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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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Code_Blue I Feel Trapped and Helpless. Is there really hope out there?
  • replies: 4

Hello. You can call me Blue. Just as the title says, I feel hopeless and stuck in a rut. I have a strong desire to become happy, content, and dignified, but it just doesn't happen to me, almost ever. First and foremost, I apologize in advance if my e... View more

Hello. You can call me Blue. Just as the title says, I feel hopeless and stuck in a rut. I have a strong desire to become happy, content, and dignified, but it just doesn't happen to me, almost ever. First and foremost, I apologize in advance if my english/grammar is excruciatingly difficult to understand. I am both Asian and mentally ill, so please bear with me. My problems started in primary school, where I was badly mistreated by my peers. My mom and dad were very gentle and loving people, hence, I was well taken care of and very sheltered. Because of this, I grew up to become a principled but, very emotionally sensitive child. This made me a target for bullies, who took advantage of my pacifism, meekness, and sensitivity. The experiences I had were like that of a bullying scene in a movie, sometimes worse. Verbal abuse was much more painful than physical ones. I was often called names, pushed into the urinal, physically beaten, shoes and lunch money robbed etc. But what hurt me the most was the public humiliation. While most people consider their high school graduation as one of the happiest moments in their lives, I consider mine the worst. A graduation hymn was sung towards the end of our graduation ceremony. Imagine being around 500 students singing, distorting the lyrics with such disgraceful words that target only you. I was crushed. I was really crushed. I never recovered from that, and it gives me nightmares to this day. Having little self esteem and confidence, I grew up to become an escapist, trapped in my room playing video games, listening to music and playing the guitar. Later on, I started to became pretentious, delusional and conceited. I joined a band, tried to act cool, look cool, and occasionally bully weaker blokes. My academics suffered and I barely completed high school and uni. Because of that I dumbed down, and always have difficulty succeeding with work or study. Nothing has changed up to this day. Because of my shortcomings, everything in my life is suffering… career, health, relationships etc. I’ve had professional help for many years, but nothing they tried has ever worked on me. I believe in the efficacy of professional treatment, but I know that what’s best for me is to have a friend or relative to be around me, to mentor and guide me back towards normalcy. I really wish I had that person in my life, but I am just as bad with relationships. I only have 1 friend as a matter of fact. Thank you for listening. Blue.

eclips333 Finally seeking help
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, 26 year old male, been battling depression for as long as I can remember, but only recently acknowledged it to myself. It is starting to get a lot worse so I am ready to reach out for help. I am leaving for a 3 week work trip + vacation on S... View more

Hi guys, 26 year old male, been battling depression for as long as I can remember, but only recently acknowledged it to myself. It is starting to get a lot worse so I am ready to reach out for help. I am leaving for a 3 week work trip + vacation on Saturday, so ideally I'd like to speak to someone before then to help manage this while I am away. I don't know if I should be reaching out to a psychologist or a GP, but I know I need help. Who should I be trying to speak to so I can get an action plan before I head away? Thanks

indoor-cat Very sad. Very difficult
  • replies: 2

I want to cry I want to cry I want to cry.. This sadness.. just rises. It is like invisible water that is drowning.. drowning... suffocating... It has been a few days... A few days... I will get through... I can get through this... It is just difficu... View more

I want to cry I want to cry I want to cry.. This sadness.. just rises. It is like invisible water that is drowning.. drowning... suffocating... It has been a few days... A few days... I will get through... I can get through this... It is just difficult... It is consuming every bit and piece of my patient... It is exhausting.. exhausting... I know it will eventually go away. It is not away yet.. It is like a dark and thick cloud that covers my head all the time. I have used all my patient and effort to cope.. It is difficult...

Guest9870 My weight is pulling me back into a bad state of mind.
  • replies: 16

I was diagnosed with major depression at 14 as a result of traumatic childhood. Diagnosed with anxiety at 16. And adjustment disorder at 17. I had a serious suicide attempt this time last year. I have come a bit far mentally since then but there is o... View more

I was diagnosed with major depression at 14 as a result of traumatic childhood. Diagnosed with anxiety at 16. And adjustment disorder at 17. I had a serious suicide attempt this time last year. I have come a bit far mentally since then but there is one thing pulling me down. My weight and self image. I have moved into my own place recently as I turned 18 this year. I hate waking up because I’m my bedroom there is a huge mirrored wardrobe. I accidentally look at it every morning and that’s when it starts. I literally speak and say “oh my god look at you you piece of shit” and so on as I walk out my room. I don’t even think about how bad I’m being physically saying those things to myself it’s like a routine. If I sit on the couch and am wearing Pajama shorts and see my legs I have to cover them with a pillow so I don’t see them or I get angry (I would never wear proper shorts or dresses or skirts outside of my house I wouldn’t even wear anything that shows below my elbow) I could make plans with a friend to even simply go to a cafe but I can’t because I can’t find anything to wear and I can’t wear my sport leggings and a big baggy shirt to a nice cafe. So I cancel and it spirals from there everyday I tell myself tomorrow you’re eating healthy and exercising . Does it ever happen? Of course it doesn’t instead I sleep all day and cry about how much I hate myself without doing anything about it then I’ll get over it for a few days and the process repeats . But the other night was the last straw. I went to a club for the first time with my two friends I wore a skirt boots and a baggy kinda top I thought I looked acceptable. I am not one who cares so much about boys of course because I know I’m not worth anything no one would even glance at me. But when you see your friends being danced with all night with boys and being looked at by them and when you’re trying to dance with your friends a group forms with them and boys and you’re pushed out you can’t help but go buy a shot and a drink at the bar to get drunker to help get the feeling away of so much worthlessness and self hate that you want to go to the bathroom and scream and cry about how much you wish you were dead. But we went home I didn’t speak as they were talking about the boys who wanted them. And since then (2 days ago) I am back to my very depressed suicidal self from last year how can I lose weight I can’t live in this body anymore but I can’t change please tell me what to do please

Brig Hey team, trying to confront depression for the first time
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, in a rough patch at the moment I'm trying to actively do something about it but I'm really finding it hard to know where to turn. Unrelated to what's bothering me, I'm an active serving member in the ADF, and while we have squillions of res... View more

Hey guys, in a rough patch at the moment I'm trying to actively do something about it but I'm really finding it hard to know where to turn. Unrelated to what's bothering me, I'm an active serving member in the ADF, and while we have squillions of resources available to us, attempting to use any of those would have me unable to participate in the only part of my life I still find meaningful. I investigated using an alias and paying cash to see a GP and then get a referral for a psychiatrist. Doesn't seem to be feasible. I want to hang on to what is really important to me, but am on the verge of not being able to white knuckle it anymore. This post is just the first step for me, not a lot in it, but I needed to start somewhere to believe that there is a road to feeling better. Thanks for reading.

Nope Body image issues - would like some advance
  • replies: 5

Hi, I've been depressed about the size of my breasts for 6 years now. I've seen psychologists and they do not seem to be able to help or understand. I've seen the GP and told my mum and other close family and friends and they too do not understand. t... View more

Hi, I've been depressed about the size of my breasts for 6 years now. I've seen psychologists and they do not seem to be able to help or understand. I've seen the GP and told my mum and other close family and friends and they too do not understand. they tell me the same thing "that it doesn't matter your breast size" but they all have large breast sizes so they don't see what i see nor will they ever understand because they don't have a flat chest. surgery; I've done a lot of research in and have seen a professional...it's very expensive and a lot can go wrong, plus I will have to fork out 10k every 10 years or so to get them changed...so it's not ideal or worth the 50-70K that it will cost me over my life time. I am at the end of my ropes really, all i do now is cry and lock myself up in my room - to be left alone. has anyone ever experienced something similar or have advice to help overcome my depression?

Cannotfindadisplayname Getting worse and getting desperate
  • replies: 5

Hi. Female in late 30s. I was formally diagnosed with anxiety and depression about 4-5 years ago but it's been going on for a lot longer than that. I've done exactly what I'm supposed to do - gone to the doctor, juggled around with different medicati... View more

Hi. Female in late 30s. I was formally diagnosed with anxiety and depression about 4-5 years ago but it's been going on for a lot longer than that. I've done exactly what I'm supposed to do - gone to the doctor, juggled around with different medications, and seen psychologists. I feel like now even the doctor is giving up (last visit she asked me what I'd like to do now, no options given, just kind of throwing her hands up as if I was the expert). I'm just getting worse and worse. Gradually less able to function. I can't face going out. I have lost all my friends, no support network left now. Surely after a year of regular psych appointments and medication I should at the very least not be getting worse? Anyone else felt like this? I really don't know what to do.

Bluebirdbrown Depression leads to low self esteem and worthless- what do I do.
  • replies: 11

Hi, It’s not typical of me to express my feeling as I usually find it intimidating to do so. However, I have been suffering from a lot of depression and old self hatred from my head. I wish I didn’t exist in this world. I have been seeing a psycholog... View more

Hi, It’s not typical of me to express my feeling as I usually find it intimidating to do so. However, I have been suffering from a lot of depression and old self hatred from my head. I wish I didn’t exist in this world. I have been seeing a psychologist, but obviously didn’t help much at all. As a mother, I never set up a good model to my children. Apart from feeding them, I don’t do any extras. No school follow up and not much bonding etc. I fee so shameful. As a wife, I look so ugly and I don’t do make up. At time, I wonder why my husband still stays with me. He can easily find somebody else who is more attractive and more capable. He would deserve more than this... I am just so useless. At work, apart from having a postgraduate qualification entry ticket, I only work as a clerk, you can see how low my self esteem is. And you can see how much time and money I have wasted to invest in study. I don’t get high pay and don’t earn any respect from others. Why can’t I climb up to the ladder a bit higher to use my skills etc? A Simple answer is that I am worthless!!! I always believe that I have some sorts of mental problems apart from depression since in my teen. My Psychologist and GP just don’t have the patience to listen to me or diagnose me! This vicious cycle goes over and over again forever.. now I don’t know what to do to regain my self-confidence. I just want to write it down here to release my painful self hatred.

Farthing Depression
  • replies: 19

Hi I am a 37 year old male with chronic depression. I also have anxiety and have become addicted to alcohol. Does anyone have any tips for how to become better.

Hi I am a 37 year old male with chronic depression. I also have anxiety and have become addicted to alcohol. Does anyone have any tips for how to become better.

AngelFlower Feeling weird
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I hope you all had an enjoyable Xmas, lots of yummy food and quality time with the family. I’ve just recently joined the forum and wanted to get some advice about something I’ve been experiencing and any response is much appreciated. I’ve bee... View more

Hi all, I hope you all had an enjoyable Xmas, lots of yummy food and quality time with the family. I’ve just recently joined the forum and wanted to get some advice about something I’ve been experiencing and any response is much appreciated. I’ve been feeling more and more weird over this past year. I’m 37, single, no kids, no close friends, and nothing is going on in my life. The worst thing is that I can seem to socialise with people, I just lose my concentration, I blank out, I can’t follow what is being said, my responses are dull and don’t even make sense, I get so anxious that I have nothing interesting to say. People don’t even want to talk to me because of the way I am. Its not their fault really, I also avoid people when I feel this way. It’s starting to affect my work, my life, my everything and I feel so sad. Has anyone ever experienced this? What can I do, really just want to get out of this slump