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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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Guest_554 Premenopause worries???
  • replies: 29

Hi ladies, I am 41 and have many symptoms, sensations... I have recently been diagnosed with Anxiety/ mild depression.... but leading up to this diagnosis I had many symptoms, changes going on. I have just opened this thread in the hope of some advic... View more

Hi ladies, I am 41 and have many symptoms, sensations... I have recently been diagnosed with Anxiety/ mild depression.... but leading up to this diagnosis I had many symptoms, changes going on. I have just opened this thread in the hope of some advice of any other women out there that may have had similar symptoms/sensations or are able to tell me their stories. I stopped the pill 11 months ago, since then my monthlys only last 3 days. My breasts are constantly sorer. I get period pains 1-2 weeks before my actual period. I get light headed, palpitations, mood swings, bloated, lower back pain, chest, neck, shoulder pain. I am a mystery... least I feel I am. I was told by one Dr that I was oestrogen dominant, another Dr told me I wasn't..... anyway, very confused. I look forward to hearing from any other ladies my age to see if they have similar things going o.

Phoenix_ Conversations - I can't find acceptable answers
  • replies: 2

I’ve been struggling with depression for several years. My husband walked out, I got retrenched, and I moved to a country town 3 years ago for financial reasons. I’ve tried hard to join up and meet people, and many people tell me I’m kind, funny and ... View more

I’ve been struggling with depression for several years. My husband walked out, I got retrenched, and I moved to a country town 3 years ago for financial reasons. I’ve tried hard to join up and meet people, and many people tell me I’m kind, funny and helpful; but I keep getting new rejections, so it’s getting harder to maintain that façade. There are 3-4 people I’m on friendly terms with, but they already have busy lives. I’m alone most of the time, or at best alone –in-a-crowd. Conversations are becoming impossible because everyone asks polite, friendly questions that I’m unable to give a socially-acceptable answer to. “How are you?”. I should say “Good thanks!”, but that lie is becoming too difficult; the real answer is “I’m so depressed I can hardly stand upright”, but it’s a poor response to dump on most people. Is there an alternative? Then there’s: “Do you work, are you retired?” I’m unemployable, I’m supposed to do “volunteer” work for the dole but I got bullied at the last place, and they asked me to leave because I got upset about it. TMI. “What have you been doing lately?” Sleeping half the day, struggling to focus on anything the rest of the time. That’s a conversation-killer too. “Do you have any holidays planned?” No, Centrelink doesn’t let me have holidays, and I’m too weary to enjoy solo travel anyway. And if they talk about themselves, it always seems to touch on my own losses: they talk about their great marriage, their career, their holiday; or they grizzle about dole bludgers who should be drug-tested. One person (I thought she was my oldest friend) has started telling me to be grateful for what I have, because everyone has problems, and other people have it worse. Probably true, but no longer helpful, and it feels like another rejection. Being so alone is half my problem, but talking to people is the other half, in all sorts of ways. I feel stuck. Is there any answer?

blu_ Feeling like a failure.
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. This is my first post (I think...maybe I introduced myself some months ago?). I'm feeling pretty awful about myself, which is what has prompted me to get on here. I'm in my final semester of my second undergraduate degree. I'm 32 years o... View more

Hi everyone. This is my first post (I think...maybe I introduced myself some months ago?). I'm feeling pretty awful about myself, which is what has prompted me to get on here. I'm in my final semester of my second undergraduate degree. I'm 32 years old and haven't achieved anything in terms of a career or vocation. This degree was meant to be my 'second chance' for myself. Well...I've made a pretty terrible mess of it. I've realised I'm going to have to defer this semester because my project is going nowhere. I feel so totally inadequate next to my class mates, most of whom are a about a decade younger than me. They are so confident and clever and creative and I...just feel so stunted compared to them. I've spent the past five years - time that I wanted to dedicate to developing a fulfilling job path for myself - in a depressive fog. I made some feeble attempts to help myself but never followed through. Basically; I feel like a total failure, like I will just keep effing things up for myself time and time again. I do understand why I struggle. My father was very abusive. Most of it was emotional, some of it was physical, and I was always terrified of him. He was constantly berating me, telling me I was useless and stupid. Or acting as though I didn't exist. I think that many of the people I compare myself to have had much healthier upbringings (based on what they say about their relationships with their parents). But I can't help but feel very defective compared to them. And this is what is causing me the most distress at the moment; I see them accomplishing things that I would like to, but it feels so out of my reach because I don't feel worthy or deserving, and I believe I will never feel that way because of how I was treated in childhood. So I am feeling quite hopeless and 'what's the point' about a lot of things. I am seeing a psychologist (through my university) but I have been holding back in telling him what I am really thinking and feeling because I am a bit afraid he will somehow confirm that I am 'defective'. Thanks to those who have taken the time to read this. X

Anononono Am I really angry or really depressed?
  • replies: 3

So I tend to get angry a lot and things can tick me of really easy but I tend not to show my anger cause I'm shy and every time I do get angry my minds telling me to just hit something or break it but I don't and it really irritates me

So I tend to get angry a lot and things can tick me of really easy but I tend not to show my anger cause I'm shy and every time I do get angry my minds telling me to just hit something or break it but I don't and it really irritates me

demonblaster Should we talk openly or hide our issues?
  • replies: 7

Hey all Personally I reckon yes and do talk openly for education, people won't understand unless they know of someone, experience it personally or hear about it. I have BP (Bipolar) type 1 & 2) So far to my face no one's been overly negative, not to ... View more

Hey all Personally I reckon yes and do talk openly for education, people won't understand unless they know of someone, experience it personally or hear about it. I have BP (Bipolar) type 1 & 2) So far to my face no one's been overly negative, not to say I don't cop grief from minority of people, but don't think it's cause of speaking up about it, moreso them letting there rot out on someone. Think sometimes I must have a bloody taget on my forehead. Still at least ya know who not to bum around with. You'd be surprised how many people once you open up a subject have something themselves or know of someone that suffers something that can be good learning and create support and understanding both ways. I know it's hard to open up, doesn't have to be to the world but we have lifes up & downs like everyone else but harder with MI or issues. We need support and understanding. Without education how else will people know. Be interested in your thoughts Hope yous are getting through the tough times, there is better than this and between us we can make it. WITH SUPPORT.

Anntug Getting worse.....
  • replies: 18

Hi, i suffer from health anxiety even when I have been to the Dr and she advised all is good. I just cannot get it out of my mind that I am dying. I have been suffering this on and off over the last 27 years! My anxiety then developts into depression... View more

Hi, i suffer from health anxiety even when I have been to the Dr and she advised all is good. I just cannot get it out of my mind that I am dying. I have been suffering this on and off over the last 27 years! My anxiety then developts into depression and I am struggling going to work every day. I stuggle every morning getting out of bed and cry most of the time. I am on AD and think they are working a little. I have the support of my beautiful Mum and husband but feel like I cannot continue To trouble them all the time. I just feel so unloved at the moment and want to be my happy little self again. Thanks for listerning.

Anntug It's all to hard sometimes
  • replies: 3

I as on here a month or so ago feeling really helpless, depressed and anxious due to health anxiety. I had got on top of things for a few weeks and felt on top of the world..... then it all come crashing down again! I cannot pin point as to why this ... View more

I as on here a month or so ago feeling really helpless, depressed and anxious due to health anxiety. I had got on top of things for a few weeks and felt on top of the world..... then it all come crashing down again! I cannot pin point as to why this has happened but I cannnot cope with this all again! All I want to do is lay in bed and sleep however my mind is in overdrive and will not allow me to sleep. I don't want to eat or socialise with people. The mornings are the worse for me as I don't know how I am going to get through the day.

NoOtherName The right job for depression?
  • replies: 5

Hey guys I'm new here so it's nice to read about all your discussions. Just needing some advice please. Currently looking for a job I can maintain and I just got offered a job as a case worker working with kids in foster situations with severe trauma... View more

Hey guys I'm new here so it's nice to read about all your discussions. Just needing some advice please. Currently looking for a job I can maintain and I just got offered a job as a case worker working with kids in foster situations with severe trauma and mental health issues. In one way, it sounds perfect as I love kids and helping people but I'm also worried that my depression isn't steady enough to go back to work as it does make me unreliable and especially in such an intense environment. Have any of you had experience with this type of work or can you recommend any other work to me? I've tried being self employed but it's hard to stay motivated for me and not get discouraged with the lack of money. Thanks so much in advance ☺️

massdancer Finally letting it all out
  • replies: 2

I have never been one to express my emotions and tend to bottle everything up, but I just need a place where I can express all the feelings I feel in a judgement free zone. I'm hoping this is the place. My recent move to Australia from the states has... View more

I have never been one to express my emotions and tend to bottle everything up, but I just need a place where I can express all the feelings I feel in a judgement free zone. I'm hoping this is the place. My recent move to Australia from the states has taken quite a large toll on my mental health, way greater than expected. I have felt so alone and am afraid to confide in my new found friends about my depression, homesicknesses, and the anxiety i get just thinking about going to uni. I have been purposely avoiding class so I don't have to participate because every time i think about speaking in front of classmates I can feel a panic attack coming on. Back in the states i suffered from this as well, but it was easier to stay in the comfort of my room and just forget about it . Here I am confronted with my thoughts and emotions every second of the day. I have felt so alone and like i'm not good enough recently. It has been affecting my sleeping and my eating habits. I want to be able to talk to my friends about it, even my friends and family back home, but I don't want to scare them away or make them think any less of me because of it. I don't even know how to go about bringing the topic up to them. *just needed a place to finally write down what I'm feeling and not have it bottled up inside*

StevoMuz My Alcohol and Depression
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am new here. I've reached a point in my life where I am starting to realise that if I keep going the way I am, then I will not likely live much longer. I find myself frequently drinking very heavily and frankly I don't really know why. I figure... View more

Hi, I am new here. I've reached a point in my life where I am starting to realise that if I keep going the way I am, then I will not likely live much longer. I find myself frequently drinking very heavily and frankly I don't really know why. I figure it is because of anxiety/depression but more than anything I think I have been doing it so long now that it has become habitual. I don't actively search out alcohol, well not often anyway. I just find myself buying alcohol and getting drunk. I hate the way alcohol now controls me, but I also find there is not a lot out there for me. AA i have tried, and that isn't for me. I'd really like to go to rehab but I can't afford the time off work. I'm seeing a doctor today for something else but will have a chat with them. I want to find a solution to this, I just don't know what that is or if there is even one. I don't want to die, I want to live and I want to start having a happy life. Not this lonely, self destructing existence that it is now.

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