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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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Unforgettable_fire It has come back again
  • replies: 1

After 7 years without being on a medication, I'm in a state that I'm feeling pretty low. I think everything has got the better of me. I've been trying to fight it for a few months but I realized I can't continue on this path. I've been feeling like s... View more

After 7 years without being on a medication, I'm in a state that I'm feeling pretty low. I think everything has got the better of me. I've been trying to fight it for a few months but I realized I can't continue on this path. I've been feeling like something is wrong or is about to happen. I've been worrying about my 14 year old son who last year has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and my 84 year old father has been suffering from depression and is about to go into surgery next week for his kidney to be removed. I'm currently struggling to find permanent accommodation as well in the city that I moved to nine months ago as my flatmate decided to up and leave. I feel like at best I'm existing, not actually living

Dee289 Recurrent chronic depression
  • replies: 5

I've had recurrent chronic depression and anxiety for most of my adult life and probably before that too. It seems like a never ending roller coaster, only lessened a bit by the medication that I have taken for over 10 years. In the last 5 years I ha... View more

I've had recurrent chronic depression and anxiety for most of my adult life and probably before that too. It seems like a never ending roller coaster, only lessened a bit by the medication that I have taken for over 10 years. In the last 5 years I have had a new job, relocated towns, divorced and a new relationship. I have learnt to spot the warning signs of when I'm slipping, but its getting harder and harder to remain positive. Just when I seem to be making progress another blow hits me out of left field. I'm looking for hope that it will get better!

EnergiserBunny7 Feeling sick and tired, all the time.
  • replies: 3

Hi there. I've got BPD, and I feel like a giant boiling pot of anger, depression and anxiety. I have seen some professionals recently, but they make me feel like a ping pong ball, as I never get to see someone more than once. I find it hurting more t... View more

Hi there. I've got BPD, and I feel like a giant boiling pot of anger, depression and anxiety. I have seen some professionals recently, but they make me feel like a ping pong ball, as I never get to see someone more than once. I find it hurting more than helping and I can't gain trust, which I so desperately need. The only person that seems to understand things are my Live-in-boyfriend, but he is the sole earner in our household and if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have a roof over our heads. I try not to talk to him to much about my issues, or cry too much, as I don't want to stress him and affect his job, etc. I'm on a break from take at the moment, as I can't do it, I just can't. The words swim before my eyes. But this is only for another three weeks, and I'm dreading going back. Lately I've been unable to answer the phone if my Mother rings, buy my shopping, tell someone I'm not okay, and I'm at a loss to how I can handle day to day things. I hate feeling so needy and weak, but I don't feel like I can do anything at all, I can't read or paint or play with my cats. I noticed this morning I have a bedsore! I've been spending that much time in bed, doing nothing, I have a bedsore. I have other health issues that impact me, no gall bladder, arthritis, osteoporosis and asthma, so I generally feel weak, but that's physical, not emotional. Everything is just weighing down so much. I'm so anxious I feel physically Ill, I almost puke if my Nanna rings, and I adore her, and my Father. I don't know what's wrong and I'm lonely, and sad, and scared, and I feel like I've been trying to get help for so long and like I'm going no where, and I just don't know where to turn now.. I dont even care if no one reads this, I just had to say something, somewhere.

luke91 Depression, this is a start
  • replies: 3

Hi. lately I have been feeling very depressed, down and basically just crap about all aspects in my life. I have thought about getting help for a long time now but haven't yet been able to get the courage to actually talk to someone so this is my sta... View more

Hi. lately I have been feeling very depressed, down and basically just crap about all aspects in my life. I have thought about getting help for a long time now but haven't yet been able to get the courage to actually talk to someone so this is my start. There's a few things in my life that I just can't let go to the point where I can no longer sleep at night and lay in bed for hours on end thinking about my problems.. i don't know what to do! I let go and drove out the thing I loved most in my life about 6 months ago and can not stop thinking about her every single day, I think about why I did certain things, what I could of changed and dream of it getting it fixed but know that I will never get my relationship back. I have also been made redundant 3months ago and haven't worked since so I've decided to work for myself. But in doing this I lay here in bed thinking I don't have what it takes to do this, I'm not good enough to be successful and I'm just bound to fail. with all this time off I just think negative thoughts all day and all night and I know I need help but don't know what to do

Guest_2350 Value of life
  • replies: 15

I don't feel suicidal, but I really struggle with challenging negative thinking. I understand that I should not tell myself I am worthless, so I tried to change the sentence to "I am valuable" and for weeks I have been trying to find evidence that I ... View more

I don't feel suicidal, but I really struggle with challenging negative thinking. I understand that I should not tell myself I am worthless, so I tried to change the sentence to "I am valuable" and for weeks I have been trying to find evidence that I myself believe. Am I asking the wrong question? Even when I think of something, I immediately feel like that is ok when I feel well but now there is not much value left in me? How did you get out of this? What did you change in your thinking to find answers? Any advise would be really good as I need to believe the answers I give myself. I had a pretty messed up day, I got confused at work, got names mixed up and struggled to concentrate. I just feel flat. I eat and eat as if I am training for an ironman. I think my body thinks I am starving as I have no energy. I just hope I can sleep tonight.

Gonegirl I thought once Xmas was over I'd feel better....NOT!
  • replies: 35

The lead up to Xmas was awful, my depression was like thick concrete around my ankles and wet blankets on my shoulders. As soon xmas was over I went away for a few weeks to a friend's holiday house by the beach. There I could escape reality for a whi... View more

The lead up to Xmas was awful, my depression was like thick concrete around my ankles and wet blankets on my shoulders. As soon xmas was over I went away for a few weeks to a friend's holiday house by the beach. There I could escape reality for a while. Back home and the concrete and blankets are back. School holidays are difficult, lack of structure does my head in. Motivation equals zero, but guilt equals 100 as I have kids. I wish there was a good time to crash and burn, spend a month in a clinic, but it's hard on the kids if I go away. I can't escape myself and my self deprecating thoughts. My psych is on holidays... Humph! So I feel a bit "out to sea" I can't see another one as I'm a year into Schema Therapy. I sound like a child having a whine, but every year at this time I get really sick. Just tired of the struggle.

deprees8 Telling a total stranger about your depression
  • replies: 7

hi every one depress8 here again, i have quandary here i need to tell someone about my depression that does need to know as i am doing work for the dole(yes i am unemployed which is not helpful) but the person in charge needs to know about my depress... View more

hi every one depress8 here again, i have quandary here i need to tell someone about my depression that does need to know as i am doing work for the dole(yes i am unemployed which is not helpful) but the person in charge needs to know about my depression and they have already threatened to tell the government that i am skipping half of a day because i am depressed and going home. i have just written a letter and hoping to talk to them in private tomorrow and because i will be seeing them tomorrow/today and i need someone to buck me up and tell me i am doing the best thing or is there another way i can go about this. i am seeing the doc tomorrow/today to get a medical certificate but is there a better way that i can go about doing this or should i just do as the famous quote says "dame the torpedoes! full steam ahead. please help me out thank you all

Elizabeth CP What do you do when depression stops you enjoying things anymore
  • replies: 19

I struggle with feelings of low self worth. I manage this by trying to help others and being productive. I try to finish the productive tasks on my to do list before relaxing. This was an effective way of motivating me to get things done which made m... View more

I struggle with feelings of low self worth. I manage this by trying to help others and being productive. I try to finish the productive tasks on my to do list before relaxing. This was an effective way of motivating me to get things done which made me feel better and allowed me to relax after without feeling guilty. Because of several years of life stresses and depression this is no longer working. Feeling tired. depressed &/or stressed means I'm less effective & make mistakes leading little time for relaxing thus causing more fatigue etc. Things I used to enjoy are now too hard or are associated with bad experiences so it takes too much energy to make myself do things which I know will help. I avoid going out for diner, movies swimming. Holidays feel like a lot of work & I come home exhausted afterwards I was doing better but fatigue led to increased depression and wanting to give in

jobe Feeling hopeless...
  • replies: 6

Hi my name is "Jobe" i am a mother of 3,youngest being 15,i'm 42yrs old my health has always been a issue in my life but have always struggled through due to the responsibility of being a mum ect,lately things have been terrible in the last year my y... View more

Hi my name is "Jobe" i am a mother of 3,youngest being 15,i'm 42yrs old my health has always been a issue in my life but have always struggled through due to the responsibility of being a mum ect,lately things have been terrible in the last year my youngest was diagnosed with Diabetes type 1 which has been a struggle in itself & i have started going through nasty change of life issues bringing on major loss of weight,anxiety,depression,seizures although i am young for this it's happening,i've had limited help from the health system here as i live in rural vic i have to wait 7mths to see a specialist meantime trying to get in & see GP's up here......GOODLUCK!! sometimes having to wait 2wks to see someone when i tell them i've had a seizure which all just contributes more to my anxiety they have put me on a hormone leveler but that has almost sent me over the edge i am either crying or wanting to scream,the only time i leave the house is to go to the supermarket or the doctors. I cant work as i'm a chef & who wants to hire a chef who has fits,emotionally unstable & half the time physically ill? I get only the very basic help from the goverment they still want me to work even though i have been told not to drive & i live 30kms out of town. When i spoke to my GP at the start of the week i went in with a list of how i was feeling which is very un-me & left 10 mins later scratching my head,i dont think i would commit suicide but with how up & down my hormone & emotions have been i have been doing things completly out of character & struggling with my feeling & frustrations. I feel so alone,hopeless lost. I want to get in my car n run away. I have always faced my demons but holy moley dont know how anymore & losing the will to care about basic everyday life & my responsibilities which i am hating myself even more if thats even possible my GP seemed unconcerned with this. This is all too much for a first introduction sorry,just want the constant worry,sadness,anxiety,anger,fear to subside a bit i need to be back at work & being a happy & healthy roll model for my children. thanks for listening to me

lard i know I'm not the only one
  • replies: 5

I've read and heard other stories which are the same but it is hard not to feel alone. pressures of work and family build up. lately i feel i need to scream at boss or wife and say i'm done and just walk.i get treated like I'm stupid and don't know w... View more

I've read and heard other stories which are the same but it is hard not to feel alone. pressures of work and family build up. lately i feel i need to scream at boss or wife and say i'm done and just walk.i get treated like I'm stupid and don't know what I'm talking about. I've been doing my job for 18 yrs but yet i get 2nd guessed at every turn. even my own family practically disregards my input. my mind doesn't stop from these pressures. i feel invisible I'm one to bottle up rather than confrontation even though my facade is the opposite. i feel i can't tell my family as my man hood and strength will be taken away. i thought i could push through this but the last 12 months its just got harder. i know i haven't got it the worst, the problem is talking, admitting and seeking advice/help. the confidence to talk face to face about it. even now i know what i want to write but its just not coming out.......... thanks for the whinging space