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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 chats on this Forum having 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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Double_K Falling into it again
  • replies: 4

Hello, i have been going so well with everything until something happened at work. we had an incid not I was involved in and ever since then things have changed so, so much. I feel as though they blame me for what happened still. And there has been b... View more

Hello, i have been going so well with everything until something happened at work. we had an incid not I was involved in and ever since then things have changed so, so much. I feel as though they blame me for what happened still. And there has been been some other things that have set me backwards too.

Looking Is there any real help out there?
  • replies: 6

There are so many people that say they care about people with depression and anxiety and do nothing. For example, Beyond Blue has a contact form via email. You sit there for an hour telling them what is happening and all you get is a email response s... View more

There are so many people that say they care about people with depression and anxiety and do nothing. For example, Beyond Blue has a contact form via email. You sit there for an hour telling them what is happening and all you get is a email response saying how they feel for you and look for answers on their website. News Flash, I went to your website, did not find the answers, so I sent you an email. Been on antidepressants for 15 years. My GP has tried all the types. Nothing worked. Read about TMS and thought that might work. But TMS can only be referred by a psychiatrist. So get referred to one. Of course he knows some wonder drug that I have most likely already tried over the last 15 years and insists on trying those first. Both had bad side effects. But I course he knew better and accused me of lying about the side effects as he was not aware of them. Maybe he should learn to use the internet. So got him to approve TMS. Unfortunately it did not work. But I wanted a different psychiatrist and I was not connecting with that one. He accused me of being a racist. He was of Indian background and argued that was the reason for wanting to changing. He also accused me of lying to him. So this is how a mental health professional treats a person with mental health issues. As I have said, pills have not worked over 15 years. I had TMS on the right side of the brain, so wanted to try it on the left side. Of course new psychiatrist thinks he has some magic pill that all the others before him have been too stupid to think of. None, of them will listen to you. None of them care what you are going through. They are only interested in putting people into boxes and charging $170 per 15 minutes. Of course this means that they only work 2 days per week and have every second month off on holidays. I NEVER have a positive experience. I cannot think of anything that would make me feel good. I have bad days and worse days, nothing else. I sit in a chair most nights shaking and heart pounding. I feel like I need to run away, but can't figure out where to run to. Even driving a car means that I have this urge to pull over and curl up in a ball and I don't know why. I just feel like I need to hit something to take out my frustration in not knowing what to do. You can't live a life like this. How do you find someone that will actually care about you. The ones that people recommend are all booked up. It even takes you a month to get into a bad one. It all just seems hopeless

D_augustine Anyone else out there feel the same?
  • replies: 7

I love my kids and I love my husband but just lately I feel like is this it? Like everyday is the same, I just wanted more out of life and I’m scared this is it. I know is sounds awful and I’ve been felt this before and I try to shrug it off but it a... View more

I love my kids and I love my husband but just lately I feel like is this it? Like everyday is the same, I just wanted more out of life and I’m scared this is it. I know is sounds awful and I’ve been felt this before and I try to shrug it off but it always comes back. I’ve never really been single or just been me. I pretty much went from one relationship to another. I’ve always been someone’s somebody and now I feel so much responsibility for everyone else. I can’t make a move or do anything without the thought of my husband or kids. I wish I had more time to be selfish before when I was not responsible for anyone. Now I feel stuck, as if all my role is to be a good house wife work and be a good mother. I honestly don’t think I even know who I am anymore. How am I supposed to teach my kids to be happy in their own skin when I’m miserable in mine?

Guest_030 Hate life
  • replies: 3

Sick of my life. I'm sick of existing in pain all the time both mentally and physically. My depression is winning. I don't think anything can help. My medication doesn't seem to work. I've been seeing a psychologist but feel even that isn't enough to... View more

Sick of my life. I'm sick of existing in pain all the time both mentally and physically. My depression is winning. I don't think anything can help. My medication doesn't seem to work. I've been seeing a psychologist but feel even that isn't enough to help me. While I wouldn't harm myself I just pray everynight when I go to sleep that I just won't wake up the next day. Going through another day is unbearable I just needed to vent as I have no friends or support

BeKindRewind4Life Alone Forever
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm new here, well not that new I was on before but my account went AWOL, the posts are still there so I know it's nothing I said. But... besides that. Does anyone here have an issue with meeting someone or talking to women. (I'm a guy). The deal... View more

Hi, I'm new here, well not that new I was on before but my account went AWOL, the posts are still there so I know it's nothing I said. But... besides that. Does anyone here have an issue with meeting someone or talking to women. (I'm a guy). The deal is, that I was put on disability for anxiety and severe depression many years ago, and even though, I tried, and tried, and ...... tried, to get a job, both by myself and through the almost pointless government job network, I never struck gold. Only employers paying below minimum wage, or hiring me to take over the job of two employees with that workload, taking the jobs only to be shown the door, one when I wanted to be paid legally, the other when the workload got too much, which happened rather quickly as the employer knew he was cutting corners and too cheap to get two people, like he had before me. All this has resulted in, well 8 years of being on disability, and unlike others I've been assessed as being unable to work, not because I can't but because well, I don't gel with the way the system works, especially the job network because I wanted them to help me get into a paid starting position like an apprenticeship or training to get my life back. Now at the grand old age of almost 36 I am ineligible for any programs to get help, I don't even get reviewed or offered assistance because I'm over 35, and I'm exhausted. I could work a few days a week but no one, will give me a chance, ever, I actually bought a house in a town with no jobs, (west coast tas) and very little hope of employment. I was shocked that there was a job going cleaning toilets here....so I took my half uni degree (left because my mum has terminal cancer and it was impacting greatly), my 4 year old Cert IV - Networking qualification and applied, because I'll do anything just to have the chance of a job....why? when not even centrelink wants to get me back into the workforce? even though I cope better now days and could manage my anxiety working a few days a week. Well simply put, I feel worthless, not to my self but to anyone I might even consider talking to with a romantic interest, I've convinced my self that any women who is still single at my age won't be looking for a man with a lower income, I sometimes wonder if the need to be with someone and feel less alone in this world isn't enough? I never even attempt to talk to anyone I like because, I'm ashamed of my life, my worth, and my value to anyone else.

lpa101 A new diagnosis: Bipolar 1
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, new poster here! I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1 (after some close calls and incidences) and feel almost lost about it. It's nice to have the confirmation and the possibility of accurate specific treatment but I'm terrified. The stig... View more

Hi guys, new poster here! I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1 (after some close calls and incidences) and feel almost lost about it. It's nice to have the confirmation and the possibility of accurate specific treatment but I'm terrified. The stigma and the social isolation of people with bipolar is such a hard trope to suddenly dispose of, now that I've joined their ranks. I knew my anxiety and depression were bad, and difficult to manage, but I always managed to barrel on and keep fighting, but now it feels like this is something I can't fight anymore. Weirdly, I'm sad that the new medication might take the mania away. Those ephemeral moments of complete and utter joy are so addictive, regardless of what risks they come with, especially when compared to the bleak gloom that blankets me the rest of the time. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for anymore. I don't need help socially or academically, I have no issues with romantic relationships or familial connections. Maybe just some assistance on how to make this diagnosis palatable, and to come to terms and be comfortable with it. Sorry for the long read! I eagerly await to hear from the kind people of beyondblue!

Bellaboo2 Sensitive and confused
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m new here and quite nervous about posting. I experience anxiety and depression symptoms quite frequently. I suffer from episodes of depression, anxiety and panic attacks. My moods shift quite rapidly I can be netrual one minute than anxious or ... View more

Hi I’m new here and quite nervous about posting. I experience anxiety and depression symptoms quite frequently. I suffer from episodes of depression, anxiety and panic attacks. My moods shift quite rapidly I can be netrual one minute than anxious or angry the next. I feel as though I don’t know who I am.I subconsciously pick up traits of others, I always change my career choice and feel myself trying to be like other people. I feel as though I don’t really enjoy anything I don’t have any hobbies or any friends I hang out with. I find myself very attached and clingy in my relationships though. I’m having a hard time knowing if I’m living or in a dream. I often feel as though I’m looking at myself from outside my body. When faced with stressful situations or conflict I am at my worst. I do not know how to cope with the difficulties of life. I am very sensitive and often over analysis everyone around me trying to see if they like me, if I’m doing something wrong. I feel as though I am wearing a mask in the surface I am happy bubbly (sometimes) and on the inside I am breaking down. When I was 19 I was diagnosed with BPD. I recently went to a professional and from what they seen I did not meet the diagnosis. I’m really confused with what I’m experiencing, I feel like I don’t have the answers I need. Does anyone else have similar experiences?

Tealover675 Am I just lazy or is there something wrong with me?
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I don't know how to put this into good words but I feel like I just lost interest in most of the things and I've been feeling empty, hard to make myself do things for the past two years. Before that I wasn't that super active but I had rout... View more

Hi there, I don't know how to put this into good words but I feel like I just lost interest in most of the things and I've been feeling empty, hard to make myself do things for the past two years. Before that I wasn't that super active but I had routines and kept myself fairly busy most of the time. It started from when I was studying at uni in Europe two years ago. Few months into the course I noticed that I was in constant stress (course work, not making any close friends, long distance relationship and homesickness etc) and I couldn't sleep at night at all. I'll wake up at 3am and I felt like someone was choking me. I struggle to do my course work and was constantly crying before/after lectures. I wasn't eating a lot and lost some weight. It got to the point that I couldn't handle things anymore and decided to live with my bf who is my husband now. Things have become better after I left uni and started living with my husband. I can sleep, I'm not in a constant panicky mood or constantly crying but the emptiness and my motivation hasn't came back since then. On my days off from work, I usually drop off my husband at the station and go back to bed. I just stay in there, nap or just mess around in general and I just can't get any motivation to get out from bed. I don't feel tired but I just don't want to do anything. I do "feel" like doing stuff but I can't be asked. Just before my husband comes back from work, well of course I have to do things so that's when I finally get motivation to cook and clean. He does try to keep me company and come up with things that we can do together. That helps a lot to distract me from those empty feelings. The funny thing is I am absolutely okay when I am working. I can wake up, get out from bed, go to work and work all day without having any negative feelings. Not that I love working but it definitely helps me get through the day. I don't know if I'm just lazy, tired or if I'm depressed or something. I'm most likely fine when I'm doing things with my husband and working. It's just when I'm alone is when the emptiness hits me. I guess I should just call out some friends but even that I just can't be asked anymore.

Lonely_and_Lost Depressed, lost and lonely
  • replies: 7

Hello I am new here and this is my first post. I was diagnosed with depression 15yrs ago after a bad breakup and recently I was also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (I thought I was just an introvert). I have been seeing a really great female ... View more

Hello I am new here and this is my first post. I was diagnosed with depression 15yrs ago after a bad breakup and recently I was also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (I thought I was just an introvert). I have been seeing a really great female psychologist and she has been helping me a lot but last week the clinic called and told me she has unexpectedly left the practice. Now I have to start all over again with a new psychologist. I am now 35, single and very lonely. I don't have any friends and I cannot seem to find a boyfriend. I am highly stressed about my ages and situation as all I ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother. I am a biology teacher and I know all about reproduction. People keep telling me that any man would be lucky to have me but all I feel is that I must be such a loser because no man wants me. I do not want to ge to a sperm bank (as suggested by several people, including family) because then I will be a single loser with a child. Having no man want me is the worst feeling in the world. I am also struggling in my job. My management are making things very difficult in a bid to push me out. It is making me question everything. Should I be doing this? Should I return to my previous career in hospitality where I feel my strengths are stronger? Should I move overseas? Several people have told me if they didn't have kids, they would move overseas in a heartbeat and said I should go since I have nothing to tie me down (except my cat). I am just so conflicted and confused and indecisive. I have no clue what to do. I literally spend all my time outside work at home alone. I have done a lot of internet research and I still can't work out what I want or what to do. I am frightened of making the wrong decision. If I move, maybe things will be better but maybe they will be worse. I don't remember the last time I was genuinely happy and excited about life. I feel like everyday I am just existing, going through the motions, like an empty vessel. I hate everything and find little joy in anything except cuddles from my cat. I feel like I am down a big deep dark hole and I have no idea how to get out. If there is anyone out there who can relate or has any advice I would love to hear it. I just need someone to talk to and, if possible, the fairy godmother to wave her wand and solve all my problems.

Jaco09 Am I just Overreacting?
  • replies: 2

Im 16 and in year 11 this year, living in a country town. I'm pretty sure I don't have depression, but i feel as though I'm gradually becoming more and more down on myself. The worst its been is this year, my two best friends moved to the city for sc... View more

Im 16 and in year 11 this year, living in a country town. I'm pretty sure I don't have depression, but i feel as though I'm gradually becoming more and more down on myself. The worst its been is this year, my two best friends moved to the city for school and my sister moved over seas. I feel as though I am alone. I know I still have my family, and I know they love me but I've never been close with them like I am with my two friends and sister. Without these people in my life anymore, I don't fit in with anyone because being in a small town all the social standings are already sorted, friendship groups are full and aren't going to budge anytime soon. school has also gotten harder for me. I've never been a straight A student or anything but its becoming more and more of a struggle to the point where I'll get so overwhelmed that I'll break down in tears and and feel this need to hit or throw something in frustration and then have no motivation to do anything. I cant make decisions, I can't remember the most simplest of things, I can't do anything right for anyone and I've never been good at anything or felt as though I had a purpose and this really eats at me. I don't really want to be at home, I don't want to be with friends, I don't want to be at school, i don't want to be anywhere and i feel have no one I can talk with. Is this just one of those silly teenage things? or is it something else? is there anything I can do to stop it?