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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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New_mum_of_1 Partner is depressed + newborn baby
  • replies: 10

Hi, my partner broke down a week ago and told me he is depressed. We have a 3 week old baby girl. He says he hasnt been happy for a long time (before baby) and then he told me he doesn't think he is in love with me anymore. He runs his own business a... View more

Hi, my partner broke down a week ago and told me he is depressed. We have a 3 week old baby girl. He says he hasnt been happy for a long time (before baby) and then he told me he doesn't think he is in love with me anymore. He runs his own business and has been experiencing extreme financial stress with that and also trying to open up a second small business. His plate is very full especially now with our baby and he is very overwhelmed. I am still heartbroken at the fact that he said he isn't sure he is in love with me anymore and cry everyday over this! I love this man more than anything and had no idea he was feeling this way. As far as I knew we were happy. I admit that with everything going on in the last year or so, we haven't been as "connected" as we once were and our relationship was lacking affection, intimacy and quality time together but he has still been the fun, happy, positive guy I love and adore up until a week ago. Im struggling to cope with this change in him, its so out of character. He has gone from being funny, happy and positive to miserable, angry and negative. Like someone has flipped a switch! I was hysterical in tears, shocked at what he was saying to me as I just can't imagine my life without him. During my pregnancy he seemed distant sometimes and now it breaks my heart because he has distanced himself so much from me and our baby that he is missing out on the special bonding time with her. He said he is going to get help but hasn't made the appointment yet and wont let me help. He is pushing me away, shutting me out, we are living like we are housemates. He wants to be alone and wants space. He helps with bub sometimes but is putting his time into the gym and the new business so is hardly home. He seems angry towards me like he is blaming me for all of this? I feel so alone and upset that we are going through this and not spending time as a family, and that he isn't spending quality time with our baby. I really want him to go to therapy so we can work through this and then work on fixing our relationship. He said he needs to sort himself out first. Its like he is suffering a mix of depression and postpartum depression. He is showing all of the signs. Im giving him the space he has asked for but I am really struggling. I've told my mum about it so that I have support but he won't speak to any mates or family. Im so heartbroken, lost, alone and don't know how to encourage him to take that first step to get help I miss him!!

Esplin-C Carer fatigue
  • replies: 4

I am a 67 year old single woman supporting my 40 year old son who has a degenerative neurological condition. He has an intellectual disability and struggles to cope with his declining speech and mobility. I have always struggled with my feelings of s... View more

I am a 67 year old single woman supporting my 40 year old son who has a degenerative neurological condition. He has an intellectual disability and struggles to cope with his declining speech and mobility. I have always struggled with my feelings of self worth and depression and have fought this most of my life. I am from a family and an era that sees depression and anxiety as a choice and a weakness. I see a counsellor and she is helpful. Currently I am struggling and I am feeling very inadequate and very much on my own. I am currently moving my son on to supported independent living and I am struggling with my feelings of worth as a parent as I know this transition is going to be very difficult for him. I am also facing a transition for myself from being busy caring for and supporting my son to living alone. My family are supportive but not at all present. I would so appreciate some honest comments and feedback from the forum to help me put this transition and my feelings of worth into perspective.

Willik69 RETIRED AND FEEL ISOLATED
  • replies: 2

I retired some years ago and still finding it hard to adjust. This has been exasperated by us moving away from my friends to be closer to my eldest daughter and grand kids. I feel so lonely . My huband loves it here (we moved from beach area to bush ... View more

I retired some years ago and still finding it hard to adjust. This has been exasperated by us moving away from my friends to be closer to my eldest daughter and grand kids. I feel so lonely . My huband loves it here (we moved from beach area to bush area). I am trying and have joined a walking group once a week - still miss the interaction I had with work. We sold our house during the down period and now prices have surged. Worry about our super as it hasn't been good pas couple of years. I do all the bills. Just feel as I am existing not living, get anxiety a lot and have been depressed since I moved.

LKL Being an ACA and a Carer
  • replies: 2

I'm an Adult Child of an Alcoholic. Two actually! Alcoholism is rampant in our family. I've passed it on to my children, and we suffer every day.

I'm an Adult Child of an Alcoholic. Two actually! Alcoholism is rampant in our family. I've passed it on to my children, and we suffer every day.

yours_truly I don't know how I feel
  • replies: 11

Hey guys, So basically I used to be depressed I guess, or maybe I still am i don't really know. I used to be going through a hard time and these days I don't feel as depressed as I was. I don't know what changed, but i'm not happy either. Like it kin... View more

Hey guys, So basically I used to be depressed I guess, or maybe I still am i don't really know. I used to be going through a hard time and these days I don't feel as depressed as I was. I don't know what changed, but i'm not happy either. Like it kind of just washed over, i never actually dealt with it. I'm still feeling crappy and like I can almost feel my brain chemistry still muddled up, but I just feel more normal. Is this concerning or does it just imply that I had gotten used to ignoring all of my depression and just sort of put it aside?

Berny71 Depressed
  • replies: 2

Hi I’m new here and just wanted to chat about how I’m feeling. I am a disability support worker and have worked with the same client for 5 years. The issue is I also suffer from depression and anxiety and I feel working with this client is bringing m... View more

Hi I’m new here and just wanted to chat about how I’m feeling. I am a disability support worker and have worked with the same client for 5 years. The issue is I also suffer from depression and anxiety and I feel working with this client is bringing me down also. I am normally a happy golucky person but for awhile now I’ve been depressed not wanting to go to work, starting to resent my client as they are always down etc which in turn affects my mental health. I hate the feeling of having to go back to work after time off over Christmas. My husband doesn’t understand how I feel and says to me to just ignore the clients negativity and just work, we need to work as we have amorgagte etc. I have looked at starting my old business back up which I liked but I’m not scared and anxious that it won’t work as there are others doing the same business in my area. I also feel I need to get away from everything and everyone to sort my own head out. Which is unfair as I then won’t be contributing to our household and bills. I’m really struggling atm. I am fine for awhile and get motivated to start my new venture then anxiety and self doubt creeps back in and I loose motivation etc and then I’m depressed again. Sorry for the long post but I’m feeling lost and unheard atm

That Other Guy Not getting better
  • replies: 1

Three years ago my wife said she wanted to leave me, pushed my into an open marriage and cheated on me. At the time I was drinking 20 standard drinks a day. She still refuses to live with me but we get along and see each other. I moved in with my sic... View more

Three years ago my wife said she wanted to leave me, pushed my into an open marriage and cheated on me. At the time I was drinking 20 standard drinks a day. She still refuses to live with me but we get along and see each other. I moved in with my sick dad to care for him and he complains all the time about my cooking (he loves bland food). I guess I feel like I got through the toughest part but now I'm just in a rut and still feeling down. I'm constantly reminded that, even though we're faithful now, my wife has the capacity to have sex with other men and not care how I feel.

OldFella Where is everybody ?
  • replies: 9

Its been quite some time since I used this forum, and now when I feel at my worst I notice thee is very few people posting here anymore? I was hoping to connect to some like minded people in similar situations as myself...Alone, oldish (63), and very... View more

Its been quite some time since I used this forum, and now when I feel at my worst I notice thee is very few people posting here anymore? I was hoping to connect to some like minded people in similar situations as myself...Alone, oldish (63), and very depressed. I have no friends in the city which I live, they have all died or moved away, there is literally no-one here I can relate to anymore. I am on medication for depression and often wonder why it seems not to work. It is very hard to get appointments anymore with health professionals. Is there some other part of this forum I am not seeing ? The post's here all are dated very long ago........

JustBlah Stuck
  • replies: 10

I could write this in my daily journal but the dogs ripped it up yesterday. Normally I would be so upset about that but I’m at the point of not caring. I had another suicide attempt last week and woke up again. Clearly not meant to go. I know it is t... View more

I could write this in my daily journal but the dogs ripped it up yesterday. Normally I would be so upset about that but I’m at the point of not caring. I had another suicide attempt last week and woke up again. Clearly not meant to go. I know it is the most selfish thing to say and do. Now I am stuck. Can't do anything unless it is the eleventh hour and I am rushing around like a mad women beating up on myself for feeling so lazy and useless. I'm on medication. I have had the same psychiatrist for 32 years and we decided we are both retiring this year! Just venting

Casper-23 Bad day
  • replies: 6

Hi all. This is my first post. I am having a bad day and can’t get motivated to get off the couch. I slept in really late then got up and put the tv on and have barely moved. Have read lots of posts about exercise but can’t think of anything worse. I... View more

Hi all. This is my first post. I am having a bad day and can’t get motivated to get off the couch. I slept in really late then got up and put the tv on and have barely moved. Have read lots of posts about exercise but can’t think of anything worse. I am eating my way through a box of chocolates. Might as well finish them now! I don’t have many friends but am having a fight with one of them which is really upsetting me. I nearly didn’t go to lunch yesterday because she was going to be there. I went and it was really uncomfortable and awkward. I know I am being immature and making things work and that this is a pattern for me but so hard to change. (I am not young so should know better) I have huge self esteem and self worth issues which I work on but obviously nothing is working today. Thanks for reading.