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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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Lucyopp188 My partner is not very supportive
  • replies: 7

Having a newborn, he is not very supportive. He doesn't want have kids and doesn't want to pay child support. Everyday he just watches movies in his room. The way he talks to me so disgusting. It makes me hard to breath .What shall I do?

Having a newborn, he is not very supportive. He doesn't want have kids and doesn't want to pay child support. Everyday he just watches movies in his room. The way he talks to me so disgusting. It makes me hard to breath .What shall I do?

Burgundy3 Worried about too many sick days due to anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

Hi, This is my first time posting here. I've read a few threads on here before and people seemed to be incredibly helpful so I thought I'd reach out with my current situation. I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for approximately five ye... View more

Hi, This is my first time posting here. I've read a few threads on here before and people seemed to be incredibly helpful so I thought I'd reach out with my current situation. I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for approximately five years or so now and it's recently gotten a lot worse, mainly increasing before or after a shift at work or in the lead up to work. I am only a casual, though I feel incredibly guilty that I have been taking more sick days than normal as a result of depressive episodes and anxiety attacks and I am aware that a lot of people at my work do think I am frequently just 'throwing a sickie'. Yesterday, I went to a doctor who was lovely and helpful, who booked me in for counselling, and recommended that I take a week off work and that, eventually, I try to find employment elsewhere. At the moment, I'm unsure of whether or not to use the medical certificate he gave me as the store (my workplace) has a huge event this weekend and they're probably going to be a little short staffed without me. On the other hand, I do believe that I need some time off to sort myself out. What should I do? Has anybody else been in a similar situation before? Thank you.

enerfydriinks BPD diagnosis??
  • replies: 2

hi, im pretty sure i might have BPD. ive read quite a bit about it and have pretty solid understanding on how it relates to me. my only problem is that im not sure how to get diagnosed, im not seeing at therapist and wold prefer not to so is there a ... View more

hi, im pretty sure i might have BPD. ive read quite a bit about it and have pretty solid understanding on how it relates to me. my only problem is that im not sure how to get diagnosed, im not seeing at therapist and wold prefer not to so is there a way to get diagnosed by a GP? is there a similar way to the k10 test or is it only able to diagnosed by a psychologist/psychiatrist?

HunterBresson Losing the happiness and want in my life.
  • replies: 4

Hi, Ive never posted on somewhere like this but im really looking for anything right now. My life has been good and stable, nothing has really ever gone wrong and im extremely grateful for that. But over the past 18 months, Ive had this emptiness fee... View more

Hi, Ive never posted on somewhere like this but im really looking for anything right now. My life has been good and stable, nothing has really ever gone wrong and im extremely grateful for that. But over the past 18 months, Ive had this emptiness feeling almost just overwhelm every aspect of my life. I belived it was my Job, so I quit and found another, I believed it was my lifestyle so I went out of my comfort zone. I actively tried to change all these major apsects of my life in order to combat it but it seemed to just consume me. In the past 6 months its became quite aggressive I wake up with little to no care about the result of anything or anyone for the day, I still go to work and remain apart of society, but the days of not even wanting to do that are becoming more normal. The want in my life is gone, I dont want anything or anyone. Im only 20 years old, i feel i should be wanting to take on the world. In the past couple months its been heartbreaking to see the enjoyment is used to get from being around family and friends completely dissapear. Life has become really grey and bleak, and it never used to be like this. Nothing has changed drastically in life so i dont know why or expect anyone to understand or believe this is happening. I dont want to feel like a victim and I sometimes feel like the best thing would be for it to be all over, not just for me but for everyone as id rather them remember me for the person I was rather the empty person im becoming. I know i need to talk too someone about this, but I just cant see myself ever doing so. Even if it may be the only way to get better, I feel like the only option i can convince myself is that its best to just let life take its course. I never used to be like this, im really exhausted and upset at the situation, but i know life will go on and im hoping it gets better. Has anyone else felt like this, and managed to find a happiness again? if so im really looking for help Thanks Sam

violet1212 an answer to my confusion?
  • replies: 2

um.... hi? okay im not sure if im doing this right but it's my first time being on this website and I read through a lot of peoples thoughts and problems hoping I would get something out for myself. growing up as I child I was literally the shyest gi... View more

um.... hi? okay im not sure if im doing this right but it's my first time being on this website and I read through a lot of peoples thoughts and problems hoping I would get something out for myself. growing up as I child I was literally the shyest girl out there. and although my parents said otherwise I knew I was different. I was at the age of 5, 6, 7 or so, I was very young. im not sure why but I was always thinking I was judged. I used to think everybody felt like me, but as I grew older I realized it was not normal for a 6 or seven years old to feel like there being judged all the time. whenever someone would laugh I would have the urge to cry as I thought it was directed at me. weird but my biggest strugle when i was younger was to call my name out on the roll. i remember waking up and being upset that i had to say a simple 'here' or 'present' infront of the class. whenever somone wispered i used to think it was about me. even if i hear some of there conversations being related to random topics, I always had the fear that they were laughing at me. I could never say no to anyone afraid they might hate me, and as a child, I never really felt like myself in front of others, and I would always beat myself up about it. I used to pray every day that I would gain confidence. my biggest wish was to have a best friend that I can ramble non stop without being judged on what I say. I was so insecure and had no confedence, and that was the biggest thing I bet myself up for. everybody knew me as the quiet girl as I bearly spoke, but thankfully as im older now logic settles in a bit and I had come to a realization that nobody was judging me. i never really took notice until i actually looked back at myself and relised that it wasn't normal but then again im not sure. is it normal for a 6-7 year old to feel so sared of everybody judging her every move? oh and note i only remember this started when i was in yr one with a somwhat clear memory and it continued all the way into highschool until 2 years ago when i finally managed to make myself more confident and gain more friends. and although i know there still an a small bit in me were i feel judged but i had taught myself not to car anymore and dismiss others opinions unless there good or adviceful ones.

Ryfn My life’s been falling apart for a long time
  • replies: 2

I’m not sure what I want to achieve here, but I guess with anonymity I can write honestly about what’s happening to me. After almost 8 years of battling my worsening mental state, I’ve finally found the courage to tell some of my friends but I’m not ... View more

I’m not sure what I want to achieve here, but I guess with anonymity I can write honestly about what’s happening to me. After almost 8 years of battling my worsening mental state, I’ve finally found the courage to tell some of my friends but I’m not ready to tell them the full extent of it because I don’t want them to have to carry this darkness in their lives too. I used to feel invincible: in my dream degree (medicine), successful athletically, and capable of talking to anybody about anything, and more importantly willing and able to help anyone I cared about with anything. I can honestly say I was living my best life: a life of ego approaching zero where I gave everything to the people I cared about. But after the person I considered my only true friend, and the person I wanted to spend my life with - chose a path of actions that made me experience hurt more than I’ve ever experienced in my life, something in my brain snapped and it’s felt like I’ve been cut off from the ability to use it properly ever since. It wasn’t a gradual creep, it was like a switch. I dropped out of medicine to do Commerce, since it was less rigorous and I could attempt to balance my shifting moods with my workload. My whole personality changed, my new insecurities would flare up at any little trigger and my ordinarily sharp memory has deteriorated to the point I can’t hold a conversation or recall recent events. Although somewhat ironically, I constantly wake up at 3am on work nights to nightmares of events that have upset me and am unable to get back to sleep. I’ve intermittently sought professional help, tried all sorts of self medicating, meditation etc. but nothing’s helped me so far. It think the saddest thing is I have no longer have any will to live. I’d never act on this, I don’t have the strength, and I care too much about my family and friends. But it’s getting harder and harder to keep my life together, and people are more aware of the cracks than ever. It’s just exhausting, and immensely painful to keep going without any drive or passion fueling me.

Loula Bipolar and Pregancy
  • replies: 6

Random question. Im at an age and stage in my life where my husband and I are having the baby talk. Im really scared about let alone that I've got PCOS and Endo which will make it harder for me to get pregnant or keep my child. I've had a loss a few ... View more

Random question. Im at an age and stage in my life where my husband and I are having the baby talk. Im really scared about let alone that I've got PCOS and Endo which will make it harder for me to get pregnant or keep my child. I've had a loss a few years ago. But now with my bipolar I'm so scared. Like really scared. I'm scared I'm going to lose it while pregs, I'm scared I'm going to freak out and stress out after having the baby im scared I'm not going to be able to the be best I know I can be. I'm scared I'm going to screw up my child. Im scared if I have a loss or can't conceive I'm going to lose it. Has anyone on here with bipolar have a family and been through this journey. If you don't mind letting me know what it's like that would be great pleas

247Confused A common issue.
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, This is my very first post not only on Beyond Blue but on any type of mental health forum. I'm going to try keep this as short as possible so please bear with me. I am asking for any suggestions, tips or even reading materials. I am a st... View more

Hi Everyone, This is my very first post not only on Beyond Blue but on any type of mental health forum. I'm going to try keep this as short as possible so please bear with me. I am asking for any suggestions, tips or even reading materials. I am a straight 20yo male and have dealt with a lot of anxiety my entire life. I have always been very shy and not so much as an outgoing person. I've particularly dealt with a lot of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) throughout my teenage years although I was never diagnosed with it, it was very clear to me that I was suffering from the disorder. I'm glad to say that it is almost non-existent in my life, however in certain situations I do get a bit edgy. I have never in my life tried to reach out for help until now and I kind of see it like I should tackle this on my own. I know it's heavily encouraged to seek help with this sort of thing but I really want this to be the first step towards creating a more fulfilling life for myself. Not only that, but the entire world could tell me get assistance and I know I would still struggle to do so. I really don't like talking about it with anyone, even my closest friends. Again, I know it's perfectly fine to but I really want to do this my way. At this current stage of my life, I am incredibly confused and frustrated with myself. I feel almost desensitized to life's pleasures and I find it difficult to look forward to certain things or gain the motivation to do the things I want to do to benefit myself. I am not sure if I'm suffering from depression but I do get very down on myself quite often. I work and study (online) part time. I hate university, I can't stand it and it's definitely not for me. The only reason I started it was because I felt like I had very little self-worth at the time, and I still do. I like to think of myself as independent and I really enjoy business and would be interested in tackling this by myself. I am very very very self conscious about the way I look, from every piece of clothing to the hairs on my head, again this is something I have always dealt with. To be honest it's a mixture of all these things and I'm afraid that if I don't start to work on it (like I should have many years ago) that I would forever be on a downhill roller coaster. Furthermore, surprisingly enough I'm not too bad with women, it boosts my confidence quite a bit so I guess I'm not completely in the dark. Thank you so much for reading this, any tips would help a lot.

Meggy123 Feeling low
  • replies: 2

I've been feeling very low. I often can't get out of bed or do household jobs. I live alone, and work in quite a public profession. I'm too scared to speak to my friends or family or to ask for help. I'm not really sure what to do.

I've been feeling very low. I often can't get out of bed or do household jobs. I live alone, and work in quite a public profession. I'm too scared to speak to my friends or family or to ask for help. I'm not really sure what to do.

Kanetica Wanting to feel less alone in this desperate darkness
  • replies: 5

Hi, sèeking some advice on how to connect and grab a hand in the chaos. I have friends who are really close; family, but things have turned messy tonight, and im not sure how best to ask for a friend.

Hi, sèeking some advice on how to connect and grab a hand in the chaos. I have friends who are really close; family, but things have turned messy tonight, and im not sure how best to ask for a friend.