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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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Meegannn fighting a battle that doesn't exist!
  • replies: 8

I feel like everything in my life that could go wrong, has or is and when I think it can't get worse it always does. I'm about a breath away from giving up and just stopping. My beautiful daughter lifts my spirit when I'm having bad days like this, s... View more

I feel like everything in my life that could go wrong, has or is and when I think it can't get worse it always does. I'm about a breath away from giving up and just stopping. My beautiful daughter lifts my spirit when I'm having bad days like this, she is the reason I'll keep going.The worst part is half of my problems and fears probably don't even exist.Is there anyone else that just feels like giving up everyday before they get out of bed? Does anyone else lay in bed until 3am worrying and thinking? What the hell is wrong with me???I need to be better for my girl. 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;}

Myfears Can anyone really help?
  • replies: 3

I am having the worst anxiety and depression I've ever had, it's been 6 weeks now and I'm getting worse. I've been seeing a Pschycologist for a year, I've done all the things she said to do do but I've found no relief, I haven't been back to work, lu... View more

I am having the worst anxiety and depression I've ever had, it's been 6 weeks now and I'm getting worse. I've been seeing a Pschycologist for a year, I've done all the things she said to do do but I've found no relief, I haven't been back to work, lucky my manager is understanding. I can't leave my house, I don't enjoy anything and all I do is cry. I'm dizzy and feel like I'm having a heart attack everyday. I've been to the ED at the hospital, they ran tests and say all is ok. I've done the breathing, meditation, healthy eating, vitamins, talking to someone but the feeling just remains. I can't take Meds due to sensitivity from side effects, the hospital gave me an anti depressant that sent me to bed for 5 days, I couldn't even stand up without help. I tried a natural tablet and that made me nauseous, dizzy and I couldn't eat for a week. I have come to the conclusion, no one can help me and I'm doomed to this life forever, I will probably end up losing my job because when I get up of a morning I break into a cold dizzy sweat and want to throw up, I then have to collapse back on the bed for a few hours. my daughter has tried getting me help through the mental health system, an anxiety clinic and the hospital but even they can't seem to help apart from give advice. I hate being here, I wouldn't ever do anything but I still hate it

Wonderer Legal question
  • replies: 4

Had a mental breakdown a s was put on mew medication . I sold the family home without reading the contract through an agent who 'heard' I was thinking of selling. Is there any way to get out of this situation?

Had a mental breakdown a s was put on mew medication . I sold the family home without reading the contract through an agent who 'heard' I was thinking of selling. Is there any way to get out of this situation?

Mack93 Not sure why I am posting ....
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. First time posting here and I'm not really sure why I am, only that I need some advice and after reading some stories on here nothing seemed to fit with mine. Basically I am 22, the last year has been pretty rough I guess, I've moved fro... View more

Hi everyone. First time posting here and I'm not really sure why I am, only that I need some advice and after reading some stories on here nothing seemed to fit with mine. Basically I am 22, the last year has been pretty rough I guess, I've moved from NSW to Melbourne and then back again when I realised I wasn't happy there with my partner. My partner and I have been together for two years, and are still happy together, living in Melbourne was just very stressful considering we were both doing jobs we hated and had no friends or family there. We have now moved back home and are living at his parents' house (which I hate, we are soon moving to my parents' house) to save money while we both go back to uni. The first degree I did I hated, so I'm going back to do what I wanted to do all along. I'm fortunate enough to be able to go to uni (twice), have supportive parents and partner, we're ok financially (not great as we are both students but we earn enough to keep us going) so I'm not sure why I feel like this. The last 12 months or so I have just felt so sad all the time. I feel unmotivated to do anything, whenever I'm at home I just lay in bed all day or watch tv and don't have any motivation for doing anything. I am always tired, I went to a doctor about being so tired around 2 years ago and he told me I was Vitamin B deficient and to take supplements, I have ever since and it got better for a while but now it's worse than ever so I feel like it must be something different. I'm so tired that I have to have a nap every afternoon because I physically cannot stay awake. Again, I don't know why I'm posting here except that I've ruled out every other possibility. I don't feel like I have a reason to be depressed but I can't ignore the fact that I am just plain sad all the time for no good reason. The last year I have been saying to myself "I'll be happy when we move to Melbourne", "I'll be happy when I move home", "I'll be happy when I quit this job that I hate", "I'll be happy when I lose weight", but I've done all those things and I'm no happier. Just wanting some advice basically and to talk to people who have been through similar things. Sorry for the long post. X

Learningcurve New and need advice please
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am a new member. I have recently been diagnosed with depression. My first ever experience with depression happened when my eldest was 15mths old (he is now almost 16). I used to cry all the time and came close to leaving my hubby and child. I c... View more

Hi, I am a new member. I have recently been diagnosed with depression. My first ever experience with depression happened when my eldest was 15mths old (he is now almost 16). I used to cry all the time and came close to leaving my hubby and child. I called hubby at work on a particularly bad day and said I need help. I was put on medication for a couple of mths then came off it to have our 2nd child. Since then I would often have times of feeling down, but as I have always worked part-time since having the kids (2 boys aged 16 & 13) I found using my days off while the kids were at school was enough to get me through. Since that episode 15 years ago I have never confided in anyone (including hubby) about my down times. Last July I started a new role full-time and since then have not been coping, I cry all the time, mood swings and just generally feel really down. In early November I finally sought help from a doctor who put me on medication. I found I went downhill even more and very quickly for those couple of mths on the medication that I took myself off it. I have seen a psychologist twice now & my next appt is mid Feb. the psychologist recommended a 2nd opinion for my medication which I recently have done and am now on a new medication. I have a family history of Bipolar on my Dad's side. I honestly don't know if I have bipolar, I can get very obsessed about projects/ideas where it controls me for days/weeks to then just give up on it without seeing it through. The psychologist has not given me a diagnosis of anything as yet (not sure if they even do this). I believe I have a social anxiety also, as I get really anxious and feel like people don't like me. So tend to want to be on my own if I can. My main concerns are as I mentioned I haven't told hubby yet, I don't know why but I get really scared and nervous when I try to get up the courage to tell him. Also I know my work is not helping, but we are just starting to get ahead financially so would feel so guilty and blame myself if I had to cut back my hours but I do know if I don't start improving will have to consider this option. Any advice on telling partners especially since I have kept it from everyone for so long would be appreciated. I feel so alone and terrified about what's ahead.

Kargroth Hi im Kargroth and I have D.A.D ( Depressive Anxiety Disorder )
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone i am new here my name is Kargroth i am 27 yrs young and i have recently been diagnosed withDepressive Anxiety Disorder and Insomnia. recently in 2011 i lost my father, lost my job and recently come out of a three year marriage, yes i k... View more

Hello everyone i am new here my name is Kargroth i am 27 yrs young and i have recently been diagnosed withDepressive Anxiety Disorder and Insomnia. recently in 2011 i lost my father, lost my job and recently come out of a three year marriage, yes i know they say bad things come in three's. i am just writing to find out if anyone else has the same disorder as me to be able to relate to this disorder to be able to chat with. it seems of late since leaving my wife of only 3 years, everyday is a struggle. very had to find the motivation to find a new job and im currently also finding it hard to find myself new housing as i am only on a low government income. I have a just recently turnt 4 yr old daughter whom i regard as my everything. i have only seen her 3 times since i split up from my wife. (1) Christmas Day.. 26th December (2) Day before her Birthday 13th January (3) Yesterday 30th January I am trying to negotiate with my ex wife to see her more often. It hurts me more-so when i have to leave and my daughter doesn't want me leave and don't understand that "daddy no longer lives at home with mummy" i often find myself crying myself to sleep at night. ( when i do sleep ) Thank you for taking the time to read my story

HC247 Struggling.. But keep telling myself it's not serious
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Long time admirer of beyondblue, first time user of a forum.. I've never really thought of myself as depressed, but looking back over the last 12 months, it seems likely that I am. Nearly 18 months ago, I started having problems with a c... View more

Hi everyone, Long time admirer of beyondblue, first time user of a forum.. I've never really thought of myself as depressed, but looking back over the last 12 months, it seems likely that I am. Nearly 18 months ago, I started having problems with a colleague. It took me a while to realise there was actually an issue, as the problems were in the form of passive aggressive emails which I initially took very little notice of. Fast forward 15 months, and my generally happy self had finally been worn down to the point I had to make a complaint. My employer has sent me to a psychologist, and I have had two sessions with him. To be honest, I don't know if I'm getting much out of them. I noticed my mood had changed - probably over the last six months. I am not as confident as I was, my motivation has decreased and I frequently have no energy. I may have been better able to deal with this, had I had a little more support from my partner. When things at work began to get problematic, I tried talking to him, but he seemed not to realise I was attempting to have a serious conversation with him, and interrupted me. This happened several times and I just gave up trying to talk to him. I feel like we never talk about anything of any substance. We started having problems of our own which, to be honest, had been brewing for awhile. Between Christmas and January, I was feeling quite a lot better, but I am back in a black hole again now, due to an issue with my partner a couple of days ago. I feel like if my problems were just related to work OR home I could deal with them, but I am feeling unbearably sad - it is the only way to describe it. I feel like I am a fraction of my former self and I don't know how to get back to where I was. I guess in posting on here, I am wondering if anyone might have some practical tips for 'getting back to happy,' and also getting a relationship back to a happy, but perhaps more open, state. I know compared to a lot of other people's posts, these things seem quite trivial. I think it is for this reason I have just tried to figure out how to deal with things on my own, but it is becoming quite apparent that I need some help. Would really like to hear if anyone has felt the same, and what might have helped them. Thank you.

Shiny Ashamed of my depression
  • replies: 8

I don't have severe clinical depression. I am able to get up and work part time in my own business, and cook most nights for three teenage boys. I am a single parent, my ex-husband having passed last year after four years of pain and suffering follow... View more

I don't have severe clinical depression. I am able to get up and work part time in my own business, and cook most nights for three teenage boys. I am a single parent, my ex-husband having passed last year after four years of pain and suffering following a heart attack. He was only 49. For four years the kids and I have been in a traumatic limbo with my ex having brain damage and DVTs and cellulitis and other issues. With his passing late last year so many people have said "Now you are all free to move on" etc. They mean well. And it is true we are now in a place to move on with our lives. After 4 years of carrying my children through this I am now exhausted. I find myself sleeping a lot. I'll get up in the morning and make my youngest breakfast and get him off to school with a healthily lunch etc ... then when he's gone I'll go back to bed until he comes home again. This happens at least twice a week. I feel ashamed.My life is not that bad. My boys are healthy and after a really hard time the two older ones are now in Uni. My business is doing OK. I have to be careful with money and I have learnt to budget! I have good friends and a dysfunctional but somewhat loving family in another state. I have even met a lovely man who has held my hand through this ordeal for some time now.So why do I go to bed. When I know I should go for a walk or do the food shop or wash the floors? I feel like I am just doing what I need to do to get through and I feel ashamed of my sadness ... I don't want to talk about it to people anymore because I feel like I'm just boring those who care about me. After last year hitting my rock bottom I started to see a psychologist and psychiatrist to help me. I went on anti depressants just after my ex husband's heart attack and put on 10 kilos in 6 months...one day I would love to come off them. Some days I feel fine and feel like I am going to be OK. And then there are days when I just feel so sad. Anyway ... thank you for letting me share.

pamela82 new and in need of some friends
  • replies: 3

My name is pamela and I need some help. I suffer with depression and no one around me understands what its like. I am married but my husband is not at all supportive he thinks its all a joke and that my Dr will just say its anything to get money. Whe... View more

My name is pamela and I need some help. I suffer with depression and no one around me understands what its like. I am married but my husband is not at all supportive he thinks its all a joke and that my Dr will just say its anything to get money. When I try yot tell him stuff he just rolls his eyes and go here we go again. I have 2 children and they are the only reason i get up each morning. They are the ones who hold me here on earth without them I don't think I would be here. I need people who knows how it feels tosuffer in silence Thanks pamela 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;}

Xtron the struggle gets worse
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hiive been suffering from depression for most of my life but didn't realise it until I was diagnosed roughly 3 years ago, since then I have been on medication and saw a counsellor at one point. it's getting to the point where I feel nothing helps and... View more

hiive been suffering from depression for most of my life but didn't realise it until I was diagnosed roughly 3 years ago, since then I have been on medication and saw a counsellor at one point. it's getting to the point where I feel nothing helps and I feel like imuseless, everyday feels like a struggle and ive found ive become very distant from family and friends avoiding any social interaction where I can. theres even days I cannot bring myself to go to work and even got fired from my previous job for that reason, I got a new job but still am finding it hard to get up to go. and the past few weeks I feel I have fallen deeper in the hole of depression, its a struggle to even be happy and it seems I have to keep a fake happiness appearance to not let people know. for the past year on and off I even turned to smoking pot to try and suppress these intense feelings even though I know its only making things worse. im trying to cut drugs out and seek real help, ive let this depression get out of hand and it wasn't until today I realised I really need to seek further help. I went to my gp to get help with a mental help plan but he didn't seem to want to do anything so im now searching for a new gp.is there any advise out there to try and keep it under control? its to a point where I have no control over my own feelings and found myself balling my eyes out today for no apparent reason and couldn't shake that feeling for a few hours until my wife came home from work to comfort me and help seek support. thank you 800x600 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 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* 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:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}