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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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Guest_1206 bipolar disorder.
  • replies: 1

Hi. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, I had flown to Queensland to celebrate my best friend's birthday. I had a psychotic episode and was displayed symptoms not known to my friend in the 25 years she had known me. She called the police w... View more

Hi. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, I had flown to Queensland to celebrate my best friend's birthday. I had a psychotic episode and was displayed symptoms not known to my friend in the 25 years she had known me. She called the police who then handcuffed me as I was being aggressive towards my friends and family. She must have called an ambulance also, where I was sedated and taken to hospital. She only visited me once during my stay, on Mother's Day. My parents to see how I was. I stayed in hospital for about 10 days. My husband had to fly up, to escort me home as I wanted to commit suicide. I spent the best part of about two years in a manic low. I had lost a lot of weight during this time. Nowadays, I see my psychiatrist every six weeks and my medications are stable. I still have manic episodes, but not the same extent. I am good when I'm not manic.

Nay_23 Feeling trapped
  • replies: 2

I’ve been feeling trapped by with my depression, by the anxiety I feel to speak out about it. What do you do when you feel as though every aspect in your life is triggering your depression anxiety? The only thing keeping me grounded is my partner and... View more

I’ve been feeling trapped by with my depression, by the anxiety I feel to speak out about it. What do you do when you feel as though every aspect in your life is triggering your depression anxiety? The only thing keeping me grounded is my partner and kids but I don’t feel like I can burden them with the way that I’m feeling

Earth Girl My parents didn't teach me personal hygeine
  • replies: 2

When I was in Primary school, my parents only taught me to brush my teeth at night time (not in the morning as well). They also never flossed my teeth or taught me how to. I didn't start flossing my teeth regularly and properly until my dentist taugh... View more

When I was in Primary school, my parents only taught me to brush my teeth at night time (not in the morning as well). They also never flossed my teeth or taught me how to. I didn't start flossing my teeth regularly and properly until my dentist taught me when I was in year 9. They only got me to have a bath every 2 weeks or so (I think it might have been about a month sometimes) and they only changed my sheets after I had a bath (which wasn't very often so yeah). They didn't teach me how often I needed to wash my bath towels or clothes. Whenever there weren't any clean clothes to wear in my drawers, (which was often) they would tell me to just get clothes out of the basket (full of dirty clothes) and wear them. They only regularly washed my undies, but I can't say that for the rest of my clothes. I actually liked school uniform when I was a child because my parents bought me hardly any other clothes. On weekends, my sisters and I would fight over clothes because it was so hard to find reasonably suitable ones. In year 6, a friend was talking to me about how she was having a shower one morning when something happened and after that I thought, okay I probably should shower more often so when I started year 7, I started showering every second day and soon after that everyday, but most of my clothes (my undies were clean) were still dirty. I washed my hair every second day then, but it still looked really bad until I got a haircut later on that year. (I had never been to the hairdresser before then, my parents would sometimes cut my hair when I was little though). A few years after that, I started washing my bath towels every three washes and my parents told me that I was washing them too much even though I think you're suppose to wash them at least that much. It got so bad that the school had to intervene and teach me personal hygiene which was humiliating! To this day, I still have to get fillings on the first four teeth at the top of my mouth and I sometimes still smell even though I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything right now. (Showering everyday, regularly washing my hair, using good quality deodorant, washing all my clothes enough, brushing and flossing my teeth, etc). I calmly asked my parents last year "I was just wondering why you didn't teach me personal hygiene" and my Mum got very cross and said "Oh Earth Girl, we're not perfect!" I told them that I had the right to be upset because I got bullied in school because of it and they said "Okay, I understand. Well, I guess we just weren't very organized." I was just wondering, do I have the right to be upset at my parents for this? They weren't doing it to abuse me, but it's still upsetting. My Mum told me that she doesn't think children need to shower very often because she didn't when she was a child, but I don't know why they didn't wash my clothes and help me more with my oral care.

Kegsy76 Feeling like a Failure
  • replies: 2

I am really struggling like so many others and can't even get my daughter to School the next 2days, hardly any fueI in my car, I have lots of health issues and just can't stop crying and I just want to go to sleep and not wake up. I don't know who to... View more

I am really struggling like so many others and can't even get my daughter to School the next 2days, hardly any fueI in my car, I have lots of health issues and just can't stop crying and I just want to go to sleep and not wake up. I don't know who to turn to

JEF15 Time on medication
  • replies: 3

Hello Long story short...I was on medication for 15 years. At beginning of 2022 I started weaning off. Everything went well and I did well. In Dec 22/Jan 23 I had a relapse as I went through some very stressful stuff and I was urged by my family and ... View more

Hello Long story short...I was on medication for 15 years. At beginning of 2022 I started weaning off. Everything went well and I did well. In Dec 22/Jan 23 I had a relapse as I went through some very stressful stuff and I was urged by my family and doctors to reinstate. I did, as I also felt I needed some extra help. The intention was to just do it while I got back on track. I have been on medication since Jan this year and have seen a therapist all year. I would like to try and come of the medication again now. I've learned lots this year and I'd like to try again.Not sure my GP or family will be on board.My question is, how long do people usually stay on medication? I've read to do its job it needs at least 6 months. Which I've done that now. I know lots of people who never stay on meds for long periods, so why should I. Thanks for you help

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