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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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CB81 Feeling like a freak
  • replies: 6

I’m 42 and have a great job and considered to be funny and intelligent but every now and then I feel so isolated as I don’t have a partner and don’t want one. Being surrounded by “normal” people at work chattering about their partners. Or doing somet... View more

I’m 42 and have a great job and considered to be funny and intelligent but every now and then I feel so isolated as I don’t have a partner and don’t want one. Being surrounded by “normal” people at work chattering about their partners. Or doing something that people laugh at as they think it’s “weird” when I’m just being myself. I just want to opt out sometimes. Not suicide I just mean just not go to work and not talk to anyone.

Guest_17265795 What to do.
  • replies: 2

My husband and I have been suffering with infertility for 2 years. Now it's come to a stage where IVF is the only option. The meds amplify my depression. I feel like a burden to my friends because it's all I can talk about. My husbands away for work ... View more

My husband and I have been suffering with infertility for 2 years. Now it's come to a stage where IVF is the only option. The meds amplify my depression. I feel like a burden to my friends because it's all I can talk about. My husbands away for work and doesn't have coms. I have psych appointments every week. I feel like being at work I make stupid mistakes that are being picked up and I'm under a kind of disciplinary action. I don't sleep well. I feel overwhelmed, exhausted and I don't see things getting better

TMJ How do I learn to Live instead of just Existing
  • replies: 7

Helo ,I am new here and unsure if this is the place to be . Alot has gone on in my life recently relationship and family wise .Nearing 50 years old and I just exist ! Nothing makes me happy anymore . Loneliness and sadness is all I seem to know . The... View more

Helo ,I am new here and unsure if this is the place to be . Alot has gone on in my life recently relationship and family wise .Nearing 50 years old and I just exist ! Nothing makes me happy anymore . Loneliness and sadness is all I seem to know . There's got to be more to life than feeling this way ,I just don't know how to find it . I don't have anyone to talk to about this ,everyone in my life have their own problems and I feel like a burden to discuss my problems with them. Aswell as the fact that my immediate family ie partner and kids are the number contributor to my sadness.

Guest_23504877 scared
  • replies: 1

im in a state of panic. my body feels weird. i didn’t sleep for 3 or 4 days. and ive had thoughts that ive never had before. im really scared. i took a antihistamine pill last night and i slept, but i feel dizzy today. i want to be how i used to be. ... View more

im in a state of panic. my body feels weird. i didn’t sleep for 3 or 4 days. and ive had thoughts that ive never had before. im really scared. i took a antihistamine pill last night and i slept, but i feel dizzy today. i want to be how i used to be. i used to be relaxed and could sleep anywhere. i want to be stable so desperately. i want to know if someone has gone through this and how they got out of it and if they were successful. im not convinced i can be fixed.

Guest_43758189 Medication Alternatives?
  • replies: 1

Hello all, first time posting on a forum like this. Feeling lost after having come so far in my mental health journey. To make a long story short I have struggled with mental health as long as I can remember, and was diagnosed with depression and anx... View more

Hello all, first time posting on a forum like this. Feeling lost after having come so far in my mental health journey. To make a long story short I have struggled with mental health as long as I can remember, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 15. After being medicated since that age. I'm 26 now, finally managed to kick the meds about a year ago and was feeling good about it. However, things have been going downhill since the beginning of this year. It has coincided with my uni work placement (ironically at a government Mental Health facility) which has been stressful, unsupportive, and left me feeling pretty useless. I've been struggling financially, had to stop work and move home, gave away my dog, and am also experiencing a loss in the family. I am reaching a point where I feel unable to do anything, let alone help other people with their mental health. I feel I could either cry or go to sleep at all times of the day. Nothing I used to enjoy makes me feel good anymore, and I wake up every morning sick with anxiety. I recognise these as clear signs of depression, and have booked in with my GP next week to pursue a mental health plan/therapy. However, I would really prefer not to go back on antidepressants. I'm not kicking medication here - it can be a lifesaver (literally) but it took me several tries over many years to successfully come off it. If I can I would like to avoid going through that process again. So, I'm hoping some of you lovely people might have suggestions as to other methods I can try. Herbal medicines, routine changes, free programs, etc. Particularly things to help with anhedonia, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. I would really value hearing from legends with lived experience and offer my sincerest thanks for your thoughtfulness in advance.

Penguin Comparing myself to my partner and unable to give myself grace
  • replies: 2

Hello, this is my first time posting. I have had a really tough 7 months since I was bullied then terminated during my probation period at a workplace as a youth worker. I lost a job, professional identity, and good stable full time pay. I also I los... View more

Hello, this is my first time posting. I have had a really tough 7 months since I was bullied then terminated during my probation period at a workplace as a youth worker. I lost a job, professional identity, and good stable full time pay. I also I lost the sense of confidence and belief that I truly earned professional opportunities, as the current job market meant the same resume doesn't get me interviews for the same type of jobs anymore. I see a therapist, have supportive friends, and a loving partner. But my relationship with my parents are very strained. Summary of what happened: I had a friend who used to work at that organisation. They were the subject of rumours and investigations regarding their conduct that I had no idea of prior to starting that job. In one month, I started getting messages from that friend who moved overseas and told me their friends dobbed me in, alleging I reported her to my manager. Friends as in my then coworkers who gave me silent treatments and ignored me when we ran events together, making me feel isolated, as they obviously got along just fine with 2 other new people that onboarded the same time as me. At the same time my parents were visiting, and we had a domestic dispute resulting in the police giving a home visit, and I for the first time realised I grew up with domestic violence, and as they were staying at mine, I went to stay at my partner's and friend's feeling like I was fleeing. In that one month alone, I drove 50 mins to and from work (5 days in the office), trying to learn the ropes of the job, dealing with toxic work colleagues and fake nice managers that only truly showed their colours as they asked me to trust management to deal with this. In the end twisting teething issues and honest feedback as me having "ill intent" on the rest of the team and fired me on "gossiping". All because my former friend's father went and threatened to sue the workplace and they pinned it on me. I have no way of getting unfair dismisssl due to having only been there for 4 weeks. It was orchestrated and scapegoating. Since then I went through a manic episode and have been depressive. I got a reception casual job at a leisure centre and I cop the occassinoal abuse. Not only do I feel zero fulfilment and shame, I cannot love my partner the way I want to, because he got a new job after being made redundant, and is being paid a lot more than me. No matter how suppotive he is, I feel so inferior.

Anonomys1 My brother
  • replies: 2

My older brother is quite depressed. He is in his last year in high school, and got a bad test result. He is not himself and my mum is also quite sad. I don’t know how to talk to him and I’m worried about him. It’s hard for me to reach out to him bec... View more

My older brother is quite depressed. He is in his last year in high school, and got a bad test result. He is not himself and my mum is also quite sad. I don’t know how to talk to him and I’m worried about him. It’s hard for me to reach out to him because I have sport every day that finishes late, and my dad travels a lot. I want my family to just be happy. Thank you

dwade3 Doing positive things in my life just isnt working
  • replies: 1

Hi , i was feeling pretty positive about my life for the last few months , getting back into sports, hanging out with friends instead of self-isolating and even going on a few dates. But it doesnt quite feel like any of that matters. it almost feels ... View more

Hi , i was feeling pretty positive about my life for the last few months , getting back into sports, hanging out with friends instead of self-isolating and even going on a few dates. But it doesnt quite feel like any of that matters. it almost feels as if everything im doing is monotonous, low stakes and just unexciting. idk if its because im experiencing another episode of deep depression or feelings of worthlessness, but i just cant help but say to myself- "Im just not happy", as cringe as that might sound. worst of all, i have feelings of longing to be apart of something matters in some way because i dont think i matter myself. So these deep feelings just sap my energy and enthusiasm to take risks or do something positive with my life. I dont quite know what to do. This is has all become like a routine loop for me, and id like some advice or help on the matter. Because im just tired of my depression and issues just dictating my life, where i watch time sprint and the whole world go by while i just waste away.

TahliaKeung I just know I can't tell my parents
  • replies: 7

hi. i'm 13, and this is the first time i've done this before. it feels weird, reaching out, because my whole life i've been forced to hide my thoughts. it's been hard. like, really hard. i'm in year 8, and being a major procrastinator, i've even mana... View more

hi. i'm 13, and this is the first time i've done this before. it feels weird, reaching out, because my whole life i've been forced to hide my thoughts. it's been hard. like, really hard. i'm in year 8, and being a major procrastinator, i've even managed to procrastinate getting help for myself. crazy right? i do get thoughts of 'maybe they don't need me' or 'what if when my friends say they'll be here for me, they're lying?'. 'im not sure if i have depression, but i'll be honest, if i did, i wouldn't be surprised. i was told my life by my parents, you can cry, we'll be there. but every single time i cry in front of them, they tell me it's my fault and i shouldn't be crying about it. This was like the time i lost all record of an assignment due in 5 days. i cried, really heavily, and my mother then proceeded to say, "thank god it's gone, i thought the look was horrible."im sorry what? That was 6 hours of nonstop work and thought and she says that? really kind mum, you're such a saint.My amazing dad then said, "Why are you crying about this when it's your fault? Honestly you're 13 grow up." He then said i wasn't allowed to cry, said it was pointless.i also did try to talk about my suicidal thoughts. I did, i really tried. But my Chinese parents just said, you're just lazy. find some initiative, get some discipline for god's sake, why are you like this.my parents are 'perfect' people. always top of their class, discplined, 'never needed help doing homework, my parents were divorced and my grandma didnt know how to do it' blah blah blah. sometimes i think if it's worth waiting the 5 years for a chance to study abroad and be free for once. my parents are ok with me hanging out with my friends, they i could go to the easter show with them next year, but they can be so annoying and overprotective and i just dont know how to deal with this anymore.and i just know my parents won't help me in any way. i cant get a therapist on my own, and i dont think i can book my own medical appointment, and my GP is also chinese. please help me.

Beets Lost and no direction
  • replies: 4

Hey, I’m feeling lost and like there is no direction for me to go in. I usually follow my gut and persue anything that interests me however, I can’t latch onto anything and everything seems so exhausting. I’m a bright side kind of person and don’t kn... View more

Hey, I’m feeling lost and like there is no direction for me to go in. I usually follow my gut and persue anything that interests me however, I can’t latch onto anything and everything seems so exhausting. I’m a bright side kind of person and don’t know how to talk to others without this lens. I’m wondering if anyone has advice about how I can sustain direction/joy/flow in my life and not be so alone with this bleh unproductive version of myself