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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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AlreadyNobody No one really cares
  • replies: 2

No one seems to care, Ive tried everything to get better ,wrote all my thoughts down in a journal or exercise till I threw up, no matter how much I did it was always short term and it made no difference to the nights, I told my parents everything as ... View more

No one seems to care, Ive tried everything to get better ,wrote all my thoughts down in a journal or exercise till I threw up, no matter how much I did it was always short term and it made no difference to the nights, I told my parents everything as a final cry for help, that was 3 weeks ago, they just said i had to exercise more often then already my 5 times a week, and they will maybe look for someone that I can talk to, and basically what I got out of that was its my fault that I can't manage myself because I don't do constructive things. I cant put any weight on anyone anymore without them wanting to keep distance afterwards, I used to have so many friends, and a while ago for the first time in my life Ive had to make excuses to why I don't hang out with my friends, I cringe every time I think about that because I don't have any friends, I hate myself. I don't see myself being around to graduate school, not at this rate.

Zoe111 Burnout or Depression?
  • replies: 4

Hi People, I’m new here, bit nervous, wonder if anyone has some wisdom for me. I am working full time in a management position in a specialist health field that can be highly emotive and divisive. I have spent >20 years in this field supporting the c... View more

Hi People, I’m new here, bit nervous, wonder if anyone has some wisdom for me. I am working full time in a management position in a specialist health field that can be highly emotive and divisive. I have spent >20 years in this field supporting the clients and yet still had work life balance with my partner, children and family. I made the decision to take the fulltime management job as my children are almost grown and I felt I had a lot to offer the position. At first it was going well however the last 6 months things have not been going well, I feel disillusioned with my workplace, feel I do everything wrong, worthless, anxious at work, brain working very slowly, not motivated, avoid certain difficult people as my heart races if I see them, coming home crying in the car most nights, no energy, no pleasure to go out and do anything outside work. When I started 18 months ago I felt none of this was excited to be doing it. I don’t want to just leave for the following reasons: my bosses tell me I’m doing a good job and I feel I would be letting them down Don’t know where else to go options are limited feel I would be running away and should face my problems at work and deal with it I don’t know how much longer I can go on though. If I left and went elsewhere would it be the same now? Don’t know what to do does anyone have any experience to share?

DannyG Therapist away, Help me please
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone does anyone have advice for me - my therapist is on holiday, I can’t get in to see my GP until next week and I’m struggling. every day I’m crying, I can’t sleep, I’m managing to go to work but I feel like im on the edge of being able to f... View more

Hi everyone does anyone have advice for me - my therapist is on holiday, I can’t get in to see my GP until next week and I’m struggling. every day I’m crying, I can’t sleep, I’m managing to go to work but I feel like im on the edge of being able to function. what do you do when you can’t access your health professionals? Has anyone had a positive experience with any phone help lines ?

Living57 Loneliness
  • replies: 6

Do you ever get lonely even when there are people around you? Do you feel as if you want to be alone, but know that it will make your depression build up? How do you deal with it? I find that lately I want to cry, for no particular reason, I feel low... View more

Do you ever get lonely even when there are people around you? Do you feel as if you want to be alone, but know that it will make your depression build up? How do you deal with it? I find that lately I want to cry, for no particular reason, I feel low, I feel as if no one cares, the black dog circles waiting for his moment to jump and hold me down. I am asked by my daughter if everything is alright, and I say oh yes, I'm just a bit tired. I dont know how to explain it to her, and that makes me feel bad. My two grandsons aged 5 and 10 make me smile, but it's hard, and I try to be """normal""" for them. I try hard for everyone. I have forgotten how to care for myself, and i really cant be bothered if the truth be known. I have no friends, so dont do coffee mornings or have someone to chat with and pass the time of day. The ones I had didnt understand my mental illness and slowly pulled away. I find my being alone, which I once enjoyed, I am started to loathe, but I dont want people. I am in a catch 22, like the mouse in a wheel. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a giant black abyss, perpetually looking down, wanting to step off, but not wanting to at the same time, something and I dont know what is holding me back. My depression runs my every waking moment, and my nights too, not allowing me to sleep, creating chaos in my head, questions - no answers, sadness, upset, anxiety, panic, negativity, no matter how tired I am, it keeps me awake. I dont want to give in to it, but I cant feel myself sliding along towards it, and it's getting quicker and quicker and I am have troubling stopping myself for long enough to turn around and get away. so what do I do? I have no idea. I just want to put it down in writing, hoping it might help me, and maybe, just maybe, somebody out there understands.

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