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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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FlowersBloom Constant crying, guilt, perfectionism, sadness and I don't know why
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am wondering if there is anyone that suffers from depression and gets similar symptoms to the ones that I have - and how you can control them so that I am able to function at work and in public properly and I can return to feeling normal again ... View more

Hi, I am wondering if there is anyone that suffers from depression and gets similar symptoms to the ones that I have - and how you can control them so that I am able to function at work and in public properly and I can return to feeling normal again (especially dealing with constant crying) These get worse when i let my anxiety get really bad and I tend to fall into a depressed state shortly after. Symptoms: Crying constantly, in public and alone - I get episodes where I can cry for up to 7 hours straight - at this point I will probably start hitting my head against the wall because I feel like I have gone crazy Breathing difficulty Trouble concentrating Everything makes me feel guilty There is no point to anything I do in life! It takes too much effort to do simple things - they feel so difficult. Nightmares Feeling tired and lazy Basically, I have no idea why i am feeling so sad all the time. Everything i think of even happy memories makes me feel so sad. I think it has something to do with my perfectionism and being too self reliant i deal with everything on my own and bottle everything inside. I have struggled since I was about 16 years old. Each but gets worse as the years pass. I never spoke to my parents or anyone about the constant pain I was feeling. And now my body doesn't know how to handle it anymore. I am on medication and seeing a therapist. Medication seems to help the best. I also encourage that if anyone else does not know what to do or if u feel like you are crazy or abnormal you are not. And you are not alone. Talking to someone has been the best thing. Don't bottle up and hide from the world. Seeing a doctor and my medication is the one thing seeing me through this episode.

Big_matt Struggling with depression
  • replies: 2

I have been diagnosed with depression and have been medicated and on way off medication and stopped counciling over 12 months ago recently been struggling feeling like I'm slipping back down and I have had so much help of family and friends but I don... View more

I have been diagnosed with depression and have been medicated and on way off medication and stopped counciling over 12 months ago recently been struggling feeling like I'm slipping back down and I have had so much help of family and friends but I don't want to reach out to them as I feel ashamed and that they would be like harder up your just been soft and your just after attention after We Helping you before I just want to run leave everything behind but also find that I am now crying every couple days over the absolute rubbish i work in a harsh work place high stress prison officer

BobbyMay First Timer
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, My name is Bob and I think I suffer from depression. This is my first post because seriously, I have no idea what I am doing. I cant seem to focus on my own happiness and it cuts my wound deeper when I see others move on and easily mana... View more

Hey everyone, My name is Bob and I think I suffer from depression. This is my first post because seriously, I have no idea what I am doing. I cant seem to focus on my own happiness and it cuts my wound deeper when I see others move on and easily manage themselves (especially an ex partner). I'm afraid I cant be strong enough, because everything is just going from bad to worse. I have forgotten how to be happy and I wish I could find it again. I know what I am probably saying is silly but I don't want to fall in love ever again. the pain feels so heavy and I feel really lonely. Sometimes I wish I could pop my brain out of my head and wash it. and disconnect any attachments to the heart. I'm currently studying and its just distracting my life. If anyone knows a method that helps them that could possibly help me, I would really appreciate it. ill even buy you a coffee or something. However, knowing I'm not the only one feeling this gives me a bit of courage to do something you know? Anyways I hope everyone is on the road to recovery and I'd be more than happy to help anyone else out there. Bob

Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

Terrimanian have suffered from depression since childhood
  • replies: 2

I'm in my 50's & have suffered from depression since childhood. My illness has seriously impacted on my ability to manage my affairs,particularly financially. I have lived in rental accommodation since arriving in arriving in Melbourne over 10 years ... View more

I'm in my 50's & have suffered from depression since childhood. My illness has seriously impacted on my ability to manage my affairs,particularly financially. I have lived in rental accommodation since arriving in arriving in Melbourne over 10 years ago. In April, the job I had held for over 10 years was made redundant. 8 of my colleagues were also made redundant. I was very angry about being forced to leave the organisation in this as it was very clear that the nature of my role & its value to the organisation had not been properly assessed or understood. I have had several months of casual & contract work since April. I sufficient funds (just) to purchase a very modest apartment, but have not been able to proceed due to my uncertain situation. I was recently hospitalised for depression & discharged just over a week ago. I felt considerably better while on hospital but have relapsed since my discharge. I live alone & am desperately lonely. I am in desperate need of a support group & mentor to assist my decision-making

Gerby Lost hope in life and love
  • replies: 22

I've visited this forum from time to time when I'm feeling down but this is the first time it's felt so bad that I thought maybe I should post something. I'm 28, male, Software Engineer by trade and living alone in an apartment in East Melbourne and ... View more

I've visited this forum from time to time when I'm feeling down but this is the first time it's felt so bad that I thought maybe I should post something. I'm 28, male, Software Engineer by trade and living alone in an apartment in East Melbourne and never had a girlfriend in my life and it's completely destroying me at the moment having nobody in my life for companionship. I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to think how to even start to explain my problems but I think I'll just recap briefly up to this point. I feel like I was a normal kid up until about the age of 14 or 15 when suddenly I just stopped wanting to go out, I'd avoid my friends requests to hang out with made up excuses and the times I couldn't escape going out I'd be filled with anxiety and unable to enjoy myself. Then at age 16 my father died of lung cancer which was devastating for both me, my mother and my sister so from that point on I didn't have any male role models in my life. The following year my grandfather died (mother's side) so as you can imagine my mother was not in a great place mentally herself, after I graduated year 12 I started playing 'World of Warcraft' and doing virtually nothing else. 'World of Warcraft' was my life for about 6 or 7 years and it was not a healthy habit in the slightest, my anxiety issues worsened along with depression until it got to a breaking point where my mother sent me to see a psychiatrist for a year because I vomited from anxiety of something as basic as going to get my haircut. I slowly worked through my anxiety issues and eventually was able to leave the house again without turning into a train wreck, then came my mothers new boyfriend. Things seemed fine at first but then he'd just snap at me some days and call me things like "worthless", "lazy" and "not a real man" (because I didn't like drinking or going to pubs) so this did wonders for my already low self esteem, my mother would defend me but in the end she'd still keep him around. To quickly sum up the next few years I ended up going to Uni and walking straight out of Uni into a job, I moved out of home and now I sit alone in an apartment every night wishing I could just find a woman I can relate to or connect with. Every year I lose hope that I'll ever find that someone and I'm starting to seriously question if I'll even make it to 30, I took Tuesday off as an example because I couldn't get myself out of bed. Can anyone tell me why I'm failing at life so badly?

LostFuzzy Income Protection - Where on earth to turn
  • replies: 7

Dear Forum, Desperately hoping that someone here might have an idea of where to point me to ... I've kinda suffered with anxiety and mild depression for a number of years, but I recently started a new job 6 months ago, and 3 months into is I had a st... View more

Dear Forum, Desperately hoping that someone here might have an idea of where to point me to ... I've kinda suffered with anxiety and mild depression for a number of years, but I recently started a new job 6 months ago, and 3 months into is I had a stroke and was hospitalized + off work for a total of 6 weeks and a bit. I went back to work too early I think and this has ended up with me having a total mental meltdown and admitted to clinic. My GP seems to agree but it looks like it could be a real grey area. I'm expecting to be in the clinic for quite a while and off work for a minimum of 3 months according to my psychiatrist. Money is real tight as I didnt get paid for the first 6 weeks I was off due to almost no personal leave accrued. I have so many questions, but the entire thought of having to battle "the system" is just sending me into a complete flat spin even with the nice meds that they have got me on - I just dont know where to turn. i) I have 3 super funds, all have some kind of income protection as far as I can gather ii) Would the current mental episode me a seperate event to the stroke? IE would I have to make 2 claims and a second 6 week waiting period now for the mental health? iii) How would the kinda referee process work, because I know that they will all be trying to make each other pay, so have no ideas even which one i shoulkd contact first? maybe the fund I have had the longest? iv) Any ideas how I can get help to "cope" with all of this process? I'm in a expensive private clinic and no one here seems to have a clue. Even the psychiatrist said "maybe you should just call your super fund and see what they say" -- OK, so I'm not going to get any help on that from the clinic. You would have thought that kind of support would be really high on the agenda. Amazing really v) If you are off work for 6 weeks, anyone know if they backdate it to the first day you stopped getting paid? Its driving me even more nuts that I already am with sick worry. If anyone can help me out you would be doing me and my family a huge huge service. Thanks Fuzzy

Krystallis I need help.
  • replies: 3

I have been in a really bad headspace lately and I've finally come to the realization that I need help. I asked my husband to take the morning off work to watch our youngest daughter so I can go to the doctor. The thoughts I have been having I just h... View more

I have been in a really bad headspace lately and I've finally come to the realization that I need help. I asked my husband to take the morning off work to watch our youngest daughter so I can go to the doctor. The thoughts I have been having I just hate myself even more for even thinking them. I have been feeling like a complete and utter failure in everything that I've been doing. I'm restless, exhausted and miserable. I know I need help and I just don't know what else to do. I've never been big on opening up to anyone so making my doctor see that I'm depressed is going to be very hard for me but I can't hide it anymore.

Riaido Does it ever get better
  • replies: 14

First time trying anything like this, ive tried psychs, they didnt help cause i would hide to much, and i have the mentality, if you cant spot it, you dont deserve to know, stupid, i know. Pretty much i got depression a year or two ago, i dont know, ... View more

First time trying anything like this, ive tried psychs, they didnt help cause i would hide to much, and i have the mentality, if you cant spot it, you dont deserve to know, stupid, i know. Pretty much i got depression a year or two ago, i dont know, i wouldn't acknowledge it, cause i was always happy an optimistic, nothing could bring me down, then i got sick with glandular fever, and it all started going down hill, i lost my health, i lost my job from that, and it eventually lead to me loosing my fiancee, took about another 6 months after all that to acknowledge i had anything wrong, i was down , didnt want to do anything, but a friend eventually got through to me, currently trying diffrent medications, and nothing seams to work, when i feel like things might be starting to get better, i just get kicked back to the ground and it feels like im starting all over again, the worst thing is i dont have my family as support, 'just do something blah blah blah, they might think it helps but it dosnt. i just constantly feel like shit and it just feels like everything is always getting worse, i just want to genuienly smile, and get excited for something again, anything. /sigh

Hopefullseeking Been told I will never be well.
  • replies: 12

How do you cope with being told you have depression for life. You will have times where the depression will be managable but it will not stay that way. You will have bouts of depression, it will always be like this. I felt like someone had slapped me... View more

How do you cope with being told you have depression for life. You will have times where the depression will be managable but it will not stay that way. You will have bouts of depression, it will always be like this. I felt like someone had slapped me. I have been told this before but it sank in yesterday. Both my psychiatrist and my psychologist have said I have depression for life but I always thought I would beat it. Isn't that why I am in therapy. I feel like all hope is lost, I do my best well actually I try really hard to put into practice what my therapist say to do, and i was told yesterday I have worked extremely hard with the psychologist this year but that felt like a waste of time. I am not ready to throw in the towel but it makes it hard when you are told you will be up and down for the rest of your life. Extremely hard.

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