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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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Daniel_83 Health and Job related issues
  • replies: 2

Hi all Have you ever felt like once you hit your forties, all your dreams quietly slip away into the night, and life is just utterly meaningless. I feel like my life is a constant cycle of health anxieties (I am a diabetic) job anxieties, and relatio... View more

Hi all Have you ever felt like once you hit your forties, all your dreams quietly slip away into the night, and life is just utterly meaningless. I feel like my life is a constant cycle of health anxieties (I am a diabetic) job anxieties, and relationship problems. I haven't felt happy for a long time, and I keep reminiscing the yesteryears. Felt like my 20s were the happiest days, and there's no turning back time. There's nothing to look forward to anymore. It just feels like life is an eternal slog. Thanks for reading.

Samsta12341 I'm stuck
  • replies: 4

I don't know how to word this but im struggling with everyday life. I can't do anything right. Which has made my depression worse I think. Has anyone else been there and what ways did you help yourself to get out of it? I have been taking care of my ... View more

I don't know how to word this but im struggling with everyday life. I can't do anything right. Which has made my depression worse I think. Has anyone else been there and what ways did you help yourself to get out of it? I have been taking care of my mum and her issues for the past several months. My marriage is abit rocky at time and feels like there is no direction as a couple unless I do the directing. I love my job but it's hard some days to go and do it. I have very little time to myself. I'm glued to my phone when i do have time and I can't stop thinking about all the little mistakes I have made during the week. I'm struggling with it all. I'm only 33 and I just don't know what to do anymore. A part of me just want to give up. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

white knight Bouncing back- how do you do it?
  • replies: 21

Most of us here dont live stable lives in terms of our mental health. Ups and downs can come from many sources, the most common one is depression, be it the illness itself as an origin or other health issues that lead to it. Whatever the reason we fa... View more

Most of us here dont live stable lives in terms of our mental health. Ups and downs can come from many sources, the most common one is depression, be it the illness itself as an origin or other health issues that lead to it. Whatever the reason we fall and many of us fall heavily. We get tired of this dropping into the abyss because that feeling generates a "oh no, not again" feeling and along that path is the dreaded almost unrealistic thought of not being able to crawl out of it. Of course we do and within a few days, months, years for some we respond and recover. While we are on this high we feel we wont drop again and of course we do and that cycle seems to never end. That's the sad part- it never ends. Positive thinking, something I've believed in for 50 years now actually has very little impact during the down times, in fact you could be adding to your depression trying to motivate yourself and fail to do so. So, I wait until I get those tingles that cause me to smile a little and I know its time to motivate, go for longer walks and smell the roses. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/depression/depression-and-the-timing-of-motivation/td-p/149708 But everyone's different, what works for one might not for another. Hence I need your help. What tactics work for you that bring you out of a bout of depression? Or what helps delay your mood if you can feel it coming on? Do you rush to do the food shopping because you are falling into that cycle so you dont have to shop when you are depressed? What is your control methods to help you battle this terrible illness of depression? TonyWK

asleep-aardvark Feeling lonely and defective
  • replies: 2

My moods are really changing rapidly at the moment, from being really angry to sad and anxious. I’ve been feeling really angry with doctors and the medical industry generally, though I know it’s not really their fault. I’ve been feeling so low for so... View more

My moods are really changing rapidly at the moment, from being really angry to sad and anxious. I’ve been feeling really angry with doctors and the medical industry generally, though I know it’s not really their fault. I’ve been feeling so low for so long but when I go to my gp they’ll run some bloods and occasionally say my iron and b12 are low but otherwise normal and that’s it. But I’ve just realised I have premature ovarian failure, plus some autoimmune conditions, and that I’ve had results that weren’t really normal but were just dismissed. Because it’s known that I have anxiety and depression I feel like everything is just dismissed as that and people don’t listen to me. And I feel even more lonely, like I knew all long that I was destined to be alone and this is just to be expected. Ive never even had a relationship with someone. I feel like this pathetic thing not even properly human

Madie_Madz Feeling empty and less motivated
  • replies: 1

Last year i was diagnosed with depression, i thought i was going through was "Normal". As the year went on i started to go down hill, my mood went down even more and at the same time i was feeling Empty/numb. I'd feel a small amount of emotion then i... View more

Last year i was diagnosed with depression, i thought i was going through was "Normal". As the year went on i started to go down hill, my mood went down even more and at the same time i was feeling Empty/numb. I'd feel a small amount of emotion then it would just vanish leaving me feeling dull, along with that i've lost the motivation to do anything, i bearly go outside, i'm getting sick more often, i am withdrawing from my friends. I am seeking help but i am not sure if its working, i am taking medication but i still feel the same as when i started taking these meds, i am just so confused. What can i do to feel more uh motivated and less numb?

Creek24 Anger and inability to feel happiness
  • replies: 2

Hi! Just wanting some advise on how to change behaviour for feelings of unhappiness when I have nothing to be unhappy about and feeling like I have an inability to feel happiness. Progressively getting worse, even though I can function perfectly well... View more

Hi! Just wanting some advise on how to change behaviour for feelings of unhappiness when I have nothing to be unhappy about and feeling like I have an inability to feel happiness. Progressively getting worse, even though I can function perfectly well in my job and career. Desperately wanting to change but can’t

Arifa De
  • replies: 2

Hi , I’m really feeling like crying but can’t cry, have a very grifing and feeling sad ,

Hi , I’m really feeling like crying but can’t cry, have a very grifing and feeling sad ,

Ijord8 advice please 🙏
  • replies: 1

I need advice, I live with my wife and we've just had our son. I never get a break every single day my legs are in pain and I can't sleep over stress, I feel as I have no mates no one to turn too and on top of this my bpd kicks the crap outta me ever... View more

I need advice, I live with my wife and we've just had our son. I never get a break every single day my legs are in pain and I can't sleep over stress, I feel as I have no mates no one to turn too and on top of this my bpd kicks the crap outta me everyday, I'm so drained and exhausted but the worst I'm getting suicidal, I gotta stay and fight for my son and care for his future I can't just leave him but everyday I feel numb I'm not even interested in anything anymore and me n my wife argue I can't even try to express how I feel cus it's get into an argument. I'm tryna find an alternative for my son's sake, does anyone have any suggestions for me??

cant-think-of-a-name Going on claim
  • replies: 1

Hi all,looking for some guidance from others.ive been dealing with depression for a number of years now, and been on meds and saw psychiatrist for medications.im still just constantly feeling flat, foggy in the head and just seem to get no enjoyment ... View more

Hi all,looking for some guidance from others.ive been dealing with depression for a number of years now, and been on meds and saw psychiatrist for medications.im still just constantly feeling flat, foggy in the head and just seem to get no enjoyment from things.I’ve started feeling like I need to take a step back from work to focus on myself more.I struggle getting through the day at work and I have to start studying again soon, which is already stressing me out. Last time I was doing study I was in a really bad place and started having bad thoughts. I’ve been putting off studies but have to start soon.those who went on an income protection claim, how was your overall state? Am I being too dramatic about it?

Rosaki Lack of motivation and no interest
  • replies: 1

Hi. I got diagnosed with depression a few years ago and quit university after year one in the UK due to eating disorders and depression. Because of this, most of my friends have graduated. I started university again in Australia last year. As some of... View more

Hi. I got diagnosed with depression a few years ago and quit university after year one in the UK due to eating disorders and depression. Because of this, most of my friends have graduated. I started university again in Australia last year. As some of you may have noticed universities recently started semester one, and I had no motivation to study or do the required readings. I just want to lay on my bed and do nothing. I have no passion for doing anything, not only studying but also doing other hobbies. I don't know what should I do now. No matter what I do, I can't feel any pleasure. I did seek help, but I do not think it helps. My mum just blamed me and sarcastically told me not to waste her money on studying. Other than that, my case has transferred to a psychiatrist and psychologist who are totally different from my original one. They do not know my background well. I felt a little bit pushy when they kept on asking me to figure out how to tackle my own issues. Does anyone have a similar experience and can share what I should do? I saw some of you are really brave and handled mental health issues well. Please give me some advice and I wish all students here have a good start of uni and good health to everyone.