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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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jax_in_my_heart Bipolar 2 - suspect medication is slowing me down and I hate that
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 about 18 months ago, and it took a good 12 months for me to adjust to this and try to take my medication regularly. My biggest problem is that I feel I’ve lost part of what made me ‘me’. I used to be able to a thousand ... View more

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 about 18 months ago, and it took a good 12 months for me to adjust to this and try to take my medication regularly. My biggest problem is that I feel I’ve lost part of what made me ‘me’. I used to be able to a thousand different things, I worked full-time and had several very busy volunteer jobs, and studied, and I always crammed it in. Now I find that I’m not really interested when I get home from work. I still go out all the time, work full-time, see friends, etc, but I just don’t go at the frantic pace I used to. And I really miss that, because it gave me so much joy and fulfillment. I can’t work out if this is because the pills make me slow down and more ‘normal’ speed, or if it’s due to my relationship break-up six months ago, or maybe I’m just getting older (I’m 35). Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Meowface Only feel safe at home
  • replies: 5

I’ve always been a homebody but have felt my depression and anxiety get worse in recent months. At the moment I really only feel safe and comfortable when I’m at home - I’m very anxious to get home when I’m out and even have left work conferences ear... View more

I’ve always been a homebody but have felt my depression and anxiety get worse in recent months. At the moment I really only feel safe and comfortable when I’m at home - I’m very anxious to get home when I’m out and even have left work conferences early in a fluster to get Home. I’m often tired because of my meds but this is really getting in the way of my life - especially being able to stay and focus at work. Any tips for coping with being out??

Yosh Depression and the Extrovert
  • replies: 3

Hello community. I've had this question on my mind for a long time and if anyone can shed some light, I could do with some help. I'm 24 and looking to start my career - which ironically is in counselling. When I look back at everything I've managed t... View more

Hello community. I've had this question on my mind for a long time and if anyone can shed some light, I could do with some help. I'm 24 and looking to start my career - which ironically is in counselling. When I look back at everything I've managed to do and accomplish, I have a whole list of amazing moments. I have a great support network and I genuinely love meeting new people and socializing. Everyone around me knows me for my positive energy and humor. But what they don't know is that I spend a lot of time hating myself, feeling anxious and worried and, at least for the last month, crying alone. My depression is getting worse because I'm thinking I won't make it. When I'm in my lowest low I hate myself and I feel powerless. Every time I do something, I do it wrong. I've realised that I social with others as a mean to pretend that everything's fine but it's just fake. The people around me aren't actually friends and I have no one to turn too. I've never felt more alone and yet I find myself being the typical extrovert. I'm tired of putting up with front. Has anyone else felt like this? Is it somewhat okay to go against the typical symptoms of depression as an extrovert?

apricotandcreams Just before all the bad feelings kick in, I feel insanely happy, why?
  • replies: 1

In the last year or so, I have started to experience depression. It isn't too severe, only lasting a few days at a time before my head clears and I am back to my regular self. What I have figured out is a pattern is starting to emerge though. In the ... View more

In the last year or so, I have started to experience depression. It isn't too severe, only lasting a few days at a time before my head clears and I am back to my regular self. What I have figured out is a pattern is starting to emerge though. In the days preceding my mental health taking a turn for the worse, I am very happy, energetic, productive and ready to do anything that is going to use up the energy I have. Then, sometimes in the space just a couple of hours, I will become lifeless. I'll be tired, unable to think, super distracted and most of all numb - all the things you'd expect from depression. If anyone out there has tips on ways to smooth the transition from going form super high to crashing lows I would appreciate it. Or even for when I am in that state, tips for dealing with the numbness that would also be appreciated! Cheers fam

AnxSam Unemployed- Feeling Depressed
  • replies: 3

Hi All, Just recently (last month) I lost my job after only being there 7 months. This wasn't my fault but a company restructures and I, unfortunately, was one of the ones that had to go. Its been 6 weeks and all I've done is focus all my time and en... View more

Hi All, Just recently (last month) I lost my job after only being there 7 months. This wasn't my fault but a company restructures and I, unfortunately, was one of the ones that had to go. Its been 6 weeks and all I've done is focus all my time and energy on trying to find another job. I've been unsuccessful multiple times and find that I'm not getting far in my search. I'm getting severely anxious and depressed in the process because i think as time goes on my chances of being hired are going to drop. I have signed up to multiple agencies and have had no luck with them also. I'm exhausted and feel like I cannot do anything until I find something so I don't end up in a downward spiral that I cant get myself out of. FEELING STRESSED, CANNOT SLEEP AND REALLY WORRIED ABOUT MY FUTURE.

buster44 My story
  • replies: 2

2015... The year of disasters, the year of pain, the year I loss the person I was. In 2015 i was diagnosed with high levels of depression and anxiety, I never admitted to it and I never accepted it. I moved to another city this year, to find out who ... View more

2015... The year of disasters, the year of pain, the year I loss the person I was. In 2015 i was diagnosed with high levels of depression and anxiety, I never admitted to it and I never accepted it. I moved to another city this year, to find out who I was, find my feet and wonder what happened to me throughout those years. No one understood why I left home, many probably didn’t care and many thought it was a phase. I was surrounded by drug abuse, domestic violence and fear. I was 15years old when i removed myself from my home and tried to find my own way, many would say it was stupid, but to me it showed strength, courage and bravery. 2016 I moved back to home, back to a town where I lost the person I had become but giving it another shot. 2017 I finally admitted the illness, I have depression and Anxiety. I am not in anyway someone who thrives off attention, It could seem that way but I simply am the one who is afraid of people seeing who the real me is. I was the one who never told the truth about my family because I was simply embarrassed, but letting everyone know what I battled for many years wasn’t embarrassment it showed independence . Something I am so passionate about now, how I could come this far after everything I went through growing up, and of course I didn’t go through it alone, I had family, i had friends. I don’t enjoy going out all the time, getting drunk, sleeping around; simply because that’s not where I want to go in life, I saw how that turns adults, I saw how that can destroy families, I was a victim of abuse, violence and I got this far and i’m not willing to give up everything i have fought for now I lost friends simply because they wanted the party life and i couldn’t keep up with it because they could never understand how much it made me hurt inside, so i distance myself from them, and I know that was one of the best decisions, because I know have friends who will ask how I am Admitting my depression was one of the strongest things I have ever done, and although I will always have it I now know I have people around me

sunsets Quitting my job, It's just too much!!
  • replies: 1

For the last 15 months I've been a mess on and off due to being broken into and assaulted. Up until 4-5 months ago I managed to hide it and keep it to myself.I finally went to the doctors and I've been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I ... View more

For the last 15 months I've been a mess on and off due to being broken into and assaulted. Up until 4-5 months ago I managed to hide it and keep it to myself.I finally went to the doctors and I've been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I have been struggling at work and I don't know what else to do other than quit. Can anyone help me with what my rights are? I can't go back as it's not a healthy environment and I even get panic attacks driving to work. I have next week of from my Doctor's recommendations. but what am I supposed to do? I have some holiday leave and I'm worried that I won't get it if I don't give them notice. Help!!!!

S_J_D I'm really struggling
  • replies: 9

I'm sitting at work and counting down the minutes til my appointment with my therapist. All 171 of them to be precise. But I'm back to trying to get through the next 5mins. Then the next. Then the next. I can't believe I'm back here. Again. I'm overw... View more

I'm sitting at work and counting down the minutes til my appointment with my therapist. All 171 of them to be precise. But I'm back to trying to get through the next 5mins. Then the next. Then the next. I can't believe I'm back here. Again. I'm overwhelmed with a feeling of hopelessness. That I'm in a situation I cannot control, I cannot change. This is years in the making and I'm stuck in my life trap that was kicked off with emotional deprivation as a child. In adulthood it has resulted in poor choices in friends and partners that started as a kid. Never putting my needs first. Only attracting or being attracted to emotional unavailable men. A 'best' friend drove me to depression last year. I broke that off, but I'm left without any close friends. I don't even know how to turn to people. I'm so closed off, but that's my safe place. Looking back, I've never had emotional support. And without going into details, a recent diagnosis, means dating is pretty much off the agenda. I have no one to talk to or turn to (other than my therapist) and now it feels like there is nothing I can do about it. I've been in therapy for some time - working on my life trap but it feels like trying re-write history. But you can't. It is what it is. I'm damaged and it cannot be undone. I'm looking down the barrel of a love-less life - getting older (I'm 43 now) - being alone forever (as both my mother is and grandmother was - and both suffer/suffered from depression). I cannot help but think why bother? And then I apologize to God for being so utterly ungrateful, knowing I have a life that is beyond the dreams of some. I'm just so done with this, the emotional roller coaster and being back down in the deep dark pit that is depression. I'm not sure I have it in me to climb out again.

Keira My outlook
  • replies: 6

My name is Keira. I'm thirteen years old and I have had depression for two years now. A lot has happened to me over this time, too much that I can write in one entry (I tried yesterday). I came to beyond blue because there is a lot going on in my hea... View more

My name is Keira. I'm thirteen years old and I have had depression for two years now. A lot has happened to me over this time, too much that I can write in one entry (I tried yesterday). I came to beyond blue because there is a lot going on in my head and I think I need to get some of it out. I wrote a lot yesterday. I wrote about my heartbreak, my hospital visits, and my feelings. But in the end of all my draft entries I came to the same conclusion. I'm fine with my life. I'm not looking for an answer to cure depression because there isn't one. Everybody has a different situation, everyone has different feelings. I used to be angry, upset and confused. Now I'm just numb. I find peace in the small things, the little moments that I look forward to give me something to live for even when I'm on the edge. Most people would say I don't know what depression is, I'm only thirteen, I don't know pain. But I know heartbreak. It's the thing I obsessed over for months, the thing I spent sleepless nights crying over, the thing that made me scream and bang my head against the wall and self harm to drown the voices in my head. I know what pain is. Not all kinds of pain. But I know heartbreak whether you believe it or not. I like it at my new school, here I'm invisible. Everybody thinks I'm quiet. They don't know about anything going in my head. They don't know my past or the things people said at my first high school. I would cry in every lesson when I was there. Before I had depression I was the happiest girl in the whole school. I was popular and bubbly and I was friends with everyone. I had plans to be famous, to write books, to travel and play my guitar. Now I have no clue what I'm going to do when I leave school. I don't even see myself living past 15. I left my past behind and it still haunts my mind and it still hurts me. It shattered me. But now I feel nothing. I still think about the memories every day, but I don't have the energy to feel. I just want to sleep. But its hard to sleep when you have insomnia. Even when you're on medication. I'm just too anxious to sleep, I feel too alert. It's like I can't stand to have my eyes closed. I've lost al my emotions. I just think now. I always felt like I was different. I guess that's a coping mechanism for my failed dream of being an actress. At least I'll always be the main character in my life. No one can take that away. I've learned to be friends with the demon in my head. In a way, its a good thing they came.

Ginnygin What types of people get depressed.
  • replies: 5

May be a silly question. But I do sometimes wonder if my personality type plays a big part in me having / suffering from depression. I riddled with self guilt, sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. Question, if I was the type of person who could rip... View more

May be a silly question. But I do sometimes wonder if my personality type plays a big part in me having / suffering from depression. I riddled with self guilt, sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. Question, if I was the type of person who could rip someone off and not lose a single nights sleep or run a business that deliberately takes advantage of vulnerable people, would that put me in a category of people less likely to suffer depression. Then of course would be the question of weather I would change to become this type of person, which I'm guessing would make me more in control of my thoughts as this type of person would be more motivated than I am now. I know it's a very strange way at looking at this but I'm sort of wondering if the type of person I am makes me more likely to suffer from this self destructive disease.