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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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Doolhof The Ugly, The Bad and the GOOD
  • replies: 11

We all have days where we wonder why we even decided to get out of bed! This is your opportunity to share the bad and the ugly...but you also have to write down what was GOOD about that day or event! I will give you an example: Recently I was doing 1... View more

We all have days where we wonder why we even decided to get out of bed! This is your opportunity to share the bad and the ugly...but you also have to write down what was GOOD about that day or event! I will give you an example: Recently I was doing 110 k.m. (As allowed in S.A.) on a highway when my front right tyre blew out. I was able to control the car and pull off the road. I was not far from home so called my husband to help me change the tyre. He said "Looks like you are having a really bad day!" I thought about it and yes, it was not a pleasant event and it was 42 degrees and I was exhausted after work and just wanted to get home. The bad news is the tyre was totally shredded, the good news is I did not run into any of the oncoming trucks and the car behind me had slowed down enough for me to dart off the road in an erratic manner. The bad news was it was extremely hot, the good news is it didn't take long to change the tyre and we were soon back in air conditioned cars. The bad news is that it cost money to repair the slight damage to the car and replace the tyre, the good news is my pay covered the repairs. The point is I could have allowed this event to totally destroy my mood for the day, but I tried to look on the bright side of things. Please share your stories here and remember to try and come up with a positive at the end! It is not always easy to see the sunshine through the storm clouds, but if we look hard enough we can find a ray of positivity and hope!

Bendad Waves of depression
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, My name is Benjamin. I'am new to these forums and would appreciate some help in understanding depression. I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Though i believe i have lived with it for years. Gradually it got more severe... View more

Hi everyone, My name is Benjamin. I'am new to these forums and would appreciate some help in understanding depression. I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Though i believe i have lived with it for years. Gradually it got more severe until i had to reach out. One thing i have noticed is it affects me in waves, which have also gradually become more rapid over time. One day i would feel very low and would believe i cant cope, i cant go on. The next day facing the same problems as yesterday i would feel confident i could get through life, it wont be difficult and i can handle it. The day after low and losing all hope. In the present these waves can occur several times in the one day. Or disappear for days at a time returning with extremity. It plays havoc on my life and personality. What i would like to know is why the waves? And is there anybody else who gets waves like this and have they any tips on dealing with them? I hope one day to experience smooth sailing and not these rough seas.

benji777 Isolated easter weekend, anxiety & idle living
  • replies: 1

Hi have spent easter on my own 4 days didnt really talk to anyone barely went outside - isolation as usual Am 36 next week, am living in a hotel room, upstairs and the hotel is actually the place i work (boss giving me a place to stay). Im only getti... View more

Hi have spent easter on my own 4 days didnt really talk to anyone barely went outside - isolation as usual Am 36 next week, am living in a hotel room, upstairs and the hotel is actually the place i work (boss giving me a place to stay). Im only getting 10 hours a week too, and this week it looks like im going to be put on "work 4 the dole" grrrrrrrrr Dad lives in central australia is uncontactable, mum has passed and i have no brothers or sisters girlfriends come & go but am tired of explaining my homelessness & lack of employment to them, 2015 brought 3 heavy break ups, the first girl was from a 4 year relationship, the other 2 were 6 month relationships am really in a dark place now, losing purpose in life, have no idea of a career direction am a talented footballer, but am being kept off the field by knee tendinitis & sciatica, else id be playing div 1 amatuers anyways this is me, this small hotel room is making me feel more and more caged in everyday, but i am unable to share houses with people their annoying habits enhance my anxieties and i bail from these homes. getting my own place is impossible without employment my thoughts are sometimes quite dire, i wouldnt wish my isolation on anyone, dont know how to get out of these empty depths

Hopefullseeking Thought my closest friend understood, she doesn't.
  • replies: 51

I was having a Messenger conversation with my closest friend, she has been a great support and thought she Got me, until last night. The last ccouple of weeks have been better, l know shock, and l thought I had turned that corner. This friends sister... View more

I was having a Messenger conversation with my closest friend, she has been a great support and thought she Got me, until last night. The last ccouple of weeks have been better, l know shock, and l thought I had turned that corner. This friends sister even commented on how good I looked. Last couple of days haven't been good, have felt really low again, fortunately I know the trigger but even knowing hadn't helped. I told my friend I was feeling low again , and how l thought l had finally turned the corner then she said 'depends on how much you want to turn that corner' then she immediately said Be strong. I think she realized she had said the wrong thing but I still felt hurt. Do you have to have depression to understand what someone else is going through? Feel like I can't talk to her anymore. I am not going to lose her friendship but l feel different towards her now. Am l being to sensitive? Has this happened to any one else? What did you do? I feel mire weird than ever now. Anne

JustinH Should be happy, but sad
  • replies: 2

Everything 'should be' great in my life! I have a wonderful wife, 4 beautiful kids and am 'successful'. I also an overwhelming sense of sadness and a deep sense of insecurity that everything will soon wrong. I live in Melbourne, yet, for the last 3 y... View more

Everything 'should be' great in my life! I have a wonderful wife, 4 beautiful kids and am 'successful'. I also an overwhelming sense of sadness and a deep sense of insecurity that everything will soon wrong. I live in Melbourne, yet, for the last 3 years, have worked in Canberra - a different city! What started as Mon-Thurs afternoon away turned into Sunday night to Thurs night and sometimes Friday. Nightly Skype calls to 'see' my family turned into intermittent phone calls and now I often go for the week without speaking to my family; just texts for the logistics. I have now been away from home for 600 nights over the last 3 years, including 300 flights. I've also had to deal with my father getting dementia, looking after him (from Canberra as best I could), VCAT hearings against one sister (a recovered drug addict) to offer the best care for Dad that my other sister and I could find, then having him pass away in Aug 2014. I then became sole Executor and discovered a lot about Dad I never knew - his emotions, the 50 year-old love letters between Dad & Mum (divorced 35 years ago) he kept, the fact he retained every single letter, Christmas Card that any his kids ever sent him, even a poem about death that he wrote and I read at his funeral . . . He had an emotional and compassionate depth I never saw or knew about and it saddens me that we never talked about it. During this, I felt my wife didn't give me the emotional support/outlet I needed and craved. Shortly after Dad passed, a member of my team in Canberra was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I never knew how to handle this with the rest of my team, but tried as best I could; provided support to the rest of the team etc. He passed away in Feb 2015. This was on top of another member of my team who was diagnosed with terminal cancer 3 years ago, but lived until passing away last month. Now my wife's father has been diagnosed with dementia. I want to make sure I'm there for her. This has CHANGED me. I am irritable, moody, frustrated, cry often (to myself, even if for 30 seconds having had a thought about Dad or one of my team), am drinking more alcohol more often in Canberra. I have sought emotional support from those around me in Canberra, that I wasn't getting by not being; not have I been cut any slack from my employer - which, by the way, wanted to 'get rid of' the second team member some time ago and, when he stopped turning up to work, I hid from HR to protect him and his family. Am I normal?

Carmen82 hi...i suffer from depression, anxiety and bpd
  • replies: 6

Hi I am unsure how to start...my husband wants me to harden up and just be happy. I think he's tired of me being the way i am, but i am too and don't know how to be happy all the time. Sometimes I'm happy and other times i can't help myself be happy.... View more

Hi I am unsure how to start...my husband wants me to harden up and just be happy. I think he's tired of me being the way i am, but i am too and don't know how to be happy all the time. Sometimes I'm happy and other times i can't help myself be happy. It feels like I'm expected to snap out of it...i wish it worked that way. I don't like being this way and feeling like I do, and he is understanding and nice to a degree, but i don't know how to get myself happy all the time so that he's not disappointed with me for not being a 'normal' person. I just want him to understand that it's not that easy.

Cattiii Depression or the cycle of anti-depressants and not being able to feel
  • replies: 1

I have had depression since 2010, granted it has been relieved at times and also reared its ugly head in two big episodes of depression. I've been on antidepressants now for the majority of the past 6 years and have changed them throughout the years.... View more

I have had depression since 2010, granted it has been relieved at times and also reared its ugly head in two big episodes of depression. I've been on antidepressants now for the majority of the past 6 years and have changed them throughout the years.... I have low times where I just want to avoid things of responsibility like driving, work, cooking, cleaning and well life. I have avoided driving to much that now I get very anxious about having to drive to new places even though deep down I know I can drive well and that nothing terrible can happen it's like a protective bubble I put myself in to avoid to much stress and becoming depressed but in the process I become Depressed I guess because of the avoidance behaviour. I also avoid work as well when I feel too anxious and that is when it causes problems at home and at work. I guess what I am trying to get at is perhaps being on antidepressants and this avoidance behaviour is actually preventing me to feel what I need to feel. Maybe I need to feel more so my body and brain and adapt to life... I am starting to think this bubble I have created is not me anymore and I just want to be me.... I guess I want to feel anger, stress, excited, happy, loved.... All of that and more but I can't feel any of that and haven't for years. I know that things in life I experience I should be feeling a certain way but I just feel nothing. I was got married years ago and did not enjoy the day, I didn't experience happiness. I just want to feel again and I want help with this so badly.

OhmeOhmy That Sinking Feeling
  • replies: 3

I have been doing well for just over 12 months now but tonight I'm scared because I have that sinking feeling coming over me. I feel like I'm spiraling and that I'm going to mess everything up. It's like I'm collapsing under the weight of everything.... View more

I have been doing well for just over 12 months now but tonight I'm scared because I have that sinking feeling coming over me. I feel like I'm spiraling and that I'm going to mess everything up. It's like I'm collapsing under the weight of everything. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

abby754 Confused & lost in this roller coaster...
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone. I am new to this forum. thank you for having me here. I hope as well as receiving advice and support that I can also give helpful advice and support as well. I am currently feeling a bit "All over the place" at the moment. and my mind is... View more

Hi Everyone. I am new to this forum. thank you for having me here. I hope as well as receiving advice and support that I can also give helpful advice and support as well. I am currently feeling a bit "All over the place" at the moment. and my mind is constantly trying to break me down. telling me, i'm hopeless pathetic and worthless, then other times I feel okay, not on top of the world but just okay - I am just wondering does anyone else have this experience with depression or any other mental illness, okay one day, rock bottom the next.. ? It's as if I am caught in a whirl wind that is my mind. its exhausting and confusing. but most of all i feel like i should be able to be 'good' 'happy' all the time. and i'm not. any words would be greatly appreciated. is it normal to feel quite all over the place? Thanks everyone. Ab

Chicken_Wings It's back
  • replies: 11

I haven't been on the site for a while. I've been working on myself and trying to be better, but the last couple of days I've gone backwards. there was about a week where I can say I was genuinely happy, I was blissfully unaware of depression or anxi... View more

I haven't been on the site for a while. I've been working on myself and trying to be better, but the last couple of days I've gone backwards. there was about a week where I can say I was genuinely happy, I was blissfully unaware of depression or anxiety. I was eating and sleeping well, I was interested in things and people. But all it took was one conversation for these feelings to begin to come back. Gradually my feelings towards myself have gotten worse again and now I'm starting to feel these anxious feelings returning too. It's been happening slowing and I've been trying to curb it. Lately I've been becoming more and more critical of my appearance. I'm also worrying more and more about my health. I tell myself I'm going to do things to make my lifestyle more healthy, but I can't force myself to actually do them. I feel like there is an answer somewhere to how to be happy with myself. Other people seem to be happy. Other people seem to be able to accept aging or the changes in life. i feel like I'm peddling the wheels but I'm not getting anywhere.