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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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flossie62 How do I tell family and friends
  • replies: 19

I have suffered from depression for most of my life, however most of my family and friends do not know. I grew up in an era where you didn't talk about mental illness, hence most of my problems were not diagnosed nor addressed for over 50 years (I am... View more

I have suffered from depression for most of my life, however most of my family and friends do not know. I grew up in an era where you didn't talk about mental illness, hence most of my problems were not diagnosed nor addressed for over 50 years (I am 62). It wasn't until I had a breakdown about 6 years ago and was finally diagnosed when I cried through a doctor's appointment. I was put on a low dosage medication, which definitely helped and since that time the dosage has been increased once. Obviously there is a lot more to my life story, but I'll save that for other threads. My concern is that I don't know how to talk to people. The only people who know I suffer from depression are my husband, my sister-in-law and two friends (who do not live close to me, nor do I have much contact with). I have three grown-up children, all married with their own children. They do not know. None of my other small circle of friends know either. I have recently decided that I need to actively help myself, but it is very difficult to get motivated. I have started doing some meditation, and also tell myself that I need to get out and walk, but this is difficult to achieve when it's pretty bad weather out there! Do I need to tell my children? Should they be aware of the struggles I've had, or should I just carry on without them being aware? And if I tell them, how do I do so?

Gaymer Today I started crying and I don't know why
  • replies: 3

Today, I got home from shopping with my Mum and I sat down on my couch and started crying. I don't know why I was crying. But I felt really sad. And for the past few weeks, I have had this overwhelming feeling of sadness following me around, even tho... View more

Today, I got home from shopping with my Mum and I sat down on my couch and started crying. I don't know why I was crying. But I felt really sad. And for the past few weeks, I have had this overwhelming feeling of sadness following me around, even though I know deep down I have nothing to be sad about. I was walking around the shopping centre and I felt exhausted. My eyes felt heavy, like I had either over slept or under slept. I guess you could call it groggy. I just didn't feel myself. And I don't feel like myself writing this. I am normally a pretty upbeat, funny, social kind of guy, but lately I feel like it's been all an act - like I am keeping up a persona in front of other people in order not to show my true self. Like everyone, I have a long history - mostly things I don't want to write on an online forum, but needless to say, some of it was pretty heavy and hard to deal with too the point I feel like I haven't actually dealt with or processed some of it at all. Or maybe I am just making excuses for myself again. I am really good at that, apparently. I know there are far worse things happening to people across the planet, my problems pale in comparison. And to be honest, I don't even know if they are problems or not. I guess I am just really confused. Why would I just start crying? Why do I feel so tired all the time? Why do I feel so anxious when I go to a nightclub with my friends? Are they my friends? Do they even like me? Sometimes I feel like they do, and other times I feel like a third, fourth, fifth wheel. Like I am physically there, but I am not really present in their eyes. I guess I just needed to put how I am feeling into words, and thought the best place to do that would be a website like this one. I don't really know what I am expecting to get out of this post, but it is about time I started vocalising how I've been feeling because I feel like I've been bottling some things up for a while now and I don't know what I am supposed to do about it.

Cellone Not even sure what to write
  • replies: 2

I am so tired, physically & mentally...but I have to keep going. I am the person everyone turns to, and I am the positive person, but I hardly ever open up and tell anyone how I really feel. I can't tell anyone what is wrong with me...I'm having my m... View more

I am so tired, physically & mentally...but I have to keep going. I am the person everyone turns to, and I am the positive person, but I hardly ever open up and tell anyone how I really feel. I can't tell anyone what is wrong with me...I'm having my mental health used against me in a family court matter...as far as anyone else knows now I'm fine. I get asked how are you my answer is I'm fine...but I'm not. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety & ptsd a few years ago...but I've been working so hard for years on it that...I'm fine. They can't see the pain that is inside my head. I'm not suicidal, simply because I can't be...too many people rely on me. I feel so alone. Sometimes I write to get the feelings out, this is what I wrote half an hour ago before I thought to have a look on BB. I am lonely. There is not one person in this town that has initiated a conversation or friendship with me. I'm not ugly, I'm not scarey, I can't understand it...except that it is "this town". Depression is so ugly in this town, so ugly that even our local council members have committed suicide. I have 5 "acquaintances" in this town, but none I can turn to about how I feel right now. I was moved away from my support network by the person who is taking me to court about our child. I'm the one who initiates conversation. I'm the one who tries to make a connection. Right now I could not be bothered as it has become too hard to keep trying. I've lived in this town for 4 and a half years. I was happier in the city and I am when I visit there but I'm tied to this town at the moment because of the court case. I now have to represent myself...I hear myself saying this all the time "I am not a lawyer". I can't do this and I keep making mistakes with it but there's nothing else I can do except do it. Yes I've approached services for help with it, but they can only give advice, they can't actually help. I am tired and there is no one who can actually help right now...I just have to keep going. I feel like a windger that's why I put this here instead of my personal facebook wall.

Skyler12 On Drinking, Anxiety and Depression
  • replies: 2

Hello This is my first post. I'm in my mid-thirties and have dealt with depression and (what I now am beginning to recognise as) anxiety on and off since I started university. In retrospect it really hit when I started drinking alcohol. Or rather, di... View more

Hello This is my first post. I'm in my mid-thirties and have dealt with depression and (what I now am beginning to recognise as) anxiety on and off since I started university. In retrospect it really hit when I started drinking alcohol. Or rather, dived into a vat of it. I come from a conservative, quite religious background and I'd never had a drop of alcohol before going to a college on campus at the age of 17. Residential colleges can host a pretty dangerous alcohol culture, even to souls that are tougher than mine. Alcohol and cigarettes became inextricably allied with freedom and a world to which I'd always aspired. Ooh yes, I was all in. And I've been trapped in a Master-Servant relationship with both of them ever since. Basically the twin cessna engines of alcohol and cigarettes don't power me like (most) other people in my social circle.Our childhoods don't define us but I think we are all trying to find a riposte to them in some way. I was taught to doubt myself, to always feel guilt, to come second or even last and be gracious about it. Don't expect too much. Settle. I was shouted at and verbally abused for the smallest infringement by a father who has a lot of stuff going on mentally. It feels good to say he verbally abused me because I'm not allowed to say that in real life. Because it would hurt him too much. "Look at how much he loves you", "that generation is different." Of course he loves me. Almost too much sometimes. It is a smothering love. Telling a child how much you love them after you've just called them atrocious names, told them that they were worthless, yelled at them for nothing or kicked them out of the car and made them walk because they disagreed with you might just possibly leave that child with a poor sense of self worth as an adult. Then he'd be lovely. Very confusing, really. Anyway, there's been a lot of light and a lot of darkness. Maybe that's life. But I look around me and I see my friends buying houses and having children and I see me hanging back, afraid. Drinking too much still, trying to survive the dangerous depression that ensues. And I don't want to be afraid anymore. I don't want to just survive. I don't want to look to everyone else for approval, I don't want to be scared to speak my mind. I know what I believe, I want to find the courage to live it. I don't want to just survive, I want to thrive. I want us ALL to thrive. I'm writing this because I had to tell SOMEONE. Thanks for listening.

Dimtyrose No energy. Bi polar. Depressed.
  • replies: 4

So I am 24 years old. Medicated for anxiety depression and bi polar. Every day is a struggle with my self I feel so alone like no one understands what it's like. I have no one to talk to about it who gets what it is all about. so sick of taking my me... View more

So I am 24 years old. Medicated for anxiety depression and bi polar. Every day is a struggle with my self I feel so alone like no one understands what it's like. I have no one to talk to about it who gets what it is all about. so sick of taking my medication. I get bad thoughts all the time and I need ways to fight them off!

Luke514 I wasted my life, and I have no hope (26)
  • replies: 6

Hmm where to begin...I had some health issues growing up, I missed some school and I got teased a lot because it was hard to hide (though I was cured at 13) - my first year of high school was going ok, near the end I was bullied again and was sociall... View more

Hmm where to begin...I had some health issues growing up, I missed some school and I got teased a lot because it was hard to hide (though I was cured at 13) - my first year of high school was going ok, near the end I was bullied again and was socially ostracised, had a meltdown and left school. The first fatal mistake. I lived (and still do, for the most part) in a semi rural area. I had no access to public transport for most of my life, I missed my 'work experience' years. No one will higher someone as old as me (26) without experience in anything. I've never gotten my licence (learners expired) and don't see how I'd ever own a car. I still live with my parents and I don't see how that could ever change. I don't know what I'm going to do a decade from now because I don't want to be dependant forever. 3 years ago I did a diploma and started doing some freelance work from home, I make pocket change. My parents are constantly broke and I've never been able to save. I was on the dole for about 2 years and I was using that money to get out more, study, pay for driving lessons and get my life moving, now that's gone. As soon the required work for the dole started I shut down. The only thing I was offered was slave labor at an OP shop. I couldn't walk after 1 day of moving furniture/cleaning/on foot deliveries on my feet 6 hours straight, didn't want to deal with public transport in general [I even have anxiety just going somewhere by myself], so I gave up. Now I live on about $100 a week, and that's the past 3 years of my life. I'm mostly an introvert, I can't sell myself, I hate freelancing. I've really only kept steady work from some small agencies as a contractor so I didn't have to talk to anyone except my employer.

Guest_375 Even though I have depression and anxiety, I tried standup twice this year and am in an improv class at the moment.
  • replies: 3

What I did learn is you need to be able to relate to people to get laughs, and I don't. Improv requires a good imagination, something I didn't know I was missing until I took the class. This post wasn't meant to achieve anything. I just needed to get... View more

What I did learn is you need to be able to relate to people to get laughs, and I don't. Improv requires a good imagination, something I didn't know I was missing until I took the class. This post wasn't meant to achieve anything. I just needed to get it out of my system.

JayV This forum is making me depressed 😕
  • replies: 5

I really thought joining an on line forum would help but feel more isolated and depressed reading others stories. The words of wisdom are great, most of us know what we should be doing: talking to some one, seeking medical help, going for walk or jus... View more

I really thought joining an on line forum would help but feel more isolated and depressed reading others stories. The words of wisdom are great, most of us know what we should be doing: talking to some one, seeking medical help, going for walk or just getting some sunshine and fresh air. But when you have lost every thing: relationships, friends, employment because of your depression nothing makes sense any more. Nothing brings joy or happiness or some relief. So back l go under my doona, counting the days until l start TMS therapy then worrying myself sick that it won't work and this will be as good as it gets J

cantfindausername No other way to update earlier post
  • replies: 4

I should prob note, even though the thought has crossed my mind - I have no actual plans in place and don't intend to hurt myself. I just noted it to highlight how bad I've been feeling. I just want anyone to point me in a direction of help seeing as... View more

I should prob note, even though the thought has crossed my mind - I have no actual plans in place and don't intend to hurt myself. I just noted it to highlight how bad I've been feeling. I just want anyone to point me in a direction of help seeing as though the GPs have turned me away twice now after requesting an updated mental health plan and I'm not getting better with time.

ifallintofantasy Atonement, forgivenes and guilt
  • replies: 9

Hi to everyone who use these forums. I would like to ask for help form you guys do you guys have advice of forigveness of yourself and for others? What have you guys done over guilt and atonement for past mistakes that you have done and that you feel... View more

Hi to everyone who use these forums. I would like to ask for help form you guys do you guys have advice of forigveness of yourself and for others? What have you guys done over guilt and atonement for past mistakes that you have done and that you feel like you let your family down?? I don't want any more new regrets. and i don't want to ruin my relationships with my family.

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