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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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Blisstinia Am I faking my depression?
  • replies: 5

I’ve reached a point where I’m starting to believe what my family have been telling me all alone. Maybe I have made myself depressed. For so long I’ve been able to suck up my pain, remain positive and get on with my day, until I started feeling flat ... View more

I’ve reached a point where I’m starting to believe what my family have been telling me all alone. Maybe I have made myself depressed. For so long I’ve been able to suck up my pain, remain positive and get on with my day, until I started feeling flat and dissatisfied even after making it into law school and landing an amazing job. I’ve been feeling so dissatisfied to a point I always call in sick and have stopped going to uni, everything is so hard now, I don’t have that same strength I did 3 years ago. However in my family’s eyes I am throwing my life away, which I’d understand why they’d think that. But why can’t they help me get it back then, not beat me down and tell me to stop looking for attention, and that my “depression” is costing me my friendships, without providing ANY support since I’ve started my journey 3 years ago. All they want to see are results, but they are not willing to help me get them, not even willing to hear me vent. I have reached a point when I now regret even looking into this “depression” I wish I’d just continued masking my pain, at least that way I was still functioning. I am constantly ashamed of myself for allowing myself to say “I have depression” for thinking that by coming out people will support you. Now I’m constantly cautious of what people think of me, I’ve made things worse for myself.

Lockup How to talk to someone when you just don't want to
  • replies: 4

I've always found it hard to share how I truly feel to anyone, especially a stranger. This year I lost a close family member which has left me, well, depressed. I feel like I need help but every time I try to talk to someone I just clam up and say so... View more

I've always found it hard to share how I truly feel to anyone, especially a stranger. This year I lost a close family member which has left me, well, depressed. I feel like I need help but every time I try to talk to someone I just clam up and say something to the effect of "Actually, I'm fine". The same thoughts always go through my head... This is stupid! There is nothing wrong stop embarrassing yourself! Your just doing this to get pity from other people! You're just being a big sook, man up! So my question is, how do I talk to someone when everything in me screams not to?

eeejaybee What do I tell people now?
  • replies: 2

Hello all, I have always struggled with putting myself out there and I thought it was just a matter of being an introvert. But this year after the year starting out with a fresh new romantic entanglement and a whole fresh attitude towards life, work ... View more

Hello all, I have always struggled with putting myself out there and I thought it was just a matter of being an introvert. But this year after the year starting out with a fresh new romantic entanglement and a whole fresh attitude towards life, work and parenting the last couple of months feel like they have just fallen apart and I found myself sitting in the GP’s office barely able to speak without crying, not once but on two seperate occasions across a September and October. She was very concerned and asked me several questions that I actually answered totally truthfully for the first time in my life. It turns out that it seems I have been suffering from anxiety and depression for most of my life. I have taken some time off work but am about to go back next week and it while I haven’t had any anxiety for missing work (and on very short notice for them) I am starting to get a bit panicked about going back. Mostly because people are going to ask how my “holiday”was and what I got up to. I can’t tell them I spent the week crying my heart out and lying prostrate on the couch. I know there are things that have happened in my life that of course have not helped my current mood, but what I have realised is I have always struggled I just didn’t know that’s what I was doing. I don’t have any support from family where I live and my friendship group is very small. How up front are you all about telling people of your condition? Weirdly I am not ashamed of what I suffer from as it explains so much to me but I am not sure how other people will react if I tell them. e

Ambula84 Depression, anxiety, social anxiety. No motivation
  • replies: 8

Hi guys. First time poster on here. So i am 33 female and just feel so fed up with life at the moment. I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember and bouts of depression from time to time but this time it has hung around for 6 months ... View more

Hi guys. First time poster on here. So i am 33 female and just feel so fed up with life at the moment. I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember and bouts of depression from time to time but this time it has hung around for 6 months or so. There isnt any major reasons why either, other than the fact my life isn't what I planned it to look like at 33. I have an awesome supportive family, who I hate putting them through my emotions all the time as I can imagine how draining it can be. I do have a boyfriend who is a nice guy but I just dont feel the stability i want at my age. We have been together 2 years. He works away alot, has had a gambling problem and his priorities are just not good. Im just not in the right frame of mind to make the decision of what to do in this area. Things felt so bad yesterday that I decided to go to the hospital. I have just started to see a psychologist recently (have in the past) and first time seeing a psychiatrist a few weeks ago which was very disappointing as for the first consult i was in there for all of 10 minutes and sent away with a new medication i am still trying to find something that can help... just hate the side effects especially insomnia. Basically what I have beem struggling with most lately is the mornings.. i hate them. I wake up feeling almost like a dread feeling. Any suggestions on how to overcome this? Also I always feel the need to sleep. On my days off I feel so exhausted with my anxiety that doing things feels too much. My social anxiety is getting worse. I don't want to see friends.. i worry about driving. Going to the shops can be a mission. I envy people that have energy and that are happy. I want to be that person. I have good intentions, read up on ways to help, but when it comes to the crunch... anxiety knocks me down. Sorry for the rant. Needed to get all that off my chest x

Mary_Ploppins Having a hard time in general.
  • replies: 4

Like the title says.Everything seems to be getting just a little too much these days, i am literally so bored i can't wait for my kids to get home from school so i have someone to talk too. I was studying to be a counselor at Tafe but my teach took o... View more

Like the title says.Everything seems to be getting just a little too much these days, i am literally so bored i can't wait for my kids to get home from school so i have someone to talk too. I was studying to be a counselor at Tafe but my teach took over three months to mark my first assesment so i deferred because i throught i wasn't going to pass and didn't want to get in any further debt. I feel it's kind of a waste of time studying anyway i have zero experience am in my 40s and on a disability pension for a few different reasons. I hate being like this though i would rather work but even studying for 3 hours or so a day really took it out of me. I feel like i can't really give my kids anything much and they will grow up being poor and going without,not what im wanting for them. Really don't know what to do just having a very down day which came by way of a very down past few weeks.

Flick_SnotGrass How many Psyckologists does it take to change a lightbulb?...
  • replies: 6

One. But the lightbulb has really gotta wanna change. Hi, I'm Flick SnotGrass, good to meet you. Now obviously I don't know who you are, your age, your gender, your 'problem' etc however Scientific Studies Show that laughing eases misery. You can't l... View more

One. But the lightbulb has really gotta wanna change. Hi, I'm Flick SnotGrass, good to meet you. Now obviously I don't know who you are, your age, your gender, your 'problem' etc however Scientific Studies Show that laughing eases misery. You can't laugh and sulk at the same time...though I've tried. So I'd like to offer this space, this thread, as a place for us to tell each other MH jokes. MH Jokes!!! Is he mad? Well yes, that's why I'm here. Anyway, there's a funny joke about a guy who gets a flat tyre/tire right by a Lunatic Asylum and he loses the four nuts down the drain and can't put the spare on....stop me if you've heard it....and one of the inmates has been watching the whole scene unfold and says to the guy 'Take one of the nuts off each of the three other wheels and put the spare on with three nuts and drive carefully till you get to a garage'. "That's brilliant!!" said the driver. "I know. I may be crazy but I aint stupid" Now you tell me one. Flick SnotGrass

Lea_ Where do i go from here?
  • replies: 8

I have been feeling lost for over a year. I know i should be grateful to have a roof over my head, i have an income and enough to eat. But i just feel hollow. I try and fill the time with tv, books, music, friends any thing to keep my mind busy. But ... View more

I have been feeling lost for over a year. I know i should be grateful to have a roof over my head, i have an income and enough to eat. But i just feel hollow. I try and fill the time with tv, books, music, friends any thing to keep my mind busy. But i end up staring into space. I have tried therapy, exercise, cbt, medication. None of it worked. I just don't know how to move forward getting up is a challenge even for something i enjoy. Can anyone help me with coping?

JenJen10 Recovering from Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. Im 27 and unfortunately lost a good part of the last 8 years due to my battles with major depression but I’m proud to say now that I am doing well. I’m not sure where to classify things right now, as I ... View more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. Im 27 and unfortunately lost a good part of the last 8 years due to my battles with major depression but I’m proud to say now that I am doing well. I’m not sure where to classify things right now, as I am still having regular ECT to maintain my mood, taking medication and seeing therapists. I am however, happy! I have goals, I see a future, I have started looking for work again and started dating again too ☺️. If you had asked me 6 months ago if any of this was possible, I would have said no way! Recovery and wellness is possible!!! It is also soooo worth it!! I sometimes think about the 30+ hospital admissions, the ongoing day programs and commitment to outpatient appointments. I feel a little ashamed that it took so much effort but I have come out of this a MUCH stronger person. I have drive and commitment now to use my experiences to help others recover and work on their own MH issues. I hope to study next year to enable me to pursue this goal and work in the field. To conclude, I say PLEASE, never give up. Ask for help !! The process can be exhausting and can feel like there is no way forward but there is! And when you are feeling better, even if it’s only a little bit, you will be proud you persisted in fighting. The battle is worth it and recovery and a life beyond whatever ailment you have is amazing! I have so much more gratitude for the small things now, ie a nice sunny day, the fresh air on a morning walk, a good laugh with a friend or a tasty cafe treat. Thank you for reading. Positive vibes

p_man p.man
  • replies: 10

hello, im new here.....i have bipolar disorder and am currently in the midst of a very deep depression, i was on medications for 15 years with good results until about 5 months ago when they stopped working and my depression took hold in a big way...... View more

hello, im new here.....i have bipolar disorder and am currently in the midst of a very deep depression, i was on medications for 15 years with good results until about 5 months ago when they stopped working and my depression took hold in a big way...my medication was changed 3 times with horrible results, the last combination was so bad i wound up in hospital for two weeks....my current medication is not working at all, so i will need to change medications again.....im very worried about this because of the previous changes and the hospitalisation i endured as a result......this bout of depression has lasted for 8 months.....im so tired and worn down, it's relentless, i'm at a point where the simplest things are incredibly difficult....im tearful a lot of the time ...feeling hopeless and helpless, like things will not improve......feeling too low to socialise, becoming isolated.......ive weathered many ups and downs over the years but never had my medication fail until now.....im so afraid nothing is going to work and that i am stuck with the horrible reality im stuck in......i want so badly to be well, to get my life back.....it seems so far away and theres no clear way out.....i feel like ive forgotten how it feels to be well ive been depressed for so long....so so tired.......this illness is relentless...im holding on , just ,trying my hardest to stay afloat .......im really afraid of changing meds but hoping that there is a combination that will pull me out of my current depression......desperate days are these.....hoping with all i am that some relief is on the horizon

An_Aging_Youngster A Single Bout of Clinical Depression: A Case Study
  • replies: 1

My only bout of moderate clinical depression was caused ultimately by a collision between my upbringing as a child and my wife's expectations and personality as an adult. In retrospect, this was an event that had been building slowly for decades. It ... View more

My only bout of moderate clinical depression was caused ultimately by a collision between my upbringing as a child and my wife's expectations and personality as an adult. In retrospect, this was an event that had been building slowly for decades. It was the clinical anxiety that accompanied my depression that drove me to seeing a doctor, this in the face of my wife's opposition. (My wife's opposition was driven by her own fears, but that is another story.) The doctor confirmed my guess that I was suffering from clinical depression. He offered me a choice: medication or counseling. I have an aversion to medication except where absolutely necessary, so I opted for counseling. This choice ultimately led to my development as a person. The doctor referred me for a course of 10 counseling sessions. The counselor was skilled. I also started the counseling knowing in advance that I would be the author of my own recovery under the counselor's guidance. I opted to have weekly sessions rather than fortnightly sessions. By the end of the fourth session I had an idea of my escape route from depression. I spent the fifth session consolidating that idea, and confirmed to myself my recovery in the week that followed. I spent the sixth session debriefing the counselor, which debriefing the counselor found useful. The key to my recovery was anger. Anger often receives a bad press these days and is easily confused with rage. My own anger takes the form "This is not right!" and always overrides any slide towards depression that starts within me. It can also motivate me to discuss the events leading up to that moment with my wife, which discussions always prove beneficial to both parties. My anger reaction kicks in without me having to make any effort. This situation has been stable for five years. I realise that this solution is not for everyone. My own Beck Depression Inventory score is 2 (very low). I have started working with somebody whose score hits the mid 20s between treatments. She has a genetic predisposition to depression which was triggered by escalating parental abuse in her teenage years and became chronic at age 20, so my own solution is extremely unlikely to work for her. The take away from all this? Everybody's journey is different. Go well. AAY