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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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Tearsfall Dont know what else to do
  • replies: 21

Hello well her i am, yes just signed up , feeling lost and alone even though i have my adult children and a partner who loves me dearly. staying on top of life is becoming more difficult. So much going on and iv lost myself somewhere along the way. I... View more

Hello well her i am, yes just signed up , feeling lost and alone even though i have my adult children and a partner who loves me dearly. staying on top of life is becoming more difficult. So much going on and iv lost myself somewhere along the way. Im always helping others iv given up so much to be where i am

LalaMunk Just some thoughts - I hope this may help someone
  • replies: 3

I wonder what could have been. Who would I be if my illness were non-existant? Would I be successful? Would I be happy? Would my strongest friendships and relationships have actually lasted? Would I feel so isolated and abandoned…? It is the wonderin... View more

I wonder what could have been. Who would I be if my illness were non-existant? Would I be successful? Would I be happy? Would my strongest friendships and relationships have actually lasted? Would I feel so isolated and abandoned…? It is the wondering that hurts the most. Forever contemplating what could have been had I not been held back by the inefficiency of my own brain. These thoughts never leave my head. These thoughts keep me awake at night and distracted throughout the day. An endless cycle of what ifs. I have given up all hope of these thoughts ever subsiding. I have given up hope of ever being truly happy. I have resigned myself to a perpetual battle with my own mind; and with such resignation I have empowered myself. No, I will never be content. No, I will never be “normal”. No, I will never love myself and have sufficient confidence to brush off my insecurities. Yet I am strong; I will survive. I will forever battle with the demons inside. Surrender is not an option for me anymore. With understanding and acceptance of my illness I have found the strength to fight. To stare into the eyes of the black dog and say, “Not today mf. Not any day.” I will never back down again. I will never take the easy way out. I will struggle. I will hurt. I will cry, and rage, and scream into the night; I will polish my armour after every battle and despite my exhaustion I will continue to fight. I may have depression, but depression doesn't have me.

Chyuuuu Not sure if I should do work or not if the only thing I want is to be miserable
  • replies: 1

Recently I think I can feel my antidepressants starting to work. However, I spent so long when I was depressed telling myself that I don't want to get better or be happy, and still feel that way to an extent. Now I feel like if I start doing things t... View more

Recently I think I can feel my antidepressants starting to work. However, I spent so long when I was depressed telling myself that I don't want to get better or be happy, and still feel that way to an extent. Now I feel like if I start doing things that would be good for me like doing schoolwork or going outside it would undermine my progress and I will lose what I spent so much time on, and return to mediocrity. The only downside of not doing work is that it would just draw attention which would just be uncomfortable and humiliating and something I want to avoid, but I can't bring myself to just be good to myself. Perhaps this lifestyle of just doing nothing is more comfortable and i'm too lazy to do anything else, or I feel like my depression/misery was an excuse or achievement in some way. Does anyone have any advice for what I should do?

Kdk I am so sad
  • replies: 3

I am so sad it doesn’t leave me. I’m in short stay but feel so alone. I don’t know how long I can keep going. Everyday I wonder will this be my last.

I am so sad it doesn’t leave me. I’m in short stay but feel so alone. I don’t know how long I can keep going. Everyday I wonder will this be my last.

geoff Can we be pushed into a Depressive State ?
  • replies: 1

It's just my opinion, as I have been through this so many times in my life before and it's an ugly place to be in. If anyone has been pushed into Depression whether it's a partner, family member, or even through your work environment please let us kn... View more

It's just my opinion, as I have been through this so many times in my life before and it's an ugly place to be in. If anyone has been pushed into Depression whether it's a partner, family member, or even through your work environment please let us know as we can provide you with the support you need. Geoff.

Anicca Feeling down
  • replies: 2

Today has been a bad day. I usually manage everything on my own but because a have a friend I thought I could rely on, I asked for help. I was let down this afternoon and now feel totally frustrated. My anxiety was high for other reasons, which my fr... View more

Today has been a bad day. I usually manage everything on my own but because a have a friend I thought I could rely on, I asked for help. I was let down this afternoon and now feel totally frustrated. My anxiety was high for other reasons, which my friend knew about. Of course my anxiety skyrocketed. I have Bipolar 11 and have lived with anxiety and depression all of my life. I'm now in my early sixties. Sometimes I think I'm better off shutting myself off from the world.

AntiHero Lonely and Ashamed
  • replies: 5

I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness including chronic depression (anxie... View more

I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness including chronic depression (anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, you name it). This has had a significant impact on my life, but I've always managed to keep it well hidden (out of shame and self-preservation - the stigma is terrible). I'm in therapy, on medication, and have even quit drinking since my drinking behaviour wasn't very healthy. Despite all of this, the thing that I'm most ashamed of is that I've never been in a serious relationship, not only because my mental illnesses have held me back, but also because a traditional family and upbringing prevented me from dating as a teen, so I never set solid relationship foundations for myself. I'm 28 with relationship experience limited to flings and crushed hopes. I'm trying to internet date but have had poor experiences: I've been lied to, ghosted, and faded out on. I'm starting to think maybe people sense something is up with me, and they run as soon as they do. Or, perhaps I get a little too hopeful too soon, which scares people, so people run off again. I recently came out of something (I couldn't really call it a relationship - two months or so of dating and long conversations?) and was heartbroken when I found out he wasn't fully interested. Is there something wrong with me? I've believed for so long I was unlovable, and now that I've tried to date, all these poor experiences seem to validate this thought - I'm not capable of being loved. I've been single all my life and my loneliness is really affecting me. It's making me desperate for SOMETHING. Is there something wrong with me that I've been single all this time? Is there something wrong with me that no one wants to be with me, or give me a chance?

JRFOXIE Feeling invalidated
  • replies: 4

I have a mood disorder that my parents do not recognise. Instead they believe I just have a bad behaviour. They were offered education at the last family meeting but refused it saying they knew enough. It wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to live... View more

I have a mood disorder that my parents do not recognise. Instead they believe I just have a bad behaviour. They were offered education at the last family meeting but refused it saying they knew enough. It wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to live with them. They are critical of everything I do or say. They told me I can never end up in hospital again for anything physical or mental health because they don't want to have to pick me up. Obviously it is a promise I cannot possibly make. It is wearing me down and I was only discharged from hospital for depression in December.

Assaad Severe depression
  • replies: 7

Hey everyone im only 24 and I started running my own building company recently. I’ve always been poor always living pay check to pay check but I could always see the bright side of things but now I’m making upwards of $20000 a week and it’s got me so... View more

Hey everyone im only 24 and I started running my own building company recently. I’ve always been poor always living pay check to pay check but I could always see the bright side of things but now I’m making upwards of $20000 a week and it’s got me so depressed like big whoop I have money now what’s the big deal? I always thought I would be happy having money but i felt so much better when I had nothing I feel so useless at the moment and I have big plans for myself but I feel like I could be doing something else to benefit others has anyone experienced this or something like this at a young age ( I’m a big over thinker ) I also suffer from severe anxiety but I have that under Co trip maybe that’s playing with my thoughts? Any advice would be much appreciated

Stormgrl101 its taken my life away from me
  • replies: 2

Hi.. i have BPD/depression/anxiety. I was in hospital for a few weeks before christmas and I went through ECT treatment. Now I am at home, at my parents house with them looking after me, and tonight im just feeling lost. Looking on facebook I see peo... View more

Hi.. i have BPD/depression/anxiety. I was in hospital for a few weeks before christmas and I went through ECT treatment. Now I am at home, at my parents house with them looking after me, and tonight im just feeling lost. Looking on facebook I see people getting married, having babies, finishing uni degree, getting a new job etc and I feel sooo hopeless and empty. I am ANGRY that mental illness took my life away from me and I feel like everyone around me is growing up and getting on with their lives and I'm just this sad, scared little girl and I don't understand why I'm different. As part of the BPD i suffer dissociation episodes which tend to happen at every appointment I go to whether its gp, psychologist, support worker, or centrelink. These episodes vary in which sometimes I can snap out of it or other times its too severe and ambulance needs to be called. I wish I could function "normally" I am tired of living like this. I dont know why Im posting tonight, I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me.