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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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Snoggle Lost
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new here and not sure if this is where i should post it or not, but i feel lost, I'm not sure where i belong. I'm a father of three gorgeous girls and a wife of 12yrs. I recently had a bad time at work, getting picked on as a manager could nev... View more

Hi I'm new here and not sure if this is where i should post it or not, but i feel lost, I'm not sure where i belong. I'm a father of three gorgeous girls and a wife of 12yrs. I recently had a bad time at work, getting picked on as a manager could never do the right thing, was always in trouble, no friends, everyone stabbed me in the back etc. I left to join Bunnings and for 4 months was good then i got fired for a minor incident. Due to no income i was forced to return to my old job, feeling like i let my family down so had to do the right thing and earn an income( sole income earner). I thought i was mentally tough and could handle it but recently I've just been feeling like I'm lost, nothing goes the way i want it to, I'm getting emotional (admittedly I've had a couple of drinks). I feel like i just want to be alone for a while with no one around. I just can't be bothered with people at the moment even my wife and kids, it's making me angry and frustrated to be around others. Some days are ok and in general work has been good considering, but i just can't help feeling lost. I'm not sure what to do, I've always been a loner, able to entertain myself, so I'm not sure if it's just a mood or something more. Just hoping to get some answers. Thanks Aaron

lookingforme Does anyone ever truly beat depression?
  • replies: 8

Does anyone ever truly beat depression? I experience those "waves" my psychologist told me happens; waves of good and bad. But it never gets easier, it always blindsides me and each time I'm left wondering how much strength is left in me actually. Th... View more

Does anyone ever truly beat depression? I experience those "waves" my psychologist told me happens; waves of good and bad. But it never gets easier, it always blindsides me and each time I'm left wondering how much strength is left in me actually. The better you feel the worse it hits you, or the worse it seems anyway. Even in the good days are not always good, it just a higher ratio of good to bad. Just wondering I suppose...

Sarah83 Feeling alone
  • replies: 5

New to this forum, feeling isolated and lonely. I have bipolar 2 which I am still trying to get under control. Have been in major depression for a few months now and am finally starting to function. I have lost a large amount of friends and have beco... View more

New to this forum, feeling isolated and lonely. I have bipolar 2 which I am still trying to get under control. Have been in major depression for a few months now and am finally starting to function. I have lost a large amount of friends and have become distant from family. How do people cope ? Anybody found the same ?

Requan Constantly blaming myself
  • replies: 4

I simply hate my life. I hate the person I am. I hate that my feelings take over my actions. I'm feeling like if I wasn't here the world would be better There's a long long story to how I've now ended up here

I simply hate my life. I hate the person I am. I hate that my feelings take over my actions. I'm feeling like if I wasn't here the world would be better There's a long long story to how I've now ended up here

PCBeach Been in denial, finally admitting I have an illness
  • replies: 3

Hi... I am 35 years old and I have been through tough 4 years. From my marriage ending, losing a baby, being first on the scene to a traffic accident where she died in front of me.... and through it all, I've managed to deal with it myself (and famil... View more

Hi... I am 35 years old and I have been through tough 4 years. From my marriage ending, losing a baby, being first on the scene to a traffic accident where she died in front of me.... and through it all, I've managed to deal with it myself (and family support and a psychologist)My GP and Psych have been gently recommending anti-depressant medication to me for the last 9-12 months but my answer has always been no. I say no because I feel like I could do it myself and I didn't want to admit to being a failure, but also because my Aunty committed suicide when I was a kid.But... after having a breakdown again on the weekend (in front of my kids, no less), I'm starting to wonder if I do have a problem. I meet all of the depression criteria on your website. All of them.The thing is... I'm scared.Im scared that things will never get better, that people will see me differently because I'm admitting to being broken, that the medication will make me put on weight and not think clearly.... I'm scared that my life will never be good again.But I can't keep going how I have been. I'm losing friends, my business is suffering, my kids have now been I packed.i don't really know what I'm asking for... except for maybe some reassurance from others who remember that moment where they realised that they had been pushing the sh%t uphill for too long.my family and friends are all exhausted from my life and my inability to cope so I'm somewhat alone.... or that's how it feels. And I don't have any skill in coping with my anxiety productively when I'm alone. It all just comes undone.i get that I'm unwell. but I feel scared, alone and not sure how to help myself... but in a panic that it will never get better. Not sure if I should be relying on others for support or not.i just don't know anymore.

LostSeraph93 I should feel happy and grateful for what I have but I don't....
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm new to the forums even though I've been a frequent visitor to the BeyondBlue site, having used the online chat service numerous times. A bit of background. I'm 23 years of age, I'm a recent graduate from university and I'm currently worki... View more

Hi all, I'm new to the forums even though I've been a frequent visitor to the BeyondBlue site, having used the online chat service numerous times. A bit of background. I'm 23 years of age, I'm a recent graduate from university and I'm currently working full-time. While I've lived much of my life in Sydney. I recently moved back in with the family who are in Sydney after spending 6 months Canberra. It's fair to say that I have a stable and safe home environment Recently I've been suffering from poor mental health, which surfaced during my time in Canberra, during which I lived by myself. The main problem I have now is that I am unable to express any sense of gratitude or thankfulness for what I have as I focus on the have not's, especially when compared with other people. As a result, my current mood is that I'm quite negative, pessimistic and moody and all too often these days I get a serious case of the blues for no apparent reason. I'll just wake up and feel bummed out or resentful and unhappy about the same old issues. I feel that this is preventing me from living the life I want to have. My accomplishments now all feel very hollow to me. I graduated within 5 years from law school with a double degree, a D average in my Politics/Social Science studies, completed an extra-curricular program as part of my university degree (the university equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh program in high schools) and secured a competitive graduate job in my second last semester, among other things but none of them make me feel proud of who I am anymore. Also I started giving blood donations recently and 2 wks ago I gave plasma and even though I should feel good about the charitable contribution I've made and will continue to make (I intend on being a regular blood donor) I don't....I just dismiss it as "just another thing that I do." I suppose I'd like to understand better why I'm unable to draw hope and inspiration from my previous accomplishments and what I currently have. Why do I incessantly focus only on what I don't have? It's obvious I don't value or cherish what I have and have done enough. I look back on my recent past through the lens of failure, not success (ie. I feel that I have this sense that I'm now scrambling to make up for lost time) But the thins I really want most right now are: 1) A healthy social life 2) Expanded Social Networks 3) A dating life/relationship experience. Thanks all for reading this ramble of a post.

New_in_AU Finally accepting and admitting I have BPD, could use a little support
  • replies: 1

I’ve had multiple Psychiatrists diagnose me with PTSD and BPD. I always assumed the BPD diagnosis wasn't accurate but only characteristics of my PTSD since I do not have fear of abandonment issues. But I am now starting to realize I have a pretty str... View more

I’ve had multiple Psychiatrists diagnose me with PTSD and BPD. I always assumed the BPD diagnosis wasn't accurate but only characteristics of my PTSD since I do not have fear of abandonment issues. But I am now starting to realize I have a pretty strong un-treated case of BPD and my extreme fear of commitment could be a paradoxical symptom of abandonment fear. I never could get myself to that point because I truly would rather be alone. But I have gone through some major life changes and it is clear to me now I have BPD and I can’t live like this anymore. I have to get treatment. I'll start with this post and hopefully I'll get some support and direction. After 10 solid years of severe commitment issues that wouldn't let me get close to anyone, I finally met a guy who was determined I was the love of his life and wasn’t going to get scared off easily. He treated like a goddess and never stopped looking at me with that love, no matter how irrational my mood which broke down my walls. It really helped he lived as far as you could possibly live from me on this planet. Fast forward 2 years and we are now engaged, we chose to live here in Australia instead of my county, the US. The move triggered my BPD. I have lived most of my life with this head of mine; I have developed coping mechanisms and build a support system that, in ways, enabled me. But I left all that behind: my support system, identity, and methods of coping, and I'm left with this head. I have to be honest; I hate myself 90% of the time. I have terrible mood swings: I get super excited about things and obsess about them, I get depressed and need to isolate, and I see the world in extremes, especially with those close to me, which makes me go from “normal” to really angry in seconds which makes it difficult to make new friends and keep and maintain a solid relationships. And let’s get real, I have become a person I wouldn’t even want to be near: a negative, depressed, angry, dark person. But now, I am away from everything I knew and loved, my family, my friends. I am left with this head of mine and it's constantly telling me I am horrible and can’t be helped. I think maybe there are treatments out there; I have to believe that somehow, all this pain, emptiness, anger and personal hate can go away. That I can let people in, actually in, and I can learn how to allow myself to be happy and be me again.

MickeyH Finally admitting I need help
  • replies: 7

Hi, I have finally accepted that I need help with what I believe to be depression and anxiety. I have never spoken to anyone, friend, family or professional about the extent of my mental issues. I can't even really put it in to words myself, I just k... View more

Hi, I have finally accepted that I need help with what I believe to be depression and anxiety. I have never spoken to anyone, friend, family or professional about the extent of my mental issues. I can't even really put it in to words myself, I just know what I feel and think and I know it's not right. I can't remember a time when I didn't feel this way, or when suicide wasn't in the back of my mind. I feel like as soon as I say the word suicide, I'm going to get committed. It comes in waves, at the most random of times, with no real trigger. Although the thought has crossed my mind many times, I have never acted on it and deep down I know that I would never be able to do it to my friends or family. But for the thoughts that go on inside my head, knowing there is a solution calms my mind down for a while. I'm scared I will be told I'm over reacting. I'm scared I will be told I shouldn't feel this way because I have a good life. I know I have a good life, I know I have nothing to really complain about but my mind doesn't know that. I suppose I'm here because I need some encouragement and maybe some advice how I approach this with a GP. I want to get better, I know this is the right thing to do.

Nosoul I have no soul
  • replies: 11

I have no soul. My feelings towards people are getting less and less... I dont like myself and i dont expect any one to like me either! Nor do i want them too

I have no soul. My feelings towards people are getting less and less... I dont like myself and i dont expect any one to like me either! Nor do i want them too

Existing Is this it?
  • replies: 4

I consider cleaning the kitchen a win. My life is pathetic. I wake up tired. I could lie on the floor all day waiting for night time to come so I can go to bed again. I have nothing to look forward to in life. I am alone. I have no stamina for anythi... View more

I consider cleaning the kitchen a win. My life is pathetic. I wake up tired. I could lie on the floor all day waiting for night time to come so I can go to bed again. I have nothing to look forward to in life. I am alone. I have no stamina for anything other than my imagination, and even that has become predictable. I am just existing. I am over being this person, I don't know how to fix me.

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