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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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bipolarMe Confused
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have bipolar with severe depression. I've had moments of psychosis years ago. Not sure what I'm experiencing now... I see shadows or something on the corner of my eyes - daily. Sometimes hear my name or something being called out. But live alon... View more

Hi. I have bipolar with severe depression. I've had moments of psychosis years ago. Not sure what I'm experiencing now... I see shadows or something on the corner of my eyes - daily. Sometimes hear my name or something being called out. But live alone. Sometimes feel like something is touching me or crawling but nothing there. I get sleep paralysis occasionally. I get paranoid. I make myself believe things that I don't believe are true...feelings and beliefs. Been having this for a while but it's getting worse. Have been more depressed lately with spikes of mania. Any advice or does anyone associate? Thanks in advance

fifi hate this time of year
  • replies: 20

its seems every one is happy yet I sit hear all alone I hate this time of year soooo much .It is soo very hard when you don't fit in no matter where you go so why is this so much worse this year because all of my family are together and you guessed i... View more

its seems every one is happy yet I sit hear all alone I hate this time of year soooo much .It is soo very hard when you don't fit in no matter where you go so why is this so much worse this year because all of my family are together and you guessed it I am not included there has been tension over the last few years between my sister and I over lets face it rubbish any way of course I have a panic attack and loose it try to leave and then have my mother start her manipulative rubbish and long story short starts an argument between my sister and I any way she rips me telling me that I am basically a terrible person a drama queen and god only knows what else sorry guys I know this is sounding so hate filled and probably really petty but honestly if I don't let it out I really don't know what I will do I honestly just feel unwanted several references were made about my depression and how because of it I am weak and her words pull my head in cause the whole world doesn't revolve around me . that is where I should have let it stop but no idiot Fiona tries to make it better tries to make her see reason and then she starts telling me that the fact I cant have kids is my fault and not meant to be so I should just suck it up and get over it wow you would think after that I would retreat but no I continued to try to get her to hear me to validate that what I was feeling was valid but she just continued to attack me . all I want all I have ever wanted is to be embraced for the person I am I want to be wanted loved included just for once I would love for someone to see me I am again really sorry guys but honestly I just feel so down and needed to reach out to some one .

MisterM Mood swings in a day - is that bipolar?
  • replies: 4

I have always understood bipolar to be where you have a period of high and then a period of low. What if in the one day you can be high mood then later on low mood or vise versa, is that bipolar or does it have to be days/weeks of high and days/weeks... View more

I have always understood bipolar to be where you have a period of high and then a period of low. What if in the one day you can be high mood then later on low mood or vise versa, is that bipolar or does it have to be days/weeks of high and days/weeks of low?

Relay_for_life Emotionally attached to someone while depressed
  • replies: 5

Hi all , I am new to this whole thing of depression . I am a 37 years old mum of two beautiful kids . Married and have a settled life . It looks like I have been pushing myself too hard and being taken for granted . I had a conflict with my husband a... View more

Hi all , I am new to this whole thing of depression . I am a 37 years old mum of two beautiful kids . Married and have a settled life . It looks like I have been pushing myself too hard and being taken for granted . I had a conflict with my husband and then collapsed after that . I could not go back to my old me . My problem is that I feel emotionally attached and depending on my GP . He is an old friend as well , he is younger than me and not married. I understand that these are false emotion and that it is not gonna go anywhere due to back ground restrictions as well . I don't want to sacrifice my marriage and life too , but these feelings are killing me . I feel like a teenager again . Is this something common to happen and if so how can I deal with it ? Thanks

Tb12 Seeking help
  • replies: 2

Hi guys I'm a 31 year old male from Melbourne Australia who has had a range of events happen that has lead me to this forum ...I have always believed I had struggled with depression and anxiety but I never seemed helped, I would deal with it by using... View more

Hi guys I'm a 31 year old male from Melbourne Australia who has had a range of events happen that has lead me to this forum ...I have always believed I had struggled with depression and anxiety but I never seemed helped, I would deal with it by using alcohol or having people around me to take my mind off it, I have always had health anxiety due to being unwell and always think the worse.. I want to touch on a few experiences in the past 4-5years that has lead me to this point of depression that I have no idea how to handle, let me just say that as a child and in my teens I seen a lot and had a lot of family turmoil that I'm sure still is unresolved and lends hand to how I feel.. anyway in 2012- I lost my long time girlfriend to the jehovah witnesses and it was a lot to handle, I have had so many bad relationships and this one I thought was " the one" I understand break ups but this was way out of left field, I feel like I was completely lied to and I don't even know the women I was sleeping next to, she left for the witnesses and never returned or even returns my phone calls or texts it's like she never existed 2013- I wake up with a array of neurological issues out of seemingly what felt like no where, muscle tremors, jolts, twitches, weakness and are whole host of other things. I was rushed to hospital and for the next year was going through diagnosing testing for ALS a non curable disease that will kill you in four years, I still am ongoing with these symptoms today without a diagnosis but it am pretty much bed ridden most days, the dr's are currently sending me for other tests that are not very nice to have if they are seen as positive so my anxiety is huge and I don't know If all these new symptoms are anxiety physical manifestations on top.. 2014- I had one friend who was with me through all this he came into the hospital visits and what not and was there all the time, we had been friends for 15 years, closer than family and out of the blue he disappeared with a women he met and I have seen him maybe 2-3 times since, support totally gone. 6 months ago dad died of heart attack, out of no where, I'm broken and have guilt over it. i am pacing a lot, I'm alone, can't concentrate, I feel like I need to check myself into a support centre if they even exist? I feel like I lost everyone close to me and my identity and my future health is so uncertain and I'm alone dealing with all this, I don't know if I can.. I'm not suicidal but lost.

Relay_for_life Emotional dependant on someone while depressed
  • replies: 4

Hi all , I am new to the whole thing of depression . I feel like I am emotionally depending and attached to my GP . I am married and have kids . I understand that these are false emotions , but it is killing me . Are these feeling of being fragile an... View more

Hi all , I am new to the whole thing of depression . I feel like I am emotionally depending and attached to my GP . I am married and have kids . I understand that these are false emotions , but it is killing me . Are these feeling of being fragile and emotionally depending on others normal ? And how to deal with it ? Thanks ,

Kuchel Is sadness Permanant?
  • replies: 5

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like ... View more

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like a band aid solution. I ended by spending up to a couple of hundreds of dollars. My question is, is it possible that someone can be in the comfort zone of sadness. For example, when I am driving back home, I have opted to listen to happy music, but I mostly choose sad music. I have become pessimistic and very cynical. I have severed ties with my relatives and with some friends. The reason being, they just cannot understand what I am going through. Most of them thinks I have the power to change myself and since I am not changing, perhaps I am making a scene out of it to grab sympathy. Is this possible that I may like the “sad” part because I have dwelt in this for long? Lastly – why can’t I be happy like others?

Trish_M Depression Symptom - Lethargy
  • replies: 2

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life, certainly since my late teens and I am now nearly 60 years old. In this time I have been on and off medication 5 times, never for long periods but most recently I've been taking a... View more

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life, certainly since my late teens and I am now nearly 60 years old. In this time I have been on and off medication 5 times, never for long periods but most recently I've been taking an antidepressant for the last 6 years. Despite what I thought were "good" Drs and psychologists over the years who treated my depression, it has only been in the last couple of months that I have grasped the full implication of the complexity of my condition. I somehow was always expecting a "cure" for what ailed me and often berated myself for falling back into old patterns, back sliding into depression and somehow never made the connection that my symptoms are my depression, not neccessarily as a result of my depression. My most difficult symptom is lethargy and finding that spark to get going. Once I'm functioning for the day, I am generally ok to keep going. Everything is such an effort, I often think "What is the point?" When I have been tired beyond belief and unable to get moving, staying in bed or on the couch or in the house certainly doesn't make me feel any better. Does anyone else else suffer in this way and are there strategies you have found helpful? I think finally I have accepted that I have depression, it can't be cured but I can manage it so that it's impact is lessened whereby I can enjoy some level of positive functioning. Looking forward to some useful tips and insights. Trish M.

Perthgirl2015 I'm not sad, and I don't feel worthless, but I'm numb...
  • replies: 3

I came to BB because reading an article about a woman with depression made me realise she was describing me to a T, but I never even considered depression. Even writing this I'm not sure, that's why I'm here, I need someone else to tell me "You're cr... View more

I came to BB because reading an article about a woman with depression made me realise she was describing me to a T, but I never even considered depression. Even writing this I'm not sure, that's why I'm here, I need someone else to tell me "You're crazy, what you're feeling is normal" or to tell me "You're crazy, what you're feeling is not normal." So, the things that lead me here: - For about this whole year (maybe longer?), I've felt numb. I don't feel happy, I don't feel sad, I don't feel anything most of the time. Reason I know this: I got engaged this year, felt almost nothing over it (even though i love my fiance). I got an amazing opportunity that allowed me to do volunteer work through my job, and I felt nothing, and came back and told the experience as if it happened to someone else. I went to America for 5 weeks and had (in a rational mind) some of the best experiences possible while there, but I feel no joy looking back and felt no excitement while I was there. My grandmother died 2 months ago, and I didn't feel anything even though we were close when I was growing up. - I have no motivation to do anything. My work suffers because I don't care if I meet KPIs. I find out about things to do, but don't have the energy to do it. This weekend was a struggle just to get myself to go to the movies. I have things around the house that need doing, but I just can't get up and do them. I dropped out of uni this year for the same reason. I don't do anything with my fiance because my head just isn't there. There are days when I don't even have the motivation to shower, and then 2-3 days have pass before I realise. - Lack of focus. I dropped out of uni as I couldn't even do the readings. At work, I lose focus in the middle of a conversation or task and struggle to concentrate. - As a result, I often spend a lot of my weekends in bed. Lately I don't get up till lunch time and even if I'm up at a decent hour, I'm back in bed for a 3 hour nap by 1pm. Nights are spent on the couch mindlessly scrolling through social media. -I have no desire for sex And it rarely happens. When there is physical intimacy, my arousal only lasts about 10minutes before it dies. - I often have a short fuse over the smallest things. About 6 weeks ago there was a point where I got so angry, my fiance told me that I actually scared him. If someone else told me they were like this, I wouldn't second guess the fact that they should see a doctor, so why am I second guessing myself?

Anna_Banana It feels easier to push people away and hide, than try and explain how bad I feel.
  • replies: 10

I find I'm becoming increasingly reclusive as | get older. Whilst I know that people with depression are discouraged from isolating themselves socially, I just find life is easier for me this way. I mainly only associate with fellow sufferers because... View more

I find I'm becoming increasingly reclusive as | get older. Whilst I know that people with depression are discouraged from isolating themselves socially, I just find life is easier for me this way. I mainly only associate with fellow sufferers because nobody else understands and they say stupid stuff like, "just think positive" or "but you have a lovely house/son/husband/life etc", and all the usual stuff we all hear. And as I approach the outskirts of 50, I just can't be bothered trying to explain myself to people who don't understand and never will. Is it really that bad to protect myself from these well meaning but totally clueless people? I mean, even people in my own family haven't got a clue what my life is like! I recently told my brother about my life long battle and he has stopped talking to me!!!! Luckily I have a very supportive husband, as he has PTSD and totally understands what this disease is really like. Does anyone else push people away? And, is it really that bad to be semi-reclusive, if that's where I feel safest? I don't mind my own company to be honest and I have 5 lovely pets who love me regardless of my mood. So what if I live like a hermit!!! Shouldn't we all do what makes us feel most comfortable?