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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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Missberri Feeling burnt out
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I just wanted to post because I'm not feeling too great at the moment. I'm juggling part time work and uni and I'm starting to get very drained. I spend every weekend all day at work and come home to study and do assignments and still don't g... View more

Hi all, I just wanted to post because I'm not feeling too great at the moment. I'm juggling part time work and uni and I'm starting to get very drained. I spend every weekend all day at work and come home to study and do assignments and still don't get enough done and I have shifts every day except for wednesday and thursday when I have full classes at uni and try to get my work done. I'm feeling really overwhelmed and I don't know what to do. I was in a similar situation last year but for some reason then I was coping well and this semester I just feel like my head is going to explode Literally at the end of last year most of my close friends moved away for different reasons and I feel not having any of them around is also taking a toll and I'm starting to feel very alone. I feel like I don't have the time though to try making new friends right now because I just want to focus and get uni done but every day I just feel myself getting more and more down and I'm starting to feel like I can't cope. I've been waiting for so long for my work to hire someone new so I don't have to work as much as I am but they just keep screwing around with it.. even though they get heaps of applications they take forever to just pick one person to interview them then most of the time it doesn't end up working out. I've really been wanting to quit this job because I'm tired of it and my boss is really selfish, but i can't just have no income and i can't even get centrelink because I've been studying for longer than I should have been. I've tried applying for other jobs when i get the time but i don't really hear back from them.. Anyway I just really would love on how people cope with this kind of thing because I feel like im reaching my limit and i just feel lost about what i should do.. I feel like i should just suck it up and just get through this semester but at the same time I feel so awful every day and I'm only just feeling more and more awful as time goes on.. but yeah if anyone has any advice that would greatly appreciated!

Debzmites Feeling so pathetic
  • replies: 9

So my research has said that people with BPD have seriously low self esteem, check. Apparently growing up we didn't get the validation and emotional support, check. Im struggling big time, I let a man know a few weeks ago I had feelings for him and h... View more

So my research has said that people with BPD have seriously low self esteem, check. Apparently growing up we didn't get the validation and emotional support, check. Im struggling big time, I let a man know a few weeks ago I had feelings for him and he had no idea and didn't feel the same way, I've been feeling completely pathetic since. Im sure we will discuss this Monday in therapy. I just wish I had someone on my side that I could talk to and work through it with. I finally understand now why I get angry at my Dad, I'd talk to him about what I'm stressing over and he says nothing, then I crack it and say I don't know why I bother talking to you. I definitely don't talk to my Mother, she throws everything back in my face. Sorry, just feeling so lost.

MJae Advice on seeking help
  • replies: 2

Hello, I am seeking advice on how I approach help for depression/anxiety. My backstory…In 2014, my Dad passed away in my 2nd year of Uni, which took a hard toll on my physical and mental state. I gained a lot of weight and was upset all the time. It ... View more

Hello, I am seeking advice on how I approach help for depression/anxiety. My backstory…In 2014, my Dad passed away in my 2nd year of Uni, which took a hard toll on my physical and mental state. I gained a lot of weight and was upset all the time. It affected my work and also my relationships with people. Being an only child, my Mum and I didn’t talk about it much which also didn’t help. The following years I began to pick myself up I started to change my diet and activities and lost a lot of weight, I was healthier and happier. I believed my personality changed from that and my confidence has not been the same. However over the years, a couple times a month I fall into this depressive state, where I get soo upset over little things, I get frustrated easily, I cry and think so negatively. This week I reacted to something that was said to me and instantly blew it up out of proportion to myself and got worked up (not publicly but once I’m by myself). Last year I was given medication by my GP for my anxiety because my hands constantly shake (they still do a little) but I never continued them. I am not aware of any family members or friends who have gone through these feelings and I don’t think I am comfortable bringing it up to them. Also, the next day or even an hour after the moment of being in this state or frame of mind, I calm myself down and relax, then to me it seems like I’m fine and that everything is ok…But really deep down I don’t think it is. Sorry, back on track…So what I am really asking is: - If I was to try and seek help, how do I initiate this conversation? I have never approached someone about how I’m feeling (Other than my partner, who is supportive and wants me to see someone). - Is this a normal thing to be stuck with depressive and negative thoughts, then soon after calm down and think that everything is ok and that you were just having a moment? Would this behaviour be causing me to not seek help? Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated, Thank you

The_Possum Struggling tonight, books to help?
  • replies: 6

I'm struggling tonight with depression. Can anyone recommend good inspirational books to read for people with bipolar or depression? Thanks x

I'm struggling tonight with depression. Can anyone recommend good inspirational books to read for people with bipolar or depression? Thanks x

Sharny Surface stuff again.
  • replies: 5

Hi, My name is Sharny and I've visited here some 8 months or so ago. I'm feeling a bit lonely in thought right now and just feel the need to talk in an environment where I know others are facing similar issues. At times I just feel a swirl of emotion... View more

Hi, My name is Sharny and I've visited here some 8 months or so ago. I'm feeling a bit lonely in thought right now and just feel the need to talk in an environment where I know others are facing similar issues. At times I just feel a swirl of emotion, I'll wake up and feel I've let everyone down, I'll feel guilt for being me and it's a horrible feeling. I've had to scale down the amount of activity I engage in because the pace my family and I were keeping was driving my state into a knot. I tried making each Sunday apart from commitments that come along on occasion, a day of 'free' time, that is no commitments. It worked for about a month. We decided on that day if we'd like to take it easy, have unplanned spontaneous time to mearly just walk, ride bike, cook at home or what ever. Our lives have so many activities between both kids sports on Saturdays and week nights already that for family health one day per week Mum had formulated non-scheduled time. For me, it became like needing air, food or water. Space to be just what ever. I could get up and be non-scheduled, non organised.Recently a friend wanted our family to join them on a Sunday, for which we did. Then she was asking every Sunday and it become 4 consecutive Sundays in a row of getting together, BBQ lunch from 11am then afternoon still together and pizzas by dinner and all of us were still together socializing until 7pm or so. I'm lucky to have such people as are my family. But...You see, I feel this is the only spot I can even describe without feeling like a complete outcast, my feelings of disgust at myself. I 'needed' our Sunday's free for my mental health. But because I felt like I was rejecting her I just kept saying yes. I touched on the fact that I require at least some of our Sundays to just be unplanned but she looked at me like what?? I find its beautiful requesting our company, but I strangely can't keep up every weekend. I told her, for my mental health I require to slow things and cant be out or entertaining every Sunday. I organised our lives to accomodate a need and it just doesnt work. There seems to be no room for looking after mental illness. I feel like no one gets it. I just feel horrible, I feel like I try to accomodate my illness in a busy family but it doesnt match what's going on for other friends, people. So I'm heading down the track again of putting aside what I need and going with what's expected. I don't want us to loose people because I can't keep up.

Muscat Depression / anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, I suffer from depression/ anxiety and I'm not very well right now . I thought maybe talking to someone that is going through the same thing might help me. I haven't left my house for over a year now and when I do I get anxiety attracts and s... View more

Hi guys, I suffer from depression/ anxiety and I'm not very well right now . I thought maybe talking to someone that is going through the same thing might help me. I haven't left my house for over a year now and when I do I get anxiety attracts and start sweating shaking and feeling really sick in my stomach or if I no I have to go somewhere I feel so sick in my stomach for days. I have trouble leaving my room and being that mom, wife I should be. I am letting my family down so much and they r not really understanding. I'm not sure where or what to do anymore ..

Emtemt BDD, Anxiety, Depression and bodybuilding
  • replies: 5

Hi All, I just wanted to reach out and tell a little bit of my story in hopes that I can help someone with their struggles. I have suffered from body dysmorphic disorder for majority of my life with only realising it was a serious issue a few years a... View more

Hi All, I just wanted to reach out and tell a little bit of my story in hopes that I can help someone with their struggles. I have suffered from body dysmorphic disorder for majority of my life with only realising it was a serious issue a few years ago. My BDD is focused toward my stomach and the constant feeling and fear of being fat. I grew up very overweight through my childhood which lead to a lot of teasing, no self confidence,anxiety and depression which has stayed with me and only gotten worse into my adulthood (I am now 26). I found that through the gym and fitness I began to feel a lot better as most people do, so I decided to take it to the next level and work towards a bodybuilding competition,striving for that illusive 6 pack of abs I had always dremt about,little did I know this would make everything a million times worse. I became obsessive over trying to get lean enough to get a 6 pack when I wasn't getting to my goal the anxiety towards food and depression began to kick in. I did eventually do a show, however it was a very bad decision as it amplified all of my mental health issues. I thought if I got that 6pack it would fix all of my issues, I was so very wrong! I am now working towards a healthy,fit and happy lifestyle where I am accepting of my body and how I look. I still have my bad days but overall things are getting much better. I could go on and on into much more detail but will leave it there. Please reach out if you have had any similar issues or just want to talk about anything, I want to help.

Alittlebitofpeace Feeling guilt and shame about be on a disability allowance
  • replies: 12

Hi I have clinical depression and anxiety, I'm on a disability allowance. I'm 56. I come from emotionally abusive relationships. I have 4 children,one still at home. It looks like I'm doing great. I have a passion for needlework and quilting and I am... View more

Hi I have clinical depression and anxiety, I'm on a disability allowance. I'm 56. I come from emotionally abusive relationships. I have 4 children,one still at home. It looks like I'm doing great. I have a passion for needlework and quilting and I am blessed to have all the stuff I need to create. This sounds ridiculous I know. Sometimes I am frozen still with the knowing that other people are out there earning a living and I'm not. I've been called a bludger by x partner for this and it sticks. I teach my skills at the local shop and I have lots to do but the guilt makes everything unenjoyable. Even when I'm doing things I love I am thinking negative thoughts continuously and it seems like I have to push myself to do even fun things. I all sounds like crap and when I'm well I can see the sillyness of it all. This is a major problem for me. Mostly feeling very useless and unworthy. Does anyone else feel like this?

Alone78 Feel like my world is being ripped apart
  • replies: 5

Yesterday morning, I got out of bed, ready to face the day, as it was the day I got to see Shannon Noll perform. Excited as I was, I thought 'Nothing can destroy this moment!'. Boy, was I ever way wrong. I received a message via my Facebook messenger... View more

Yesterday morning, I got out of bed, ready to face the day, as it was the day I got to see Shannon Noll perform. Excited as I was, I thought 'Nothing can destroy this moment!'. Boy, was I ever way wrong. I received a message via my Facebook messenger, from my birth sister, Caitlin, stating that my birth father Ken, was diagnosed with cancer, and that the kemo treatments he was receiving, were not working for him as well as they should have been, and that he now may not have much longer. When I found my birth father, Ken, it felt to me, like I finally found where I belonged in this insane world, that I finally knew who I was, and why I was here. All my life, I had always felt like I never fit in anywhere, like I didn't belong. But like I said, that all changed when I found and met my birth father. And now, it feels like my spine is being ripped out of me, with the news that he may not have much longer. At first, I hated Caitlin for telling me this, I then started to feel my anger change from Caitlin, to the cancer that was attacking Ken. I refused to believe it, and started to cry at the fact that I was losing him. I started thinking to myself, that I didn't care anymore, and that I wished it wasn't happening. My partner Jason, reminded me that I was so looking forward to seeing Shannon Noll, at a venue close to where we live, and that I'd been waiting for this moment for a long time. But he could see that I was soon going to be going down that long dark path I usually favour, whenever I get news like that so bad. He then said that he had to go out for a short while, and as I was only concerned with drinking my sorrow and depression away, he saw that I would be alright, for that short time that he was going to be gone. When he came back, he had one of our best friends with him, and said that I needed people around me. So Jason and our friend Nathan helped me to get ready to go out to see Shannon, and they were right. It did cheer me up a little. After, we went to our favourite karaoke spot, and had a few songs each there. but after I'd come home, I found that news about Ken, started to creep back into my memories, and I find myself depressed again, and wishing it wasn't him that I will soon be losing. I'm sorry I wrote so long, but needed to get that off my chest, but right now, I don't know where else I can turn. True, my partner knows of my bad news, but the truth of the matter is, that I'm just not coping with the news of Ken losing his life to cancer.