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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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Mel_depressed_times Help -What do you do to help when you feel overwhelmed?
  • replies: 2

I don't know if this is the right forum for this thread but I was wondering if anyone had any helpful advice or anything. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 14 and am now almost 30, it has not gotten better, if anything it has got... View more

I don't know if this is the right forum for this thread but I was wondering if anyone had any helpful advice or anything. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 14 and am now almost 30, it has not gotten better, if anything it has gotten worse. I was diagnosed with PTSD after a sexual assault a few years ago, and I am struggling. My partner is super supportive of me, my family is understanding and only ever wants to help. I am medicated and not currently in counselling though have not found it hugely helpful. I am tired all the time, I could not be bothered doing anything, my performance at work is slipping and my anxiety is rising. I become so frustrated and overwhelmed that today I stood in my hallway and screamed as I was feeling overwhelmed with the dogs. I often feel like I am screaming in my head anyway but I don't usually physically scream. I don't want to go to work, I want to die, not necessarily kill myself I just don't want to do this anymore, fighting is hard and I am not sure it is worth it, I tried self-harming as that used to relieve the stress a bit but it doesn't help anymore, I have constant headaches and body pain and I just couldn't be bothered. I used to love cooking and art and all kinds of things, but I just can't be bothered. I feel as though my continued existence is always going to be this crappy I don't want to keep fighting to work 60 hours a week for no benefit, my mood stays the same whether I am poor or have enough to get by, I don't know what to do anymore, I am tired of spending $100 per hour for therapy to be old to keep a diary. What do you do to help when you feel overwhelmed?

Joey123 Very confused
  • replies: 1

Hey all Recently (about 5 weeks ago) I went to a party and tried some drugs and ended using a large amount throughout the night. The following couple of days were the worst days of my life I couldn’t sleep for 4-5 days, I was anxious, sad, confused e... View more

Hey all Recently (about 5 weeks ago) I went to a party and tried some drugs and ended using a large amount throughout the night. The following couple of days were the worst days of my life I couldn’t sleep for 4-5 days, I was anxious, sad, confused etc. I thought it would pass as i was most likely withdrawing from the drugs. Now 5 weeks on I’m feeling very emotional, low and sad. I don’t enjoy anything in life even though I have a great family, plenty of friends. I sit around and crying for no reason, my sleep pattern is bad and I have all these weird dreams. I’m scared because I don’t know what’s going on given a day before I made this stupid mistake I was a happy man with no complaints in life. I have seen a GP and have started medication recently.

Chickenhead Dealing with disappointment
  • replies: 1

On Thursday I sat in my doctors office and sobbed about a certain situation and all I could really explain as to why was that "it's just really what I didn't want". The only response she could give was that it is outside my control, it is what it is.... View more

On Thursday I sat in my doctors office and sobbed about a certain situation and all I could really explain as to why was that "it's just really what I didn't want". The only response she could give was that it is outside my control, it is what it is. Yesterday I had a conversation with my husband about an unrelated matter expressing my anger that it's just not "fair" how another situation has played out. These people could have had compassion, but instead have chosen to remain uninvolved and in some regards isolate me. My disappointment in both these situations is palpable, one leading to an overwhelming sense of sadness and threatening to cripple me, the other triggering a simmering anger toward certain people where I want to tell them exactly what I think and cut them out of my life once and for all. How do I deal with that? How do I come to terms with disappointment? I've come to understand that disappointment is often caused by expectations not being met, but at some point you've got to have a win right? You can't go through life with no expectations, hopes or dreams, always believing you deserve nothing more than the least desirable outcome! What's the point? It's so tiring always accepting what feels like second best.

SazBee Advice needed
  • replies: 5

Hi My partner told me to leave 7 days ago because he was struggling. He seemed to raise minor negatives aimed at me as the reason for his decision of needing time alone. I wrongly pushed for answers and he blocked my number and will not communicate. ... View more

Hi My partner told me to leave 7 days ago because he was struggling. He seemed to raise minor negatives aimed at me as the reason for his decision of needing time alone. I wrongly pushed for answers and he blocked my number and will not communicate. I visited him on day 6 to let him know I was worried about him where his reply was “I’m ok”. Then he left. I am unsure how to go about this. I deeply care for him which he knows but the abruptness of him shutting me out has left me not knowing what to do or where I stand. We were planning our future together and I’m just not sure whether his state of mind has ended the relationship without me actually knowing. I don’t want to even ask. I don’t know how to help him or whether I should make contact by email or maybe even visit again in a week. I need advice as I love him and don’t want to lose him and without being in contact I have no idea how he is.

Checkthebatteries Depression and workplace bullying
  • replies: 4

I have had depression and anxiety for a while now. I also have social anxiety and that means I can find it hard to sometimes pick up some social cues in the workplace. I am trying hard but I have a long road ahead of me and I know it does annoy my co... View more

I have had depression and anxiety for a while now. I also have social anxiety and that means I can find it hard to sometimes pick up some social cues in the workplace. I am trying hard but I have a long road ahead of me and I know it does annoy my coworkers a bit. But I do try. However, lately I have become the subject of workplace bullying. I feel like it's because of my personality in the workplace. The person in question has worked with me for a long time and is now acting as my manager, which they have done in the past. I know I have made a few minor errors but this person makes it out or be a massive deal and goes out of their way to publicly humiliate me. If I take the initiative to do something then they'll ask me how come I'm doing it. If there's something that my normal manager wouldn't even say is a mistake but is just not the way this particular person likes things done then they'll still pick up on it and yell at me in front of everyone. She doesn't treat the other staff like that and I know they make mistakes too. She just straight out yells, then sends a rude e-mail instead of calmly explaining things I don't even know are wrong and are minor procedural issues. Sometimes there's not even a mistake but she doesn't say sorry. She just finds something else or makes another one up. I may not be the most talented employee or be the best reader of social cues but I work hard and stay late and try to be proactive. This person has been there for sometime, if good at their job and is liked by all the managers and the staff. I know there are formal procedures in place but I also know that they are very hard when it comes to getting outcomes and are usually just discarded because you can't prove anything and in an office full of nepotism and favorites where I was one of the few people hired through a normal interview process, I have no one to back me up. Even my normal manager is best friends with this lady so won't back me up when she comes back- but I don't think this will stop as this lady is also unofficially quite high up. So now I don't want to go to work. I spend my weekends in bed crying and not going out, even to buy food. I am trying to look for another job but can't think of nice things to say about myself in an application. I also have no appointments left with my therapist. Has anyone dealt with this before or know what to do? I can't stop going to work for financial reasons but I feel I can't go anymore.

RoseToez Euphoric feeling causing mania?
  • replies: 3

I'm not really sure if this is an acceptable thing to be posting publically but I need advice.. the 2 manic episodes I've had in the past involved me taking speed not long beforehand.. say 2 weeks or a week then getting involved with a guy that was r... View more

I'm not really sure if this is an acceptable thing to be posting publically but I need advice.. the 2 manic episodes I've had in the past involved me taking speed not long beforehand.. say 2 weeks or a week then getting involved with a guy that was really good in bed and would have a really full on background (criminal, drug dealer). Had a little crazy in them that was attractive to me I guess.. well the last one was 6 years ago. Since then I met someone, had 2 kids, recently broke up 3 months ago.. I've also recently been diagnosed with bipola and put on medication for it. Any way I'd slept with a couple of people I used to hook up since the break up which was fine I was lonely and what not, no issue at all.. well I recently come across someone I knew but in the past but never had been with. Didnt do any drugs with them, I'm not even drinking alcohol clean of everything since I had kids. The same deal.. really great sex. I'm not going through full on mania but I feel like its unleashed something within me I mean its tolerable I just dont get it.. I've searched about this online, alot of info says that hypersexuality is common with bipola disorder and during mania but I cant find anything on it causing mania. It's like (without going into too much detail) that I get such a euphoric feeling that I get all at once, that only a few have been able to give me it unleashes emotions that rambles the chemicals in my brain. I mean it made sense before beause of the drugs and the alcohol but now I'm on meds and I dont do anything intoxicating at all. I even get alot of sleep at night because of the meds. The meds stop any intrusive thoughts. I feel really good alot of the time. But my spending online is out of control and i get distracted a fair bit when i am shopping online. That's been happening since the break up. I'm even a bit hesitant on mentioning this to my doctor because I dont want to be medicated where I cant function properly when theres not a very big issue.. there is a bit of one with my online shopping and being distracted but that's all. Im really sorry if this isnt appropriate and I dont mean to bring any attention on myself. But I'd love some advice if I can, TIA.

Dan- Numbness , Not Caring
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone , recently it took me a while to finally realise I am depressed . . I've had a really intense breakup with my girlfriend who was seeing someone else towards the end of the relationship . It hit me like a train I was dating her for 3.5 ye... View more

Hey everyone , recently it took me a while to finally realise I am depressed . . I've had a really intense breakup with my girlfriend who was seeing someone else towards the end of the relationship . It hit me like a train I was dating her for 3.5 years and was planning on getting married to her . What also bothers me is the fact that I confided with this girl , I told her everything about me , even my darkest secrets . And I genuinely loved her and her family which I have never felt in any other relationship. So relationship is done . Denial . What if she ... No it's over ! How do I move on from this ? How am I supposed to to go solo when I have been planning my life with this person ? To much pressure . My life is spiralling out of control . I'm agitated , angry . At my self , it's my fault I couldn't see it for what it was . My work life is starting to get effected I was trying really hard to move on , trying to hang out with mates . And get my mind off things . Something wasn't right though . I'm participating in usual fun activities but they aren't doing a thing . Motorbike riding , gym , bushwalking, social gathos. All these things I don't even want to get out of bed for . Because I get no enjoyment out of anything anymore , just numbness . To make matters worse she is now hanging out with my mates . By herself . These are my friends that she only knew through me . So I feel betrayed by my own mates . Anger . Depression , Numbness . I was sick of feeling nothing . I started to use alcohol ,getting drunk every weekend . That wasn't enough . Marijuana came into my life , which I am very guilty about. It has actually temporary made me feel awesome. It's great , however it effects my work performance being in a cloudy haze . So now I'm in a hole because I think I am getting over her and my "friends " but now I have an addiction problem, because whenever I feel too overwhelmed I find it to easy to just smoke up, and forget about real life . I know something needs to change , I want to feel happy again , I want to be able to enjoy activities again without the need for marijuana or alchohol . I just hope some people can relate Hope that wasn't too long to read I just needed to vent somewhere

RoseToez Something to keep me occupied
  • replies: 7

So i dont really know where to put this, I guess being bipola type II I thought this might be a good place. I've recently given up drinking but today I realised I'm buying alot of things online for my son who's about to turn 3. I've always got some k... View more

So i dont really know where to put this, I guess being bipola type II I thought this might be a good place. I've recently given up drinking but today I realised I'm buying alot of things online for my son who's about to turn 3. I've always got some kind of addiction to keep me happy and at the moment I'm dealing with a recent separation I guess I need to figure something to keep me happy without the negativity.. I mean shoppings not too bad but it is costly I just want to be content without needing something all the time. I guess I really want to get active and be happy with that but its not quite warm enough to get out with the pram yet (I've also got a 1 yo)

Suet suet Does our mood swing with the weather too !?
  • replies: 8

Hi, its been raining for the last few days in Brisbane here. I feel that my mood also swings which acts like the weather - extremely restless and depressing. On those sunny days my mood seems to be better! Does anyone feel the same or just me ??

Hi, its been raining for the last few days in Brisbane here. I feel that my mood also swings which acts like the weather - extremely restless and depressing. On those sunny days my mood seems to be better! Does anyone feel the same or just me ??

Samaanthaa_16 I've had enough.
  • replies: 5

lately the stress and anxiety has got so bad and so constant,that it feels like I'm just going around in circles with trying,failing and then hating myself for the failures I've made. I have tried to let it out to others and it seems they are sick of... View more

lately the stress and anxiety has got so bad and so constant,that it feels like I'm just going around in circles with trying,failing and then hating myself for the failures I've made. I have tried to let it out to others and it seems they are sick of hearing it. I don't want to be a burden to anyone anymore...so why bother even telling anyone if it's a let down. Sometimes my mind get's so bombarded by unwanted thoughts that I just want to scream. I feel like I'm just constantly drowning and slowly get deeper and deep in the 'ocean'. It has consumed me so much I think I have unfortunately reached that breaking point.It is so exhuasting having to pretend I'm 'okay' and all calm infront of others,but in reality I'm dying inside,hating myself and just mentally broken and drained.This may sound strange but,It's like I'm soo used to being anxious,depressed and on going (pressure mentally) that it feels out of the blue and kind of 'empty' when it's not happening. I don't want to feel this way anymore,but at the same time I don't want to get better or fight it anymore. It's like I'm just stuck inbetween wanting to get better and actually be 'happy' and then just drowning and staying in my fears and sorrows to not be a burden and fear I will just relapse and be a failure again. I feel like such a failure,but so mentally exhuasted it's hard for me to keep going some day without wanting to just snap and break down. Although, the worst thing is letting down others. That is what I fear the most and have always been the reason why I feel so much pressure to keep being me and trying to be strong,happy and push through it. It frustrates me that these such negatives things have to exist in our lives. But life unfortunately has it's negative and scarring battles to get through to be a better person.I guess.