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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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Trickyone Not sure how long ive had depression and/or anxiety and not sure who to talk too
  • replies: 1

I am a 38 Year old male who, over the years had had a great career and a very loving family. I have a young son and wife of whom i love dearly.Over the last week i have become very disinterested in anything including time with my son and as my wife p... View more

I am a 38 Year old male who, over the years had had a great career and a very loving family. I have a young son and wife of whom i love dearly.Over the last week i have become very disinterested in anything including time with my son and as my wife puts it "you are there but not present". As this has happened i realised that this has happened quite a lot over the years and not knowing what was going on i put it down to being run down and after a couple of days i would start to bounce back.It has now been a week and my wife is now giving me what she calls "tough love" where she is avoiding me, not touching me and i am feeling really worthless to be honest. I have a business that involves a lot of clients and now i fear talking to anyone all the time so i avoid talking to anyone who may give me any news i cant handle.This is losing me business at the moment and my heart is constantly racing at a million miles an hour and my sleep is not getting me rested even though its about 8-9 hours a night. Since being married two years ago, i have missed spending time with my friends and socialising as my wife isn't as social as i and now i'm not sure if i do anymore either although i know how good it feels to talk with my friends if that makes sense?Im really worried as i don't drink often but when i have in the last 12 months i have binged and been ill for days afterward. My wife is also the type of person who may run in the other direction if things don't work for her (as it almost has in the past) and so i am constantly running on fear of failure, fatigue and worry about anything and everything and it's strange that i now see that after all these years that this is what it is....and it scares me.I'm not sure who i can talk to about this as that too scares the hell out of me and isolation and disconnection seems the only way my brain wants me to react to the world.If anyone can help me with getting an idea of what happens next please i would really appreciate it so i know it won't be too much. I have had issues in my younger years with addiction and i am concerned that with therapy that i have received never picked up that i may have been suffering from depression as this is how it felt then too (so could i be wrong?).

Star123 Feeling Out of Control
  • replies: 1

Hi Everybody, I've had depression for 10 years. Lately things have been pretty intense for me. I've been having huge problems with my husband where I find I'm always angry or sad. I get so mad and worked up that I can't think straight. I then got a m... View more

Hi Everybody, I've had depression for 10 years. Lately things have been pretty intense for me. I've been having huge problems with my husband where I find I'm always angry or sad. I get so mad and worked up that I can't think straight. I then got a message from my ex and without thinking went and saw him. For the first time in a long time I felt good and happy. I don't know what to do because whenever I'm with my husband or if I'm alone I always feel so worthless

use_to_be_giglebug use to be giglebug
  • replies: 3

i just cant do this anymore!!! i feel so helpless and just want it to stop!!!

i just cant do this anymore!!! i feel so helpless and just want it to stop!!!

chelseajones I don't know how to help myself anymore.....
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression 4 years ago. Recently I had a serious loss of a very close family member and a break up of a long term relationship which has pushed me over the edge. I started self harming. After this I was sent to the in... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression 4 years ago. Recently I had a serious loss of a very close family member and a break up of a long term relationship which has pushed me over the edge. I started self harming. After this I was sent to the inpatient facility at melbourne clinic the 'general' ward but was told that I really shouldn't be there so came out after 4 days. I see a psychologist every 2 weeks, I am on all sorts of medications and health products, I exercise and eat fairly sensible. (Yes, I sometimes overdo it on the alcohol but it makes me feel more me with all the medication.) I have tried meditation and still can't seem to calm myself down when I am depressed or having a panic attack My parents keep on saying they want to see me try to get better - what more can I do, other options?

sydneyharbour17 Do I have bi-polar?
  • replies: 16

Hi there, I have recently started seeing a psychologist to help deal with the emotions I have experienced after a particularly painful break-up. It has been very helpful but in becoming more in tune with my emotions through these sessions, I have not... View more

Hi there, I have recently started seeing a psychologist to help deal with the emotions I have experienced after a particularly painful break-up. It has been very helpful but in becoming more in tune with my emotions through these sessions, I have noticed a few things. Firstly I have noticed that I experience what I could only describe as 'highs' where I am completely satisfied with life, become extremely impulsive, spend a lot of money, have racing thoughts, am very productive and social, become even more loud and talkative than usual (I am an extravert) and sleep very little. Following these episodes, which last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, I usually become extremely down, have negative thoughts, sleep poorly, and yeah just become all round depressed. Again this lasts for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. My first depressive episode occurred when I was 15 (I am now nearly 20) and I have had these 'cycles' ever since although sometimes they are not as obvious and they are definitely much worse when I am experiencing severe emotional stress like I am now. In the past month a have experienced 2 highs and am now entering my 3rd low. My psychologist has been focussing very heavily on the break up but I would like to move away from that in my next session and explore these feelings further. Does this sound like bi polar? How do I talk about this with my health professional without him thinking that I am just matching symptoms in my head like a lot of people do when they Google their illnesses? Also if it is bi polar what can be done to treat it? Regards, Concerned

Loula Laughed At
  • replies: 4

Does anyone else get really upset about the stigma with mental illness? Ive got Bipolar which the world calls the crazy gene. People use it left right and centre as an insult to payout on people. Like if a girls upset oh that chick is crazy she's bip... View more

Does anyone else get really upset about the stigma with mental illness? Ive got Bipolar which the world calls the crazy gene. People use it left right and centre as an insult to payout on people. Like if a girls upset oh that chick is crazy she's bipolar. All the Facebook memes joking about it. "I hate having bipolar it's fun!" Even the movies. I was watching the Intern and the little girl dad is like your friend has so many moods she's bipolar and they all laugh like a happy family about it! Like it's a nightmare. I'm trying hard to accept it and let people know but once they hear Bipolar your crazy. The Stigma is set in. Today one of my close friends who knows I have bipolar started liking jokes about it so goodbye loser!

Allen_p82 FEELING EMPTY, LIVING WITHOUT MEANING
  • replies: 7

Hi this is quite difficult for me to post on here. Never really spoken about my issues but i guess this is the first step. I wake up everyday with nothing to look forward to. I have no interests or hobbies anymore. Everything seems to be such an effo... View more

Hi this is quite difficult for me to post on here. Never really spoken about my issues but i guess this is the first step. I wake up everyday with nothing to look forward to. I have no interests or hobbies anymore. Everything seems to be such an effort to do. I have this feeling of complete emptiness. I find it very difficult to make decisions and when I do finally make one is always the wrong one. I no longer see my friends and barely talk to me family. I rather be alone. I feel likeI have to be a different person around different people and situations. I get quite nervous just talking to people. I feel like I just wake up each day and go through the motions without any meaning. I no longer have the capacity to have feelings. I say and do things which are mean to those I supposedly love but I feel no remorse. I hate being like this. I spend most of my days in bed sleeping and staring blankly at the tv. Sometimes I watch for an hour or so then in an ad break cant even remember what i am watching. Yes I am quite messed up, I know. Im just wondering if anyone has had similar things happen to them and could share with me.

BALM Living with Depression
  • replies: 12

Hi There, I was diagnosed with depression and acute anxiety around 8 years ago and went on a course of medication for around 2-3 years after that. I also had counselling at that time and also a prolonged period of counselling when I again felt I had ... View more

Hi There, I was diagnosed with depression and acute anxiety around 8 years ago and went on a course of medication for around 2-3 years after that. I also had counselling at that time and also a prolonged period of counselling when I again felt I had relapsed around 3 years ago. The desire was that I would be "cured" but as I am learning this is a life long challenge to be managed and even celebrated at what I am able to achieve. I'm currently under no direct treatment. Its a stressful period in life as I have also in the past few months moved into an Executive position (at a good/supportive workplace) and as well my wife and I have three children (5, 2.5 and 1). All the same lately I have found my motivation and general satisfaction with life to be up and down and in fact become more down - I have days like today where for someone who can be super productive and motivated I just cant be bothered being at work, and I know that if I have a day where I am slow it'll be fine, but I feel guilty. I also feel guilty because, you know I am lucky enough to be educated, have skills that are employable, a beautiful family, but I feel this way and doubt that others understand fully. I've never posted here before but have used BB resources before. Thanks, Ben

Muckabout Situational Trigger or Is It Just Who I Am?
  • replies: 5

Nearly 2 years ago my wife left me and she has since divorced me. I had a mental breakdown and spent 6 weeks in various forms of rehab. The last 3 weeks of this was spent at SPP and j came out of there feeling on cloud nine. My wife has completely sh... View more

Nearly 2 years ago my wife left me and she has since divorced me. I had a mental breakdown and spent 6 weeks in various forms of rehab. The last 3 weeks of this was spent at SPP and j came out of there feeling on cloud nine. My wife has completely shut down on me and at no time did she show any care for my situation. My psychiatrist thought I may have Dysthymia, but this week after a lot of soul searching, I have come to realise that I really don't have any interests or things that I am truly passionate and expert about. I also cannot remember the last time I really enjoyed something properly, which leads me to think I have become Anhedonic. It's in my nature to want to know the reason why? My first thoughts are that it might be my medication. Has anybody had any experience with their anti-depressant medication, whilst stabilizing one's mood, perhaps diminishing their ability to see enjoyment in things.Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Maggie_Mae telling my story here first before face to face with counsellor
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I've struggles with deppression on and off most of my life. My life looks great from the outside and is pretty good amazing husband and beautiful children. I have spent so much time forgetting my past and seemed successful till resently when ... View more

Hi all, I've struggles with deppression on and off most of my life. My life looks great from the outside and is pretty good amazing husband and beautiful children. I have spent so much time forgetting my past and seemed successful till resently when it all came rushing back to my memory. After several attempts of talking to a GP, I have done it and booked counsellor appiontment. I am scaried for the first time telling my story to be face to face so venting here first. Hope that's okay. i apologies as it may not be coherent.just need to get it out of my head Great childhood, loving parents life was good till one day in high school what seemed like a normal day changed in a split second. He pushed me up against the brick wall And my life changed forever, I was to scaried to speak up, grades dropped a teacher ask why I tried to explain I could see the frustration in her face and was told to speak to the counsellor if I have issues, he was less than helpful saying boys will be boys. I never talked about it again even though it continues for 2years. I turned to self harm and it seemed to help. I am not sure how or when but somewhere along the way i was able to live life and 'forget'. faat forward 10 yrd and life was good I was pregnant with my second child I went for on appointment and was rushed to hospital as my baby was In danger he was born few hours later. I remember looking at the doctors rushing around with all types of equipment and feeling like a failure as a mother for not protecting my child. Since then I have been living the days struggling with depression on and off till a few months back j decided to see a GP. I become so scaried to say out loud I need help I lied and ended up sitting in my car wanting to self harm once again. Which throw me straight back to the days of needing self harm to survive the pain. Forgetting the past didn't work so now it's time to deal with it. Thanks so much for reading sorey it was so long.