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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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Red Wheelbarrow Back here again
  • replies: 4

I can't believe I feel like this again. Ive been living with depression of various intensity for almost all my adult life. Im 67. I had been feeling so good for nearly a year and now I can't even move from a chair without effort. Im trying all the tr... View more

I can't believe I feel like this again. Ive been living with depression of various intensity for almost all my adult life. Im 67. I had been feeling so good for nearly a year and now I can't even move from a chair without effort. Im trying all the tricks of the trade, meditation, living in the now, CBT, but I'm still under water. I worry about every thing I say or write in emails, frightened that I've upset people. It seems to be a lot of little things that build up. This time I think the final straw was my sister being admitted to hospital unable to walk and covered in a rash . She is an alcoholic. She was in hospital for over 4 weeks and was doing so well I thought I had my sister back. When she was discharged she started drinking again with her husband buying the alcohol. I thought it probable, but it completely flawed me. I am so angry with him and her. She has a son and grandchildren. I'm an alcoholic too but I have not had a drink for 21 years and it makes me mad that she was so clever and lovely and now she is a train wreck who can't string a sentence together. I know this isn't about them but it's about me. I am so sick of this roundabout. I'm wasting my life with this but can't stay happy. I have a loving husband and sons and 2 gorgeous granddaughters I should be jumping for joy every day. I hate this so much.

Richju That low, low energy
  • replies: 1

It started yesterday. I had had a better night's sleep than I had had for a long time but felt tired in the morning. My granddaughter visited but was happy to play with playdough and when my son picked her up I had lunch and returned to bed. I slept ... View more

It started yesterday. I had had a better night's sleep than I had had for a long time but felt tired in the morning. My granddaughter visited but was happy to play with playdough and when my son picked her up I had lunch and returned to bed. I slept till 4 p.m. but returned to bed at 7.30 p.m. and still felt tired this morning. So I've allowed myself the day in bed, sleeping till lunch time. I feel a bit more lively now and listening to my favourite music, also played a few games of scrabble on my mobile and I'm contemplating a shower in a while. I haven't had a depressive bout like this for years and previously I would force myself to exercise and do my housework so I just wanted to let everyone know how much I've grown. Grandpa Depression you're nearly dead.Ruchju

Halogrl Depression
  • replies: 1

I am soo badly depressed right now. I don’t know how to find the help

I am soo badly depressed right now. I don’t know how to find the help

Ash-H Depression and loneliness
  • replies: 2

So my psychiatrist diagnosed me with major depressive disorder (going through a major depressive episode post multiple stressors including a divorce)So much of the ‘treatment’ recommendations you find for MDD and dealing with a divorce and friendship... View more

So my psychiatrist diagnosed me with major depressive disorder (going through a major depressive episode post multiple stressors including a divorce)So much of the ‘treatment’ recommendations you find for MDD and dealing with a divorce and friendship breakdowns suggest leaning on friends and family and forging strong social connections. What that doesn’t take into account is:- it’s hard enough being social being neurodivergent- your friends and family don’t want to be around you when you’re severely depressed- it’s really hard to make new friends when you’re severely depressedIt just feels impossible

Daniel12 Help. I don’t know who I am supposed to be and feel lost
  • replies: 624

Hello there I don’t usually do anything like this but I wanted to see if anyone has any advice for me. I am a 25 yr old who on the surface should have everything under control as I have a good job, good family yet I increasingly feel like I don’t kno... View more

Hello there I don’t usually do anything like this but I wanted to see if anyone has any advice for me. I am a 25 yr old who on the surface should have everything under control as I have a good job, good family yet I increasingly feel like I don’t know what makes me who I am and often feel down and flat when trying to find answers. I know people have much more reason to be depressed than someone like myself but I just constantly felt flat and lost searching for how I am supposed to be and what makes me who I am. I have been trying to find a partner which has been the source of countless rejection which is all part of it I know but often I’m left feeling like I’m quite a boring person with nothing really that interesting to tell anyone and I am confused as to how to act I’m usually a quiet natured person but I feel this incredible pressure that I can’t be like that and I am confused as to where I am at with my life it is difficult for me to put into words I guess it’s just a lost type of feeling of what my place is and who I am and I thought at 25 I might have an idea of this I know my post hasn’t given a great deal to go off but if anyone has experienced similar at my age I’d be glad to hear what approach you took thanks

Alel Ashamed of having chemical imbalance
  • replies: 3

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. I'm also dealing with agoraphobia and emetophobia. Everytime I think about it I feel broken. I know when the medication works and I learn coping skills, everything is going to get better. But I can'... View more

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. I'm also dealing with agoraphobia and emetophobia. Everytime I think about it I feel broken. I know when the medication works and I learn coping skills, everything is going to get better. But I can't stop feeling ashamed of what I went through and having to take medication. The fact that I have a broken brain and need to do more to make sure I don't break compared to normal people is the worst. I feel so different and tired.

Speechless Feeling extremely distressed
  • replies: 1

I can’t stop it feeling so extremely upset crying and with constant anxiety attacks. I feel so so depressed and lost. Every few days I’m just okay and slightly able to function and then the other days I’m in so much emotional pain I cry all day and c... View more

I can’t stop it feeling so extremely upset crying and with constant anxiety attacks. I feel so so depressed and lost. Every few days I’m just okay and slightly able to function and then the other days I’m in so much emotional pain I cry all day and can’t function at all with anxiety attacks and it’s quite extreme. i will go to have a shower and end up not even being able to do that because I have crying attacks in the pit of my stomach and have to let it out with the anxiety attacks. It’s happens all day and even in the night when I’m not asleep or I have nightmares. I’ve been under so much pressure lately and we’ve sold my sanctuary, my home of 5 acres I’ve lived for 26 years which has a view and all the wild birds I feed. It’s always been my space, my grounding thru my illness since I was 14. My dad came and said he wanted to sell 3 months ago as fast as he could to invest in shares so he could get my sister a house(she’s a single mum). There was no negotiation or planning , just hurry up all winter trying to find a house to live. None had backyards and we’re all so close to people I was not used to and it gave me severe anxiety. We were under so much pressure from dad to find a place mum and I and him, there was only one place we looked at that was okay and I felt relaxed in and mum liked and it was a big block, a 70s house with a sea view and filled with lots of sheds and rainwater tanks.When your being forced to look at places that freak you out, and there isn’t much else you go with what is okay. So we’ve sold our acres but still living here just yet. It’s extremely hard, grieving this place with all it has and the apprehension of going to something not so great. This home has always helped my mental health and the one thing I had left that made me happy and content and now it’s going to be gone. It’s been my identity. Now I spiral out of control in my thinking. The backyard is so horrible there. It’s cement paths everywhere and sheds. It’s small and the soil is compacted clay. there’s no lawn.I will need to house my chickens there. I dreamt of making it a lawn and cottage garden with lots of native plants to attract native birds but it’s so much work and my parents prob wouldn’t help. I’d need a jackhammer to just get out all the hard concrete and to pull down sheds etc.And it’s all 70s make you want to throw up out the back and inside somewhat.And the unfamiliar feelings of this rundown 70s urban place.I feel heartbroken I’m used to open spaces and lawns

Alel Self improvement feels like a chore
  • replies: 3

So I have to overcome anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, emetophobia and just learning to be resilient. I am on medication for two weeks now. I know it doesn't work straight away. I find myself just sitting on my phone the whole day. I have managed to... View more

So I have to overcome anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, emetophobia and just learning to be resilient. I am on medication for two weeks now. I know it doesn't work straight away. I find myself just sitting on my phone the whole day. I have managed to do things I never could before, like make my breakfast and go bathroom on my own. But I still find some tasks hard. To overcome my mental illness and fears, I need to learn coping skills and face them. That includes taking showers, going out and walking. But I can't get myself to do any of that. Not only because I'm terrified, but I just feel like everything that is supposed to get me better, feels so exhausting even just thinking about it. Since I want to get better, shouldn't I be eager to do these things to ger better? Or do I not want to? I feel like I have to be mentally prepared for every little thing that happens, but no matter how much I try to prepare myself, I somehow never feel prepared and the task just causes me to be anxious and tired.

vulnerable I’m just so lost and afraid
  • replies: 7

Context, I’m nearing my 50th birthday and have nobody I can honestly say is more than a close acquaintance. From 2004 to 2020 I was in an abusive relationship with a toxically narcissist wife the ending of that of course cost me my home and half of m... View more

Context, I’m nearing my 50th birthday and have nobody I can honestly say is more than a close acquaintance. From 2004 to 2020 I was in an abusive relationship with a toxically narcissist wife the ending of that of course cost me my home and half of my life with my two kids. In trying to rebuild I met a wonderful lady whom I fell very much in love with. A strong and independent single mother who unlike me has very much got her life together. For almost 4 years she has been something of a rock for me but unfortunately it looks like my inability to make plans is now more than she is willing to deal with and it seems like this relationship too is going to end. I’m unable to express just how sad this is making me feel, at times it’s just my kids that keep me from ending it all. I’ve known I’ve got anxiety quite badly and to some extent I’m being treated for that with regular medication. Though I hate to admit it I’m now quite convinced I also have significant depression too and probably have had for many many years. I don’t know who I am anymore, I lack energy, motivation or any lasting moment of happiness. I don’t ever know what I would like to do and even former hobbies from my better days just feel like ghosts of my past. I feel trapped by myself in this endless cycle of misery, heartbreak and dreams that never come true. I don’t know what to do, where to turn to or how to break the cycle. As I said before if I didn’t love my children as much as I do I’d just wish my life over to end the misery. I was able to talk about this with my mother but unfortunately she lost her battle with cancer last year so she too is lost to me. I know I’m not a bad person I’m loyal, generous, romantic in ways and kind hearted. I just don’t seem to be able to break out of this depression and it is destroying me.

Diallo Anxious hopeless and depressed
  • replies: 1

I have anxiety, depression, I’m angry most of the time and I feel disgust

I have anxiety, depression, I’m angry most of the time and I feel disgust