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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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Mummytoo3 Not sure how to help depressed Husband
  • replies: 3

My husband has suffered from depression in the past but he had an encounter yesterday that has triggered his depression again. He’s an avid trail runner and yesterday while out training he encountered a group of teenagers that tried to attack him and... View more

My husband has suffered from depression in the past but he had an encounter yesterday that has triggered his depression again. He’s an avid trail runner and yesterday while out training he encountered a group of teenagers that tried to attack him and one managed to get a punch in, Lots of blood, massive cut inside his cheek and in quite some pain! While I’m so sad this has happened to him I’m struggling to know how to help him. He doesn’t want to talk about it, he may be embarrassed I’m sure. But I need him back, we have 3 small kids and I’m at the end of my rope, I’m parenting in my own here (including him). He’s currently locked himself in our room and just can’t be bothered with anything. am I not being compassionate enough? at what point does he just need to move on with life? are there ways for him to cope better? I don’t know if other people would respond in the same way?

blackwidow Feeling lost and worthless
  • replies: 2

Ive been unemployed for about a year now, and have been job searching but cannot seem to get a bite of anything! So i am a personal trainer but left my job as the rent was too high and wasnt making any money from it, as much as i loved it and it made... View more

Ive been unemployed for about a year now, and have been job searching but cannot seem to get a bite of anything! So i am a personal trainer but left my job as the rent was too high and wasnt making any money from it, as much as i loved it and it made me happy, i had to stop it. Since i quit, ive been back in a hole of depression. I got in a new relationship after ending one for 6 years, but i am being mistreated and used yet i cant break away because all that makes me happy is feeling comfort that i have somebody, even though i know i am being treated poorly. Im to weak to end it because illl feel even more alone. I my friends tell me they are there to talk to but when i tell them im lonely they dont make an effort to help. When my parents see me upset they just want me to be on medication and everything will be ok, but medications dont help relationships and finding jobs, and i strongly disagree with it as i was on it for 2 years and made it worse. So im stuck in a hole, i cant sleep, try to exercise but have no appite so i feel weak in the gym. Ive put on weight because of my relationship which is why i am hesitant to get back into personal training because i hate myself. I feel alone, i feel im not moving forward and im still living at home, all my family pity me and my boyfriend makes me feel like im a lazy idiot. Ive lost all confidence in myself and the only time i was happy was personal training, talking to new people everyday, but im stuck at home with no interaction and no money. I do art which is a strong passion of mine, but of course no jobs in that. Its a recipe for disaster and i have no idea what to do anymore.

J-J Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together
  • replies: 12

Hello Everyone, I have been suffering from various degrees of depression since my teens and suffering from anxiety & PTSD from previous employment. I'm currently not working due to poor mental health and I'm currently seeing a Psychologist. I'm takin... View more

Hello Everyone, I have been suffering from various degrees of depression since my teens and suffering from anxiety & PTSD from previous employment. I'm currently not working due to poor mental health and I'm currently seeing a Psychologist. I'm taking an antidepressant in the morning and additional at night. I've moved at of my rental property and moved back home for support. I'm bankrupt (lost my car) and will suffer the consequence until 2021. My question is, what are people using to get better? Are they journalling, using any products to help them, using a vision board, going to life coach ???? I'm 28 years old and restarting my life and want to use this time to rise from the ashes. Thank you

Paul4 Saw my GP today, and started the road to recovery.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone,I would I would start my post, by introducing myself.I am Paul, 36 year old single gay guy, who is a travel broker based in regional NSW.After six months of feeling very low, and not being able to muster up the courage to see my GP, I too... View more

Hi everyone,I would I would start my post, by introducing myself.I am Paul, 36 year old single gay guy, who is a travel broker based in regional NSW.After six months of feeling very low, and not being able to muster up the courage to see my GP, I took the step this morning and saw him.I was a little worried about being judged, but the experience was very much the opposite and I am well and truly on my way to recovery.Some of the things I have experienced these last couple of months have been extreme tiredness despite a good nine hours sleep each night, loneliness, a feeling of complete sadness and helplessness, no motivation to do anything and a loss of interest in things I normally love.I completed a k10 exam on myself, and it indicated I had depression at a high level, so saw gp for a formal assessment.He is sending me for blood tests, and has diagnosed stress and depression. It looks like I might be going on anti depressants for the short term anyway, and will be receiving therapy.I probably suffered for this allot longer than I needed to, due to the stigma and shame that is associated with mental illness, my advice is to everyone, but especially the guys, as we are the ones that are the hardest to get to go and talk to anyone, don't be afraid, GP's are very supportive, and there to help.Would love to hear everyone's stories.

Lycan Hi....rant ahead
  • replies: 12

I was wondering how taking pills can fill the emptiness from inside, I have had bipolar most my life, [ Im 55} and lately it is getting worse. I have asked my doctor for help, and he gave me new pills, but when i asked to speak to someone, he said i ... View more

I was wondering how taking pills can fill the emptiness from inside, I have had bipolar most my life, [ Im 55} and lately it is getting worse. I have asked my doctor for help, and he gave me new pills, but when i asked to speak to someone, he said i was not covered for that with government helping. I can see a podiatrist, or dietrician,or physiotherapist. My four children have grown up and left, and i have no real contact with them apart from the looking at their facebooks. They live near their father, who played the injured party throughout our marriage breakdown, and so i am this villain who left them. { I had no choice as hubby then was in navy, and i was booted out when i asked for a divorce] Anyway, life seems so empty now, as my whole life resolved around my boys. I live on a disability, which has isolated me. My new hubby is my carer, but he has his own issues. trying harder and harder each day to find reasons to live. We have no life savings, no friends, no assets. I find myself trying harder and harder each day trying to find a reason to live. I keep looking for the silver lining at the end of the tunnel, but its only darkness. When i reach out, im condemmed for seeking attention. help

Shel1 Can’t leave the house
  • replies: 11

For the past month I’ve been too depressed to go to school. Every new week I promise myself I’ll go but I keep putting it off and when I wake up, I get so anxious about it I force myself back to sleep to calm down. I don’t know what to do anymore and... View more

For the past month I’ve been too depressed to go to school. Every new week I promise myself I’ll go but I keep putting it off and when I wake up, I get so anxious about it I force myself back to sleep to calm down. I don’t know what to do anymore and I’ve gotten numerous calls from my school asking where I am. I don’t live with my parents anymore and I’ve found that without the pressure of authority it’s hard to get anything done. Does anyone have any tip on how I can overcome this? I need to keep going to school but the thought of it makes me so scared I want to cry, and it feels like there’s a weight in my chest

Voond I should be so lucky...
  • replies: 5

It is great to find this community as it is hard to talk about this as everyone is so caught up with their 'own stuff' that I feel I can't talk about this. I have struggled enormously with motherhood. I was a corporate executive travelling the world ... View more

It is great to find this community as it is hard to talk about this as everyone is so caught up with their 'own stuff' that I feel I can't talk about this. I have struggled enormously with motherhood. I was a corporate executive travelling the world and was offered my dream job when I had just had my baby. I was under the erroneous view that I could be a good mum and keep my career. Well this I found out was not the case, and due to a lot of pressure to 'be a good mum', I quit my career with the intention of returning. I really struggled to find myself and hit post natal depression in a big way as I felt a failure on all fronts - I resented my children and my family for the financial struggle and lack of purpose I felt - and then I felt a failure as all the previous career doors seemed to slam shut around me. I am still underemployed - grabbing low paid work and working in my husband's business - which is not fulfilling me. I also do a lot of 'free' work for the local community, as no one seems to think what I do is worth being paid for (and yes I have asked!). I can't get interviews as I am either overqualified or other applicants are more attractive. As this continues, my confidence is dying. As a result I start to wish for this life to be over as it is such a mess. We have no money for anything fun or that would be fulfilling as every cent goes to keeping the business alive or a roof over our head. I look at what my potential was and I despair every day that I have been such a complete failure. My family don't acknowledge depression. I get no encouragement or help as everyone thinks I am the person 'who had it all' and I 'should be happy'. Well I'm not and it is affecting my patience with my kids and our relationship. It is self-indulgent to want to talk about your issues when everyone 'has their thing' so I should get over it, has been the subtle and not-so-subtle message. I don't know what to do, and I am worried that the blackness is settling in again and I won't be able to get out this time. I know the advice will be to see a GP, but taking that step scares the hell out of me for facing it as well as costs involved. Just getting this out has helped.

Celery Fed up with Dysthymia
  • replies: 3

I was diagnosed Jan 2017 with dysthymia. I came out of a severe depression in March 2017 that lasted for 7 months. Im not sure if the diagnoses is right as I am now in another deep depression that is causing me great pain and anxiety. Can anyone who ... View more

I was diagnosed Jan 2017 with dysthymia. I came out of a severe depression in March 2017 that lasted for 7 months. Im not sure if the diagnoses is right as I am now in another deep depression that is causing me great pain and anxiety. Can anyone who has dysthymia please tell me about their episodes so i have something to compare. I have many episodes over 40 yrs..just discovering this now...but not sure if this has been dysthymia. I am so tired and disappointed as I dont think I can make it through this time

Callumm Surviving
  • replies: 2

Hey there, Im feeling really depressed, i just got off the phone to a acquaintance and i had to lie about how i was feeling. they were going on and on with how things are great and wonderful for them and i felt like screaming,im happy that their happ... View more

Hey there, Im feeling really depressed, i just got off the phone to a acquaintance and i had to lie about how i was feeling. they were going on and on with how things are great and wonderful for them and i felt like screaming,im happy that their happy but my life is just me surviving day to day, i suffer with bipolar bpd anxiety and depression so things change each day, i just need some support i think

Scout28 Back on meds
  • replies: 4

Hi there After months of tapering and 8 weeks of being SSRI free I have fallen in a hole. Deeper than I could dig myself out od so I am back on medication, I have seen my GP, i have a MHCP and a new psychologist and it looks like I am going to have t... View more

Hi there After months of tapering and 8 weeks of being SSRI free I have fallen in a hole. Deeper than I could dig myself out od so I am back on medication, I have seen my GP, i have a MHCP and a new psychologist and it looks like I am going to have to quit my job. Its been a.catalyst anyway. I am getting help but I feel like I failed. I have a supportive husband and a nice house and I know I am lucky..Just wish I felt worthyof it. And some joy. It would be nice to feel that again. Only 3 days back on meds though. Iknow it takes time. Just wish I was strong enough to not have to quit my job. I just feel so crappy and scared when I am there and I have to sneak into the toilets to cry. I dont trust anyone there enough to talk it through. Everyone knows everyone, HR, management and I think they will be happy to see the back of me because of all the time I take off for anxiety, migraines and depression. Thanks for listening. Scout

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