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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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Carom New to depression....
  • replies: 6

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy.... View more

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy. I used to be the life of the party, now I avoid a group of friends. We are in couples counselling but I think I am the ultimate problem and need to be in individual therapy to really make a difference. I don't even have a question here...just looking to find out what you guys have done to take steps towards recovery. I'm shocked and in complete despair that I am actually in this situation. I don't feel like I'm me anymore.

LizBethGirl Feeling so lost and helpless
  • replies: 5

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so l... View more

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so lonely all the time being single. I just want to find someone who loves me for me and will accept me but I feel like no one will want me when I'm suffering from anxiety and depression. I feel like a burden on all of my family and friends and I feel like they won't want to be around me soon. I try so hard to keep going! I put on a happy face and I don't think anyone would have any idea how bad I feel inside. All of my friends are in relationships and they have their own lives and I just don't fit anywhere. I feel so lost and helpless and that nothing will ever help me and I will never feel better. I just want to give up! I have started seeing a psychologist and she talks about CBT and changing my thinking but that feels impossible when I have thousands of negative thoughts running through my head every day.. I just don't want to feel like this anymore! I don't want to go on medication because I want to be able to get better by myself and not rely on pills to make me feel better. I have been through so much and I just want a break from the bad! I'm miserable and numb and I don't think I can go on.

Wild_ How do you stop yourself in a moment of anger caused by depression?
  • replies: 16

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having tr... View more

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having trouble stopping and walking away. I wonder - do you have the same problem? If so, how do you stop it in the moment? How do you beat it before it happens? Happy to take suggestions.

PrincessPoot Depression or bipolar?
  • replies: 5

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does ... View more

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does anyone have any advice on what behaviours I should be monitoring or what I should look back on that I may have missed?

Lonely40 Life sufferer of depression
  • replies: 5

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since sh... View more

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since she moved away I haven't had any friends for the past seven years. I live in a small town and it's hard to find new friends because everyone has their clicky groups. I don't go out because I hate going on my own. The hardest thing I find is not having anyone to talk to and do things with, while everyone else is getting together for coffee and such, I spend my days off at home either cleaning the house or watching movies. I feel I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life. So that's me Looking forward to talking to you

Nobody_Special____ I am tired….
  • replies: 6

I am tired of this feeling of loneliness that engulfs me daily.. I am sick and tired of feeling resentment towards everyone I have come across in my life who doesn't see what has happened to me. I am tired of spending my days in a cone of silence. Ho... View more

I am tired of this feeling of loneliness that engulfs me daily.. I am sick and tired of feeling resentment towards everyone I have come across in my life who doesn't see what has happened to me. I am tired of spending my days in a cone of silence. How many of you haven't uttered a single word today? What's ironic is that with so little actual noise and stimulation in my life, I want nothing more than for the deafening noise to stop………and yet, tomorrow I have to get up, thankful that the weekend is over so I can go be a highly functioning member of society and maybe engage with people on a professional level. Sorry for the pointless spew, but I can't say these things to my 38 "friends" on Facebook or to my Linkedin network…opening up to friends in the past has just shown me that they weren't the friends I hoped they would be so I am not willing to try that experiment again. I'm glad this place is here so I can say what I need to, but fear it really won't help because the things that depress me are still there and the things I want to silence will continue to make noise... Do we get better or is this just a way to kill time? I wonder sometimes as killing time is really the only thing I truly enjoy anymore...

Ciara I'm too scared to tell anyone how i feel.
  • replies: 4

There are so many depressing things going on in my life and i dont know hot to cope. I'm not good with expressing my feelings so what do i do. How do i have this conversation with my parents or my family. Im just so angry and frustrated. I need help ... View more

There are so many depressing things going on in my life and i dont know hot to cope. I'm not good with expressing my feelings so what do i do. How do i have this conversation with my parents or my family. Im just so angry and frustrated. I need help before it gets worse. Please can anybody help me.

white knight Newly diagnosed with depression? What to expect.
  • replies: 15

You’ve been diagnosed with depression possibly anxiety as well beforehand that led to depression. Your Doctor starts you on medication and you return home. You arrive home and the first thing you decide is to ring a friend. But your friend who has a ... View more

You’ve been diagnosed with depression possibly anxiety as well beforehand that led to depression. Your Doctor starts you on medication and you return home. You arrive home and the first thing you decide is to ring a friend. But your friend who has a good ear normally cant help you, that’s what they believe. After 15 minutes the conversation drifts off into talking about the nightclub she visited last weekend and the guy she met. You’re alone. The same thing happens with family members but they listen more intently. Over time they too feel the stress of not being able to reach into your mind to fix the problem. Even though they do their best it isn’t enough. You are still alone. You visit your club members. They have a BBQ at a park and show their cars off. You are so much under the dizziness of medication you are emotional. You begin to talk about this to a “friend” and the friend turns to you and says “I’m here for fun and more fun, not to listen to this…snap out of it”!! You prepare dinner and your defacto arrives home from work. He/she listens, you weep and you drink a cuppa. But it seems you cant get enough of their time and support. This process is likely what you are going to experience as a newly diagnosed person with emotional troubles. So here are some tips for those wandering around wondering about their future- 1/ Don’t expect anyone to understand Google- “Topic: they just wont understand, why?- beyondblue” 2/ Accept your illness. Fighting it wont work and that will be unfair to others in your life “Topic: depression a ship on the high seas- beyondblue” and “Topic: Do we expect a smooth road in life- beyondblue” 3/ Expect the future of your illness to be a lifelong management work in progress not something anyone will cure. 4/ Be sympathetic with your loved ones “Topic: who cares for the carer?- beyondblue” and “Topic: embracing the embracer- beyondblue” 5/ Realise you might need to revert back to some basic living “Topic: MELTDOWN, back to basics- beyondblue” 6/ Investigate the positives “topic: Depression, are there any positives?- beyondblue” 7/ Become positive “Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue” 8/ Stick to your doctors orders and visit often “Topic: medication is a whirlpool- beyondblue” 9/ Rely on yourself “topic: the best praise you’ll ever get- beyondblue” 10/ Get on with life. “Topic: Getting depression into perspective- beyondblue” Can you add to this? Tony WK

topsy_ Is it always going to be this hard??
  • replies: 19

I'm nearly 60 & have had depression & PTSD since my late teens. I've had counselling, meds, even ECT. I am so much better than my worst years but the down times still come. If they're short lasting I can manage okay but when the depression really dec... View more

I'm nearly 60 & have had depression & PTSD since my late teens. I've had counselling, meds, even ECT. I am so much better than my worst years but the down times still come. If they're short lasting I can manage okay but when the depression really decides to hang around for longer than normal it's tough going. I have so many more coping skills than when I was younger. But when the time drags on I start to doubt - even forget! - that I will get better. Thoughts/tips anyone?? Please.

anamethathasntbeenused depression/anxiety causing alcoholism.
  • replies: 3

I've recently been looking into online help options. Nothing so far has been helpful. I need to talk to people that are fighting, or know what it's like. The AA chat room wasn't for me. Too many people talking about unrelated topics. Looking for some... View more

I've recently been looking into online help options. Nothing so far has been helpful. I need to talk to people that are fighting, or know what it's like. The AA chat room wasn't for me. Too many people talking about unrelated topics. Looking for some real advice and coping strategies. Face to face meetings just aren't for me yet.