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Depression

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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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SadUnicorn Burnout? Brain fog? Just crazy?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I've been struggling with life for the last 12 months. There has been a lot happening in my life, but I feel like I should be getting "better", but instead I feel worse. For context I am diagnosed with ADHD (medicated) and take anti depr... View more

Hi everyone, I've been struggling with life for the last 12 months. There has been a lot happening in my life, but I feel like I should be getting "better", but instead I feel worse. For context I am diagnosed with ADHD (medicated) and take anti depressants. I have developed a bad attitude and I feel terrible about it. For example I have lost interest in my job to the point I'll do my hobbies during my working hours and not seem to care about the consequences. I love my family and friends, but I don't want to do any social activities or respond to their messages. It's not because I don't care it's because I feel so tired and have zero interest in leaving my space. I used to respond with enthusiasm, but now it's usually one word answers so they know I haven't been abducted by aliens. I have a wonderful partner who I adore and I feel awful because I barely see them. It's because I feel so exhausted and overwhelmed. I seem to be struggling with focus and attention. I used to be able to comprehend complex tasks, but now I find it difficult and overwhelming. My short term memory is terrible and I feel like I can't understand basic things anymore. I have to really really focus before my brain will go "okay, we can do this". Do I have early on set dementia? What is wrong with me? Will I ever feel like myself again? I feel incredibly sad and vulnerable sharing this post. I have spoken to my psychiatrist about this and she says it sounds like burn out from stress, but I don't know if I agree. I am aware that I should be eating better, following a sleep schedule, doing exercise, social things, seeing a psych, doctor etc etc. The thing is I have done these and I still feel the same. My mind knows what I should be doing, but I just don't care enough to do them or I don't have the energy.

Star_CX330 Too many sick days
  • replies: 5

I've been feeling physically sick from the depression and anxiety and have taken a few sick days from work in the past 3 months. For context I work in hospitality in a really busy venue. I find some days that it feels impossible to function and I'm e... View more

I've been feeling physically sick from the depression and anxiety and have taken a few sick days from work in the past 3 months. For context I work in hospitality in a really busy venue. I find some days that it feels impossible to function and I'm extremely overwhelmed by the amount of people around me. I feel awful and weak every time I leave sick but it gets to the point where i feel like I have no choice. The past 3 months have been especially challenging and I think I'm going into a bad depressive episode. I've noticed myself withdrawing from friends and family, staying home and isolating myself and just binging videos in bed most of my free time. I have had a relapse into my eating disorder and have lost a noticeable amount of weight, have not been sleeping properly and have been under considerable stress from conflict in the household. Today was one of those days where I was physically affected, I started getting brain fog, nausea and a huge headache and just generally felt awful. I stayed for half of my shift and was going to try to stay for the rest but one of my co-workers told the manager I was unwell and I got sent home. I'm feeling really concerned that this will impact my job. My manager called me when I got home and asked me if anything is going on that might be causing me to take these days off and I didn't want to open up about how I'm feeling. Because in all honesty I'm ashamed that I'm not coping right now and I feel like a mess. I don't want to be rostered less as a result either because I have some financial stress right now. I am having massive amounts of anxiety now because my shift tomorrow has also been filled. I have a doctor's appointment this week and I have started my antidepressants again hoping to fix this situation before things get really out of hand. I have also been to visit my family and have planned to go away for a few days to try and lift my mood. Any tips on how to get through the hard days? Or if I should be open with my workplace about my mental health issues? Should I maybe take an extra day off per week till I can sort myself out? Thanks for reading, any reassurance or advice is appreciated

TheKingOfHearts I can't and don't want to spend the next 13 years playing catch up
  • replies: 1

Hi! I grew up in a difficult childhood.I never had social experiences and I never had an education due to running out of the classroom from all the bullying.I never knew what I wanted and most of the time I still don't. But deep down when I can think... View more

Hi! I grew up in a difficult childhood.I never had social experiences and I never had an education due to running out of the classroom from all the bullying.I never knew what I wanted and most of the time I still don't. But deep down when I can think clearly I want to do nursing, to be a registered general practice nurse because that is what comes naturally.The thing is though I would need to get my eyes fixed and get my teeth fixed etc and that would cost lots of money.I would need to get a job, save up and get the surgeries along with paying for regular everyday life and work my way upto getting into a bachelor of nursing by doing a diploma first. But here's the problemI've done the calculations and all the planning and it would from today take me 13 years to get all of that together.And I don't want to spend that long on doing all of that.I am 23 years old I should already be there I should've got the education I should have the job. But the real serious problem isI have three mental health conditionsI have autism, schizophrenia and depression I can barely move because I am so weighed down by everything and I've tried lots of meds, none of them have worked and I'm still trying more with my psych team.So I barely shower, I eat the wrong food, I don't sleep very well at all and I dream of a better life.I can't focus or concentrate and so I can't even watch a movie even writing this is exhausting.So I cannot even try to pursue my dream of being a nurse and helping people, being in the health field and just do something worthwhile. So I'm saying all of that to ask you guys whoever is reading Have you heard of a situation like this? Are you in a situation like this? Am I alone? Has anyone pushed forward with so many problems and built a life for themselves?Is there any hope that something anything might work out?Do you have any advice for me? Thank you for spending this moment in time reading my post and I hope all of your dreams come true.

Mickook Depression is so common, where is everyone?
  • replies: 1

I’ve had depression all my life and been on medication for many years. It’s affected every part of my life. The hardest part about it is the lack of understanding or support around me. My family doesn’t understand it or even acknowledge it. They don’... View more

I’ve had depression all my life and been on medication for many years. It’s affected every part of my life. The hardest part about it is the lack of understanding or support around me. My family doesn’t understand it or even acknowledge it. They don’t want to know! Too busy! I feel very alone and disconnected. I wish l had someone or people to talk to as l know it would really help. I feel really tired all the time and very, very angry. I spend so much time crying it’s ridiculous!!! I’m really exhausted trying to figure it out. I spend so much time fighting myself and my negative thoughts. Everyday l say to myself that tomorrow will be better. I’ve been saying this for 40 years and now realise that tomorrow has arrived and it’s not better. I’m at a dead end now and really sick of myself. There are so many people out there who have depression, it’s astounding but where are they? How do l meet them? I wish for peace. Thanks for reading.

Mike_T Depression/anxiety/acopia
  • replies: 3

Hi. I have depression treated with medication. Recently the depression has worsened and my GP increased the dose. I'm not sleeping well, struggling to focus or hold a conversation. Feeling very anxious

Hi. I have depression treated with medication. Recently the depression has worsened and my GP increased the dose. I'm not sleeping well, struggling to focus or hold a conversation. Feeling very anxious

Jimmy66 Where do I Start?
  • replies: 1

I've finally come to the realization that I need a bit of help. being the typical Male, always thinking there is nothing wrong with me? Work, Life, relationships are all difficult to manage these days and I find myself pushing everything away and mak... View more

I've finally come to the realization that I need a bit of help. being the typical Male, always thinking there is nothing wrong with me? Work, Life, relationships are all difficult to manage these days and I find myself pushing everything away and making myself worse.I feel a mix of Anxiety, Depression and PTSD all rolled into one.

DevSil97 I need someone to talk! I’m Depressed and alone
  • replies: 2

Hi! I moved to Australia recently with my partner and he cheated me several times I don’t have an option but to stay with him cause I don’t know anyone here and I don’t have that much of money. I miss my mother every singe time. I can’t tell het thes... View more

Hi! I moved to Australia recently with my partner and he cheated me several times I don’t have an option but to stay with him cause I don’t know anyone here and I don’t have that much of money. I miss my mother every singe time. I can’t tell het these things so she will be worried. Im crying everyday alone in my bed without anyone to talk to. I can’t sleep or eat. I feel so sorry for myself.

LostPigeon407 Can I still have achieve dreams or am I too late?
  • replies: 14

So I am now turning 29 in March, not long away and my only income is just Centrelink DSP. I have over $45,000 of savings, I have my driving licence and own a vehicle, But unfortunately I've never had direction for which industries or entry jobs I wan... View more

So I am now turning 29 in March, not long away and my only income is just Centrelink DSP. I have over $45,000 of savings, I have my driving licence and own a vehicle, But unfortunately I've never had direction for which industries or entry jobs I want to work. I am realistic it's very hard to get a job when I have no work experience or net work to help me and with nothing on my resume despite a year of Salvo's volunteering and minimal assistance with brick laying. I only finished Year 12 high school in 2013 with Foundation VCAL and I am not eligible or even the academic devoted personality for University, despite having a interest in Nutrition, Counselling & Theology. I often get upset because since 7 years ago I was diagnosed with pre diabetes and I'm always angry about that and having to live this way now. I'm also under psychiatry treatment for a severe diagnosis that I don't agree with and they otherwise wrongly think I am something like asperges and it's absolutely not true. I love living with my family, but I hate my father and I am financially dependent on him. I also was bullied by high school crap friends that lasted for a decade and they impacted my confidence socially and they made my suffering worse by enjoying my misfortunes. They were undermining, hypocritical, speaking on my behalf, spreading rumours and calling me un wanted names and judging the way I was living and giving me labels that I had to be told quite frequently, they also were insensitive generally. I've had no contact for the last 5 years. I always wanted to be creative with music or comedy aspirations but I blame my father and my school relationship's to ruin my esteem to ever try, and now with the involuntary pharmaceuticals I just feel I will never have confidence.

cloudy overhead Friend not a friend
  • replies: 3

Ive been in contact with this person for the last 4 years and regularly catch up for lunch. We share a birthday together and she's about to have a significant birthday.I asked her if she'd like to catch up on our mutual birthdays, she proceeded to le... View more

Ive been in contact with this person for the last 4 years and regularly catch up for lunch. We share a birthday together and she's about to have a significant birthday.I asked her if she'd like to catch up on our mutual birthdays, she proceeded to let me know how "FRIENDS" of her's were throwing her a birthday party therefore could we catch up before hand. Initially, I stupidly said yes, although I couldnt shake my annoyance, disbelief and hurt. I let her know I was hurt and how I would've invited her to a birthday party I might have,especially as we share the same day.This event has just added to my depressed state of late and makes me wonder how people can be so stupidly insensitive, especially as she is 'up there in age'This makes me appreciate more and more how I genuinely enjoy my own company.

naralle Still Working on my Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone,I would like to let everyone know that I'm trying to fight back on my depression which isn't easy but if I don't start now it will never happen. I know I have support here and I really do appreciate it and I now know that I can come here ... View more

Hi everyone,I would like to let everyone know that I'm trying to fight back on my depression which isn't easy but if I don't start now it will never happen. I know I have support here and I really do appreciate it and I now know that I can come here and talk about it instead of bottling it up. Its just going to take one day at a time to work on my health and get my motivation back on track that's for sure and tell my depression were to go lol. But it won't be easy but I have to make a start and do something about it. I know I will have some off days hey I know I will jump on here and talk about it. Anyway thank you for listening.