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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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Freyryn Lonely, lost, can't take much more
  • replies: 2

Hi, I don't really know where to begin, I am new to this sort of thing. I am miserable, I have no friends, my family have disowned me and everyone I ever get close to gives up on me. I get it, I can be pretty depressing, I can't help it, I just share... View more

Hi, I don't really know where to begin, I am new to this sort of thing. I am miserable, I have no friends, my family have disowned me and everyone I ever get close to gives up on me. I get it, I can be pretty depressing, I can't help it, I just share too much sometimes and I find it really really hard to be happy and cheerful. As I am writing this, I'm pretty sure I've just lost someone else, my partner won't return my texts or calls, he always does and I have a feeling that it's happening all over again. A bit about me, I'm 38 years old and have been moving around most of my life, I have never really settled anywhere. I find it near impossible to make friends, I don't really get people and they don't really get me. I have been hurt more times than I'd like to admit and I'm at the point now where I don't even bother anymore. I can't take anymore pain. I have gained nearly 30 kilos in just over a year since my surgery and I hate myself for it. I'm transgender and in deep stealth, not even my partner knows. I can't tell anyone as being open about it has cost me nearly everything, and as much as people are more accepting these days it's just a hell of a lot easier to keep it a secret, the hate is real. Problem is I'm constantly afraid that that secret will come out and that fear coupled with the loneliness is driving me crazy. I cry pretty much everyday, I get crippling migraines and thoughts of just pulling the plug. Any medical professional I try and explain things to doesn't care and doesn't understand. I have tried antidepressants and they did nothing. I don't want to die but my life seems pointless, no one will miss me when I'm gone. As I am writing this, I realize how pathetic I must seem and I should be doing this that or the other. I have tried many things but the problem is I just don't see the point, all I want is someone to love and for someone to love me and I can't see that ever happening, I have been tossed aside, ignored, abused and abandoned my whole life, how am I supposed to believe that I am worthy of love. I don't really know why I'm writing this, I guess I just had to get it out. All I know is I'm really struggling at the moment, I'm finding it hard to go to work or to even think straight. I'm under a lot of financial stress, I can't afford therapy and honestly I've tried it in the past and nothing has changed. I need someone that cares about me and the reality is that no one does and why should they. Sorry for being so depressing.

mcc Bipolar 2 & Depression
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am just turned 24 years old and have suffered with Anxiety for as long as I can remember and up until the past couple of months I had realised it was much more than that. I have been stuck in this constant state of depression and just feeling o... View more

Hi, I am just turned 24 years old and have suffered with Anxiety for as long as I can remember and up until the past couple of months I had realised it was much more than that. I have been stuck in this constant state of depression and just feeling of nothingness that without realising I had felt in the past and just assumed it was my anxiety. This feeling off up and down had been on and off I'd say for a few years but like I said I just assumed it was me growing up and at times it was my anxiety. So I did something that is not like me and did something about it. I guess I just decided enough was enough and booked myself in to a doctor and counsellor. The doctor then booked me in to a psychiatrist. Starting with the doctor and then the counsellor they were both new people to me and it was difficult to just open up straight away and I guess I still havent 100%. I went through a few sessions and then eventually got to see the psychiatrist. He has put me on Bipolar medication and hasnt diagnosed me until I see him again after a month on this medication. I am 2 or 3 weeks in to this medication and I have no idea if its doing anything. I have some days where I am getting closer to that feeling of "normal" but also have days where I am just back to how I was. But thats not really what I am struggling with. I went in there expecting to be diagnosed with it as the doctor had given me sort of a heads up so that made it a tiny bit easier but I am really struggling with having to accept that this is me now. I am scared of what people think of me now. Bipolar disorder is so misunderstood. I have only told my partner and my mum and they support me 100% but I am not myself anymore. I dont think I ever will be. I just dont know what to do. I have to constantly pretend that I am fine and act my normal self but inside it kills me and is so exhausting. I hate who I have become. I feel as if I have nothing to look forward to in the slightest. I am just so over this. I try so hard to go and do things and see my friends and just interact and its so tiring and forced. I just feel hopeless and empty. I guess I am just wanting to know what helps with accepting having bipolar disorder... Any sort of advice at all will be appreciated and thank you for reading. I'm sorry if it doesnt make sense.

shayLee_ Depression
  • replies: 1

Now, you may wonder what is it like with depression? Well, it's horrible. You always doubt that you will never be great enough that every single little thing you do is not good enough, you will start hating yourself, day by day will go bye and every ... View more

Now, you may wonder what is it like with depression? Well, it's horrible. You always doubt that you will never be great enough that every single little thing you do is not good enough, you will start hating yourself, day by day will go bye and every single hour, minute and second you start thinking about yourself, about your life and how you hate it, how you just want all this suffering to finally stop. May the truth be told, it never stops. I actually don't know if i do have depression but you basically can say i do because every single day i sit in a corner, quiet not making a sound. I people ask if i'm ok of course ill say no. Now if your suffering from depression come to me because i have dealt with friends wanting to commit suicide, i have thought about it as well and i still do but that's not the point. the point is that if you need help come to me ill help you.

Kangaroo-77 Can’t believe this is happening to me
  • replies: 1

I have come from a family with a mother who regrets having children and we were told few times….. I could have married person but choose your father, until a younger sibling was born this seems to be a turning point, if you confront any issues you we... View more

I have come from a family with a mother who regrets having children and we were told few times….. I could have married person but choose your father, until a younger sibling was born this seems to be a turning point, if you confront any issues you were told no one’s wants to hear what you have to say.. so years have passed I offered my mother after my dad passed to live with us to see her days out was given the young sibling wouldn’t approve.. now I have some issues with my daughter who has caused me grief…Iam in my 72 with few health problems… I used to have a fire inside of me but lost all feelings

lonely-girl Confused
  • replies: 2

hi everyone, can’t believe I’m here doing this because normally I’m such a level headed person. However lately I feel like I disappoint everybody with things I do. I feel so alone even though I’m not and I have a family that love me. Everything just ... View more

hi everyone, can’t believe I’m here doing this because normally I’m such a level headed person. However lately I feel like I disappoint everybody with things I do. I feel so alone even though I’m not and I have a family that love me. Everything just seems to be going wrong work personal life. I will always say I’m fine even when I’m not and people have started to notice. I don’t know what to do, people suggest I go to a dr but I don’t want to go on medication and gain weight. I’ve struggled with weight all my life. I also worry that people that have noticed the change in me and will tell my boss. Im worried that im stressing them out. Im so tired and feel like everything is an effort but im still doing work and chores

iamawreck29 Feel like a failure
  • replies: 2

I took all the wrong steps. Wasn’t in a household where expressing yourself was supported much and I struggled with it a lot as I am naturally shy. I was a talented child but as anxiety grew, so did my self worth and I became more and more withdrawn,... View more

I took all the wrong steps. Wasn’t in a household where expressing yourself was supported much and I struggled with it a lot as I am naturally shy. I was a talented child but as anxiety grew, so did my self worth and I became more and more withdrawn, breaking down almost every day after school. I moved from one country to another at just 9 years old leaving al my old friends behind. My parents never changed my school and neither did they understand my want to be part of a nice friend group who enjoyed things I did and just do extra curriculars and build a strong personality. I was so nervous to talk to popular girls that I liked and ended up ignoring them and just wanting to be a part as I loved dressing up and the same things. My grades dropped, I wanted to try to go to a different school but no one listened. Then was put into another school where there were no extra curriculars and I didn’t know how to mingle again as I didn’t in high school. With no other activities, I wasn’t able to navigate my interests either. Then was sent here to Australia as an international student at a university I hate which has no groups or social events and I failed almost 10 courses and am taking 5 years to finish my bachelors. The people I came here with, very different and I don’t enjoy hanging out with at all. I am lonely, no friend groups, didn’t get to experience anything my friends back home are able to. Am stuck studying something I hate. Don’t think I’ll ever be able to do what I love as I can’t repeat or study another bachelors at 23 and have a university life that I so wanted and dreamed of from the time I was 16. I lie about the university I go to cause it’s got a terrible reputation and I actually was very eligible to go to any other university. I am still withdrawn, can’t speak up if someone wrongs me, lonely, boring and never got to overcome my fear of talking to popular girls or doing extra curricular activities. I don’t know my interests as I took no decisions in my life and am stuck and lost. My parents never listened to me or pushed me when I showed them small glimmer of things I liked. I have no achievements whatsoever even though I was so bright and had so much potential wasted. Can’t even enjoy with 0 group of friends and living a lie. I hate my life.

a-u-d Getting tested
  • replies: 2

hi everyone, i’ve been struggling a lot lately and i have reached out to my mum. she suggested i see a therapist but we never followed through with it. i really think i should be tested for depression and i have taken the tests on apple heath and it ... View more

hi everyone, i’ve been struggling a lot lately and i have reached out to my mum. she suggested i see a therapist but we never followed through with it. i really think i should be tested for depression and i have taken the tests on apple heath and it says i’m at severe risk of depression as well as anxiety. should i remind my mum about the therapist? i’ve had a good week but i have some really bad weeks.

Kilo Not sure if this will help
  • replies: 3

Feel very depressed I do not see any light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Married 19 years wife cheated on me for the last 3 of those years, while I was trying to help my mum with alzheimers disease. Few years later met a new girl was with her ... View more

Feel very depressed I do not see any light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Married 19 years wife cheated on me for the last 3 of those years, while I was trying to help my mum with alzheimers disease. Few years later met a new girl was with her for 4 years, she left and took most of my money found out later from a family friend of hers that’s all she wanted, now I’m left working long hours trying to get on top of bills with nothing to show for it just seems pointless, I’m now 52 have been told to take cholesterol and blood pressure tablets but atm I don’t see the point

_Gigi_ Feeling hopeless
  • replies: 9

Hey all. I've been struggling the last few years. I wish I could be happy but I'm only ever stressed or exhausted or miserable or numb. The things I do to try to improve my life only ever seem to backfire and make me regret trying. I'm really sick of... View more

Hey all. I've been struggling the last few years. I wish I could be happy but I'm only ever stressed or exhausted or miserable or numb. The things I do to try to improve my life only ever seem to backfire and make me regret trying. I'm really sick of putting on a fake happy face and pretending everything is okay when I really just feel like crying. I plan on making an appointment with my GP, but I've been brushed off so many times in the past that I don't have much hope for it. What else can I even do though?

Loveanimals So Alone and Depressed
  • replies: 3

HiI am so down and depressed about life. I have been doing a lot to look after others (which I do not resent; these people are the only ones in my life I truly care about). Nobody in my family cares. I have been struggling all of my life and my close... View more

HiI am so down and depressed about life. I have been doing a lot to look after others (which I do not resent; these people are the only ones in my life I truly care about). Nobody in my family cares. I have been struggling all of my life and my close family are just absent. Mind you they always come to me with their problems. I am tired of everything. Tired of running a household, stressing over my son....tired of having to be responsible for every damn thing. I never have a social outing. Nobody ever makes me a nice meal or does anything to reduce the drudgery of my existence. I constantly worry about my son and about finances etc. There really is nothing nice in my life. I am absolutely trapped.I have posted here many times and it is groundhog day. The only time I get any peace is when I am asleep. I have nice dreams but wake up realising none of that is reality. I have tried everything known to man to help. Doctors, counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists.....medications; diet and exercise...all to no avail. I truly think I am just broken inside from all of the trauma and negativity that life has thrown at me from day one. I won't give up. I have two very important people in my life whom I would never do that to. However it is a daily struggle. I do not know what I have done to deserve any of this. I don't even know who I am or what I want. Other than financial freedom of course. But even if I had that I would still be lost. Absolutely nothing excites or motivates me anymore. I know that losing two beautiful dogs last year just about killed me. I want another dog so much but cannot afford one. I will struggle on. I appreciate anything anyone can advise. I am sorry to be this way but I simply cannot help myself.