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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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5StarDragon Work Promotion Fears
  • replies: 4

Hi all, just looking for some support or to hear from people who have felt the same. After working in a job that went against my values (to put it briefly), I developed mild depression. I quit that job after a year, and was unemployed for a number of... View more

Hi all, just looking for some support or to hear from people who have felt the same. After working in a job that went against my values (to put it briefly), I developed mild depression. I quit that job after a year, and was unemployed for a number of months before finding my current job. I did find another job during my period of unemployment, however didn't last long before my depression got the better of me. I have worked in my current job for over a year and feel very comfortable. I love my coworkers and the work that I do. I think part of why I've done so well is because I started taking anti-depressants a month before I began in my role. I recently applied for a promotion for a role that will be in a different area. It's been strongly hinted that I have the job. I'm both proud, and terrified. I've come so far in the past year. My mental health has improved, and I don't wake up wishing I could quit my job. I'm terrified that moving to another role will take me back to who I used to be. I'm worried that maybe my happiness comes from having such good coworkers, and my new coworkers wont be as good. And what if the work isn't as stimulating or enjoyable? In a way, I'm scared of myself. I'm probably overthinking, but these thoughts are upsetting me. How can I help myself?

Shaneb Looking for hope
  • replies: 2

I really don't know what to do anymore, over the last few years I've watched myself fall into this dark black hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. I once cared for so much, wanted to achieve my goals and better myself and now i feel my depres... View more

I really don't know what to do anymore, over the last few years I've watched myself fall into this dark black hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. I once cared for so much, wanted to achieve my goals and better myself and now i feel my depression stripping me of everything that made me who i was. All i feel everyday is pain, anger and despair, I lost enjoyment from the things i once loved and find no sense of accomplishment from what i do achieve. I lost my job due to stress physically affecting me and causing me to become ill, i told them the truth and what i was going through but after two weeks off trying to recover i was fired. I'm stuck with myself everyday now, all the thoughts and feelings i cannot make sense of which causes me to question my sanity at times. I have no family or friends to turn too for help, the loneliness over the last few months has become overwhelming and add everything else on top and all i want to do is sleep to escape the pain. Im becoming tired of fighting to only end up going backwards and letting my emotions control me. I am currently getting professional help though it hasn't been helpful as of yet. I wish i could pull myself out of this hole but i simply don't have the strength and determination to do so.

JollyDown Parties and Bipolar - can we mix?
  • replies: 5

Dear everyone I’m at home alone not only feeling sorry for myself, butnot knowing what to do with myself, with my AIAI (Anxiety, Irritability, and Agitation Index) steadily creeping up. The reason: my family have quite rightly gone to one of my good ... View more

Dear everyone I’m at home alone not only feeling sorry for myself, butnot knowing what to do with myself, with my AIAI (Anxiety, Irritability, and Agitation Index) steadily creeping up. The reason: my family have quite rightly gone to one of my good friend’s 50th birthday party. I just couldn’t get ready to get myself there. There are/were multiple reasons for this, including social anxiety, fear regarding being able to NOT drink alcohol (this is a bunch of friends who drink a LOT, most of my friends do),and mental and physical exhaustion having just returned from a 4 night walking trek in Tassie. I did have a couple glasses every night in Tassie and this resulted in me feeling terrible both yesterday and today and hence felt even less like going to a “party” and even more desperate to avoid alcohol. Im very interested to hear about other people’s experiences and coping mechanisms in these situations. I have managed several work Xmas parties (really have to go to those coz I’m the boss) but really have no interest in large group parties. Is it reasonable not to attend some of them? I love catching up in small groups but dislike extremely the large parties where you might barely get to speak to the guest of honour anyway. Kind regards JD

Jen27 New Member
  • replies: 23

Hi, I just joined today. I've been battling with depression for the last 10 years. Thought I had it under control for the last few, but lost my job about 6 months ago and I seem to have fallen into the hole again. Went to first appointment with a psy... View more

Hi, I just joined today. I've been battling with depression for the last 10 years. Thought I had it under control for the last few, but lost my job about 6 months ago and I seem to have fallen into the hole again. Went to first appointment with a psychologist today. Got a good vibe from him and think he can help. Only it's stirred up a lot of memories that I haven't visited for a while. Any advice on how to calm down your mind when you start over thinking and over analysing? Anyway hello all and thanks for listening/reading.

BMayyy Not being heard.
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I've struggled with depression and anxiety for a bout 8 years now but I feel like I'm not getting the right help or diagnosis. Don't get me wrong I do believe I have anxiety and depression but I feel like within myself it goes alot deepe... View more

Hi everyone, I've struggled with depression and anxiety for a bout 8 years now but I feel like I'm not getting the right help or diagnosis. Don't get me wrong I do believe I have anxiety and depression but I feel like within myself it goes alot deeper than that, I've been put on several different types of medications and nothing has worked for me as of yet.. and when I also say it goes alot deeper I mean rage, I have this anger inside me that never leaves, my moods shift like crazy and it's affected relationships with partners and family members and I just think will I ever get the right help? will I ever be heard?

zieb19 does talking about it really help?
  • replies: 11

I'm 32 years old and have barely ever talked about my depression. Whenever I talk about it I don't know how. when I do open up I feel like I'm lying about it and that other people have their own problems so why would I talk about my life, coz my life... View more

I'm 32 years old and have barely ever talked about my depression. Whenever I talk about it I don't know how. when I do open up I feel like I'm lying about it and that other people have their own problems so why would I talk about my life, coz my life is text book easy really. Also I don't want people's sympathy or apathy. But sometimes I feel so overwhelmed like I need to get something out, it makes me feel so lonely and empty coz I don't know where to go. Sometimes I try to talk to my husband, but he doesn't understand or he feels my feelings of worthlessness makes him feel bad that his not good enough or I'm not happy with him. I just don't know if I just keep pushing myself through life, I've managed to do well so far, or do I try to talk about with someone? Is it worth it? What do I even talk about? - hi I've struggled with depression on off for years but manage it pretty well these days but still feel like I'm drowning deep down.and???? What happens after that how does it make it better?

Sadie31 Do antidepressants really help?
  • replies: 9

Feel down and not much motivation. Get nervous in some social situations. Was wondering would antidepressant help? Just want to feel happy again and enjoy life.

Feel down and not much motivation. Get nervous in some social situations. Was wondering would antidepressant help? Just want to feel happy again and enjoy life.

Shipsta Introduction, mental stress causing physical pain
  • replies: 15

Hello everyone, 26, Male, Adelaide, Husband, Father (of 1) The history of my relationship with depression over the past few years is up and down to say the least so I’ll try and explain it as briefly. During my early twenties I was experiencing a lot... View more

Hello everyone, 26, Male, Adelaide, Husband, Father (of 1) The history of my relationship with depression over the past few years is up and down to say the least so I’ll try and explain it as briefly. During my early twenties I was experiencing a lot of muscle pain and migraines, after seeing all sorts of practitioners the symptoms basically went undiagnosed. They were preventing me from doing what I loved most which was sport and physical exercise. When I left Uni and traveled interstate to commence full time work for the first time, I now had the money to spend to investigate these issues further. So I spent 1000’s of dollars visiting physios, osteopaths, doctors, chiros, exercise physiologists, doing training programs etc. None of these people could find a problem and the pain was becoming worse and worse and ended up being the only thing I could think of. It got to the point where I just broke down. I couldn’t think anymore, I was depressed, in pain etc. It was affecting my work, my relationship, everything. At this point I came to the conclusion that it had to be me, so in tears I sort the help of a psychologist. It was then when I realised that I was under constant stress (relationship, uni, sport, work) and was on edge all the time. From an early age, I just wanted everything to be perfect and didn't have an off switch. I was convinced that due to my personality, I just put way too much pressure on myself all the time which caused the muscle pain and now the mental problems. For the past 6 months I have been on anti-depressants, practised mindfulness meditation, adopted adaptogen herbs, exercised, maintained sleep and focussed on reducing stress. This has helped somewhat to the point I can function again, however I still go through the fight, flight and freeze response (to varying degrees) throughout a weekly period. Some days, I just can’t think and this will last for almost a week, where my productivity plummets. This used to stress me out further, however I have learned to roll with the punches more and wait for the episode to be over. As it seems the more I do this, the fewer and farther in between these episodes occur. Right now, I am going through heavy a brain freeze/fog period, so just writing this post is difficult. I could go on forever talking about this but I am coming close to the word limit, so I will stop it here for now and look forward to any responses of people going through anything similar.

spunkyturtle Feeling so trapped!! Uuggghhhhh (depression and HECS debt)
  • replies: 11

I am currently attending day therapy programs two days a week. It helps. I have had some success this year - I had $27,800 HECS debt removed and now a legal firm has agreed to help me, pro bono to take the last two Universities to the AAT for another... View more

I am currently attending day therapy programs two days a week. It helps. I have had some success this year - I had $27,800 HECS debt removed and now a legal firm has agreed to help me, pro bono to take the last two Universities to the AAT for another $16,000 HECS debt.I am just feeling so trapped, I have put on so much weight because of the meds. It really makes it hard for me to leave the house and make friends, I feel like a whale. I just stopped taking the medication two days ago and my appetite is gone, I'm not hungry at all.I am in a heap of debt, on one hand it is reducing rapidly, I am fortunate to have a DSP, then I get so frustrated because I can't move out because 85% of my income goes off the debt. With 2 days of therapy, 3 full days of TAFE is so overwhelming. I feel like by the time my finances are fixed I'll be too old to have children. Uuugggghhhhhham sick of feeling so anxious and depressed and frustrated. I'd welcome any tips or suggestions. I know there are positives and I try to focus on the positives, it's just so overwhelmingly frustrating.thanks for listening

Lifeless_life Hopeless situation
  • replies: 5

I feel trapped by my anxiety and depression on the inside I feel numb, lifeless and empty. I'm an almost 26 year old female who now lives back at home with her mum.I feel this sense of hopelessness and guilt living back at my mum's again.I feel as th... View more

I feel trapped by my anxiety and depression on the inside I feel numb, lifeless and empty. I'm an almost 26 year old female who now lives back at home with her mum.I feel this sense of hopelessness and guilt living back at my mum's again.I feel as though I'm a burden on her especially since I have my dog and cat moving in with me too.I have recently broken up with my partner of almost 9 years.The last 6 years living with him I feel as tho I have been constantly lied to about my future by my ex partner. I dropped everything and moved an hour away from my family and friends to be with him and start a future together. Now I feel like I've just lost 6 years of my life I'll never get back.I suffer from anxiety and depression have done now for almost 10 years. I'm on DSP due to my anxiety being so bad I can't work. My last and only job I ever had worked was 6 years ago in childcare I loved my job but my anxiety really affected my ability to work. It got to much so I ended up leaving also because at the time I ended up moving with my now ex partner to another town.I feel in my position now I have a very difficult future ahead of me. I'm not improving much with my mental health and feel as though I'm losing my independence.I live in an area with not a great deal of support for my mental health also. I've been waiting 3 months to see a psychologist and I still can't get an appointment made yet.I would love to start a new life again where I could meet someone who I could actually trust.As well as gaining more independence and a place of my own to live. I've always wanted children as well one day but this all seems impossible now. Without a job or the ability to go out and socialize and meet new people my life is going nowhere. I don't want to be stuck in this situation for ever.