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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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Guest_53428614 Divorce
  • replies: 2

I've had a tough few years and think I have trauma that keeps coming up for me from what ive been through. As a quick summary without writing a huge essay the below traumas I'm trying to deal with: PTSD & PND from first born son (2016)2nd baby was di... View more

I've had a tough few years and think I have trauma that keeps coming up for me from what ive been through. As a quick summary without writing a huge essay the below traumas I'm trying to deal with: PTSD & PND from first born son (2016)2nd baby was diagnosed with down syndrome and 25% survival so I had a medical termination as 13 weeksBrain tumor (size of a golf ball) in 2020 and rushed into brain surgery, tumor was not cancerous but have regular checkups17 year marriage, cohesion control (2022) managed to claw my way out of the marriage to leaveNo family support in Australia all family in UK Mother in law and I got into an argument over her filming me whilst on a kids pickup, and I ended up being arrested for intimidation and went to court. (Never been in trouble with the police before) I was totally distraught by how the police treated me as the perpetrator. Suicidal and ended up in emergencyMy best friend suddenly died at 39 years old in 2023The same day I went to court I fell over afterwards and broke my ankle in 2 places and dislocated it, and had surgerySon was diagnosed with ADHD and mild intellectual disability in 2023I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023 How do you deal with it all, most psychologist in my opinion are not good, mainly young and have no idea. feeling helpless and hopeless even though my everyday life is not bad at all, actually better than its been for years but these trauma's change you as a person.

Guest_54295431 Don’t know what to do
  • replies: 1

I’m not sure if anyone will see this or know how to help but I turned 19 a month ago and since then I’ve been struggling mentally. First it was about my career and what I want to do for the rest of my life and I spiralled into panic attack after pani... View more

I’m not sure if anyone will see this or know how to help but I turned 19 a month ago and since then I’ve been struggling mentally. First it was about my career and what I want to do for the rest of my life and I spiralled into panic attack after panic attack. I finished my semester at uni and felt relief for a few days until I realised that I’m not ready to be independent and I’m aging so fast and I’m wasting time. I just can’t get a moment of peace and I’m worried that I’ll be like this forever, I don’t know why I’m not happy anymore.

Guest_09257537 ACL rupture
  • replies: 1

Hello, This is my first post on this platform- I am not used to reaching out and talking about issues. I've always been the type to deal with it by myself, mostly by distractions or suppressing it until it either goes away or comes out in a big gush.... View more

Hello, This is my first post on this platform- I am not used to reaching out and talking about issues. I've always been the type to deal with it by myself, mostly by distractions or suppressing it until it either goes away or comes out in a big gush. In April I ruptured my ACL playing soccer- something I have played for the better part of 15 years. I am in an U20s squad, and was beginning to get senior games and recognition when it happened doing something I've done millions of times before- changing direction. I still dream about it and get flashbacks. 3 weeks ago I had my ACL reconstruction. After the pain I experienced in the first week - I thought that would be the worst of it, but the mental side of it has hit me like a truck- especially at nights. It feels like a part of my identity is gone, and I'm struggling to see the light at the end of this 12 month tunnel back to soccer. I have nowhere to express my emotion or escape reality and am stuck in a cycle of avoid and ignore until night time where I inevitably break down. I have so much support, I just don't want to burden them with the same rubbish. I know I can't change it, and it's not worth dwelling over but I can't help it. I keep asking "why me?". I was hoping for someone who understands this mental toll- and who could maybe help me. I've been told 'it gets better' and 'you'll come back stronger', but it all sounds like words so early into this struggle. If anyone can share insight into their experience, or give strategies to keep myself positive I would be so grateful. Thank you.

Richard Teenage silence
  • replies: 3

Looking for advice for dealing with a 16yo boy who has been giving the silent treatment for 3 days now. He is isolating from school, friends and sport and not talking at all.I feel like we’ve tried all avenues but he’s giving nothing. At what point d... View more

Looking for advice for dealing with a 16yo boy who has been giving the silent treatment for 3 days now. He is isolating from school, friends and sport and not talking at all.I feel like we’ve tried all avenues but he’s giving nothing. At what point do we reach for help and how do we do that?For context he has experienced anxiety and bullying in the past, possibly still ongoing off and on and we have been seeking assistance from a psychologist.

David35 How to deal with mum's depression
  • replies: 1

I live with my mum. I'm 47, she's 77. She's a widow and I'm on a DSP for reasons that I won't go into. She's incredibly depressed after losing her husband (dad) over 8 years ago. I have terrible days too. There are days where she bottles up her emoti... View more

I live with my mum. I'm 47, she's 77. She's a widow and I'm on a DSP for reasons that I won't go into. She's incredibly depressed after losing her husband (dad) over 8 years ago. I have terrible days too. There are days where she bottles up her emotions and then explodes like a volcano. It usually takes half hour of arguing to peel back the layers to discover the reason. Sometimes it's her reluctance to accept ageing. Often it's her loneliness, especially considering we never see my brother's family (3 grandkids and wife who no longer talks to us). She has a heart of gold and wants to save the world, but can't help herself with her own depression. We even had Legacy ring the other day and she brushed them off. She's lonely, sits at home all day and reads books, but never wants to go out. How do others cope? I have offered to take her to libraries, to cafes, to lunch, etc. Nothing. She frets about going to the hairdresser. We're both still grieving the loss of my dad, but our depression seems to feed each other. I have a woodworking hobby and that gets me out of the mindset, but is it even possible to help loved ones like this? I often don't realise how depressed I am in this environment until I go out and talk to someone my own age. How do other "carers" cope with watching someone deteriorate so much, given that she used to be so happy?

Guest_27299190 Mr
  • replies: 1

I can’t do it, all of it. My head hurts, my eyes hurt. I can’t process conversations properly. My wife is going through it and I’m struggling. It’s all just to much. I always wanted to be married and have kids but why does it feel so hard. Constantly... View more

I can’t do it, all of it. My head hurts, my eyes hurt. I can’t process conversations properly. My wife is going through it and I’m struggling. It’s all just to much. I always wanted to be married and have kids but why does it feel so hard. Constantly on the edge. This life is exhausting. Trying is exhausting. I want to give up. I want to lose my mind. I don’t want to try. I can’t be perfect I cant, please just stop. My head burns and aches. I’m tired of holding it all in

Guest_00622388 Feeling guilty about my depression
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone and thankyou in advance for reading my post.For the past 2 years I have been battling severe depression. I feel completely numb. I have isolated myself from pretty much every relationship I had, except for my boyfriend who has been extrem... View more

Hi everyone and thankyou in advance for reading my post.For the past 2 years I have been battling severe depression. I feel completely numb. I have isolated myself from pretty much every relationship I had, except for my boyfriend who has been extremely supportive.I feel only negative emotions, and cannot remember the last time I’ve been happy or excited.However I have a great life. I have a loving stable family, a stable job I enjoy, I love my boyfriend of 5 years, a decent amount of savings, I’m in great health and have a trip to New York booked for Christmas with my partner. I can appreciate all these things in my life, however I am still depressed. In turn, I feel guilty for my depression. I am 28 years old and my partner and I have been struggling with having our first home built. It has taken 3 years so far and is only half way built. The process has completely drained me, as I feel like my life isn’t moving forward because of it.we both still live at home with our parents, and I am absolutely miserable about it. And I feel guilty about that too because my parents have helped me.I definitely feel like this is the reason I’m feeling this way, however I also feel guilty and ungrateful for my life. i am so confused, and in my spare time I just lay in my bed and cry. not sure what I’m looking for here, but I come from a family who doesn’t share their feelings.i have grown up being the “overly sensitive” one, and whenever I voice my feelings about anything, I am shut down and told that I am causing too much drama. thank you for reading

Guest_37503164 25 year old severely depressed brother
  • replies: 3

I'm looking for some help supporting my extremely depressed brother. He is 25 years old and has struggled with his mental health his whole life. He lives at home with our mother and myself, and he finds it difficult to do normal things everyday. Exam... View more

I'm looking for some help supporting my extremely depressed brother. He is 25 years old and has struggled with his mental health his whole life. He lives at home with our mother and myself, and he finds it difficult to do normal things everyday. Examples of this include being out all night and sleeping all day, starting fights over very small things (he yelled at me for having a light on during the day), has no interest and does not participate in work or study, doesnt shower and doesnt eat. He has been like this for approx 18 months. He wont accept help from family or friends and wont agree to take medication or seek professional help. This is effecting our family as it is currently the responsibility of me and my mum to support him however we can, but it is extremely draining for us emotionally. I'm looking for anyone who can offer advice, support or suggest someone who I can reach out to as I genuinely dont know what else I can do to help him. Thank you!

Guest_66191041 Myself
  • replies: 2

I don’t know what to say I guess I just need help to understand my feelings or just someone to talk to and tell me what’s wrong with me

I don’t know what to say I guess I just need help to understand my feelings or just someone to talk to and tell me what’s wrong with me

Janey_beyond School and living alone
  • replies: 4

Hi, I just wanted to rant about how I’ve been feeling & hopefully gain some advice or make others feel less alone. I’m in my senior year of high school atm and have been living alone for two years now. I achieve good marks but find I regularly lose m... View more

Hi, I just wanted to rant about how I’ve been feeling & hopefully gain some advice or make others feel less alone. I’m in my senior year of high school atm and have been living alone for two years now. I achieve good marks but find I regularly lose motivation for study because of my depression, eating disorder and often feel confused about my future. My most common feeling is loneliness. I have no friends at school or in my personal life so when I come home from school, I am alone & cope with these feelings through severe binge eating. This has become a daily routine of coming home and eating until I physically feel uncomfortable. Because of this, I have gained a bit of weight and struggle with body dysmorphia. It’s very hard to go out when I feel I don’t look my best because I place a lot of my worth of the way I look. I feel whenever people are looking at me, they are judging me, which causes me to isolate myself from the world. This usually results in major depressive episodes consisting of self harm and suicidal thoughts. I find when I feel sad, it’s an excruciating pain throughout my body and I become very desperate to get rid of these feelings (hence the binging). I am seeking professional help and about to start anti depressants for the first time in a couple years, I really hope they help. Thanks for listening:)