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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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yarnartisan Shattered by negative comment.
  • replies: 7

I'm coming out of a major depressive episode, due to a series of stressful events beyond my control with work,family,life in general.Been trying so hard to avoid negativity of others at work and either ignore/ let snide comments slide not to be over-... View more

I'm coming out of a major depressive episode, due to a series of stressful events beyond my control with work,family,life in general.Been trying so hard to avoid negativity of others at work and either ignore/ let snide comments slide not to be over-sensitive. But today at work,it was a wierd day anyway.Then I was sent to cover someone for what I was told would be an hour. Teacher A,whose class I was working in was annoyed ( though not with me),as she wanted me to do small group work. I told her I'd be back in an hour . Firstly, I got sent to the wrong room, felt like an idiot becuase the class was empty. Rang back to check for the right room number (being a typical depressive?GAD asumed I'd got it wrong)only to find out that it was the person who'd sent me there had got it wrong. Feeling very wrong-footed already, went into a class I'd never been to before, to have that teacher really snap at me in a very terse patronising tone, about something very minor, in front of a parent and students. Even when I explained why I'd made the error, she continued to make a big deal out of it. Then the staff member I was relieving didn't come back for 1 3/4 hours, so I felt guilty about that. It was outside my control, but I felt bad, went to apologise to the teacher whose class I'd left, but couldn't find her. By now, it was the end of the day.I went back the office I share with a workmate, who I usually download to. But she was in an intense conversation with someone, that they quite obviously didn't want me to hear. So grabbed my stuff, went home and am left feeling really down and with that choked throat , want to cry , but can't feeling.My Queensland father in law had a great saying, ( no offence intended to anyone, it's about the sentiment expressed not the subject) that perfectly fits my mood "Some days, you could far kick a nun down the stairs" Why is it some verbal arrows pierce your 'mental armour' ,hurt so much, shatter your self esteem and carefully reconstructed confidence?? If this was anyone else I'd be saying ,"Don't worry about it , it's her problem not yours". Why, can't I believe that myself, Does the self-loathing,feeling of inadequacy,over-sensitivity ever get better? Is it always going to be one step forward, two back? I'm just so over the endlessness of ' emotional triggers' at the moment. Am dreading going to work tomorrow, possibly running into that particular teacheragain, plus having to explain to the teacher whose class I'd left. Yarnartisan.

orange_skies Unsure how to tell my family
  • replies: 3

Hi , I have been suffering depression now for roughly 10 years , only recently diagnosed. I have tried medication but did not like the side effects that was a year ago. I was feeling good after I started regular exercise, But recently I feeling I loo... View more

Hi , I have been suffering depression now for roughly 10 years , only recently diagnosed. I have tried medication but did not like the side effects that was a year ago. I was feeling good after I started regular exercise, But recently I feeling I loosing control and my mind is getting cloudy and black again. I dont understand why I am depressed I have beautiful children and a husband a house and a great job. But I feel empty all the time its effecting my Marriage and My husband just thinks I can snap out of it and it will be all ok, Not sure how I can tell him it much more serious before its too late. I live in small country town with little to no support fro friends family or counsellors. HELP

Miss-Anne-Throwpy What's enough
  • replies: 3

I've just completely had it. Please let this be the bottom so I can start to go upwards. There's only pain or nothingness now. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm... View more

I've just completely had it. Please let this be the bottom so I can start to go upwards. There's only pain or nothingness now. 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;}

applepietime prevalence of depression
  • replies: 5

Do you think people from the 17th century, 18th century, during the world wars, were more prone to depression than people today? Did they have a greater desire to survive? Surely their social pressures and environment made it more difficult for them.... View more

Do you think people from the 17th century, 18th century, during the world wars, were more prone to depression than people today? Did they have a greater desire to survive? Surely their social pressures and environment made it more difficult for them. I'm asking because I feel like I am so lucky in my life but I can't appreciate it.

J0sh Advice
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone I am reluctant to go into details of my situation but am hoping to hear feedback from people who have beaten depression on how they went about it? What sort of advice did counsellors give? I'm sure if psychologists all do the same study ... View more

Hey everyone I am reluctant to go into details of my situation but am hoping to hear feedback from people who have beaten depression on how they went about it? What sort of advice did counsellors give? I'm sure if psychologists all do the same study there must be some standard list or process they collectively advise to clients? Hope to hear from someone thanks, Josh

Jools1968 Not sure what I am feeling anymore, just Numb
  • replies: 6

Hi All, I am a 46 yr old male. I am married and have 2 children. 14 yr old boy and 16yr old Girl. I think I have been suffering fro Depression and Anxiety of over 15 yrs, probably more. I am on Anti depressants from my GP and have had some counsellin... View more

Hi All, I am a 46 yr old male. I am married and have 2 children. 14 yr old boy and 16yr old Girl. I think I have been suffering fro Depression and Anxiety of over 15 yrs, probably more. I am on Anti depressants from my GP and have had some counselling. Not sure what I am feeling anymore, just Numb. I worry about everything. Finances, work, family, everything. I have no energy anymore to do anything as I work 6 days a week and still am getting no where. I was involved in an armed robbery a few yrs ago at a servo I worked at, and I think since then I have got worse. I have lost all my confidence in everything I do, mainly work. Being made redundant twice has not helped my confidence. I am working now with a great bunch of people and have done for 7 months now, but the money is not great, hence why I have to work 2 jobs, to keep my family afloat. I am now getting to the stage where I do not care about anything and any one, and all I do is worry and get paranoid about things. Already seen two councillors that MY GP referred me to. The first one I did not like, and the second I could not make the appointments due to my work commitments. My GP will probably not refer me to anyone else because of it. I have no respect from my Kids, and not sure how the wife feels about me. Not sure where to turn. Any advise guys.

HeyOk Today
  • replies: 3

Today is day 3 of no sleep, I called in sick at work for the third time this week. I spent 5 hours listening to bob dylan songs writing parts from his lyrics over & over, the parts that made me feel like someone understood. Today I feel a manic side ... View more

Today is day 3 of no sleep, I called in sick at work for the third time this week. I spent 5 hours listening to bob dylan songs writing parts from his lyrics over & over, the parts that made me feel like someone understood. Today I feel a manic side of depression. I kept thinking of quitting my job. Of moving towns. Of change. But it doesn't matter really. The black dog chases you down no matter where you are. Does anyone feel like depression makes you watch your life waste away. You stay indoors. Stay quiet. Hope for a nice moment?

Lookingforpeace Bad mental health day
  • replies: 4

Hi all I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. As I was getting ready for work, a feeling of sadness came over me which unfortunately didn't go away all day. I spent most of the day being unproductive and generally keeping to myself. I don't kn... View more

Hi all I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. As I was getting ready for work, a feeling of sadness came over me which unfortunately didn't go away all day. I spent most of the day being unproductive and generally keeping to myself. I don't know why I have these (what seem like random) bad days. Then when I have them, I panic about them lasting longer than a day and me falling back into depression. Any advice/words would be greatly appreciated.

Arnie69 A dysthymic life
  • replies: 12

Since my early teens I have felt different, left out, ostracised, rejected, square peg in a round hole. People always used to ask why I never smiled, why did it look like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was incredibly introverted and... View more

Since my early teens I have felt different, left out, ostracised, rejected, square peg in a round hole. People always used to ask why I never smiled, why did it look like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was incredibly introverted and lacked confidence although being very good at sport was a saving grace. Being mildly competitive, I loved the skill aspects of AFL and cricket but never got into the team bonding and mateship that much; it never interested or motivated me. As a shy teenager, I struggled meeting girls. Between that and some pretty hard rejections, I had an incredibly lonely decade and turned to alcohol. For the last 36 years or so, I've felt hollow. My wife and I joke about me being all dead inside. I tell her that I'm a broken human being. It's crazy how you can feel gloomy for so long and think that's normal. It's like living with a glaucoma that hazes everything you see, think and feel and disappears anything that used to be enjoyable. I feels like I have to make myself do everything; I have no motivation that other seems to have in keeping a house tidy, playing with the kids, gardening or fixing things, travel etc I'm married with 2 boys. For most of my marriage, I've been going through the motions. I generally don't feel anything for my wife so I have to make it up and think what I should be feeling in different situations. She can see through my charade and is incredibly hurt by it. About the only thing I get enjoyment from is my writing. I started writing long fiction a few years ago. My wife has a great job and works full-time while I look after the boys and the house, so I have plenty of time to write. I have tried to leave my marriage twice (we have 2 boys). I met someone else (a writer) who summoned feelings from me that I never thought I would feel again: flushes of warmth and joy right through my chest. I tried to leave but came back both times; I couldn't deal with the guilt and loss. I guess I'd rather live with a life of regret rather than a life of remorse. I can't stop thinking about what it would be like to spend a life together with my *special friend* and all the positive feelings that it seems to promise. I do wonder whether it would fade back to gray after a while though, like everything else has over the last 46 years. I'm resigned to a life without happiness or joy but it will be liveable.

Grizzly_82 Jealousy and depression
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new to this forum i am currently a 33 year old male that's been single for 8 years, all my friends are getting married to beautiful women and I seem to can't even get a second date let alone a beautiful one. my depression just gets worse and w... View more

Hi I'm new to this forum i am currently a 33 year old male that's been single for 8 years, all my friends are getting married to beautiful women and I seem to can't even get a second date let alone a beautiful one. my depression just gets worse and worse, to top it off my best mate just separated from his wife and has now been seeing a very beautiful girl. i just don't know why I don't have the same luck as my friends in this life. I seem to always struggle in everything compared to all my friends. 8 years has been such a long time, the jealousy towards my mates and the hurt I have is making my life unbearable. i just don't know what to do anymore

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