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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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Alicia1994 High functioning depression? What is this?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Im a 24 year old from Sydney. I work full time, have a loving partner and am known for having a bubbly friendly personality. What most people don’t see is that when I’m alone I become a different person at times - I become very sad, quiet, in... View more

Hi all, Im a 24 year old from Sydney. I work full time, have a loving partner and am known for having a bubbly friendly personality. What most people don’t see is that when I’m alone I become a different person at times - I become very sad, quiet, insecure and cry a lot. Ive always had this problem but it became worse when I had an autoimmune attack at 23 and was told I would likely develop MS in the next few years. At this point I experienced my first feelings of hopelessness and depression as I believed I wouldn’t be able to work anymore and support myself. Although I’ve now recovered from the attack, I can’t shake off this feeling of hopelessness. I feel mostly negative about all situations in life and experience very large mood swings throughout each day. I’ll feel positive when I have to put a front on at work and then as soon as I’m alone on my lunch break I get those feelings of emptiness and loneliness. I get terrible negative thoughts about myself, how terrible I am and how I’ll never amount to anything in life with MS holding me back. I get anxious in social settings and although I feel lonely I always avoid socialising as I tell myself that no one wants to be around me. I can’t explain my feelings properly to anyone because my moods change so rapidly and I almost forget the details of how I feel or what I think when I’m in this bad state. So every time I go to talk to a counseller, I feel like I’m not getting much out of it because I’m not able to explain exactly what I’m feeling. I also have trouble expressing myself which makes me downplay my emotions when I talk about them. i don’t know what to do because I’m stuck in this predicament where I feel so low at certain times and feel like there’s no one or nothing that can help me. When I feel okay I just avoid bringing it up all together so I don’t bring back those emotions. People in my family and friendship group always call me dramatic all the time so I feel like I’m burdening them by talking about how I feel or they simply will think I’m exaggerating. I feel embarrassed speaking to anyone I know about this which is why I’ve come here. does anyone have any advice on what I should do?? Right now I’m very down and I feel very hopeless about everything in my life. I’m tired of hating myself and my thoughts are so painful to deal with sometimes as I’m constantly putting myself down and beating myself up. I just don’t know where to even begin. This is my best attempt at explaining my emotions.

Osiri I've lost all interest in sex.
  • replies: 3

Hello reader, I don't really know how to open this so I'll just jump in. I've been on the depression train for nearly 10 years now. I'm Male, I've gathered some pretty good knowledge on identifying my triggers and explaining what's going on with me t... View more

Hello reader, I don't really know how to open this so I'll just jump in. I've been on the depression train for nearly 10 years now. I'm Male, I've gathered some pretty good knowledge on identifying my triggers and explaining what's going on with me to others. But theres one thing I just can't tackle and that's my ever waining libido. I know I want to have sex, i think about it, but much like everything else, there is almost the adverse of motivation. It's probably too late to say its starting to effect my relationship, I've tried swapping medications, I'm on one currently that apparently doesn't interfere with your libido. I take care of myself regularly in that way, but it always seems habitual and almost like a chore. I'm fresh out of ideas, we've tried spicing things up, spontaneity, and even planning a time. It doesn't work. When it does I'm often too quick out of the gate or pushing rope. I'm not in any kind of distressed headspace. I love my partner, I'm as attracted to her as ever, but I'm just never in the mood. Those few times I am I feel embarrassed, and even start to defeat myself. I was a marathon man not 5 years ago, I'd stop for breaks and go for hours. It was a huge part of who I was, and it's just disappeared. what can I do? Did I burn it out with my brief years of heavy debauchery? Is it as some of my friends say, just a part of a long term relationship (going on 4 years) I rarely drink, I don't use drugs, I'm active in my work, I'm not unfit. What is it?

Cabbage_Patch_Kid Does anyone else feel like they are never going to get better from depression
  • replies: 8

I get overwhelmed occasionally and fear that I’m never going to get over my current bout of depression which has been going on for almost a year. It just seems daunting. I see a professional, I take my medicine (recently changed) and I try. But I fee... View more

I get overwhelmed occasionally and fear that I’m never going to get over my current bout of depression which has been going on for almost a year. It just seems daunting. I see a professional, I take my medicine (recently changed) and I try. But I feel like I’m a failure. I’m still not back at work and there are days where I can’t get out of bed. I’m scared I won’t get better ever. Does anyone else feel this way?

Leena1 Can't get anything done
  • replies: 1

For most of this year I have been sleeping alot during the day because of illness and other things as well. I live on my own in a rental unit. However since the beginning of last year I have slowly lost interest in the things I used to like and I hav... View more

For most of this year I have been sleeping alot during the day because of illness and other things as well. I live on my own in a rental unit. However since the beginning of last year I have slowly lost interest in the things I used to like and I have cried a lot and felt sick. I also dont want to do anything not even food shopping. I am on anti depressants but they may not be working. I am also unable to concentrate. Can anyone give me advice.

MatthewJ Depressed - Depression - Anxiety
  • replies: 5

I’m new to this so I don’t really know how to start or where to start. I’m just really depressed, I feel nothing, if I try to talk to anyone about how I’m feeling (parents, family, friends) no one takes me seriously, they have a certain perception of... View more

I’m new to this so I don’t really know how to start or where to start. I’m just really depressed, I feel nothing, if I try to talk to anyone about how I’m feeling (parents, family, friends) no one takes me seriously, they have a certain perception of me, they just look at me as the “young(21), healthy, relaxed beach loving, surfy”. So they think there can’t be anything wrong, but there’s more to me than all that, I may be a young dude, but I’m a human being after all. I just need someone to listen to me and not just brush aside the way I’m feeling because I’m young and what not. I tried to end it all, end my life. It didn work. Honestly all I want to do is to end it all, end all the anxiety, panic attacks, negative emotions, the stress, the anger, the depression. I honestly can’t deal with life anymore, I just want out, I want to end my life. I don’t even know why I’m on here, I feel like an idiot for writing all that. I just, I need help, I geuss, I dunno. M

LoveFlowers Depressed about work
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am feeling so lost and like a failure in my work life. In the last two years, I have had 5 different jobs all in different fields. Out of 5 jobs, I was made redundant from 3 and the other 2 didn’t work out either. The latest job I had was worki... View more

Hi, I am feeling so lost and like a failure in my work life. In the last two years, I have had 5 different jobs all in different fields. Out of 5 jobs, I was made redundant from 3 and the other 2 didn’t work out either. The latest job I had was working in a florist, which is my true passion and what I would like to do. Last Friday morning I came into work and was told that they didn’t have enough hours for me anymore and the boss had to let me go. I had only been working there for 2 months. I am very confused because my boss only hired a new girl about 2 weeks ago, and also hired someone else about a month ago. I don’t understand why I have been let go again when the boss is bringing on new people. I feel like a loser and a failure in my life. I always try to do my best at work and I feel that I have not succeeded in a career and I am falling behind my friends who are all happy in their jobs. Over the weekend I have felt very depressed and suffered low self esteem, I layed in bed all day on Saturday and Sunday crying in my room because I feel there is something wrong with me. is there anyone who can relate? Looking for some understanding or advice

HeatherB I think I might have high functioning depression
  • replies: 1

From a few google and youtube searches I think I have symptoms of HFD including low self esteem, difficulty making decisions ( I procrastinate a lot) and feeling hopeless. I have also completed the test in beyond blue and it came up with the possibil... View more

From a few google and youtube searches I think I have symptoms of HFD including low self esteem, difficulty making decisions ( I procrastinate a lot) and feeling hopeless. I have also completed the test in beyond blue and it came up with the possibility of moderate depression. I am 32 y/o female, cant find anything I am interested in e.g hobbies, don't appear to be attractive to Men (only ever had 2 men show an interest in me and then I pushed them away after 1-2 dates) and find it hard to make friends incl approaching people or starting a conversation (on the other hand when I am involved in a conversation have been known to monopolies it or appear to be a know it all). I have had these symptoms for as long as I can remember. Could I be depressed or am I just a boring and lazy person?

Boymumma90 Is it depression?
  • replies: 3

Hi, so I've not long been looking into depression after thinking I might have it somewhat. I just googled, 'can you have depression for no reason' and it turns out you can. I didn't want to actually phone someone to seek help because I feel like I do... View more

Hi, so I've not long been looking into depression after thinking I might have it somewhat. I just googled, 'can you have depression for no reason' and it turns out you can. I didn't want to actually phone someone to seek help because I feel like I don't have problems compared to others. Honestly I don't know what my problem is but I feel like everything is just starting to take its toll on me. My son is nearing 2.5 and I haven't really had a break since he was born - not a single night apart. My partner works FIFO so he's barely home and I'm on my own more often than not. I work four days a week but lately barely even want to get out of bed let alone go to work. I felt like I hit an all time low the other week, several times I'd had the thought of dying and it didn't bother me in the slightest. I don't really hang around any friends often and usually I'm okay with being on my own but I've felt flat out alone as of late. When I get into these moods I think if things I wouldn't normally - like how much I miss the big family gatherings we used to have as a kid (they stopped because families broke up) or I want to see my nanna who passed away some time ago. I just want to know what I can do to help myself please? I don't want it to worsen to point of medication, if it is depression.

Sandy24 Relationship struggles
  • replies: 2

I'll start off by saying I never expected to be here. I have always been an incredibly optmistic positive person. However in the past eighteen months this has not been in the case. I have become withdrawn, fatigued and regularly pull away from those ... View more

I'll start off by saying I never expected to be here. I have always been an incredibly optmistic positive person. However in the past eighteen months this has not been in the case. I have become withdrawn, fatigued and regularly pull away from those around me. I confided in my best friend earlier in the year. Initially she was very supportive. We had regular coffees and discussions as to how she could help. We also work together, which when surrounded by a large group is when I feel at my worst. In recent weeks I believe this has weighed upon her heavily, she has blamed herself for her negativity when we talk and now we talk very little only discussing the most mundane of topics at limited times. She has now become very frustrated when I withdraw or don't greet her with the enthusiasm I once did. This has resulted in me being described as a bit of a shit bloke because of it.She is a quite blunt indivdual and tells it as it is which normally i do appreciate but not so much in recent times. I have few friends I truly would hang onto if I could, but at the same time I do understand her difficulties based on how I have been recently compared to what would be considered my normal personality. I try to be an open individual and have made attempts to air our grievances (as I have now become frustrated with her frustration) but these offers have been rejected. I have almost become anxious over this relationship and no longer know how to approach this situation or even if I should to keep the friendship together. Has anyone had any experience with this and if so what was the result?

Rebeccaxo Lonely depressed and cant stop crying
  • replies: 4

I feel so lonely. I have nobody here in Australia anymore. All my “Friends” are my boyfriend’s friends. This weekend it really made me realise how alone I am. Myself and my boyfriend are constantly arguing at the moment because I feel like he is bein... View more

I feel so lonely. I have nobody here in Australia anymore. All my “Friends” are my boyfriend’s friends. This weekend it really made me realise how alone I am. Myself and my boyfriend are constantly arguing at the moment because I feel like he is being distant. Its just not the same at the moment between us. I feel like I am always walking on egg shells and the past 7 days I have cried myself to sleep most nights. I hate it when he shouts but then he says its my fault and never takes responsibility for his actions. He makes me believe I am mental which I think he is right and I am. I hate to cry in front of him because he just calls me a drama queen and doesn’t comfort me. It hurts even more that I am so anxious and exhausted for all the negativity and when I cry next to him in bed he just ignores me, how can you see the person that you ‘love’ struggle so much. It is absolutely draining me. I have nobody to turn to or talk to about anything in my life and I can’t just get away to see a friend because I don’t have any. I have suffered with severe depression before I moved to Australia 2 years ago and even though I am not as bad as I was I suffer daily still with anxiety and bad thoughts. This weekend I have been in a very dark place, the worst since I have been over here. I don’t want to watch tv, sleep, eat, speak or do anything and just find myself staring at the wall or floor for hours. I just don’t really know what to do, does anyone have any advice? I think I should have some counselling but its so expensive here I think and because I am not a permanent resident I don’t think I can get it. Any support is appreciated