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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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Yoga_has_changed_my_life Bipola and ADHD - does anybody have both that can help me out?
  • replies: 4

Hi ive been diagnosed with Bipola and Maybe ADHD. Can anyone help help me out with surviving? Eg any support groups? I don't know anyone who has both conditions. Cheers Yoga

Hi ive been diagnosed with Bipola and Maybe ADHD. Can anyone help help me out with surviving? Eg any support groups? I don't know anyone who has both conditions. Cheers Yoga

YogiBear1980 Am I "depressed" or just damn lazy?
  • replies: 3

Gday everyone, My names Michael and I'm 36 years old. I thought id try and be proactive and do something about my extreme laziness and find out more about it, and rule in, or out depression/anxiety. Just thought id come in here and say hello. I will ... View more

Gday everyone, My names Michael and I'm 36 years old. I thought id try and be proactive and do something about my extreme laziness and find out more about it, and rule in, or out depression/anxiety. Just thought id come in here and say hello. I will update this thread with more about myself and to see if anyone else feels the same as I do. Todays update: Sunday 29th January; Home alone for the weekend while the partner and kids are away, plan to do a bit of housework and I slept in till 3pm... Feeling extremely guilty and just feel like sleep allows me to escape reality. Wake up... Roll over and snooze... Only reason I'm up is that I promised to have a few things done. (We have a very old house in need of repair and I'm meant to be painting my daughters bedroom) I feel like when I explain my situation I'm just being a big baby and should just harden up. Unsure if I'm depressed or just plan lazy. OK, i better run, gotta get some painting done. Any questions welcome and I will be back to update more about myself.

Paul DBT, Borderline and my whole world changing.
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, Some of you will recognise me (hello again). In the last 3.5 months, I've moved interstate, changed job, put my apartment on the market but continue to pay the mortgaged outgoings, advertised for a tenant, pay rent and outgoings intersta... View more

Hi everyone, Some of you will recognise me (hello again). In the last 3.5 months, I've moved interstate, changed job, put my apartment on the market but continue to pay the mortgaged outgoings, advertised for a tenant, pay rent and outgoings interstate, got ripped off by removalists, My car (worth $5,000) cost me $6,000 That was just before christmas. I went to my GP to see if there was a psychologist I could speak to but I ended up in a mental health facility for christmas and new year. I was coping reasonably after that, but then my car broke down and requires at least $1,000 worth of inspection to determine what's wrong. That's sent me into a hole again with a lot of pain and suicidal ideation. I'm staying with my sister at the moment who is looking after me. My discharge summary from the hospital stay hinted at BPD. After reading a lot about BPD I'm not surprised and it explains a fair bit. I have found a psychologist since moving and she wants to work through DBT (Dialectic Behavioural Therapy) with me which i'm not against and believe that it will be beneficial. Does anyone else suffer BPD and would you like to share your experiences and how you cope? Has anyone been through DBT. Was it group therapy or one on one? Paul

Imamess1 Depression and leave options?
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I've been suffering from a severe bout of depression and the doctor gave me a few weeks off work. The thought of going back makes me sick and panic and I don't have it in me to return. The problem is that I spent almost a decade at universi... View more

Hi there, I've been suffering from a severe bout of depression and the doctor gave me a few weeks off work. The thought of going back makes me sick and panic and I don't have it in me to return. The problem is that I spent almost a decade at university studying and finally got my foot in the door and now I'm filled with dread and extreme guilt at the prospect of having to resign when it took me soo long to get this opportunity. Does anyone know if I can take an extended leave of absence or what longer-term options or possibilities that exist if you work for state govt? Thanks.

4321 Can't be bothered
  • replies: 3

I'm struggling with everyday life at the moment. When I'm at work I'm ok but I work casually so have a lot of fee time. the last few months if I'm not working all I do is pull the blinds and sleep. I have no motivation to do anything or go anywhere. ... View more

I'm struggling with everyday life at the moment. When I'm at work I'm ok but I work casually so have a lot of fee time. the last few months if I'm not working all I do is pull the blinds and sleep. I have no motivation to do anything or go anywhere. I live opposite the beach so I know I should be there everyday but I just can't be bothered. any tips of overcoming a lack of motivation and wanting to sleep??? thank you

Razza586 My life with depression anxiety and addiction
  • replies: 3

"Looking back i should have begun therapy years ago" How does one self beat the dark life of depression? Anxiety and addiction. Im a 29 y.o male who lives with depression anxiety addiction and probably psychosis. Sounds horrible to say but thats the ... View more

"Looking back i should have begun therapy years ago" How does one self beat the dark life of depression? Anxiety and addiction. Im a 29 y.o male who lives with depression anxiety addiction and probably psychosis. Sounds horrible to say but thats the reality. shh keep it to yourself haha I dont find it comfortable living with any of those 'disorders' its very challenging and at times dibilitating. I am currently out of work and am feeling very sorry for myself. If i was a paraplegic or have some physical issue people would understand. This depression n that - no body knows what your going through. You can try to discribe it to a trusted individual but they still may not fully understand. Pit gets to a point where people are fed up in my life. Its the same old story over and over again. I must say its no walk in the park. To give you some insite i basically lost everything. Friends the girlfriend job - the list goes on. With my depression i developed an addictive side which became a full time gig. Anything addictive ive probably been there. Now its a time in my life with alot of my old friends are now getting married, have the house on the hill, kids etc and im still struggling to get out of bed. I often choose not tk. I hate waking up - nothing excites me when in the depths of depression. This whole fuck it additude has been going for to long and its time to break free. Time moves so fast that before we know it lifes finished. Its a scary thought. Really dont knkw where im going with all of this but i dunno where lucky now days that people are aware of mentalillness and kind of understand what a pain in the arse it can be. I really hope one day this sarga of addiction (terrible coping stradegy) jail rehabs un employment bad relationships can all come to an end. Going to try CBT hopefully that can get us out of this mess. I wish you all the best and have a happy life.

louies Mornings are the hardest
  • replies: 3

Hi there I have been suffering? From depression and anxiety my whole life and have been medicated for about 8 years now. I'm coping well but I always find it hard in the mornings I get up ok but as the morning progress I feel yuk up until late about ... View more

Hi there I have been suffering? From depression and anxiety my whole life and have been medicated for about 8 years now. I'm coping well but I always find it hard in the mornings I get up ok but as the morning progress I feel yuk up until late about 1pm then I get relief. Just wanted to to know does any one ells have this problem or is it just me. THanks for your time RISS

MissMc Am I over reacting?????
  • replies: 6

Hi I went to see my psychologist this morning and talked about some pretty heavy stuff but anyways talking away and I told her I'm getting part payment from Centrelink a disability pension and work as well which I claim my wages every fortnight ........ View more

Hi I went to see my psychologist this morning and talked about some pretty heavy stuff but anyways talking away and I told her I'm getting part payment from Centrelink a disability pension and work as well which I claim my wages every fortnight ..... But what has puzzled me was the look on her face? .... which was of really, why?.... which has worried me ever sense this morning, .... my anxiety is high and now worried she might ring Centrelink and say something? .... Even though is not about the money ... its about my health and wellbeing!!# I have taken 9 weeks leave cause of my relasp with my depression ... 8 weeks ago and I took unplanned paid leave and unplanned unpaid leave .... and without the Centrelink payment I would not be able to the buy food or pay bills and pay my loan repayments etc .. I see her next week and I'm going to bring this up? should I or shouldn't I?

Elsker lost and lonely.
  • replies: 4

I feel very trapped and alone at the moment. I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 21. After medication and counselling, and I learned some tools that have helped me get by since, without medication. I’m 43 now. I spent years of my chil... View more

I feel very trapped and alone at the moment. I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 21. After medication and counselling, and I learned some tools that have helped me get by since, without medication. I’m 43 now. I spent years of my childhood listening to my parents fighting constantly, sometimes violently. Then my father dying when I was 16. Then I had a motorcycle accident when I was 18 and shattered my humurus and twisting my collarbone. I have lost 75% of the movement in that arm and have varying levels of constant pain in the shoulder and arm ever since. I lost my most recent job 18 months ago under bad circumstances, I live in a small town and it has been impossible to find another job I suspect in part because my previous employer gives me bad references, despite my having been a hard reliable, punctual and dedicated worker all of my life. I‘m now back on the family farm with my mother. She is aged with a string of ailments. I spend about half of my time helping her, I cook all her meals, doing the physical chores, despite often being in pain from my shoulder and a compacted disc I now have. I spend all day listening to her complain about how sick she and criticising the way I do things. My brother and sister never help out. Visiting the house maybe twice a year. I spend the other half of my time looking for jobs to apply for, rarely getting a response. I was also diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and really need to lose weight but find that a struggle, despite eating healthy, no fried foods and very rarely eat takeaway. I walk and do physical activity every day. But it never seems to make any difference. I tripped yesterday and kicked my toes and now my 4th toe is swollen and partially black and extremely sore. Though I was reminded how lucky I am by my mother than I have never experienced true pain. Now I find myself 43, stuck at home, no friends, nobody to talk to, I struggle to afford to go to the doctor, no bulk billing here. I can’t remember the last time someone asked how I was. I’ve tried to make new friends but I am not very outgoing and my interests are not similar to people I meet. I’m quiet and introspective, I like music and books and matters of the mind. I used to be a romantic, I used to believe in magic and dream big dreams. Now I am just lost. I do understand my problems are trivial compared to the real problems a lot of people have. It still gets a bit overwhelming some days.

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