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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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IntoOblivion Living with Autism and depression
  • replies: 2

I was born with a genetic disorder known as FRAXE, though mild it effects me daily and makes recovering from depression almost impossible. I do not look mentally ill so I tend to be treated like anyone else but this often makes it hard in situations ... View more

I was born with a genetic disorder known as FRAXE, though mild it effects me daily and makes recovering from depression almost impossible. I do not look mentally ill so I tend to be treated like anyone else but this often makes it hard in situations that I can’t handle. I’m 192cm and I have a solid build so when I hear loud noises and have a breakdown most people assume it’s drugs or I’m just being an idiot. People think because I don’t look fragile that I must be able to handle anything and yet loud train stations freak me out. My dad is very ill (had cancer and now a infection in his spine + lung cancer) as a 18 year old I feel like I am going through all the worst crap at once. I can’t imagine my future and can’t see how I could even go another 5 years let alone another 18. Last thing, as someone who struggles to express themselves and is socially awkward when I do and an adult says “you’re only 18 you haven’t had any real problems yet” my rage kicks in and I feel like dropping them.

freindincommon How can we foster understanding from the older generation?
  • replies: 2

I have BPD, Depression and a bunch of other stuff though they are the main ones. My mother just told me I'm being horrible, I need to quit my negative downer bullshit and get along with my step family who understand me as to the depth of a frozen fis... View more

I have BPD, Depression and a bunch of other stuff though they are the main ones. My mother just told me I'm being horrible, I need to quit my negative downer bullshit and get along with my step family who understand me as to the depth of a frozen fish finger. Isolation is my problem, we could (my family) be In the same urban lounge room yet feel like Perth to Melbourne away. This makes me furious in 2017 how can these ignorant people I am beginning to loath be called my family and attempt a relationship with me and my mental health as if it's 1950. As if enough tounge lashings will get the "crazy" out of me. "Have you Tried not taking protein powder?, not having caffeine after lunch?, not thinking about negative things?" Yep this line of thinking exists. Luckily I am blessed with a brain capable of freeing me from this hell. I will complete my medical study and devote my life to freeing other. A proverbial middle finger to mine and all the family's who treat there mentality I'll kin like this and hold on I'm working to help. Thanks for the work moderators and beyond blue for this service.

WhoAmI15 Just need to get this off my chest
  • replies: 2

This is my first time ever opening up so this post probably isn't going to make much sense. Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety for a couple years now. Im sick of thinking, its all i do. All i think about is how other perceive me and if t... View more

This is my first time ever opening up so this post probably isn't going to make much sense. Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety for a couple years now. Im sick of thinking, its all i do. All i think about is how other perceive me and if they're talking about me behind my back. I cant let anyone in close because i just feel so vulnerable. I honestly have no clue who i am and this just makes my anxiety even worse. Everywhere i go i feel like a complete weirdo. Since my anxietys so bad i avoid engaging in conversation and when i do try im normally at a lost for words and there is just an awkward silence. I swear sometimes im not even apart of my own life im just sitting back and watching life happen around me. I barely feel any emotions anymore. I feel im just a character in a computer program just there to make up numbers. I honestly dont know what to do anymore i started following a spiritual path based on budhism but im starting to think im not going down any path ive just lost myself. I feel like im going crazy and losing touch with reality. I think my biggest issue is that i have no self confidence and always look to others for approval even though i know i shouldnt. I think if i had some self confidence i could more confident when talking to people and id stop caring what people think. But its so hard to find any sort of confidence when i dont even know who i am. I miss social contact i want to have best friends and go out with them and have a good time instead of being that boring guy my "friends" let me hang around coz they feel sorry for me. I dont know where this post is going and i dont even know how to explain half the stuff in my head so i guess ill leave it here.

LuLu_ Hating myself and feeling worthless
  • replies: 8

I feel bad for posting again. I have posted a couple of times and I have been okay. So now I feel like to post would be attention seeking and selfish as my mood is inconsistent it feels like i am faking it. i stay up late in order to force dark thoug... View more

I feel bad for posting again. I have posted a couple of times and I have been okay. So now I feel like to post would be attention seeking and selfish as my mood is inconsistent it feels like i am faking it. i stay up late in order to force dark thoughts. I know it’s unhelpful but I do it anyway. I am struggling with coming to terms with my Identity. Recently I’ve been talking with my psychologist about my biological father who I don’t remember. I just don’t know who I am. I lost myself a few years ago when I sunk into depression. I feel worthless. I feel a lot of hate towards myself. I don’t deserve the life I’ve been given and the people in my life. I kind of want to disappear. I keep thinking about driving away. But I know it would hurt the people around me. It would worry them. But in a sick way I want them to worry. I feel awful for thinking that. I guess I am lost, lonely and unsure. Perhaps I just want someone to listen. Tomorrow I will wake up and I will be fine. So maybe it’s all in my head. Maybe i am just making it all up.

pamsammy Is this depression...?
  • replies: 1

I feel like my life is in a never ending rollercoaster ride of things going well and things going straight to hell... All feelings are to the extreme. Small disappointment that would not impact me before, now becomes this huge thing that impacts ever... View more

I feel like my life is in a never ending rollercoaster ride of things going well and things going straight to hell... All feelings are to the extreme. Small disappointment that would not impact me before, now becomes this huge thing that impacts everything in a negative way. One week things are good - i am actively planning new things, enjoying life and enjoying time with my partner and friends. Then something happens (usually something small) and I go from happy go lucky to miserable person who does not want to see anyone or plan anything. I feel like this up and down roller coaster just never stops. My mood swings are extreme and my nearest also see them - and struggle to cope with it. Did you have similar roller coaster feeling before you were diagnosed and treated? I know everyone is different but would like to hear your experiences.

Want_support_please Why do I feel like this all the time 🙁
  • replies: 4

I have been struggling with depression for at least 15 years, I've had enough, I've been through too much shit, I feel like I can't ever be happy again, all I do is sleep unless I'm working, it actually hurts to smile, I am soo lonely but when I have... View more

I have been struggling with depression for at least 15 years, I've had enough, I've been through too much shit, I feel like I can't ever be happy again, all I do is sleep unless I'm working, it actually hurts to smile, I am soo lonely but when I have someone around who actually wants to do something with me and I force myself to go I want to be back home alone

Soph101 I’m new to depression and anxiety and need some help
  • replies: 5

Can someone please tell me how they work around depression, what are some tips for me I have severe anxiety and depression and I finally came out about depression last week and I’ve had depression for three years, but now that people know I feel like... View more

Can someone please tell me how they work around depression, what are some tips for me I have severe anxiety and depression and I finally came out about depression last week and I’ve had depression for three years, but now that people know I feel like I have more anxiety and I don’t know why

StitcherMum Struggling - 10m postpartum
  • replies: 8

So. Background. I have had depression from aged 13, most seriously in late teens, early 20s. I learned to manage it very effectively with a great selfcare routine and some cognitive behavioural therapy. I had a baby at the end of 2016 and he has been... View more

So. Background. I have had depression from aged 13, most seriously in late teens, early 20s. I learned to manage it very effectively with a great selfcare routine and some cognitive behavioural therapy. I had a baby at the end of 2016 and he has been a very easy baby. I actually coped quite well until the last month or so. I get angry/frustrated very easily, insomnia is making it worse, I cry at the slightest hint of everything. I feel awful I get impatient with my son when he won't nap or shrieks his god awful ear splitting squeal, I don't do anything, just internally scream and tense up. I can feel that my depression is taking over again and that frustrates me too as I know that I have had it under control before. Then I feel bad for whining because sooo many people have it worse and I have everything a person could want. Frustrated

Dinky1234 I feel nothing.....
  • replies: 2

I am reaching out with the hope that someone else may be in the same prediciment I married a guy, who I met at Uni we had things in common at the time. We had a pretty good first 5 years of marriage, until his father died, their family business was i... View more

I am reaching out with the hope that someone else may be in the same prediciment I married a guy, who I met at Uni we had things in common at the time. We had a pretty good first 5 years of marriage, until his father died, their family business was in a dire stituation, they eventually had to claim bankruptcy.We had a baby in the mix of all of this, so I was tired, our daughter had reflux and food allergies, so I was sleep deprived and not in a great place, I felt isolated and lonely. My GP diagnosed me with anxiety and depression. At the time, I was so upset, I was actually offended when she first suggested that I had a problem. So I decided to start taking the prescribed medication, I put weight, close to 10kg, drank excessively at functions, made a dick of myself in a quite few instances. I finally pleaded with my GP that I was stacking on weight and not well, and she reluctantly changed me to another medication. I felt slightly better on this, sleep was welcome, but I felt nothing, I hated that feeling, so I just decided to stop taking medication, eat properly and stop drinking. My husband is away this weekend and he left his iPad on the bench, click the home screen to google Peppa Pig and "My wife is not remotely interested in me." Subtle! At first I was angry, I thought far out cut me some slack. Then I thought he is probably right, I feel we are drifting apart, I no longer trust him. I no longer even feel like being intimate, which is where his frustration lies. He excessively gambles owes thousands on credit cards, he is secretive and took a margin loan on our home loan to buy risky startup company shares, which are not performing. Our account called me when he compiled our tax returns, to inform me that he thinks he has a gambling problem.I was shocked when he showed me the transactions on his credit cards. I feel like he is heading down the same track as his father and it scares me. Sometimes I think I should just leave, our daughter is the only thing that really stops me, she loves him dearly. I am stuck feeling nothing for the person I share a life with, I don't think I love him anymore, and I feel we would be quite possibly be happier apart. I tried to leave him once, he put on such a performance, called my parents and made out my depression is the problem and every time we have an argument it's always my fault.I know I probably sound like poor me, but not really sure where I should start. Any adivce from the community would be greatly appreciated.

Paullus It never lets go does it.
  • replies: 5

I was starting to believe that my constant companion, my pervasive melancholy, had given up and left my body/psych. I had 11 days where I felt normal, not manic, not depressed, just normal or what I call it at least. Nothing was an effort, I was func... View more

I was starting to believe that my constant companion, my pervasive melancholy, had given up and left my body/psych. I had 11 days where I felt normal, not manic, not depressed, just normal or what I call it at least. Nothing was an effort, I was functioning at a level I had forgotten about. It was wonderful and it was noticed by family and friends and I felt on top of life for the first time in years. But my 11 days of mental peace has evaporated and has plunged me back to what has become my tortured life. Nothing happened in my life that gave me 11 days of respite and nothing happened that took that away and therefore I am even more convinced that depression has brain chemical impacts of some description. For a while I had hope that this mental affliction had run its course, but no. I think it would have been better not to have experienced the brief lifting of the swirling black fog that many of us live with. I've not had much success with medication in the past, perhaps its time to try again although it is difficult living in the bush. Cheers and thanks for listening.

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