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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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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

woozy Honestly don't know what to do
  • replies: 9

How do you function on a depressive episode? I'm a uni student and i have so much to do. I'm trying, I really am, I've been taking my meds I've been scheduling therapy sessions. It all feels like I'm faking my way through "recovery". But I do it beca... View more

How do you function on a depressive episode? I'm a uni student and i have so much to do. I'm trying, I really am, I've been taking my meds I've been scheduling therapy sessions. It all feels like I'm faking my way through "recovery". But I do it because it's my responsibility to, as I'm an international student here in Australia on a scholarship. The pressure to go on and push all that that's bothering me to the back of my mind is immense. I cannot have an honest conversation with a therapist for fear of them not understanding me. I understand their perspective but I need someone to understand my perspective as well. I feel so disconnected from "reality". Constantly questioning everything and being sucked into this vortex of confusion and paranoia. I feel like giving in to it and completely withdrawing myself. But I keep going on because as long as I'm here and given this opportunity I cannot be that selfish. I did give in to the selfishness once. Ended up in the psych ward. I cannot ever go back there again. So I need to get through at least this year. But I keep falling back into dark days where I'm useless and barely functioning and I can't afford to have these days because uni does not stop for anyone. I don't know what to do.

wildcats21 I hope this will help at least a little
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, this is gonna be a long one Basically I had taken a week off work during the new year (its my first job and it is full time and not very satisfying as it is a desk job.) I found that getting through the day wasn't a big deal before I started... View more

Hi guys, this is gonna be a long one Basically I had taken a week off work during the new year (its my first job and it is full time and not very satisfying as it is a desk job.) I found that getting through the day wasn't a big deal before I started feeling depressed and anxious about an incident that happened with my boyfriend of almost 3 years during the a holiday week I had taken off. We had a weird argument about something so incredibly small. I am very stubborn yet also very passive when I'm annoyed. I get annoyed over the smallest things but when asked to explain why I am I feel silly because I know how stupid they sound and how insignificant it really is which then makes me feel worse. Anyway this fight caused us to basically break up but then get back together because when I told my parents why we broke up they made me realise that there was no actual real reason as to why we broke up since we were completely fine before this incident. We also see each other everyday. Which I didn't think was a problem at all before all of this. We both work during the day and while mine is basically 9-5, he sometimes works half days so he has time for the gym and footy training etc. in my eyes we were getting the time we needed to sustain a healthy relationship. In my own time I did what I wanted to do as did he. We talked about what happened and then decided to just try and work it out but being in each other's company felt a bit forced like something wasn't right and then that's when we broke up^ basically what I touched on up there. AKA we are still together now that's when this all started. He is the most amazing, selfless and generous person and I don't want to be nor can I think of being with anyone else but post all of this I have been feeling incredibly anxious and depressed and wake up every morning with all these over thinking thoughts about do I actually love him anymore? I feel like I can't feel love even though I know I love him because if I didn't I wouldn't be fighting for us this much. I am seeing a psychologist and have just recently been put on medication. I haven't been able to go to work without crying and I haven't been able to go to work more often than not. My boyfriend promises he's here for me forever ¬ going anywhere but why do I feel like this is just too good to be true? this has made me start to question everything about myself, what do I even like? I have no future, no passion or interest for anything. It just all gets scary

KittyKc Damaged
  • replies: 4

Hi.. This is my first post so I am not too sure what to say so here goes.. I have depression - ive been depressed and on medication since very young age, only just recently I've stopped taking my meds as it makes me feel completely yuck (tried multip... View more

Hi.. This is my first post so I am not too sure what to say so here goes.. I have depression - ive been depressed and on medication since very young age, only just recently I've stopped taking my meds as it makes me feel completely yuck (tried multiple different anti-depressants through out the last 12 years) I know I need to go to the doctors and talk about new medication or something else. I just feel like it's over for me, I have nothing to show for myself other than debt and no motivation in life... I am currently unemployed, I apply for atleast 5-10 jobs a day if possible but that's only when I can connect to WiFi as my phone has been cut off, lucky I can still receive incoming calls just in case an employer does contact me (which no luck yet) Some people ask me what happened to me that had caused me to be so depressed.. but there is no answer because my childhood was great, no traumatic experiences, perfect caring parents and siblings, I always had friends and enjoyed being outside in the sun. by the age of 11 I was already noticing how I'm changing - how I'm over feeling/thinking some things, stopped being so bubbly and energetic. Once high school hit it was just a big whirlwind of negative thoughts and actions I only lasted 2 and half years in high school because I couldn't take the bullying, I stopped paying attention and just wagged every day possible. Once I left school I worked at woolworths and stayed there for roughly 3 years, I gained new friends and had some sort of enjoyment in life but that didn't last long, I met this girl and thought I feel I love. long story short I was introduced to hard drugs and the world drugs have created, so what little life I did create for myself I only destroyed it myself again. 4 years that went on and the metal abuse I got was something evil, I feel evil sometimes knowing how my life has been. I left her and met this guy and at first my life was moving forward again, I was working and living out of home and just enjoying the little things, then one day I just felt sick like anxiety attack of the century and I went home sick from work to find out my boyfriend cheated on me with out housemate and she was pregnant with his baby...... I died - well it felt like I died. I didn't move for 3 weeks and lost about 20 kilos. But I was silly and went back to him 6 months later(will explain another time)Right now I'm extremely unhappy and lost, no job - no money - no friends just feels like I have no life

Catgonemad Feeling blah!
  • replies: 6

Hello Newbie here. As the title says, feeling blah. As well as being depressed, I'm suffering extreme insomnia and anxiety. I feel so disconnected from the world right now - I'm constantly surrounded by people but feel alone and within minutes the so... View more

Hello Newbie here. As the title says, feeling blah. As well as being depressed, I'm suffering extreme insomnia and anxiety. I feel so disconnected from the world right now - I'm constantly surrounded by people but feel alone and within minutes the sound of someone breathing (or doing anything) annoys the crap out of me. I've lost all interest in everything and just running on auto pilot. Generally feel like everything and everyone is soul destroying. No idea about the point of this post is lol but it's getting late and while I'm exhausted I can't sleep and soon it will be just me alone with my thoughts.

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