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Depression

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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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schoolteacher Single parent/teacher suffering depression
  • replies: 3

My story in a nutshell is that I suffer from depression and anxiety continuously and have done so for the last 20+ years. Am on a high dose of ADs and they keep it to a just manageable level. I also experience PMDD to add fun to the mix. What I've fo... View more

My story in a nutshell is that I suffer from depression and anxiety continuously and have done so for the last 20+ years. Am on a high dose of ADs and they keep it to a just manageable level. I also experience PMDD to add fun to the mix. What I've found now that I'm on school holidays (I'm a junior primary teacher in a challenging suburb) is that my depression is kicking in big time. I don't have to put on that front of getting myself to school and teaching all day then being exhausted at the end of the day and falling asleep. Now I'm on holidays (6 weeks) I'm finding myself with zero motivation, very anxious, classic not being able to cry symptom as a side effect of ADs and having to parent through all of that with my child home 24/7. It feels like all she wants, as a single child, is to be entertained. My guilt level is through the roof, feeling like I should be keeping her busy and having fun. The house is a shambles with housework piling up. If I had my choice I would be sleeping all day. I just sit on the computer and she sits watching tv. I want to be able to cry and vent but the AD's stop me from doing even that. I'm falling in a hole and I don't have family support to help me out. Having to go to work was helping me keep it together but not it's not there so I'm failing. Any suggestions? TIA.

Shim What next ?
  • replies: 1

I have never been or ever had help before. It has all come to a head and I think even my husband is reAdy to turn his back on me. I have no other family in oz and am trying to find a way to go forward. I don't know how to get out of this and feel I a... View more

I have never been or ever had help before. It has all come to a head and I think even my husband is reAdy to turn his back on me. I have no other family in oz and am trying to find a way to go forward. I don't know how to get out of this and feel I am sinking. Please help!

misty2016 up and down on the emotional merry goround
  • replies: 6

hi i'm a newbie to this bb and to forums generally have depression and anxiety and difficulty with emotion regulation not looking forward to xmas, estranged from family and just finished a 6 yr relationship i find it comforting to read and hopefully ... View more

hi i'm a newbie to this bb and to forums generally have depression and anxiety and difficulty with emotion regulation not looking forward to xmas, estranged from family and just finished a 6 yr relationship i find it comforting to read and hopefully share with others who understand depression and anxiety

ci Missing the person I used to be!
  • replies: 11

How did this happen how does someone that is so independent so strong and capable turn into a burden to the ones they love the most. My anxiety and depression been at its worst the last 2 months scary at times but now I find I'm sick physically I've ... View more

How did this happen how does someone that is so independent so strong and capable turn into a burden to the ones they love the most. My anxiety and depression been at its worst the last 2 months scary at times but now I find I'm sick physically I've caught bug my son brought home can't shake it started to feel better last night and bam wake up with migraine worst one in ages. My poor husband stayed home yesterday to give me hand chance to rest and hopefully get well he came home at lunch to check on me to find me hiding in the dark really unwell with migraine I could see the look of oh really what next! he is amazing support but I feel like my mind and body is failing me and I can't do what I need to do as a mum or wife he and the kids deserve so much more than me. I used to be the rock of my family I sorted everything and took care of everyone would hardly ever get sick and push through it when I did. Now I seem to catch every bug and it hits me hard. How long will my family put up with me I'm not the person they love anymore!

geoff depression for our loved ones
  • replies: 1

when somebody we love has developed depression and they can't tell you, is sad and upsetting, because all we want to do is help them through this terrible journey, and then take their hand and guide them through the tough times ahead, because without... View more

when somebody we love has developed depression and they can't tell you, is sad and upsetting, because all we want to do is help them through this terrible journey, and then take their hand and guide them through the tough times ahead, because without doubt, it's a path they have never encountered before. Geoff. x

StephD I am going to cure my depression!
  • replies: 3

I have severe depression and I think it's about time to get rid of it. If people can cure other diseases then why not depression? I am not going to mask this thing with medication. I am going to eat healthy, and avoid sugar like the plague. I am goin... View more

I have severe depression and I think it's about time to get rid of it. If people can cure other diseases then why not depression? I am not going to mask this thing with medication. I am going to eat healthy, and avoid sugar like the plague. I am going to exercise more. Drink more green tea. I am going to watch funny movies and go places even if I have no motivation. I am going to quit smoking. I am going to listen to more meditation. I am going to try damn hard to think positive. I am going to try to get rid of this bastard once and for all. I will try neuroplasticity techniques. I will not let this thing eat away the rest of my life! Even if I have to pretend to feel emotion. If something sad happens I will pinch myself until I cry. If something exciting happens I will jump up and down and smile. If I feel I should be angry I will frown. If I practice feeling emotion, maybe one day I will. Does anyone else have any tips for me? I am going to cure my depression.

bluejellyfish87 starting is the hardest. ..
  • replies: 9

Weird when you have so much to say but feelings are hard to express. Seems words can't describe the gravity if ones heart ache. The atmosphere of my house is heavy, I wear the burden. My guilt, my loveless, lifeless existence makes me weaker every da... View more

Weird when you have so much to say but feelings are hard to express. Seems words can't describe the gravity if ones heart ache. The atmosphere of my house is heavy, I wear the burden. My guilt, my loveless, lifeless existence makes me weaker every day. People are so dismissive of my emotions... If I fall down the people I prop up fall too. It feels like my pain is irrelevant, I'm screaming in the Forest. Words can't describe the weight on my shoulders the pressure on my chest... feeling so alone

BBUser10 Do you let your loved ones read your posts ?
  • replies: 1

Hi just wondering how many of you tell the people closest to you that you post here ? I'm thinking about telling my wife I post here and that if it helps her she can read my posts ...... It's hard to tell someone close how you feel , but easier to po... View more

Hi just wondering how many of you tell the people closest to you that you post here ? I'm thinking about telling my wife I post here and that if it helps her she can read my posts ...... It's hard to tell someone close how you feel , but easier to pos about it to people going through the same cheers

BBUser10 Depressive episodes .... How to get through them without hurting wife
  • replies: 4

Hi Guys i am averaging 1 depressive episode per week anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days since kicking my meds 7 months ago. the other 5 days are great filled with closeness to my wife and I find it hard to remember what depression fills like , the BAM s... View more

Hi Guys i am averaging 1 depressive episode per week anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days since kicking my meds 7 months ago. the other 5 days are great filled with closeness to my wife and I find it hard to remember what depression fills like , the BAM something is said and triggers the black dog ! Im looking for advice of coping methods? at the moment I end up alienating my wife , she try's to talk to me when I start spiralling down checking if I'm ok but a lot of questions frustrating and end up snapping then I go through a stage of getting angry with the kids and her which ends in a row, the I get to the sad/crying phase when I climb under the covers listen to sad music and cry when this is done I feel physically drained and mope around for a few hours then it lifts. i can see my wife getting more and more worn down each time and it puts our releonship back a few steps every time ( we are trying to become close again and regain sex life after no sex on meds)...... Does anyone have similar issues ? Or advise on the best way to cope? Ideally I would like to live with this weekly episode without if affecting my family TIA