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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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lulucauli Been crying for 3 days
  • replies: 6

that feeling comes back again after i felt better for the last 2 years. Loneliness and desperation. I'm 35 yo female and have no friends, no partner and no children now. After I talked to guy I was dating for the recent one year, I feel desperate aga... View more

that feeling comes back again after i felt better for the last 2 years. Loneliness and desperation. I'm 35 yo female and have no friends, no partner and no children now. After I talked to guy I was dating for the recent one year, I feel desperate again. He is not willing to buy a property with me and move forward. All my married friends are working together for a better life. But i have no one to rely on. Bank will only lend me 300k ish, which is not enough to buy property here. I have been covered with tears this week, can't stop crying.

Adz0h HELP Bipolar 2, hiding from responsibilities. Tax, insurance, household duties.
  • replies: 4

Hi friends, this is my first post.I've recently been diagnosed bipolar 2 after years of depression treatment. Had a bit of a breakdown after a close family death and a family member with an ice addiction.I'm a subcontractor snake catcher and don't ea... View more

Hi friends, this is my first post.I've recently been diagnosed bipolar 2 after years of depression treatment. Had a bit of a breakdown after a close family death and a family member with an ice addiction.I'm a subcontractor snake catcher and don't earn alot due to physical injury. In the middle of adjusting the bipolar meds and I'm a mess. But can't afford to see a psychiatrist at the moment. Just don't have the mental energy.I'm worried because I haven't put last years tax earnings in due to mental breakdown and falling off a roof and breaking a few ribs. Has anyone had a similar experience with their tax etc?Trying so hard not to just sit around and do nothing with my life, but all these things business owners have to do are closing in on me and I'm starting to panic. Psychologists I've seen have no idea what to do about this, so who do I see for help? I'm trying so hard to keep it together.Thankyou very much for reading

zaidoo12 "I understand you"
  • replies: 8

I am a 27 turning 28 next month and still wondering why I have never heard anyone say "I understand you" to me. every time there is something that I feel and see that is unfair for me, people always say their opinion but never saw where I am standing... View more

I am a 27 turning 28 next month and still wondering why I have never heard anyone say "I understand you" to me. every time there is something that I feel and see that is unfair for me, people always say their opinion but never saw where I am standing. I grew up from a small country with poor family. Never complained with anything i have had because i dont want my family especially my parents to feel that what they did weren't enough. I worked and helped family after my studies; and even if while I was studying I do extra job to earn money for school and family too. I always help everyone who is in need as much as i could especially family. I saw how easy life was with other people while most of everything was a struggle. But then again, people that i love are my priority. It is very rare for me to say "NO" to anyone because I have had lot's of "NO's" in my life too. And that feeling wasn't pleasant. I grew up trying to understand everyone's needs and situation until now that i am married (3yrs). But I guess I have reached my end of understanding everyone, the end of giving without having in return. i never wished for material things but to hear and feel that someone understand. Someone said I am naive. i give all i can even if i know i will not have anything left. I did this to myself. I have let myself feel like this. Now I am feeling guilty that I am exoecting something in return. But is it wrong to care and understand everyone hoping someone, even just one from them will give the same thing even if i don't ask for it. Just as simple as "i understand you" response when I am feeling heavy.

Boulvard Scared unsure alone
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new to this so please forgive me if i am posting in the wrong place, i am 51 and have been struggling with depression since my early 20s. 2010 my mother in law passed away from pancreatic cancer,2012 my father in law passed from lung cancer, 2... View more

Hi I'm new to this so please forgive me if i am posting in the wrong place, i am 51 and have been struggling with depression since my early 20s. 2010 my mother in law passed away from pancreatic cancer,2012 my father in law passed from lung cancer, 2012 my dear friend in her mind 40s passed away from lung cancer May 2013 my 20 yr relationship broke down and ended, nov 2014 my stepmum passed away after a long battle with stomach cancer, jan 19th 2015 my mum passed away after a long and horrible battle with parkinson's, jan 19th 2016 my father passed away after a stroke, heart attack then finally bowel cancer. I feel that i am currently in the darkest place i have ever been, i live alone with only my two dear little cats as company as i have steadily since approx 2014 withdrawn from most social contact not deliberately it's just happened that way. my doctor has said i have major depression and ptsd, i am on meds and now he wants to start a treatment of ketamine, Im scared and alone and i guess just wanted to talk

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.

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