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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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Tatsuki How to help a friend as well as yourself?
  • replies: 4

I was diagnosed with depression in early 2012. During 2013 I was fine, I had some ups and downs but nothing too serious. Then 2014 came around, and I've slowly been slipping. A couple of my friends know about it, and when I told my now ex-boyfriend h... View more

I was diagnosed with depression in early 2012. During 2013 I was fine, I had some ups and downs but nothing too serious. Then 2014 came around, and I've slowly been slipping. A couple of my friends know about it, and when I told my now ex-boyfriend he simply didn't want to deal with it and left. I don't want to tell my family because I'm scared they'll treat me differently, but it's starting to affect my life in more ways then it ever has before. I struggle to find reasons to leave my house and I've barely been to uni. Now one of my close friends, who's been helping me cope, has recently told me they're suffering as well. I don't know how to be there and look after them if I can barely look after myself. I don't know how to be strong. Some days are better than others, I've been feeling ok the past few days. But I know it's just a matter of time before I fall back down the rabbit hole. Please help

KirstC New here
  • replies: 7

Hi I'm currently going through another major depressive episode, haven't had one for years but a spiteful ex ( it was him that caused the previous episodes) and chronic pain have put me back in the hole again. I consider myself a nice person, I am co... View more

Hi I'm currently going through another major depressive episode, haven't had one for years but a spiteful ex ( it was him that caused the previous episodes) and chronic pain have put me back in the hole again. I consider myself a nice person, I am considerate and have compassion for others. To have someone who hates me so much that he wants to ruin my life takes my breath away. I can't conceive how anyone could treat anyone else in such a way, even if they were an enemy. Particularly when that person knows my medical issues and carries on regardless. The ex and I have two children and we share 50-50 care. He is using the child support agency to extract money from me ($900 per month) even though I pay 2 to 1 for all the kids costs and I don't work (I'm a PhD student on a stipend ~$1800 a month). He says I left work to get out of paying him which is rubbish. I have medical and psychologist reports to back me up but the CSA just hear his side. They also took $5k out of my tax return and gave it to him because of a computer error, they apologized but won't give me my money back and he refused to return it. I have some hefty medical bills so I have had to apply to the federal court to try to get the money back and to stop them taking more money. I have to do it myself as I can't afford legal representation. I'm very lucky I have a supportive husband who has a law degree. I can't think what it would be like to battle the CSA & a nasty ex without resources. Needless to say my research is really suffering. I feel pretty awful right now.

DarklyRuby Falling Into Darkness
  • replies: 3

I just feel so down and alone that I don't know what to do. All I do is work and drink coffee. I'm at a total loss. My art still isn't working out for me. I just want to lie in bed and cry.

I just feel so down and alone that I don't know what to do. All I do is work and drink coffee. I'm at a total loss. My art still isn't working out for me. I just want to lie in bed and cry.

cjh86 Is this Depression?
  • replies: 5

Hi, everyone. My first time here (just joined). Anyway, is this depression, or does it sound like it might be? I have very low self-esteem and always feel like others are "better" than me. There's no reason for me thinking that, and I know at heart t... View more

Hi, everyone. My first time here (just joined). Anyway, is this depression, or does it sound like it might be? I have very low self-esteem and always feel like others are "better" than me. There's no reason for me thinking that, and I know at heart that it's silly and that I have the respect of friends and colleagues, even senior management (I'm a school teacher), but there's still no getting around the feeling. It only takes one bad incident for me to think it's all too hard, and then I retreat into myself and internalise everything. I'm a great listener, but not a good talker. I drink too much alcohol, but I wouldn't say I'm an alcoholic. Having said that, I'm from a family of heavy drinkers/alcoholics (father, both grandfathers), so it could get worse. I often think there's no point to life, but I think of it in a more philosophical way - what's the point of anything, really, when we're all gonna be dead in 100 years? Does it really matter if you die at 40, 60 or 90? What impact can you possibly make in the world? That kind of thing. I've thought about suicide, but only to think that I'd never do it. I suppose I'm just imagining what it would be like, rather than actually considering it. I love my daughter deeply and would never leave her for anything. My wife also thinks very highly of me, as do my mum and siblings. I think I'm a talented musician, but would never have the confidence to go and pursue it it a meaningful way. That's a significant part of my thinking in my mid-40s: the failure to live up to potential. Yeah, that's the hardest thing, and it gets worse as I get older. It's hard to explain. A friend of mine with serious depression (twice a suicide attempt) said to me, "Oh, you've got depression. You just deal with it better than me." I did the 10-point quiz and came up "moderate" (score 22), which surprised me. I thought it would say, "Go away. You're fine." Just wondering what you all think. Grateful for any replies. Thanks.

Aminta Reaching out for help
  • replies: 7

Hi guys. I'm new here but have been battling mental illness for over 10 years now. I'm having an especially hard time recently and don't think I can do it on my own so I thought maybe an online forum would be a good way to help get back on track, bac... View more

Hi guys. I'm new here but have been battling mental illness for over 10 years now. I'm having an especially hard time recently and don't think I can do it on my own so I thought maybe an online forum would be a good way to help get back on track, back to 'stable'. Discussing these demons with others who are or have gone through similar things... After I post this I'll look at some other peoples posts and try to help where I can. There's not nearly enough room to post a brief history and where I'm at currently I keep running out on characters. Hopefully after posting this it will let me edit or comment... So on to reading other peoples posts.

Alastairt hay everyone
  • replies: 1

Hi I'm Alastair 26 yo. Father of 3 I'm here today as I've been suffering depression for a long time now. I've never bothered to do anything about it but I'm fed up feeling sad all the time. The last 12 months havent really been peachy I split up with... View more

Hi I'm Alastair 26 yo. Father of 3 I'm here today as I've been suffering depression for a long time now. I've never bothered to do anything about it but I'm fed up feeling sad all the time. The last 12 months havent really been peachy I split up with the kids mother last year after a 7 year stint. We were always behind with money and money was always what input my sadness down to but now things are a lot better financially and I'm living with 2 good friends. I'm always feeling disappointed and I always see the negative in anything . when family or friends try and have a conversation with me I just want them to shut up and leave me alone. I will even go as far to hide from them so I don't have to have a conversation. I hate being like this and I'm ready for a change

Beyond_Over_it "find someone to talk to"
  • replies: 9

You hear this all the time.... "Just find someone to talk to", "People want to help"... What a load of crap. It would be nice if it was true but in reality, the reason people like me do not talk to anyone is because most people really don't want to h... View more

You hear this all the time.... "Just find someone to talk to", "People want to help"... What a load of crap. It would be nice if it was true but in reality, the reason people like me do not talk to anyone is because most people really don't want to hear about your problems. I've actually had people get up and walk away from a table when I've been talking about my relationship issues. They don't want to hear your boring depressing problems as it ruins their day. Even my best friend is not interested in talking to me when I feel down. She is over it. They all seem to think that you should just get better and stop whinging. Where was Robin Williams wife when he was at his lowest? She went out shopping. Surely she knew he was at a very low point. Why didn't she stay by his side? i wouldn't mind betting this post doesn't even get published because it is too negative and depressing.

Archived Losing it
  • replies: 7

Oh my god I have so had it... I've tried my best not to post my own issues on here to not wrongly influence others but I'm just so tired... constant anxiety, depressed every single day, thinking about taking my life every single day, and I have no es... View more

Oh my god I have so had it... I've tried my best not to post my own issues on here to not wrongly influence others but I'm just so tired... constant anxiety, depressed every single day, thinking about taking my life every single day, and I have no escape, I come online and I feel like I'm constantly getting stalked and bullied... there is just no end to it for me. I've already ended up in hospital a few times this year with my pathetic cry for help... I have a case manager I see every two weeks... I've been on 'anti-depressants' at the maximum dosage for months now. I'm still anxious 90% of the day.. I get told to 'deal with it' and I'm 28 now, I feel like my time is overdue, like I'm not worthy of help. I don't know how to go about it anymore, I really dont... 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.

Bremslaire Feeling blue
  • replies: 1

Hello, I get so many days that I feel like crap rather then full of energy. I run two successful businesses that are more of a lifestyle then a job, but still I am feeling blue. Is this normal?

Hello, I get so many days that I feel like crap rather then full of energy. I run two successful businesses that are more of a lifestyle then a job, but still I am feeling blue. Is this normal?

odelle77 disconected
  • replies: 1

i often feel that im not actually depressed and dont need help, that im just down and that i would be wasting everyone's time if i burden them with my crap. as i read in the depression descriptions i gather that im a melancholic depressed person. i h... View more

i often feel that im not actually depressed and dont need help, that im just down and that i would be wasting everyone's time if i burden them with my crap. as i read in the depression descriptions i gather that im a melancholic depressed person. i have for years felt that nothing good will ever happen in my life and that im unworthy of anything good. i have this awful feeling of disconnectedness and dont find joy in anything. it feels totally horrible. to be doing things that are considered fun and not find any feeling for it, to be around people who are laughing and joking and not find any humor. to have this numb sad feeling cover everything thats good. as a kid i had dreams of travel and happiness and laughter and good jobs, fame and family. life hasnt turned out as i thought or hoped it would... i feel that it doesnt matter what steps i take to improve my lot that i never make it there. i feel that it doesnt matter how much i love a person or people that the feeling will never be reciprocated, that somehow everyone can tell that there is something unlovable something wrong something unworthy about and in me. ive been on medication before and the feeling of numbness, and the feelings of being unlovable didnt go away. i still found no joy in life. am i always going to feel like this????????