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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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jmn251 Why do I only feel happy and have any interest in life when drinking?
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I tried anti depressants but I couldn't function at work. I spent 3 months in rehab and was clean for a year. However, the alcohol cravings returned. I only feel comfortable dealing with the work when drinking. Does anyone have any insights into this... View more

I tried anti depressants but I couldn't function at work. I spent 3 months in rehab and was clean for a year. However, the alcohol cravings returned. I only feel comfortable dealing with the work when drinking. Does anyone have any insights into this issue. Thanks.

danni0127 My friends are concerned about me
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My friends have become really concerned that I have depression. I, in myself know something isn't right- however I have felt like this, for that long, that it feels to me that it is normal. I will always put others happiness before my own. I am not u... View more

My friends have become really concerned that I have depression. I, in myself know something isn't right- however I have felt like this, for that long, that it feels to me that it is normal. I will always put others happiness before my own. I am not un happy- not really sure how to describe it really. I am engaged, to the most supportive and loving man I have ever met. We have been through so much together- health wise. I am constantly tired, and feeling as if I have to force a smile. my partner isn't the problem, things were numb far before he came along. I work full time, and I look forward to going to work. But once I come home, I'm down, tired and irritated. I know I need to talk to someone, but how do I start the conversation? I think I'm scared- I know I'm scared.

Eban It can take 25 minutes to get up from the table after eating breakfast
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Hi,In relationships, I am always angry. After another relationship breakdown almost half a year ago, and facing single life, I am back to feeling depressed and lonely. My family have rocky relations, parents and siblings have tenuous or strained rela... View more

Hi,In relationships, I am always angry. After another relationship breakdown almost half a year ago, and facing single life, I am back to feeling depressed and lonely. My family have rocky relations, parents and siblings have tenuous or strained relationships with one another. I have trouble talking to my friends. I get so down that getting out of bed in the morning is a task. It can take 25 minutes to get up from the table after eating breakfast. I have very low drive to do things. I exercise, I speak to people, but the in depth stuff worries me. Having to know things and communicate beyond small talk, getting close to a person. I have no idea about what's happening in the world because I have stopped paying attention. Sometimes I get so sad, and I cry. I feel better afterwards, but it never seems to last. In conversation I am negative and cynical, and it annoys people.I've begun to see a counsellor again and hopefully things will improve. My dream is to have a good job, to meet someone, and raise a strong and supportive family. As I get older it's the thing that I want the most. When I think about the likelihood of those things happening I get very sad. Anger is always a problem, jealousy, and a raft of other negative attitudes.I think a lot lately about suicide. The thought is like a practical thought on how to deal with a problem, like thinking about changing a light bulb that's difficult to reach. When I think like that, I can't move, but the thought just appears. To tell someone about depression invites the same answers: "Everyone gets depressed sometimes", "Life isn't easy for anyone". Try telling those people that it's not just a one-off, it's ongoing, it never stops and I hate it so much. They turn their backs.I really do wish it would all just stop. Every day is either dull or hard, it's always there in my mind and if it isn't then the high watermarks are clearly visible. At every chance I shut it out and retreat into my own head. Talking about it helps to shut things out, but conversations can't go on forever. At some point you have to face an empty room and your own thoughts. 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;}

Mick71 I feel like a failure at life, love and work
  • replies: 3

What's happening to me?I don't understand it. My wife loves me. I am starting up a new business that everyone that sees what I am doing say that I will kill it. But I constantly want to curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out. For most of this year my ... View more

What's happening to me?I don't understand it. My wife loves me. I am starting up a new business that everyone that sees what I am doing say that I will kill it. But I constantly want to curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out. For most of this year my self doubt has always been nagging at my sub conscious. Everything that I am felling inside is a massive jumble that I can't understand. During a particularly stressful week at work about a month ago where the construction of my new business was derailed completely I started to think back to 2003 where I failed at an attempt at taking my own life. I found my self wishing for the first time in many years that I had've succeeded. My father died in September 2000 and being a young man I tried to drink away what I was feeling. It culminating wanting to end my life. I ended up seeing a clinical Psychologist and was prescribed antidepressants and was on them for 6 month whilst seeing the Psychologist. I put it don to unresolved grief issues and have been for the most part fine. I was getting the occasional dark periods where I was floored for a week or two but I just put that down to normal mood swings. I have shut my self off from every one in my life. I have no friends that I talk to and I am completely estranged from my entire family. I haven't talked to my brother for nearly 5 years and now recently my sister has stopped talking to me to the point where she has blocked me on Facebook and is talking about me to my mother and brother. I am a replacement child and have been told that by my mother. My oldest brother was run over and killed before I was born and my mother didn't handle well and had me. During a particularly nasty argument we had she told me that I shouldn't have ever been born and I wouldn't have been if my brother hadn't been killed. I feel the overwhelming sensation of guilt all the time. I went to the movies on ANZAC day and didn't enjoy myself. I felt guilty for trying to have fun. MY wife was away in Melbourne this week and told me that she was going out for dinner with old friends. I went out and got pizza and felt guilty for doing so.I feel guilty for writing this. I feel like I have let my wife down and don't deserve to have her. I used to drink very heavily all the time and have resisted the urge to do so again so far but I found myself standing at the door of a bottle shop yesterday and barely stopped myself from buying a short term forget session. I am sick of this. If I am going to be like this for the rest of my life. I don't want to put my wife through that. She doesn't deserve that. But I can't stand the thought of doing something to make her sad. I hope this makes sense to some one as I can't make any sense to any of it. I feel like a failure at life, love and work. 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;}

Simmy Feeling unfulfilled and lost..
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Hi, I'm a new member, diagnosed with bipolar at 37, now 44 and have a great family, nice home etc, nothing much to complain about. My last bipolar depression was a few months ago and was very bad to the point I'm (now) consciously doing all I can to ... View more

Hi, I'm a new member, diagnosed with bipolar at 37, now 44 and have a great family, nice home etc, nothing much to complain about. My last bipolar depression was a few months ago and was very bad to the point I'm (now) consciously doing all I can to avoid another. I take meds, eat healthy, exercise, see my dr twice a year - all the right things. To cut a long story short I cannot find my passion and feel useless and unfulfilled. I only work 2 hours a week and want something more, some self satisfaction and enjoyment. I've tried so many things and never stick them out. I become bored. Now I sound like a miserable, whining child! Why cant I get my act together? I'm beginning to feel like a can't do anything and my confidence is waning. What's wrong with me? I been feeling like this for a decade and its now getting worse.

peacock I'm scared I will never feel good again
  • replies: 8

hello out there. I have had a relapse of depression after stopping my medications and starting a new job. I have been on the meds 17 days now and felt better on the weekend but now feel dreadful again. nothing seems to be helping and I am scared I wi... View more

hello out there. I have had a relapse of depression after stopping my medications and starting a new job. I have been on the meds 17 days now and felt better on the weekend but now feel dreadful again. nothing seems to be helping and I am scared I will never feel good again. can someone help me?

PAGES The depression quizzes aren't helping...
  • replies: 1

Sometimes I feel really down for about a week (and i mean down like in the bottom of something deep down) and then go back to being "normal" again for a week or so and during this week I am quite happy with no worries at all. I don't know whether or ... View more

Sometimes I feel really down for about a week (and i mean down like in the bottom of something deep down) and then go back to being "normal" again for a week or so and during this week I am quite happy with no worries at all. I don't know whether or not what I am experiencing is depression or just mood-swings. How do I find out? It would be weird if I went to see a GP because my father is one and whenever I am ill I go to him but would never in my wildest dreams discuss something like this with him. If I went to another GP people would start asking questions and I don't want people to start asking questions because they may start looking at me funny. so until I know if what I have is or isn't depression I don't want to tell anyone I know about my problems. I tend to make things seem more significant than they actually are, therefore I feel that one of the main causes of what is making me feel so sad is not knowing why. every time reflect on the problems than could cause this I tend to become even more sad so I then try to ignore my problems. It's also very frustrating and confusing not knowing, it seems like I have some severe mental illness but I don't know whether or not I have just inflated and stressed myself over what could be an average dose of sadness. until I find out whether I am sad or depressed I think I'll become more and more sad so is there a simple way of knowing?? is there any way of knowing?? i have also taken some of the online depression quizzes but they're not very useful because the answers depend on which mood I am in. please help me because the doubt is so hard and frustrating to have to handle.

Mood_Swinger Lost.
  • replies: 3

I don't even know where to start or what I can share/can't share here.... I've always been like this. Except the depression has taken over more in the last few years. I grew up in Foster Care because my mother was in and out of hospital and physicall... View more

I don't even know where to start or what I can share/can't share here.... I've always been like this. Except the depression has taken over more in the last few years. I grew up in Foster Care because my mother was in and out of hospital and physically abused me. To be honest I don't really remember it at all. Mental Illness runs throughout my family. My mother was diagnosed with Borderline Personality, my Grandfather with Bipolar. My Aunt has Bipolar as well while my sister and other relatives suffer from Depression. I spent my entire childhood being diagnosed with everything from ADHD to ODD, Depression and Anxiety.... medicated up to my eyeballs on pysch meds for kids that didn't work. Eventually I grew up and worked out how to best manage my emotions on my own. I settled down and had three children whom I love more than life itself. Really. If I didn't have them, there would be no point anymore. In 2011 something snapped and I had a meltdown. I fell into a deep depression. My anxiety was through the roof. I was losing my mind. The doctor prescribed antidepressents and this brought on what I now realise to be a "hypermanic" episode. I was so happy I could burst, I couldn't sleep at all, I cleaned the walls with bleach at 2am.... After a few months of erratic behaviour I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and we struggled to get my moods under control. in August my mind had had enough and I lost any control. I made an attempt on my life without even putting any though into it. I was hospitalised and tried everything from mood stabilisers to antidepressents, benzos, anti convulsants and anti pyschotics. This was an 18 month struggle until I finally found medication that worked for me. I hated the way it made me feel. I felt no emotion or enjoyment in life. Each day rolled into another and "just was". I no longer see a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist. Nor do I have a regular GP. I've been medication free for 10 weeks now. Gosh some days it's hard and I don't know how on Earth I will ever survive, but then I remember how much I didn't feel when I was medicated and I don't want to go back there. I'm not happy, but at least I can feel how unhappy I am and not just like an empty shell. I can feel anger and outrage. I can feel excitement again. I'm not sure how I will keep going for the rest of my life, but all I know is I don't have a choice. My kids are my life and they need me and that's what I tell myself everyday.

homer_thompson I'm not so sure this is a disorder
  • replies: 3

howdy everyone, i've been lurking around these boards for a couple of months now and i think it's done me some good. It's great to have an outlet for the type of thinking that we depressionados are so prone to, this site is a positive and valuable re... View more

howdy everyone, i've been lurking around these boards for a couple of months now and i think it's done me some good. It's great to have an outlet for the type of thinking that we depressionados are so prone to, this site is a positive and valuable resource for me and i imagine for many of you other posters. i tend to read here far more than i contribute, i'm so interested in all your personal stories and the characters here. i commend you all for the tenacity to persist through difficult periods of life and for the bravery and selfless generosity you invest in sharing yourselves and building this online community.. kudos to you all *one man standing ovation* here, as in RL, i'm disinclined to discuss my life or particular situation in chronology or detailed specifics as seems to be the accepted convention around BB, although i'll always answer a direct question honestly if asked, so feel free to if you are curious. What i'm most interested in at the moment is your feelings on your diagnoses.. i've been diagnosed with a couple of acronyms over the years, as have many of you. i should point out that i have the utmost repect for the medical profession (although slightly less for the medical industry) and hold the medical professionals that I have dealt with in high esteem. What puzzles me a bit is the "D" at the end of all of these acronyms; disorder. In months of reading the stories here, and in my own life I've noticed that, by and large, people's emotional responses are entirely logical and completely justified. I recognise from your posts that many of us feel depressed or anxious or angry. But in the hundreds of posts I have read, there is not one of us, not a single one whose sadness / anger/ confusion is not 100% completely justified. These feelings are the natural, uncontrollable response to the types of extraordinary stress from difficult life events that so many of you describe. So I'm curious, why is a normal, predictable and natural human emotional response to stress so often labelled as a "disorder" in the modern medical paradigm? In addition, a 2007 ABS study showed that 45% of Australian adults self reported having battled with depression or other mental x"illness" in their lives. The number of people who actually have is likely to be much, much larger as negative stigmatisation prevents many from considering the reality. The rates have also grown rapidly since 07. So in a world where more than half of all adults have actually experienced these issues, it would appear that mental illness is now the new order and stoic, emotionless coping all the time is the new disorder. Sounds about right to me. I'm really interested to hear all your thoughts on this issue. . Discuss. (lol, sorry, no it's not an exam question) Wishing everyone a peaceful Easter.

Hawesy Concentration & Memory
  • replies: 2

Do people with depression have trouble concentrating, and remembering?. I am trying to get into the Property Management field, but i am struggling with my memory, and remembering things. I have had several PM jobs, but loose them due to mistakes i ma... View more

Do people with depression have trouble concentrating, and remembering?. I am trying to get into the Property Management field, but i am struggling with my memory, and remembering things. I have had several PM jobs, but loose them due to mistakes i make, with forgetting things. Should i change my career path to something that doesn't need so much remembering important information? I'm 53Yrs old Thanks in advance.....