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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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Suzy_Q My description of depression to my family and friends.
  • replies: 14

If you have never suffered from depression I don't expect you to understand it, you can't. That is not meant as a put down, it's just fact. It's like I cannot understand what it's like to be gay or black etc. What I can do, is accept that these thing... View more

If you have never suffered from depression I don't expect you to understand it, you can't. That is not meant as a put down, it's just fact. It's like I cannot understand what it's like to be gay or black etc. What I can do, is accept that these things that I don't understand are a part of the world I live in and support those that struggle with their issues. Depression can be frightening to those that have never had it. Having the blues and feeling down is something that we all go through and in no way can be compared to clinical depression. Depression is hard to describe, but one way it can be expressed is like a Black Dog. There can be times when that dog will attack, overwhelm, have you down on the ground ripping at your heart and your throat until you reach a point that you want to succumb. It is physical pain. Then, when you receive help, medication, support, you fight back, you tame the dog, teach it to sit quietly and calmly. Understand though, that the black dog never dies, it is always there, ready to spring at you again and attack if it is not kept under control. This is the fear that depression sufferers feel every single day, that it might attack again, and at various times it does. It is a skill you need to learn to recognise when the black dog is stirring, ready to attack. This may sound ridiculous and fanciful if you haven't been down there, but it is only my description of it. Be there when you can and listen, don't try to offer answers, just support. Also recognise please, that if a depression sufferer is upset, angry, sad, that these emotions are not necessarily caused by the depression, sometimes we have valid reasons for these feelings, as does everyone else. Don't look at us and think 'oh it's the depression' I suffer from depression, yes, but I am not defined by it. 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.

Unknown123 Is this a phase
  • replies: 3

Hi, This is my first use of a forum so here we go... I am in the middle of trying to understand what is going on with me. For the last 6months in particular i have been feeling pretty low. Many would say that i 'tick the box' for depression. I have v... View more

Hi, This is my first use of a forum so here we go... I am in the middle of trying to understand what is going on with me. For the last 6months in particular i have been feeling pretty low. Many would say that i 'tick the box' for depression. I have very low motivation, i have lost my enthusiasm for things i used to love, i have no sex drive, i have put on a significant amount of weight and i no longer feel like the fun, creative and spontaneous person i once was. At least once a week i tell myself that i am going to change or try harder but i never do and these moments always pass. I have a beautiful partner of three years. She is my best friend and there is no one i feel more comfortable with. We are very different in personalities, life experiences and backgrounds. She knows too well that i haven't been 'right' for a while and she is taking much of this 'blame' on herself. However, i think that i am projecting this guilt or blame on her. Superficially i think i blame and resent her. That my being in a relationship with someone that is so different from me has lead me to becoming a person that is now withdrawn and 'spiritually' lost. Where i would have once jumped off a cliff into a pool of water, she wouldn't even consider it. Right now, i'm bringing her down. I hate what i am doing to her and to myself. I feel lazy, lost and and disconnected. Am i depressed or am i just going through a faze... I'm also not sure that if i knew the answer to this that i would feel any better.

guest163 Anxious to get help
  • replies: 1

I went and saw my GP and he had set me up under the Mental Health plan to have some therapy sessions. However I have neglected to go as I applied for this international program and you have to disclose if you have mental health issues. I have been wa... View more

I went and saw my GP and he had set me up under the Mental Health plan to have some therapy sessions. However I have neglected to go as I applied for this international program and you have to disclose if you have mental health issues. I have been wanting to do this internationally program for years and finally got through the first step (found out I got through a few days after seeing the GP) and it's literally the only thing that keeps me going these days. But if I go back and get those therapy sessions, it will go in my medical record. I don't want to ruin my chances of getting into the program, but I know my mental health is declining and rapidy and I'm scared. Either way, I'm going to lose on one of them.

navman struggling
  • replies: 6

Hi There. Im a single Dad, since January finding things tough at the moment. I have found myself unmotivated in all aspects of life and without any one close to talk to.I dont feel like getting up of a morning, let alone working or sociallising so ha... View more

Hi There. Im a single Dad, since January finding things tough at the moment. I have found myself unmotivated in all aspects of life and without any one close to talk to.I dont feel like getting up of a morning, let alone working or sociallising so have found myself here.I guess im after some help with where to turn?

foreigner_in_AU Depressed and lonely man
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I am a 35 yo guy who moved to Australia 10 years ago. I feel I wasn't and I am not a fit for this country. I appreciate all that Australia has given me, but there is more in life than money and a safe country. I just feel life in Australia ... View more

Hi there, I am a 35 yo guy who moved to Australia 10 years ago. I feel I wasn't and I am not a fit for this country. I appreciate all that Australia has given me, but there is more in life than money and a safe country. I just feel life in Australia is very boring, monotonous, everything is the same, people are always busy and the conversations are always superficial. I don't feel motivated to do anything, people are always watching TV and busy. Do you feel this way? I do appreciate your comments, I want to know about your experiences, I think there is a lot of depression in Australia. Thank you

NewGirl01 Back On The Merry Go Round
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone,this is my first post on here. I've been struggling with depression on and off since 2002,and have recently realised i'm sinking back into that black hole again. I've worked so hard to beat it in the past,i feel annoyed at myself that im ... View more

Hi everyone,this is my first post on here. I've been struggling with depression on and off since 2002,and have recently realised i'm sinking back into that black hole again. I've worked so hard to beat it in the past,i feel annoyed at myself that im here yet again. I know this thinking actually makes the depression worse,but tell my brain that. I think the fact that nothing major has really set it off this time is what's upsetting me so much...in the past it's been big things where i totally understood where the depression was coming from (murder of a family member,death of a parent with whom i had a difficult relationship,being stalked,and work issues because of my anxiety and depression over the other stuff),so just suddenly realising im there again with nothing to put me there has been kind of a rude shock for me. Anyone have any advice for how to avoid falling in this hole over and over? I'd really like to beat it for good this time. Thanks.

arialgk No idea
  • replies: 2

Recently I learned that some of the experiences I have had been dissociative episodes. In a way it is a relief to know why I have done things. At the same times it scares me. I do a lot of writing and with help know a lot of my triggers and situation... View more

Recently I learned that some of the experiences I have had been dissociative episodes. In a way it is a relief to know why I have done things. At the same times it scares me. I do a lot of writing and with help know a lot of my triggers and situations to stay away from. There is thought, this feeling of not being able to trust myself. I know how to do the self talk and questioning the negative thoughts. To practice everyday will help make easier in the long run. Yet I still do not trust my own body and min. Has any one else experienced this and tips on learning to trust yourself?

scbejari Feeling low for no reason
  • replies: 3

Hi there. I am new to the forum. I'll introduce myself in the other section.I am currently on an antipdepressant for depression. I have been up and down doses for over 6 years now. The past week or so, I have been feeling really low, more irratable t... View more

Hi there. I am new to the forum. I'll introduce myself in the other section.I am currently on an antipdepressant for depression. I have been up and down doses for over 6 years now. The past week or so, I have been feeling really low, more irratable then normal and just lacking enthusiasm. No idea what's happened. I hate this feeling, I really do. The things I use to enjoy I no longer do. I just feel like going to bed and staying there.

Beyondhope I haven't felt this alone in a long time...
  • replies: 2

Its been a while since I've felt like even though I'm supposedly surrounded by so many people that I'm actually really alone. I don't feel like anyone deserves to be burdened with my feelings or problems, and I honestly feel bad for having to imagine... View more

Its been a while since I've felt like even though I'm supposedly surrounded by so many people that I'm actually really alone. I don't feel like anyone deserves to be burdened with my feelings or problems, and I honestly feel bad for having to imagine myself being a burden to anyone. When I think of who I can talk to I don't feel like I have the right to express how I feel because I feel it so often it feels unfair. Ive had a lot of ups and downs with my family and friends, mostly because a lot of them love to talk down about each other so much it's almost like a sport. I've tried to just keep quiet and go about my own life because I am so over having to hear about so many things being said about me, or hearing I said something to someone that is so fabricated it makes me wanna scream. It seems no matter how much I try and go about my own life people constantly just want to remind me that nothing can remain good. That you can't trust everyone, and that everyone is temporary. I can't stand to wake up anymore, and the thought if going home to my "mother" scares the living daylights out of me because I never know what to expect that I've done wrong this time. I don't feel like I have much purpose anymore, or that anyone actually wants to spend as much time with me as I do with them and it eats away at my heart and makes me so so sad. I just want to feel like I have a real purpose and that there are people out there who actually do care and don't have son e hidden agenda or are just going to leave me behind. Any words of positivity would be so incredibly appreciated right now. I don't know where else to turn to. 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:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; 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-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Missy_M Low on Motivation
  • replies: 4

Hi all I'm new to BB and have been experiencing some significant lows in motivation over the last few months. My question is simple, what can I do to get motivated again? i have suffered from anxiety and depression for over ten years, am currently ta... View more

Hi all I'm new to BB and have been experiencing some significant lows in motivation over the last few months. My question is simple, what can I do to get motivated again? i have suffered from anxiety and depression for over ten years, am currently taking meds and have been for the last four years after many failed attempts. Obviously winter doesn't help but I'm low on energy, would happily sleep all day and am really angry and Irritated. I don't want to do anything. Exercise is an enemy of mine, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, at the moment I'm a sloth. I know my signals and this could lead to a big downward spiral. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.