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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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Titanic Lost and don’t know what to do
  • replies: 1

I’m not one to talk about what’s going on in my life even to those closest to me. I’ve always tried to be the supportive one to everyone but life has gotten the better of me and now I’m in a deep struggle, I’ve lost my partner of 4years, lost my gran... View more

I’m not one to talk about what’s going on in my life even to those closest to me. I’ve always tried to be the supportive one to everyone but life has gotten the better of me and now I’m in a deep struggle, I’ve lost my partner of 4years, lost my grandfather a couple months ago and a lot of family drama In-between it all, I don’t know what to do anymore and it’s scary, I’m on the path of help but have no hope it’s going to get better, at the moment my daughter is the only thing keeping me going, but I don’t want to have to rely on her for my own happiness just seems selfish, currently sleeping on the couch in my exs house as I have no where to go but I only think it’s making me worse being around her still

Firestorm86 When Psychological manifests as physical pain.
  • replies: 1

So I guess this weekend is one of the worst weekends I’ve felt for a long time. I’ve just been lying here on my couch alone, in the dark, crying, listening to music… I just stood to go to bed up and couldn’t even stand up straight. I guess the only w... View more

So I guess this weekend is one of the worst weekends I’ve felt for a long time. I’ve just been lying here on my couch alone, in the dark, crying, listening to music… I just stood to go to bed up and couldn’t even stand up straight. I guess the only way to describe the feeling is “gut-wrenching”. Not a physical pain per se, but like my brain was telling my body to stay in foetal position. So I just curled up on the floor. Sobbing for another hour or so.

Hxtycyty Darkest hole in my life
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm in a terrible way...I am 51, have no job, partner, friends, money, anhedonia, peyrones disease, bipolar, extreme loneliness & copd. I want to feel the connections with others again but don't know where to start. I haven't worked for 6 yea... View more

Hi all, I'm in a terrible way...I am 51, have no job, partner, friends, money, anhedonia, peyrones disease, bipolar, extreme loneliness & copd. I want to feel the connections with others again but don't know where to start. I haven't worked for 6 years due to mental health reasons however I feel guilty & think it's out of laziness. I busted My partner of 7 years having threesoms with 2 people I used to be friends with. I used to see her everyday & was totally invested in her that now, I have zero social life & with the peyrones disease I can't really meet any women!! I've been used to a life of great success but ever since divorcing my narcissistic ex wife in 2013 my life has just spiralled downwards at a great pace. Oh, peyrones disease is a build up of scar tissue in your penis that creates a bend when erect making intercourse impossible. It also shrinks your overall size. It's one of the most soul crushing things for anyone to go through. I am hopefully having an operation early next year but the surgery is 34k without p/health (which I now have and am on the 12 month waiting list) but even then, after the operation, I won't just have chicks knocking on my front door for dates so I'm scared I'll go through all the pain of recovery and $ spent on p/ health for nothing as I've got no friends to go our with!! (And don't like going out alone). I just sit at home, sleep all day sometimes as that's the only time my brain switches of for being such a loser. I dont watch TV, don't have the radio on, I just go on my pc like YouTube etc and mind numb myself even more. Idk if I should try and myb start working again however it's so soul draining on you as a person and tbh, im on the disability pension now yet I seem to be just as broke as I was when I was working so I find it a pointless goal to chase. I have various substance use disorders now also as a result of my messed up life & it's harder to interact with people re driving to places etc. I just DONT know what I should do & in what order!?! Pls any advice would be gold, Thankyou so much.

Firestorm86 Taking a break…
  • replies: 3

About me: I’m a 37 year old male,suffering from depression on and off for about 18 years, been on/off medication for it too, but don’t think it ever really had an effect. No close friends or family, live a fairly isolated life with a huge focus on my... View more

About me: I’m a 37 year old male,suffering from depression on and off for about 18 years, been on/off medication for it too, but don’t think it ever really had an effect. No close friends or family, live a fairly isolated life with a huge focus on my career. My story: 6 weeks ago, I took a long planned 3-4 week vacation to USA/Caribbean. It had been in the planning for three years, I had all work commitments taken care of, I had even purchased a ‘burner’ emergency phone so I could leave my life behind and live ‘essentially ‘off the grid’ for the duration of my vacation. The vacation was perfect. Had fun, ate lots, relaxed and got plenty of sun.But, I’ve really been struggling to come back to my normal life. Everything has been so overwhelming since I got back. Tonight I was walking home from work, and a song came on my playlist that reminded me of my holiday, and I completely broke down. Last week I was at the cinema, and the movie I was watching had themes about ‘escaping reality’ and THAT also caused me to break down. (it’s unusual for me to get so emotional in public settings, it used to always be when I was home alone.) im sure after a while I will just start forgetting about the vacation and accept that my normal life is, well, a normal life… but I’m not sure I want to. can anyone relate to this?

CB81 Feeling like a freak
  • replies: 6

I’m 42 and have a great job and considered to be funny and intelligent but every now and then I feel so isolated as I don’t have a partner and don’t want one. Being surrounded by “normal” people at work chattering about their partners. Or doing somet... View more

I’m 42 and have a great job and considered to be funny and intelligent but every now and then I feel so isolated as I don’t have a partner and don’t want one. Being surrounded by “normal” people at work chattering about their partners. Or doing something that people laugh at as they think it’s “weird” when I’m just being myself. I just want to opt out sometimes. Not suicide I just mean just not go to work and not talk to anyone.

Guest_17265795 What to do.
  • replies: 2

My husband and I have been suffering with infertility for 2 years. Now it's come to a stage where IVF is the only option. The meds amplify my depression. I feel like a burden to my friends because it's all I can talk about. My husbands away for work ... View more

My husband and I have been suffering with infertility for 2 years. Now it's come to a stage where IVF is the only option. The meds amplify my depression. I feel like a burden to my friends because it's all I can talk about. My husbands away for work and doesn't have coms. I have psych appointments every week. I feel like being at work I make stupid mistakes that are being picked up and I'm under a kind of disciplinary action. I don't sleep well. I feel overwhelmed, exhausted and I don't see things getting better

TMJ How do I learn to Live instead of just Existing
  • replies: 7

Helo ,I am new here and unsure if this is the place to be . Alot has gone on in my life recently relationship and family wise .Nearing 50 years old and I just exist ! Nothing makes me happy anymore . Loneliness and sadness is all I seem to know . The... View more

Helo ,I am new here and unsure if this is the place to be . Alot has gone on in my life recently relationship and family wise .Nearing 50 years old and I just exist ! Nothing makes me happy anymore . Loneliness and sadness is all I seem to know . There's got to be more to life than feeling this way ,I just don't know how to find it . I don't have anyone to talk to about this ,everyone in my life have their own problems and I feel like a burden to discuss my problems with them. Aswell as the fact that my immediate family ie partner and kids are the number contributor to my sadness.

Guest_23504877 scared
  • replies: 1

im in a state of panic. my body feels weird. i didn’t sleep for 3 or 4 days. and ive had thoughts that ive never had before. im really scared. i took a antihistamine pill last night and i slept, but i feel dizzy today. i want to be how i used to be. ... View more

im in a state of panic. my body feels weird. i didn’t sleep for 3 or 4 days. and ive had thoughts that ive never had before. im really scared. i took a antihistamine pill last night and i slept, but i feel dizzy today. i want to be how i used to be. i used to be relaxed and could sleep anywhere. i want to be stable so desperately. i want to know if someone has gone through this and how they got out of it and if they were successful. im not convinced i can be fixed.

Guest_43758189 Medication Alternatives?
  • replies: 1

Hello all, first time posting on a forum like this. Feeling lost after having come so far in my mental health journey. To make a long story short I have struggled with mental health as long as I can remember, and was diagnosed with depression and anx... View more

Hello all, first time posting on a forum like this. Feeling lost after having come so far in my mental health journey. To make a long story short I have struggled with mental health as long as I can remember, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 15. After being medicated since that age. I'm 26 now, finally managed to kick the meds about a year ago and was feeling good about it. However, things have been going downhill since the beginning of this year. It has coincided with my uni work placement (ironically at a government Mental Health facility) which has been stressful, unsupportive, and left me feeling pretty useless. I've been struggling financially, had to stop work and move home, gave away my dog, and am also experiencing a loss in the family. I am reaching a point where I feel unable to do anything, let alone help other people with their mental health. I feel I could either cry or go to sleep at all times of the day. Nothing I used to enjoy makes me feel good anymore, and I wake up every morning sick with anxiety. I recognise these as clear signs of depression, and have booked in with my GP next week to pursue a mental health plan/therapy. However, I would really prefer not to go back on antidepressants. I'm not kicking medication here - it can be a lifesaver (literally) but it took me several tries over many years to successfully come off it. If I can I would like to avoid going through that process again. So, I'm hoping some of you lovely people might have suggestions as to other methods I can try. Herbal medicines, routine changes, free programs, etc. Particularly things to help with anhedonia, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. I would really value hearing from legends with lived experience and offer my sincerest thanks for your thoughtfulness in advance.

Penguin Comparing myself to my partner and unable to give myself grace
  • replies: 2

Hello, this is my first time posting. I have had a really tough 7 months since I was bullied then terminated during my probation period at a workplace as a youth worker. I lost a job, professional identity, and good stable full time pay. I also I los... View more

Hello, this is my first time posting. I have had a really tough 7 months since I was bullied then terminated during my probation period at a workplace as a youth worker. I lost a job, professional identity, and good stable full time pay. I also I lost the sense of confidence and belief that I truly earned professional opportunities, as the current job market meant the same resume doesn't get me interviews for the same type of jobs anymore. I see a therapist, have supportive friends, and a loving partner. But my relationship with my parents are very strained. Summary of what happened: I had a friend who used to work at that organisation. They were the subject of rumours and investigations regarding their conduct that I had no idea of prior to starting that job. In one month, I started getting messages from that friend who moved overseas and told me their friends dobbed me in, alleging I reported her to my manager. Friends as in my then coworkers who gave me silent treatments and ignored me when we ran events together, making me feel isolated, as they obviously got along just fine with 2 other new people that onboarded the same time as me. At the same time my parents were visiting, and we had a domestic dispute resulting in the police giving a home visit, and I for the first time realised I grew up with domestic violence, and as they were staying at mine, I went to stay at my partner's and friend's feeling like I was fleeing. In that one month alone, I drove 50 mins to and from work (5 days in the office), trying to learn the ropes of the job, dealing with toxic work colleagues and fake nice managers that only truly showed their colours as they asked me to trust management to deal with this. In the end twisting teething issues and honest feedback as me having "ill intent" on the rest of the team and fired me on "gossiping". All because my former friend's father went and threatened to sue the workplace and they pinned it on me. I have no way of getting unfair dismisssl due to having only been there for 4 weeks. It was orchestrated and scapegoating. Since then I went through a manic episode and have been depressive. I got a reception casual job at a leisure centre and I cop the occassinoal abuse. Not only do I feel zero fulfilment and shame, I cannot love my partner the way I want to, because he got a new job after being made redundant, and is being paid a lot more than me. No matter how suppotive he is, I feel so inferior.