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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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TheRealMel So I told the doctor everything....
  • replies: 2

Well I finally saw the dr today and we did a MHP, possibility the highest marks ever for me on a test since the westpac maths competition 28 years ago LOL, chronic untreated depression and stress, and so the journey begins, with medication, reducing ... View more

Well I finally saw the dr today and we did a MHP, possibility the highest marks ever for me on a test since the westpac maths competition 28 years ago LOL, chronic untreated depression and stress, and so the journey begins, with medication, reducing alcohol, and really hoping to get into the first counselling session quickly, phoned twice and waiting, have gone totally offline from work but called the boss advising I have a certificate even though it’s always chaos, was having other tests for a chronic cough, but don’t want to tell them about this part, even booked in for the dentist, now what to do with the next two days before the family weekend....need to get myself well.

daisy8 In hospital
  • replies: 2

I'm in hospital at the moment, after surgery and infection on both feet, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks now and don't know how much longer it will take. I know that I'm where i need to be, but as each day passes my depression and anxiety increases... View more

I'm in hospital at the moment, after surgery and infection on both feet, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks now and don't know how much longer it will take. I know that I'm where i need to be, but as each day passes my depression and anxiety increases. I feel powerless to know what to do, i don't think there is anything else they can do either! Any ideas would be welcome, thanks,xx

Hiddenight New here
  • replies: 5

Hi ive been diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and BPD. I feel like I've been labelled and judged. I dont want any of this I've had enough.

Hi ive been diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and BPD. I feel like I've been labelled and judged. I dont want any of this I've had enough.

GardenGnome Burnt-out or depressed
  • replies: 2

I have had a lot of stressful events at work, home and broader family this year which has meant lots of work to do. I am at a stage where I am completely exhausted and dont want to deal with another thing. I find it very hard to muster any enthusiasm... View more

I have had a lot of stressful events at work, home and broader family this year which has meant lots of work to do. I am at a stage where I am completely exhausted and dont want to deal with another thing. I find it very hard to muster any enthusiasm for anything. I wondering how related and/or different burn-out and depression are. Are the strategies the same for dealing with them? For some reason I would feel better if I was burnt-out rather than depressed.

Gjorggan I will always be a sad man
  • replies: 3

I have had depression for 8 years on and off and I am 21 years old, only last year I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and I have been off medication since Christmas. I dropped out of my degree, moved back home and now I work full time. I... View more

I have had depression for 8 years on and off and I am 21 years old, only last year I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and I have been off medication since Christmas. I dropped out of my degree, moved back home and now I work full time. I have come to think I will never be really happy again. The strangest thing is that I am okay with that, I wake up angry, frustrated and down right miserable buts its been so long that its just another day for me, I don't expect anyone to understand it. But its who I am now. In public and at work, I put on the mask, I smile, socialise and I am a very polite person to most people. Some afternoons I go to gym for an hour (5 times a week) I get home, make dinner, eat, go to my room I try to go to sleep its hard for me to sleep but eventually I do. Its just another day tomorrow I tell myself. I eat healthy I exercise often, but at the end of every day I struggle to keep myself from screaming and crying. Is it just who I am? I have no idea but its my life now. I will always be a sad man.

emma_tucker Job depression & Scared of my future
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I never thought I’d be here posting but here I am. I’m a 26 year old female who has generally always been a happy person. I’ve started feeling the struggles of life over the past 12 months. Started when I hit 25, instantly negative though... View more

Hi everyone I never thought I’d be here posting but here I am. I’m a 26 year old female who has generally always been a happy person. I’ve started feeling the struggles of life over the past 12 months. Started when I hit 25, instantly negative thoughts of 25 and have no partner which makes me think no kids then no future. I’m sick of hearing “you’re still so young” from people who are married starring their own families. I’m last of my friends to get married and I feel like I’ve lost a lot of friends ships due to this coming of age. I currently work in childcare which I dread I absolutely loathe getting up every morning, it’s so stressful for the income I receive, I still live with my parents because I cannot afford to move out. I recently started this job at a new centre hoping to get a new insight of the industry and this isn’t the case. I feel so stuck in my life and I am not happy, I’m always snappy, I don’t get enjoyment out of anything anymore I feel like my friends all have what I want and it kills me seeing them being so happy while I’m here feeling alone and isolated thinking I’ll never have a family of my own. I want a new career but I have no experience in anything else and at this time of the year it’s hard to find a full time job, I’m really just looking for someone who has been in this situation and can give me some insight of why I’m feeling this way, I have no enjoyment for life anymore and no fear of consequences. please help me

bf90 timing is everything
  • replies: 1

Hi, Haven't had the best of weeks and it lately feels this is all my life is. Had a cold recently and after visiting my GP i don't feel any better, was prescribed antibiotics and i don't feel that better a week later. the other reason i went was to s... View more

Hi, Haven't had the best of weeks and it lately feels this is all my life is. Had a cold recently and after visiting my GP i don't feel any better, was prescribed antibiotics and i don't feel that better a week later. the other reason i went was to speak about talking to a counselor or someone to talk to. Been feeling depressed and more than anything just sad. i'm not in a place in life i want to be - unemployed at 31 and just not feeling happy in life. I understand it's a natural feeling to be depressed about not working but this feels different. making it worse is knowing Christmas is weeks away and the likely reality is that i won't be working before the year is out. I'm tired of the endless cycle of applying for work i'll never get, feeling depressed about not working and just feeling sad. I'm trying to help myself by starting to do exercise, eating better and having a positive attitude - it's easier said than done though. I'm still waiting to hear back from the counselor i called so hopefully once i have a chat that may help me. I'm just over feeling sad and depressed

SPOONO Why I'm Here, or a newbies guide to getting depression and what I did to relieve it.
  • replies: 4

I was at work when the foreman drove in too fast after forgetting he'd had me get the apprentices to wash the painted garage floor with degreaser. He used his 4wd and my legs to break the tyre of car I was working on from the rim of wheel. My wife wa... View more

I was at work when the foreman drove in too fast after forgetting he'd had me get the apprentices to wash the painted garage floor with degreaser. He used his 4wd and my legs to break the tyre of car I was working on from the rim of wheel. My wife was at home cleaning up the house for sale as we'd purchased a new one up bush. A good way to escape the '89 interest rate of 23%. Wife had to drive 50km to visit me after busting gut working while pregnant and looking after two toddlers. This made me particularly popular and began to appear to her like I was away on holidays while she did all the work. A couple of my mates and me in plaster up to the groin took our worldly possessions to the new place, wife and kids moved up while I went back on holiday in rehab hospital. The day I was to be released the surgeons took a look, said bone graft. Sent me to another hospital, it was loose ligaments; sent me off to catch up with wife and kids in absolute agony. 'sign of weakness???' Most of the hillbillies in the town thought so and I suffered, took loads of crap to try to deal with pain and got depressed. When I got out of psychiatric hospital where I had been diagnosed with hep C, no doubt in my mind a result of the operations on my legs. The townsfolk with open friendly arms banned me from all eating, food and drink places. Kindly offering to let me drink stubbies only; in the bar which cleared when I tried. Ran home to mum, forgot she'd paid out a mortgage I had cos I was so screwed up and lost my 5 acres of land in that horrid town. The lands now worth close to $500,000 but banks only have to keep records for 7 years, I'm screwed. Now friction with Mum over the land, wife divorced me cos scared of hep C. She didn't notice she hadn't picked it up off me in 22yrs marriage. And that is how I got depressed. Is it an illness?? It is when all the stuff ups go around and around like a CD jumping from one track to another with no solutions. We know we aren't weak. Some think we want to have some quack fry our brains with electricity, we know its cos we're desperate to get rid of the CD, most people think we're forced to do it as punishment for being messed up. I won't let them do it to me, though I'm tempted at times. Best method to shut up the CD was by letting it all out in the mainstream, not bottling it up; HAPPY FOR FIRST TIME IN MONTHS, Thanks so much to the wise psychologist I didn't even notice him tell me. WOW!!!

Dolphin45 Daze all the time
  • replies: 2

Hi I would like to ask if anyone has experienced feeling as if in a daze a lot? I am on medication and have been for the past 2 years. I tend to forget things such as one time I left a saucepan on the stove top, left pumpkin boiling far too long; or ... View more

Hi I would like to ask if anyone has experienced feeling as if in a daze a lot? I am on medication and have been for the past 2 years. I tend to forget things such as one time I left a saucepan on the stove top, left pumpkin boiling far too long; or having a conversation with a friend then sometime later I don't remember specific things we talked about; feel like as if I am in a daze a lot. I tried to explain to my GP but she wants to upped the dosage which I think it'll make things worse. I don't process well nor grasp things as normal people do. Is it the medication or me?

Penryn Relapse Fears
  • replies: 4

Hi My name is Emily. I had my depression episode in 2015. It is now 2018 and it's been almost 3 years since my last episode. My fear of relapsing is eating away at me : Everyday is rooted in control. If I'm in control I won't relapse. I watched over ... View more

Hi My name is Emily. I had my depression episode in 2015. It is now 2018 and it's been almost 3 years since my last episode. My fear of relapsing is eating away at me : Everyday is rooted in control. If I'm in control I won't relapse. I watched over my tv limit today, it is racking me with paranoia. It makes me physically sick to think I could relapse into depression . I shouldn't have watched more than my limit but always being in control it's exhausting #Phobia I am just so terrified, if I relax, even for just a few hours, I'll relapse. I am over being afraid, I just want to live life without being controlled by this fear