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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 chats on this Forum having 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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Stormi71 Trying to better my life is just making me depressed again.
  • replies: 2

I just want to vent here, because I know you will all understand, as opposed to whining to family and friends who are probably sick of hearing it. As I said in another post, I had an epiphany the other week, and decided I wanted to be a mental health... View more

I just want to vent here, because I know you will all understand, as opposed to whining to family and friends who are probably sick of hearing it. As I said in another post, I had an epiphany the other week, and decided I wanted to be a mental health worker. I haven't worked for ten years, or studied for 20. I planned to do an online course, to be able to cater around my children and my mental health needs. So I planned to do something easy to start, and found an introductory mental health and AOD course online via TAFE. So I enrolles, paid, gets to start date - no confirmation email. I chase them up, and the course was cancelled because I was the only one enrolled. So then I had to fill in a bunch of forms to get my money back. They said they would offer it again in February (although the same scenario could happen again). I was soooo motivated, I decide instead to do Cert 4 in Mental Health via OTEN. I get ready to enrol, only to find the course is being revised. So I speak to the consultant, who says it will be available in February, or there is a diploma course starting November which they've removed the pre-requisites from. So I decide I'll do the diploma. I do more research into it, and as eager as I was, decided it might be too much at once, and I will wait till February for the Cert 4. So this let me down as I really want to start studying now. So then I decide while waiting, I will source out organisations that I could possibly do work placement with. I am in a regional area, so while there are some places, there are not a lot. Out of all the ones I've contacted, I've had two replies, both of who can't take work placement. I haven't heard from anyone else. I don't want to start a course that is costing me over $3000 that I won't be able to complete, because minimum 80 hours work placement is compulsory. Then I email OTEN to see if they could help with ideas for work placement, and they tell me they don't know if they are even offering that course in February, even though my consultant said he'd received confirmation. So now I'm feeling really down and stressed because I want this so much, and you all know how hard it can be to actually really want something and be excited about it. I'm stressed as I bought myself a laptop on sale and even some folders and notebooks in preparation for the course. I'm obsessively checking my emails and feeling let down when there is none from the organisations. I've just about lost my enthusiasm and motivation now.

Lookingforpeace Common self-talk
  • replies: 2

Some common things I tell myself when feeling depressed: I can't do this anymore help things will never get better even if they do, I'll slip back again nobody knows how this feels this is the worst feeling Sorry, just brain dumping. Anyone relate?​ View more

Some common things I tell myself when feeling depressed: I can't do this anymore help things will never get better even if they do, I'll slip back again nobody knows how this feels this is the worst feeling Sorry, just brain dumping. Anyone relate?​

mc0501 is it me or just my imagination??
  • replies: 3

i feel that since being diagnosed with depression that my wife has changed attitude towards me. she seems more harsh and less caring. how can i tell? am i imagining it? i cant talk to her about these feelings as she thinks im just picking on her. Its... View more

i feel that since being diagnosed with depression that my wife has changed attitude towards me. she seems more harsh and less caring. how can i tell? am i imagining it? i cant talk to her about these feelings as she thinks im just picking on her. Its a tough time.

Teeblue AT ROCK BOTTOM
  • replies: 1

I have been depressed now for 3years and its not getting any better, I fall back into the same patterns, my relationship has fallen apart and I have lost my sons to my partner. My relationship was very toxic I played the working single mother role fo... View more

I have been depressed now for 3years and its not getting any better, I fall back into the same patterns, my relationship has fallen apart and I have lost my sons to my partner. My relationship was very toxic I played the working single mother role for a long time and sat back and watched my partner constantly live a single life go out and party, he was never home. He would constantly come in and out of my life, destroying me every single time i built myself back up. This has been on going for the past 3 years. I lost my job aswell from depression and for the past 3 years i have not been able to hold a job down. I start work and then i am instantly affraid, my body feels like it goes into deffence mode and drains all of my energy. The next day i cant bring myself to go back and i quit even knowing that i am going to go without food for a week because i have no money. I am homeless, alone, without my children and no support. I am at rock bottom and i cant see the light at the end of the tunnel.​

Bru Don't know what's wrong
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, bit hard for me to discuss this and haven't told anyone but thought I would start here. i don't if it's depression, anxiety or loneliness but I'm 37 next week with a wife and two great kids but for some reason I'm so unhappy. I don't see... View more

Hi everyone, bit hard for me to discuss this and haven't told anyone but thought I would start here. i don't if it's depression, anxiety or loneliness but I'm 37 next week with a wife and two great kids but for some reason I'm so unhappy. I don't seem have friends, friends that call or I call, friends that I can count on and can't seem to make friends. I often think friends at my age don't exist, only acquaintances. im on the verge of quitting my job because I hate it and I don't know what to do next as a career and often stay up till 1 to 2 am to try and sleep. Don't know what category I fit in but feel like the world hates me and I hate it. sometimes I think I'm being over the top, but how can I feel so alone yet I'm surrounded by my wife and kids. Is that enough? I sometimes think talking to someone but feel embarrassed as I don't think my problems are no where near as bad as others but I don't know where to start. thanks

Rochan2014 Feeling very down
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I joined the online forum a few days ago and posted in the anxiety section. I'm just trying a new medicine these last 4 days and finding my anxiety is less but now I'm feeling very depressed and down. Maybe because of the weather, or cau... View more

Hi everyone, I joined the online forum a few days ago and posted in the anxiety section. I'm just trying a new medicine these last 4 days and finding my anxiety is less but now I'm feeling very depressed and down. Maybe because of the weather, or cause my mate (who is always up for a good yarn) had an off day, or cause I'm not really comfortable with my GP, not sure the reason why I'm so down. Normally i suffer from anxiety mostly with a bit of depression, now its quite a lot of depression. I did meet my support worker today and we had a good chat for an hour and a half but the rest of the day I just felt really down. My family does all the unhelpful things like avoiding me when i need to feel people around me and say things like "keep busy" which doesnt help. I guess other people have or are going through something similar and I know it can take several weeks for a medication to work also but would be interesting to hear if others are going through this and what strategies they use (I have some already, the weather really fouled up everything today but that's another story).

Sherlocked 38 going on 13 - my emotional intelligence, that is.
  • replies: 3

I am trying to write this introduction but this huge ball of tangled feelings and thoughts is getting in the way and I don't know where to start. If I don't think about it, I am fine. As soon as I think about it, everything seizes up and I can't find... View more

I am trying to write this introduction but this huge ball of tangled feelings and thoughts is getting in the way and I don't know where to start. If I don't think about it, I am fine. As soon as I think about it, everything seizes up and I can't find the words and I just end up crying until I can calm myself back down again, stuff it all away behind the mask that I live behind and get back on with the everyday stuff. I can usually pretend nothing is wrong until something happens to crack my facade. Today it is a sore back. Other days it's emotional stuff. I never actually swing into severe depression, it's just an underlying low mood feeling that runs just below the surface. I think it's called dysthymia but I've never been to a doctor about it. I know I should do something about this state of being, but I am scared of change, and I don't have the strength of character to make the effort. It feels like too hard work. It's so much easier just to bury myself in a book or watch a show than to actually think about things. But I know I'm not doing myself any favours and my kids and husband need me to be better.

PSMahi I just want to feel happy
  • replies: 4

Not sure if there is anyone in the same boat as me but here goes my story. I am 30yo gay male moved here from interstate in January this year. I tried socializing and staying active which was great. But then I had alopecia and lost confidence and jus... View more

Not sure if there is anyone in the same boat as me but here goes my story. I am 30yo gay male moved here from interstate in January this year. I tried socializing and staying active which was great. But then I had alopecia and lost confidence and just felt so sad about myself.I took some time off from work and went traveling and felt great. But few days ago depression came back and I am back to square one. I just cant handle this anymore, it feels so exhausting and draining. I'd really appreciate if people would share their side of the story or give me any suggestions. I just want to feel happy and normal. Cheers

janazantar Not getting better
  • replies: 3

Seeing psych every week and back to the doc to change medication tomorrow. Even on a higher dose this one isn't working. Unfortunately those deepest fears are true, people you think are close don't really care if you shut down and give up your person... View more

Seeing psych every week and back to the doc to change medication tomorrow. Even on a higher dose this one isn't working. Unfortunately those deepest fears are true, people you think are close don't really care if you shut down and give up your personality, that spark that makes you who you are, as long as you don't appear upset. They'd rather you wear the mask than be who you are, worts and all even with depression. It's like that quote from Robin Williams, All it takes is a beautiful fake smile to hide an injured soul and they will never notice how broken you really are. I have four people who actually care but is that enough to build a life on. I don't think it's enough to try getting through these bad times. Cried in the morning, held it together at work, cried all the way home and some more once I got there. My trigger at the moment is seeing someone I may have wronged when this latest depression hit but I'm saddened that although my actions were from being unwell their actions are made from the position of being stable, a 'normal' person. Like most depressed people inwardly fearing there is nothing about you to like/love/care today I've had it confirmed that they are choosing to avoid me. While I understand that, I don't like it and I thought I meant more to them as a friend. I can't seem to let this go and accept that just because I cared, doesn't mean they did or had to. My psych has told me I avoid emotion which is understandable after a long stretch of being chronically depressed and while being well for a bit I tried to open a little and let some people in but I wish I hadn't. Let your guard down, give them a chance to hurt you and they will. The worst is the lack of sleep, knowing you'll have a long night ahead, the emptiness and feeling trapped in a life that you have to keep living. If I had emotion removed I could make it. My folks would be ok, I'd physically be here, I'd be able to survive cause I wouldn't feel and the person who is the real me would finally get to rest. I'm not suicidal, I don't have that option. I've battled this disease for almost 30 years and can be proud how hard I've fought. Only those with major depression know just how hard. It feels like asking someone to go one more round of excruciating pain for what, another flat line period of time until the next depression. I'm so sad, I'm so broken and its a long time till tomorrow night till my Doc might be able to give me a different pill that helps.

Lookingforpeace Please tell me it will be ok
  • replies: 3

Have been feeling much better lately. then today, just woke up and feel anxious and depressed for no reason. I just want someone to tell me it'll be ok (and mean it). The thought of this happening for the rest of my life is unbearable.

Have been feeling much better lately. then today, just woke up and feel anxious and depressed for no reason. I just want someone to tell me it'll be ok (and mean it). The thought of this happening for the rest of my life is unbearable.