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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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Sarah J Clinically depressed and struggling
  • replies: 3

I was diagnosed many years ago and have been medicated for severe clinical depression and anxiety attacks. Have been going ok for quite a while now even through losing my husband and raising six kids on my own. It will be four years in September. I m... View more

I was diagnosed many years ago and have been medicated for severe clinical depression and anxiety attacks. Have been going ok for quite a while now even through losing my husband and raising six kids on my own. It will be four years in September. I moved interstate 10 months ago and all was good but just lately I have been feeling really down and not sleeping, but most importantly I find myself separating from my children. I love them so much but can't seem to handle their needing me. Don't get me wrong I plaster a smile on my face and do what needs to be done, but I'm feeling empty and false. I know this will pass but right now I just need someone to know how I'm feeling. I'm feeling desperately alone and lost.

Meeper Life knocks you down sometimes
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety trouble my whole life and I've had depression before and come through it but now it's back too. This year I was really sick for months and it screwed up my hormones. It was right on the start of the uni semester which I ... View more

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety trouble my whole life and I've had depression before and come through it but now it's back too. This year I was really sick for months and it screwed up my hormones. It was right on the start of the uni semester which I was enrolled in two weeks behind everyone else due to an admin delay. I've been behind in that the whole way and I missed too much time at work and struggled to come back. I'm trying so hard to get my health back and my life on track but it feels like I'm getting nowhere. The depression is starting to erode my motivation so I can't see the point in even getting up in the morning. Before I fell down I felt so strong; I'd done so much to build myself up and work through my anxiety. Now I feel like a shadow of my former self and I can't think well enough to get myself out of my hole. My health is so poor but I'm anxious about food and it makes me panic so it's a huge effort to fix. I really suffer in the cold of winter as well because I have such terrible circulation. I'm so short on hours at work and in study that I don't have time to see someone for help. I know I have a lot of good things in my life and a lot to look forward to but I just can't seem to find the step I need to make my breakthrough this time. Each little thing that goes 'wrong' feels like a mountain I can't get past and though I'm still doing some good things I'm really down on myself over the bad things and getting really upset about my uni exam performance. If life would give me a chance to catch up that'd be great but it doesn't wait. So I keep doing what I can and try to stay open to the next day. Writing helps so I really appreciate being able to talk on here.

Misslondon I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved
  • replies: 1

I'm really at a loss of what to do. I'm sick of feeling depressed. I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved. I have family who are very busy and who try to help as much as they can, but I feel as though I'm a nuisance to them. No... View more

I'm really at a loss of what to do. I'm sick of feeling depressed. I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved. I have family who are very busy and who try to help as much as they can, but I feel as though I'm a nuisance to them. Nothing in my life seems to be going the way it should. I'm a single mum who works full time. I feel burnt out and need a change of scenery. I can't move due to my son's father. I'm a mess. How can I make myself feel confident again?

Macrick Middle Aged and Failing uni soon to be twice.
  • replies: 9

Salutations, I'm an international student studying in South Australia. I have repeated and with from one uni. And now, I'm gonna fail this one soon. I'm in an IT course and not very good in programming. Have seek but advice given was limited. I think... View more

Salutations, I'm an international student studying in South Australia. I have repeated and with from one uni. And now, I'm gonna fail this one soon. I'm in an IT course and not very good in programming. Have seek but advice given was limited. I think my depression is relapsing. Made no real friends here since my arrival almost 1 and half years back. I got so frustrated with my course work that I stopped going to campus since last week. The only person that is keeping me sane is my elderly mother whom I called weekly on the phone. I have a history of unable to form relations at any level. Am seriously at a loss and broke down earlier. My issues are much more deep rooted that I do not know how to clean it. I need help, thanks for reading. Adios.

TigerMum Virtual Reality
  • replies: 2

I know its probably been done before but just interested with the advent of movies like The Matrix series and now with the amazing technology in Virtual Reality. Does anyone else feel like they are walking around in some artificially generated scenar... View more

I know its probably been done before but just interested with the advent of movies like The Matrix series and now with the amazing technology in Virtual Reality. Does anyone else feel like they are walking around in some artificially generated scenario and just wish that they could find a way out? Escape the pain and suffering for the real life we are meant to have, pain and symptom free.

JayMic Wanting to change everything to feel something
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I have never done this before... I am more a face to face person but right now this suits. I am a counsellor and I think I am struggling with depression & anxiety. I am 27, female and loosing interest in all I have... this appears to be seaso... View more

Hi all, I have never done this before... I am more a face to face person but right now this suits. I am a counsellor and I think I am struggling with depression & anxiety. I am 27, female and loosing interest in all I have... this appears to be seasonal and usually beings around april and hits home hard at winter. I almost ended my almost 9 year relationship last night...I want to quit my job, move overseas and start a new life - all my attachments done feel good enough - nothing feels good enough. How do i go from Nov last year feeling so in love, happy, content, calm - to now craving feelings in any way i can get them? I am a very emotional personal, I like feeling things - but now I feel numb, and its hard to stand. Its so hard because logically, as someone who spend 6 years studying to be a counsellor i know what's happening - but it doesn't mean i can stop it, or feel less alone in this place. I have cried on and off for small reasons, i feel ive been sick or run down most of the year, i want a completely different life and find my ususal interest boring and stupid, i feel nothing. Everything is a chore. Im bearly sleeping then struggling in the morning, my diet is horrible, i have no drive for anything. When i told my fiancé this - he was so upset, i could see he was crushed - i told him a want a different life, away and i need change - i felt nothing while he was sad...i feel i cried because i knew i should feel sad...but i felt numb, and dying to run. What the hell is wrong with me? Do others feel this sense of numberness and need for change when they have depression? I am so scared i am going to throw away everything ive worked hard for, everything i love, just to feel a rush...it scares me... I know i want to be alive, im not suicidal. I am just flat, numb and lost... Please let me know if anyone has shared similar experiences?

Pounce the motivation switch. how do you control it?
  • replies: 9

I'm normally a highly motivated person. Just last week I was buzzing around, getting things done, excited about life. Now the fog has come back and turned off the motivation switch! It took me an hour to will myself out of bed. It took me another two... View more

I'm normally a highly motivated person. Just last week I was buzzing around, getting things done, excited about life. Now the fog has come back and turned off the motivation switch! It took me an hour to will myself out of bed. It took me another two hours to get dressed. I tried making a list, but it's just overwhelming - I can't prioritise so I end up doing nothing. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I can motivate myself to have a shower! How do you manage this problem?

V1234 First step taken... anxious / despressed for no good reason
  • replies: 2

Hi there, This is my first post here. This week's been tough, I have woken up and cried every morning. I have come to terms with the fact that I have mild depression and anxiety and it's been very confronting to admit that. I don't have a story as su... View more

Hi there, This is my first post here. This week's been tough, I have woken up and cried every morning. I have come to terms with the fact that I have mild depression and anxiety and it's been very confronting to admit that. I don't have a story as such, I come from a good family/friends/fiancé - however feel anxious and depressed. For many years, I told myself I don't have any 'thing' to be sad about and brushed the feelings aside again and again. I told myself to move on / focus on the positives and other clichés. But late last week I couldn't do this any longer. With the help of a close friend who said 'mate you've got the black dog and you need some help'... I went to see my GP, got a mental health plan and got some time with a Psychologist. I'm embarrassed that I feel this way 'for no good reason' I'm also a bit scared of needing medication to help me get better. I can't keep crying everyday. I'm also worried about recovering/adjusting to medication while continuing working. Thank you for reading.

BlueEyes22 Always the strong one, now I'm not.
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am new here. I'm 32 and have suffered from depression and GAD since I was a late teen. I pride myself on being strong and try my best to never let others see just how despairing I am. I guess it's a survival mechanism. The thing is, I'm having ... View more

Hi, I am new here. I'm 32 and have suffered from depression and GAD since I was a late teen. I pride myself on being strong and try my best to never let others see just how despairing I am. I guess it's a survival mechanism. The thing is, I'm having to work extra hard at acting at the moment and I feel like I'm having a breakdown. Everything just seems to be going wrong and usually when life knocks me down, I get up fighting but right now, I don't feel as if I can get back up. I can feel myself pushing away the people I love because it's just too hard for me to explain what's happening inside my head. Yes, I am seeing a psychiatrist. Yes, in the past I've tried CBT. Yes, those closest to me do know that I suffer a mental illness. But, I don't feel like anything is helping me right now. My fiancé lost his job 4 months ago. I've been weaning off a prescribed medication since March that has been a demon on my shoulder for 8 years, which means I haven't been able to work. (Another story all together). We've had to move back in with my parents. My Mum is an alcoholic. No, we don't have any other reasonable options for accommodation whilst out of work. We're running out of money. We spent years saving for a house deposit and it's all dwindling away. Supposed to be getting married next year - already postponed once because of money or lack of. No, I don't want to give up my dream of a wedding day and just get married at a registrar's office. I've had numerous health scares which fortunately turned out ok. Both mine and my fiance's cars were stolen (Another long story). Both found stripped and burnt. Mine was insured, his was not. I am currently a full time carer for my mum and my dog - they've both had new knees put in. But I don't receive centrelink (for Mum) because of a multitude of reasons - too long of a story to explain. I have so much pressure and stress going on inside my head. I'm exhausted. I'm despairing. I feel alone in a room full of people. I once heard this quote about depression - "A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious and it compounds daily, that it's impossible to see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key." There's so much more to my story, but not enough words, energy or time to explain..How can I pull myself up out of this rut? I know I need to pick myself up again, but don't know how? I've tried positive affirmations. Any advice? Thank you.

Hatethefeeling Really lost today and I can feel the storm swelling
  • replies: 3

hi, so many things floating around in my head and Im not sure where to start or even what to say. I was 'diagnosed' with PTSD 5yrs ago. I say 'diagnosed' because even though I am sure thats what it is I could no longer afford to see the psychologist ... View more

hi, so many things floating around in my head and Im not sure where to start or even what to say. I was 'diagnosed' with PTSD 5yrs ago. I say 'diagnosed' because even though I am sure thats what it is I could no longer afford to see the psychologist for a variety of reasons so didn't really investigate it. I am married, albeit unhappily, and have 3 wonderful children, d-22,s-17,d-15, whom I live each day for. I know deep inside that I need to try and access something, anything that can help me ride these crises, but I continue to ride each day out until it passes. The smallest of things, today it was rejection, rejection confirming that I am not an attractive person, that I am fat and not worthy of anything, that I am stupid and a drama queen. i suppose they are right, I am my entire story would take up the allotted 2500 words and its messy and probably not the right place for it. I am also not proud of some of the paths i have taken so by not acknowledging them seems to make them go away, if only for the briefest of times. Today, I've been on the brink of tears for most of the day but tell myself to shrug to off and get on with things. sitting here typing this I am holding back the tears, the kids are home and this is not their problem they don't need it, can't show any weakness. The husband is here, can't let him see I'm struggling cos he doesn't understand nor does he show he cares, this is all his fault. well maybe not all, but i feel a majority of it is so what do I do, where do I turn. I have no friends, he made sure of that. I can't be seen to 'waste' money on a psychologist because its a waste and doesn't work anyway, according to him. so i spend most days sitting on the iPad playing an online game and interacting with my 'friends' who don't judge or care but are there and treat me with respect. even getting to the supermarket is a challenge, mainly because i can't be bothered. I've gained weight and don't even care, well i sort of do, but its easier not to HELP..I'm lost and don't know where to turn