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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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Berrelam From nothing to a major depression relapse in three days.
  • replies: 31

I should probably preface this by saying that late November I lost my best friend to a new relationship with a partner that seems possessive, and stop there, because my open opinions on her would get this post blocked. Feel free to call me Bel or Sam... View more

I should probably preface this by saying that late November I lost my best friend to a new relationship with a partner that seems possessive, and stop there, because my open opinions on her would get this post blocked. Feel free to call me Bel or Sam. They/them pronouns are fine. Three days ago is when it started. Out of the blue, I was listening to a song that reminded me of the events, and I brushed it off as a coincidence. It still felt kind of bad to have the thought/memory of losing a friend of seven years, but I figured, if he's happy, it's worth it. I'd assume he's happy, because he hasn't contacted me about him breaking it off with her. Yesterday wasn't as good. I could feel my mood slipping, slowly but surely. Like holding onto a weight that's just a little too heavy. I was reading through Tearjerker tropes (it's a hobby) and thinking that I could relate to people's experiences in video games (which is/was my main escape). The voice in your head that's the harsh truth -- can be helpful, can be hurtful -- bluntly made me remember that no, I can't. It's a long, long story. I ended that night in a depressive low I haven't been in for almost five years, then drinking myself back to happiness. Bed at 3:45 am. Then I woke up this morning. I didn't want to get out of bed. I slept another three hours, woke up, couldn't get back to sleep, stayed for half an hour before moving to Google to find anything that might help. I figured I may as well make an account here, so here I am, pouring out my feelings (or lack of) in the hope anyone can help. I don't want to eat, I don't want to drink. Saying I don't want to do anything is probably frustrating to hear, but it's true. I haven't been to a psych in thirteen years, haven't been on meds for ten. I don't want to start either again. I don't know where I'm going or what I'm looking for, in this post or in general. I honestly don't know if there's anything to do or any place to go.

Debzmites confusion reigns.........
  • replies: 1

So, I'm 36 later this year and have been thinking about a baby ALOT! I mean, the clock is ticking!! Spoke to my Psychiatrist today and he was saying that I'd come off all my meds and best be as stable as possible before getting pregnant. It just got ... View more

So, I'm 36 later this year and have been thinking about a baby ALOT! I mean, the clock is ticking!! Spoke to my Psychiatrist today and he was saying that I'd come off all my meds and best be as stable as possible before getting pregnant. It just got me thinking. Obviously the first thought was to start weening myself off my meds and what changes I can make so that I can be stable and deal with this black dog. Then I thought what if I do all this and its just not meant to happen and I don't meet someone. aaccckkkkk There was so much talk about my meds being safe during pregnancy I didn't think weening off would be needed so it's a bit scary. Sorry, I'm waffling.

Elsie77 The daily grind
  • replies: 2

I wonder frequently how I manage to keep going day in day out. The answer is there isn't any choice I guess. I'm just being carried, no, dragged along. I have for years had this visual image where I am tied to the back of a truck's tow bar and being ... View more

I wonder frequently how I manage to keep going day in day out. The answer is there isn't any choice I guess. I'm just being carried, no, dragged along. I have for years had this visual image where I am tied to the back of a truck's tow bar and being dragged along the ground, bumped over rocks and gravel and just lying limp becoming more and more bloodied. This funnily enough has given me comfort at times. There has been the rare occasion where I have been able to pull myself up onto the back of the truck and maybe even come close to driving the truck, actually being in control. I inevitability fall off again and go back to the daily grind of being dragged along against my will. This is depression for me. Thanks for listening. C

Rebekahjade Feel so lonely
  • replies: 3

Hi... First time on this forum or any forum. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II with major depressive tendencies and social anxiety disorder. I have just started a big university with over half million students and thought I would at least make on... View more

Hi... First time on this forum or any forum. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II with major depressive tendencies and social anxiety disorder. I have just started a big university with over half million students and thought I would at least make one friend. I haven't... I have no one in my life, never had a relationship, live on my own with no one to talk too. Just feel so alone. I don't know what to do. I try and reach out to people but they don't want to give me a chance. Sad face. Just thought someone might have an idea as I don't know what to do. Thank you.

bc303 Starting from scratch
  • replies: 1

For the past 4 years I have been on varieties of anti depressants for my professionally diagnosed chronic depression. Non seemed to work with the most evident factor being the side effects. Still I persisted in an effort to be 'normal'. Coupled with ... View more

For the past 4 years I have been on varieties of anti depressants for my professionally diagnosed chronic depression. Non seemed to work with the most evident factor being the side effects. Still I persisted in an effort to be 'normal'. Coupled with counseling and psychiatric professional help, I was determined to beat it. But it just got worse. The highs higher and more erratic, and the lows devastating. I lost my job, family, friends, house, car - my life disintegrated with me as an active participant. Recently is sought further professional help and have been told that that in fact I suffer from/with BP2. The anti depressants I had been taking were exacerbating my condition. Now mood stabilizers have been added to the daily regime so it's back to square one, but the damaged caused has been done so why this constant pursuit to be socially acceptable. That is enough pressure to drive anyone mad. I'll give it 3 months then reassess what, if any, meaning there is to all of this

thisaquarian Binge Eating & Depression
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone. I've looked through the threads before and I can never find anyone else struggling with binge eating, so I'm here to start my own, and perhaps find others who are in the same boat as me. I've just eaten an insane amount of food. I couldn... View more

Hi everyone. I've looked through the threads before and I can never find anyone else struggling with binge eating, so I'm here to start my own, and perhaps find others who are in the same boat as me. I've just eaten an insane amount of food. I couldn't even tell you *what* I ate, as all I did was go from the couch to the fridge. I feel sick now, and this is not something strange for me. Binge eating has always been the way that I deal with anything... I'm now a very large person with a heap of medical issues. Why hasn't that scared me to turn it all around?! Depression is unfair, and it never makes sense. However, I think that I can think of some things which may have brought the dark cloud back. Last week at work, I was stressed and overwhelmed. I'm in a job which I find incredibly stressful in a company I don't believe in. Then on the weekend my partner and I had to put one of our kittens down after it was attacked by a dog. The heat isn't helping and makes me want to just hibernate inside my house, in the air con. I am disappointed in myself for not going to work yesterday or today. I am disappointed that I am back here.

Grunt The rollercoaster ride continues ...
  • replies: 6

Hi All, I joined beyondblue a while back and I believe I may have even posted back then, however it wouldn't have been a lot as I can barely recall what I posted. No doubt it would have been about my struggles at that time. I've been absent from the ... View more

Hi All, I joined beyondblue a while back and I believe I may have even posted back then, however it wouldn't have been a lot as I can barely recall what I posted. No doubt it would have been about my struggles at that time. I've been absent from the site as I believed my depression was pretty much in check, if not gone. As it does and as it has continued to do for the past two years my dark companion reminded me of its existence. I have come to accept this time around though that this will infact continue to be a rollercoaster ride, my decision however is do I ride 'The Beastie' or 'The Demon'? (I'm hoping most of you are familiar with Australia's Wonderland lol) I acknowledge that I need to make positive lifestyle changes and commitments in being able to effectively manage my depression and anxiety and am hoping to use this forum, to interact with as many of you as possible as a healthy and proactive companion in managing my condition. I hope to be able to share my story with you soon

saz88 Depression anxiety long term and managing in the workplace
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have been a sufferer of depression anxiety ongoing on and off over the last ten years or so. i the last couple of years I have started a career and I have been in my current job 2.5 years. I had a bad episode last year and took some time of... View more

Hi all, I have been a sufferer of depression anxiety ongoing on and off over the last ten years or so. i the last couple of years I have started a career and I have been in my current job 2.5 years. I had a bad episode last year and took some time off work. Work related stress may have also been a contributing factor. Now my work is wanting to contact my dr. I have not disclosedmi am a sufferer. They are also saying I have a "pattern" of excessive absences. What at do I do. How do others manage this ongoing. I don't want to give up my good job or earning potential ongoing but I am hesitant to disclose to be discriminated against or seen as a liability. I want to manage my leave and now I am feeling better, but with my condition I cannot promise it will not happen again in future. Am I doomed to a life of excessive leave or lower paid jobs/ part time employment. What is the answer. Interested to know if anyone has found ways to negotiate this with their employer which work. Someone give me some hope/advice.

AnxiousAndy Seeking guidance - return to work.
  • replies: 5

So I started a new job and within the week I was having horrible panic attacks and feeling depressed. I had taken myself off my medication about 6 weeks prior to this episode. The doctor puts me back on the meds and gives me one month sick leave. In ... View more

So I started a new job and within the week I was having horrible panic attacks and feeling depressed. I had taken myself off my medication about 6 weeks prior to this episode. The doctor puts me back on the meds and gives me one month sick leave. In this time I have been found to be anaemic and am being investigated for reasons for this. I also have contracted another cold despite being (mainly) away from society and having spent all of January battling a nasty reoccurring sinus infection. Now I am approaching the end of my sick leave and I am still suffering fatigue and have a poor immune system. Furthermore, a big side effect of the medication for me is insomnia. Anxiety and depression still having 'those days' but generally under control. I spoke with my manager and my options are to come back to work in a week and I was warned I would need to hit the ground running, or have another month off and come back when it is less busy and I could potentially ease back into it. I got the idea they would prefer I come back 100% - no fatigue/issues with my immune system, however the con is that I continue to miss work and fall further behind. I do not want to let the team down if I come back to work and am not performing well/need to take further sick leave, however I am feeling ready to return to work. Just a little lost and am wondering if anyone has some wisdom...?

rusticgreen New user, feeling overwhelmingly depressed
  • replies: 6

hi, I am new to the forum, I actually came across it when I typed into google 'why do i hate myself so much' I'm the crankiest mum and wife, I despise that about myself at the moment... I want to be happy and loving again. I sometimes believe I sound... View more

hi, I am new to the forum, I actually came across it when I typed into google 'why do i hate myself so much' I'm the crankiest mum and wife, I despise that about myself at the moment... I want to be happy and loving again. I sometimes believe I sound like my father who would constantly put me down and would yell and scream at us as kids, because he was so anxious we would get the blame for all sorts of things, I sound exactly like that, then when I calm down, nice mum appears for 10 minutes because I feel terribly guilty for my kids, then sad stroppy me appears again. I'm always in tears when no one is around I am depressed yet again, but I feel I have anxiety more so this time around. I really don't want to resort to medication as the first time was horrendous. I know what I can do to help I.e a walk a day, healthy eating, friendships, but do not have the care or energy to do this. Sorry for the sad long post.