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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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Nickname_65BD5CCF-CA54-46 It never gets better, only worse
  • replies: 11

I was looking at my first post here in August, and its still all the same or worse now.I don't think I've talked to a friend in all that time. I've achieved nothing except more debt.The impact of my life is so close to neglible it really doesn't matt... View more

I was looking at my first post here in August, and its still all the same or worse now.I don't think I've talked to a friend in all that time. I've achieved nothing except more debt.The impact of my life is so close to neglible it really doesn't matter.How long do I have to do this for? I keep thinking if we have euthanasia for physical pain that doesn't let up for years, why not mental? I figure ten years will most likely see my parents pass away and my child to be able to look after themselves as an adult. So that's my ten year plan that helps me through some nights.I'm sick of crying. I'm sick of not coping, I'm sick of life being so sh---y. It's not going to get better, month after month gets worse and worse.

Aussiegirl1 Depression buddy
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I am new here and I have been suffering from depression for a few years now. I have gone off my medication, thinking that I was finally well but it seems to have come back. I don't really want to go back on anti depressants, I'd like to ... View more

Hi everyone, I am new here and I have been suffering from depression for a few years now. I have gone off my medication, thinking that I was finally well but it seems to have come back. I don't really want to go back on anti depressants, I'd like to try and fix this without it. I think it would be helpful to have someone to talk to when things get hard and to share ideas with. Is anyone interested in being a support buddy?

blackrose87 New diagnosis: bipolar
  • replies: 4

Hi all. I have recently got diagnosed with Bipolar. It's a complicated story but to sum it up I am not too sure if the diagnosis is correct. 6 months ago I was hospitalised due to a major manic episode with psychosis ( my first one ever to my experie... View more

Hi all. I have recently got diagnosed with Bipolar. It's a complicated story but to sum it up I am not too sure if the diagnosis is correct. 6 months ago I was hospitalised due to a major manic episode with psychosis ( my first one ever to my experience and understanding of what it is), there they told me I was bipolar.. After spending a few months hospitalised, I fell down into a very deep depression, which I am only starting to get out of since I tried this new anti-psychotic medication. During the depression I went to hospital 2 other times, first because I got extremely anxious, waking up with panic attacks, not able to sit still, crying constantly etc. At the time I was under an anti psychotic and an antimanic. Under those meds I was a total zombi, I wasn't really there, according to people. Then I changed to an anti-depressant, which was very effective for a few years prior to the manic episode. However, I didn't do anything and my depression got so bad I had to leave my job and relocate to a city centre ( I was previously living and working remote for 4 years). I went back to the city and got hospitalised again due to having strong sucidal idealisation ( if I would have stay where I was any longer, even few days, I think I would have commit sucide). At that point I was feeling totally numb... even food tasted num... Anyway, at the hospital the psychiatrist there told me I am not bipolar and my main problem is depression. We changed the medication, which I am still taking. I have been under it for a few months now. It did help a little bit but did get me out of the severe depression. Anyway, recently went to see a new psychiatrist for ADD problems that I am suspecting and got out with a bipolar diagnosis and two other medications to take. One anti psychotic and a mood stabiliser. I started to take the antipsychotic which I found is helpful, but I am reluctant to take the mood stabiliser. I am not certain that I am bipolar due to the fact that I don't know if I have experienced previously manic episodes. I mean, when things are very good and I am happy, I am very happy and excited but I don't think it is to the point to become manic. I do experience emotions quite intensely and have always been told that I am very sensitive. Any thoughts? Suggestions? To help me out figure out if it is a true diagnosis or if it might just be depression? Thanks

AD_Grace My severely depressed daughter refuses to go to school. What now?
  • replies: 4

Hello. My 12 year old daughter has been battling depression for almost 2 years now. She is seeing a counsellor but it doesnt seem to help. It justt keeps getting worse. She spends every day lovked up in her room. Never goes out with friends or anythi... View more

Hello. My 12 year old daughter has been battling depression for almost 2 years now. She is seeing a counsellor but it doesnt seem to help. It justt keeps getting worse. She spends every day lovked up in her room. Never goes out with friends or anything anymore. She is even refusing to go to school! She used to love going to school but now not so much... What should I do? I dont want to force her to go so I was thinking maybe homeschool but what if she refuses to ddo the work? She was such a smart girl, I hate to see her go through this. Thanks, Grace

Marty1 sick and tired
  • replies: 9

Sick and tired if all life has to offer.

Sick and tired if all life has to offer.

Moonstruck My Anxiety has turned into Depression. I don't know what to do.
  • replies: 65

My anxiety seems to have turned into depression that I am not so familiar with. The past few weeks have had added major traumas/stressors -instead of panic, which I had to control to deal with them then and there I have profound sadness which is not ... View more

My anxiety seems to have turned into depression that I am not so familiar with. The past few weeks have had added major traumas/stressors -instead of panic, which I had to control to deal with them then and there I have profound sadness which is not like me. Not the "me" others know anyway. I awake each morning with tears not far away and then they come almost straight after getting up. I desperately want to ring a friend and say "I am so depressed, I am so sad". The first thing they say is "Why?" and then try and cheer me out of it and begin telling me how THEY are! I put on too good a front you see. This is not the "Moonstruck" they have known for years , they just don't SEE me. On "R U OK" day no-one asked me! Perhaps a good thing, because I would have told them and they'd have laughed and invited me over to the Club to cheer me up! When someone takes the ultimate "way out", harms themselves, I won't use the "S" word in case my post won't appear or something , someone always says "Why didn't he/she say something? Why didn't they ask us for help? Why didn't they tell me, Why didn't I see the signs?" I feel like yelling "They DID ask for help, they DID give signs, they DID tell you, there were HEAPS of signs they were in serious trouble...and you Laughed, or brushed it off, or didn't take them seriously.". "You just couldn't believe such a lovely, capable, "together" person who was coping so well with the ups and downs of life, was TRYING to let you know, you just didn't hear them". Moderators I am not in danger of doing anything desperate today. I would never leave such a legacy to my kids or grand-kids...just wanted to make a point...because I want to ring a friend and can already anticipate that they will simply not hear what I am saying. I have an appt with psych tomorrow and have a similar worry that I appear so socially OK she won't "get it" either! (my job and whole life journey has required me to be skilled socially and verbally eloquent with excellent communication skills..not always evident on here I realise.....but it does sabotage me a bit when I desperately need comforting)

Allank93 Chronic pain and depression combination
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, so kinda new to this and would like to put my self out there my names allan and I'll be 23 in novmber. i have suffered with depression since I was 16 and have also been diagnosed with DDD ( degenerative disc disease) and would like to kn... View more

Hi everyone, so kinda new to this and would like to put my self out there my names allan and I'll be 23 in novmber. i have suffered with depression since I was 16 and have also been diagnosed with DDD ( degenerative disc disease) and would like to know if anyone else suffers from having a chronic pain and depression combination? See what makes it hard for me is I have always been a worker and now my back is at the point where I'm forced to make a choice stop working and stay out of a wheel chair or keep going and be in one much soon then I should be.... Can anyone help me with some advice on what they have done or can recommend someone who might be able to talk to me at all? kind regards allan

wantalife Icicle
  • replies: 19

3 to 4 days without sleep is a good basis for pyschosis............... just a thought

3 to 4 days without sleep is a good basis for pyschosis............... just a thought

Struggling_Mumma1 Flare up with no obvious trigger
  • replies: 9

I am new to this site and honestly didn't know anything like this existed. I was diagnosed with reactive depression a few years ago following a DV situation and have managed to keep things fairly under control but find myself having a flare up with n... View more

I am new to this site and honestly didn't know anything like this existed. I was diagnosed with reactive depression a few years ago following a DV situation and have managed to keep things fairly under control but find myself having a flare up with no obvious trigger. It has only been a few days so far but I am already exhausted and it's starting to affect so many aspects of my life. The confusion at not knowing the trigger just adding to the angst. Apart from the obvious wanting to cry from dawn to dusk, the anxiety I am experiencing whenever I have to leave the house is crippling and causing ongoing pain in my chest and stomach which is just adding to the despair. I am not able to have any time off work so I am hiding out in an office praying that nobody tries to talk to me, only venturing out when it's absolutely necessary. I don't feel comfortable talking to colleagues about what's going on (especially when I don't understand it myself) so I am feeling very alone and vulnerable at the moment. My GP isn't entirely helpful with mental health issues either so I find myself having to wait another two days until her colleague is working so I can see her and talk through my options this time around. In the meantime, I am very lucky to have a friend (also has mental health issues) who I have been able to talk things through with, although with it being a fairly new friendship, there is also the guilt of using this person as a bit of a "crutch" when we're still getting to know each other. Hopefully chatting to the GP gets me off to a good start and I can start moving on with things and functioning normally again.

viper57 I feel I am not needed
  • replies: 4

Hi we are now back in western australia met up with our son and fiance things were good for the 1st week they wanted us to come home now we are here things are different now feel we are not needed i am suffering with depression at the moment is it wr... View more

Hi we are now back in western australia met up with our son and fiance things were good for the 1st week they wanted us to come home now we are here things are different now feel we are not needed i am suffering with depression at the moment is it wrong to feed used not well got bad arthritis havent found a doc yet not happy at moment