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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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maggie23 Depression and Anxiety at work
  • replies: 3

I am finding it really difficult to deal with my job as a primary school teacher while suffering depression AND anxiety. My mind is always in a state of chaos. My mind had the anxiety, so its spinning a million miles a minute, while my body has the d... View more

I am finding it really difficult to deal with my job as a primary school teacher while suffering depression AND anxiety. My mind is always in a state of chaos. My mind had the anxiety, so its spinning a million miles a minute, while my body has the depression and I lack the energy and motivation to do anything about the problems that I'm anxious about. It's a vicious cycle. At school however it's really hard. The kids that I teach are very challenging, and I leave here almost every day tired, cranky, and doubting myself about my abilities. Can I do this? Am I doing a good job? Do the kids even like me? Maybe I should just go and teach somewhere else, somewhere easier. But I know in my mind that it is a hard job, and that a lot of the staff here struggle, it is a hard school. And I have only been teaching for 3 terms. I'm only 24, I'm fresh out of uni, and I picked one of the hardest places to teach. I've been sworn at by students, called every name you can think of, they mock me, they don't listen, and they are disrespectful. It is so hard to keep coming back here. But the staff here are amazing, I have made some really good friends, so I don't want to leave. I just don't know if I can do this. I worry that the higher up execs are looking at me drowning and talking about me behind my back, saying that I can't cut it, and that they should never have given me the job. I have a lot of self doubt. I've been a sufferer of depression and anxiety for 8 years. I am on medication to help me, I have seen a psychologist before, and she really helped. I know that the things going on in my head is my "pathological critique" talking. Saying terrible things to me. I know I just need to tell it to shut up, but it's so hard when I just don't have the energy at the moment. Does anyone have any coping strategies that they use while they are at work to get through the day/week?

Scrapper Newbie and living with depression and anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi I am Claire I am new to the online forum. I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety a year ago. It has been a big roller coaster in learning that I have depression and anxiety and how to cope with it. Learning what my triggers are and how to try... View more

Hi I am Claire I am new to the online forum. I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety a year ago. It has been a big roller coaster in learning that I have depression and anxiety and how to cope with it. Learning what my triggers are and how to try and live with them. As stress is a trigger I was studying full time and working casually. It has been really hard but trying to get through.

jdragon depressed, ptsd, anxiety
  • replies: 3

mum passed away 12 months ago very suddenly (brain cancer)... 3 days after diagnosis. cant seem to get passed the fact that shes's gone. gone into a state of mental depression/anxiety++++, ptsd, chronic insomnia as my GP and psych described.need to m... View more

mum passed away 12 months ago very suddenly (brain cancer)... 3 days after diagnosis. cant seem to get passed the fact that shes's gone. gone into a state of mental depression/anxiety++++, ptsd, chronic insomnia as my GP and psych described.need to move forward with my life, potential new business...just stuck, proscratination, totally lost and bored to death at work as mum was my listening post so to speak. How do I move forward from this nightmare!!!!

sarahivy Depressed, overwhelmed and grieving
  • replies: 1

I lost my mum 3 years ago and I've never felt like I could replace her. I miss having her to talk to and not be judged by what I have to say. My friends don't understand what it's like and I feel guilty going to my dad all the time. I've been struggl... View more

I lost my mum 3 years ago and I've never felt like I could replace her. I miss having her to talk to and not be judged by what I have to say. My friends don't understand what it's like and I feel guilty going to my dad all the time. I've been struggling to find the right person to unload to for the 3 years and I feel like I'm going to explode!

Ashtree Bipolar and me
  • replies: 2

Hi, This is hard for me to talk about so I will keep the back story short. I found out I'm bipolar about 6 months ago after possibly suffering with it for 10+ years. I guess the reason I created an account was just to try find some help in figuring o... View more

Hi, This is hard for me to talk about so I will keep the back story short. I found out I'm bipolar about 6 months ago after possibly suffering with it for 10+ years. I guess the reason I created an account was just to try find some help in figuring out who the real me is. How do I know if I’m in a “normal” state and happy or I’m actually manic? Am I feeling depressed because I’m thinking about how I’m bipolar or am I actually just in a down swing? What does it actually feel like when you’re not manic or depressed? Thanks in Advance

sadandpsyco I am nothing
  • replies: 3

Hi. I am 27 years old at age 22 I was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. I do not recall what happiness feels like. Occasionally life isn't completely painful and I guess that is as close to happy as I get. I have no idea what to do with mysel... View more

Hi. I am 27 years old at age 22 I was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. I do not recall what happiness feels like. Occasionally life isn't completely painful and I guess that is as close to happy as I get. I have no idea what to do with myself at one point I was mechanic but now after a few days of any job stress kick in and I end up back in hospital. I enjoy life I have friends but they are only really there when I am well, understandably so as even I know I am a pain when Im in a bad place. My life has now becomet 90% attempting to distract from hallucinations and bad feelings so I can barely function as a human. I only stick around because I am scared to die.

Martii I feel like I am half alive.
  • replies: 6

I am not sure if you could call me depressed or not. Life has been a bit up and down since my ex broke up with me a while ago and my whole life crumbled around me. I managed to pick up the pieces, and I feel like I should be happy - I have friends an... View more

I am not sure if you could call me depressed or not. Life has been a bit up and down since my ex broke up with me a while ago and my whole life crumbled around me. I managed to pick up the pieces, and I feel like I should be happy - I have friends and family, I have a job, I have food to eat and a roof over my head - but I feel guilty that I don't feel happy, and no motivation to go to work or to do the things that used to make me happy. I feel like I am in a perpetual state of being alone, like I don't really connect to anyone. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore, and I feel like a failure because my life isn't where I thought I would be at this point in time. I am dating someone new, who I really like. I am terrified of letting myself fall in love with him because I am terrified of being hurt again but he also says things to me which makes me question why we are dating or why he even likes me. So every week it is like I am waiting for him to break up with me therefore I am constantly stressed and on edge. I don't want to talk to him about it because I know where it would head and I'd prefer to bury my head in the sand right now instead of being realistic. I think I also like escaping from my life into his life because I am so sad in mine. I used to be this really happy full of life motivated person and now I have no drive or motivation to do anything. Does anyone else feel the same as me? I feel like I am half alive.

CJR2017 Lost my light & irrational swings
  • replies: 1

Hi team I feel awful for even writing this because on the outside my life is a dream: I am in a committed relationship with a man who adores me, I am fit, healthy and exercise regularly and I have a career that has taken me to heights I should be pro... View more

Hi team I feel awful for even writing this because on the outside my life is a dream: I am in a committed relationship with a man who adores me, I am fit, healthy and exercise regularly and I have a career that has taken me to heights I should be proud of. I should be happy. I should be in control. But I'm not... I feel numb and if I'm not feeling numb I'm feeling anxious about how I'm failing (at what? I can't work that out). I have regular moments when I am so sad that I read suicide forums for hours and I just sob (cry is too light of a term). I've suffered with mental health issues in the past (ex-anorexic and depression during and post an abusive relationship) but my life is great - literally what I've always wanted - but why am I so sad? And on top of the sadness is irrational anger, irritability and impulsive spending. My irrational anger manifests itself with my partner and I lash out. Sometimes physically. I am half his size so I never hurt him - but what kind of person does that make me? My mood swings wildly from a million miles an hour (I am an executive in a role that requires creativity) to irritable and to be honest, downright spiteful and nasty. I love those around me dearly yet a part of me is always slightly disappointed and envious when they succeed. Even when I have helped them to do well and I love them. What kind of monster is like this? I am at breaking point. I am having my hormones investigated but my body is otherwise in tip top shape, I am exceptionally fit and I eat well, seldom drink and take no drugs. But I can't keep it together. I see a psychologist. I do the things I think are right but I can't grapple this. My anger, sadness, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy runs my life. I know I have people who love me but I feel so alone. I am reaching out to see if anyone at all feels like this. Or if it's something that will never get better. In which case I have decisions to make. I can't keep putting my partner through this

MissMc Feeling down!!#
  • replies: 2

Hi Today is not a good day for me, feeling down, overwhelmed, angry, everything seems to be an effort have no one to talk to or confide in I did go to training this morning and did some some PB"s and meal prepped when I got home, but then everything ... View more

Hi Today is not a good day for me, feeling down, overwhelmed, angry, everything seems to be an effort have no one to talk to or confide in I did go to training this morning and did some some PB"s and meal prepped when I got home, but then everything just turned to SHIT!!!!! ...... Hopeing to go for my run tomorrow, which atm is?????? ..... dunno!!!...... Just can not understand these feeling of hopeless'ness and uncertain feelings???? .... worrying about mindless shit!!!... Just can wait till bedtime to shut my brain down!!!! .... a\had a little nana nap, didn't feel better .... Don't like this feeling of I have no one to depend on trying to relax but!!!!# Just dunno what I can do to help myself .....

happyannie Depressed and Alone
  • replies: 6

Hi I didnt have anyone to talk to so I thought I would write my thoughts down it usually helps some what. My carer has the week off and he is such a big part of my life and does so much with me and for me, but most importantly he listens. While hes a... View more

Hi I didnt have anyone to talk to so I thought I would write my thoughts down it usually helps some what. My carer has the week off and he is such a big part of my life and does so much with me and for me, but most importantly he listens. While hes away my daughters my carer but she works full time so Im feeling very isolated, I dont have people I can call upon and I woke up today very depressed, not knowing what to do with myself, I dont leave the house except to go to Doctors appointments thats my agoraphobia, which I hate. My mind is taking over me, my thought process is not good at the moment, some dark thoughts creeping in. Anyway as usual thank you beyond blue for listening to me and for giving me a safe place to vent Thanx Annie

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