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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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Sdm Relapse after 15 years on medication
  • replies: 6

Was diagnosed with depression in 2002 and started taking anti-depressants, these worked, but after a prolonged period of financial stress I have fallen into a debilitating depression with extreme anxiety and don't know what I can do as the medication... View more

Was diagnosed with depression in 2002 and started taking anti-depressants, these worked, but after a prolonged period of financial stress I have fallen into a debilitating depression with extreme anxiety and don't know what I can do as the medication isn't working anymore.

Debzmite Tunnel vision
  • replies: 2

So I saw my psychologist this morning and he pointed out I have tunnel vision. For example I'm convinced I need to go to a health retreat, lose 30kg get married and have kids. I'm convinced I need a uni degree so I earn enough so I can get married an... View more

So I saw my psychologist this morning and he pointed out I have tunnel vision. For example I'm convinced I need to go to a health retreat, lose 30kg get married and have kids. I'm convinced I need a uni degree so I earn enough so I can get married and have kids. Uhhhh how do you fix that? My psychiatrist told me there's more to life than Marriage and kids and it's totally blown my mind. help please....

Moomsy Don't know where to turn.
  • replies: 11

I'm sick of being alone, acting like I'm fine and pretending like everything is okay and looking after everyone while no one pays any attention to me. I'm sick of being the one who people use to vent to and then discard once they're finished being sa... View more

I'm sick of being alone, acting like I'm fine and pretending like everything is okay and looking after everyone while no one pays any attention to me. I'm sick of being the one who people use to vent to and then discard once they're finished being sad, of being treated like an object. I'm sick of never having anyone ask me something that I can actually expand on because I know that they do not care about me. They have too much on their plates to be worried about what I have going on in my life; too much of their own problems for me to add onto it. I'm sick of never being able to talk, and never being happy. I'm sick of never enjoying a moment of my life for more than 10 minutes without a wave of depression being dumped on me by either myself or one of the many people I have to look after and support. I am sick of the fact that no matter how good life seems to be getting, I can't turn the corner and not have some tragedy come and hit me in the face. I never get to be me, I never get to experience things the way I want to. I'm sick of the fact that any time I want to talk or vent or express any form of sadness, someone else has something happen in their life and that becomes the focal point for them and me, meaning that my problems are pushed aside and forgotten. I hate that I can't do anything for myself without thinking about someone else the entire time. The fact that no matter what I plan for myself, I know that it will never happen without the entire activity being overshadowed by my feelings and thoughts being focused on someone else destroys me, it makes me realise that I am not living my own life, I am just an extra in everyone else’s. It doesn't help that half of the messages I send to people are ignored for hours on end, even when the person I messaged has come online at least 3 or 4 times since I sent the message and they still haven't bothered to even look at it let alone respond. I just wish someone would put in the effort to talk to me and to see me. I just want someone to care about me and how I am. But this will never happen, and I know that I will never be okay with that. Both of my best friends have significant others whom they can talk to and rely on. I have no one and I never will. I am so lonely and sad all of the time that I can't spend a day with the two most important people in my life without ruining it by becoming sad. I can't remember the last full day I had where I was happy. I am so lost and don't know where to go.

TET Anger Issues
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone. I'm a 28 year old Male, who is struggling with my Anger and Depression more now than anything. I have been laid off work, and am finding it extremely hard to get another job. I have a Fiancé and 2 year old daughter, and we are financiall... View more

Hi Everyone. I'm a 28 year old Male, who is struggling with my Anger and Depression more now than anything. I have been laid off work, and am finding it extremely hard to get another job. I have a Fiancé and 2 year old daughter, and we are financially struggling. Very much so, that we have to sell Household items to live, which is becoming hard because we really have nothing left to sell. I feel like a Failure, that I can't support my Family, and that each day comes, I don't know whether we will eat. We both have no family who talk to us, and it limits us to help. My anger of late, is really taking a toll on our Relationship. I'm always so Angry. The smallest thing sets me off. I instantly regret when I go off, but I can't help but go off. My Fiancé and Daughter are my world. We are all we have. But I feel as though I'm going to lose them soon, if I don't stop my Anger. Ive tried getting help, but it never seems to help me. Can anyone relate, or have any advice for me. I am struggling. I don't want to be Angry and Depressed no more. Suicide has never and will never be an option. I just want to be happy and normal again. Thanks

Sarahg94 I'm scared
  • replies: 3

I hate this No sleep Wake up, work No eat Talk, be happy, be loving Get over it Your problems aren't problems "You're being stupid, You're dumb. What is wrong with you" There's always something, i always want more. So i work, i sleep (barely, or too ... View more

I hate this No sleep Wake up, work No eat Talk, be happy, be loving Get over it Your problems aren't problems "You're being stupid, You're dumb. What is wrong with you" There's always something, i always want more. So i work, i sleep (barely, or too much) i study, i love, i try. But nothing but feelings I'm just 'getting by'. I take pills, they'll help, "they just make you feel numb". Then why do i feel like i still need a gun?

Rukirra Having an identity crisis
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'm new to the forums. I'm 31, and i have bipolar, panic disorder, ptsd, and bdp. I'm currently studying at uni, however, I feel like I have no direction in life, no life goals. I have changed degrees so many times, because i am just not happy wi... View more

Hi, I'm new to the forums. I'm 31, and i have bipolar, panic disorder, ptsd, and bdp. I'm currently studying at uni, however, I feel like I have no direction in life, no life goals. I have changed degrees so many times, because i am just not happy with what i'm doing. I constantly feel like i'm stuck on step one and can never move forward. I've had a lot of issues in my life, particularity being in a domestic violence relationship for 8 years where i wasnt allowed to do anything. Now that i am out of that situation, and with a loving partner, i have no real idea of what i want to do with my life. I do not handle any kind of stress well, however, i'm trying to preserver with uni because i do want to learn and feel educated, and i do want a career. But every time i think i have chosen my set career, i end up feeling quickly bored by it, or too overwhelmingly stressed by it. I even changed unis to see if that was my problem, but no, here i am again, completely unsure as to who i am and what i should do. The other thing is, i have never had a job before. I was in that horrible relationship from a young age, and for the past five years i have been just trying to get back on my feet again without crumbling into a heap every two seconds. I just feel like I have no identity. I dont know who i am, and nothing i have found so far seems to fit me. How can i move past this?

M2 Depression and self sabotage
  • replies: 20

Is it normal to constantly want to"hurt" yourself during a particularly bad period of depression? I don't mean physically. Any way of sabotaging my future seems to be on the cards. This time it cost me a redundancy payout (20 years). Another time it ... View more

Is it normal to constantly want to"hurt" yourself during a particularly bad period of depression? I don't mean physically. Any way of sabotaging my future seems to be on the cards. This time it cost me a redundancy payout (20 years). Another time it was a split of my divorce settlement (I gave everything instead to my ex). Usually it is smaller, not financial, more a way of putting myself last somehow, others always first. It's obviously some kind of martyr complex. Often others don't know about it, else I'd guess it was to make others feel sorry for me. I think perhaps it's because I have somehow come to like being hopeless? Does anyone else have this? It has been extremely destructive to my life.

Envy13 Struggling with depression
  • replies: 2

I've recently been off work for two weeks with a workcover injury. I work with children and as informed today that I will be taken out of my room and placed in another room for the end of the year. My centre is 95% Chinese children and their allnwuit... View more

I've recently been off work for two weeks with a workcover injury. I work with children and as informed today that I will be taken out of my room and placed in another room for the end of the year. My centre is 95% Chinese children and their allnwuite nasty each other. They all speak Chinese together, hardly any English and are bullying other children in Chinese. I really don't want to go in this room. i also have a son (4yr old) who was recently was dignosed with ADHD and ODD and lately he has been extremely full on to the point where I resent him and wish I never had. His pysch said he show signs of a sociopath which utterly freaking me out big time and I can't get it out of my head. the combination of the two has triggered my depression and I just don't know what to do. I see a pysch and am on anti depressant. My pysch wanted to up my dosage but I don't want to do that. I hate the fact that I have to take them in the first. I'm completely lost and don't know what to do with myself. I can't switch my brain off and im constantly in tears. I go back to work tomorrow and physically making myself feel sick. I want to call in sick but I can't after having two days. I'm just a mess

greenkazbar Black Dog - a poem
  • replies: 5

Black Dog Life was so great, it was joyful and fun Time spent basking, in the glimmering sun A loving family and good friends a many I had no worries, didn’t want for a penny But life has now changed, it’s a misty grey fog I’ve been told I’ve got, th... View more

Black Dog Life was so great, it was joyful and fun Time spent basking, in the glimmering sun A loving family and good friends a many I had no worries, didn’t want for a penny But life has now changed, it’s a misty grey fog I’ve been told I’ve got, the dreaded ‘Black Dog’ What does that mean, I question of myself My vitals are fine, in good physical health This blasted Black Dog, which I cannot see I hope it’s small fleas, keep clear of me No whining, no barking, what’s this all about I don’t see droppings or feel its wet snout This Black Dog surrounds me, every waking day I don’t feed the damned thing, yet it won’t run away “Leave!” I command, of this vile shady dog But it lingers over me, as I’m left in a fog The Black Dog is made up, I hear them all say Stop all this nonsense and get on with your day They don’t understand, they don’t even try While I’m feeling hollow, I slobber and cry I don’t get it either, I'm stuck in this trap This Black Dog that haunts me, but don’t even crop I sob hopelessly, while my body does quiver I’ve blubbered so much, I’ve cried me a river I scream, “leave me Black Dog, I don’t want to play, Leave now Black Dog and keep right away!” So, how long will it stay, I really don’t know But I’d feel much lighter, if the damned thing would go

Paullus Is anybody there?
  • replies: 17

Why is it after a number of therapy sessions, trying different therpeutic approaches, research and self analysis, unsuccessful medications, discussions with family and close friends that I feel so misunderstood? I don't blame anyone for this because ... View more

Why is it after a number of therapy sessions, trying different therpeutic approaches, research and self analysis, unsuccessful medications, discussions with family and close friends that I feel so misunderstood? I don't blame anyone for this because if I struggle to know self how can anyone else. There doesn't seem to be an answer and I'm slowly losing my grip on the basic realities of life. And that scares me a bit as I feel there is an inevitable conclusion to all this. Does anyone really understand the frigging hopelessness that is depression, the ever present melancholy that won't let go despite concerted effort to shrug it off. There has been recent sportsmen who have "stepped away from the game to deal with mental health issues" and the world goes awww, poor things, only for these guys to appear next week and get on with it. If only it was that easy as its not the depression I know. I've tried everything in order to get a grip on this black dog but nothing seems to work. I'm not after sympathy at all, it's my lot and I'm responsible and I get that. I guess I'm just looking for someone to acknowlege what a bummer this involuntary condition is. I know I'm not the only sufferer, but in my world no-one gets me or it. Thanks for listening.