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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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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

Guest_41124914 Just so exhausted and tired.
  • replies: 2

Life has just changed so much recently. My partner and I broke up and the only reason I was given was because I didn't pick him up for our two year anniversary. (I later found out through his twitter he was gay, which I would have understood as a res... View more

Life has just changed so much recently. My partner and I broke up and the only reason I was given was because I didn't pick him up for our two year anniversary. (I later found out through his twitter he was gay, which I would have understood as a response rather than 'you didn't pick me up) He just also kept ignoring me and talking to his other friends, and waited for me to initiate the breakup before he did so as well. My best friend moved to another city for university. I guess, I just sort of realised once again, how hopelessly alone I am. Sure, I have friends. But I learnt that I am a second choice for all of them. I am not a first choice friend for anyone. I feel so sad, that all I need is a good cry, but I'm so emotionally numb I can't. I'm just left clutching my plushies, thinking back on past memories. I guess, I just wish I was more important to people? I just want to go back to school, because as much as it sucked, I had my whole world with me then. Now its fractured into pieces and nobody is there to help me put the parts together.

Gracie_PY4 Sometimes I don’t know how to talk to my parents and I’ll shut down
  • replies: 8

When I talk to my parents it’s most of the time really good, especially with my mum. But I find when they mention something to try and fix me based on mental health like “why don’t you go for a walk” or, “you should do some techniques to help you’re ... View more

When I talk to my parents it’s most of the time really good, especially with my mum. But I find when they mention something to try and fix me based on mental health like “why don’t you go for a walk” or, “you should do some techniques to help you’re mental health” or even “you should do some exercise”, I completely shut off and just nod or just “uh huh”. I almost feel like I’m being judged as if lazy. This morning I told my dad that I switched my job position from full time to part time (because I was really struggling there mentally and because the environment was not good), he said “why?!” And I told him about my mental health however, he asked “What’s the money going to come down to?. Sometimes you just got to push through”. I don’t know anymore, I just don’t know that I feel comfortable talking about the stuff I’m going through with them anymore, because at the end of the day I don’t think they understand, or I feel like they think I’m lazy and want me to get off my ass and do something with myself. They want to fix me and it isn’t working it’s making everything worse.

Guest_80751898 Im so lost n lonely
  • replies: 4

Turn 46 yesterday n not one bday text,iam a homebody with no friends so not surprised Just suck at life n don't know how anything rather then death is the answer

Turn 46 yesterday n not one bday text,iam a homebody with no friends so not surprised Just suck at life n don't know how anything rather then death is the answer

Jaibigrone907 My third last post too...
  • replies: 12

My parent's, I consider them so dumb. Their not realistic, they have given up on their kid's, they don't normalise us to have a future, or be active and live life. They cause argumentative issues for me, social countertransference's. My father is sel... View more

My parent's, I consider them so dumb. Their not realistic, they have given up on their kid's, they don't normalise us to have a future, or be active and live life. They cause argumentative issues for me, social countertransference's. My father is selfish, and his pathetic, but keeps to himself, behind the T.V.. His a useless tyrant parent. He contributed against my creativity, since 2009. I love my Mother absolutely, but my Dad's careless, and self centred. I have no work direction. I am 29 now, and I have no suitable work direction, or any great opportunities. I don't want entry job's, like retail, sales, factory, hospitality. I don't want to work a construction, do a apprenticeship, traineeship, any TAFE certificates either. I don't have any University careers I'm interested in. I am not a study person, and I don't have a Year 12 VCE and a ideal ATAR too.I never wanted to do construction, any apprenticeships, or traineeships, and I knew that, even when I was a 8 year old, it's not my breed of masculinity, and I don't like their tradie personality, values, and character. The government also only encourages the courses, that most don't want to do. If they offer any free ones, their only for the shitter qualifications, that no one wants. I never had my driving too, and we had just one vehicle at home, that only my mother was using, and that car was nearly too screwed to drive back then, and not worth spending money on it's frequent maintenance repairs, that my father was barely affording. My mother couldn't guarantee, if she could take me to any job's, the cost of petrol, and wither she needs to use the car, if my brother needed it too. I never had a resume written and solid help with that.

Nissan9 Struggling with life
  • replies: 4

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to... View more

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to square one. I have never struggled to get a job in my field it's normally easy as but given the time of year the market is slow and i feel like i am getting nowhere really very minimal call backs. Being home so much definately putting a stress on myrelationship to the point where I just feel like im nothing but a hindrance more then anything. Plus side is been great spending time with my little one who's 4 months old. Wife is also on maternity leave and her pay is not enough for us to survive so been using some of our savings and I just been uber driving to get by and that's not much. I guess I am venting more then anything i just feel like their is no light at the end of the tunnel and by time their is I would of just self destructed and ruined everything around me. I feel a pressure so bad to find a job and Il be honest I just don't know how to manage the situation at the moment and the stress around it. Thanks for listening

car10001 going through stuff and looking for someone to talk to
  • replies: 2

hi everyone going through stuff and am ok just need someone to talk to. have got a car that needs quite a bit of work and wanting to do 2 hour trips and dont feel its currently upto it. tool the grandfather about half way to a fruit and veg place and... View more

hi everyone going through stuff and am ok just need someone to talk to. have got a car that needs quite a bit of work and wanting to do 2 hour trips and dont feel its currently upto it. tool the grandfather about half way to a fruit and veg place and took him in their car and realised mines a bit run down compared to that. what am wondering is how to afford all the repairs at once mine needs or to get it point you can do those 2 hour trips. want to have car good enough to do those 2 hour trips with not much more than the standard checks before going but it needs a lot of work and might be a while before it starts to get to that point. how would one get the money for the repairs their car needs, aircon doesnt work, suspension needs doing, centre bearing on tailshaft needs doing, ignition coils need doing, diff bushes need doing. just missing the 2 hour trips driving yourself and feel a little down. driving isnt the problem its car needing work. thanks for anyone who will listen

Cactus Loneliness amongst the crowd
  • replies: 3

I am 50 years old, female living with so dat undiagnosed autism. I have never had any close friends and I live far from family. I suffer from bad depression because of it. It seems to get worse the older I get. When I discussed this with my doctor, h... View more

I am 50 years old, female living with so dat undiagnosed autism. I have never had any close friends and I live far from family. I suffer from bad depression because of it. It seems to get worse the older I get. When I discussed this with my doctor, he suggested I join clubs to meet more people. Lack of access to people isn’t the problem though, I have been with an animal welfare group for 5 years and didn’t make a single friend, despite going to lots of their social gatherings. I’ve been with a plant society for three and a half years, I’m on their committee and all I have is acquaintances, whom I only see at the monthly meetings. No one wants to catch up outside the meetings. I know lots of people. Problem is it always stays superficial, a deeper connection just never develops. I don’t feel like I fit in anywhere, I’ve felt like that my whole life due to this lack of meaningful connection. I feel that because of my autism it’s even worse as I don’t understand the intricacies of social interaction. I can’t really read people and when I do talk to them it never comes naturally, I have to think about it all the time (how much eye contact, volume, when to speak and not interrupt), it’s exhausting. I can do it for a bit but people always seem to dislike me or simply not be interested in me. I go out by myself sometimes because I don’t even have someone to go for a coffee or a meal with. I’m always the only person who is there by themselves and it’s painful to see others talking and laughing together, sharing their thoughts and experiences.I feel like an alien visiting from another planet. I have lots of plants (hence the plant society) and a pet cat but I so desperately need deeper connection to people. I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life.

M-aggie Chronic Depression
  • replies: 3

My name is Maggie I am 22 and have had depression for years and I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like it's getting worse at the moment probably because I'm looking for a job after Uni and keep getting rejected. I feel like a weight on society ... View more

My name is Maggie I am 22 and have had depression for years and I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like it's getting worse at the moment probably because I'm looking for a job after Uni and keep getting rejected. I feel like a weight on society and don't have any skills or qualifications to contribute. There is no need for me in society.

Guest_16767327 Advice for dad with depression
  • replies: 1

Hello, my dad is from a generation that ignored all mental health disorders and there for doesn’t have any belief in therapy or medication. He has recently become very depressed and I think it is for two main factors. His wife (my mother) has her own... View more

Hello, my dad is from a generation that ignored all mental health disorders and there for doesn’t have any belief in therapy or medication. He has recently become very depressed and I think it is for two main factors. His wife (my mother) has her own mental illnesses and some health issues that cause her to take a very long time to get ready in mornings and sometimes can feel ill after getting ready, so she doesn’t leave the house or plans get changed. This means my father is often waiting around home for her to get ready before they go to their plans together or the plans get cancelled or changed due to mums illness. I think over the years of this continuous struggle has affected my dad because my mother doesn’t really do anything to help herself to get better and so he probably feels helpless and is just watching himself and his wife get older while not doing anything fun, engaging or adventurous in their lives. He is also witnessing his youngest daughter (my sister) go through a hard time of helpnesses while she recovers from a very traumatic relationship. My sister is getting professional help and is on medication so I know she will get better. But I don’t think my dad is coping very well with seeing two of his family members be in this situation. His mother is in an aged care facility with dementia and she’s slowly declining but good at the moment. This probably isn’t helping him either. I think his outlook on life is very poor at the moment, he has nothing to look forward to. i really want to help him feel better, he’s an amazing dad and has been through so much in life but i don’t know how to help without therapy and medication because when i ask him to go out and do things with me, he always declines. I’ll never stop asking him to go out and do things, just in case one day he says yes. But if anyone has any advice on what to do that would be appreciated.

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