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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 chats on this Forum having 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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Saphira Is it Depression or Bipolar?
  • replies: 6

So I've been treated for depression for the last 10 years (I'm 25 now) medications have never done all that much or stopped working eventually. I've never thought I had Bipolar but I'm only starting to wonder now. My ex partner mentioned about 6 mont... View more

So I've been treated for depression for the last 10 years (I'm 25 now) medications have never done all that much or stopped working eventually. I've never thought I had Bipolar but I'm only starting to wonder now. My ex partner mentioned about 6 months ago that he thought I had Bipolar because of the frequency/severity of my mood swings but I didn't really pay it any mind until a lady I work with mentioned she thought I have it (she has similar mental problems and so picks up my mood swings better than I do) Basically I have major depression with how I would always see it, brief and rare gaps of happiness or feeling normal which would always make me rather energetic and bubbly/ talkative. I've always put this down to it being a snowball effect because I was feeling so good about feeling good! When I crash, I crash hard and fast in an instant, there are no warnings or slowly easing back into a depressive state, this lady I work with mentioned that her crashes are more in steps bit by bit. So I'm wondering if there are other people with depression who INSTANTLY drop back down into a depressive state with no triggers or if this could be something else. I do notice that I speak and think faster/don't sleep as much when I'm up but this is maybe max a few days and with gaps of anywhere between weeks to months. When I'm down it's the usual depression, can't get out of bed, can't get enough sleep, talk and think slower. I'll be going to the doctors regardless but as I'm sure everybody here is aware that not every GP is specialized in this area so want to see if there are anyone that is on specific Bipolar medications that don't have extreme symptoms that fit the general stereotype. Thanks in advance!

MargoR I am useless and worthless
  • replies: 3

I am not that young, after 35. Female. First, I am quiet nice and friendly person, great mum and wife, but those things don't work at all. All my life I tried to do something, be someone, be useful and motivated. I am hard-worker and have very strong... View more

I am not that young, after 35. Female. First, I am quiet nice and friendly person, great mum and wife, but those things don't work at all. All my life I tried to do something, be someone, be useful and motivated. I am hard-worker and have very strong willpower. Everything that I did looks like I spent my time for nothing. I started yoga, had so much passion for that. Ended up like a shit, because working on my body more than 2 years I can't do any poses, because I am not flexible enough. Tired to prove that I can do. I tried to write a book, worked hard, spent a lot of money. At the end it wasn't good enough, as editor said. My book is not that bad, some other could be completely stupid, but they are successful, because they are lucky. I can't work on my books anymore, without perfect English knowledge it's useless. (I wasn't born English speaking). My husband saying that I failure too, because he can see that all my work that I started simply unfinished. I can't go further if I feel like nothing works for me. I am good at acting, but my agent said I am not good for that business, because I wasn't born in this country. Only words that I can hear: "Not good, not enough, not beautiful, not talented, TOO OLD, not Australian". I have nothing and completely worthless. I feel like an alien, like unwanted piece of puzzle. I feel rejected. I want to learn a personal trainer, but scared I will fail there as well. All my hard work ended up fail, no matter how hard I am working (and I am working very hard. No one need my hard work). I don't have any friends, people truly like successful ones. I stopped believe in people long time ago. I hate social media, they taking me into deeper depression. I can't talk to anyone, because I feel like people don't want to hear about this. My closest and only one friend died because of depression and I don't want to end up like her. I am very fit and sporty, exercising daily, very healthy and to other people I am very happy and positive person . But I am not at all. I don't want to go to psychologist, it won't help. I can't talk about it even with doctor. I am not religious and don't want to be. For myself, I think nothing can help me. Being very productive I had a lot's of ideas to do something, but always fail at the end. It means I am stupid. The reason that I am writing here because my case is simply too hard to understand. I just wanted to write it here, may be I will feel much better. Thank you for reading.

Smudget Newbie at the end of my tether
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I didn't know what to do this afternoon, I was feeling so awful. So this sounded like a better option than losing my mind. My mh journey restarted 2 years ago when I had my first child, I was diagnosed with pnd and anxiety, meds did wonders a... View more

Hi all, I didn't know what to do this afternoon, I was feeling so awful. So this sounded like a better option than losing my mind. My mh journey restarted 2 years ago when I had my first child, I was diagnosed with pnd and anxiety, meds did wonders and I did counselling. During that time my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died last august, my husband lost his full time job and I've had issues with mine (I work in mental health, go figure) Pur savings are gone from me taking time off to care for my dad and I have no leave left either. Hubby has had to take work away from home and I'm left working, caring, grieving and everything else by myself. I am so overwhelmed I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. Even though I work in the industry I literally have no idea what to do due to money restraints and working in a small community where everyone knows each other.... I don't know what good this will do but at the very least I got it off my chest. Thank you.

Johnno89 Newbies story
  • replies: 3

Hi am a 27 year old male and would like to express a little about me, Well I've got a long history of ups and downs. Goods and bads.giving up hope, quitting, self doubt and ever thinking if I can live the life I know truly want. Currently an diagnose... View more

Hi am a 27 year old male and would like to express a little about me, Well I've got a long history of ups and downs. Goods and bads.giving up hope, quitting, self doubt and ever thinking if I can live the life I know truly want. Currently an diagnosed with anxiety, social anxiety, depression and ADHD. But deep down there's that darkness pulling me down. I've been doing a lot of research about the habits, feelings and mood swing I always have and have across bipolar 2. Which actually seems perfect for my condition. i understand now why I got a bad sexual desire for sex and women and always seek it. Why I get a feeling like I can achieve anything and feel in touch with the world and money sprees I do when I can not afford it. But there is then dark depression that can kick in and I shut myself out from the world and hide in my cocoon. I've had multiple relationships that have failed due mood swings and cheating, I know cheating is bad, but I crave the thrill of being naughty and the fight is real whether to do it or not. When I'm in my highs, I try everything possible to achieve my dreams, but end up getting overwhelmed and quit. I currently don't work or study, I try both and end up just quitting. I get over it or I get overwhelmed and think I'm not capable to stick to it. That then leads to a down cycle, where I hate myself, hate life, wish this pain would stop and believe this will be me forever. It's a hard cycle to beat. I do end up beating and follow the same cycle. I never went to the doctors on a low, it would be when I'm good and I'd explain that I'm doing well and can you refill my anti-depressant script please. But at the times I didn't really understand my behaviour patterns, I just thought I was depressed. So it's no ones fault other than miscommunicate and no knowledge. I am seeing my doctor next week to explain everything in detail about this and I see my psychiatrist next month. I feel there's something more than just "depression" something lies deep and I always knew, but it's hard to reach out for help and speak about YOU. But I'm ready to fight and overcome my fears, I still have a journey ahead of me. But knowing there's more to me other than the illnesses I have gives me that extra hope and a whole lot of weight off my shoulders. thanks

Debra66 Bpd and working full time
  • replies: 4

Hi.I am 50 with newly dignosed BPD. Have suspected it for a long time.I work full time as a Specialist Childrens Worker in a NFP Families and Childrens Family Violence and Homelessness program.I am Case Manager and therapeutic childrens Worker. I am ... View more

Hi.I am 50 with newly dignosed BPD. Have suspected it for a long time.I work full time as a Specialist Childrens Worker in a NFP Families and Childrens Family Violence and Homelessness program.I am Case Manager and therapeutic childrens Worker. I am an adoptee.I have 3 adult sons I mostly bought up alone after divorce 18 yrs ago.I remarried 4 years ago. I have a constant daily struggle with not wanting to work and be at home.I have always struggled with management in every job I have had. I am fine with clients..just no good with employers. I take their criticism very personally. I earn good salary but struggle with wanting to be at home. Financially I am major earner as husband is on work cover. I desperately want to work part time and be mentally healthy. Any one else had these issues ???

Yoga_has_changed_my_life Bipola and ADHD - does anybody have both that can help me out?
  • replies: 4

Hi ive been diagnosed with Bipola and Maybe ADHD. Can anyone help help me out with surviving? Eg any support groups? I don't know anyone who has both conditions. Cheers Yoga

Hi ive been diagnosed with Bipola and Maybe ADHD. Can anyone help help me out with surviving? Eg any support groups? I don't know anyone who has both conditions. Cheers Yoga

YogiBear1980 Am I "depressed" or just damn lazy?
  • replies: 3

Gday everyone, My names Michael and I'm 36 years old. I thought id try and be proactive and do something about my extreme laziness and find out more about it, and rule in, or out depression/anxiety. Just thought id come in here and say hello. I will ... View more

Gday everyone, My names Michael and I'm 36 years old. I thought id try and be proactive and do something about my extreme laziness and find out more about it, and rule in, or out depression/anxiety. Just thought id come in here and say hello. I will update this thread with more about myself and to see if anyone else feels the same as I do. Todays update: Sunday 29th January; Home alone for the weekend while the partner and kids are away, plan to do a bit of housework and I slept in till 3pm... Feeling extremely guilty and just feel like sleep allows me to escape reality. Wake up... Roll over and snooze... Only reason I'm up is that I promised to have a few things done. (We have a very old house in need of repair and I'm meant to be painting my daughters bedroom) I feel like when I explain my situation I'm just being a big baby and should just harden up. Unsure if I'm depressed or just plan lazy. OK, i better run, gotta get some painting done. Any questions welcome and I will be back to update more about myself.

Paul DBT, Borderline and my whole world changing.
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, Some of you will recognise me (hello again). In the last 3.5 months, I've moved interstate, changed job, put my apartment on the market but continue to pay the mortgaged outgoings, advertised for a tenant, pay rent and outgoings intersta... View more

Hi everyone, Some of you will recognise me (hello again). In the last 3.5 months, I've moved interstate, changed job, put my apartment on the market but continue to pay the mortgaged outgoings, advertised for a tenant, pay rent and outgoings interstate, got ripped off by removalists, My car (worth $5,000) cost me $6,000 That was just before christmas. I went to my GP to see if there was a psychologist I could speak to but I ended up in a mental health facility for christmas and new year. I was coping reasonably after that, but then my car broke down and requires at least $1,000 worth of inspection to determine what's wrong. That's sent me into a hole again with a lot of pain and suicidal ideation. I'm staying with my sister at the moment who is looking after me. My discharge summary from the hospital stay hinted at BPD. After reading a lot about BPD I'm not surprised and it explains a fair bit. I have found a psychologist since moving and she wants to work through DBT (Dialectic Behavioural Therapy) with me which i'm not against and believe that it will be beneficial. Does anyone else suffer BPD and would you like to share your experiences and how you cope? Has anyone been through DBT. Was it group therapy or one on one? Paul

Imamess1 Depression and leave options?
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I've been suffering from a severe bout of depression and the doctor gave me a few weeks off work. The thought of going back makes me sick and panic and I don't have it in me to return. The problem is that I spent almost a decade at universi... View more

Hi there, I've been suffering from a severe bout of depression and the doctor gave me a few weeks off work. The thought of going back makes me sick and panic and I don't have it in me to return. The problem is that I spent almost a decade at university studying and finally got my foot in the door and now I'm filled with dread and extreme guilt at the prospect of having to resign when it took me soo long to get this opportunity. Does anyone know if I can take an extended leave of absence or what longer-term options or possibilities that exist if you work for state govt? Thanks.