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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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Linm Where to from here?
  • replies: 2

Yesterday i had the most horrid meltdown. I dont know why? I think it is stress but i dont know. I usually try to be positive as i work in aged care but lately its getting harder and harder to put that happy face on. Partner is not working so all pre... View more

Yesterday i had the most horrid meltdown. I dont know why? I think it is stress but i dont know. I usually try to be positive as i work in aged care but lately its getting harder and harder to put that happy face on. Partner is not working so all pressure is on me to get bills paid. And im struggling. And its causing me to feel animosity towards him especially when hes not even looking for a job. Normally christmas is awesome but with our current situation financially i cant get the presents etc this year and its making me feel like a failure. I tried to tell my partner yesterday when i finally broke down after feeling like this for months that i feel like im sinking further and further into a bottomless dark abyss with no way out. His response was unsupportive. I dont think he understands how severe the feelings of hopelessness are and i dont like to be a drama queen but i dont know what to do. Ugh!

Clea Feeling low after confrontation
  • replies: 9

I just had an awful experience with a business that charged me for a service they'd cancelled, which is music lessons for my daughter. The teacher quit and the business continued to charge me whilst my daughter didn't have any lessons. They told me t... View more

I just had an awful experience with a business that charged me for a service they'd cancelled, which is music lessons for my daughter. The teacher quit and the business continued to charge me whilst my daughter didn't have any lessons. They told me to take my business elsewhere when I asked for a refund. Then told me they have great feedback so there must be something wrong with me, when I said I wasn't happy with their service . This has set me into feeling really low and right now I don't have the energy to pursue my refund or deal with this business. I know this doesn't sound like much but I have a lot on my plate and this was the straw that broke my back. Which is what happens to me. I'll be travelling along OK but really things are building up till it all overflows and then I struggle. Wondering if others have suggestions on managing this cycle and managing things when everything overflows.

Riseabovethedark Low self-esteem.
  • replies: 1

Hi, this is my first time posting. I’ve always had fairly low self-esteem and low confidence, but lately it feels like every time I build myslef up, someone is there to knock me back down. I’m half greek and half kiwi so growing up, nobody really loo... View more

Hi, this is my first time posting. I’ve always had fairly low self-esteem and low confidence, but lately it feels like every time I build myslef up, someone is there to knock me back down. I’m half greek and half kiwi so growing up, nobody really looked like me. I was always comparing myself to others and haven’t felt completely happy with my appearance in a while. Tonight I was feeling ok about myself. I got dressed up to go for drinks with some work friends to celebrate the end of the year, and was feeling pretty good. They are all pretty good looking people. There was this guy in the club who basically said to my face that I wasn’t pretty like my friends. I don’t know why it even got to me because he’s just some stranger, but that isn’t the first time someone has said something like that. It’s like they don’t get that it hurts to hear you’re not pretty. I don’t understand why it keeps happening but it hurts and I don’t know how to change it. I can’t really talk to family and friends anout this because it’s embarrassing to admit and they don’t really get it. Does anyone else ever feel like this? I just feel kind of lonely and like I’ll never find someone to love me, for me. And yes I know i’m not likely to find that person at a club.

Fallen_Angel Bipolar 2 and social anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all, Im wondering if anyone else that is generally shy/socially anxious has been diagnosed with bipolar 2? Just questioning my diagnosis because I'm usually fairly quiet

Hi all, Im wondering if anyone else that is generally shy/socially anxious has been diagnosed with bipolar 2? Just questioning my diagnosis because I'm usually fairly quiet

future_ Need support group on Gold Coast
  • replies: 11

hello I am really lonely and my job is not forfilling anymore because we have nothing to do I sit for 7 hours a day infront of a computer just pretending to do work, while other people walk passed as they do not have a lot to do either. I need somewh... View more

hello I am really lonely and my job is not forfilling anymore because we have nothing to do I sit for 7 hours a day infront of a computer just pretending to do work, while other people walk passed as they do not have a lot to do either. I need somewhere to share rent and live with very soon and this is stressing me out as well. I have tried Salvation Army, and other charities and they do not have any support groups either. It would give me hope to get out of bed each day knowing I am helping someone else thru the same feelings and encourage them just like your posts on fb and they would encourage me. please help warm regards from sam.

Man with no name How do you do it when you're so depressed?
  • replies: 3

I regularly see posts saying to use different techniques to help their depression. Things like: Relaxing music, breathing, exercise, exercise, sleep, diet etc. How on earth do you do any of this when you are depressed? I certainly can't. I can't slee... View more

I regularly see posts saying to use different techniques to help their depression. Things like: Relaxing music, breathing, exercise, exercise, sleep, diet etc. How on earth do you do any of this when you are depressed? I certainly can't. I can't sleep properly, can't exercise, I listen to loud music and eat junk. The last thing I feel I can do it the above recommendations. How do you do it? Thanks

OLilium Quarter-life crisis
  • replies: 2

I will be turning 30 next year and my life is turning to shit and I am falling into depression. I am stuck in a relationship that I don't want to be in any more. I want to leave but we still have six months left of our lease so I haven't ended it yet... View more

I will be turning 30 next year and my life is turning to shit and I am falling into depression. I am stuck in a relationship that I don't want to be in any more. I want to leave but we still have six months left of our lease so I haven't ended it yet. I don't have a full time job so I am stressing because it will be expensive to live by myself but I don't have any other option. I won't be able to look for work for a few months either as I am recovering from surgery. I don't even know what work I will be able to or want to do. I always thought by 30 I would have a career path but after other jobs not working out I am back to square one. I just want to get away from everything at the moment. I want to travel with some of my savings but I know that if I am away too long it will affect my job seeking and I will feel bad for leaving my dog. I had been saving for a house deposit but realised it is an impossible dream. I hate not being able to be independent. I feel like a failure.

white knight Why dont people understand?
  • replies: 5

It sure is nice to come across a person with empathy. We dont ask for much but such is our mental challenges and feelings of isolation, we respond well to a few caring and encouraging words. One of the reasons some cannot reach out is, logically, the... View more

It sure is nice to come across a person with empathy. We dont ask for much but such is our mental challenges and feelings of isolation, we respond well to a few caring and encouraging words. One of the reasons some cannot reach out is, logically, they cannot see the injury. A broken leg will fing others swarming to assist, asking about how it occured and moves to make you comfortable. Not so with mental illness unless you are one of 20% that understand either from having one, being a carer or that empathetic quality. Then there could be the jealousy factor. A high rate of envy can be present if you arent working. If you have some good days and immerse yourself in your hobby, that wont reflect well to your friend working their 37 hour week. "Its alright for you, we dont have down time like you" a friend recently said to me". I wanted to scream out "I'll swap you"! Then there are the people without any capacity to comprehend MI. These people might well care for you...they just dont "get it". Be aware, such friends might seriously love you. They just cannot "walk in your shoes". Finally there are the non believers. These people will harbour thoughts you are dodging work or seeking sympathy. I often reply "so psychiatrists study for 15 years but you can diagnose without any study at all"? Sadly many of these people above have to be avoided/discarded from our lives if we are to seek harmony, stability and self esteem. Google- beyondblue Topic fortress of survival Once you protect yourself by giving up the ritual of convincing the unconvincible, you'll erect those protective walls. But also forgive the naive and judgemental for they make up a significant portion of society, including love ones. It doesnt mean they dont love you.... TonyWK

pushingontheroadtorecover Dint want to lose it all
  • replies: 4

Hi new on here i guess i am still looking for some answers about 1 year ago i had what i can only put down as a nervous breakdown i went to see thr doc and psychologist was put on some medication and sort of came good for a bit left my old toxic work... View more

Hi new on here i guess i am still looking for some answers about 1 year ago i had what i can only put down as a nervous breakdown i went to see thr doc and psychologist was put on some medication and sort of came good for a bit left my old toxic workplace and started a new job but at the moment am really struggling with even thinking on this new job always making mistakes and feeling really dumb like i cannot think straight which is somthing i always prided myself on being able to figure out and do almost anything but cannot even seem to grasp this new line of work i feel like going back to a part time job bit do not want to lose my house and my partner i have worked very hard for the last 18 yrsbto have what we do but feel like i am at risk of losing it all if i cannot work properly any help please would be greatly appreciated

Fearless77 Abandoned
  • replies: 2

Nearly 2 months ago I found out I was pregnant. My partner and I have been on and off for 1.5 years after a 2 year relationship. Together we made the decision that I wasn’t going to have it. Not a decision made lightly. A few days later he abandoned ... View more

Nearly 2 months ago I found out I was pregnant. My partner and I have been on and off for 1.5 years after a 2 year relationship. Together we made the decision that I wasn’t going to have it. Not a decision made lightly. A few days later he abandoned me, wouldn’t return my calls or messages and blocked my number. I went through this stressful time on my own without his support. I can’t understand what I have done to be treated like this. I pretend to be okay but deep down in falling into a deep Depression where I don’t think I’ll ever get over it and feel better. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can overcome this.