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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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Arinexus Symptoms while similar dont fit any specific diagnosis
  • replies: 1

To start, assume ive done at least a moderate amount of research. Also while i know i have bouts of depression that add or possibly cause these "events" it is the events themselves i want to know about. They can happen anytime but always start in the... View more

To start, assume ive done at least a moderate amount of research. Also while i know i have bouts of depression that add or possibly cause these "events" it is the events themselves i want to know about. They can happen anytime but always start in the morning and can persist, happening once to twice an hour for the rest of the day. There is NO specific trigger. They can start mid laugh or cry. Tired or awake. Happy or sad. It starts by a wave of feelings very out of place but feel familiar. Like recall of an event that never happened. Kinda sad kinda anxious kinda lovelorn. Indescribable really. Then my heartrate increases and i sweat. I feel short of breath. All the while those "feelings" wash over me. The entire even lasts less than a minute. Not all the time but usually after the first they reoccur throughout the day getting slightly worse then better before dissappearing before bed. Ive done my research. These are NoT panic attacks or mini heart attacks or anxiety. There is NO specific trigger. I hope someone has a good idea or has similar expiriences so i can get some answers. Thank you.

Stormgrl101 the struggles of keeping the black dog away....
  • replies: 8

Hello to whoever is reading this, i hope you are well. So yesterday I had two appointments, one for Centrelink to get a job capacity assessment done and one at my Job Provider. The Centrelink one went well, she said she would write up the report and ... View more

Hello to whoever is reading this, i hope you are well. So yesterday I had two appointments, one for Centrelink to get a job capacity assessment done and one at my Job Provider. The Centrelink one went well, she said she would write up the report and I would most likely get referred to a Disability support Job Provider. I then went to the Job Provider and found out I was not seeing the girl I usually saw. This other lady asked what I was doing... studying certificate II animal studies and volunteer at the animal shelter, which my psychologist suggested for me and helped me be able to go. She went on to say that for the "work for the dole" I had to study a Certificate III or higher so what wasnt good enough and then the animal shelter volunteering was not an approved activity so I would have to do something else. Well of course my anxiety shot through the roof and I burst into tears in front of her. I struggled to get the words out that I went to Centrelink that morning and to look up for my report. She got on the phone to someone saying she had a client in front of her who was very tender and falling to pieces... which of course made me feel even more shit.... and then she finally found the report and saw "severe anxiety/depression. extreme emotions, tearfulness, freezes when anxious and struggles to talk.." etc. She said Oh I dont feel so bad now I mean I can be mean but not today. Anyway she wrote up the referral for the Disability support Job Provider which I have an appointment for on Friday. I just hope these people will actually help me and not just push me to the side and stress me out. Anyway now I'm just feeling quite down about everything and the future. I know I have a family who loves me and a caring boyfriend but still the black dog keeps pulling me down making me feel all alone and whats the point because I'll never get better from this, its just going to be a constant struggle. thanks for reading.

1977xxoox Newby! overwhelmed, sad, angry, scared, upset, frustrated, used
  • replies: 3

Hello fellowship, I am new on here so i appreciate your patience in advance. I was diagnosed with post natal depression at 18, and from time to time I have felt I recovered, medicated and un medicated. What I now understand is the black dog is still ... View more

Hello fellowship, I am new on here so i appreciate your patience in advance. I was diagnosed with post natal depression at 18, and from time to time I have felt I recovered, medicated and un medicated. What I now understand is the black dog is still there, it never goes away for me. I have many issues at present and am reaching out to see if others are having similar experiences, and how they cope with life. My issues at present are a list as long as your arm, from relationship, going for a big promotion at work, to my father who's in a nursing home and is sad all the time(he cries on the phone most times I talk to him), to my children whom I hardly see, my sons GF hates me so I can't even call him, a partner who is controlling and not supportive(although he would tell you otherwise), I have major surgery coming up, the house I rent is up for sale as of today, a have employees who push my buttons, I feel alone, I have a constant sensation of drowning, I suffer with fibromyalgia, my mother does not speak to me nor does my aunt, I only have my dad and my children. I have friends, but I feel like I'm a burden to them and am scared to ask for help, I feel I always help them(which is ok). I've received treatment in the past which worked short term, but the black dog still comes back. I'm struggling to cope. I've had huge weight gain, 30kg, which is something else that causes me irrational thoughts. If anyone has any suggestions on how I feel better about myself, I would love to hear from you. Even to just be a friend, who can understand. Thanks so much for reading my post. 1977xxoox

Annabelle1234 All alone...so hard to find strength when you're lonely
  • replies: 3

Hi my name is Annabelle This is my first time on here. I'm sitting up in bed typing this as I have looked up 100s of tactics online to get to sleep with the way I'm feeling but no luck. I am a naturally outgoing, confident person socially. I dedicate... View more

Hi my name is Annabelle This is my first time on here. I'm sitting up in bed typing this as I have looked up 100s of tactics online to get to sleep with the way I'm feeling but no luck. I am a naturally outgoing, confident person socially. I dedicated my life to fitness last year joined a gym where it was very tight not community and felt a had a purpose in life. Before this time I had depression (episodes of it throughout the year). Once I found a purpose nothing could stop me. I was in my last year of uni and wanted to become a therapist once I graduated. I worked as a disability carer and felt like the world was my oyster. I had friends around me, I was happy and positive and ready for anything. This year rolled around. I started becoming obsessive over my body. Lost a guy I was Marley in love with you never really loved me back. Started tormenting myself about my weight gain. Couldn't get a graduate job and keep receiving the same comments for my interviews. Still work as a carer and feel overqualified and useless. My social circle has diminished into two close friends. I dread the weekend as I don't have anyone to do anything with. I sleep till midday on the weekends and when I don't have work I will sleep most of the day through. I have tried getting new trainers, applying for more jobs, seeing a psychologist, changing my medications, trying to figure out how to meet people, reaching out to old friends (who have moved on and have their own friends and are happy). I'm sad because I feel like no one wants or cares about me. I don't know how to meet people except for saving up and traveling (which I am doing). Sorry for the rant but I just wanted to see if anyone else has these issues. I look like a social person yet spend my weekends all alone. I feel useless, no one cares I have nothing to show for everyone is traveling and enjoying their life while I'm in a rut. i want to enjoy my life and it's so hard to look up and be positive about it all. iv started binging on food and doing drugs here and there to elevate my mood bust in the end I'm all alone.

Paul I'm feeling so guilty
  • replies: 2

Some people are triggered to depression through guilt. event --> guilt --> depression and remorse What do you feel guilty about but still seem to do or wish you hadn't done?

Some people are triggered to depression through guilt. event --> guilt --> depression and remorse What do you feel guilty about but still seem to do or wish you hadn't done?

GeorgieBelle Fog Isn't Lifting
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I am 28 years old and feel like I am stuck in a rut, and it is really worrying me. I have depression and anxiety, and it has been getting worse over the last few weeks, and I feel like I have hit my limit. I feel very forgotten about among ... View more

Hey guys, I am 28 years old and feel like I am stuck in a rut, and it is really worrying me. I have depression and anxiety, and it has been getting worse over the last few weeks, and I feel like I have hit my limit. I feel very forgotten about among my friends. I reached out to a friend (which I am not good at) and told her that I needed some help, and yet I haven't heard back from her in over a week. I keep putting on weight because when I am depressed I eat crappy food, almost as a punishment to myself. I don't even like it, I just feel like that's all I deserve (does anyone else struggle with this...Would LOVE some help with managing this). I am quite in debt and whilst overtime is available in my job (which would get rid of my debt very quickly) I don't like my job as I feel very invisible and unappreciated. I get anxious just thinking about going to work. So instead of working overtime and getting money, I often don't work because I am too anxious to get there. The other day my car was broken into, by having the window smashed, and I feel like that has tipped me over the edge. I know constantly feel anxious, my arms and legs feel really heavy/weighted down and my mind is so incredibly foggy. I have never experienced it to this degree before. I have trouble driving, holding conversations and working, all because my mind feels so clouded over. I have a really supportive family, but I still feel like I am just suffocating and everything is becoming blurry. Any and all advice is welcome ... I really cannot bear to feel like this anymore. I am living my life through a constant haze.

Different Sooo lost
  • replies: 1

I am a sad person. I feel like a freak. I feel that everyone thinks that about me. I cant seem to fit in. I come across as a giggling happy person. But im so dark. People completely dont understand.

I am a sad person. I feel like a freak. I feel that everyone thinks that about me. I cant seem to fit in. I come across as a giggling happy person. But im so dark. People completely dont understand.

BBUser10 Depression / Anxiety ....finally talked to my wife and now it's all backfired
  • replies: 9

Hi I have been married 15.5 years and been diagnosed with depression & anxiety for 5 years.i took anti depressants for the 1st 3 years and have been trying to kick them for the last 2 yearsi use a CPAP for sleep apnea it has taken me 5 years and ther... View more

Hi I have been married 15.5 years and been diagnosed with depression & anxiety for 5 years.i took anti depressants for the 1st 3 years and have been trying to kick them for the last 2 yearsi use a CPAP for sleep apnea it has taken me 5 years and therapy ( with and without my wife) to finally pluck up the courage to talk to my wife and tell how this illness affects me , I find it hard to open up and do not like to anyone. After several hard conversations I told my wife I need her to show me affection kiss and hugs and to ask me if I'm ok when we are alone and we can talk ( she asks me in front of people) and just to listen and I would aim to tell her the truth about how I really feel even tho saying it out loud makes me sound perfetic ...The 1st day I sat down and started telling he how I felt it was good she listen and made a couple of comments.. After a week and a couple of conversation still no affection and the listing stopped it turn more into tit for tat conversations, this sent me into a 4 day down period , when this issues came to ahead its turns out that my wife says she can't show me affection as she has been so hurt by me the last 5 years she can't suddenly start showing affection and she also wants to voice how this illness affects her ( which I get but I can't just deal with that right now) she wants to stay together and work through it, but she needs normality to show me affectionnow I'm in a very dark place, I thought I would say what I needed and she would help and listen but now I have all these things I have to fix and its overloaded me I have not been able to talk to her for 3 days ( and when we have its been angry words) I'm not suicidal yet but I'm starting to spiral down I just don't cope with multiple problems and when someone has an issue with me I feel I have to fix it , self help book, stop drinking im thinking of leaving but I don't want to lose my kids or my wife but I'm to angry to think straight , I put my heart on my sleeve and it feels as though it been stamped on. has anyone has a similar situation? MR

Azee Here I am, but still in denial
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I have taken many online depression tests and all came back with results stating I havesevere depression. I read about depression, the symptoms, the feelings, everything, and I am in shock at how closely it describes everything about me.... View more

Hi everyone, I have taken many online depression tests and all came back with results stating I havesevere depression. I read about depression, the symptoms, the feelings, everything, and I am in shock at how closely it describes everything about me. I know I have had depression for many years and yet I am still in denial. I could go on forever, but I want to keep this short. Thanks for reading.

janazantar Post depression driven remorse
  • replies: 1

So i've been talking to someone i wronged while being depressed and its been hard to hear the truths that they wanted to cut me off and how my actions hurt them. how can i recover from this criticism that depression makes cut even deeper. i know they... View more

So i've been talking to someone i wronged while being depressed and its been hard to hear the truths that they wanted to cut me off and how my actions hurt them. how can i recover from this criticism that depression makes cut even deeper. i know they are right but i'm also sorry for myself because I didn't ask for depression either. its not fun being me and i don't get a break from being with me either. i don't think people with happy lives, filled with happy families, the love of a partner, the joy of a new child can know how lonely depression is. how hard it is to keep your chin up when you are empty, lonely and so sad inside. finding some strength to make it through every day on the hope of a better tomorrow. I feel like an unrecoverable distance now sits between us and wishing won't make it go away. Just another in a long list of losts in a life that i don't want but have to endure. I'm getting help but it doesn't turn on a dime. i'm taking my meds and trying to forgive myself but right now, i just want to cry and give myself a hug and say its ok. tomorrow will be better, you just need to make it through the night.

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