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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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Richo10 think b4 you act!
  • replies: 32

Ive suffered from severe depression for 6 years, im 25. 14 months ago my whole world was turned upside down, I tried to end it all and was placed on life support for 10 days. I now suffer a terrible breathing condition called Glottic stenosis with bi... View more

Ive suffered from severe depression for 6 years, im 25. 14 months ago my whole world was turned upside down, I tried to end it all and was placed on life support for 10 days. I now suffer a terrible breathing condition called Glottic stenosis with bilateral vocal cord fixation. Ive had 8 operations in 14 months to try fix it all have been unsuccessful. On nov 12th I will have operation number 9 and be tracheostomy dependant for up to 1 month post opp. With these operations ive had most of my vocal cords cut out and ive lost majority of my voice that ill never get back I used to play state netball, now I can barely walk or shower without being out of breath. I guess im sharing my story to let you no its ok to not feel ok but before you act reach out to a loved one or support before you do anything that may change your life forever 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.

lookingforme No motivation
  • replies: 2

I feel ready to just ...sit down where I am and not bother doing things anymore. So tired to keep trying.

I feel ready to just ...sit down where I am and not bother doing things anymore. So tired to keep trying.

MisterM They say with depression you lose interest in things you enjoy
  • replies: 4

So why do I still get so high and achieve catharsis by listening to music I love? And why do I still have a healthy sex drive? Everywhere I read online says with Dysthymia/Depression you lose interest in music, sex, hobbies etc. I was diagnosed as su... View more

So why do I still get so high and achieve catharsis by listening to music I love? And why do I still have a healthy sex drive? Everywhere I read online says with Dysthymia/Depression you lose interest in music, sex, hobbies etc. I was diagnosed as suffering from dysthymia and anxiety. I am confused.

Israphel I miss the mania...
  • replies: 4

Is this a horrific way to be feeling?I am a NIDA graduate come Barrister with Bipolar-II, severe insomnia (2hrs sleep at most per 24hr block), and schizophrenia (visual and smell, not auditory). Because of a breakdown I had four years ago I rapidly b... View more

Is this a horrific way to be feeling?I am a NIDA graduate come Barrister with Bipolar-II, severe insomnia (2hrs sleep at most per 24hr block), and schizophrenia (visual and smell, not auditory). Because of a breakdown I had four years ago I rapidly became too scared to socialise (social anxiety) and have since become agoraphobic. I've just started treatment this year, having a psychologist and psychiatrist do home visits; it's amazing how extremely difficult it is for people with agoraphobia to get any medical care, especially GP care, that will come to the home.I've started CBT with the psychologist but my psychiatrist, doesn't seem all that switched on. He's put me on a mood stabiliser and anti-depressant for the BP-II, ignores my concerns over the insomnia, and after having a bad reaction after switching anti-depressant meds, he's told me to just stop everything, focus on the CBT, and ride it out until he can see me next in Feb '15. I guess this suits me. I miss the mania, I truly do. Taking the medications made me feel unfathomably bored; I don't feel like myself - I lost my sense of me. I've lost interest in everything I once had a passion for, I can no longer write creatively, I'm no longer quick witted... Absolutely nothing interests me; as an agoraphobic, that's not exactly a good thing since I'm very limited in regards to accessible stimuli. I'm a pretty flamboyant kind of guy, larger than life usually, very theatrically inclined; now I lack the energy to do anything - I'm pushing myself to write this. To me thedark, surging, spiralling void of depression seems to be worth the bouts of mania. So... Am I the only one who feels this way, and is it wrong to feel like this?

Stan88 Always thinking the worst! Please help
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone! I keep thinking that something bad is going to happen to the point of not being able to sleep at night and making me sleep a lot during the day. Experiencing very high levels of paranoia and unmotivated self and in turn makes me not want... View more

Hi Everyone! I keep thinking that something bad is going to happen to the point of not being able to sleep at night and making me sleep a lot during the day. Experiencing very high levels of paranoia and unmotivated self and in turn makes me not want to leave the house. I have recently stopped taking my anti depressants but feel as though I should go back on them as I don't want to feel like this. Has anyone else felt something similar? Please help

White_Rose Meltdown
  • replies: 5

For the past year I have been getting better. Understanding why I get overwhelmed by life and learning to cope in a very difficult situation. The priest in my church has bullied me unmercifully for several years because I stood up for what I thought ... View more

For the past year I have been getting better. Understanding why I get overwhelmed by life and learning to cope in a very difficult situation. The priest in my church has bullied me unmercifully for several years because I stood up for what I thought was right. I spoke to him yesterday about a matter and he told me I was not fit to be a leader in the church, that I was disloyal, presumably because I did not agree with him, and a bad influence in the church. I know there are some people who agree with him, mainly I suspect because they have never heard my side of the story and it is difficult attending this church. I have decided not to leave because I see no reason for being pushed out, but he is now leaving and will be gone on Monday. I really did not expect this parting shot and I collapsed completely yesterday. Even writing this makes me cry. What really upsets me is that it is the church doing this. It is the one institution that I have looked up to believing it has good spiritual practices, love and compassion. So this has opened my eyes in a most unpleasant way and hence I suppose my depression. Silly me for having faith in people. I was really getting well again and feeling happy. My brain had 'unfogged' and I was thinking more clearly, had more energy and was begining to manage my life again. Then this happened. I don't understand why or how people can be so vicious or why I am so thoroughly intimidated, nervous and shaky. You would think I could have toughened up by now. Instead, here I am shaking all over, crying like a baby and wishing I had never been born. In a few days it may all get better again but until then I feel as though I am in a huge void, tossed around by any wind, not knowing which way is up. My whole body aches, inside and out So many people how much it helps to write down their feelings and i am finding that too. But I still do not understand why I fell down so hard and so quickly. I really thought I could handle this sort of stuff. Mary

Mugumbo Very very lost
  • replies: 1

Hi All,Firstly, I apologise if this seems jumbled, but this is harder to write than I first thought.I' ve been battling depression, low self- esteem and a lack of confidence for about 6 years now. I've seen many doctors and been prescribed many diffe... View more

Hi All,Firstly, I apologise if this seems jumbled, but this is harder to write than I first thought.I' ve been battling depression, low self- esteem and a lack of confidence for about 6 years now. I've seen many doctors and been prescribed many different medications.I generally have an upbeat disposition but I guess that comes from being able to hide my feelings very well, but there are times where it all hits me like a tonne of bricks.Despite the medication I still find myself in deep bouts of depression and self-loathing regularly, with sporadic thoughts of self destructive behaviour thrown in to boot and recently I've been feeling extremely lonely and isolated. I believe one large key factor is that a have a tendency to over think things way too much.I haven't had a relationship or sexual partner for nearly 6 years and I believe this is due to the way my medication kills my sex drive and libido along with my lack of confidence. To make matters worse, I'm currently living with a female friend whom I previously had quite strong feelings for. She is currently in a committed relationship with another of my friends who also lives with us and over the time we have spent living together, I think these feelings have grown even stronger, to a point of almost infatuation.I want to break the stranglehold these feelings for her have over me, but I can't seem to. I've tried to meet other women, but I end up comparing them to her and let my self-esteem and confidence issues get in the way.I'm not looking for a silver bullet, because I know I've got a long way to go, but I don't know anywhere else to go.

Loz18 Your Recovery Story
  • replies: 2

I thought sharing my story might help get some feelings out of my head and hopefully hearing other peoples recovery story can give me some hope.Looking back I believe my depression started at around 13. My teenage years were extremely destructive wit... View more

I thought sharing my story might help get some feelings out of my head and hopefully hearing other peoples recovery story can give me some hope.Looking back I believe my depression started at around 13. My teenage years were extremely destructive with heavy drug and alcohol use as well as sexual promiscuity and binge eating.I first tried antidepressants at 16 and decided they were crap after a month.At 20 after a very low point in my life I made the decision to move to Australia from NZ to start a new life. After a night out on the town I was sexually assaulted and not long after I got charged with drink driving and I realised I needed to do something.My GP put me on to medication and I began seeing a counsellor every 4-5weeks. I no longer drink excessively or use drugs. All seemed well after a while and at the start of this year I chose to go off my medication because I felt great, I was healthy and have lost 15kg.I then began to feel low again and my doctor put me different medication which I had horrible side effects from. After a few months I didn't feel they were working so the doctor changed the dose.In October just after my 23rd birthdayI tried ending my life. I was so low and felt as though I could'nt deal with it anymore. Ten years I have been struggling with depression and anxiety. I didn't have another ten years in me.I was put onto medication, now see a psychologist weekly and have had to drop my hours at work. I had an allergic reaction to the medication last week and my doctor has since put me onto a different medication.I been diagnosed with severe depression and generalised anxiety disorder.I do everything possible to keepmy depression and anxiety at bay. I eat healthy and exercise regularly, I keep my brain active with study, I have a great support network of family and friends and reduce the stress in my life when I can, I attend talking therapies and take medication but its always there, the horrible thoughts about myself, the suicide idealations and the hyperactivity of my brain.Please tell me somewhere along the way it gets better?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.

ALL Waves
  • replies: 7

With some people, depression is ongoing and constant. for me, while there is a little bit that is constant, I get it more severly in waves that leave me like unable to do anything. does anyone else have this problem?

With some people, depression is ongoing and constant. for me, while there is a little bit that is constant, I get it more severly in waves that leave me like unable to do anything. does anyone else have this problem?

Welsh_Mark Why am I sad when my life is so good?
  • replies: 11

I apologise now to all the people on here that have really good reasons to be going through depression but if you looked into my life I haven't got anything to be sad about....but I am? Looking back I think I've always been a 'dreamer' looking for so... View more

I apologise now to all the people on here that have really good reasons to be going through depression but if you looked into my life I haven't got anything to be sad about....but I am? Looking back I think I've always been a 'dreamer' looking for something else all of the time....My beautiful supportive wife says she is content with her life and is thankful that we have two stunning, healthy and well rounded children and we live in an amazing place close to the ocean with a large house and pool..Why can't I see this? I'm so cheesed off that I can't be grateful for these things and everything I do I feel what I can only describe as 'disappointed' like there is something better out there.... I have been to the GP who through no fault of their own seems like a production line of pill givers, trying to get as many patients through as quickly as possible... I can't keep putting my family through my princessness as its not fair on them! Anybody else felt this way and then coped with it? RELATED THREADS Why do I feel so alone and sad all the time and yet I'm not? Where do I begin? Prisoner to sadness I feel like it is getting worse every day Living with depression Internal sadness