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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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Ohmydayz I can't eat
  • replies: 4

This is my second bout of depression. My 20 year marriage is falling apart. I realised the depression was coming and went to my psych. I discovered we have financial problems on Friday and cried and cried all day and went to my GP Fri night and got a... View more

This is my second bout of depression. My 20 year marriage is falling apart. I realised the depression was coming and went to my psych. I discovered we have financial problems on Friday and cried and cried all day and went to my GP Fri night and got a script for the same anti depressants I had 18 months ago. Since Friday I've eaten four pieces toast gagging the whole time. I just can't eat. The usual things that take my fancy I gag at the thought of eating. I started my medication on Saturday. I wake up queasy. Monday the queasy went at around 2pm, Tuesday around 11am. Today 9am. The pharmacist said they may make me queasy and to persevere. I can't help but think it is the lack of eating that is causing the sickness. I don't so much mind about the lack of appetite but I'd like to be able to actually eat. I am drinking plenty of water, it is actually helping with the quesiness.

Jbobo I need to function
  • replies: 2

Hi there I'm new to this forum and honestly thought I had managed to keep everything under wraps pretty well for so long >10years. I have had quite a few major life events happen in quick succession and now my depression an anxiety feels likes its ou... View more

Hi there I'm new to this forum and honestly thought I had managed to keep everything under wraps pretty well for so long >10years. I have had quite a few major life events happen in quick succession and now my depression an anxiety feels likes its out of control. I can't function and I have missed days at work. Even the days I have managed to make it I do not feel like I'm really there. My boss is aware of my recent loss of my grandmother who raised me but not of a lot of other personal things that have happened, that combined have triggered overwhelming bouts of anxiety and depression. I work in corporate in a sought after role that I was really excited about getting. Now I just feel hopeless, I'm scared I'm going to lose my job and not be able to support my son. I have no fall back. To add to all this my sons biological father has just been released from prison literally a week ago and has decided he wants to be a part of his life and is moving around the corner from us. This is a man who has previously been charged with stalking me amongst other things and went to prison for some pretty messed up things. We were together when we were teenagers and I am a completely different person than him. I thought I was over all the bad things that have happened but when he turned up at my door all the fear and terror just came flooding back. I made an appointment for grief counseling and I have been once, my next appointment is not till mid January due to this time of year. I need to function now and I just feel like an empty shell incapable of doing anything. I don't know what to tell my boss as I feel like I'm seriously underperforming to my usual standard. I have only just recently been promoted to this role. The psychologist said I need to start taking care of myself first, I know this sounds ridiculous but I don't know how on earth to do that with my current commitments to my son and my job. I am not coping. I need to function now

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

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