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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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reidy197 Workers Compensation Issues
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, this is the first time I am posting (or speaking about it) and am just wondering if anyone has been through as similar situation and is able to give me some tips or advice. Heres some background info, back in February last year I injured... View more

Hi everyone, this is the first time I am posting (or speaking about it) and am just wondering if anyone has been through as similar situation and is able to give me some tips or advice. Heres some background info, back in February last year I injured myself at work and am currently going through a workers comp claim for the injury, from feb to july I was allowed to work modified duties and still earn a wage to support myself but in July last year my employers insurance company denied the claim and within a couple hours I got call saying i could no longer worker and would have to repeatedly call in sick or if i wanted to work sign a document saying they had no liability and that I was 100% fit for all duties (which I wasn't and still arnt). Because I wasn't able to work I was forced to move back in with my parents, after the claim was denied I got lawyers involved to dispute the liability but have since been 'bullied' as everything the insurance company has done takes a minimum of a month and everything is being dragged along, this caused my anxiety to worsen and made me fall into and out of depression, which caused my uni studies to suffer and made my issues get worse. The main question I have is has anyone else experienced something similar and whether or not I should inform my lawyers and add it to the claim or where to go from here, im just really not sure what to do. Thank you in advance to anyone that is able to help.

Greys Depressed what to do
  • replies: 2

I don't really know why i'm writing but i can't seem to get over depression its been like this for so long i'm tired of it. I feel horrible i spent my holidays doing nothing and just watching tv. I've been so lazy nothing seems to help. I saw my psyc... View more

I don't really know why i'm writing but i can't seem to get over depression its been like this for so long i'm tired of it. I feel horrible i spent my holidays doing nothing and just watching tv. I've been so lazy nothing seems to help. I saw my psychiatrist the other day expecting it would make me feel better but it didn't help. I really want to have kids but i can't with the medication and i want to be healthy i feel like i'm going to get to old before i get over this depression or that i will never get over the depression. I don't know what to try next the dr says exercise but i can't seem to make myself do it. I don't understand how i'm meant to get better. What do I do next?

PeculiarTulip Non-verbalism (I can't talk when I'm depressed!)
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I'm new here. I was just trying to find some help on non-verbalism for people with depression, but I couldn't find much information on it. This isn't really surprising, because non-verbalism is generally linked to ASD rather than MDD. But I'v... View more

Hi all, I'm new here. I was just trying to find some help on non-verbalism for people with depression, but I couldn't find much information on it. This isn't really surprising, because non-verbalism is generally linked to ASD rather than MDD. But I've noticed when I have my depressive episodes, I actually stop having the ability to talk. I try to get any words out but I just can't. I become mute for days on end, weeks sometimes, during my depressive periods. This makes it incredibly difficult to express how I'm feeling to my parents and other people that are trying to support me. I can't communicate what I need or how they can help. It's extremely frustrating. Has anyone here experienced anything similar? Any tips on how to overcome it?

ZA123 Do I Deserve Happiness?
  • replies: 3

Hi there, i broke up with my gf about a month ago, everything was ok but recently she told me she hated me and I am the worst person on the planet because I had female friends. She continued to hate me and say how bad I was, I did my best to respond ... View more

Hi there, i broke up with my gf about a month ago, everything was ok but recently she told me she hated me and I am the worst person on the planet because I had female friends. She continued to hate me and say how bad I was, I did my best to respond with kindness and love however today I lost control and I said something truly awful and brought up a traumatic moment from her past. I felt so awful after it and I can’t see myself the same. She then sent me a text saying I deserve a lifetime of pain and misery and hopes I rot in hell. Do I really deserve that? Was my mistake so bad that I deserve pain for the rest of my life? I wish I could take it back and I hate myself so much. I feel like a monster, I never meant to hurt her but I did. I feel like I deserve a lifetime of suffering and even worse.

MoonlightShadow13 Lost, lonely and lacking purpose in life
  • replies: 2

I am a long time viewer but first time poster. I guess I am feeling lost and am hoping opening up on here might help a bit. i am 30 years old, male and living with hiv (undetectable and healthy as can be given the circumstance). i find myself very lo... View more

I am a long time viewer but first time poster. I guess I am feeling lost and am hoping opening up on here might help a bit. i am 30 years old, male and living with hiv (undetectable and healthy as can be given the circumstance). i find myself very lost and lacking purpose in my life. I recently relocated home after moving interstate a few years ago, I needed a change as I felt trapped and found that I was more lonely interstate than when I left - struggling to make friends or connections and being in a environment that was too stressful to cope with. i moved back so that I could save money and reset but often found myself here questioning my mental health. My family has a history of bi polar, depression and anxiety and I have definitely felt traits of these in my life - but they come and go. I do know I need to see a professional and get help but I am worried it’s all in my head and I will just find myself on more medication on top of antiviral medication. I am hesitant as it does not seem to help my loved ones and instead I see a decline in their overall health as they struggle with day to day basics. is this what it is? Is that what will happen to me? Is it beneficial to keep avoiding professional help because I lack the financial availability to do so comfortably? I always seem to feel trapped and that my life has no purpose. Most people are/have been married with children and I really have very little to show for myself other than a life of trying to be independent since mid teens. I do want to travel and see the world, but I see this as another hurdle financially and another ‘sign’ that what I want is always too far out of reach, I’ve never considered suicide or anything like that but I sure as hell feel low and very mundane. I hate not having a motivation for many things or a confidence to do the things that most people seem to be able to do. Apologies if this is posted in the wrong area - I just thought I’d write it all down and go for it as I feel there’s very few who can relate.- or atleast in my life it feels like everyone else is too busy with their own problems to have the the time for me in return. I hide it quite a lot as I am your classic cheerful person on the outside. Anyway, appreciate any advice that can be directed my way,

KC_xo I’ve reached a new form of low even for me...
  • replies: 7

No words can describe how much hate I have for myself or how ashamed I am of myself. I really do hate myself that much

No words can describe how much hate I have for myself or how ashamed I am of myself. I really do hate myself that much

Melmci Feeling lost
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I need advice on how to cope recovering from a breakdown, because of my anxiety and depression I didn’t leave the house for 7 months and now I’m recovering but I’ve moved to a new state. While I’m coping better than I was, I can leave th... View more

Hi everyone, I need advice on how to cope recovering from a breakdown, because of my anxiety and depression I didn’t leave the house for 7 months and now I’m recovering but I’ve moved to a new state. While I’m coping better than I was, I can leave the house etc but in the process of the breakdown I lost my car and what feels like my life with my job etc. I feel so incredibly lost that I’m not sure how to even start my life again, has anyone else been in the same position? How am I supposed to go back to work again or do anything? I’m so bored without a job but I feel like that’s such a huge step again. I feel like I’ve lost my purpose and my person and no one in my life understands this hopeful feeling. I just don’t know where to go for advice

Rocket_Man Bipolar, ADHD, & Intuitive Empathy
  • replies: 3

Is there anyone else out there experiencing all three of these conditions at once as I am? So many gifts, so much difficulty to manage... Specifically tips on waking up the nervous system would be most appreciated right now. Currently on a morning wo... View more

Is there anyone else out there experiencing all three of these conditions at once as I am? So many gifts, so much difficulty to manage... Specifically tips on waking up the nervous system would be most appreciated right now. Currently on a morning workout, cold shower, amphetamine, strong coffee, and still struggling to feel a pulse ? How to pressurise the mind without creating actual risk to create the adrenaline required to stimulate frontal lobes? Mind wandering into creative imaginary scenarios when trying to read, even if I really need to read the thing. Doesnt occur with talented writers who know how to maintain emotional engagement. EG I read 688 pages of Tony Robbins Money in 2 days. Tips on maintaining engagement ? Challenges with all symptoms associated with diminished frontal lobe capacity, emotional regulation, forward planning, decision making, social interaction, although these functions are superior to most others when emotionally stimulated. Essentially existing with an addiction to anything causing the release of dopamine like a crack addict, just to function. Not to complain, this is just the reality. Does anyone have any strategies for management ? Thanks.

Becca_Maria Is Noise Sensitivity (Misophonia) & unexplained anger linked to BiPolar
  • replies: 4

I have recently posted about my possible new diagnosis of Bipolar. But wanted to put the noise sensitivity in the heading. For as long as I have known listening to people eating or any mouth noises has driven me insane, but in the last 10 years that ... View more

I have recently posted about my possible new diagnosis of Bipolar. But wanted to put the noise sensitivity in the heading. For as long as I have known listening to people eating or any mouth noises has driven me insane, but in the last 10 years that has blown out to just about any sound. It gets to a point where I get so angry when a noise frustrates me I will completely "lose it" . Along with that now is movement. For example my children sitting next to me on the couch and swinging their legs. Its just becoming unbearable and im hoping in some way it may be connected as with new medications maybe there is a way out of this

Little_Sparrow Yeh well
  • replies: 8

Hi. I'm not looking for advice, as I know most of it. Just need to share. 36 years of depression. Treatment resistant a lot of the time. Lucky to have a handful of good supports. Really tired of life but not going to suicide. Committed myself to not ... View more

Hi. I'm not looking for advice, as I know most of it. Just need to share. 36 years of depression. Treatment resistant a lot of the time. Lucky to have a handful of good supports. Really tired of life but not going to suicide. Committed myself to not doing that years' ago as as I have a responsibility to my Mum, my dogs, my partner. Just getting through. Will I have ECT again? Don't know. Maybe. Just getting through. Is there anyone out there who is in a similar situation? I'm lucky in many ways, supportive partner, financially secure, live in a country like Australia. But nothing shakes the depression. A swim might lift it by a notch but the next day it's back to where it was. Meds are starting to kick in. Sleep gives some relief. Thanks for listening. I just needed to tell someone.