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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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jammajammamohuma Dont know where to start
  • replies: 1

I am feeling pretty depressed in the 2nd week of the school holidays looking after 3 children 2x3 year old and 1x6 year old plus looking after my 87 year old mother in law which thank god goes back saturday. my depression comes and goes but its alway... View more

I am feeling pretty depressed in the 2nd week of the school holidays looking after 3 children 2x3 year old and 1x6 year old plus looking after my 87 year old mother in law which thank god goes back saturday. my depression comes and goes but its always still the same just a feeling of utter dispear all the time. Im 42 years old. a stay at home dad and all ambition and passion for life has left me. Doing anything these days is hard. Ive actually had depression since I was young but it would come and go though plus I was young so I always felt some kind of hope. Now I feel like Ive already got 1 foot in the grave. I dont want happy pills. I dont want to talk to my wife about it shes no help at all. Im eager to get out into the workforce again but I need some kind of energy. My self confidence is shot.

ChiefMoots Tough weeks but looking forward
  • replies: 4

have had a major depressive episode this week, scariest I've ever felt. There are constant pangs of guilt for those left to pick up the pieces behind me but I'm determined to get better. Anyone out there involved in their own business who battle depr... View more

have had a major depressive episode this week, scariest I've ever felt. There are constant pangs of guilt for those left to pick up the pieces behind me but I'm determined to get better. Anyone out there involved in their own business who battle depression? Keen to discuss your challenges and triumphs

MichelleR Depression & Social Phobia
  • replies: 4

Hi, My first post! I haven't seeked help before but maybe asking if anyone else experiences social phobia might make me feel less alone. i find it hard getting out of bed each day but having to shop or even get fuel for my car is frightening. I stay ... View more

Hi, My first post! I haven't seeked help before but maybe asking if anyone else experiences social phobia might make me feel less alone. i find it hard getting out of bed each day but having to shop or even get fuel for my car is frightening. I stay home more than I go out. Work has suffered and Im 27 with no social life. Gained 20kg in first 12 months of depression, which doesn't help either. i feel like the phobia of seeing people or talking face to face, won't ever leave! Anyone have any tips?

Oceans Struggling with anxiety and depression
  • replies: 5

hi, I have recently been experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression that are. Making it hard for me to function as normal. I have seen my doctor and she has scheduled an appointment tomorrow for me to probably be prescribed medication. I feely r... View more

hi, I have recently been experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression that are. Making it hard for me to function as normal. I have seen my doctor and she has scheduled an appointment tomorrow for me to probably be prescribed medication. I feely really uneasy about this. I know that I need help and I started seeing a psychologist 3 months ago when I first realised I was struggling. I thought it was issues related to deaths in my family but other things have come out of the therapy and I now feel like I am spiralling out of control. I am having trouble sleeping because my heart won't stop pounding, I feel in a constant state of fear or really low. I am finding eating difficult. I have been off work for over a week and have managed to say it was due to asthma and infection but I don't know how much longer I can hide the truth. I am worried I won't be able to work if I can't control this. I feel to ashamed to admit what is going on as it is a relatively new job. If I try to go in I am worried I will have a break down at the slightest thing because I am so jumpy, on edge and exhausted. i just don't know what to do would love some advice

D Walsh Relapsing for no reason
  • replies: 3

I've had depression for about ten years now and I am on maintenance doses of antidepressants under a specialist. I am someone who is generally highly active with work and exercise. Every few months I still have relapses in my depression and for no re... View more

I've had depression for about ten years now and I am on maintenance doses of antidepressants under a specialist. I am someone who is generally highly active with work and exercise. Every few months I still have relapses in my depression and for no real apparent reason. I know it is an illness and their doesn't have to be a trigger, but it is really hard to deal with. I usually notice it coming on when my dreaming becomes really vivid and I can't get into a deep sleep and I get the early morning waking cycle back. I was wondering whether anyone else experiences the same thing and what are their way of dealing with this?

bek0812 Does it get any easier?
  • replies: 3

I don't know how many times I have wondered what's the point? I have recently been diagnosed with depression anxiety and ocd but I can't remember a time that I've been truly happy. i feel like my self worth has hit an all time low. I find myself cons... View more

I don't know how many times I have wondered what's the point? I have recently been diagnosed with depression anxiety and ocd but I can't remember a time that I've been truly happy. i feel like my self worth has hit an all time low. I find myself constantly doubting every decision I've ever made. I am unable to hold a steady relationship because I self sabotage and question their motives. I often wonder why I'm here and why someone would be put on this earth to feel this bad... i know I'm not the only person to have depression and to feel like this. I want to be happy. I look at my beautiful nephew and the smiles he gives me and I wanna be the person he sees that isn't broken. Thankyou for reading about me and making it to the end of my rambles. I don't know what I was trying to accomplish by writing this down. I will forever be amazed at how many tears the human body can produce...

onward_and_upward_ Feeling so lonely...Depression gone but so have all my friends
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, it is so nice to find this forum. I have been through a really tough few years and didn't want my friends to experience me so low and what I believed 'self consumed.' I used to have many friends and now that my old self has returned I do... View more

Hi everyone, it is so nice to find this forum. I have been through a really tough few years and didn't want my friends to experience me so low and what I believed 'self consumed.' I used to have many friends and now that my old self has returned I don't have any friends. Worse still, I am trying to reconnect but they don't seem interested. I am 42 now and miss my friends. This alone makes me feel like I am going back into a depression. I am so desperate for friends and lonely but I feel like people think something is wrong with me. I can't communicate like I used to. I tried a yoga group but even found that clicky and I felt excluded. Has anyone experienced this? Thankyou for listening. X

phoenixstone Self Worth
  • replies: 8

I don't know what to say. I've hit rock bottom. I don't know what to do. I'm gay. I live in a country I feel hates me...at least the government. I can't marry my partner. I've had to quit a job because at staff meetings they talked about homosexualit... View more

I don't know what to say. I've hit rock bottom. I don't know what to do. I'm gay. I live in a country I feel hates me...at least the government. I can't marry my partner. I've had to quit a job because at staff meetings they talked about homosexuality as a psychological disorder. My next job was worse. At the Christmas part I was called a fag. When I tried to talked to my boss about it the next day, he shrugged it off and says they were letting their hair down. So I quit that profession. I'm at home now. I write in hopes to be published, but the pay isn't regular. My partner is working his butt off to support us both. I'm trying. I'm failing. My family have abandoned me. My friends have abandoned me. I am trying. I just don't know who I am anymore. Why was I born? Why am I here? I don't know what to do anymore guys...

bencal Meeting in the Dark
  • replies: 2

I was just walking my dog, and as usual my head is over at the dark side, it used to only visit this side, but now it appears it is spending more and more time over there. I thought how good would it be if we could all meet on this side. No more lone... View more

I was just walking my dog, and as usual my head is over at the dark side, it used to only visit this side, but now it appears it is spending more and more time over there. I thought how good would it be if we could all meet on this side. No more loneliness, people to talk to with the same dark thoughts, hey we could even have a dark party. Just maybe we could see some light together.......

phoenixstone Hard To Keep Friends
  • replies: 16

Lost a friend today. Over Facebook of all places. I'm beginning to think Facebook and depression don't mix. I suffer from depression. Sometimes I'm irrational. I'm paranoid. I'm fearful. I'm angry. I'm scared. I feel like the world is against me. I l... View more

Lost a friend today. Over Facebook of all places. I'm beginning to think Facebook and depression don't mix. I suffer from depression. Sometimes I'm irrational. I'm paranoid. I'm fearful. I'm angry. I'm scared. I feel like the world is against me. I lash out against even the best of friends. I'm tired. I'm lonely. It's a cycle. A constant battle. I'm trying. Sometimes I get it in my head that people are talking behind my back or I recognise some of their complaints in their statuses as how I act. So I think they are referring to me. So I'll confront them impulsively. She said some pretty hurtful truths and criticisms. She recognised that I immediate jump to conclusions and have low self esteem and paranoia. I was accused of draining the joy from her life. That not everything was about me or that everyone is out to get me. I can't help it though and her reaction only confirms to me that maybe I am a terrible friend and a terrible person.

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