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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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Ellie05 Sad and don't know what to do
  • replies: 43

Hello, I'm not sure what I'm doing here again. I guess I thought that typing out my thoughts would stop them swirling around in my head, snowballing and becoming more dangerous. You see my dog had to be put down yesterday morning. I'd spent the whole... View more

Hello, I'm not sure what I'm doing here again. I guess I thought that typing out my thoughts would stop them swirling around in my head, snowballing and becoming more dangerous. You see my dog had to be put down yesterday morning. I'd spent the whole night prior awake with him, watching him be confused, disorientated and struggle to breathe. It's a horrible memory that will always haunt me. I suffer depression but I mostly manage to ignore my problems through use of antidepressants, watching TV and entertaining myself in my head by daydreaming about a better life and pretending I'm living it. I am single and have always been due to the acute distress that anxiety brings on whenever someone was to tell me their interested in a romantic sense. At my age (31) a lot of people are coupled up so it makes me feel very lonely and sometimes I am terrified of spending my life alone, with no one to hold me when things go wrong. I feel ugly, growing up the world tends to send the message to young girls that their appearance is the most aspect of them (fairy tales, TV shows, movies and magazines) and being a sensitive person I grew to believe this too strongly. I'm not working. I get acute anxiety and when that's at play I be extremely lethargic and depressed. I quit my job over a year ago, went overseas for a holiday and then stayed with my parents when I got back. Ever since I just haven't been able to bring myself to apply for another. My brain is broken. Over the past couple of years I've been experiencing bouts of what I term 'acute distress'. It can be triggered by things I never thought would affect me all that much and it's really intense. Whilst in this phase I can't eat or sleep or even sit still. During the day I can find things to distract myself with (mostly) but nights are spent pacing around the house, whilst feeling progressively worse and worse. These bouts can be really unpredictable and I live in fear of it happening again, especially given I just lost my dog. I can't cope with the fact that we all get old and die. The thought of losing loved ones just make sick and I worry about it a lot even though they aren't sick. Despite the above I have a lot of positive things in my life. Loving family, good friends and I still have savings from years of working so am not about to face financial destitution. I just can't seem to be able to appreciate the positives in my life and just get sucked into that black void of depression.

Butterbumps Hollow shell
  • replies: 5

Hey readers, sorry for bothering you with this nonsense but I feel as though I won't be able to get a good night's rest unless I type or write my thoughts out. For a year or so now, I've felt completely uninspired and unmotivated to do things. I used... View more

Hey readers, sorry for bothering you with this nonsense but I feel as though I won't be able to get a good night's rest unless I type or write my thoughts out. For a year or so now, I've felt completely uninspired and unmotivated to do things. I used to be very driven and ambitious (performing well in uni, making an effort with hobbies), almost to compensate for my social life which has always been very lacking (I was bullied badly in school and have been withdrawn ever since, I'm in my late 20's now). My confidence is really lacking and I'm too fearful of opening up to people, mainly because I feel I'll eventually be dumped as a friend for being boring (I lack a lot of general knowledge as I've felt a lot of information pointless), lacking talent (didn't pick up anything as a kid and never stuck with any hobby for long enough) or weird (although some key people in my life support my sexuality, I still don't feel comfortable at all about letting strangers know that I'm gay). I feel like I don't deserve to be confident as I don't look the part, am too awkward and weak of wit. I've been trying to build myself up instead of just moping. A sports club has provided me with some good friendships and an exercise routine however eventually the awkward social interactions between club members has driven me away. I volunteer too which has given me some purpose and perspective, although there is still the social anxiety come every shift. I've been reading books everyday to get some ideas and inspiration, even though this hasn't been terribly fruitful (some novels do excite me though). My current job is quite decent but I've started to mentally check out from it and am now laying the foundations for another career which I'm not even sure I'll be able to mentally pull through with. I'm in a loving relationship already but I'm always wondering if I'm just letting my partner down by being such a weak person. I feel as though my social skills probably factor greatly in my problem, especially as I'm getting older and start to fear missing out on experiences. My lack of interest might not actually be a lack of interest but rather dismissing any activity which might possibly put me awkward social situations or that rely on the company of others to enjoy. Sorry if I contradicted myself (or if none of it made sense) but can anyone who can understand share some insight? Would love to hear if you managed to get your life on track. Thanks.

svitteh How can I not be excited for a big holiday?
  • replies: 4

I havent been anywhere to be diagnosed or anything so I'm sorry if when I say that I was "depressed" I've gotten it wrong. I know many people have actual diagnosed depression and I don't want to make that seem less important. About 2 years ago I was ... View more

I havent been anywhere to be diagnosed or anything so I'm sorry if when I say that I was "depressed" I've gotten it wrong. I know many people have actual diagnosed depression and I don't want to make that seem less important. About 2 years ago I was depressed and not thinking straight. I'm not sure what exactly got me out of it but I think a combination of exercising and finding new hobbies helped. I'm now going downhill again. Right now I have a huge assigment thing that has no deadline. That seemed like a good thing but it really isn't. When I was in school I lived off deadlines and they really helped me get things done. I've ended up setting my own deadline, finish it before my birthday (start of April) and it's failing miserably. Things I used to love doing now seem awful. I used to love cycling. Now I don't want to go anywhere and it's crazy. I'd cycle 3 hours or more to get to somewhere if I really wanted to and now I don't want to go the 10 min to the library or shops so nevermind the 40 min to get to my closest friends (closest as in distance, but I guess theyre pretty close to me too). I've tried pushing myself to do these things but it's like I don't want to enjoy them even though I do. Deadlines and threats don't seem to bother me anymore and I don't seem to care. I've taken a job that I don't need because I'm basically a kid and I think I just got overambitious. I'm proud that I've kept it for this long but now all it does is drain my energy that I need to be putting into my schooling. And to make this post even longer I've got my whole trip problem (my main issue i guess? Just the most confusing for me). Last year when I'd gotten out of things and was happy I planned a trip to England (I'm in Australia). I saved up and in January bought the tickets, thinking I'd get over this if I kept doing the things that make me happy. Well I leave in June and I'm terrified. I have no reason to be, everything's sorted and I'm staying with family, everything's payed for and I should be happy but I don't know if I'm making a really dumb mistake. Basically I'll try anything at the moment, my parents are out of work with all the shutdowns here and everything's falling apart. I have no clue what to do anymore.

Turtle_eyes Looking backwards through binoculars.
  • replies: 4

I feel like my Life is like looking through Binoculars backwards. I was once a hopeful, happy and positive person. After a workplace accident in 2004 that triggered a deppressive episode I have been dealing with the condition ever since. I am not ful... View more

I feel like my Life is like looking through Binoculars backwards. I was once a hopeful, happy and positive person. After a workplace accident in 2004 that triggered a deppressive episode I have been dealing with the condition ever since. I am not fulfilled by anything it seems anymore. I dread going to work as the owners of the business have lost faith in my ability to perform and it has eroded my confidence badly. My colleague is not happy there either. He said to me the other day that he had lost weight, I said that he looked good, but his response to me was 'I probably have the big C' (being Cancer). That made me feel like walking out then and there. I only work there part-time, but I am not sure I can even do that. This has been my third attempt at finding a suitable job in 12 months. I no longer even like the Industry, but what do I do when I feel I have nothing to offer an employer? I don't want to suffer anymore, it makes me so tired all the time and I feel like I am looking at an ever shrinking life ahead, like the binocular scenario. I feel that a move to a smaller town near the sea and away from the City might be a good move for me, away from the hustle and noise, but my partner is commited to her job and a move at this time is out of the question for her, and as I am unsure I could live without her, I remain stuck......looking through those binoculars.

ShellFish98 Always feeling numb
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to this so yeah. I've always had depression and anxiety since I can remember, it feels like my whole life has been one massive battle that I can never win. I know why I'm depressed and why I get anxious there has been a few times in my li... View more

Hi, I'm new to this so yeah. I've always had depression and anxiety since I can remember, it feels like my whole life has been one massive battle that I can never win. I know why I'm depressed and why I get anxious there has been a few times in my life where I have felt OK and that's when I've been working so my mind focuses on that and I'm to tired to think about my feelings. Now I'm out of work and can't even seem to get a job interview. I stay home all day and have 0 motivation to do anything. I started off being sad at first now I just feel numb, I don't feel sad or happy or angry I just feel empty. I want to change but I just don't know how. I'm seeing a physiologist but I feel like talking about my problems gets me nowhere. I'm really in a rut and I don't know how to get myself out of it. I guess I'm asking for advice on how to motivate myself to help myself. Thank you.

sloanekirby I don’t want to reach out anymore
  • replies: 6

Everyone always says to ask for help and to talk about your feelings but I feel like I can’t do that anymore. I feel so alone and it never ends. All I do is distract myself from it for a while Im scared of talking about how I feel because no one ever... View more

Everyone always says to ask for help and to talk about your feelings but I feel like I can’t do that anymore. I feel so alone and it never ends. All I do is distract myself from it for a while Im scared of talking about how I feel because no one ever knows what’s to say or how to help Ive been to therapy and all it is is new ways to distract myself I don’t have any reason other than my family to live

Sad_Mushroom I was born this way
  • replies: 12

Hi all, I've read thousands of posts and seen all the advice and it's all good BUT I was born this way. Nothing happened to me and my parents did not do anything to me. I was just born this way. No one touched me as a child, I was NOT abused or felt ... View more

Hi all, I've read thousands of posts and seen all the advice and it's all good BUT I was born this way. Nothing happened to me and my parents did not do anything to me. I was just born this way. No one touched me as a child, I was NOT abused or felt up. I was just born this way. I hated people from day one and thought they were all suspicious. I have never liked anyone. I would rather hate people than get to know them because no doubt they would turn on me. I just wanted a thread for people who thought they were born like this rather than all the threads that state something happened to make them like this. Nothing happened to me....I was born like this. SM

Guest_4 Brief Intro
  • replies: 4

Hi BB'ers This is my first thread. I'll keep it short as I'm on the train going to my dreaded job. Plus, would rather give bits of info at a time. 35 year old male from Sydney, Australia. I guess I have a mix of depression, anxiety and the overall is... View more

Hi BB'ers This is my first thread. I'll keep it short as I'm on the train going to my dreaded job. Plus, would rather give bits of info at a time. 35 year old male from Sydney, Australia. I guess I have a mix of depression, anxiety and the overall issue of bipolar type II. I've had 20 jobs (19 to be exact) since I was 17. Have had counselling and was on meds for 3 years which I stopped 2 months ago on my own accord - the meds weren't worth it. Anyway - I feel good now as I generally do on the train in the morning. I'll be updating this thread over time with more detail about myself, my current state of mind, and contributions to others. Chat soon Nicholas

Guest_7659 No motivation
  • replies: 12

Hi, I am a new member. This is my first post. I am struggling with motivation even though I have a full time job that I love. I am motivated when I am at work, but when I am at home I often struggle to do simple things like putting on a load of washi... View more

Hi, I am a new member. This is my first post. I am struggling with motivation even though I have a full time job that I love. I am motivated when I am at work, but when I am at home I often struggle to do simple things like putting on a load of washing. I am 37 years old, single and have no children. I live alone because I love peace and quiet. I have a "to do" list which is never even close to being finished. I just feel like I can't be bothered, and I am tired most of the time. However, overall I am disappointed with myself for not getting things done. Symptoms suggest that I have moderate depression. Please don't tell me to go to a GP. I was on antidepressants for 6 years (2011 to 2017). I stopped taking them about six months ago - against medical advice. I was sick of the side effects (low sex drive and difficulty to orgasm). Also, since stopping the meds, I have noticed very little change in mood. I have had problems with fatigue and motivation for many years. I had a blood test less than two months ago which was normal. I.e. iron, B12, blood sugar etc. are all within the healthy range. I am also quite fit and regularly ride a push bike (1-2 times a week). But I used to cycle a lot more. Has anyone here had a similar experience and was able to get their motivation back? How did you do it? Thanks for reading.

Aussieonblue Do I hate my life due to depression or am I depressed due to my life.
  • replies: 3

Hi Firstly thank you everyone for just being here. I am currently diagnosed with depression and taking medication. As per the heading, I am trying to work out, am I depressed because I do not like my current situation or do I not like my life because... View more

Hi Firstly thank you everyone for just being here. I am currently diagnosed with depression and taking medication. As per the heading, I am trying to work out, am I depressed because I do not like my current situation or do I not like my life because I am depressed? I have a good job, make good money, have a good house and a good relationship. But I hate my job, I hate the city I live in and just do not like the things we do. I have become a hermit and really only leave the house to go to work and social events I can not find an excuse to avoid. I am counting the days to my “early retirement” so I can get out of here, but 2.5 years seems to far away and it was when I considered other ways out I visited my GP. My partner knows how I feel, but she is happy in her own world and gets annoyed by my excuses and “lazyness”. Becasue of my “comfortable” situation no one canundetstand why I am unhappy. Would changing my life make me happy or will depression just follow me into a new life and make me hate that one too? Thanks for listening. Cheers Craig

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