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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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LesleyM Calling older single women facing challenges
  • replies: 13

Hello All ... I am new to BB but so far have been blown away by the responsive support. Thank-you BB team. Now down to 'my reality' facing an uncertain financial future at 66 years of age and not coping at all well with the situation I am currently i... View more

Hello All ... I am new to BB but so far have been blown away by the responsive support. Thank-you BB team. Now down to 'my reality' facing an uncertain financial future at 66 years of age and not coping at all well with the situation I am currently in. I have no family and have struggled with depression all my life. This has been a challenge for me and in some instances those around me... often my behaviour/reactions (so extreme ... outbursts of anger out of frustration with myself) have sometimes astounded me. I am one of those people who onlookers would say 'has it all together' but inside I have felt a fraud most of my life ... aka .. "if they really knew me they would see my faults as easily as I do." The journey is fraught with overwhelm and lots of tears. I know from my work that there are lots of senior women out their doing it tough ... financially, emotionally, physically. If they feel like me they feel like they are the only ones walking this path. I am learning something monumental from the journey this time around (nothing ever been this big for me in that past I have to add) .. I have let 'people in' and I have reached out ... hence being on this forum... the result has been overwhelming .. I still have a challenging future but I know I am cared for (have to say this makes me cry even more)... I had to let people in... the right people... with the right intuition, words, compassion (not one of them has said "it'll be alright"... people with depression know how much this means) I am not a person to blame others for what has happened to me ... or what I think they 'have done to me' .. However, the hurt runs much to deep ... and because I have struggled with self-compassion all my life it has been hard to shift the hurt. I am annoyed with myself for letting people and incidents from the past keep hold of me so vigorously ... I look forward to my BB partnership/friendship ... Have to go now because the tears are getting in my way ... Sending love to all who need it .. you are so deserving of it..

Guest_62232343 Newborn is here, but I'm lonely sad and overwhelmed
  • replies: 1

We have a two week old newborn, he is a lovely boy and he's adorable. I should be happy that he's healthy and happy, but I keep drowning in sadness, feeling overwhelmed, and incredibly lonely. There are a lot of factors at play, with a huge one being... View more

We have a two week old newborn, he is a lovely boy and he's adorable. I should be happy that he's healthy and happy, but I keep drowning in sadness, feeling overwhelmed, and incredibly lonely. There are a lot of factors at play, with a huge one being my mother. Without going into a very long story, I grew up with an abusive mother, I've been brutally beaten, seen her attack others, and worst of all, she doesn't remember any of these things. But despite being older, and in another town, she's evolved from physical abuse to verbal abuse online. This all started when I asked her to get a vaccine, she's not against vaccines, she is just scared of needles. Well, this started a week of non stop abuse, vile things were said and she even verbally attacked my 38 week pregnant Mrs via text. It was... Full on. Well, we had our child and I decided to be kind, send some photos of the child to my mum, but..she didn't seem to care. Not one congratulations, not once asking how my partner was, and not once seeming to care. Well her birthday just came and my Mrs didn't message her happy birthday, a very minor thing, but it started the abuse all over again. Thus, we've blocked her everywhere. This entire ordeal has mentally drained me. Alongside my Mrs struggling with 'baby blues' and me dealing with my own depression, it's been rough. However, seeing my partner with her family all happy to see our child, has left me feeling sad that I can't experience this with my family, all due to how my mother acted. Not only that, but I don't have really any real life friends, but my Mrs has many. She's has so many visitors over the last few weeks and I'm happy to see her being supported, but I can't help feeling more alone than ever. I feel I'm letting everyone down, I feel I'm not good enough to please anyone, and I feel completely overwhelmed mentally. I'm not sleeping well, I'm not eating or drinking much, and I generally feel like I'm breaking down mentally and physically. Fortunately, I'm still doing everything to support my partner and child, aside from being sad on and off. I don't know what I hoped to achieve by writing this. Maybe confirmation that I'm not going to the villain? That I'm not as bad as my mum thinks I am? Maybe just reassurance I'm doing the best I can. I don't know. But if you read this, thank you for taking the time.

Guest_7878 high functioning depression
  • replies: 6

hey there, i made this thread for people who can go through day to day life and get out of bed but still feel empty and sad or just numb/tired/done or anything like that. depression obviously comes in a lot of different forms but those of you with mi... View more

hey there, i made this thread for people who can go through day to day life and get out of bed but still feel empty and sad or just numb/tired/done or anything like that. depression obviously comes in a lot of different forms but those of you with mild or moderate depression that mostly affects your mental world/motivations/outlook rather than taking a severe toll on your daily requirements are still so extremely valid and deserve as much support and love as you need. please feel free to talk about any of your experiences/feelings here, open to anyone love you all

ChildHeart Can't function at all.
  • replies: 1

Hello. I've been away from the forum for a while but needed to come back today. I am going to try sum this up in the best way possible. Basically I've been suffering from depression, anxiety, ocd and un-alive thoughts/actions my whole life. But thing... View more

Hello. I've been away from the forum for a while but needed to come back today. I am going to try sum this up in the best way possible. Basically I've been suffering from depression, anxiety, ocd and un-alive thoughts/actions my whole life. But things got bad after my mother and father got sick and then died of terminal illness. Its been around nine years since they passed and I have not been able to move on and have left a trail of mistakes and mess and I dont know how to pick myself back up with my depression and my constant suicidal thoughts and actions (yes I've acted on those thoughts in the recent past). I cant find motivation to face each day to do even the smallest of tasks and my mind is a dark place and full of confusion. Watching robin williams onterview earlier he described his feelings with depression and un-alive thoughts so well that it made me see that I may never overcome this and it will be a constant and eventually I will leave this world by my own two hands. I have no idea what to do anymore accept let the darkness take me away. Anything you have advice or similar feelings is appreciated. Thanks.

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

Guest_41124914 Just so exhausted and tired.
  • replies: 2

Life has just changed so much recently. My partner and I broke up and the only reason I was given was because I didn't pick him up for our two year anniversary. (I later found out through his twitter he was gay, which I would have understood as a res... View more

Life has just changed so much recently. My partner and I broke up and the only reason I was given was because I didn't pick him up for our two year anniversary. (I later found out through his twitter he was gay, which I would have understood as a response rather than 'you didn't pick me up) He just also kept ignoring me and talking to his other friends, and waited for me to initiate the breakup before he did so as well. My best friend moved to another city for university. I guess, I just sort of realised once again, how hopelessly alone I am. Sure, I have friends. But I learnt that I am a second choice for all of them. I am not a first choice friend for anyone. I feel so sad, that all I need is a good cry, but I'm so emotionally numb I can't. I'm just left clutching my plushies, thinking back on past memories. I guess, I just wish I was more important to people? I just want to go back to school, because as much as it sucked, I had my whole world with me then. Now its fractured into pieces and nobody is there to help me put the parts together.

Gracie_PY4 Sometimes I don’t know how to talk to my parents and I’ll shut down
  • replies: 8

When I talk to my parents it’s most of the time really good, especially with my mum. But I find when they mention something to try and fix me based on mental health like “why don’t you go for a walk” or, “you should do some techniques to help you’re ... View more

When I talk to my parents it’s most of the time really good, especially with my mum. But I find when they mention something to try and fix me based on mental health like “why don’t you go for a walk” or, “you should do some techniques to help you’re mental health” or even “you should do some exercise”, I completely shut off and just nod or just “uh huh”. I almost feel like I’m being judged as if lazy. This morning I told my dad that I switched my job position from full time to part time (because I was really struggling there mentally and because the environment was not good), he said “why?!” And I told him about my mental health however, he asked “What’s the money going to come down to?. Sometimes you just got to push through”. I don’t know anymore, I just don’t know that I feel comfortable talking about the stuff I’m going through with them anymore, because at the end of the day I don’t think they understand, or I feel like they think I’m lazy and want me to get off my ass and do something with myself. They want to fix me and it isn’t working it’s making everything worse.

Guest_80751898 Im so lost n lonely
  • replies: 4

Turn 46 yesterday n not one bday text,iam a homebody with no friends so not surprised Just suck at life n don't know how anything rather then death is the answer

Turn 46 yesterday n not one bday text,iam a homebody with no friends so not surprised Just suck at life n don't know how anything rather then death is the answer

Jaibigrone907 My third last post too...
  • replies: 12

My parent's, I consider them so dumb. Their not realistic, they have given up on their kid's, they don't normalise us to have a future, or be active and live life. They cause argumentative issues for me, social countertransference's. My father is sel... View more

My parent's, I consider them so dumb. Their not realistic, they have given up on their kid's, they don't normalise us to have a future, or be active and live life. They cause argumentative issues for me, social countertransference's. My father is selfish, and his pathetic, but keeps to himself, behind the T.V.. His a useless tyrant parent. He contributed against my creativity, since 2009. I love my Mother absolutely, but my Dad's careless, and self centred. I have no work direction. I am 29 now, and I have no suitable work direction, or any great opportunities. I don't want entry job's, like retail, sales, factory, hospitality. I don't want to work a construction, do a apprenticeship, traineeship, any TAFE certificates either. I don't have any University careers I'm interested in. I am not a study person, and I don't have a Year 12 VCE and a ideal ATAR too.I never wanted to do construction, any apprenticeships, or traineeships, and I knew that, even when I was a 8 year old, it's not my breed of masculinity, and I don't like their tradie personality, values, and character. The government also only encourages the courses, that most don't want to do. If they offer any free ones, their only for the shitter qualifications, that no one wants. I never had my driving too, and we had just one vehicle at home, that only my mother was using, and that car was nearly too screwed to drive back then, and not worth spending money on it's frequent maintenance repairs, that my father was barely affording. My mother couldn't guarantee, if she could take me to any job's, the cost of petrol, and wither she needs to use the car, if my brother needed it too. I never had a resume written and solid help with that.

Nissan9 Struggling with life
  • replies: 4

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to... View more

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to square one. I have never struggled to get a job in my field it's normally easy as but given the time of year the market is slow and i feel like i am getting nowhere really very minimal call backs. Being home so much definately putting a stress on myrelationship to the point where I just feel like im nothing but a hindrance more then anything. Plus side is been great spending time with my little one who's 4 months old. Wife is also on maternity leave and her pay is not enough for us to survive so been using some of our savings and I just been uber driving to get by and that's not much. I guess I am venting more then anything i just feel like their is no light at the end of the tunnel and by time their is I would of just self destructed and ruined everything around me. I feel a pressure so bad to find a job and Il be honest I just don't know how to manage the situation at the moment and the stress around it. Thanks for listening