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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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AGentleSoul It feels like I am sinking again
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, I have been meaning to post here again, but I felt like I was bothering people when I did. I feel like I needed to post again because I need to talk/write more. The past year has not been so good for me because I hate living where I am, ... View more

Hi Everyone, I have been meaning to post here again, but I felt like I was bothering people when I did. I feel like I needed to post again because I need to talk/write more. The past year has not been so good for me because I hate living where I am, I am getting mixed results studying at university and it feels like I am slowly losing my trust and faith in people again. I will openly admit that some issues I have put on myself because I have been going to strip clubs and my only physical contact with women has been with sex workers. This is because I am starting believe the only positive interactions I will have with women is if I pay them! I hate where I am living because are neighbor's son in law coward punched and assaulted my dad whilst he was on the ground! The neighbour's son in law also abuses his children and it's hard listening to that almost every single day! My neighbor claims he has it under control, but he doesn't. I want to stay at uni, but I am starting to feel isolated and having doubts if I can pass. I am worried that I will fail and get kicked out! It is also stressful because I am also on centrelink payments, so if I get kicked out I lose payments which is only my only source of income at the moment. It feels like I am standing in quicksand! I guess I am just asking to be heard and if anyone else can relate? Regards, AGentleSoul

pawsy knocked down again
  • replies: 8

ive been doing pretty well since february when i came here in a very bad way. things have been more stable and more positive. but a mistake i made at work, not a very big one, but still .. and a phone call from the boss about the mistake, have knocke... View more

ive been doing pretty well since february when i came here in a very bad way. things have been more stable and more positive. but a mistake i made at work, not a very big one, but still .. and a phone call from the boss about the mistake, have knocked me off course again. im disappointed by how such a little thing can make me feel so low and hopeless. like things will never change for the better really. the most i can hope for is to get through the days somehow and keep finding something to pull me into tomorrow. so. at a time i had imagined id be getting stronger and more engaged in the world, here i am back in bed feeling like im made out of lead and the world outside my bedroom is hard and frightening and not made for me. bummer.

Fazza75 Lost again
  • replies: 3

Hello there. Not sure if this will help but hey got nothing to lose. Ive struggled with depression and other mental issues on and off my whole life. Am in yet another bout! Just so tired of fighting. When depressed I do some really reckless things. I... View more

Hello there. Not sure if this will help but hey got nothing to lose. Ive struggled with depression and other mental issues on and off my whole life. Am in yet another bout! Just so tired of fighting. When depressed I do some really reckless things. Ive done some terrible things that have hurt the ones I love. Gotten professional help numerous times. Yet still find myself back at square one. Any support would be much appreciated.

Anon98 Long Days, Tough Times
  • replies: 3

Hello guys. This is my first post here, and I'm unsure how exactly to say it, so here goes: Today is probably the most down I've felt before. I'm tired and I'm struggling to find happiness ahead. I've struggled with sleep and the ability to find joy ... View more

Hello guys. This is my first post here, and I'm unsure how exactly to say it, so here goes: Today is probably the most down I've felt before. I'm tired and I'm struggling to find happiness ahead. I've struggled with sleep and the ability to find joy since I started back at uni 4-5 weeks ago. I'm a full time student and have been since I started. It's not that I don't like my degree, it's just I struggle to motivate myself. I suffered days in year 12 with a lack of motivation, but it would clear up after a day or two. This year however, I often have thoughts as to why I'm doing what I'm doing or what the point of doing uni or anything is. I find it hard to talk about this with my family, as my dad seems overly confident and hard to talk to, and I don't know how mu mum would react. This morning was particularly unusual for me. I woke up perfectly fine this morning (first time in weeks), but after I left home for uni, I started feeling flustered and questioning myself. I was trying not to break down on the way to the city. I just don't know why. I created this account this morning because I needed to vent out my issues anonymously. I don't know what to do. I looked online, but I feel it is over generic and not very helpful (even though it could be). I feel like I need to have a break and do something fresh, but that was the half the point for entering uni. I figured the longer travel times and the fresh air would be good, but nowadays it's just a long walk. What do I do? I've never had any thoughts of self harm, let alone suicide, but I need a plan to improve my quality of life. Thank-you for any help that you guys provide.

Courteney92 Help. Pls
  • replies: 4

I'm completely at a loss, I'm suffer with anxiety and depression I also have BPD. Ive been struggling with a drug addiction for 5 years. In that time I have lost the love of my life been subject to serious emotional and physical abuse from a ex who i... View more

I'm completely at a loss, I'm suffer with anxiety and depression I also have BPD. Ive been struggling with a drug addiction for 5 years. In that time I have lost the love of my life been subject to serious emotional and physical abuse from a ex who is in a drug psychosis. I can't hold down jobs, relationships & holding on to my remaining friendships by there last thread. I'm emotionally disconnected and numb, my once bubbly nature has become withdrawn and I find it hard to communicate & be in public settings. And I just don't see it getting better. i spend every day in bed, I think I'm okay until I break down. Most days I think I just live in complete denial. I have lost my License, my house, really have no sense of self or identity and never have. I know drugs are a problem but if I didn't have them to numb me at times I don't know if I would still be here. and a lot of these issues sound like easy fix problems but they aren't I've tried. I feel as if im broken, I've studied all different things worked all different jobs I get so depressed I either get fired or leave. im so ineed of a reason to get out of bed and a income I got in to prostitution. some days I think I do it because I like it other days I'm sure I hate it and I think I only got it to it to punish my self. i have no idea about anything in my life I feel as if none of it's real and I'm on the verge of a psychotic breakdown. I don't know how my life from a normal happy child could turn in to this nightmare that won't end it's seems so unreal im honestly not sure if my life happening or this is in my head. I'm my own worst enemy, I'm on medication, seeing a psychiatrist and getting drug and alcohol counciling. nothing is helping and at the end of each appointment I smile and make out as if I'm okay. I'm incapable of letting my self realise how desperate, hopeless & completely misserable I am. and each time I actually realise how I feel, I get pushed closer & closer to the edge of breaking beyond repair. Surly at some point I will give up because it's allready at a unbearable point. but in amongst that I'm so confused and lost, I don't know what's wrong with me if anything or if maybe these are just excuses & I'm just lazy and self pitying and self loathing. I want to disappear but how do I hide from myself. pls anything I have never opened up like this before but I have no where else to turn

James1008 How does someone get mental help?
  • replies: 2

I haven't been to a doctor since I was about 10 for a cough I had I'm 24 now and I have no idea how to get a doctor , I'm also too afraid too

I haven't been to a doctor since I was about 10 for a cough I had I'm 24 now and I have no idea how to get a doctor , I'm also too afraid too

Jacqueline11 Lonely, but where to go
  • replies: 3

Hi i have dealt with depression for 20+ years now. I have self esteem issues and don't believe that people want to be with me. As a result I lock myself away and avoid social engagements. As a result of that I feel desperately lonely and as though I'... View more

Hi i have dealt with depression for 20+ years now. I have self esteem issues and don't believe that people want to be with me. As a result I lock myself away and avoid social engagements. As a result of that I feel desperately lonely and as though I'm on a self perpetuating cycle. Does anyone have tips on any outlets? How do you strike up contact with people without having the pressure of socialisation? Thanks in advance

Shellee32 Feeling trapped with no way out
  • replies: 4

I am 65 years old, have a partner, we are both on the pension, we have a mortgage which takes almost one pension payment each month, we struggle with everyday living, live in an older house, with no real heating, a wood fire which we cannot afford to... View more

I am 65 years old, have a partner, we are both on the pension, we have a mortgage which takes almost one pension payment each month, we struggle with everyday living, live in an older house, with no real heating, a wood fire which we cannot afford to buy wood for, an old AC/heater in the wall - expensive to run - we are in a rural area, nearest actual shopping centre is 26 km's from us and is almost useless. I feel so trapped, the house is old and very cold, high ceilings and mornings can be around 5° inside, I now stay in bed where I am warm but this means I am bored,lonely and frustrated. Cannot afford to go anywhere as money is not there, we have no savings, neither of us had Super, my partner was injured 20 years ago and has not worked since. Cannot move as the selling price once debts removed would not cover anything at all and the banks just laugh at us so we are stuck, cannot afford to improve things here and cannot afford to move. I know that no one can give me a solution I just need to vent and talk . .

JillCameTumbling Bipolar- how do you know when a swing is coming?
  • replies: 12

I'm looking for shared experiences from other ppl living with bipolar (one or two)- Most of the time I look for signs my mood is sinking, and I think I'm getting pretty good at managing it before I get really depressed. Then sometimes I feel I'm in a... View more

I'm looking for shared experiences from other ppl living with bipolar (one or two)- Most of the time I look for signs my mood is sinking, and I think I'm getting pretty good at managing it before I get really depressed. Then sometimes I feel I'm in a weird space and I wonder if this is the precursor to a coming high. Im on mood stabilising medication so haven't reached a full-blown mania episode but I sometimes these mild "highs" do make me feel impulsive and risky. I want to go out dancing and drinking with friends. I get more energy to do things around the house. My sleep changes a little but not in the way I've experienced in hypomania. C anyone share what it feels like for them before mania or is it just a "normal" strange mood? I feel like I don't want to worry my family or doctors unnecessarily. I also don't want to need to increase my meds unless I really have to.

Sammy_ Bipolar diagnosis. No one believes me
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, so for the past year or more I haven't been myself... went to the doctor and got a referral for the psychologist and his diagnosis (and the doctors) is bipolar. I am booked in for a psychiatrist appointment for a second opinion and am wa... View more

Hi everyone, so for the past year or more I haven't been myself... went to the doctor and got a referral for the psychologist and his diagnosis (and the doctors) is bipolar. I am booked in for a psychiatrist appointment for a second opinion and am waiting on that.... the problem is I told my partner and he just said to me - great... another problem we don't need. We can't catch a break. He told me he doesn't believe any of the people I have seen and I don't think he will believe anyone. i don't know what to do. I have no support and I am all alone. Since I found out I was kind of realived... I was happy to know that it was okay for my mind to be this way and there are ways of managing it but he thinks I am fine. I hide behind a facade that takes all my might until I snap... it takes all my energy and I am just so exhausted. I am a mother I do everything for everyone else... but I guess this is just an inconvenience