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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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Happy_Place New here, undiagnosed and reluctant to see a doctor!!
  • replies: 4

Hello followers, I came across this forum just this morning, out of sheer desperation. I had been crying all morning and needed to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this. As far as everyone knows, I'm great. Happy go lucky, a sweet job, a... View more

Hello followers, I came across this forum just this morning, out of sheer desperation. I had been crying all morning and needed to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this. As far as everyone knows, I'm great. Happy go lucky, a sweet job, a family who loves me a beautiful daughter and caring husband. I smile through my day but feel like I'm living a lie. Am I happy, no, am I overwhelmed, yes, do I feel noticed, important or appreciated, no. It's exhausting...im ALWAYS tired! I have a history of anxiety, I can't even remember when it started but it's been probably close to ten years. I've seen doctors, then put me on a care plan, I see a counsellor for my 5 sessions or whatever it is, they give me medication and I'm on my way. This was the case a few years ago now, I was in denial but it was the deal I made with my husband so we could start a family, but looking back (I was so young) I'm not finished.. My issues remain un resolved. I went to my gp prob 3 months ago and gently touched on it again and asked about another care plan (I simply cannot afford $150 a week/session to see someone) and see sent me home with the k10, so of course, I felt like she didn't take me seriously and I never went back. I pulled that k10 out this morning and did it, it told me I was high and suggested I see a doctor. I'm really struggling with that first step. I've been minimising my feelings and mental health for so long, that I can't even be completely open with a doctor. I want help, I want a better life, I forget how it feels to be happy and content. What do I say to a doctor, how do I take that first agonising, scary step??

fergrl PND and anxiety
  • replies: 4

Right now I feel pretty hopeless. 4 month old twins and PND and anxiety since about 4 weeks in getting worse over time. Right now I am struggling to see how I will ever feel like I didn't make a huge mistake in having children and to have a connectio... View more

Right now I feel pretty hopeless. 4 month old twins and PND and anxiety since about 4 weeks in getting worse over time. Right now I am struggling to see how I will ever feel like I didn't make a huge mistake in having children and to have a connection with them.

Justice_League Centrelink Form for 3 monthly review
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Does anyone know if the required form is able to be downloaded or do I need to obtain it from Centrlink? Thanks and God bless.

Hi everyone, Does anyone know if the required form is able to be downloaded or do I need to obtain it from Centrlink? Thanks and God bless.

Lou75 The deafening sound loneliness
  • replies: 4

Hi , over the past 2 years I've suffered panic attacks and anxiety , which I sort help via cognitive therapy through a psychiatrist. Unfortunately now , the old black dog has coming creeping in and I now suffer from depression.. I didn't recognise th... View more

Hi , over the past 2 years I've suffered panic attacks and anxiety , which I sort help via cognitive therapy through a psychiatrist. Unfortunately now , the old black dog has coming creeping in and I now suffer from depression.. I didn't recognise the symptoms and put them down to bad days . It was the loneliness and feelings of nothing that kept reoccurring , my GP has medicated me now. Im surrounded by wonderful family and friends who are loving and caring . I own my own business with my partner of almost 20 years , with 2 perfect kids and I am always busy and social. I know I hold my partner accountable for the way I feel , even though he can also be my biggest supporter. I know that stress from our business has contributed to the way I feel - worthless if things are perfect or don't go as planned .... The nothingness is so unfamiliar to me , and hiding behind my smile is my biggest security blanket as no one would ever guess that I have black days , when I let it in and it stays with me . How do others cope with the loneliness, even though being always been surrounded by people who Love you . thanks

MAnon Heartbroken...
  • replies: 4

Ever since I left my ex-boyfriend in North America I’ve been feeling depressed. Not crying constantly depressed, just generally feeling down, unmotivated, confused and less confident in myself. The world seems muddled, or my mind does? Like I can’t t... View more

Ever since I left my ex-boyfriend in North America I’ve been feeling depressed. Not crying constantly depressed, just generally feeling down, unmotivated, confused and less confident in myself. The world seems muddled, or my mind does? Like I can’t think clearly and don’t really know what I’m doing or what to do in general... Its really hard to explain but it kind of feels like a combination of lack of self-belief and uncertainty (I guess they’re kind of the same thing?), which I didn’t feel when I was with him (which was only two weeks ago…) Most things feel like a struggle but simultaneously I feel pressured to do more with my life and achieve more than usual. Bit of a conundrum! Also it’s really weird/frustrating but I don’t feel nearly as beautiful now that we’re not together. He made me feel beautiful I guess. And I miss that. It would be nice to feel that way without him too. I am in emotional pain. And I know I’m not going to be with him for quite a while if at all so I need to get better without him. I want to feel really good again. Currently, we’re not together. We’re worlds apart. Literally. The context: I’m (F26) from Australia. Earlier this month, I spent a week with him (M27) in America, which is where he now lives. We dated for a year and a half before breaking up about a year and a half ago due to his move overseas (for some fancy shmancy job). We had a great time together in the States but there were many tears upon saying our goodbyes and it’s been hard ever since. Because it’s been really hard I texted him the other day saying that I think it’s best we don’t meet up when he visits Aus at the end of this year. Now we’re not really talking… Hard to go from being so in love and happy together to absolutely nothing. We never didn’t work, he just strongly felt the need to live overseas on his own for a while. While I understand why he did what he did and deep down I know he loves me, it’s still really frustrating to go on living my life as a single woman while he’s living on the other side of the world, with no real plans for the future...

Thecrazychick I don't really want people to know I've gone backwards.
  • replies: 8

Joined two minutes ago. Having bad days for first time in a long time and felt the need to talk. I don't really want people to know I've gone backwards. I've been transitioning off meds. And yesterday it suddenly all hit like a bolt. I was back to be... View more

Joined two minutes ago. Having bad days for first time in a long time and felt the need to talk. I don't really want people to know I've gone backwards. I've been transitioning off meds. And yesterday it suddenly all hit like a bolt. I was back to being the terrible, screaming, bad tempered, irrational, weepy mother that I haven't been in so long. And it SHOCKED me. How awful I was. Because I forgot. And because that was what my kids had to deal with for so long. They are such beautiful kids and they deserve better. And it's so eye-opening to go from fine to that overnight. Because you really see it clearly. If it had happened that suddenly at the beginning it wouldn't have taken so long to get help. Because it was pretty obviously a sick lady. And now I just sit. And cry. Crap

Katherine22 Need support from people that get it please.
  • replies: 13

Hi I've been on this forum before but it's been a while. I was really well for about 6 mths but in a really bad place at the moment once again I've had depression for 15 years now I Left my job today as I couldn't cope anymore with the long days and ... View more

Hi I've been on this forum before but it's been a while. I was really well for about 6 mths but in a really bad place at the moment once again I've had depression for 15 years now I Left my job today as I couldn't cope anymore with the long days and trying to pretend I'm ok whilst being an anxious depressed mess thanks in advance

Dennis38 A friend wrote this and with her permision i am posting it here really shows the fight.
  • replies: 3

A friend of mine wrote this and with her permission I am posting it here. This screams to me of the fight that we all go though..depression is a rough thing but despite the lies it tells us...each and every one of us is way stronger then we thought! ... View more

A friend of mine wrote this and with her permission I am posting it here. This screams to me of the fight that we all go though..depression is a rough thing but despite the lies it tells us...each and every one of us is way stronger then we thought! And he said to her "You're worthless."She bowed her head in acceptance. And he said to her "No one could love you."She felt the hurt each time they left. And he said to her "You are grotesque."She gazed in the mirror and saw the truth in his words. The more he said to her, the more the darkness consumed. And he said to her "You should rid everyone of your pathetic existence."She raised her head and meekly replied "No." The war began and every battle was hard fought. Painful sobs. Screams of victory. Agony from defeat.And he said to her "Just give up. You are tired of fighting me. Of fighting what you know is truth. You are worthless. Ugly. Stupid. Needy. Unloved and barely tolerated. End it!"She let the tears fall freely as she looked him in the eye...."No." To me this was a very strong message! We all think that we stand alone in the dark, yet reach out my friends and you will find a hand there willing to help you into the light, to help you get back onto your feet and once again hold your head up high. You truly are worth the effort even though the depression lies and tells you that you are not! Keep fighting for YOU are worth the fight!

Magyarok Life's Frustrations
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I haven't been here for quite some time but here i am back again! Just feeling really frustrated at the moment. Frustrated at work, really not enjoying it at the moment, too much pressure, unreasonable expectations and inconsistencies. Not ha... View more

Hi All, I haven't been here for quite some time but here i am back again! Just feeling really frustrated at the moment. Frustrated at work, really not enjoying it at the moment, too much pressure, unreasonable expectations and inconsistencies. Not happy at home either, i doubt that i would still be there if it wasn't for my daughter. Never ending financial stresses as well. So not happy at work, not happy at home, too many stresses and frustrations! I can't eat properly because of all the stomach cramps i am getting, especially in the evenings. Feel emotionally detached, all i feel is frustration and irritability in varying degrees. My only savior is my strict exercise regime, gives me something to focus on and look forward too, i really don't know where i would be without it! I guess life is what it is just gotta get on with it i suppose but definitely not enjoying life at the moment. Irritable and frustrated! Thanks for listening to my rant Take Care Magyorok

james1 (Re)learning how to concentrate
  • replies: 27

Hello everyone, One of the things I seem to be struggling with is concentrating. Dissociation and obsessive thoughts aside, I seem unable to really do anything that requires mental work. I think it's a major obstacle in me getting my life really prop... View more

Hello everyone, One of the things I seem to be struggling with is concentrating. Dissociation and obsessive thoughts aside, I seem unable to really do anything that requires mental work. I think it's a major obstacle in me getting my life really properly on track because it means I can't work properly, and I can't write either which I want to do as a productive hobby. I've tried things like getting up and going for a walk and listening to music (which is my version of mindfullness/meditation), but the best I can manage is writing stream of consciousness which I just get fed up with anyway. Anyone have any ideas? I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself about it, but it's pretty darn infuriating. James

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