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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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Lionel69 Newbie
  • replies: 6

Hello im lionel. New to the forum but not new to depression and very much struggle to cope with things right now

Hello im lionel. New to the forum but not new to depression and very much struggle to cope with things right now

slippery_slope Courage to Share
  • replies: 7

Hi, Not sure how to start? Didnt think I'd make it this morning but it's now 3.50pm SA time and have finally made it through to the other side of these apocalyptic episodes. It's really hard to stay positive, it's always uphill battle, it's a relentl... View more

Hi, Not sure how to start? Didnt think I'd make it this morning but it's now 3.50pm SA time and have finally made it through to the other side of these apocalyptic episodes. It's really hard to stay positive, it's always uphill battle, it's a relentless war inside the mind but I know I just have to stay alive long enough for it to pass. I'm tired, lonely, and sometimes frightened but I've hung in there again, just. I would really give my soul to devil to stop this. Thanks for reading.

Bluedaze Reposting after a long long break - Good & Bad news
  • replies: 9

Hi there, thought I'd post again after a very long break. I have good news and bad, 1st the bad. I'm still alive. Yes I know, drag.. bummer.. boring!. Now the good. I have finally someone who deeply loves and cares for me (I can't imagine why). Unpla... View more

Hi there, thought I'd post again after a very long break. I have good news and bad, 1st the bad. I'm still alive. Yes I know, drag.. bummer.. boring!. Now the good. I have finally someone who deeply loves and cares for me (I can't imagine why). Unplanned, unexpected but very welcome. So in that, I finally have someone who will morn over me when I'm gone. Thanks for reading. C-ya.

Devoid My life in a nutshell...
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone, For reasons I can't fathom...I find myself without a person to lean on.... About life; Youngest of four, dad with addictive/abusive behaviour, met an aussie online/met/married at 18, came to Oz at 19, husband had addictive/abusive beh... View more

Hello everyone, For reasons I can't fathom...I find myself without a person to lean on.... About life; Youngest of four, dad with addictive/abusive behaviour, met an aussie online/met/married at 18, came to Oz at 19, husband had addictive/abusive behaviour, stayed married 18 years, had 4 children to him, went to Tafe for nursing diploma, workplace bullying twice, cracked/had time off/ got medicated, seperated/divorced, isolated, self destructive behaviour when kids were with their dad, settled down (mostly), met a new man in another country (been overseas twice), engaged, pregnant, no friends, extremely depressed/hormonal/emotional, fiance can't "just come over" Because he wasn't born in a first world country, no family here.... No best friend. I have tried reaching out to others about where I'm at and I'm constantly being rejected. I invited 23 ppl from work to my home for a short notice barbeque....I got 14 "nos" and 0 ppl turn up. I tried joining a newbie motorcycle club but honestly no one was very helpful or Interested. My best friend disowned me because she didn't support my pregnancy....but it turns out after almost two years of trying she's 3 weeks more pregnant than me. Also she said I'm a bad parent because I went to my fiance twice because he couldn't get approved for a visitor's visa here and not taking my kids on expensive holidays (that I can't afford) makes me a bad parent in her opinion. She was like a sister to me....and it feels like she died....so I'm still really hurting and grieving that. I see an antenatal social worker at the hospital. I've done the mental health assessment with my GP. I struggle with wanting someone and not wanting to be a burden or be dependent. Im going to end up being alone in the delivery room in March.... And maybe for a couple years til my guy can come over...if he comes over....he's not talking to me right now..."for the good of our relationship" because I'm so angry/broken.... Evwryone will say get more help, get more help....but it feels cheap knowing the only ppl that will "care" about you are getting paid to do so.....

OhmeOhmy Here we go again
  • replies: 5

I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life on and off. I understand if so much more now and have so many more tools in my tool box which means that life is generally much better than ever before. However right now I am really struggling and... View more

I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life on and off. I understand if so much more now and have so many more tools in my tool box which means that life is generally much better than ever before. However right now I am really struggling and I feel so alone. "The sadness" (what I call is because it is just a deep overwhelming sadness) and the constant gut churning anxiety is back. It just shows up whenever it feels like it out of the blue. It snatches away my resolve and my confidence and leaves me feeling like a vulnerable, frightened child who is alone. When it gets me like this I feel helpless. I know however that I'm not helpless and that there are things I can do to help myself feel better. maybe as human beings we are meant to experience polarities, like hot and cold, happy and sad, so that we can appreciate the difference between the two....

star76 memories of when it all began/gratitude
  • replies: 9

I have recently been reminded of when depression started for me . I was 14 angry , confused empty and full of self hatred. I just didn't operate how others did. I felt to deeply. I remember thinking at the time were was this youth of carefree times i... View more

I have recently been reminded of when depression started for me . I was 14 angry , confused empty and full of self hatred. I just didn't operate how others did. I felt to deeply. I remember thinking at the time were was this youth of carefree times in the sun everyone seemed to talk about. If this was the best years I din't want to be around for long. I made no plans for the future and by 16 had decided I had nothing to offer and the world had nothing to offer me. I was different and felt for sure that wasn't ok Thankfully I got though those years in high school but it was not till in my early twenties that i was properly diagnosed,medication took a bit longer to sort out. When i finally got the right support my life changed and i felt like i came alive for the first time since early childhood. I am so grateful for sticking around in life,for having people who believed in me and encouraged me toward the right support. Today I am struggling again ,the difference is I have hope that I will pull though and it won't last forever . One moment at a time if its all that one can bare and a little bit of hope and a dash of gratitude . Some times I lived that one and that's ok .

CandieX Alone and confused
  • replies: 8

Hi there. I just need someone to talk to. I have no friends and I can't open up to my boyfriend. I'm currently in a relationship with a man 25 years older than me who has a cocaine addiction. I do love him but it is really hard. He is very selfish an... View more

Hi there. I just need someone to talk to. I have no friends and I can't open up to my boyfriend. I'm currently in a relationship with a man 25 years older than me who has a cocaine addiction. I do love him but it is really hard. He is very selfish and does not show me any love and affection but I rely on him financially as I have no where else to stay at the moment. I recently found out I was pregnant to his baby and he does not want it and I am getting a termination tomorrow. I am a very emotional person so it is hard for me to hold in all of this and when I have outbursts and cry he tells me he can't deal with me anymore. I just want to be loved and cared for like I care for him. He can be verbally abusive sometimes and he said I'm annoying and I whine a lot and I have no self confidence. I don't want to leave him I just need help on how to deal with a man like him.

Infinity1199 Opening up
  • replies: 11

I'm sorry if my post is a little muddled but, not really use to writing like this... I was diagnosed with depression last year after enduring over 5 years of bullying from my classmates. I remember just sitting in class and having my first nervous br... View more

I'm sorry if my post is a little muddled but, not really use to writing like this... I was diagnosed with depression last year after enduring over 5 years of bullying from my classmates. I remember just sitting in class and having my first nervous breakdown. I just started hyperventilating and crying because one of my bullies called me a fag. it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. my school wasn't helpful, they didn't get that I was getting bullied because of my sexuality but always talked me into not pressing criminal charges against them. I felt like such a coward but I was scared. Since I was diagnosed, my school forced me to move into distance education because they were concerned about the ramifications of my behaviour. they told me it was in ''my best interest'' but I think they just wanted to get rid of me before I killed myself or something. I've lost all of my friends and I basically have no social life. at the moment: -I've got NO FRIENDS -I've screwed up my VCE courses again -I'm having problems with my appearance -I'm having difficulty with anger issues I didn't know who else to turn to, I just wanted to talk to someone who isn't going to judge me. I just want a friend....

Julz01 Frustrated at the ignorance of my boss
  • replies: 5

After discussing with my new senior manager and another manager how we could support an employee going through a mentally challenging time, my boss made the most alarming statements. She said she understood anxiety but she did not get depression & sa... View more

After discussing with my new senior manager and another manager how we could support an employee going through a mentally challenging time, my boss made the most alarming statements. She said she understood anxiety but she did not get depression & said people need to choose to be happy & it's all about choices. She went on to say suicide is cowards way out & people have choices. She said fat people choose to be fat because they choose not to exercise & eat properly. I have battled depression & anxiety for 14 years & this time last year I was hospitalised. I am in a good place now but it wasn't a simple choice & if I had a setback she would refer to me as a fruit loop as she does other staff suffering mental health conditions. I was 30 kg overweight till this year but I didn't choose to be that way & if I could have fixed it overnight with a choice I would have. I have been in a good place but this has really bothered me. My colleague tried to explain ill mental health is not a choice but to no avail. I get there are ignorant people out there but was not expecting it was something from someone in her position. Mind you this is the same day we had an R U OK function with our staff today & had a BB Ambassador speak. My friend thinks I should report her but I have to report to this person. Truly gobsmacked!!

Precis60 Is is wrong to be happy one minute angry the next.
  • replies: 5

My sister tell me I have mania because I am so up and down, people tell you to get help but I feel sometimes thing just get on top of you. Everyone these days seems to busy to really want to do more than token help. I don't know if this is just me no... View more

My sister tell me I have mania because I am so up and down, people tell you to get help but I feel sometimes thing just get on top of you. Everyone these days seems to busy to really want to do more than token help. I don't know if this is just me not being able to deal with situations. Is there somewhere you can just chat online and not have people judge or pretend to care.