage and contribute to the home right now. My Wife is working and she covers it all. I know she's not happy about it at all and fair enough. The last 2-3 months have almost killed me. We tried to get finance to buy a new place and move, it took that long because they stuffed up! At the last minute despite being told it was all ok, they declined it. It all fell back on me and my inability to have good money coming in. We lose out because of me not having all this and miss out on doing good things. I know my Wife is pissed off about it all, let down because of me. I feel so worthless, unwanted and unloved (with the exception of my little girl). Feel like my Wife regrets getting involved with me, she's not interested in me right now because of all this. I have nothing, no assets, zip. I'm not lazy and I do work hard to do well but, obviously, I don't have what it takes, should have stayed an employee. It is my fault that it all happened. She wants me to get a job which is fair enough. It depresses me so much that it's come to this, I've failed, ruined a lot of things, it's very embarrassing. I have no one to talk to about it, get help from, advice, ideas, nothing. Feel like my Wife doesn't want to hear it, we can't even have a friendly conversation about it. I am trying to do things, get a job and manage things in the background. It's a bad time of year for it though. I am stuck in concrete and can't move, think clearly. If I didn't wake up tomorrow, I'd be ok with that, except my little girl would be devastated. I have nothing and no one right now and it really sucks. Feel like we should get divorced so she can get on with it and not have me around dragging her down. Sorry if I'm ranting here, just really stuck. Thanks.

5StarDragon Work Promotion Fears
  • replies: 4

Hi all, just looking for some support or to hear from people who have felt the same. After working in a job that went against my values (to put it briefly), I developed mild depression. I quit that job after a year, and was unemployed for a number of... View more

Hi all, just looking for some support or to hear from people who have felt the same. After working in a job that went against my values (to put it briefly), I developed mild depression. I quit that job after a year, and was unemployed for a number of months before finding my current job. I did find another job during my period of unemployment, however didn't last long before my depression got the better of me. I have worked in my current job for over a year and feel very comfortable. I love my coworkers and the work that I do. I think part of why I've done so well is because I started taking anti-depressants a month before I began in my role. I recently applied for a promotion for a role that will be in a different area. It's been strongly hinted that I have the job. I'm both proud, and terrified. I've come so far in the past year. My mental health has improved, and I don't wake up wishing I could quit my job. I'm terrified that moving to another role will take me back to who I used to be. I'm worried that maybe my happiness comes from having such good coworkers, and my new coworkers wont be as good. And what if the work isn't as stimulating or enjoyable? In a way, I'm scared of myself. I'm probably overthinking, but these thoughts are upsetting me. How can I help myself?

Shaneb Looking for hope
  • replies: 2

I really don't know what to do anymore, over the last few years I've watched myself fall into this dark black hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. I once cared for so much, wanted to achieve my goals and better myself and now i feel my depres... View more

I really don't know what to do anymore, over the last few years I've watched myself fall into this dark black hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. I once cared for so much, wanted to achieve my goals and better myself and now i feel my depression stripping me of everything that made me who i was. All i feel everyday is pain, anger and despair, I lost enjoyment from the things i once loved and find no sense of accomplishment from what i do achieve. I lost my job due to stress physically affecting me and causing me to become ill, i told them the truth and what i was going through but after two weeks off trying to recover i was fired. I'm stuck with myself everyday now, all the thoughts and feelings i cannot make sense of which causes me to question my sanity at times. I have no family or friends to turn too for help, the loneliness over the last few months has become overwhelming and add everything else on top and all i want to do is sleep to escape the pain. Im becoming tired of fighting to only end up going backwards and letting my emotions control me. I am currently getting professional help though it hasn't been helpful as of yet. I wish i could pull myself out of this hole but i simply don't have the strength and determination to do so.

JollyDown Parties and Bipolar - can we mix?
  • replies: 5

Dear everyone I’m at home alone not only feeling sorry for myself, butnot knowing what to do with myself, with my AIAI (Anxiety, Irritability, and Agitation Index) steadily creeping up. The reason: my family have quite rightly gone to one of my good ... View more

Dear everyone I’m at home alone not only feeling sorry for myself, butnot knowing what to do with myself, with my AIAI (Anxiety, Irritability, and Agitation Index) steadily creeping up. The reason: my family have quite rightly gone to one of my good friend’s 50th birthday party. I just couldn’t get ready to get myself there. There are/were multiple reasons for this, including social anxiety, fear regarding being able to NOT drink alcohol (this is a bunch of friends who drink a LOT, most of my friends do),and mental and physical exhaustion having just returned from a 4 night walking trek in Tassie. I did have a couple glasses every night in Tassie and this resulted in me feeling terrible both yesterday and today and hence felt even less like going to a “party” and even more desperate to avoid alcohol. Im very interested to hear about other people’s experiences and coping mechanisms in these situations. I have managed several work Xmas parties (really have to go to those coz I’m the boss) but really have no interest in large group parties. Is it reasonable not to attend some of them? I love catching up in small groups but dislike extremely the large parties where you might barely get to speak to the guest of honour anyway. Kind regards JD

Jen27 New Member
  • replies: 23

Hi, I just joined today. I've been battling with depression for the last 10 years. Thought I had it under control for the last few, but lost my job about 6 months ago and I seem to have fallen into the hole again. Went to first appointment with a psy... View more

Hi, I just joined today. I've been battling with depression for the last 10 years. Thought I had it under control for the last few, but lost my job about 6 months ago and I seem to have fallen into the hole again. Went to first appointment with a psychologist today. Got a good vibe from him and think he can help. Only it's stirred up a lot of memories that I haven't visited for a while. Any advice on how to calm down your mind when you start over thinking and over analysing? Anyway hello all and thanks for listening/reading.

BMayyy Not being heard.
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I've struggled with depression and anxiety for a bout 8 years now but I feel like I'm not getting the right help or diagnosis. Don't get me wrong I do believe I have anxiety and depression but I feel like within myself it goes alot deepe... View more

Hi everyone, I've struggled with depression and anxiety for a bout 8 years now but I feel like I'm not getting the right help or diagnosis. Don't get me wrong I do believe I have anxiety and depression but I feel like within myself it goes alot deeper than that, I've been put on several different types of medications and nothing has worked for me as of yet.. and when I also say it goes alot deeper I mean rage, I have this anger inside me that never leaves, my moods shift like crazy and it's affected relationships with partners and family members and I just think will I ever get the right help? will I ever be heard?