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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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Anahata Escaping into sleep
  • replies: 9

Lately I have been feeling so overwhelmed I can't cope with being alive and escape by sleeping every minute I can. On days I don't have to work I typically sleep until about 11.30am, get up and have something to eat and check on my pets, maybe do som... View more

Lately I have been feeling so overwhelmed I can't cope with being alive and escape by sleeping every minute I can. On days I don't have to work I typically sleep until about 11.30am, get up and have something to eat and check on my pets, maybe do something useful like wash up and then I go back to bed where I sleep until about 6.30pm. I am heartily sick of wasting my days - I have a lot of stuff I have to do, but the temptation to escape it all is overwhelming. On days I do have to work I find getting out of bed so very difficult, it's the hardest thing I do all day. I try to get to bed at 9.30-10.00pm to make it easier to get up but I think I just hate being awake and conscious. Does anyone have any tips on how to make engaging with life not seem so awful? I was doing okay for quite a few months, but now seem to be back in the black hole.

Lookingforpeace Pressure to be happy
  • replies: 7

Does anybody else ever feel the pressure to be happy, or even the pressure to just NOT be depressed? My husband and close friends know I have depression, but sometimes when they ask me how I'm feeling, I just pretend I'm okay. Often I will even respo... View more

Does anybody else ever feel the pressure to be happy, or even the pressure to just NOT be depressed? My husband and close friends know I have depression, but sometimes when they ask me how I'm feeling, I just pretend I'm okay. Often I will even respond chirpily to mask it. Partially this is because I can't be bothered talking about it, but sometimes it is partially because I feel pressure to get better, like I know they want me to get better and when I'm not, I guess I don't like admitting it. It's not so much the stigma that prevents me from being honest, as my hubby and friends are very understanding and don't make me feel ashamed for it. It's just sometimes I feel like I'm a let down for not improving. Admittedly, this pressure is entirely self imposed.

ChrisG It's all getting a little much
  • replies: 8

Hi guys I'm new to BB and have spent the last couple of hours reading some posts by some very brave people. This has given me the confidence to reach out so thank you. Like so many of you, my life seems great from an outsider, I have a beautiful supp... View more

Hi guys I'm new to BB and have spent the last couple of hours reading some posts by some very brave people. This has given me the confidence to reach out so thank you. Like so many of you, my life seems great from an outsider, I have a beautiful supportive wife, we have recently been blessed with a baby boy (8 weeks old), supportive family and great group of friends. Over the last few years I've been seeing a phycologist to help deal with mild anxiety that I have been getting through work. We've worked on mediation/ mindfulness which seemed to work. I worked in a high paced, corporate sales environment. Late last year in the lead up to the birth of my baby the anxiety for work got a lot worse and I started getting panic attacks. This then turned into depression, fear of not being able to provide overwhelmed me. This was scary as I was expecting my first child and my wife and I have had a really tough time getting to this point. I didn't want my negative self talk to cloud this special time. GP's have tried some meds, but to be honest I couldn't get through the first couple of days of the meds, I felt like I had completely lost control of my thoughts. So back to focussing on exercise and meditation. I resigned from my high paced sales role to shift careers into something I think will be better for me and my family. I start in the new role next week. This decision has been over my head for six months and now that I've made it new anxietys have appeared, will I be able to provide etc. Some days I'm up; thinking positively about the next step and challenge, others I get really low and feel guilty for the potential financial pressure I'm putting on my family. We have a huge mortgage, like many in Sydney and I'm scared that this anxiety/ depression will effect me providing for my family. I know meds will help the low days and they are starting to get a little worse, but I don't want them to effect my up days, zest for living, energy levels and being able to be present with my family. I feel for my wife who has been on this journey with me. I just don't want to bring her down anymore. Would love any feedback / thoughts you may have.

PigDiesel Where to begin?
  • replies: 4

I'm a 43 year old male thathas had depression for a while now but has recently gotten to the intolerable point recently.

I'm a 43 year old male thathas had depression for a while now but has recently gotten to the intolerable point recently.

Evie1981 Recent diagnosis of borderline bipolar
  • replies: 3

Hi all Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety all my life and recently I was diagnosed with bipolar. It's hard enough to have depression and anxiety in this society and to have to add another dignosis to the list makes things even harder for... View more

Hi all Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety all my life and recently I was diagnosed with bipolar. It's hard enough to have depression and anxiety in this society and to have to add another dignosis to the list makes things even harder for me. i want to know from other people with similar dignosis in how they go about telling people, the stigma of all of these illnesses aren't very well accepted. Especially when it comes to relationships. Do you tell people, when do you tell them and how would you approach such a sensitive subject. how do the medication make someone feel I am yet to go buy them everything is becoming more and more scary for me Any feedback is appreciated thanks all

Carom New to depression....
  • replies: 6

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy.... View more

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy. I used to be the life of the party, now I avoid a group of friends. We are in couples counselling but I think I am the ultimate problem and need to be in individual therapy to really make a difference. I don't even have a question here...just looking to find out what you guys have done to take steps towards recovery. I'm shocked and in complete despair that I am actually in this situation. I don't feel like I'm me anymore.

LizBethGirl Feeling so lost and helpless
  • replies: 5

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so l... View more

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so lonely all the time being single. I just want to find someone who loves me for me and will accept me but I feel like no one will want me when I'm suffering from anxiety and depression. I feel like a burden on all of my family and friends and I feel like they won't want to be around me soon. I try so hard to keep going! I put on a happy face and I don't think anyone would have any idea how bad I feel inside. All of my friends are in relationships and they have their own lives and I just don't fit anywhere. I feel so lost and helpless and that nothing will ever help me and I will never feel better. I just want to give up! I have started seeing a psychologist and she talks about CBT and changing my thinking but that feels impossible when I have thousands of negative thoughts running through my head every day.. I just don't want to feel like this anymore! I don't want to go on medication because I want to be able to get better by myself and not rely on pills to make me feel better. I have been through so much and I just want a break from the bad! I'm miserable and numb and I don't think I can go on.

Wild_ How do you stop yourself in a moment of anger caused by depression?
  • replies: 16

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having tr... View more

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having trouble stopping and walking away. I wonder - do you have the same problem? If so, how do you stop it in the moment? How do you beat it before it happens? Happy to take suggestions.

PrincessPoot Depression or bipolar?
  • replies: 5

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does ... View more

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does anyone have any advice on what behaviours I should be monitoring or what I should look back on that I may have missed?

Lonely40 Life sufferer of depression
  • replies: 5

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since sh... View more

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since she moved away I haven't had any friends for the past seven years. I live in a small town and it's hard to find new friends because everyone has their clicky groups. I don't go out because I hate going on my own. The hardest thing I find is not having anyone to talk to and do things with, while everyone else is getting together for coffee and such, I spend my days off at home either cleaning the house or watching movies. I feel I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life. So that's me Looking forward to talking to you

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