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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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Mimzie42 Struggling with being on holiday but feeling depressed (Bipolar related)
  • replies: 3

Hello, This is my first post. I am away from home for two weeks and staying with my husband who is working in Melbourne. I usually really enjoy these trips away as it gives me fresh places to get inspired by to write. I've been here since Thursday an... View more

Hello, This is my first post. I am away from home for two weeks and staying with my husband who is working in Melbourne. I usually really enjoy these trips away as it gives me fresh places to get inspired by to write. I've been here since Thursday and am feeling increasingly depressed. Actually, I think I've been low for a couple of weeks with a small hypomanic episode just before Christmas. To compound things our son and his fiancé had a baby girl a month ago and though we live just ten minutes apart from each other my hubby and I have only been able to see our granddaughter a few times. Both sets of families have been in different states, so it's logistical but it's been hard. I feel like life has taken such a dramatic turn in the past year, with being confirmed with Bipolar 2, generalised anxiety and panic disorder, the new family dynamics and also our 18 year old son diagnosed with Inattentive ADD and social anxiety. It's been a rough ride to be truthful and I just feel tired and lonely. I did the online depression test just before and it came up with 31, apparently quite high. I have been walking at least 10,000 steps a day, eating healthy food, drinking water, trying to stay optimistic. I'm just flat and hope that it will pass. I'm also supposed to be organising to see my father's family for the first time in 27 years, and it's feeling very overwhelming. In fact, I think when I realised that it had been that long I noticed a shift in my mood levels. I'm still taking my medication and trying to maintain some form of structure but just feeling unsure how to get through the current shift. Thanks for listening.

leelee1994 my heart hurts no where to turn
  • replies: 2

Im finding life so hard im not sure where to turn to my partner and i are so distant my kids are uncontrolable no one seams to be listening Falling apart on how much my partner and i have become so distant lately it bothers me to the poing i say/do r... View more

Im finding life so hard im not sure where to turn to my partner and i are so distant my kids are uncontrolable no one seams to be listening Falling apart on how much my partner and i have become so distant lately it bothers me to the poing i say/do really dumb stuff leafinbto arguments My kids are young both diffrent fathers but class my oartner as dad my ex wont give up the last few day advisester 4 years he finally has decided he wants something to do with his child my partner hates the idea and really so do i but i know i cant do that to my son but i cant seam to win On another note my daily struggles of even getting out of bed is getting so much harder i just dont seam to find the energy to even tell the dog to sit down anymore I have no friends no social life of any kind im around the kids 24/7 with no excape Looking fo insite to look at the brighter side of life

SadboiArt Reaching out, do you feel like you can't?
  • replies: 10

Do you ever feel like you can't reach out to friends and family because you're having another episode and it's the same as the last one you had and the one before that? I am sitting here trying to make my brain focus on work but I am screaming inside... View more

Do you ever feel like you can't reach out to friends and family because you're having another episode and it's the same as the last one you had and the one before that? I am sitting here trying to make my brain focus on work but I am screaming inside,I am desperate to talk to somebody but I feel like I will just be saying the same things I always say. I know it will pass but I feel so alone in this. I have Schizoaffective disorder and that means I have mild hallucinations, mild delusions and Depression. Today there is a nagging beeping I can't find, points of light (I think I am also getting a migraine) depression and a sense of detachment from reality. How can I tell my loved ones these things without them shutting down? I am rambling, I guess I just want to see if anyone is around to listen to my madness or share in it.

Littleone88 Depression or just normal ups & downs??
  • replies: 3

Hi The last 2 weeks i have been feeling off. just like i can't be bothered doing anything. i would normally get up and do things on my days off work, but lately i can't seem to get up off the couch. I even hate the thought of going to work where norm... View more

Hi The last 2 weeks i have been feeling off. just like i can't be bothered doing anything. i would normally get up and do things on my days off work, but lately i can't seem to get up off the couch. I even hate the thought of going to work where normally work would be fine. Don't feel like talking to anyone and it's an effort to have a shower, do dishes, etc I have been on an antideppressant for 2 years (was put on for anxiety) and just wondering if meds sometimes just stop working? So all these thoughts racing through my head at the moment and not sure if this is just a normal lull in life. Thinking that i should be able to shake it off and force myself to do things then i'll start feeling ok again. Or if it is depression...... ps. am going to doctor to get advice on the meds but would love to hear other peoples experiences. thanks.

My_New_Reality Christmas is hard
  • replies: 9

I find these days hard because I have to interact with people and spend several hours at Christmas lunch and dinner and appear to be fine. I'm very low, and I want to curl up quietly for a few days. Instead I have a house full of people and scheduled... View more

I find these days hard because I have to interact with people and spend several hours at Christmas lunch and dinner and appear to be fine. I'm very low, and I want to curl up quietly for a few days. Instead I have a house full of people and scheduled events and demands. I just wanted to tell someone. My psychiatrist is of course on holidays.

Annabel Over sensitive to criticism from people I know
  • replies: 15

I decided to post how I feel because I know that my Anxiety is much worse then ever at the moment and I know it's been triggered by my work place. I work in a Government department and I've noticed the gradual decline of Staff levels over the last 10... View more

I decided to post how I feel because I know that my Anxiety is much worse then ever at the moment and I know it's been triggered by my work place. I work in a Government department and I've noticed the gradual decline of Staff levels over the last 10 years and we are working much harder now then ever. I have always been a reliable worker and never complain about my busy days and I work part time, 3 days a week. At work, I just kept on doing the harder Client service jobs but over the last month, I've noticed that I have not as much energy at work and when I get home I haven't got any energy left at all and my husband then just gets the dinner ready and thinks that I'm being lazy. Last Wednesday, I burst into tears to my Manager and said "I've had enough of this place, I can't stand that there are slackers here and I do their work for them when they ignore the counter and they don't give much support back." I told her this place is making me depressed and sad and then I realised that explains why I'm so tired all the time too! I already suffer from Anxiety and not only do I get the buttleflies in my stomach but also now for work related depression! I feel more sensitive then ever to other people's comments or criticism. I especially feel hurt from someone I know, eg. A Teacher shrugged me off with a comment about how she is busy and can't think right now while I was telling her something quickly about my boy. Another eg. Last night my brother in law made a comment"Just go to the car!" as I was telling him something while walking out. I always feel when people I know do this to me, that it's unjust and unfair as I would never talk to them like that and I'm not rude. I see a Pyschologist and I have meditation breaks. I do Yoga 3-4 times a week which has helped my breathing. I know that it takes practice and consistency but I hope that when I do get off guard by People, I won't feel the butterflies and hurt and I'll stop dwelling on those conversations! Fortunately, my Manager understands that I have anxiety and mild depression now and will put me less at the client service counter. I know that as I'm doing it all naturally without medication it's tough navigating through life with other people and their criticism and shrugging off rude attitudes but I will have times to myself where I will do my yoga or see a movie which is a great diversion from these people that are in my life! Thankyou. I hope there's other similar stories out there maybe? Annabel

nowhereman switching off- sleeping all the time.
  • replies: 1

Hi. Lately ive been sleeping most of the night and day. Its very risky and dangeruos for me because i have had blood clots before.in the leg and lung. Too much sleeping can cause blood pooling which causes a blood clot. But its the only way i can swi... View more

Hi. Lately ive been sleeping most of the night and day. Its very risky and dangeruos for me because i have had blood clots before.in the leg and lung. Too much sleeping can cause blood pooling which causes a blood clot. But its the only way i can switch off . From physical pains.depression. a racing mind. Too many bad memories. I dont even answer my phone most of the time. I refuse to talk to anyone. This probably wont even get posted .cheers. Max​

Mystique86 The struggle is real...
  • replies: 4

Why? Why do I feel this way? I am blessed with 4 healthy beautiful children but yet I'm struggling with the never ending battle in my head. I should be a happy 30 year old woman but yet I am struggling. My depression has been a curse I can't enjoy li... View more

Why? Why do I feel this way? I am blessed with 4 healthy beautiful children but yet I'm struggling with the never ending battle in my head. I should be a happy 30 year old woman but yet I am struggling. My depression has been a curse I can't enjoy life anymore. My depression has taken over it's been a constant battle for the last 6 years of my life. Even trying to type this the tears roll down my face my kids are asleep and excited for Santa to come soon and all I can think of is I think I am ready to go home. I can not deal with this anymore why has this consumed me for the last 6 years? I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy. I can no longer be medicated for my depression/anxiety/ptsd because I abused the medications on two occasions. I am finding it really difficult to survive each day with any help on top all my health issues. DEPRESSION I HATE YOU SO MUCH! You have and still control my life. Let me be HAPPY!

A2D2 Does your depression affect your ability to learn?
  • replies: 8

Is anyone studying at TAFE or Uni and finding it overwhelming? I seem to be only retaining 10% of what I hear and don't trust anything I am doing to be right. I have always considered myself to be extremely intelligent but combining the effects of be... View more

Is anyone studying at TAFE or Uni and finding it overwhelming? I seem to be only retaining 10% of what I hear and don't trust anything I am doing to be right. I have always considered myself to be extremely intelligent but combining the effects of being an older person in a dismal job market with going back to study (something I have wanted to study all of my life) and 25 years in a relationship where I came to doubt my intelligence, I am beginning to think I am too stupid to learn or get work. Study was supposed to be my big positive so I could move forward, but it is turning out to be a huge stressor instead because I don't trust my mind and second guess everything I am doing. It is taking a ridiculous amount of time for me to get the assignments done and I feel like I have learned nothing, but then I get good results every time. When I have studied previously, I never had these issues, even thought I had already been diagnosed with depression by then. Anyone else have this experience?

giggles Well I got tripped up but took notice.
  • replies: 2

I had depression in 2000 so 16 years later at a time I was doing all those positive things everyone suggests and actually felt safe and happy to do them. I meet alot of people who welcomed me with open arms to now the complete opposite. It all starte... View more

I had depression in 2000 so 16 years later at a time I was doing all those positive things everyone suggests and actually felt safe and happy to do them. I meet alot of people who welcomed me with open arms to now the complete opposite. It all started getting my attention through my thoughts and me basically fighting myself but to the point it was just way to uncontrollable. I sort help bringing my partner with me because I was so desperate to get help which I have now received. On that note its so interesting when I mention whats been going on with me to selected people they mention me having courage which off course I laugh at because I certainly had more to be scared from just from myself at night and in my dreams. I think I am getting what they mean now bit like the Lion in Wizard of Oz. I went onto medication which helped me sleep but too much still. I have some medical conditions as well which are chronic Type 1 Diabetes since 2 and heart disease By pass in 20005.They do not cause this though to me. Its all about thoughts on the negative for me and then I go into an instant feeling for the thoughts. I reckon its crazy stuff because I do not understand why now and I am a person who is about solutions. I enjoy arts and crafts and am quite capable of creating things. But for this to happen now just took me away. Interesting enough I am happier in a supportive role for others but that just might be the problem.I purposely took myself out of society because of how I was feeling. I get annoyed when I am told its chemical stuff cause I wanna know what chemical is doing that then? I have always seen my Diabetes as saving me because no matter what is going on I always look after it by doing the injections everyday and looking after it the best I can. Its my personal sign that I will be ok and I have broken down what I can do everyday. It is not how I use to be though I guess I miss the old me. Who knows a new one might come along or at least an answer be nice. Its tough out there when this happens society do not know how to respond I get it so I have selected who to talk too because I am not here to change society. I know they too are getting on with life in their way, i might need to find mine. Well I hope this helps someone it helped me to write a tiny little bit today so cheers for starting this forum. Hope to be giggling more soon. Meds are helping me so thats a positive so far. Giggles

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