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Depression

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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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Magma Feeling lost... anxiety, depression and memory loss
  • replies: 4

I’ve had depression for a long time but it got really bad due to work about three years ago. About the same time, my memory started to faulter. I have a great teenager, a loving partner, but I feel lost. I’ve had a lot of support since leaving work (... View more

I’ve had depression for a long time but it got really bad due to work about three years ago. About the same time, my memory started to faulter. I have a great teenager, a loving partner, but I feel lost. I’ve had a lot of support since leaving work (until recently that is), regular psychologist and psychiatrist visits and I jangle from medications. But I’m lost. I don’t remember most of my life. I remember bits and pieces. The important things like my family, some personal history and stuff. I forget decisions I’ve made, things I’ve done, people I know, names etc. People have to jog my memory or remind me of things, even minutes after. I just feel helpless and lost.

SailorsGirfriend Defeated
  • replies: 3

Hi I think I am depressed. Lately I have been having problems with my fiancé in the bedroom. We haven't been able to be intimate for 2 months now because he is suffering from erectile dysfunction. At first I blamed myself, that I wasn't attractive, b... View more

Hi I think I am depressed. Lately I have been having problems with my fiancé in the bedroom. We haven't been able to be intimate for 2 months now because he is suffering from erectile dysfunction. At first I blamed myself, that I wasn't attractive, but he assured me it wasn't that. However it keeps happening, and it is really starting to take a toll on our relationship. I feel as though he is being very selfish in his own feelings but keeps forgetting how it affects me, despite continually telling him. It seems to be putting more pressure on the situation but I can't help feeling anger and hurt toward him for it. I am at the point where I feel not living is an easier option, the arguments and low self esteem are so draining. Perhaps it has triggered my feelings of worthlessness. In the past 2 weeks I have had 3 panic attacks, and begin crying for no real reason. I just want to stay in bed and not go to work tomorrow. I get so tired of having to pretend I am happy. I don't know what to do anymore...

Barnard Its all come unstuck
  • replies: 1

Hey, I’m here because I think I may be close to rock bottom and literally have no idea how to get back up again. I feel like nothing I have tried has worked, in fact that things have gotten worse the more I have tried to address my depression and now... View more

Hey, I’m here because I think I may be close to rock bottom and literally have no idea how to get back up again. I feel like nothing I have tried has worked, in fact that things have gotten worse the more I have tried to address my depression and now increasing bouts of anxiety. I don’t know exactly when all this started but I suspect it’s been 15 years or more. I think the trigger points for me have been having been diagnosed with cancer at age 28 (I am now fully recovered), my father dying of a heart attack when I was 33, last year age 38 losing my job and now in the last couple weeks my wife leaving (citing my depression as one of the reasons). I think there are other things like feeling that I have made poor career choices that are now holding me back that niggle away. These seem to be becoming worse. It can’t go on like this so today I am going to take it more seriously. I’m interested in any tips, that can help. I feel like there is nothing in my mind or life that doesn’t need massive amounts of work. No idea where to start

Blairkpm1712 I am Depressed and don't know how to tell my parents
  • replies: 3

Over the last couple of months, I have realised that i am depressed. I have tried to bring it up to my parents but I'm scared they will think i am over reacting or if they over react to the subject. My mom has a lot of problems with depression, not i... View more

Over the last couple of months, I have realised that i am depressed. I have tried to bring it up to my parents but I'm scared they will think i am over reacting or if they over react to the subject. My mom has a lot of problems with depression, not in the sense that she is depressed but she reads a lot of stuff on teen depression and i don't want her to see me that way. could someone please give me some advice? that would help. Thank you,

Angel2012 Stuck in the past
  • replies: 4

I am new to this and finally working up the courage to talk and get help. I lost my baby boy before birth a few years ago. Since then i have kept myself busy and occupied till recently. I miss him, i want to be with him, i dont feel like i belong her... View more

I am new to this and finally working up the courage to talk and get help. I lost my baby boy before birth a few years ago. Since then i have kept myself busy and occupied till recently. I miss him, i want to be with him, i dont feel like i belong here anymore. I have had thoughts to head to the highway and not return, but i cant do that to my living children. I dont want to feel this way anymore, i want all my children

FallenFreaK How to push myself to do stuff when I can’t and no one else can
  • replies: 2

How do I get pushed to do stuff if I can’t push myself and I have no one else to do it. I have assignments and shopping, washing, cleaning, etc but can’t bring myself to do. Can’t do it. I don’t have anyone else to help me or support me or give me a ... View more

How do I get pushed to do stuff if I can’t push myself and I have no one else to do it. I have assignments and shopping, washing, cleaning, etc but can’t bring myself to do. Can’t do it. I don’t have anyone else to help me or support me or give me a boost. What do you do to do stuff?

nickname1119 Im a VCE student suffering depression....
  • replies: 2

My depression symptoms got really severe recently..... I m unable to concentrate on anything at all and constantly tired....... I have so much to study for and my family have really high expectation on me....... I tried to force myself to do some wor... View more

My depression symptoms got really severe recently..... I m unable to concentrate on anything at all and constantly tired....... I have so much to study for and my family have really high expectation on me....... I tried to force myself to do some work but i couldn't concentrate on anything at all and my brain is just not working....... I dont know what to do as I don't want to fail my studys and all.......

Pelia No one can see it
  • replies: 9

A lot of people have better eyes than mine But no one can see it I called my parents overseas and dad just asked how his grandchildren are, how my husband is, how the passion fruit tree in the garden is...He doesn't see it And I laughed my head off w... View more

A lot of people have better eyes than mine But no one can see it I called my parents overseas and dad just asked how his grandchildren are, how my husband is, how the passion fruit tree in the garden is...He doesn't see it And I laughed my head off with mum to those silly jokes I googled before I called her because I really don't want her to worry about me...She feels guilty enough not being able to help me ... She doesn't see it I called my sister and she gave me a big lecture on how to eat a healthy diet and how to exercise to keep the cholesterol low... she doesn't see it I take my middle son to school each morning and meet a handful of school mums everyday... They often comment on how cute my youngest baby is and how big his eyes are... They don't see it I used to speak to few of my friends about my feelings but they have their own life too... They eventually not check on me anymore to avoid depressing news... They don't see it My husband who is the most significant person in my life but is always busy with work... He struggles to keep his "demanding" wife happy and is losing himself too... He sees me but he doesn't see my feelings or my hair cut... He doesn't see my tears or why I bleed in my heart... No one can see it...No one sees I am lonely. No one sees I am falling. No one sees how hard I live for others. I wonder if anyone will see it if I disappear

Damiandamian First time poster needing help
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, So I am a first time poster and I have been dealing with Depression, Bipolar and anxiety for as long as I can remember. This all came out in a way that it never has before where I completely broke down at work. I was saying that the world be... View more

Hi guys, So I am a first time poster and I have been dealing with Depression, Bipolar and anxiety for as long as I can remember. This all came out in a way that it never has before where I completely broke down at work. I was saying that the world be better off without me and I wouldn't a burden to anyone anymore. There are 3 main contributors to my current feeling and state. Financial, physical and mental. Those are each a side of a triangle and I am in the middle. I fall as though the side and just pushing and squeezing more and more and it's pushing me over the edge. I feel awful for breaking down in a public place the way that I did. I need help dealing with this and to live as a happier human being. I haven't spoken to anyone before about it except for when I was 12 and had a counsellor. I am too scared and worried to talk to other people about it and seek the help that I need. Thank you for listening and I am sorry if I wasted your time.

white knight Depression, the benefits of physical exhaustion
  • replies: 1

I first stumbled on this in 1997. I hadn’t been diagnosed with depression and bipolar until 6 years later but know now I had them all along. Recovering from a marriage split with kids involved, survived a suicide plan in full swing and heavily depres... View more

I first stumbled on this in 1997. I hadn’t been diagnosed with depression and bipolar until 6 years later but know now I had them all along. Recovering from a marriage split with kids involved, survived a suicide plan in full swing and heavily depressed when I moved into a caravan park it seemed all downhill from there but I decided to rebound. To get myself financially ahead I worked 3 jobs including one shift work. I purchased a block of land and ordered a kit home, a two storey quaker barn to be used as a house. Suddenly I was flat out either working or building. My only day off was one day a fortnight while I had my kids but even then as they played hop scotch on the house slab I toiled cleaning up or moving things. I became physically exhausted. I know this because I had a delivery of 60 sheets of plaster. Huge sheets by any standards and I had to cut them smaller to hang pieces on the wall. After several days the stack of sheets didn’t seem to have reduced and my old back injury returned. Suddenly, the thought of failing overwhelmed me and I collapsed in a blubbering heap. Ten minutes later I got up, made myself a brew then got stuck into it again. How? Well, I’d been conditioned to be positive and never give up. Always seek the positive…and the positive was- that I was so exhausted I slept well and no longer dwelled on my ex wife and her childish antics and emotional abuse. I was proud I was succeeding albeit on my own during late nights with candlelight. Since then I’ve always taken on challenges to over exert myself so I sleep better. This is particularly good for ADHD sufferers or those that have guilt or mania or dwell on issues. Being active means keeping your mind in constant activity, a busy frame of mind, always thinking, always doing, not stopping except for sensible breaks. There are spin offs. You succeed in doing something, creating, re-establishing your life. What's the motivation? well look for one. In my case I'd lost my home, neighbours, dog, full time fatherhood. My ex got the house and I got our garage. My motivation? Get my house back by my own hands! Any regrets? Well yes, I could have done with a smaller home and employed a tradesman or two. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You can do other things to make yourself spent like sports and hobbies. While you are exhausted you might well be thinking of a troublesome topic but you aren’t beating yourself up. Better than moping any day. Achieve and be proud. TonyWK