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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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JD12 Can't beat depression
  • replies: 6

I have been fighting depression and anxiety for about 10 years now. I have tried several medications been to multiple psychologists / psychiatrists but nothing seems to help. I feel as if im in the worst place I have ever been. I have been with my pa... View more

I have been fighting depression and anxiety for about 10 years now. I have tried several medications been to multiple psychologists / psychiatrists but nothing seems to help. I feel as if im in the worst place I have ever been. I have been with my partner for 10 years and been married for 3 years. We have 2 young children together (3yo and 1yo). About 8 years ago I almost called our relationship off but we stayed together. Over the years I feel as if we have drifted apart and don't feel as if we love each other any more. We don't argue or fight and she is a good person / mother to our kids. We have no time to spend together (due to work and 2 young kids) and my motivation to do anything social is non existent. I feel if she asks me to go somewhere or do something together or with friends that I have to say yes. Then when we are there all I want to do is go home. I just don't think that I can give her what she needs / wants and give her the life that she deserves. I feel trapped in a marriage but don't want to split up because of the kids. Plus I'm worried that if we did split up that I would end up regretting it down the track. I have few of my own friends, no hobbies or interests so I have nothing much to look forward to. My motivation to see my friends or find a hobby is at an all time low. I am living ground hog day, get up, go to work, come home, deal with kids (nappies dinner bath bed) then go to bed myself as im tired after work and have to get up tomorrow and do it all again. I have problems with self doubt / self esteem, feel guilty about lots of things, have trouble saying no to people and am not great at communication. I struggle to put my thoughts and feelings into words when speaking to anyone (my wife, my family, my friends). I have no one to vent to and even if I did am more likely to keep things to myself. After a while it really weighs you down. Basically I'm going down hill fast and think it can only end in self destruction. I have tried so long to beat this but now think that I can't win. I don't want to be a burden on my wife and think she would be better off without me / doesn't deserve me. I don't know what to do.

Rockmelon Mood swings: Normal or something more?
  • replies: 2

Hello, new to this site I have been have some mood swings recently. I'll be fine when I wake up, then I'll suddenly slip into a dark mind frame without any warning. I don't mean to sound dramatic, I know mood swings are experienced by everyone and it... View more

Hello, new to this site I have been have some mood swings recently. I'll be fine when I wake up, then I'll suddenly slip into a dark mind frame without any warning. I don't mean to sound dramatic, I know mood swings are experienced by everyone and it's quite normal. The only reason I have thought to post this is because it's been a consistent problem for a bit over a month and occurs multiple times a day. It puts me back into one of the worst mind frames I've ever had - I just want to make sure I'm not blowing thing out of proportion before I seek help (I'll have to take days off attending uni if I decide to see someone). I have bipolar (therefore have had experience with depression and anxiety), is this kind of mood swings normal or should I be worried that my mood disorder is acting up? (Note:my bipolar has never behaved like this before) Thank you to any and all who reply to this and feel free to leave your own experiences in your reply, we might even be able things help eachother

Trickiey Mental breakdown
  • replies: 1

Hi all, ive been feeling really down and out since the start of this year despite good things happening for me aka work and study! I feel like i have no solid support mentally and physically and im just completely broken everyday, im exhausted, sore ... View more

Hi all, ive been feeling really down and out since the start of this year despite good things happening for me aka work and study! I feel like i have no solid support mentally and physically and im just completely broken everyday, im exhausted, sore and my body is telling me enough! Im lonely, single and live by myself my parents are good but they also busy with their individual lives too. Ive tried dating and a few times it makes me feel much better and capable of many things having someone by my side but alas it doesnt ever seem to work out or it fades out from their end. i just need some help to get to the otherside of this, because for once i cant see how to get out of this

Whatthe1 Feel absolutley Lost
  • replies: 4

I feel absolutely lost and think l may have been struggling with depression for about 17 Years. On the outside people wouldn't even know, l pretend to smile but on the inside, l am an absolute mess. 17 Years ago l gave birth to a beautiful baby and t... View more

I feel absolutely lost and think l may have been struggling with depression for about 17 Years. On the outside people wouldn't even know, l pretend to smile but on the inside, l am an absolute mess. 17 Years ago l gave birth to a beautiful baby and than my father died, since that day l would say the only days l have actually smiled and been truly happy was the days l have given birth to my babies. My husband makes me feel like shit and unattractive, l feel like l only hear from friends when they need something. Feel like l am not worth anything to anybody. Tried depression tablets 17 years ago and counselling but nothing works. In the past week, l have never felt so depressed, alone, unloved

lost72 I'm so unhappy
  • replies: 1

I don't know where to start. Nothing makes a me happy and nobody seems to care. My partner is not understanding what is wrong with me. I guess I can't really pinpoint it either. I am yearning for something better. Financially we are treading water. I... View more

I don't know where to start. Nothing makes a me happy and nobody seems to care. My partner is not understanding what is wrong with me. I guess I can't really pinpoint it either. I am yearning for something better. Financially we are treading water. I want to move but can't make a decision where. But Im not wanting to do that to my kids. Having to change schools etc. Brother invited all family to go to Bali for his 40th knowing I don't fly so that's crap..partner wouldn't go anyway cos he ia negative towards most of my family and friends. Parents don't contact me unless they want something. I am a sah mum but need to get back into workforce. Don't know how when I just want to sleep all day. I have no motivation. I just want to be happy again.

Sunny2179 Probably normal
  • replies: 2

Just wondering why is it that i always get upset out of no where and never want to talk to anyone ? This mostly happens during school and i hate being around people like i said mostly at school. Although, when i go home i feel better and im still qui... View more

Just wondering why is it that i always get upset out of no where and never want to talk to anyone ? This mostly happens during school and i hate being around people like i said mostly at school. Although, when i go home i feel better and im still quiet just not as upset and down as i am at school?

ScarlettR Does anyone deal with derealisation?
  • replies: 6

In mid-2013, I started feeling weird in the head and had a lot of anxiety attacks. My energy went down, and I spent most of the day in bed, and ended up missing a lot of uni classes. The feeling inside my head is really weird, like surreal, in a drea... View more

In mid-2013, I started feeling weird in the head and had a lot of anxiety attacks. My energy went down, and I spent most of the day in bed, and ended up missing a lot of uni classes. The feeling inside my head is really weird, like surreal, in a dream. It's like anxiety in the sense that it starts small, insignificant and sticks at the back of my mind all the time then snowballs into something frightening, bleak and even threatening. But it's more a psychological symptom than physical. Thoughts that bring on these uncomfortable, scary episodes are: how will I support myself away from parents, how can I prevent myself from living on the streets unless I have a good landlord, what will happen after my parents/ loved ones pass away, when will I ever get a proper, decent paying job? These thoughts go on for a while and trigger me and I get emotionally upset, then I go into derealisation mode. I get these episodes even in my sleep if I nap during the day (the derealisation doesn't seem to occur when I sleep at night). So in 2013, I got these weird feelings and thought it was just anxiety and depression, so I was put on anti-depressants. Now I think I was actually suffering from derealisation all this time, although I'm happy to stay on the antidepressants. In recent years, I've gained control over my thought process and managed to live daily life mostly painfree. The derealisation episodes still happen, and they happen mostly at night. Does anyone else deal with this? I'm keen to know if there's other people suffering from this horrible psychological symptom.

Chainofdaisys Marriage and depression
  • replies: 1

I’m at a point where I don’t know what to do. My depression and anxiety have reached a severe point after the birth of my first child 4 years ago. I’m in such a dark place and know I’m not easy to handle nor the situation but my husband just doesn’t ... View more

I’m at a point where I don’t know what to do. My depression and anxiety have reached a severe point after the birth of my first child 4 years ago. I’m in such a dark place and know I’m not easy to handle nor the situation but my husband just doesn’t seem to understand my condition. Tonight I got the comment of “I need to do more to get better” despite the fact I go to a psychologist and psychiatrist and am on medication. Yet he doesn’t want me to go into hospital. I just feel so unsupported and starting to feel alone in my marriage. He won’t come with me to see my psychologist to get a better understanding of what goes on in my head. I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how Im meant to be in a marriage with someone who can’t be that calm in the storm or doesn’t try to understand this disease. has anyone else had this experience?

DannyG Unemployed and volunteering
  • replies: 2

Hi all does anyone have any advice about volunteering? I’ve been unemployed for 4 months I get interviews but no job offers. Ive been trying for volunteer roles and I get no response. I call and leave messages or send emails - nothing. is anyone else... View more

Hi all does anyone have any advice about volunteering? I’ve been unemployed for 4 months I get interviews but no job offers. Ive been trying for volunteer roles and I get no response. I call and leave messages or send emails - nothing. is anyone else going through similar and feel like sharing their thoughts? Thanks:) D

Anon-12 I’m very lost
  • replies: 3

I’ve recently lost a family member extremely close to me, and had my partner walk out on me all within the span of two weeks. I’m broken, lost and scared. I’ve been extremely low before but never this low. I don’t know how to keep myself occupied, I ... View more

I’ve recently lost a family member extremely close to me, and had my partner walk out on me all within the span of two weeks. I’m broken, lost and scared. I’ve been extremely low before but never this low. I don’t know how to keep myself occupied, I have moved to a new town and don’t know anybody. I am alone and it’s taking its toll. is there anything I can do to keep myself busy and attempt to find a positive state of mind? My partner was extremely degrading and mentally abusive, to the point I was afraid to sleep in the same room to avoid being told how worthless I am. They constantly bragged about the attention they received from other people, and how much better they were off without me. When they left they were very heartless and that’s what pushed me down further. I am trying to grieve the loss of someone who is no longer on this earth, and the loss of someone who walked away. I don’t know which is worse. I gave more than I had in me to this person and I feel as though it was never enough. how do I get out of this horrible state of mind

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