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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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Lonely_and_Lost Depressed, lost and lonely
  • replies: 7

Hello I am new here and this is my first post. I was diagnosed with depression 15yrs ago after a bad breakup and recently I was also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (I thought I was just an introvert). I have been seeing a really great female ... View more

Hello I am new here and this is my first post. I was diagnosed with depression 15yrs ago after a bad breakup and recently I was also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (I thought I was just an introvert). I have been seeing a really great female psychologist and she has been helping me a lot but last week the clinic called and told me she has unexpectedly left the practice. Now I have to start all over again with a new psychologist. I am now 35, single and very lonely. I don't have any friends and I cannot seem to find a boyfriend. I am highly stressed about my ages and situation as all I ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother. I am a biology teacher and I know all about reproduction. People keep telling me that any man would be lucky to have me but all I feel is that I must be such a loser because no man wants me. I do not want to ge to a sperm bank (as suggested by several people, including family) because then I will be a single loser with a child. Having no man want me is the worst feeling in the world. I am also struggling in my job. My management are making things very difficult in a bid to push me out. It is making me question everything. Should I be doing this? Should I return to my previous career in hospitality where I feel my strengths are stronger? Should I move overseas? Several people have told me if they didn't have kids, they would move overseas in a heartbeat and said I should go since I have nothing to tie me down (except my cat). I am just so conflicted and confused and indecisive. I have no clue what to do. I literally spend all my time outside work at home alone. I have done a lot of internet research and I still can't work out what I want or what to do. I am frightened of making the wrong decision. If I move, maybe things will be better but maybe they will be worse. I don't remember the last time I was genuinely happy and excited about life. I feel like everyday I am just existing, going through the motions, like an empty vessel. I hate everything and find little joy in anything except cuddles from my cat. I feel like I am down a big deep dark hole and I have no idea how to get out. If there is anyone out there who can relate or has any advice I would love to hear it. I just need someone to talk to and, if possible, the fairy godmother to wave her wand and solve all my problems.

Jaco09 Am I just Overreacting?
  • replies: 2

Im 16 and in year 11 this year, living in a country town. I'm pretty sure I don't have depression, but i feel as though I'm gradually becoming more and more down on myself. The worst its been is this year, my two best friends moved to the city for sc... View more

Im 16 and in year 11 this year, living in a country town. I'm pretty sure I don't have depression, but i feel as though I'm gradually becoming more and more down on myself. The worst its been is this year, my two best friends moved to the city for school and my sister moved over seas. I feel as though I am alone. I know I still have my family, and I know they love me but I've never been close with them like I am with my two friends and sister. Without these people in my life anymore, I don't fit in with anyone because being in a small town all the social standings are already sorted, friendship groups are full and aren't going to budge anytime soon. school has also gotten harder for me. I've never been a straight A student or anything but its becoming more and more of a struggle to the point where I'll get so overwhelmed that I'll break down in tears and and feel this need to hit or throw something in frustration and then have no motivation to do anything. I cant make decisions, I can't remember the most simplest of things, I can't do anything right for anyone and I've never been good at anything or felt as though I had a purpose and this really eats at me. I don't really want to be at home, I don't want to be with friends, I don't want to be at school, i don't want to be anywhere and i feel have no one I can talk with. Is this just one of those silly teenage things? or is it something else? is there anything I can do to stop it?

Scared91 Relapse ??
  • replies: 28

Hey I posted on here in May of this year i wasn’t doing to good but everyone was very helpful and super nice and supportive .. i am on ADs was on diff ones back then that weren’t working then got switched to the ones I’m on now .. they were working r... View more

Hey I posted on here in May of this year i wasn’t doing to good but everyone was very helpful and super nice and supportive .. i am on ADs was on diff ones back then that weren’t working then got switched to the ones I’m on now .. they were working really well or atleast so I thought?? i was doing fine felt like my usual self for about 4months I reckon. Then the long weekend came and BAM I WOKE up and felt like crap just meh and crying and just felt like shit anxious feeling in my stomach pending doom just craziness.. I did drink a fair bit I don’t know if that has some affect on my tablets ? I know ur not meant to drink on ADs but was a good night a good time (AT THE TIME) and so im rambling here sorry is relapse something I can expect should expect I mean I’m not anywhere near as bad as I was ... and I’m not anywhere near as good as I was .. I just wanna get back to my happy place and stay there forever ... please anyone good advice saying that it will all be over soon anything reassuring please ... TIA sorry about the all over the place of the post don’t really know what I’m asking I guess ....

Zoegirl I feel so alone
  • replies: 6

Hi there. I feel silly as I should be so blissfully happy, but feel so incredibly sad and alone. We have been travelling around Oz for the last year and found a lovely place on the NSW south coast that we have fallen in love with. We have bought a bl... View more

Hi there. I feel silly as I should be so blissfully happy, but feel so incredibly sad and alone. We have been travelling around Oz for the last year and found a lovely place on the NSW south coast that we have fallen in love with. We have bought a block of land and I have been very lucky to find work in a job that I enjoy, but I just feel so sad and alone. My husband is 16 years older than me and we have been married for over 10 years and I love him, but I am starting to feel like the age gap is making a difference now. He suffers from depression and I was on medication for for depression a couple of years ago, but managed to wean myself off. I yearn for a female friend that I can just, well be friends with, if that makes sense? I love my dogs and love walking them and just would like to be friends with someone who has the same interests as me. I do not have children by choice and am happy with that. I was sexually abused as a child and never felt the need to breed as I would hate anyone to got through what I went through. I know that I sound like I am rambling, but I just feel so alone.

Goldclooud07 Just want to talk
  • replies: 3

I have a constant feeling of worthlessness and loneliness that I want to shake but don't even know how to start...

I have a constant feeling of worthlessness and loneliness that I want to shake but don't even know how to start...

Retchey Why does my anxiety depression feel better in the evenings.
  • replies: 22

Hi, Can anyone answer that question, it's odd, every evening I'm full of hope, eg: tomorrow I will do this and that and be proactive, next morning, step out of bed into a pre dug hole. Regards

Hi, Can anyone answer that question, it's odd, every evening I'm full of hope, eg: tomorrow I will do this and that and be proactive, next morning, step out of bed into a pre dug hole. Regards

pinkkookaburra99 Always bored?
  • replies: 4

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only depressed person who experiences this, and I would love some advice. I’m always bored. Always, always, always. None of the things I used to like bring me any enjoyment, such as baking, writing, painting, reading. In f... View more

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only depressed person who experiences this, and I would love some advice. I’m always bored. Always, always, always. None of the things I used to like bring me any enjoyment, such as baking, writing, painting, reading. In fact, they honestly make me more depressed because I know they aren’t working to make me happy. i’ve tried doing new activities, old activities. I’ve tried spending more time with friends and family, I’ve tried doing nice things for people, still doesn’t improve my mood. The only thing that helps is sleeping, because then at least I’m not concious and not having to deal with my constant terrible mood. Unfortunately my GP has advised against me napping so much and I know in my heart he is right, it doesn’t help. This is real hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced depression, but basically it is the most terrifying thing ever when nothing can bring you joy, because you feel like you’ll be miserable forever. I would love to know if anyone else has experienced this and what you do to deal with it.

TheOatmeal Insomnia - Ups and Downs
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, This is my first post -- I'm hoping someone has been in the same position. So, a bit over a year ago I started to get insomnia, waking up too early every day and not being able to get back to sleep (waking up somewhere between 2-5am). A... View more

Hey everyone, This is my first post -- I'm hoping someone has been in the same position. So, a bit over a year ago I started to get insomnia, waking up too early every day and not being able to get back to sleep (waking up somewhere between 2-5am). After about 6 weeks of this, I started to feel in a really low mood and felt upset in the morning for no reason (apart from the tiredness). My wife suggested I go see the GP and he said it sounded like I have depression and referred me to a psychologist. The sessions were fine, I felt good afterwards for a few hours, but after 5-6 sessions felt like it wasn't helping me. So, I went back to the GP and he prescribed anti-depressants to try help out with the insomnia, this was in January. I put off taking them until about 2 months ago (August), the reason being is I tried some supplements in January that helped me feel quite a bit better and cut down on my irritability. For 6+ months I had many days at work where I couldn't do anything but I still went into the office. My brain refused to function because of what I thought was tiredness, but was likely a combination of tiredness and depression. I let my boss know that I'd been diagnosed with depression and he was very understanding and said I can take off time as needed. The thing is, it's not like I'm permanently depressed, I only feel terrible for at most 2 days in a row, then have a couple of really good days then return to depression and repeat. I have a feeling that my good days may be a little too good, I tend to take on a heap of projects, have lots of ideas, feel really optimistic and confident about everything, buy more stuff for my hobbies, but then a day or two later I sink back into a struggling depression. Thinking back, I've always been kind of like this, it makes me wonder if I have a mood disorder that includes depression. Anyway, now I'm seeing a new psych and think I'll stay with him for the long haul until I get to the bottom of this, but I'm wondering if I should ask my GP for a psychiatrist referral since the medication doesn't seem to be working, in fact I think it may be making things worse. Does anyone have any suggestions or a similar experience? Thanks for reading. In case you're wondering, this is one of my good days

Rivyn I feel like a useless, broken thing
  • replies: 2

Hi, my name is Paul, I'm 32 and I just don't know how to keep doing...THIS anymore I've been battling depression and anxiety since I was 13 and in the last year everything has just gotten so much harder, or feels like it. I struggle to sleep and when... View more

Hi, my name is Paul, I'm 32 and I just don't know how to keep doing...THIS anymore I've been battling depression and anxiety since I was 13 and in the last year everything has just gotten so much harder, or feels like it. I struggle to sleep and when I do sleep I struggle to wake up, i hurt everywhere and I just think I cant do this again, how am I going to get through another day of this hell. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suicidal, I don't think about ending my life, although sometimes I wish I just won't wake up, but I couldn't do that to the people I care about. It just hurts so much. I live with my mum and my nan and I feel so useless to them. I'm unemployed and I have been for years and even though I'm looking for work, I keep sabortaging myself because my anxiety over working leaves me a crippled mess, I can't even get my lisence because I'm scared of driving. And lately I just can't stop stressing over the future. My nan's not in great shape and I'm stressed about what's going to happen to her and then I start to stress about what I'm going to do when I no longer have mum, and then I feel so selfish because my life pretty much revolves around them and I dont want to lose them, even though I know its inevitable. I feel like a helpless child trapped in a man's body, wandering through endless tunnel of heavy blackness and I dont know which way I'm going anymore and there's no one. Don't even really have any friends to turn to as the few that I do have do even live in this country. Even now I'm a sobbing wreck and nearly hyperventilating, my hands are shaking so much. I just don't know what to do. I cant even remember the last time I was actually happy and not just pretending to get through the day.. I'm so lost....

Newgirl88 So hurt and alone...
  • replies: 1

So I have been in a 12 years relationship, my ex husband is defence so we have moved around a lot and he went away alot for work. I have struggled with depression for years and constantly had a feeling of abandonment every time hubby went away. I had... View more

So I have been in a 12 years relationship, my ex husband is defence so we have moved around a lot and he went away alot for work. I have struggled with depression for years and constantly had a feeling of abandonment every time hubby went away. I had a long string of reckless bad decisions when he was away which we got through. But 18months ago I finally went on medication to help my depressive mood and feelings of suicide. Since going on the medication I felt numb and had this awful feeling of not sure whether I loved my husband. After he was away for 8months I had a massive panic attack and broke up with him. A week later I was finally diagnosed with bipolar. I started new medication and felt great but had this massive guilt and regret because I left my husband who I infact love with everything I have. This was 3 weeks ago. Since then we moved to Canberra which is his hometown. I dont know anybody here and the first weekend we got here he went to sydney to stay with his ex. We were still in a hotel so nothing for me and the girls to do!? He doesnt understands bipolar and over that weekend I had a massive setback. Begged him to come back to me and our 2 kids. Was bedridden and then ended up punching a wall and telling him how selfish and unloving he was. Screamed and said some disgusting things to him. I came off all social media and hid away in the hotel with the girls. My question is how do I explain that certain things he does makes me react badly. Is there any chance we could mend this? We have slept together 3 times in the last week. I feel like he loves me still but just finds my history too hard. Should I just move on and let him find happiness? Help!