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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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Pete81 Very broken today!
  • replies: 12

Not a good day Have cried for most of it. I've hidden from others so no one see's me cry and just moped about the farm. I feel very broken watching my ex wife take her and the kids stuff out of the house its gutting me to watch taking away fond memor... View more

Not a good day Have cried for most of it. I've hidden from others so no one see's me cry and just moped about the farm. I feel very broken watching my ex wife take her and the kids stuff out of the house its gutting me to watch taking away fond memories and good times on the farm. Have been catching up with a few people of late for Christmas and just to say goodbye before i move away for work and just in case things turn bad and i don't get the chance to talk to them again sounds pathetic i know but just don't have the strength or fight to battle too much at the moment. i know it sounds like I've given up just having a bad week i suppose, But i am really starting to scare myself and make myself believe it will be the last time i see many of these people. I have seen my doc again and went to the salvos to talk to someone but im just in a spot of feeling no matter what i do its not going change my situation and im still going to be alone and have nothing. All I can say is I'm very down and feel very broken and unfix-able today.

mini75 Want to help but can't
  • replies: 4

I currently help out by taking our neighbours child to school in the mornings along with my child. In recent times I have also been asked to take this child extra early. Some days have been ok and other days have not helped me out mentally. If I am s... View more

I currently help out by taking our neighbours child to school in the mornings along with my child. In recent times I have also been asked to take this child extra early. Some days have been ok and other days have not helped me out mentally. If I am struggling a few days in a row, the responsibility with an extra child puts me out. I feel the requests for looking after this child in the early morning before school is becoming more frequent too. How do I decline helping out without having to explain myself. I already take my child to school, so I feel the only way I can explain is to tell them about my struggles with my mind. I do not want to do this because this will leave me feeling vulnerable and looked upon as weak. I do not want to be treated differently and fell I will if people know. I am not ready for everyone to know. Only my husband knows and is always there for me and that's enough for now. mini75

Hepburn I don't even know what I want......so how can I get help?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to BB but not really new to depression. I've suffered for around 6 years but it has gotten worse with time and now anxiety is a problem too. i do a lot of pretending. Pretending I'm doing better than I am, pretending I care about things I... View more

Hi, I'm new to BB but not really new to depression. I've suffered for around 6 years but it has gotten worse with time and now anxiety is a problem too. i do a lot of pretending. Pretending I'm doing better than I am, pretending I care about things I don't, and pretending I want to fix it......when the reality is I want it to be fixed, but couldn't be stuffed doing the work to fix it...you know?im a mum, a wife, a teacher, a daughter, a strong woman etc etc........that's the roles others have put on me.....I just want to be left alone and not have to deal with anything. I'm tired but I can only sleep cause I take large amounts of medications. I'm on strong anti depressants but they really aren't working well,I have issues that I apparently should be talking to a psychologist about but it just doesn't feel right to sit down with someone and chat about my past that can't be changed, and I have everything I'm supposed to want in life yet I'm still depressed and have anxiety.........what's the deal with that? i can't be the only person who hates the idea of seeing a psych. Can I?

Gleno reaching out
  • replies: 10

Hello eveyone... I hope everyone is ok...i have been struggling for most of the day and then made a phone call to a friend...it was hard but i am so glad i did...talking does help ...take care everyone .

Hello eveyone... I hope everyone is ok...i have been struggling for most of the day and then made a phone call to a friend...it was hard but i am so glad i did...talking does help ...take care everyone .

Chloekat84 Cant help but feel depressed while feeling sick
  • replies: 11

Im not good with dealing with my emotions especially when im ill. I dont dont know know what i have atm my dad and sister both just recovered from the flu so dont want that but in the mornings are the worst when i need to force myself to get up to my... View more

Im not good with dealing with my emotions especially when im ill. I dont dont know know what i have atm my dad and sister both just recovered from the flu so dont want that but in the mornings are the worst when i need to force myself to get up to my 2 year old daughter. Ive been having hot flashes and body aches and pains and coughing my lungs up but cant seem to get much up. every morning i wake up with a lost voice then i get it back by the end of the day. I think its just an upper respiratory virus but i duno. my family think i should see a doc but i know what he will say, ot just virus get some rest etc. bit hard to get rest when u have an active 2 year old who u are looking after all by urself. anyways thats it. been taking nurofen plus for the pain etc but still dont feel great. night all.

Chloekat84 Feeling soo sick its bringing on bad anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

Everything was fine this morning then around midday i started getting bad aches and pains all over my body and since last night had a really bad sore throat my glands r killing me and ive also ot no energy and a bad headache. Ive also lost my appetit... View more

Everything was fine this morning then around midday i started getting bad aches and pains all over my body and since last night had a really bad sore throat my glands r killing me and ive also ot no energy and a bad headache. Ive also lost my appetite. Firstly i thought it might be the flu but my nose is clear and im getting to the end of a respiratory virus i had so not really coughing up anything. I dont know whats wrong and its gettin me down. Im single parent aand i dont know how im going to deal with looking after my daughter its that bad. as soon as my appointment was over today i came home and didnt get out of bed until i had to pick up my daughter. I need help but my sister cant as she has a friend staying over she hasnt seen in a long time and my dad is recovering from an illness as well and hes 70. No1 else is close by and they are too sick mentally to help anyways like my mum has bipolar and so does my step dad and they are on the yorke penin anyways. DOnt know what to do and feel soo crap im trying hard not to cry :'(

Katatonic How or what do others do on bad days?
  • replies: 15

Hi,everyone, Ok I'm new to all this but I also have an enquiring mind so that being said, what do others do to divert their brain from going sooo far down that its hard to climb back up?. I'm on quite a downer & nothing is helping. I cane to see if a... View more

Hi,everyone, Ok I'm new to all this but I also have an enquiring mind so that being said, what do others do to divert their brain from going sooo far down that its hard to climb back up?. I'm on quite a downer & nothing is helping. I cane to see if any others spend time talking to ppl like myself to help maybe with techniques on brain diversion from bad thoughts. I'm finding myself feeling alone & with no or little support, so if anyone wants to suggest what they have tried well that would be appreciated. Thanks for listening

mini75 Depression rollercoaster
  • replies: 8

Hi I'm new to the Beyond Blue forum and hoping if I express myself on here with others, it may help. I have realised over the last few years my depression is getting longer and stronger. I live on this depression rollercoaster. I am happily married w... View more

Hi I'm new to the Beyond Blue forum and hoping if I express myself on here with others, it may help. I have realised over the last few years my depression is getting longer and stronger. I live on this depression rollercoaster. I am happily married with one child and both are very supportive. I have a regular job and seem to hold this together but outside of this I turn into a mess of low moods, hide from people and feel very lonely. I feel like I am two different people. I put on a front for work and then become me when I get home. I usually manage my depression with exercise but everything I do is alone. Mostly because I want to be alone. Loneliness then leads to thinking then leads to depressing moods. up and down, up and down. Is it normal to ride this ride?

Jo3 Feeling overwhelmed
  • replies: 5

I don't know what is going on at the moment ...... i am so overwhelmed; i am struggling to think; struggling to stay focussed. Too much to think of; I can't do it all. I thought I was doing okay but now it has hit me and I don't know how to cope. I f... View more

I don't know what is going on at the moment ...... i am so overwhelmed; i am struggling to think; struggling to stay focussed. Too much to think of; I can't do it all. I thought I was doing okay but now it has hit me and I don't know how to cope. I feel like I am being strangled by so many things to do; so many things i have to worry about. I can't do this anymore. I need to take a breath. Jo

songofthesanguine Confused
  • replies: 2

I actually don't know if I'm depressed or if this is just a really long case of feeling down. For the past 2-3 months, I've had erratic mood swings. I sleep a lot and yet I still feel tired after. It's actually more of feeling fatigued than just plai... View more

I actually don't know if I'm depressed or if this is just a really long case of feeling down. For the past 2-3 months, I've had erratic mood swings. I sleep a lot and yet I still feel tired after. It's actually more of feeling fatigued than just plain tired. I get cheered up easily, but then once that "high" is gone I'm back to feeling just "blah" about things. I've been more irritable and less patient lately as well. Sometimes, I get really frustrated and I just want to scream. Well, I do scream. Inside. I sometimes think of turning back to self harming to cope. Lately, my boyfriend and I had an argument and it ended up him hurting me physically. Again. I love him, but I don't think I deserve to be hurt like that. He says he doesn't mean it and he just loses control and that I pushed him into doing it. I do believe he doesn't mean to do it, but I don't know. I've just been disinterested in a lot of things lately. All I've been wanting to do is stay at home and in bed. But when I' m at home alone, I find myself restless. Sorry for the very confusing and disorganized rambling.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.