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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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Solosombra Been told I don't suit asking for help! Did I isolate myself?
  • replies: 3

I recently had a bad slip into depression as things started pilling up on me. and for the first time in a long time I reached out to someone I've known for awhile in a moment of desperation needing support. This person then turned to me and said with... View more

I recently had a bad slip into depression as things started pilling up on me. and for the first time in a long time I reached out to someone I've known for awhile in a moment of desperation needing support. This person then turned to me and said with a bewildered look 'wow you really don't suit asking for help" I knew what they meant even if it was poorly worded but I started thinking! Did my unwillingness to accept other peoples help and do everything on my own isolate me further from people in a negative way or am I over thinking and has this ever happened to anyone else?

sociallyawks Am I depressed or is something else going on?
  • replies: 16

Hi Folks, This past year or so I feel like I have been struggling. When I say struggling what I mean is that I often feel like I have no energy or drive. By the time the weekend comes I don't want to see anyone or do anything and would rather have qu... View more

Hi Folks, This past year or so I feel like I have been struggling. When I say struggling what I mean is that I often feel like I have no energy or drive. By the time the weekend comes I don't want to see anyone or do anything and would rather have quiet time. I find being around people draining and in my job of 7 years, I'm in a senior role and manage about 25 people so when I get home from work I want to do nothing. If I end up having a busy weekend I feel like I need to balance out the rest of the week to catch up and the next weekend do nothing. I don't like the thought of a night out during the week because then it feels like theres no downtime before the next day. When it comes to work I wake up and dread the thought of it and count down till 5:30 to get out of there. I've been getting the early rain because I want to get a seat but that means i'm at work at 7:20am. Lately about 3-4 people have asked if I am ok because they had noticed I seemed different. I hadn't really noticed until they said something. i do feel lately thought when people ask how I am I dont have anything positive to say - I just feel like saying Im "ok" More lately I find I cant be bothered cooking because I dont have the energy but that often means the wrong food choices too. I used to love cooking but its just too much hassle now. I've always struggled with weight, its never stable and I feel exhausted from 2 years of being healthy and now the weight is coming back. Physically I feel about 20 years older than I am which cant be great. I avoid social situations unless I am really familiar with the person/s. But to the point where recently I bailed on going to a friends birthday because I didnt know anyone. Years ago i would have gone and enjoyed meeting people but now Id rather not. I am positive I have a form of social anxiety too. I believe I am a probably very much on the introverted end. Just dont know what to do - sick of feeling blah about everything, and want to enjoy life a bit more.

MisterM I should be feeling happy and excited
  • replies: 39

I got accepted into uni, I was excited when I applied, when I got an email to say I got accepted I felt enormous dread. I am feeling very down at the moment. I can't understand why.

I got accepted into uni, I was excited when I applied, when I got an email to say I got accepted I felt enormous dread. I am feeling very down at the moment. I can't understand why.

bonnylass Bad Night
  • replies: 2

Really bad night last night came home from work and I was fine and then became really shaky my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to explode nothing made me feel better tried to relax and watch TV the more I tried the worse I got l was ... View more

Really bad night last night came home from work and I was fine and then became really shaky my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to explode nothing made me feel better tried to relax and watch TV the more I tried the worse I got l was in bed by 5 pm must have relaxed then and slept till 2 feel a lot better now but very drained I am going to the doctors I was really scared how I felt last night I nearly called an ambulance . Hope my new friends on here are all ok today I feel so much better knowing I am not alone xx

bonnylass My First Post
  • replies: 5

As I lie here in my bed after another sleepless night playing stupid games on my I pad, tomorrow it will not come to bed with me That is an easy problem to solve, but getting up and facing the world is another, I think I may be a functioning depresse... View more

As I lie here in my bed after another sleepless night playing stupid games on my I pad, tomorrow it will not come to bed with me That is an easy problem to solve, but getting up and facing the world is another, I think I may be a functioning depressed person I work full time and hold down a stressful job, I get up and go everyday, I talk and laugh with my work mates inside I am dying more every day. I have let my children destroy me financially and mentally and do not know to stop it. i am 62 and live alone which I do not mind,but I feel so hopeless pathetic and useless, thank you for reading x

poida1 getting better, staying positive... then- relapse
  • replies: 2

Hi my name's Pete, I work as a seasonal adventure guide. My job lets me see the world and meet the amazing people that make it spin. It requires me to be outgoing, friendly, switched on and most importantly of all, happy! let me explain to you my sit... View more

Hi my name's Pete, I work as a seasonal adventure guide. My job lets me see the world and meet the amazing people that make it spin. It requires me to be outgoing, friendly, switched on and most importantly of all, happy! let me explain to you my situation. I've suffered from depression and anxiety for about 3 years now, it's been like roller coaster. One week I think I'm good, then the next I'm not. my way of dealing with it has been either to to block my negative thoughts out by taking my mind off of them (gym, hiking, general adventures), to move to the next place and job or, the worst of the options, resort to drugs and alcohol. These ways of dealing with my condition worked only temporarily and my depression and anxieties have since spiraled out of control and mutated into some kind of snarling beast. I have made the decision to take a full season off from work and return home to my parents place in Adelaide so I can face these problems head on instead of running away from them or ignoring them. It was not an easy decision to make as I have not lived at home or in Australia in 6 years, I had the opportunity to work as a guide in the tropics and continue my lifestyle. As much as I have been dreading settling back into 'normal life', I feel as if it was the right decision. No matter how good your current situation is, how happy people must think you are because of it; if you are depressed and anxious all the time, life just plain sucks. All you end up doing is perpetuating the cycle until it forms a life of its own, which is what ive done. I cannot believe i let it get so bad before I threw the towel in, it just goes to show how stubborn i am. Anyway, Since moving home a few weeks ago, I have thrown myself into the healthy lifestyle I had promised myself. I am at the gym everyday, eating and sleeping well, reading a lot, haven't had a drink in a month, am meditating everyday and am about to see a therapist starting this week. I was feeling GREAT until the weekend came along. It felt like all of my hard work just came unraveled so easily, I woke up feeling utterly depressed and hopeless.. How can I go from feeling so strong to so weak in 2 days? How can i remain hopeful when I relapse so easily? When will I ever start to feel good again? I know i have the strength to pick the pieces up and start again but not the motivation. I have been so emotionally beaten up over the years I just dont know how Im going to get up and keep going.. I feel exhausted

LittleA Ground collapsing beneath my feet
  • replies: 1

Gods, I wonder sometimes what I did in this life or a past one, to earn my lot in life currently. I'm 24, diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I'm 20+ kg heavier than my 'usual' weight. I'm utterly broke and unable ... View more

Gods, I wonder sometimes what I did in this life or a past one, to earn my lot in life currently. I'm 24, diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I'm 20+ kg heavier than my 'usual' weight. I'm utterly broke and unable to work but knocked back by Centrelink. I could go on. It seems that every time I feel as if I've hit rock bottom, the ground collapses under me and I fall further. My partner used to be the kind of person who would hold me and fit all my pieces back together. Now I feel like he's standing there gaping at the volume of pieces shattering from me, struggling to cope himself with my issues. How long before I truly hit rock bottom and start ascending again? What must I endure before I'm permitted to recover my life? I don't recognise myself in the mirror. I don't feel like myself at all. I feel as if I'm watching myself in an out-of-body experience, I'm struggling that much to comprehend that this is actually my life. That this is all just a long and very bad dream I must surely waken from soon. All energy and passion for life is drained from me. Anything I've ever wanted or enjoyed doing continues to slip through my fingers. I'm an utter mess, and I don't know what to do anymore.

Willstar The best things in life no longer make me feel good anymore/single/lonely/no one to talk too/OVER IT
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I have found lately that the things that always made me feel good, no longer make me feel good anymore. I have been single for years now and I am finding not having someone to talk to or hang out with is making me feel, depressed, lonely... View more

Hi Everyone, I have found lately that the things that always made me feel good, no longer make me feel good anymore. I have been single for years now and I am finding not having someone to talk to or hang out with is making me feel, depressed, lonely, and worthless. I am finding that I don't have any friends I can hang out with these days, as I have made a huge lifestyle change. Which makes me feel like I am lonely. This then brings me right down and I start thinking stupid thoughts in my head. Personally I don't know how much I can take of feeling like this. I really wish I had a support of friends I could hang with on a regular basis, that understood my feeling.

Luna1729 feeling distanced and disassociated from society
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have been struggling on and off with anxiety and depression for the last ten years, but recently (the last month or so) I've been experiencing disassociation more strongly than in the past. I feel as though I can't focus on what's going on arou... View more

Hi, I have been struggling on and off with anxiety and depression for the last ten years, but recently (the last month or so) I've been experiencing disassociation more strongly than in the past. I feel as though I can't focus on what's going on around me and quite often catch myself staring into space crying and not knowing why. I've also been feeling more and more unimportant and ghost like. It happens a lot that I'll start talking about something and will get cut off, or talked across. My boyfriend does it all the time, but so do people at work too. It makes me feel like what I have to and what I do doesn't matter. It makes me feel like I don't matter. I think my boyfriend is distancing himself from me too. He doesn't really talk to me anymore. He spend hours of the day playing computer games and hardly saying 2 words to me. I'm not too sure how to make myself feel better or how to get my boyfriend interested in me, rather than a computer. Please any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Busymum Depression/anxiety or bipolar?
  • replies: 6

I am scared. I think I'm bi-polar. I've seen a psychologist for a few years now but honestly when I do see her I describe what I'm feeling at the time and I suffer anxiety and severe depression. But researching has me thinking I have bi-polar. My hus... View more

I am scared. I think I'm bi-polar. I've seen a psychologist for a few years now but honestly when I do see her I describe what I'm feeling at the time and I suffer anxiety and severe depression. But researching has me thinking I have bi-polar. My husband is a police officer and I feel like he doesn't get it. He deals with mental illness daily. I don't have anyone to talk to. How do you know if you are bipolar when it's a mixed bag of depression/anxiety?

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