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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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Horizon Facing up to it
  • replies: 2

Hello all!its been a year since I took up some big changes to deal with avoiding that black chasm. The first six months of this year were great. I acknowledged a situation at work was not working for me and began a new job as an educator in a kinder ... View more

Hello all!its been a year since I took up some big changes to deal with avoiding that black chasm. The first six months of this year were great. I acknowledged a situation at work was not working for me and began a new job as an educator in a kinder program. I still found myself doubting my actions everyday and often ran through a checklist of questions, "am I doing enough? Am I any good at my job? Would they tell me if I'm not doing things right or that I should be doing more?" I'd remind myself that of course my colleagues would and I'm just being anxious and the thoughts wee just thoughts. This was a huge step forward for me as a year back these kind of thoughts weren't questions but statements that I choose to use to describe every single facet of my life past, present and future. I guess I thought I was better. Beyond that point where I couldn't face it anymore. And I'd plan how I could easily just disappear and how I'd do it. These scenarios became a constant daydream. They're back. I got moved, unwillingly, into another position where the educating team do not work well together. I'm supposed to help them unify. I don't think I'm emotionally strong enough to cope with it. I don't want to talk to any of the very few friends I have about it . I don't want to be the 'Debbie downer'. But it's all started again. The questions have become statements again. I'm starting to think that everyone thinks I'm an idiot. I feel like a fraud. I should be able to control this. How do you stay strong when it all starts to slide again?beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Lookingforpeace Rollercoaster
  • replies: 1

I feel like I'm on a Rollercoaster and just want to get off. Some days I wake up and feel bright, optimistic and happy. Other days I wake up feeling neutral, which is fine by me. Then there are the days, like today, I am just so down, my heart is in ... View more

I feel like I'm on a Rollercoaster and just want to get off. Some days I wake up and feel bright, optimistic and happy. Other days I wake up feeling neutral, which is fine by me. Then there are the days, like today, I am just so down, my heart is in my throat and I am panicked. Why? Why do I wake up feeling this way sometimes? How do I get off this rollercoaster? Is depression/anxiety something I will just have to live with for the rest of my life??

hannalogy One Year
  • replies: 11

Tomorrow is one year since I decided to end my life. Obviously that didn't happen... I feel this weird mixture of really sad but also really thankful and... and something. I don't really know how to feel. I want to talk about it. I have hope now, I b... View more

Tomorrow is one year since I decided to end my life. Obviously that didn't happen... I feel this weird mixture of really sad but also really thankful and... and something. I don't really know how to feel. I want to talk about it. I have hope now, I believe things are heading in a direction that is good. I feel thankful for that. I feel thankful for those friends who were with me when I wanted to end it. I feel embarrassed when I think of talking to my fiancee about it.. Like I could never explain it well enough. I feel like I'm not supposed to or allowed to talk about it with those close to me - what would I be trying to gain from talking to them about it anyway? Attention? I just want to not feel alone in it.. I want to say to someone 'Hey, this happened. I actually feel really sad about it today. This is what happened.. This is what happened next. Now I'm here.' and to feel heard and loved in that.Sorry.. uhh.. How have other people gotten through these kinds of days? Was it a time of reflection? How did you feel?beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Daniel44 Hello and help.
  • replies: 6

Hello my names Daniel. I will try to keep my story as short as possible. I have been suffering depression/anxiety for around 10 years. When I was about 19 (5years ago) I finally went and got some help. I started on anti depressants and seeing a phyco... View more

Hello my names Daniel. I will try to keep my story as short as possible. I have been suffering depression/anxiety for around 10 years. When I was about 19 (5years ago) I finally went and got some help. I started on anti depressants and seeing a phycologist. When I turned 21 I don't know how but I had enough confidence in myself to leave my job as a plumber in Melbourne and leave all my friends behind and head interstate. I first worked at a couple of cattle stations in Queensland but only lasted a few months there. I somehow ended up with a job at a remote resort in central Australia as a plumber. I ended up becoming the maintenance supervisor. I loved my job there and my life while I worked there. After two and a half years I left with my partner and headed to a job in kakadu. This was about a year ago and when things started to head downhill. I started to feel sad all the time, frustrated, angry and anxious. I tried new medication but no luck. In January this year I landed my dream job. Maintenance supervisor at a resort in the Kimberly. I lasted six weeks. I was so anxious for no reason what so ever. I went back to Melbourne (currently still here). I'm doing plumbing again, and absolutely hate it, my friends that I had here are no longer my friends and I don't really feel like I want to be with my partner any more. Im trying to save some money so that I can head back to the NT in the coming months but I don't know what to do for work as I hate plumbing. I don't know why but my depression and anxiety feels so much worse now then it has ever been. I cry a lot, especially at work. I'm anxious about every little thing. I can't think strait and I don't know what to do. I have no friends here at all but I am seeing a phycologist again which I enjoy. I just want to be normal and have a little bit of confidence.

Xavsyd80 No one seems to understand
  • replies: 6

I've known about my depression for years and have suffered on and off since I was 16ish. I am in a relationship and have friends but now I feel no one understands how I feel and they are against me and I am pushing people away. Constantly in my head ... View more

I've known about my depression for years and have suffered on and off since I was 16ish. I am in a relationship and have friends but now I feel no one understands how I feel and they are against me and I am pushing people away. Constantly in my head about what people are doing what they are saying and how that affects me. My girlfriend although I've spoken to her about this I fear deep down she doesn't understand and will eventually have enough and get rid. I can't seem to keep a job and the longer my unemployment runs the more anxiety I feel about being in an office environment and waking up for work every morning and being a fully functioning member of society. I'm seeing a therapist for the last few months twice a month but I don't feel it's making me feel better at all and I'm worried that it's a waste of time and that there has to be another solution out there to help me feel better. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I know the writing is scatty but I hope it makes sense.

Nickname_D995B0EF-FF95-45 Why do I feel this way
  • replies: 5

i don't know why.... I have a good job (can be very stressful most of the time), a beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous kids. I can't wait to get home to them every day but when I do, I feel terrible. I get moody, upset and feel I snap all the time. It's li... View more

i don't know why.... I have a good job (can be very stressful most of the time), a beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous kids. I can't wait to get home to them every day but when I do, I feel terrible. I get moody, upset and feel I snap all the time. It's like they don't understand me but yet I don't understand me. When I'm at work, I'm too busy to feel this way but seem to want to lock myself away when I get home to my beautiful family. I feel ungrateful that the main things or people who should make me happy, can't. Should I see someone about it it just toughen up and realise that I'm being silly and have no right to be unhappy considering who lucky I am to have such a great family and life.

Sharonika Who am I
  • replies: 2

Hi all, not even sure what is going on with me, so I thought I would put it out there and ask others for their thoughts I feel flat, uninterested, sometimes a little sad, but not overwhelmingly so. Things just don't appeal to me, beautiful places are... View more

Hi all, not even sure what is going on with me, so I thought I would put it out there and ask others for their thoughts I feel flat, uninterested, sometimes a little sad, but not overwhelmingly so. Things just don't appeal to me, beautiful places are met with thoughts of "meh". I can laugh at a funny movie, feel sad at a misfortune of another, I just can't really be bothered with the things that used to bring me joy. I would love to travel, but I worry that I would spend all that money and be not amazed by the wonders around me. Also I have anxious thoughts about the most ridiculous small things and yet i don't stress about big stuff! I find it hard to be absolutely relaxed. I have had grief in my life, parents died when I was in my early twenties, husband died when I was 39, all of these happened over 10 years ago though. i am able to put on a brave face at work, others would never know that I feel anything other than normal. I am probably known for being the kind, caring one, I have empathy for others. But I believe that my patience is wearing a bit thin (this could also be age / hormone related, turning 50 next year). Phew, that sounds like a whole lot of rambling doesn't it????? Thanks for listening? Reading? sharonika

Perth86 I feel like im fighting a losing battle
  • replies: 1

This is the first time i have thought about the possibility of being depressed but now it has finally hit me. Having a beautiful 10 minth old son and being somehow still engaged by fiancee and i are at crossroads. Things are just so bad that i dont k... View more

This is the first time i have thought about the possibility of being depressed but now it has finally hit me. Having a beautiful 10 minth old son and being somehow still engaged by fiancee and i are at crossroads. Things are just so bad that i dont know if they are fixable. She cant stand the sight of me yet alone us even having any intimacy. She is still suffering from Post natal depression and its very difficult on us both but she does her thing in some secrecy and i just ponder whether we will be like before. Its eating me up inside that its affecting my health. I have no motivation to go to the gym anymore or even eat on time. Everything has become a chore and is just an everyday repetitive cycle. I wake up early go to work. Come home and shower, have dinner and let her watch her tv shows. I absolutely adore soending as much time with my son and just miss the feeling of love. I dkbt know how to motivate myself and go to the gym again. I forgotten what it is to be happy again. I miss all of it. Someone please help me save myself from this destruction im in the path of i just cant handle it anymore feeling like this wondering am i good enough or am i worth it at all. It really really hurts feeling this way.

Qualm At the Crossroads
  • replies: 6

It's my first post on here; decided to sign up since I've just tumbled into the pits. I don't know what I expect to accomplish by posting here. Just venting, I guess.I'm a 30-year-old male who's sick of going nowhere and decided to return to study in... View more

It's my first post on here; decided to sign up since I've just tumbled into the pits. I don't know what I expect to accomplish by posting here. Just venting, I guess.I'm a 30-year-old male who's sick of going nowhere and decided to return to study in an area that interested me and which might yield a more fulfilling day-to-day life (and possibly more than near-minimum wage). Just got my grades back - I've failed two of the four units in the first semester and I'm feeling angry... really angry about this. Recently, I felt that I was getting on top of my depression; I had finally found a drug that seemed to be doing the job, and I was feeling relatively positive about things. But now with this recent bad news, all the bad thoughts are forcing their way back in - the ones that tell you that you're worthless and stupid and will never amount to anything, so you might as well just kill yourself.On top of that, I'm living at home with my parents while all my friends are grown up, getting married, managing careers, buying houses, having kids, etc. etc. while I continue to be a perpetually single, underachieving, overgrown man-child. I'm not even working at the moment - not even part time. During this semester, I haven't come close to being able handle the workload and don't know how I could possibly fit employment into my schedule considering the amount of time it takes me to work through the assessment material; so instead, my savings from past employment continues to dwindle while I try to study. I feel even more worthless for this; I know many younger students can manage a balance between work and study and at my age and lack of other commitments, I should be able to as well.Anyway, I'll leave it at that for now, before I tell my life story. Hi everyone! beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Tittles Does anyone else feel fuzzy and on edge all the time?
  • replies: 2

i have been suffering these for at least 20 yrs and have been on medication since then they have helped but I am a worry wart and always thinking of the worst, I lost my mum/hubby within 6 mths and I suppose being on ur own doesn't help because u hav... View more

i have been suffering these for at least 20 yrs and have been on medication since then they have helped but I am a worry wart and always thinking of the worst, I lost my mum/hubby within 6 mths and I suppose being on ur own doesn't help because u have to think. And u have no one to say hey it's ok. Just wondering if anyone else has the feelings which I get,head a little fuzzy and being on edge all the time. Tittles