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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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Rosalieemily Depression and my job?
  • replies: 5

Hi all, this is my first time here so I'm sorry of this is in the wrong place. ive had depression, anxiety and anorexia nervosa for about 10 years now with periods where it was under control and some where it was not. i just started a new childcare t... View more

Hi all, this is my first time here so I'm sorry of this is in the wrong place. ive had depression, anxiety and anorexia nervosa for about 10 years now with periods where it was under control and some where it was not. i just started a new childcare traineeship, I'm about 2 months in but I've already missed a lot of days due to "episodes". It's not the job cause if the issues, I love my job but it's getting to the point where I can't even cope with day to day living. I'm constantly in tears and in a panic. ive had a doctors certificate every time, but I had a meeting with my manager yesterday saying that head office wasn't happy with me and that I can't take anymore days off. i have a 3 monthly evaluation coming up in which I know there is a chance I'll get sacked. my boss is also been supportive and trying to communicate with head office what is going on, so if I leave I'll feel absolutely terrible about that. my question is, do I resign before they sack me and try and get better before I look for another job? advice will be much appreciated. thanks

whiteiphone123 How to deal with the extreme tiredness that comes with depression
  • replies: 4

hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has some tips as to how to deal with being tired all the time but not being able to sleep while living with depression. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has some tips as to how to deal with being tired all the time but not being able to sleep while living with depression. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Unbeliever Unbeliever's Undefined Depression Thread
  • replies: 20

Ok, so my first thread hit a hiccup. People were asking me questions, and I was trying to answer them, but by answering them I had to discuss things that were "outside" of the main thread topic and it was causing problems. I'm not the kind of person ... View more

Ok, so my first thread hit a hiccup. People were asking me questions, and I was trying to answer them, but by answering them I had to discuss things that were "outside" of the main thread topic and it was causing problems. I'm not the kind of person that likes to ignore people engaging with me, and continue on as if they were not there. But I was unable to think of a way around it (which for me is a novel experience... albiet a slightly frustrating one). Hence as you can see by the title I have created a thread that is undefined and therefore not bound or restricted in any way for people to discuss anything and everything their little hearts desire and enables me to respond without having to worry about derailing the topic. * Note that of course standard BB forum rules still apply... no swearing, insulting other contributers etc etc I added the word "depression" as the discussion should still basically revolve around the subject of depression/sadness/negative feelings and experiences etc. However, thoughts, perspectives, alternative POV's, theories, abstract ideas etc on depression are not only welcome... but EXTREMELY encouraged. And because I put my name on there, I think that should allow people to ask me whatever personal questions and I should be able to respond. So I'll do my best to answer any question directed at me. It is a bit of an experiment... let's see how it goes.

KevFromSydney Changing meds for BP disorder
  • replies: 2

This is my first post here. I was diagnosed with BP Type II at the age of 16 ( I’m aged 44 now ). I’ve been taking medication for most of that time ( only going off it a couple of times ). It’s been great for me except that it’s been damaging my kidn... View more

This is my first post here. I was diagnosed with BP Type II at the age of 16 ( I’m aged 44 now ). I’ve been taking medication for most of that time ( only going off it a couple of times ). It’s been great for me except that it’s been damaging my kidneys. My PD recently took me off it as my levels had become toxic ( 1.7 ). He’s put me on an alternative nstead. I’ve found that it’s great for sleeping ( now getting 9-10 hrs sleep per night ) but it makes me feel very dissociative and in a dream-like status the next day which I really hate. Was wondering if anyone else experienced similar reactions to medication and if they were able to do anything about it to help? Thanks!

slippery_slope Not sure what to do.
  • replies: 10

Hi, I'd like to know other peoples opinion on what I'm going through. Actually, I feel I can't make certain decisions. I guess i'm stubborn in some ways or maybe frightened. I've come along way mentally. I haven't had a apocalyptic episode for a whil... View more

Hi, I'd like to know other peoples opinion on what I'm going through. Actually, I feel I can't make certain decisions. I guess i'm stubborn in some ways or maybe frightened. I've come along way mentally. I haven't had a apocalyptic episode for a while (5-6 weeks). I still have low mood and can catch the apocalyptic episode before it happens with acceptance and positive thinking. Motivation to do things like getting out of the house and just doing things is a huge effort even with positive thinking and knowing the benefits. My GP has offered anti-depressants over the last 2 years but I always refuse, thinking I can do this without them. I'm not so sure now. I still have not made any new friends, not sure which direction to take about my future. I still feel I'm not all there but i know I never will be if I don't continue to change my life. I wonder if I've just hit a wall, tired of this journey, maybe lazy, maybe just need to slap myself out of it. I finally let myself see a councilor but its only been 2 consultations so far. I guess I want to know if anti-depressants will benefit me or delay progress?

J_M_ Going back on medication after 3 weeks of awfulness
  • replies: 6

Hi all: I reluctantly came off my medication 3 weeks ago on a psychiatrist's advice. All this time I have been feeling worse and worse and worse, and finally I reluctantly went back on the medication yesterday. On my medication I was doing OK, not gr... View more

Hi all: I reluctantly came off my medication 3 weeks ago on a psychiatrist's advice. All this time I have been feeling worse and worse and worse, and finally I reluctantly went back on the medication yesterday. On my medication I was doing OK, not great, but was capable of enjoying things. These last 3 weeks I have felt nothing but hideous nausea, misery and disconnectedness from my loved ones. I wake up every morning so tense my bowels turn to water, and I can't eat properly until late afternoon/evening. Every day is crawling past, minute by minute, joyless and miserable. Coming off the medication was the worst mistake I have ever made, and if I had a time machine I would go back and physically force myself not to make any changes. Can anyone reassure me that going back on the medication is likely to get me back to where I used to be, and quite soon? It didn't seem that brilliant at the time, but from here it seems like paradise.

Timeout Loving someone with Depression
  • replies: 2

If you have depression you know how hard it can be at time, you cut your self of from everyone out there, you get in to a very bad head space and a black hole. Are there people out there that can love us all the time with owe depression. And stand wi... View more

If you have depression you know how hard it can be at time, you cut your self of from everyone out there, you get in to a very bad head space and a black hole. Are there people out there that can love us all the time with owe depression. And stand with us when we are in that mind set, as I have heard a lot of people and my self had people walk away because it gets to hard. Now I think I am un-loveable because of what I have. Do they fall in love with you and only find out about your depression years later as you try and hide it from them at the start as you want someone to let be you?

CB81 Feeling let down
  • replies: 2

It was my birthday a few days ago and although I've never made a big deal of it I have been deeply hurt by the fact my friends didn't remember and only one texted. Another friend emailed in reply to someone else and mentioned my birthday. It makes me... View more

It was my birthday a few days ago and although I've never made a big deal of it I have been deeply hurt by the fact my friends didn't remember and only one texted. Another friend emailed in reply to someone else and mentioned my birthday. It makes me feel sick as I think so much of them and I'm not even worth a text! They all have partners and babies and this proves they don't think much of me. I don't want to speak to them or see them again. But then I will truly be on my own.

Kaizer_1989 I know I need to let her go but it's so hard
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone. I have this ex which I have a lot of history (mostly complicated) and I need to let her go but I just can never seem to. We always fight, we have tried to remain friends with benefits, for weeks we are great, we hang out we talk we ha... View more

Hello everyone. I have this ex which I have a lot of history (mostly complicated) and I need to let her go but I just can never seem to. We always fight, we have tried to remain friends with benefits, for weeks we are great, we hang out we talk we have fun and mostly we are happy but then something happens like she cancels on me (and let me just say she does like usually 9 times outta 10) and I get so irritated cause she's knows how much I hate it, then it just gets outta control and it gets bad. Then we don't speak for weeks and then it becomes better and we go through it all over again a month or 2 months later. I don't want a relationship with her and neither do I. But I've known her for so long and we have been through a lot that I just want her around but she makes me feel so shit about myself because I just want to see her or hang out. Then I'm in the wrong cause I get emotional when she doesn't want to see me. Am I insane? Am I crazy? i know I probably need to let her go, she makes me so mad and upset and I get into these moods that I can't get out of for days. I just don't know what to do anymore. I need help

Little_Deer Feeling Stuck...
  • replies: 4

I frequently have feelings of being stuck and feeling like I should be further along in my life. I feel like I should be more successful and more stable. I was recent diagnosed with Bipolar and found that this feeling is something associated with my ... View more

I frequently have feelings of being stuck and feeling like I should be further along in my life. I feel like I should be more successful and more stable. I was recent diagnosed with Bipolar and found that this feeling is something associated with my Bipolar. I have a decent, well paying job in a call centre. But I really don't like it. I find it difficult to cope with a lot of the pressure associated with the work and the contract we work under. I feel very pressured as a whole. This is another area where I feel stuck. I want to keep the job because of the money, and my partner and I are getting our own place soon hopefully. But I'm not at all happy in my job and I'm struggling and suffering. It also makes it hard to arrange meetings with my psychs because they mostly work on weekdays. I should also mention that I'm dropped a shift a week to try and help myself but right now, I'm not into it at all. Does anyone else feel like this, any solutions or tips? Thank You LD