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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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DiggerM Please help
  • replies: 4

I would like to know how to stop feeling depressed all the time and be happy again and to stop trying to stave my self please respond thanks

I would like to know how to stop feeling depressed all the time and be happy again and to stop trying to stave my self please respond thanks

fish1805 Advice needed
  • replies: 3

Hi all, this is my first post and the first time ive really spoken about what im going though and would appreciate and advice you can give. 7 Months ago i was forced out of a job i loved and had been in for a decade, since then ive been in another jo... View more

Hi all, this is my first post and the first time ive really spoken about what im going though and would appreciate and advice you can give. 7 Months ago i was forced out of a job i loved and had been in for a decade, since then ive been in another job that i detest, the boss is just not a nice person, belittles staff at every turn and i am suffering severe depression and anxiety now, i wake up and shudder at the thought of going to work, the work load is too much, its a 2 person job and more often than not its just me. I have a heart condition and a few weeks ago i was in hospital for a related scare, luckliy nothing came of it and i was given clean bill of health, my boss rang every day to ask when i would be back and the other staff have told me he was whinging about me not being in and putting me down while i was off. Everytime the boss walks in he focuses on a negative, never mind that my hours at 7am to 5pm, i start getting calls from drivers (im in transport operations) at 5am and they dont stop until 9pm, im at my wits end and am constantly on the verge of walking out but with bills, xmas and a family holiday coming up i just cant afford to leave but feel like i need to to keep my sanity. What should i do, i just keep saying just get through till Xmas and then 3 weeks later your holiday and then come back fresh and find something else but i dont know if i can last that long, im really struggling................need help and thats hard for me to ask for!

Sonz88 New baby and struggling with life
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have found this forum at 1am after a very difficult day. I have a baby who is one month old. The pregnancy was very difficult and I struggled to keep on top of my anxiety during it. I went on my antidepressants six weeks before he birth as ... View more

Hi all, I have found this forum at 1am after a very difficult day. I have a baby who is one month old. The pregnancy was very difficult and I struggled to keep on top of my anxiety during it. I went on my antidepressants six weeks before he birth as my mood was deteriorating rapidly. during the pregnancy my partner’s job was uncertain and this along with other issues caused us both stress. Our relationship is very solid but it took a toll both of us and I felt quite lonely for parts of my pregnancy. my partner is overall very supportive, I have the sort of relationship and support most people could only dream of. We had a big argument a couple of weeks after the baby was born when I was already struggling and I just feel like it was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. Sometimes I feel so sad and hurt that I just want so desperately to numb the pain and think a lot about just getting blind drunk so I stop feeling so sad and hurt and let down. I don’t do this because I have two young children and want more than anything to just be a great mother to them. I just find the thought of wishing I could get drunk and wipe myself out so I didn’t feel so sad anymore comes up more often than I’d like. I keep picturing myself going out to the pub and getting wasted while leaving my children at home with my partner and that image makes me feel like a terrible mother. my bond with my oldest is very strong. I love my new baby, but sometimes I worry I am not bonding with her the way I should. I think that perhaps I am just being paranoid as I am so afraid of getting PND that I am looking for signs everywhere. I keep reminding myself that I’ve had years to bond with my oldest and that my bond will strengthen over time with my youngest and I do and say all the things with my baby i did for my first. Maybe it just feels a bit different the second time around when you have a toddler to look after and you can’t give as much time to your baby as you could when you didn’t have another kid. All I want is to feel ok, and even though everything is technically ok with my life I just can’t shake this feeling that something isn’t right and is just ‘off’, yet I can’t put my finger on it. I am thinking that perhaps the big argument I had with my partner a couple of weeks ago is maybe the main reason I feel like this, but just keep worrying that I will get PND and that I am not connecting with my baby as I’m supposed to.

Tomutd Out of nowhere
  • replies: 3

First time poster so will see how this goes. I've had a girlfriend for 8 months now and we're as close as ever, things have moved quickly. She recently moved to start her new job, only 45 mins away. Works 9-5:30 I work 2pm til midnight. Communication... View more

First time poster so will see how this goes. I've had a girlfriend for 8 months now and we're as close as ever, things have moved quickly. She recently moved to start her new job, only 45 mins away. Works 9-5:30 I work 2pm til midnight. Communication has become the main issue for us. Anyway it was only 2 days ago that I woke up and it was like my mind had done a backflip. To the point where I told her I didn't wanna leave my job to go live with her even though we'd spoken about it numerous times. I couldn't even tell her I loved her. Never had this happen before. I've had a sick feeling ever since and I feel like I've ruined something that was so perfect. I'm not exactly sure what switched. But I just feel horrible hurting someone I love and care about. Just not sure how to rectify it. I'm feeling so overwhelmed by it all. Thanks for taking the time to read

K808 Workplace harassment
  • replies: 10

I was harassed by a customer at work 3 years ago and it has ruined my relationship with my boyfriend, friends and family & my life. I’ve been doing pretty well for the last 10 months but recently I’m REALLY struggling. I work in a male dominated indu... View more

I was harassed by a customer at work 3 years ago and it has ruined my relationship with my boyfriend, friends and family & my life. I’ve been doing pretty well for the last 10 months but recently I’m REALLY struggling. I work in a male dominated industry and it hasn’t been too bad for a while but the only other female I worked with has recently left and now I am the main target for all the (mostly older) men. Im feeling lately that I need to quit my job but there are no available positions in my town that would suit me and I need to pay my bills. Ive spoken to my boss and keep him posted on everything that happens/is said but this doesn’t help with the cyclone in my head. Ive tried therapy before and never found this very helpful. Im lost at what to do.

This_is_ME30791 Starting to own this
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m very new to this and I’m very nervous. I can’t pinpoint the moment or time I knew I wasn’t so well anymore or started feeling down more than I felt good and happy. I believe my issue stems from this: when I used to think about my life at this... View more

Hi, I’m very new to this and I’m very nervous. I can’t pinpoint the moment or time I knew I wasn’t so well anymore or started feeling down more than I felt good and happy. I believe my issue stems from this: when I used to think about my life at this age and stage, it looked nothing like what my life is today. And for this reason I feel like I can’t make peace with myself, like I’m not accepting of myself because I’ve failed myself and nothing good has come of my life. I get upset quite easily and very anxious. I worry about things constantly, and they are usually things I can’t control or predict and for some crazy reason, that terrifies me. I also suffer from social anxiety as when I’m out I always feeling like people are looking at me, watching me and judging me. My sunnies are always plastered on top of my head so that I can put them on and become invisible, in my mind. I have seeked online help and completed a mental health assessment which resulted in mild depression, moderate general and social anxiety. Can anyone offer resources that may help me in understanding these things more? thank you.

open_up Nothing helps...imploding
  • replies: 2

Hi, have had severe depression and anxiety over past few years. Been getting worse lately. Over time, I have tried numerous counsellors/psychologists, inpatient/outpatient psychiatrists, many antidepressants, TMS, hospital admissions, recommended ECT... View more

Hi, have had severe depression and anxiety over past few years. Been getting worse lately. Over time, I have tried numerous counsellors/psychologists, inpatient/outpatient psychiatrists, many antidepressants, TMS, hospital admissions, recommended ECT but declined. Also have physical health issues that have resulted in multiple referrals/appointments over the past couple of years. GP put everything down to depression years ago but it wasnt just that. Even the current diagnosis leaves things up in the air, and have been told it may or may not progress in future and appointments come as symptoms change. I have previously been a very fit, healthy, active, private and independent person, so its all hit pretty hard. I work casually now in a low-key job, but had to speak to boss recently about cutting back days as just not coping at all with the overall load of work/home. Got emotional, now fear prejudice. Work was one place I was safe to keep on my mask and not feel questioned or judged as nobody knew..but now I have let my guard down and many saw it happen. I have 3 kids. Finding it really hard as just want to be alone. My husband and I have been having issues, he has been speaking to his family about our issues, so they side with him and now dont speak to me. His dad even told him to move on with his life. Tears my heart out as I have done nothing wrong except fight every day against all odds - quick to judge when he has no idea what I have/am going through and have always tried to be there for them. I asked him not to speak to his family because I knew they would side with him - I had asked him to speak to a third party who would be mutual/not take sides if he needed to talk. He had an affair a couple of years ago, but vows hasnt done anything since. Not sure if I believe that. My family are not a very open family and we dont see each other much. Friends tend to be school mums whose children are friends with mine. A couple know the depth of whats happened but very much have the 'pull your socks up' demeanour and avoid me except for arranging kids stuff. Dont feel able to search out new friends or activities. Hard to feel hope when even my GP, psychologists and psych have all pretty much said they dont know how to help. If they cant, who can? I feel alone, exhausted and empty. I feel like there's nothing left to try. Feel pretty dark some days...all goes round and round like a washing machine. Nothing I do/have done helps anymore. All feels too much to bear

Confused2 I've just been rejected by a job by indicating I've had depression
  • replies: 7

I thought I was being honest by saying I'd had depression. It was a medical assessment as the last step before taking the job. I'd already been offered the job (over the phone); my referees had given me a 'glowing report'. Then, out of the blue, the ... View more

I thought I was being honest by saying I'd had depression. It was a medical assessment as the last step before taking the job. I'd already been offered the job (over the phone); my referees had given me a 'glowing report'. Then, out of the blue, the day after the medical assessment they called to say the job had changed and I wouldn't meet their new criteria. (The medial assessment came after two successful interviews, a psychometric test and referee check). So I've done some research this morning and apparently it's a bad idea to mention this upfront to a potential employer - because despite all the pretence about diversity, it's ultimately about the business bottom line and you're therefore potentially a liability. (Even if the depression was in the past). In two minds a out whether to confront the HR rep from the company about this but have no idea if it's worth it.

Pineapple26 Dating a person living with bipolar
  • replies: 1

So I have been dating my boyfriend for a year and a half now and at the 6month point I thought he had reached rock bottom and he engaged in some psychology appointments and then just stopped . Things seemed to get better for a bit and now the past th... View more

So I have been dating my boyfriend for a year and a half now and at the 6month point I thought he had reached rock bottom and he engaged in some psychology appointments and then just stopped . Things seemed to get better for a bit and now the past three months he’s just spiraling downwards through manic and depressive stages . I thought he may have bipolar disorder but didn’t want to approach him around it as he was no longer willing to engage with psychologist and I came across as naggy around everything . The past two weeks he has been ignoring most of my messages then will arrange something and stand me up .. I got fed up as it has been emotionally drained . I spoke to his best friend last night and he told me that he had been diagnosed in high school with bipolar but refused medication for fear of being uncool and weak and has been 6 years Unmedicated and has turned to alcohol in a bad way lately to solve his problems . Hasn’t been showing up to work and is just pushing away everyone who cares . I honestly am stumped at what to do cause I ultimately can’t do much until he is willing to want to recover and seek help . Has anyone been through a similar experience and have any advice ?

_violent_delights_ i don't care about anything
  • replies: 1

i have been having more and more trouble enjoying anything i feel so incredibly bored with everything and just don't really care about anything anymore. i am struggling to motivate myself to get up and go to work everyday. my job is boring and i just... View more

i have been having more and more trouble enjoying anything i feel so incredibly bored with everything and just don't really care about anything anymore. i am struggling to motivate myself to get up and go to work everyday. my job is boring and i just don't care about it. i have no idea what i want to do job/career wise and it brings such huge anxiety whenever i think about it as i think i'm too stupid to go to university anyone else feeling the same?

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