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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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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.

AnotherLife Too long suffering this pain
  • replies: 1

Im married for 21 years never been happy, always depressed, so down all the time. I have 5 children & pregnant again, not happy at all making me even more depressed. I hate sex so this was a huge mistake, had a few wines think hubby took advantage. I... View more

Im married for 21 years never been happy, always depressed, so down all the time. I have 5 children & pregnant again, not happy at all making me even more depressed. I hate sex so this was a huge mistake, had a few wines think hubby took advantage. Ive been on meds seen people nothing works. Im truly sick of living even thought of leaving seeing if another man might make me happy.

ophelieas hsc stress or something more?
  • replies: 2

Hi, im not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I'm just assuming that people on here will be able to help. Lately (over the last three weeks or so), I've been feeling awful. I've been mentally exhausted which has made me physic... View more

Hi, im not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I'm just assuming that people on here will be able to help. Lately (over the last three weeks or so), I've been feeling awful. I've been mentally exhausted which has made me physically exhausted, disconnected from my friends, sometimes unable to get out of bed on the weekends, and unable to motivate myself to study. I'm so teary, sometimes I spend hours crying for no reason, and at school the smallest things make me tear up. My friends have asked if im annoyed at them because they've said I seem disconnected and really snappy, but the thing is I just feel like I just can't partake in conversations, and sometimes im so mentally drained, even on days that I've done nothing, that I can't go out to parties and things. Pretty much im just curious whether this is just part of the HSC, or something more. I have quite a large workload, but I've always managed it really well, and since I'm aiming for a high ATAR it's not plausible for me to drop anything. Thanks to anyone who replies.

xAngelx Is this depression?
  • replies: 3

Hi there, this is my first time posting and I just wondering if I am suffering from postnatal depression. ever since I had given birth to my child I’ve had nothing but stress, my family is fighting with my in laws and then the in laws always makes me... View more

Hi there, this is my first time posting and I just wondering if I am suffering from postnatal depression. ever since I had given birth to my child I’ve had nothing but stress, my family is fighting with my in laws and then the in laws always makes me feel horrible. When I get too upset I just think I should disappear and leave my child behind but I can never do that as he is my absolute world. I love him with all my heart, if anything he is my reason for being here. I just need a little advice pretty please?

alicia_017 Binge eating due to Depression + Anorexia
  • replies: 2

One of the ways I handle my depressive episodes is by binge eating. This shouldn't be that big of a problem, but considering I also suffer from an eating disorder it makes my life hell. I'll eat up to 1500 calories because of depression, and then I'l... View more

One of the ways I handle my depressive episodes is by binge eating. This shouldn't be that big of a problem, but considering I also suffer from an eating disorder it makes my life hell. I'll eat up to 1500 calories because of depression, and then I'll fast for the next 3 days because of anorexia. After fasting I'll feel good about myself until I eat again. And because after eating I don't feel good about myself, my depression gets worse, and I binge eat. And then the cycle continues. Is anyone else in a similar position as me? And does anyone have any advice?

BlueArt First time post, please help I’m struggling with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi, so I’m 21 and seriously struggling with my mental health. I’ve never been this down in my life and I don’t know what to do. So some background I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I have probably had the symptoms for much long... View more

Hi, so I’m 21 and seriously struggling with my mental health. I’ve never been this down in my life and I don’t know what to do. So some background I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I have probably had the symptoms for much longer. I originally started my uni degree in social work and I realised a few years in that this was a terrible decision and I moved onto law. I have been doing law for a year and a bit and I am now regretting it to. I am struggling so much with it and I have recently gotten a job in the field and I am terrible at it. My bosses hate me and think I’m really bad at the job. They have said things to me like “Maybe this job isn’t for you” “you just aren’t getting it” “you seriously need to pick up your game”. I feel so stupid because this was so important to me to get experience. i feel like such a failure. I am not getting anything right. I am now thinking of changing to Human Resources. i am just so depressed. I’m even losing my friends. They just don’t seem to get or care about what I’m going through. They would leave in an instant and not think twice about me. I know they would. I just don’t know what to do with my life anymore. I am not good at anything, I’ve lost all ability to concentrate, I’ve lost my motivation, I’m sad and angry all the time and I just feel so stupid and dumb. i don’t know what to do. I am just over everything and giving up.

Sad_and_useless Working with depression/bipolar
  • replies: 15

Hi guys, I'm a 32 year old woman who is diagnosed as bipolar and severe depression. Have been this way for the majority of my adult life. I managed to work full time up until I was 28 as a vet nurse, then I had to have a year's break. I'm back at wor... View more

Hi guys, I'm a 32 year old woman who is diagnosed as bipolar and severe depression. Have been this way for the majority of my adult life. I managed to work full time up until I was 28 as a vet nurse, then I had to have a year's break. I'm back at work now after my second big break doing 20 hours a week at the same place. I love my job. I love my employers. Yet I'm really struggling once again with going in. All I want to do is sleep, I'm just bone tired. I'm just thinking to myself if I can't manage a measley 20 hours a week what the hell do I do? My employers have been beyond understanding and supportive, and so have my workmates. How many times can history repeat and I call in sick and everyone suffers? I'm in the exact same position I was in 10 years ago - when does it get better?? I've tried to help myself, have been in counselling, have been admitted to hospital, the whole nine yards. And again, how can I keep doing this to the people who care about me? I'm 32 years old and my mother still has to check in on me and make me dinner or lend me money. I keep waiting for it to get better but it never ever does. I don't want to be unemployed, I love my job, which I've had since I was 16 years old. I guess what I'm asking is, is it possible to be bipolar/depressed and still have a job? Would love to hear from anyone who is experiencing this same turmoil.

Ocelot1771 Therapy helps, but still alone at the end of the day
  • replies: 4

Hi, Just wondering whether anyone else experiences this and whether they can give any advice. I'm going through a bad patch in my life and I've lapsed into a pretty dark depression and sense of hopelessness. To make matters worse, I feel very isolate... View more

Hi, Just wondering whether anyone else experiences this and whether they can give any advice. I'm going through a bad patch in my life and I've lapsed into a pretty dark depression and sense of hopelessness. To make matters worse, I feel very isolated because I don't have a 'best buddy' that I can call every day that 'normal' people seem to have, and my support network is very limited (I do have a long-term partner but I don't want to just depend on him). I read plenty of tips online for how to help yourself during depression and the common advice is to reach out to friends and family, but what if you don't really have much of friends or family to reach out to in the first place?? I've started counselling, and while I'm at the session it seems to help and I walk out feeling good, but it's only for an hour once a week and in between I still have the reality of my lonely life to contend with. These online help forums help a bit too and thankfully they exist, but it's not the same as having a true face-to-face connection with people. Does anyone else feel this way? Just feel so alone.