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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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petite3 Depression & Eating Disorder
  • replies: 2

I have depression, anxiety and apparently dysthymia, then after reading the information for women I display every sign of having an eating disorder, apart from actually being anorexic. I'm actually feeling quite low now. Does anyone else suffer from ... View more

I have depression, anxiety and apparently dysthymia, then after reading the information for women I display every sign of having an eating disorder, apart from actually being anorexic. I'm actually feeling quite low now. Does anyone else suffer from an eating disorder? And willing to admit it,? Huh! That's the hardest part.

Titleist Need some advice and help
  • replies: 4

Hi all, sorry for the long post but just after some advice on what I should do. I haven't been feeling too good, feels like I'm going crazy, an emotional roller coaster in my head everyday. Last year my local GP sent me to see someone after I told he... View more

Hi all, sorry for the long post but just after some advice on what I should do. I haven't been feeling too good, feels like I'm going crazy, an emotional roller coaster in my head everyday. Last year my local GP sent me to see someone after I told her I have been drinking a lot recently. The shrink pinned my condition down to anxiety. Which I think is incorrect. I have a history of minor substance abuse (marijuana 1-2 days a week & prescription pills everyday) I stopped the Marijuana 6 years ago when my son was born, but the prescription pills I kept taking up until 1 month ago. I know what happens when you stop your body feel like crap for a few weeks then you get better. Well my body has felt better but my mind has not. I'm an absolute wreck. I have 2 kids and a wife which I love and I work 5 days a week 9-5.30. My work is terrible. I dread waking up and going there, I often think this is the cause of me feeling terrible. When I take a day off I feel like I'm on top of the world and I feel happy and normal again, but having a family I can not just pack up and leave my job. I need to provide for my kids. I feel trapped and stuck in this daily grind. I have worked since I was 15, I am 33 now.I have done a bit of research on what depression is and what the symptoms are and I have experienced mainly all of it, bar the suicidal thoughts and not being able to get out of bed. I love going out and doing family things but come Sunday night I become a monster again knowing I have to go back to the daily grind the next day. 2015 has been the worst year of my life so far, even though I have a loving family and get to do all the activities I love such as playing golf, fishing & go karts I still feel like crap and unhappy. We recently had family over from overseas for 3 months in 2014 I never felt this good in a long time. Going places, doing things every day but now that's over and they have left us I feel empty again.I am thinking about going back to another GP but I don't want to go talk to a shrink again and I'm afraid I will get hooked on the prescription drugs they give me. Just need some advice and thank you for reading my post.

Daisycqt Ever since I got sober
  • replies: 3

I don't know about others but my sobriety comes hand in hand with my depression. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a miserable ex drunk blai,ing myself each day for what has been. I understand and encourage people not to wallow in the past, just to let it ... View more

I don't know about others but my sobriety comes hand in hand with my depression. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a miserable ex drunk blai,ing myself each day for what has been. I understand and encourage people not to wallow in the past, just to let it go. No, I think I used alcohol as a coping mechanism in a very stressful environment. Since I made the decision to put down the bottle, I've had nothing to help me cope and my depression has deepened. I was diagnosed with depression nearly 15 years ago but the doctor told me that "as I had an addictive personality they could not give me anything for my depression" and it took me a further 8 years to get real, solid treatment, not just dabbling round the edges. But now I am so low, so exhausted, so sore and down, I can't drag myself up. My eldest daughter loses patience with me and tells me "she needs her mum now" and my mother competes with me symptom for symptom. Is anyone else feeling this low or is it just me?

BeyondBroken Depression & Single Parenthood
  • replies: 4

So i have a thousand reason to be depressed and i have a list of diagnosis. i have tried so many medications. But to add to it all i am a single parent not newly single but going on 5 years now. i don't have some one to help with the kids. i am their... View more

So i have a thousand reason to be depressed and i have a list of diagnosis. i have tried so many medications. But to add to it all i am a single parent not newly single but going on 5 years now. i don't have some one to help with the kids. i am their all and only. I don't get to stay in bed all day, i don't get to not make dinner or wash the clothes or clean the house. i don't get to not drive the kids to school even when i am suffering the side effects of a new anti depressant. i don't get to cry all the time. i don't get to lie on the floor in the fetal position when i suffer a panic attack. i don't get time to myself. I do get to force myself every day to get up, clean up, make meals, get the kids to school, help with homework, try to hold fake smiles and try as hard as i can not to resent my children for existing (and then hate myself for thinking that). Trying to find a way out of depression is hard enough. trying to do it as a single parent of three kids is well feeling impossible. Please if you are a single parent suffering from depression say hello. i need to know I'm not alone in this struggle that there are others out there trying try find a way out of depression as a single parent.

nataya falling apart
  • replies: 17

I am falling apart, can hardly hold myself together.....I feel like I am breaking and will not be able to be put back together. It's so dark I see no light it's all vanished. I'm scared of what comes next.I am on medication and in therapy but I just ... View more

I am falling apart, can hardly hold myself together.....I feel like I am breaking and will not be able to be put back together. It's so dark I see no light it's all vanished. I'm scared of what comes next.I am on medication and in therapy but I just feel like this hole I am in is getting deeper and deeper with no way out..... I just don't know what to do anymore....I'm lost.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.

LisaT Newbie
  • replies: 22

Hi...I'm reaching out in the hope of finding some online support. I'm a 47 yr old sole parent of 2 daughters aged 16 & 21. Last year I had a manic episode and was hospitalised for 3 weeks. The low that followed left me feeling suicidal...these though... View more

Hi...I'm reaching out in the hope of finding some online support. I'm a 47 yr old sole parent of 2 daughters aged 16 & 21. Last year I had a manic episode and was hospitalised for 3 weeks. The low that followed left me feeling suicidal...these thoughts now seem to be subsiding. I'm on medication . I have tried others but but had to go off it due to it effecting my kidneys. Would like to make some online friends for mutual support...

RessurectMe six months of non-stop emotional pain
  • replies: 2

I have been in severe emotional pain for over six months with no breaks. Because of this my marriage, family, friendships, career - everything is threatened. I am seeing a therapist, but it is like holding an umbrella up to a tidal wave. Before this ... View more

I have been in severe emotional pain for over six months with no breaks. Because of this my marriage, family, friendships, career - everything is threatened. I am seeing a therapist, but it is like holding an umbrella up to a tidal wave. Before this started, I was happier than ever. I know the reason for my situation, but it is something I must accept - it cannot be changed. Looking for support here. Thanks, - Rez

Double D FIRST POST - I'm struggling, what next?
  • replies: 3

Hey all so this is my first post so please be patient with me.Just abit about me, I'm 24 , male , when I was 18 I was on AD's SSRI after about 8 months was okay and was wheened off of them. I've struggled massively my whole life with anxiety, depress... View more

Hey all so this is my first post so please be patient with me.Just abit about me, I'm 24 , male , when I was 18 I was on AD's SSRI after about 8 months was okay and was wheened off of them. I've struggled massively my whole life with anxiety, depression, fear of dying, fear that I am dying, panic attacks, self esteem and all the rest of it. My grandpa suffered with severe depression as does my dad who has been on ADs for about a year.I thought I had it down and managed after about 4 years off the meds but over the past 9 months it has crept back in and just festered and festered . I was seeing a counsellor infrequently when needed. but now I'm seeing him 2 times a week, i honestly would not wish this on my worst enemy, i have never felt so detached, spacey, low, sensetive , emotional or anxious in my life . I woke up and I was angry that I woke up. After fighting this so vigorously for so long I feel like it's beaten me and I don't know how to be apart of this world or if I'll ever feel okay again, or happy. I eat really healthy, excersise everyday ( which now I've lost the drive to do and it's become a chore), I try be social as much as I can but have withdrawn a lot, I get 30 minutes of sun every day, I dance part time as an outlet, see a counsellor, told my family, see a doctor , moving out with a friend so I'm not alone, hang out with pets and animals , relaxing music and yoga when I can .. I'm really proactive about beating this but am losing hope fast. It got so bad that now I've lost my jobs . 9 days ago I started taking a relatively low does of AD that works on melatonin . But since taking it feel foggy and spacey like in a dream state, it makes me a little disorientated , I've got terrible sleep and feel like my anxiety is a lot worse which is making me more depressed. I know I'm ment to give it 2+ weeks to feel better but I can't help but doubt this pill as it seems to be making me feel worse. In all fairness the thoughts of lack of purpose and meaning have decreased slightly ? My point is I feel like I'm doing everything someone who hopes to be happy should be doing and I'm not happy. Which leaves me asking will I ever be? What next ? I feel like I'm watching a video game of my life and not actually apart of it. I feel like I am dying . Any techniques, groups, advice , similar experience would be greatly appreiciated as I'm just at a loss now. Thanks a million 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;}

MegJane89 Should i really be depressed?
  • replies: 2

Hello.Im 25yrs old and seemed to have my life together about a year ago. However things crumbled slowly. My mum took a bad turn and attempted suicide. She has been suffering from depression and anxiety for years and lately its been at its worse. Some... View more

Hello.Im 25yrs old and seemed to have my life together about a year ago. However things crumbled slowly. My mum took a bad turn and attempted suicide. She has been suffering from depression and anxiety for years and lately its been at its worse. Sometimes She wont leave the house and lays around being depressed. It affects because i have to live with it. Last year i left my job of five years and since then i still havnt found a suitable job or even know what i want to do. I feel like i am now becoming depressed because i cant find a job. I keep putting guilt on myself for not having a new job. Should i really be like this? 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;}

Lookingforpeace Regret and winter blues
  • replies: 6

Hi all Finding myself feeling really low today. It's been cold and wet today and getting dark earlier and I just seem to get depressed as a result. Then when I'm in this "funk" I start to obsess over things I've done in the past and things that have ... View more

Hi all Finding myself feeling really low today. It's been cold and wet today and getting dark earlier and I just seem to get depressed as a result. Then when I'm in this "funk" I start to obsess over things I've done in the past and things that have happened and feel intense guilt and regret. I'm also not very well physically and struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel or imagine a day when I'll feel better. Anyone else experience the same feelings, particularly in winter? What do you do to cope?