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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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Quercus How to feel hope for your child when it feels hopeless?
  • replies: 18

My babies Mr 5 and Miss 4 take a private bus to school and home again so I can work school hours. They are the only little kids on the bus. Yesterday our son reluctantly told us older kids slapped, bit and scratched him as a game even though he told ... View more

My babies Mr 5 and Miss 4 take a private bus to school and home again so I can work school hours. They are the only little kids on the bus. Yesterday our son reluctantly told us older kids slapped, bit and scratched him as a game even though he told them to stop. His ear was bleeding. Confiding in us took guts so we acted by speaking to the bus driver about keeping any little kids at the front where he can see them. Documenting and alerting the school and we had a meeting this morning because this is unacceptable. Today they went on the bus again. We waited for the bus at the school gate to meet our kids (and eye off each of the teenage asshats that hurt him for fun). A silent threat. My heart aches and I want to protect but my gut also says he needs to learn we will act to keep him safe but he must also learn to guard himself by staying with his peer group and knowing if someone touches him to speak up loudly because that is not permitted. But watching your little one slowly realising not everyone is kind or nice hurts. Hearing your five year old say that a boy said that "it's ok if we hit you because you're just a little toy" made me want to vomit. In the school meeting I just sobbed and couldn't speak. It feels so revolting. The school is taking it seriously but I have lost faith. There were young adults on that bus that watched and did nothing. Not even a word to the driver. Nothing. I am proud of how he bounced back and is back to his usual feral and happy self. But I am broken and hopeless. Tears keep threatening. How do you teach small children the world is a positive place when you need to teach them to develop resilience and defence? How do you feel hopeful for their future with proof people stand back and watch and do nothing?

DemonHeathen Am I depressed or just being dramatic?!?
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m a high schooler and I don’t know whether or not I’m depressed. I keep all my problems to myself and usually cry myself to sleep. During the day I often have end up exhausted and don’t feel like doing anything I still smile and laugh and play b... View more

Hi I’m a high schooler and I don’t know whether or not I’m depressed. I keep all my problems to myself and usually cry myself to sleep. During the day I often have end up exhausted and don’t feel like doing anything I still smile and laugh and play but it doesn’t last long. I hate myself and don’t really know why I’m still trying to do anything. But I’m worried that I’m just being an attention seeker because nothing particularly bad has happened in my life. I feel I may just be dramatic and making this bigger than it is and I’m wondering whether or not I’m actually depressed. I don’t see many reasons why I should be but and I feel there are so many more people who have been through terrible things but I’m just some dramatic attention seeker who is making a big deal out of nothing. What do you think am I actually depressed or just dramatic because I don’t know.

User1986 I just found out from my doctor that i have depression
  • replies: 5

For a while, well maybe a very long time. I have been wondering my my mood keeps going up and down a lot. While some days are really bad, i don't want to do anything. I don't want to go anywhere.. I just want to stay at home away from people and just... View more

For a while, well maybe a very long time. I have been wondering my my mood keeps going up and down a lot. While some days are really bad, i don't want to do anything. I don't want to go anywhere.. I just want to stay at home away from people and just do nothing. I have made a appointment with a counsellor but it will not be for another two weeks until i can see them. I find my self struggling with eating and trying to get through my uni work. To be motivated to do anything, but for some reason i keep going round this cycle of not wanting to do anything. I have also notice i have distance myself from most of my friends and i am afraid to tell them what i am feeling as they got their own problems to deal with i don't think it would be right to add mine on top. So my question is this.. Other than forcing myself to eat, to exercise, wait for my counsellor appointment.. What can i do to get my self wanting to get up in the morning and to do everything i need to do? I have talked about this with my boyfriend and he seems to be very supportive of me. But i am not sure where to go from here..

Efb1234 I'm a bit lost
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have just gotten back from seeing my GP for a mental health care plan. After almost 2 years of what I believe is a relapse in my depression. This time though, I couldn't put on a brave face, I kept crying and shaking. He has referred to to an a... View more

Hi, I have just gotten back from seeing my GP for a mental health care plan. After almost 2 years of what I believe is a relapse in my depression. This time though, I couldn't put on a brave face, I kept crying and shaking. He has referred to to an affordable psychologist which is a month wait... I don't think I can deal with another month battling with myself. I'm at breaking point in my friendships and relationship. I just don't know what to do from here.

4321 Unmotivated and Crying
  • replies: 3

Hello, I can’t find any motivation and I can’t seem to stop crying. I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago but have been really good for the past 12 months even going off my medication. But I have felt a change the last couple of weeks. This... View more

Hello, I can’t find any motivation and I can’t seem to stop crying. I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago but have been really good for the past 12 months even going off my medication. But I have felt a change the last couple of weeks. This weekend is a long weekend and I had so many exciting plans and I don’t want to do anything except stay in bed. I then feel annoyed with myself and start crying for no reason. does anyone have any advise please? Thank you.

Lexi88 And so the climb begins
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. This is my first time here posting. My depression has come to ahead and I need to start talking. Firstly - my current state: I'm 6 days out of gradually coming off antideppresants which I have been on for almost 10 years. Last night I sl... View more

Hi everyone. This is my first time here posting. My depression has come to ahead and I need to start talking. Firstly - my current state: I'm 6 days out of gradually coming off antideppresants which I have been on for almost 10 years. Last night I slept a total of four hours. I spent the night with all lights on, seeing things in the dark, crying and terrified to sleep for fear of vivid nightmares. My head is a fog and brain zaps are every few minutes. My head throbs for all the crying done followed by enhaustion and calm for 30 minutes. I'm scared that I don't have a deadline for withdrawals. When will it end? Will it get worse? I had to leave work today as I simply for fear that at any given moment I would explode in rage at someone or Biratnagar into uncontrollable sobbing. I feel sick thinking how on earth will I ever control myself? Is this the end of a burgeoning career? You cannot simply put work and life on hold - people depend on you. How can I possibly be so weak? I don't know if this is just withdrawals talking or I am still stuck in the hole that is depression and I worry how I will cope with life now that I have decided to look for other ways to handle my mental wellbeing rather than numbing myself with medicine. I don't know what my real feelings look like now. As a chronic over-anayliser prone to bouts of overwhelming sadness and anxiety, I feel like in at the start of a dark highway heading in a direction I'm unsure of, not knowing what's at the end. Where to start? How to begin to calm myself? To feel again? How to get up and take on a new day? I think perhaps I might like to speak with someone for guidance however my last time reaching out for help this way I felt intimidated and pressured to speak leaving me having a panic attack and running out of the building!

Flustered Feeling down
  • replies: 3

I often feel low and flat even though I have a great life. I cant understand why I feel this way. Very confused

I often feel low and flat even though I have a great life. I cant understand why I feel this way. Very confused

Zakhary Incredibly lonely masked by my video games
  • replies: 2

I’ve been in foster care my whole life and finally moved up to my grandparents when I turned 19 and finished high school, however the move to Bendigo has really stumped me. ive tried to make new friends by joining a volleyball team but just can’t, ev... View more

I’ve been in foster care my whole life and finally moved up to my grandparents when I turned 19 and finished high school, however the move to Bendigo has really stumped me. ive tried to make new friends by joining a volleyball team but just can’t, even trying to find a partner is hard enough... I’m 19 going on to 20 and this feeling of being alone is slowly starting to get under my skin and I don’t know what to do.

walpurti laughter therapy
  • replies: 5

I would be very interested to learn about personal experiences with laughter therapy. I know little about the subject although I do find when I watch movies that make me laugh it has a profound effect on my mood. I suspect there is a chemical reactio... View more

I would be very interested to learn about personal experiences with laughter therapy. I know little about the subject although I do find when I watch movies that make me laugh it has a profound effect on my mood. I suspect there is a chemical reaction in the brain but that is beyond my understanding. I am careful about the type of comedy I watch though as some has some rather dark undertones and/or self deprecating aspects that have the opposite affect ... speaking for myself.

startingnew Its been a little while
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone It has been quite a while since ive been here and im not really all that sure what to say. At the moment things arent so great and with many things upcoming im just taking things as each day comes. There have been some positives though an... View more

Hi everyone It has been quite a while since ive been here and im not really all that sure what to say. At the moment things arent so great and with many things upcoming im just taking things as each day comes. There have been some positives though and that keeps abit of light in the dark. Thank you to all who have and continue to support me through my mh journey.