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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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Dvo2456 To the point where Beers don't help
  • replies: 4

2 boys to 1 girl 1 girl to another loves the new baby mumma to the point got her tattooed on me destroyed every friendship I had and almost pushed my family away just to make sure she is happy my hobbies that I loved have become none existent I work ... View more

2 boys to 1 girl 1 girl to another loves the new baby mumma to the point got her tattooed on me destroyed every friendship I had and almost pushed my family away just to make sure she is happy my hobbies that I loved have become none existent I work 60hrs a week and I'm still being treated like the scum of the earth i have none to talk to and I've become desperate enough to join a site like this because I've got nothing left

uniting HERE WE GO AGAIN
  • replies: 5

Hi GuysI was wondering if anyone was diagnosed with Major Depression and prescribed an antidepressant once a day I was, after spending 5 weeks in a mental health ward. It worked great for 2 years but the past 2 weeks I am starting to slip back into t... View more

Hi GuysI was wondering if anyone was diagnosed with Major Depression and prescribed an antidepressant once a day I was, after spending 5 weeks in a mental health ward. It worked great for 2 years but the past 2 weeks I am starting to slip back into the Black Hole I was in. Just wondering if anyone has been the same wayBless you all

Sa77 Feeling Lost
  • replies: 9

It's been years of ups and downs and I guess I've got better at dealing with my depression by either hiding how I feel or just dealing with it. It's got to a point where I'm frustrated with just 'functioning' ok and being in every situation and watch... View more

It's been years of ups and downs and I guess I've got better at dealing with my depression by either hiding how I feel or just dealing with it. It's got to a point where I'm frustrated with just 'functioning' ok and being in every situation and watching others have fun and feel like I can't break through that barrier and feel the same way. Just want opinions on when you feel like your at a point where things can't get better, what do you do? What are the options out there for someone who feels like things may never feel any better?

SonjaKS7 HeartBreak Hotel
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I'm Sonja, and I'm new to this site. I came here seeking help, advice, and to just try and make a little headway in understanding things. I'm a mother, and have been increasingly finding things difficult, mainly over the last 2 years, my fee... View more

Hi guys, I'm Sonja, and I'm new to this site. I came here seeking help, advice, and to just try and make a little headway in understanding things. I'm a mother, and have been increasingly finding things difficult, mainly over the last 2 years, my feelings have been increasing, causing some pretty unwarranted and uncomfortable issues, and I'm really getting to a point of trying to make at least a little sense of the goings on. one of my biggest fears, is when I have a bout, (which can last anywhere from a mere few days to an exceedingly uncomfortable few weeks) but the most disconcerting part of getting so upset, feeling sad, angry and alone, isn't THOSE feelings, as much as an extremely heavy and crushing heartbreak feeling. sometimes, I can see why it happens, and to a degree I understand the causality of it, but of late (last 2 years) it has been increasing, so much so that, the episodes, which I see the reasoning and understand why it happens, are decreasing, and the instances for it happening without something as a trigger are increasing. now as I said before my sad, angry and lonely feelings, aren't so much the problem, as this heartbreak feeling. These days, I can almost sense when it's going to happen, but there's nothing I can do to stop it. when I understand what causes it, it still hurts, but it's all the more easier to handle, when it's triggered without arational reason, it's all the more difficult to cope with, and in spite of this, my loving partner still stands by me, and I KNOW I don't make it easy for him, or my 2 lovely, miraculous, gorgeous children, that all do so much for me. but I just can't shake this feeling that things aren't right, and then the heartbreak feeling sets in and I can cry for days, or even WEEKS, and it thoroughly upsets and drains me. has anyone else ever felt like this? Does anyone have some simple suggestions to maybe slow down, and curb this monster?

Living57 depression and anxiety hits all time high
  • replies: 5

When I think it cannot get any worse, death of hubby 8 weeks ago mentioned in previous thread, i get broken in to. Police were called, fingerprinting done, but this or these low life scumbags entered my home. Yes they took plenty of stuff, but what i... View more

When I think it cannot get any worse, death of hubby 8 weeks ago mentioned in previous thread, i get broken in to. Police were called, fingerprinting done, but this or these low life scumbags entered my home. Yes they took plenty of stuff, but what is really killing me is that they took my hubbys wedding rings, bracelet, watch and signet ring. I am more heart broken by this than by other things that I have lost. No I feel more uneasy about being on my own. My sleep, depression and anxiety was bad it has just gone through the roof. I doubt I have had more than a couple of hours of broken sleep each night. I hear every noise, real and imaginary. I dont want to leave the house for fear they may come back, even though I have been told it is highly unlikely. I am at my lowest. I didnt realise I could cry so much. I just feel violated. My family and friends are great support, but I cannot keep using them. How the hell do I go on now? I have lost my hubby, my rock, my partner, my friend and these mongrels have done this. Life is so bloody unfair. Feeling so sad, so lost, so angry, so down.

FJ Frustrated & exhausted
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am on a number of different medications.Sometimes I feel it's all becoming so hard to be working full time & dealing with my head but other days I'm flying high & nothing will put me down, it's so exhausting because I can't understand why I am ... View more

Hi, I am on a number of different medications.Sometimes I feel it's all becoming so hard to be working full time & dealing with my head but other days I'm flying high & nothing will put me down, it's so exhausting because I can't understand why I am like this.. I have an amazing supportive wife & 2 great teenagers ( yes there actually are great teenagers out there lol) I dunno maybe it's just another bad day, I got sick in February of this year & I thought I would be better by now. I'm am just frustrated Thx in advance.

JamieT No reason its just there...
  • replies: 2

I have reluctantly (but willingly) joined this forum in an attempt to address an issue that I wasn't aware of until recently. I am 29 years old and I have a young daughter who lives with her mother and a gorgeous partner who is by my side every step ... View more

I have reluctantly (but willingly) joined this forum in an attempt to address an issue that I wasn't aware of until recently. I am 29 years old and I have a young daughter who lives with her mother and a gorgeous partner who is by my side every step of the way. I do however, find myself questioning purpose and have experienced symptoms related to depression mainly around loss of interest at work, personal connections and in personal development. There are periods in the day where I am trapped inside my own head having off topic thoughts and running scenarios of discussions and actions which I rarely act upon. My days are filled with distractions and lack of productivity which is highly unnatural to me and it is bleeding from work into personal elements of my life. There are also periods of the day that I feel disconnected from my old friends and family as I emigrated to Australia to "live the dream".Depression/Anexiety/Low self esteem caused by the ebb and flow of life, amplified with the pressure of needing to be a strong and reliable man/father/protector/boss/money earner built up over well I do not know when it was all a distant memory. A recent 11 year relationship break up seems to be the trigger to some of this but I would not say all of it. There are elements in my life which are high pressure and there are elements that I can relax. Alcohol has become a problem but one in which I am dealing with progressively. I have recently been to the doctors who were supportive but could tell this was not a topic i was open to discuss with a stranger (i know right on the internet is much safer). I feel a lot of support around this issue is direct to women and the elderly who have loss/emotional experiences that lead to their feelings. I am in full support to these people but I haven't really found support around the issues I am experiencing. To be honest I am not even sure myself what they are so how could I trust someone to tell me to take/do this if I am not sure what I am telling them is the truth or my version of it! What am I looking for on this forum? The opportunity to connect with similar guys in my situation where there is no questionnaire or diagnosis that I can't lie around to get a "moderate" result. To hear about activities that others have undertaken to get positive results and any advice that is available for someone who thinks they might be depressed, shows all the symptoms of low level depression but doesn't really have any reason to be.

Chocolate_lover So sad & angry all the time.
  • replies: 7

Yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to go to my gp. i have been sooooo tired for the last 3-6mo months and I'm constantly finding reasons to be angry at someone, cause it makes more sense then just being angry at nothing or worse still crying ... View more

Yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to go to my gp. i have been sooooo tired for the last 3-6mo months and I'm constantly finding reasons to be angry at someone, cause it makes more sense then just being angry at nothing or worse still crying over nothing??!! It doesn't make sense, it's as if I've forgotten how to be happy, or how to find enjoyment in anything! I used to love playing with my kids, now I find excuses not too because I'm scared of what I might feel, why is that ? My kids are the light in my life but I can't smile with them..... That's not logical ??? my hubby says that he can't take my mood for much longer, and I don't blame him, I don't want to be with me why would he? I'm usually a very logical, light hearted person but last week I went away for work and on my way home on the second day I became overtly anxious that I needed to say goodnight to my kids...... Logically I knew they would be doing their homework and getting ready for bed after their sport activities in the afternoon but it didn't reduce the panic I felt at not hearing them and saying goodnight??? I don't understand why I feel this way, I feel I can't speak about it in my small country town because my job is a high stress position which requires me to support highly traumatised people, but I can't go on like this........ I'm sooooo tired all the time and my body aches 80% of the time! I can't find my motivation let alone show some capacity to be an understanding mum/wife.

Paul Do you like photographs of yourself?
  • replies: 10

Do you like pics of yourself? Regardless of the answer, how do they affect your depression/anxiety? Paul

Do you like pics of yourself? Regardless of the answer, how do they affect your depression/anxiety? Paul

Chris D My Story
  • replies: 4

Hi, Depression, I first felt depressed in my late primary school years being picked on and called names certainly didn't help, As the months and years went on my depression became worse through high school where more bullying was happening on a daily... View more

Hi, Depression, I first felt depressed in my late primary school years being picked on and called names certainly didn't help, As the months and years went on my depression became worse through high school where more bullying was happening on a daily basis. I thought I had good friends but I found that when I left high school I realised they weren't friends at all, I was in such a deep dark hole. I became very isolated when I left school no social life or friends when all the while I knew and felt I was becoming more depressed, this was compounded by not telling anyone about my depression and about the bullying as I had lost all faith in teachers looking out for students like myself they didn't stop the bullying in fact it got worse if the students knew I told on them. I did so many courses in the immediate years leaving school in the hope of getting a job, nothing came up even though I completed so many courses this just crushed me inside I so desperate to get a job. It was in 2005 when a medical condition I have had to be operated on as I was legally blind at the time of surgery, everything seemed so dark and so hard with my depression getting worse with each month, the unemployment at the time becoming a real issue and recovering from a transplant to save my sight, I was in a hole. My first real opportunity came in 2007 where I started work at a local fast food franchise, initially it was such a good feeling to be able to work and to feel like I was contributing in some way. While at McDonalds the environment changed and I felt my depression was coming back it did in a big way, in 2012 I left McDonalds I had to leave. I left at the start of 2012 during this time I enrolled in an automotive course while looking for work. In 2013 little did I know this was the year where my depression would come to ahead, it did in August having spent almost 2 years unemployed. It was at this point that I was able to speak to someone and finally tell how I was feeling, I never told anyone I had depression for 14-15 I kept this dark secret to myself. As I am describing how I am feeling I am waiting to go to hospital my first visit. I stay in hospital for a week or so it was horrible, I come back home only to find I cannot stop crying I needed to find support services and groups. I quickly found some support services and groups who help and assist people like myself. I became involved in there programs and groups without knowing how much they would help me, they helped me a great deal thinking about it now. In 2014 I was still not a 100% my depression was still evident and I still had a drive to work but I needed to help myself first so I could work. In March I had my 2nd hospital admission this time at more suitable better environment hospital I knew each time before during and after a hospital visit I was making progress, later in the year I had my 3rd and final hospital visit which helped me just that bit more. Not long after being out from hospital I grabbed an opportunity without knowing how much it would help me it got me back into work and it was that decision that one last bit of hope that has turned out to be one of my best decisions ever. I grabbed at the chance to get back into the workforce and I haven't looked back since. This year I have made so much progress that I would never had though about making. I hope to anyone who reads this gets inspired to keep on going because just when you feel like giving up it can take just that one chance one opportunity to turn your life around and make some serious progress. Always cling onto hope never let it go and always seek help and support when you feel you need too. Take care all Chris

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