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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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anamcara2 Poor choices my whole life
  • replies: 2

Hi there, this is my first post. I have been on medication for two years and twice I have been to my GP to get advice on free councilling but I don't follow it up because I feel so foolish. I think I have been depressed most of my adult life but neve... View more

Hi there, this is my first post. I have been on medication for two years and twice I have been to my GP to get advice on free councilling but I don't follow it up because I feel so foolish. I think I have been depressed most of my adult life but never recognised it as such. I used to believe I was a really nice kind person and couldn't understand the terrible things that happened to me. Now I know I am not a nice person at all and I have chosen my own fate time and time again. I'm trying to be a better person but I'm also realising now I'm not too smart either. Every decision I make to improve my life seems to be a poor one. I understand I can't outrun the depression so my questions are : how do I stop comparing myself to others. Others who can make it through the hard times in marriage. Others who are good parents. Others who are talented and are smart enough to work hard at that talent and achieve a level of success they are happy with whether at work, home hobbies, sport etc. others who finish what they start. Others who can accept who they are and be happy. Others who have a passion. Even others who make similar mistakes as I but don't seem to suffer the consequences. I know comparison is a fools thinking and I know I have not walked in others shoes. I just wish I had it in me to lead a successful life. I just don't know how to accept who I have been put on this earth to be and I definitely don't know how to accept how me thinking like this has affected my children. I have never really had a mind of my own and when I finally took charge I completely and utterly made a mess of that too. In the past I did fall into the trap of expecting things and others to make me happy. Now I know only I can do that ... except I can't. I've failed at that too.

Ellie05 It all fell apart so quickly
  • replies: 4

Hello, You might have seen me post here before. I fid it really helps to air my thoughts and feelings in a safe place. It all started in early September. Depression had been sneaking up on me for some time, but I chose to ignore it. Then I lost my jo... View more

Hello, You might have seen me post here before. I fid it really helps to air my thoughts and feelings in a safe place. It all started in early September. Depression had been sneaking up on me for some time, but I chose to ignore it. Then I lost my job and it absolutely sent me over the edge. My confidence was completely shattered and I had to deal with everything I'd been blocking out. You see, I've never been in a relationship before. I discovered at 13 that I was terrified of the prospect (I still don't know why) and haven't even had so much as a crush on someone since then. In order to keep myself happy I simply immersed myself in my job and spent lots of time with friends. Now that I'm almost 29, all of my friends are either with someone or have moved overseas. I'm incredibly lonely and fear I will be this way for the rest of my life. I've started a new job but I don't get much satisfaction from it. Our family dog passed away recently and the apartment I rent was sold. My housemate told me she no longer wanted to live with me anymore because of the anxiety and depression. To top it off, my grandmother is not doing so great. I haven't considered the option of losing her because this is too much for my brain to bear right now. I don't sleep or eat much. I spent last weekend at my parents house, shaking and crying the whole time. I spoke to my mum last night and she sounded so strained and worried. I feel terrible for doing this to her. I've been taking medication and seeing a psychologist but it doesn't seem to be helping. Thanks for listening.

Droid Feeling More Than Sad
  • replies: 3

I am new on here and I am not sure where to start really. My feelings of anxiety and hopelessness are very overwhelming, I know that much. I have been drinking heavily quite lately, usually on my days off. I drink to block out past events in my life ... View more

I am new on here and I am not sure where to start really. My feelings of anxiety and hopelessness are very overwhelming, I know that much. I have been drinking heavily quite lately, usually on my days off. I drink to block out past events in my life and I am causing a lot of hurt to my beautiful wife. When I am alone, I cry an awful lot and hate myself for being like this. Please help!

Bluebird1 'Coping' not living
  • replies: 6

Hi, my first post here... I have been living with depression for as long as I remember, but only realised and had treatment since I was about 30. But the treatment feels like a smoke screen, not even sure if it works as I still have desperately low t... View more

Hi, my first post here... I have been living with depression for as long as I remember, but only realised and had treatment since I was about 30. But the treatment feels like a smoke screen, not even sure if it works as I still have desperately low times. I have learnt to cope with life, but not live my life. I sweep thoughts under the carpet. Try not to look back or forward but just cope day by day...yes I get out of bed and go to work, paint that smile on my face and do everything I can to make others happy. But as I sit here writing this the tears just won't stop. I feel so alone. I moved to Australia 2yrs ago, trying for yet another 'FRESH START' but I now realise there is no such thing as I can't run away from myself. I am 46 in a few weeks and have worked hard all my life but have achieved nothing. I know I'm having a low and the light will come back, but that doesn't help now....

Joey84 Struggling to get up and do what I need to do, why is everything so hard
  • replies: 11

I've been going through this cycle for a while where I know i need to get up n go to work an just can't. I work myself up n try be positive night before but then the time comes and I struggle and get angry bout it or just don't care if I feel literal... View more

I've been going through this cycle for a while where I know i need to get up n go to work an just can't. I work myself up n try be positive night before but then the time comes and I struggle and get angry bout it or just don't care if I feel literally sick bout it all and can't do it! I've been on n off anti depressants since 2012, but recently felt like they were doing more harm then good and stop taking them. I was having bad thoughts n terrible dreams and wasn't getting any sleep. I have tryed counselling once but felt like I was being looked at and treated like a looser and that they were like if you know what you need to do then why arnt you doing it. My partner try's and helps but thinks I'm just lazy. Am I? I don't think I am? I'm sick of feeling this way and I need it to change but don't know how, if I go to gp I'll get out back on meds and I'm scared to speak to a counsellor but I want to. So I guess that's why I'm now posting on here, to see if anyone else can help or knows what I'm going through... I dunno I'm just sick of everything being so hard and can't talk to family or friends bout it for fear I'll be looked at or treated different!

87vlc Feeling lost and alone
  • replies: 5

I have suffered from depression since i was 16 and have always been on medication. Im now 28 and a year ago i came off all medication as i was stable for years and didn't think this would happen again. For the last few months i have been struggling a... View more

I have suffered from depression since i was 16 and have always been on medication. Im now 28 and a year ago i came off all medication as i was stable for years and didn't think this would happen again. For the last few months i have been struggling and this last week i have just fallen into a dark hole. I have been to see my GP and have to wait another week to see a Psychiatrist so i guess I'm just looking for someone to talk to in between. I feel so lost and alone and i don't know how to make it go away. I don't want to do anything i just want to sleep cause thats the only time i can't feel any pain or my head isn't overthinking. I feel all these mixed emotions I'm angry, hurt, sad, scared, lonely, numb and i just burst out into tears for no reason at all. I wish someone could feel how i feel inside so they could help me. I feel like I'm loosing control of myself and i want to stop it but i don't know how. I just want to be my old self again and when i smile i want it to be a real smile.

Seraph Feeling nothing
  • replies: 1

Been feeling nothing every now and then. This usually happens when I get overwhelmed with work. I just turn into this passive and unmotivated person. Been having difficulties with trying to be happy.. Happiness has been a foreign thing to me for year... View more

Been feeling nothing every now and then. This usually happens when I get overwhelmed with work. I just turn into this passive and unmotivated person. Been having difficulties with trying to be happy.. Happiness has been a foreign thing to me for years now.. I just always feel tired of being here coz i feel like I'm just existing and not actually living. Pardon for the random thoughts. Hope someone can relate and give some advice. Thanks.

Bec_b My partner doesn't understand depression, how do I talk to her
  • replies: 5

My partner doesn't understand depression or anxiety, she has never experienced either. I need to talk to her but don't want to be a bother and don't know what it would achieve to talk to her. I've told her I'm depressed, about a month ago. How do I t... View more

My partner doesn't understand depression or anxiety, she has never experienced either. I need to talk to her but don't want to be a bother and don't know what it would achieve to talk to her. I've told her I'm depressed, about a month ago. How do I talk to my partner if she has no idea what I'm talking about? Bec

sares I feel sad all the time
  • replies: 8

Hi.. im new here and wanted to chat to others going through the same thing as i feel no one around me understands it (except my brother who has depression). I feel sad all the time worthless useless empty alone and like a failure. I feel like I've fa... View more

Hi.. im new here and wanted to chat to others going through the same thing as i feel no one around me understands it (except my brother who has depression). I feel sad all the time worthless useless empty alone and like a failure. I feel like I've failed and dissapointed my family especially my kids. I wake up every day with nothing there nothing to look foward to. I say and do things that hurt the people im ment to love and feel no remorse. Its like i dont care. Things i used to be able to do that i enjoyed doing are such an effort. There are days i dont want to see anyone or do a thing i just stare at things blank and have no idea what im doing or y. Some days i cry n cry and dont no y im crying.. i have days where i can push it all down and continue on but its getting harder and harder to do.. smiling feels strange. I feel trapped in this world in this mind like im stuck in a dark empty whole and i cant get out of it... This week i went to my dr and she started me on anti depressants ive also seen a psychologist but i struggle to open up and talk. I just want this to go away.

brookey Feeling lonely and isolated despite being surrounded by people
  • replies: 11

Hey everyone, First of all thanks for taking the time to read my post. I'm a 25 year old uni student and I am currently really struggling a lot with recurrent depression. At the moment I'm finding it very hard trying to cope with the feelings of lone... View more

Hey everyone, First of all thanks for taking the time to read my post. I'm a 25 year old uni student and I am currently really struggling a lot with recurrent depression. At the moment I'm finding it very hard trying to cope with the feelings of loneliness and isolation I am experiencing. This is really frustrating as I am quite a social person who has lots of close friends, but at the moment I feel very isolated and alone. I think a large part of this stems from the fact that nearly every friend of mine is currently in a long-term relationship, and many are beginning to get engaged/married/buying a house together etc. I really struggle with a long-held belief that I will be alone forever, and that nobody could ever really love me for who I am. My psychologist and I agree that one way to challenge this would be to meet new people and develop experiences that are alternative to these thoughts/beliefs. However, I am struggling to think of ways to meet new people (last relationship was from online dating, but didn't work out; haven't really ever met someone through friends). Has anyone been in a similar experience? And does any one have any advice for strategies with coping with feelings of being unlovable, and also ways to meet new people to challenge these thoughts? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as this is something that I am really struggling with! Cheers, Brooke xx

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