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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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Brokenmirror My depression...a nautical metaphor...
  • replies: 1

My councellor once asked me to describe my depression, and how my medication was working...after a bit of thought, I said... It's like I'm in the middle of the ocean, drowning. When I'm taking the antidepressants, it's like having a life preserver, i... View more

My councellor once asked me to describe my depression, and how my medication was working...after a bit of thought, I said... It's like I'm in the middle of the ocean, drowning. When I'm taking the antidepressants, it's like having a life preserver, it keeps my head above water...but I'm still in the middle of the ocean. I get pretty philosophical at 2 in the morning... I feel like there is no point, that there is a void, an emptiness inside me, inside everyone. Some people fill it with work, with family, with religion, money, cars, drugs, alcohol, an immaculate lawn, extreme sports, exploration, or whatever...Sadly, none of those work for me.

Ausdog I am so lost
  • replies: 3

I have a girlfriend I adore and she adores me. I know she deserves better than me....I am an anchor dragging her into my life. I feel there is only one answer. I have willed everything to her and my son. No one needs me to let them down anymore. I am... View more

I have a girlfriend I adore and she adores me. I know she deserves better than me....I am an anchor dragging her into my life. I feel there is only one answer. I have willed everything to her and my son. No one needs me to let them down anymore. I am so lost

Jay3322 Never ending depression and anxiety
  • replies: 1

Been struggling with depression and anxiety for roughly the last ~20 years.For a lot of that time, was self medicating, using alcohol and drugs. Been clean and sober now for 5 years.I have a good job, good boss, loving parents. Not many friends, hard... View more

Been struggling with depression and anxiety for roughly the last ~20 years.For a lot of that time, was self medicating, using alcohol and drugs. Been clean and sober now for 5 years.I have a good job, good boss, loving parents. Not many friends, hardly at all, but I am not very social anyways.I have everything one should have to be happy. Yet, everyday I just feel empty, no real hope for a future, no interests, nothing I do gives me any level of joy that I can look forward to. I am sick of this never ending feeling of emptyness. I feel like everything is just fake and hollow in this world. Anyways, I needed to just unload my thoughts in the hopes it would make me feel a little lighter.

Fayette Fayette
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am feeling very depressed, mainly because of family stuff. I try to connect with my adult son, but he sends me perfunctory messages on my birthday and other occasions, never says "mum". Tried again recently to connect but have not received a re... View more

Hi, I am feeling very depressed, mainly because of family stuff. I try to connect with my adult son, but he sends me perfunctory messages on my birthday and other occasions, never says "mum". Tried again recently to connect but have not received a reply. I feel like he doesn't care if I am alive or dead. Actually, I am sure this is true. This situation has gone on for years. So, I have a doctors appointment in a week's time, hopefully to discuss and perhaps get some help medically. Nothing I do gives me joy, I am really struggling and sometimes really wish I wouldn't wake up in the morning. Christmas doesn't help either, makes me feel worse. I am hanging on till my doctors appointment, but it is hard. I recently turned 80 and I feel my life is not worth living.

Mike_346 Depression
  • replies: 1

Go and see GP, it's huge help. 5 months ago, I was very depressed. No positive feeling were coming. I was losing hope everyday. Tired and very tired. I was unable to accomplish anything. I was just breathing and doing things to show off. You can chec... View more

Go and see GP, it's huge help. 5 months ago, I was very depressed. No positive feeling were coming. I was losing hope everyday. Tired and very tired. I was unable to accomplish anything. I was just breathing and doing things to show off. You can check my previous post. I didn't have courage to see and talk to GP. I posted in the same forum. Many wonderful people encouraged me. I managed to go and see GP, who was very nice and put me on antidepressant tablet as soon as I saw her. I am still taking tablet, once a day, but I can feel the difference. This is not me 5 months ago. I have discovered new "me" after the therapy. I am very positive and active now. Away from bad vibes and close to positivity. I would like to thank all the beautiful souls who encouraged me and encourage everyone in need to go and speak with GP. Please give sometime to research on GP. You would definitely find someone who understands mental health. I know many GPs still doesn't understand mental health, but there are few wonderful GPs. Please do some research and speak for yourself. You will find yourself as well same as me. Thanks for reading. Mike

gia222 Managing bipolar depression
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, I've been living with bipolar for 4 years now but managing my condition when it flares up is not getting much easier. I'm on medication which has been life-changing and extremely helpful and in between episodes I am able to live a relat... View more

Hey everyone, I've been living with bipolar for 4 years now but managing my condition when it flares up is not getting much easier. I'm on medication which has been life-changing and extremely helpful and in between episodes I am able to live a relatively normal life. At the moment I'm experiencing low mood, depression and lack of motivation and interest and just feel horrible. I wish I was better prepared for this because it's so hard to deal with. I was doing so well before this flared up again and each time it has flared up it has destroyed my life and I've had to pick up the pieces and start all over again. Today I've been feeling awful, like a dark black cloud is just hanging over the top of me constantly but I've made the effort to push myself to do things that usually bring me joy and happiness, even though I don't feel like it at all.I feel like I just need some support and advice on how to manage how I'm feeling and listen to other people's experiences. I hope this does pass soon.

nobody__1 Idk how long I can keep this facade up
  • replies: 1

I don’t know where els to put this, as I can’t talk to anyone els about this sort of thing. During the day, when with family or friends I’m this happy person who’s “always smiling” and making jokes, but when it’s just me alone with myself I just feel... View more

I don’t know where els to put this, as I can’t talk to anyone els about this sort of thing. During the day, when with family or friends I’m this happy person who’s “always smiling” and making jokes, but when it’s just me alone with myself I just feel like there’s a void inside me, I feel like I hate myself, I feel numb, I have no real other way to put it. I won’t stop living my life as it’s the life god gave me and I couldn’t do that to my family, but even when I smile I know it’s fake and deep down I feel nothing, I feel like I’m worthless and wanna die as I hate myself. It’s getting to the point where I won’t be able to cry anymore, I’ll just lay there emotionless, life lately has felt pretty dull. Sorry I just felt like I needed to share. I also hate how I write all this and then probably delete it bc I’d feel like I’m just trying to get attention.

randomxx depression - life
  • replies: 15

Sometimes l think what is this dream thing, happiness, should l just give up? lf l haven't got it by now later 50s l really must be dreamin right, ldk , but l wonder lately , a lot !l've had it,l've been so lucky through large periods in huge ways an... View more

Sometimes l think what is this dream thing, happiness, should l just give up? lf l haven't got it by now later 50s l really must be dreamin right, ldk , but l wonder lately , a lot !l've had it,l've been so lucky through large periods in huge ways and highs in life, but for some crazy reason things get lost or we stuff it up or they just pass and it seems the next faze comes along,like some yo yo.l take any time comes along through things, days and routines l like now, to enjoy whatever it is, been making a big point of that last few yrs. So many things l took for granted before or it was all about the end dream instead of the living in between, worst thing you can do is fall for that trap.lt really does help a lot too, big or small, mostly small atm but then life's made up of so many little things too isn't it you realize that we should've made sure we enjoyed long ago. lt's not all about the big stuff but the journey too, well, so l see now.And it does make a huge difference, sometimes l even chuckle to myself at just how beautiful and enjoyable the small things in life are now that l do. Buttttt, sadness unfortunately,depression from sadness, from the things giving you sadness, is usually all about the far far bigger things too unfortunately. Loneliness, or not where you wanted to be, or things lost.l'll have to move next yr and that's really messing with me too. l'd have been here 8yrs by then, longest l've stopped anywhere since l left home, even while married, we moved a lot.l don't know where l wanna go, l'll start browsing next yr, but l don't wanna buy another house straight away either, probably won't be able to at that time anyway so just as well l don't want to then right. Relationships looking lost, another thing l don't thing l took enough care of or to enjoy,my only true relationship since married 10yrs back. Brothers moved back to Melb 12mths ago, my main sort of mate too plus brother since l moved here. Haven't made one friend in 8yrs- another reason l have to move, enoughs enough. Although l have really enjoyed living here and this time though, the house itself type thing, views, the morngs,at least that's something. But everything just feels stupid and lost and aimless and do you even bother to care anymore seems like this is what you end up with anyway.ldk. rx

Sandra8889 I cant move
  • replies: 5

I dont know what to do. My only comfort is sleeping. This is an attempt to communicate with anyone

I dont know what to do. My only comfort is sleeping. This is an attempt to communicate with anyone

Alex_171717 Unfair
  • replies: 3

Why is everything in this world so unfair? Why am I always the wrong one? Why does nobody stand beside me? Nobody agrees with me nor think of me as anything significant.

Why is everything in this world so unfair? Why am I always the wrong one? Why does nobody stand beside me? Nobody agrees with me nor think of me as anything significant.