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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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redbrigade Breakdowns - what are the warning signs & what are the symptoms?
  • replies: 7

Dear all, I've recently been having experiences which are (not ironically) increasing my anxiety that I might be approaching a breakdown. A week or so ago I had my mental healthcare plan renewed at my GP. We didn't really discuss much that might have... View more

Dear all, I've recently been having experiences which are (not ironically) increasing my anxiety that I might be approaching a breakdown. A week or so ago I had my mental healthcare plan renewed at my GP. We didn't really discuss much that might have been obvious triggers, but afterwards, when I got into my car I just started crying and struggled to stop. I've been googling for information but can't really find any that isn't vague. Perhaps that's just the way this sort of thing goes, but I'm really trying to understand what the warning signs of a breakdown are, and what the symptoms are, because knowing - I guess - is half the battle. Cheers

nurse-36 overwhelmed by life
  • replies: 4

800x600 Hi, this is my first post here. It is 3 am, & I can't sleep.Life is pretty darn hard at the moment.I am on the recovery side of extreme workplace bullying. An entire team of managers at work were bullied to breaking point. Following a period ... View more

800x600 Hi, this is my first post here. It is 3 am, & I can't sleep.Life is pretty darn hard at the moment.I am on the recovery side of extreme workplace bullying. An entire team of managers at work were bullied to breaking point. Following a period of investigation that lasted 5 months, the CEO (bully) was given the opportunity to resign- which she did. She left a parting shot email telling me I cry too much, & people don't respect me as a nurse.Through this process I have developed depression and anxiety. I have severe insommnia. I fall asleep ok, but as soon as i wake up i have work shit and rambling thoughts going on. I have gained 15 kg in a year, & lived on 2 minute noodles and popcorn. I thought once the bully was gone things would improve - & they have, but not to the extent I had hoped.Each time I experience a stressor, I have these horrific visualisations. They can be relatively minor stresses that trigger these thoughts, and can happen anywhere - work, supermarket, while I'm on a walk. This started during the bullying process, but hasn't gone away.I live in a very isolated rural town. Bully lives here still- she moved house and now lives around the corner from me. She drives a very distinctive car, if i see it on the street, i feel very overwhelmed. Recently i was in New Zealand & saw the same make and model car. I freaked out, & had to do some serious self talk to calm down.There is not much opportunity for good mental health support here.My partner says she understands, but when she asks how I'm feeling, & I am honest with her she tells me to stop talking - I know this is because it upsets her.I can't seem to make decisions, relationship is suffering greatly, sex is non existent, everything is just too hard. Sometimes I sit in my car and wonder if I would have the courage to just drive & keep going. I don't know where I would go, or how I would survive, & that unknown is probably the only thing that keeps me from going.I got back to work yesterday after holidays, & the first conversation I had with the acting CEO essentially centred around how much better things had been while I was away. I am being performance managed now because of that. I am at a total loss on what to do to keep going.I have a friend who tells me I need to sit in this pain and reflect on it to understand. The thought of doing that makes me physically sick - I don't think I can bear the rawness of it 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";} 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.

Emily2015 Finding a partner when you have depression?
  • replies: 5

I am 23 yrs old, so have a life ahead of me and wonder if any of you ladies have found a partner who genuinely cares for you and accepts your depression as something that is not your fault and that you need occasional empathy and special care for? Wh... View more

I am 23 yrs old, so have a life ahead of me and wonder if any of you ladies have found a partner who genuinely cares for you and accepts your depression as something that is not your fault and that you need occasional empathy and special care for? While I have been very reluctant to define depression as 'a part of who I am' during the nearly 1 yr in which I've been seeing a psychologist on a weekly basis, a recent panic attack and sadness about memories from my childhood when I thought I was truly 'over depression' and moving forward with my life has made me think that maybe depression will be a theme in the rest of my life.I was previously in a 3 yr relationship with a man who I thought loved me but turned out to have lied to me since the beginning and called me 'crazy' for exhibiting behavior that he thought was strange when I was going through a lot of sadness about remembering painful memories and wonder if any man will accept me and the sadness I have about my past.

Stinson I feel like a book that's missing chapters
  • replies: 3

I don't know where to start, I don't know if I even suffer from depression or am just a little lost in life.I'm Stinson, I'm a 23 year old Caucasian male. I haven't had the best luck with employment, everytime I get a break get a job, it falls apart ... View more

I don't know where to start, I don't know if I even suffer from depression or am just a little lost in life.I'm Stinson, I'm a 23 year old Caucasian male. I haven't had the best luck with employment, everytime I get a break get a job, it falls apart as soon as I get ahead, and I end up back to square one. It's like I can't move forward. I've been going through this for 4 years, and it's stressful.my relationship history is the only thing more sketchy than my working history, I've had 2 long term relationships, 1 mid term passionate, romantic relationship and then the spark of a pre relationship recently. All of which were unsuccessful and just end in me being hurt more than they are. so I'm sort of in a point in life where I don't know what to do, I think it would be easier to not wake up most mornings, and I think about dieing more often than not. I'm not capable of suicide, I couldn't do it, it scares me too much, but I do think it would be easier if I just stopped waking up one morning. so this is where I'm at, I don't know what's wrong with me, I just thought I'd reach out, because I'm at a point that I need someone but have no one. 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;}

Rossmonkey Self harm and Depression
  • replies: 3

Ok So I cant mention self harm but would like to say it does go hand in hand with certain forms of depression. This can mean putting yourself in dangerous situations, physically hurting yourself, abusing drugs, becoming reclusive, associating with th... View more

Ok So I cant mention self harm but would like to say it does go hand in hand with certain forms of depression. This can mean putting yourself in dangerous situations, physically hurting yourself, abusing drugs, becoming reclusive, associating with the 'Wrong type' of people. I have done them all but would like to hear from anyone who has had success in suppressing these urges. Strategies, own stories, Anything even a good recipe for scones. The only tricks I have learned so far are laughing at 'It' or compartmentalising it....

Molly604 Hope?
  • replies: 3

I would be very interested in hearing from people on this. What gives you hope? What makes you hopeful? I have been in such a dark place for so long I just don't know if it will end.

I would be very interested in hearing from people on this. What gives you hope? What makes you hopeful? I have been in such a dark place for so long I just don't know if it will end.

corbeau Stopped taking anti-depressant, mood gone down
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone. A bit of background on me: had first ever appointment with psychiatrist in January, he said I have mild BPD and also prescribed me medication for depressive feelings. He also referred me to a psychologist. Had a few appointments with ps... View more

Hey everyone. A bit of background on me: had first ever appointment with psychiatrist in January, he said I have mild BPD and also prescribed me medication for depressive feelings. He also referred me to a psychologist. Had a few appointments with psychologist, found he wasn't going in a direction I felt I needed to go in (focusing entirely on phobias and social anxiety which aren't the problems I came to get help for) so I have stopped going. Was feeling good on medication, was as upbeat as I can be and had no suicidal ideations. During this time I had no job and was running out of money so that's a time that would normally trigger bad thoughts, and I weathered it, remarkably. Due to having no money I couldn't afford to get my script filled and haven't been taking it for over a week. I started a full time job nearly 3 weeks ago, got a car and have started learning to drive, and am moving to a nicer house this month, where I can fulfil my dream of getting a dog. Yet the creeping thoughts of loneliness, helplessness, sadness, despair, uselessness and thoughts of suicide have crept back in and tonight I have been crying in the bathroom alone and picturing a world without me. I feel so lonely and isolated from my family (they live an hour away) and down and out. This is exactly how I have felt for a long time and why I sought help. So I am beginning to realise, that even though things are, on paper, 'looking up' for me, that I can never be happy. My own brain will not allow me to be happy. This adds to my sadness and despair and wondering what is the point. I need to get my script again, and I see that maybe I can never live a life without some type of anti depressant. Even though I don't have major depression, a persistent low mood and patches of feeling worthless and suicidal is a big deal to live with. Is a life on anti-depressants a life? I feel like I have been burdened with this brain and I'm so lonely, yet know that being near people won't cure that loneliness. It's a bad thing. Anyway this is a huge rant, I guess I want to hear from people that it IS possible to have 'a life' when your own brain is working against your happiness. Thanks and sorry for the rant. 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.

Hopefullseeking Low
  • replies: 10

Feeling extremely low today, thank goodness I am off to see my shrink this afternoon. Have been going along feeling not great but managing to get through the day. My resting rate as my shrink calls it. Yesterday I could feel myself going down and thi... View more

Feeling extremely low today, thank goodness I am off to see my shrink this afternoon. Have been going along feeling not great but managing to get through the day. My resting rate as my shrink calls it. Yesterday I could feel myself going down and this morning I woke up feeling really low. Yes I suffer from depression/anxiety/ptsd/gad but with the help of my shrink and a psychologist I am presently seeing on the mental health scheme, I get by. Today is a shocker, feel like a heavy weight is squashing me and I don't know why. Nothing unusual has happened that I can think of. Saw my mum last weekend and I feel she is a bit more frail but I was aware of that. Don't know what is going on, don't like it, was feeling a slight glimmer of hope that one day I would feel better but today that has gone. Life shouldn't feel so hopeless.

Findinganswers3761 How did you first admit you needed help?
  • replies: 6

Please note I have not been formally diagnosed with any mental Illness, this post is to determine whether I should seek professional help. In the past five weeks I have been experiencing some out of character behaviours that I believe may be the star... View more

Please note I have not been formally diagnosed with any mental Illness, this post is to determine whether I should seek professional help. In the past five weeks I have been experiencing some out of character behaviours that I believe may be the start of a mild depression. These are as follows: Completely random feelings of sadness that often lead me to cry, sometimes up to six times a day with no apprant reason. Insomnia, previously I would sleep like a log, now I spend sometimes up to three hours a night trying to get to sleep, which has been ongoing for the entire five weeks. I'm finding myself having these little 'episodes' where I break down and cry at almost anytime e.g. driving in the car,often I can feel a little worthless or hopeless and while I have had some of these little breakdowns in front of my boyfriend I find that they mostly affect me when I am alone and that I have more intense one's when I am by myself. I've never once thought about self harm, or suicide and I have always considered myself quite a strong person mentally. I just seem to be having these little epsiodes of intense crying and sadness that I really cannot explain, and of course the Insonmia Is starting to really affect me. Do you think my concerns are valid? Did you ever experience anything like this? And what did you do?

Tinuviel14 Dealing with the really dark moods.
  • replies: 7

I have been fighting depression for a while now but lately I have been getting what I refer to as the really dark moods. They are something beyond the sadness or numbness that I usually get. I just feel like curling into a ball and crying at first an... View more

I have been fighting depression for a while now but lately I have been getting what I refer to as the really dark moods. They are something beyond the sadness or numbness that I usually get. I just feel like curling into a ball and crying at first and then I get irrationally angry. I feel like falling to my knees, holding my hands over my ears and screaming for the world to just shut up. I don't know what or who I want to shut up, that's just what I feel like screaming. They really scare me. They seem to happen randomly and can be triggered by the most insignificant reason. For example, today one of my really dark moods got triggered by getting frustrated by traffic. They always happen in the late afternoon or at night. Has anyone else felt like this? How do you deal with them? I really struggle with them and can be stuck in one of these moods for many hours at a time. They only seem to go away with sleep but it always leaves me feeling extremely drained afterwards.