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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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Detsaw Having difficulty coping with my Mind
  • replies: 8

Hello everyone, I can not seem to escape my own negative view of myself, everything I do and what I think others think of me I tend to see the negative. I am doing my PhD, its taking a long time to get here (I am 10 years older than the average Phd S... View more

Hello everyone, I can not seem to escape my own negative view of myself, everything I do and what I think others think of me I tend to see the negative. I am doing my PhD, its taking a long time to get here (I am 10 years older than the average Phd Student). I have been having problems of confidence and I feel bad all the time. I have tried working through it but I am not succeeding at it. I seem to be constantly worrying/ruminating with my negative thoughts.I don't feel like I was good enough, I had to give a seminar for my work, I feel it did not go well. I am struggling to find anything enjoyable again.I want to please my supervisor/friend. I highly respect them, a lot of my self worth is tied up in their approval. What the hell do I do? How do I stop my brain from trying to sabotage me? Why does it feel like some part of mine is trying to ruin me??

Jude7 Too tired to try fighting it
  • replies: 2

Let me start by saying i've had depression since I was about 12, it started with bullying and turned into something very different over the past 6 years. In that time I've been on antidepressants but stopped taking them after a year as i felt "normal... View more

Let me start by saying i've had depression since I was about 12, it started with bullying and turned into something very different over the past 6 years. In that time I've been on antidepressants but stopped taking them after a year as i felt "normal" again. There have been darker times and easier times but all the while I have put in effort to see someone, go for a walk, take my mind off things.. etc. In the past year I have gained 20kg. I eat a lot of unhealthy foods and will often decide to take "me days" in which i will stay inside my room and eat junk. I have trouble controlling my appetite and despite not being happy with my appearance, have stayed fairly positive as far as my body image goes..(to an extent). In the past 5 months however its gotten worse. Every day has become a "me-day".. I've lost my friends, confidence, and my boyfriend of 2 years is no longer attracted to me. Although he stays, he wants to see me fight my depression like i always have. But I can't. I'm exhausted of trying to fight to get better. Until coming on this website I refused to speak to anyone including him and my family about how I feel. I can't fight the same problems anymore. I'm already overweight and i have no motivation to get up and try to put my life together. So i sit inside my room and complain that I'm "too exhausted" when in reality i do nothing with my life. This has been a hard couple of months. I want to make things better. But i need help getting my drive back. Where do i start?

Jersey_Girl How do I break the chain?
  • replies: 57

I haven't always been like this. I used to be so active and enjoyed life. These days I struggle to get out of bed and when I finally do I feel like a brick is holding me down. I push myself to have a shower and then push myself to do things. I often ... View more

I haven't always been like this. I used to be so active and enjoyed life. These days I struggle to get out of bed and when I finally do I feel like a brick is holding me down. I push myself to have a shower and then push myself to do things. I often find myself sitting on the couch wasting the day away. I lack so much confidence and stress about the smallest task. If I could I would spend all day in bed. I have been reading lots of posts on here trying to get some strategies in place but I am so unmotivated. I guess I am hoping that some of you might have some ideas. I used to work full time but over dd it and had a break down. I now have a few hours of part time work with my sister. I have to push myself to get to work and stress about the smallest things. I have put on a lot of weight which is depressing in itself but lack the motivation to do anything about it. I do see a psychiatrist but I am thinking that maybe I need to see a psychologist for some counseling. I am hoping that I can start a thread that will enable me to tell my story. Looking forward to hearing from others and hearing how they break the chain. Some days I just don't want to push myself anymore but I know that I can't live like this forever. I want my old self back. The one that was willing to give anything a try and enjoyed life. I

throwaway123 Spending too much time inside my own head
  • replies: 1

It's bad enough having a naturally ugly face, but I also have an allergy to alcohol. Drinking is such a strong part of Australian culture, and I can't drink. When I'm alone I'm always dreaming about a relationship with the unrealistic dream girl insi... View more

It's bad enough having a naturally ugly face, but I also have an allergy to alcohol. Drinking is such a strong part of Australian culture, and I can't drink. When I'm alone I'm always dreaming about a relationship with the unrealistic dream girl inside my own head. I used to only think about this when I was alone or on public transport, but now sometimes I catch myself daydreaming when I'm with a group of friends. Every time reality comes crashing down and I remember my appearance. And I think about the interactions I make with people all the time. And the past and the present and the future, I can't stop thinking about it. Hypothetical conversations with others, with myself, with therapists, self diagnosis... It's like a really dark Charlie Kaufman movie where my only relief is sleep. I would sleep all the time if I could. I'm 23. Sorry for the lack of proper formatting, just sort of threw it all together... If someone could point me in the right direction it'd be appreciated. Thanks.

aan feeling empty and feels like two people in me
  • replies: 1

Hi I just wanted some advice on the following matter. From the past few months I am feeling pretty empty from inside. Not that I am crying or unable to laugh or something. Everything is normal but it is just that When I talk to someone there are two ... View more

Hi I just wanted some advice on the following matter. From the past few months I am feeling pretty empty from inside. Not that I am crying or unable to laugh or something. Everything is normal but it is just that When I talk to someone there are two people within me. I talk to people in a childish way, laugh on stupid things and then there is another part of me thinking all the mature things etc. I was not like this before.. also I am having sleepless nights. can it be because I am in between the process of giving exams for higher education and stuff? Though it doesn't tense me too much, but yes a thought of what will happen next is always present in my mind.

Bipolar_Life Roller Coaster Life
  • replies: 2

Bipolar Definition: When the person struggling with it is trying to stay focused and productive and positive. Stress and fatigue. When the world around you is moving so fast and efficiently that it is like a blur to you. Please never look at someone ... View more

Bipolar Definition: When the person struggling with it is trying to stay focused and productive and positive. Stress and fatigue. When the world around you is moving so fast and efficiently that it is like a blur to you. Please never look at someone with this condition and think for a moment that they can 100% control it. That they are just being pathetic.Our minds are wired differently. We see things on a deeper more emotional level than most. We take the suffering of others more personally. That is why we are so creative.Sometimes it just grabs us and shakes us up. We cant function effectively, but seem to only be existing. We find it hard to laugh and smile when all we want to do is cry. But it balances itself out with times of extreme efficiency, productivity, creativity and joy.It passes, but understand, it is also a painful truth to this condition. This is my life. Extremes, either really happy or really sad. I am not a quitter, I am not sponging off my mental illness. I spend alot of energy and time trying to control it, with much success over the years, but then out of blue, I get a big one that I cant control.This is my life. I am sure you know someone else with the same condition. They need your support, not your condemnation.Merry Christmas

Damo23 lights fading
  • replies: 6

I have suffered depression and anxiety for 10 years now it has ruined to serious relationships with the highest respect to the women I was dating, I came to the 6years of both these relationships when I felt that they deserve better and said it will ... View more

I have suffered depression and anxiety for 10 years now it has ruined to serious relationships with the highest respect to the women I was dating, I came to the 6years of both these relationships when I felt that they deserve better and said it will never change I will be like this the rest of my life as much as it hurt I wanted more for them. I've made alot of changes in my life and a year ago moved to a remote location to try and figure out what I want from life achieve a goal for myself. Things were going good with very down times but pushed through, I went on a holiday to get my belongings car, boat on my way back my car blew up and I returned with a bag of clothes since then it's been a battle thoughts of self harm which I always have were much worse, I have lost my job spent over a week in bed and now can't see my family for Christmas, it's a viscous cycle that I can't see an end to and don't know what to do about it. 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;}

australiandude im new to this
  • replies: 4

I think i have some form of depression..... cant see any future and just want to be by myself all the time.

I think i have some form of depression..... cant see any future and just want to be by myself all the time.

Sparkles183 I have my whole life ahead of me and I should be happy…
  • replies: 4

Last week I officially completed my studies with top grades and completed the hours of work experience I needed to graduate I am currently now trying to peruse my dreams I have had before I started my studies. Looking at my position in life many will... View more

Last week I officially completed my studies with top grades and completed the hours of work experience I needed to graduate I am currently now trying to peruse my dreams I have had before I started my studies. Looking at my position in life many will say I have my whole life ahead of me and I should be happy celebrating and on top of the world. Instead of celebrating the first weekday after I officially finished my studies I ended up in my GP, s Office as just when I could see my symptoms was starting to improve I could notice my symptoms was starting to get a lot worse, my GP ended up increasing my AD, and I need to go back next week for a safety check. I thought once I finished my studies I will have less stress in my life therefore my symptoms will improve but I found it to be the complete opposite, I wish that this depressive episode will just end. Although I am having a hard time at the moment I decided I am not giving up a wise psychologist told me this week just because I am having a bit of a relapse don’t be too hard on myself and don’t give up that does not mean my coping skills is not working. So I guess I just have to keep working on my coping skills and try to look at the bright side of life until the day comes that I see the light at the end of the Tunnel Thanks for Listening Sparkles

charliec Depression or just lazy?
  • replies: 8

hi there just wanting some advice. In January I stopped taking my anti depressants, due to not having a job and couldn't afford the script. I think I've felt fine since I stopped them, lost 10kg even! (without exercise, just from stopping the tablets... View more

hi there just wanting some advice. In January I stopped taking my anti depressants, due to not having a job and couldn't afford the script. I think I've felt fine since I stopped them, lost 10kg even! (without exercise, just from stopping the tablets) However, lately I've been feeling so very unmotivated to do anything at all. I'm not sure if it's laziness or depression. My husband and I are moving interstate in 3 weeks, and seriously I cant get the motivation to do any of the cleaning that needs to be done, let alone the rest of the packing. We're visiting family for a week around xmas, so we've only got 2 weeks to finish it all. I've been feeling pretty stressed about the move, we're moving because there's no work here for me, (my husband is on disability pension) and when we get to QLD, we're staying with my mum, until we can find a place to rent. Once we find a place to rent, we have to buy things to get us through, as we can't afford to get removalists to deliver our stuff. (it's going to be in storage in SA) I just want to lay in bed and forget the world! I've even stopped contacting friends (via text/phone - as I know no one here), I just don't have the energy. I sleep till lunch time, can't get to sleep till early hours of the morning usually. Depression? or just lazy

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