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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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frogman withdrawn and angry
  • replies: 6

very new to here so here goes i have very long story spanning almost 30 years and still find myself dwelling on issues from long ago along with feeling angry most of the time and sometimes just crying to myself for no real reason the smallest things ... View more

very new to here so here goes i have very long story spanning almost 30 years and still find myself dwelling on issues from long ago along with feeling angry most of the time and sometimes just crying to myself for no real reason the smallest things that would not normally make somebody angry seem to anger me greatly also find it hard to be active on a social level and when i am i put on smiles like life is perfect im on medication to help this but the past 2 years have struggled greatly i feel like closing myself off at times the thought of being in a group of people will make me sick and ill often vomit as a result its affected every aspect of my life im feeling very lost what i can do now without anybody to turn to with so much having failed already how ever hard i try maybe others have had similar things or have advice thanks

926wolf Lost this fight but am going to win the war
  • replies: 5

Well what a pita I mow grass for a living (used to anyway) I have had to give away over half my clients as I couldn't service them. Now I can't even leave the house with extreme anxiety. I judge my days by getting out of bed and putting on my work sh... View more

Well what a pita I mow grass for a living (used to anyway) I have had to give away over half my clients as I couldn't service them. Now I can't even leave the house with extreme anxiety. I judge my days by getting out of bed and putting on my work shirt, someday's I finish getting dressed and go to work. I have had this illness for 30 plus years,have a great medical team behind me,a fantastic wife.But with all this I still cop a beating everyday. So as I say have lost a fight today but am going to win the war. (This is just a little rant)

Little_Cub I've hurt the man I love with my depression
  • replies: 4

Hi, Yet again going through depression.. Not sure what path to take any more. Yes meds is step 1 but through all this I have hurt my relationship with the most amazing man. He is not sure where our future is now after another one of my melt downs.Thi... View more

Hi, Yet again going through depression.. Not sure what path to take any more. Yes meds is step 1 but through all this I have hurt my relationship with the most amazing man. He is not sure where our future is now after another one of my melt downs.This makes it all so much harder to know I may not have him. Why do I push him away when it gets hold of me. I hate it and myself right now because I may have lost the love of my life. I just want to be well and happy. Have a great life with him. Just overwhelmed with sadness, fear and guilt. Will this pain ever end and find balance

Leave-me-alone Don't really want to talk...
  • replies: 6

Hi, I am new to this. Haven't really spoken to anyone about how I feel, just slightly mentioned to two friends quite a while ago but that's it. Don't even think they remember anymore. I haven't been diagnosed, don't really want to go to a GP. I don't... View more

Hi, I am new to this. Haven't really spoken to anyone about how I feel, just slightly mentioned to two friends quite a while ago but that's it. Don't even think they remember anymore. I haven't been diagnosed, don't really want to go to a GP. I don't want to tell someone how I feel who just listens to you because they get paid for it. Also, I don't want to tell anyone I am close with to not make them feel bad. I have moved to Australia a few years ago as I thought I might be happier here or at least I would be ok with being by myself as I didn't know anyone here. I found friends but moved again because of a new job so I am by myself again. I don't have problems meeting or talking to people but currently I don't want to meet anyone anyways. I feel so lonely, especially not having a partner - have been single for a long time - and this is what probably frustrates me most. I feel like I won't find anyone who really cares about me. I don't want to do this anymore but I would feel bad for my siblings and parents if I did something to myself. Didn't really want to talk about anything and especially not whinge as I know this doesn't help but I don't know what would help. Depression medicine would be good but that means talking to someone who doesn't know you and doesn't care about you. Anyone else feels the same?

mjm What am i going to do??
  • replies: 3

Where do I start? Basically, I've been engaged now for 1 year to my Partner.The wedding is this December and i'm absolutely scared. Some days whilst at work I will be happy and grateful that I have such a loving partner and then the next day, part me... View more

Where do I start? Basically, I've been engaged now for 1 year to my Partner.The wedding is this December and i'm absolutely scared. Some days whilst at work I will be happy and grateful that I have such a loving partner and then the next day, part me will say "get out!! leave her! If you marry her, you'll be a slave for the rest of your life!"We've been together for 5 years. I love her soo much but she does have pretty damaging traits. She is a control freak. It comes from her high anxiety. But still her bossiness is very hard for me to deal with. She loves to plan each and every thing that happens whilst I love to go with the flow. I feel like I can't even have one weekend that isn't scheduled.We're currently going through all the wedding preparations, its so heartbreaking because I'm not sure if I can go through with it.My dream has always been to backpack asia for 1 year on my own. Then return to Australia and live in a hippy commune. Part of me wants to go away from this world that I live in, Sydney. People seem so stressed and unhappy. Im one of them. Im sick of this life of working my butt off so I can buy another fancy table that I hate, but because my soon-to-be-wife "needs one". I hate pretending to be this educated yuppy that she wants me to be. I'm not, i'm a laid back, chilled guy. I hate materialism. Part of me says stay with her. We've had some amazing times over the past 5 years.I left my great and stable job of 3 years 1 year ago. When I left that job i thought i'd progress to the next challenge. No..no such job ever came, I've been doing odd jobs ever since. I wonder is it my partner that i really want to leave, or am I just really unhappy with my life in general?Why did I propose to her in the first place if I didn't want her to be wife?I've been seeing a shrink lately,but she won't give me an answer. I need to know, do I stay with her and risk being a slave husband? or do I leave her into the big bad world again? Ive my partner told her that I'm having doubts a few times since my doubts arose (3 months ago). She was broken,which was so so hard for me to see. She said last week, she needs an answer now as I can't keep waiting for an answer but I don't have one! My dad says go with your gut feeling but I'm not thinking straight at the moment.My gut feeling changes daily.The big bad world for me is not a good place at all. I hate loneliness. I've suffered from depression and anxiety now for roughly 8 years.Please help!

trustno1 new, numb, powerless but hopeful
  • replies: 5

Hi,I'm new to this site but i thought i would give it a try. I have been diagnosed with depression for a month or so now and started some medication but i don't feel like it is working and want to know if there is anything i can do by myself rather t... View more

Hi,I'm new to this site but i thought i would give it a try. I have been diagnosed with depression for a month or so now and started some medication but i don't feel like it is working and want to know if there is anything i can do by myself rather than going to a professional. I don't like the idea of going to a psychologist as they are just getting paid to listen to my problems, which i don't think are worthy of sharing. I am numb. Emotionless. Or really sad 90% of the time. I struggle to get out of bed and i have increased thoughts of self harm, yet don't want anyone to see or know so prevent myself. I am constantly putting up a facade to my friends and family because i don't want them to see me as weak, hopeless or powerless. I don't want their pity. I need to help myself so i don't need to tell my family to be able to go to a psychologist. Please helpThanks

Steven1 On the brink of falling into another hole. Really can't afford to - 3 year old and 3 week old baby to look after.
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone. I haven't posted for a while. Been feeling flat and low. I have had the last 4 weeks off work, supporting my wife and looking after our new baby son. Has been great being there at this special time but it has also been overwhelming. I go... View more

Hi everyone. I haven't posted for a while. Been feeling flat and low. I have had the last 4 weeks off work, supporting my wife and looking after our new baby son. Has been great being there at this special time but it has also been overwhelming. I go back to work tomorrow and wonder how that is going to go with a lack of sleep. Have been managing my depression ok for a while but some early warning signs are telling me I could be on the way down again. Haven't exercised at all for over a month, got no energy, losing interest in things and feeling hopeless again. Not sure what I can do to arrest the downward spiral as I don't have much time for me at the moment. My wife is relying on me as she is still recovering from a caessarian and is feeling overwhelmed with the new baby and our other young son. Any thoughts or advice would be great.

Mitzy struggling to keep it together for my children
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm 31 years old with 2 children. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety a year ago and prescribed medication, which I don't think is working because I have too many ups and downs, especially at the moment. I worry how much it is affec... View more

Hi, I'm 31 years old with 2 children. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety a year ago and prescribed medication, which I don't think is working because I have too many ups and downs, especially at the moment. I worry how much it is affecting my children, they have seen too many of my tears. Any other parents out there going through the same? There is so much I want to do with them but this awful illness is holding me back.

depressedkiwi Kiwi has moved to the Pilbara - suffering big time :(
  • replies: 8

Nz born female - history of depression for...wow just worked that out ...9 years now. have been medicated on and off throughout that time. I have gained an excessive amount of weight after a personal tradgedy and am now even struggling to get out of ... View more

Nz born female - history of depression for...wow just worked that out ...9 years now. have been medicated on and off throughout that time. I have gained an excessive amount of weight after a personal tradgedy and am now even struggling to get out of bed due to my depression. My weight is getting me down I had been doing so well as I have had a PCOS diagnosis and need to lose weight for medical reasons but now the 'black dog' is taking on my life again. Have had history of health problems eg - tonsillectomy, gallbladder removed etc...lots of time spent in hospital and a lot of ongoing medical things. My fiancée works 4 days on 4 off but we are in a backward little town with nothing but a Woolworths. I am literally going insane. Everything else should be great as I am recently engaged, wedding to plan, not having to work (choosing to turn down work as my anxiety and depression continues to mount and I don't like confrontation. I miss having my family as a support network. Skype and phone call is ok but I have nothing really to say as how do you tell someone else what you are feeling when you don't even know yourself? Fiancee tries to understand but thinks he can fix things. I can't be 'fixed'. This is who I am. He is not doing anything wrong (except having me in this tiny remote town away from people I love) I'm making friends, good ones - but I somehow doubt any of them have or are battling the demons baying at my doorstep, I could stay in bed for days. I could lay on the couch and stare at the wall. I'm not sad and crying - I am numb. And for most people the biggest misconseption is that depression is sadness. It's a whole lot more than that. i am on a slippery slope and I need to reach out but it's difficult as my life looks 'great' so I feel selfish for feeling this way. But all I want to do is either numb my pain further or escape the numbness. Oh God - what a terrible mess I am in. R xo

Lou_Lou_Bell A Poem about Depression
  • replies: 3

Depression Depression comes like darkness falling. Taking willing souls like rivers flowing. Slowly consuming like big fires burning. When hope is lost our mind is faltering. Turning minds into raging kaos; a warning. Somewhere deep, dim light's stil... View more

Depression Depression comes like darkness falling. Taking willing souls like rivers flowing. Slowly consuming like big fires burning. When hope is lost our mind is faltering. Turning minds into raging kaos; a warning. Somewhere deep, dim light's still glowing. Take one more step, just keep on going. The mind revives with desire and longing. With hope filled promises and future showing. Just dont give up without ever knowing! ---- Written by Lou Lou Bell I wrote this today; I am currently and hopefully well on the way to recovery from depression! April 2014