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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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Michigan77 All alone
  • replies: 3

Lost of few good friends today. Shouldn't say lost, I pushed them away. 

Lost of few good friends today. Shouldn't say lost, I pushed them away. 

Jimboe737 What is Depression anyhow? Chronic Jet-lag?
  • replies: 6

I have been unable to understand what Depression is about. My daughter has suffered from Depression for many years and I've wanted to help her to recover but didn't want to exacerbate her situation by offering ill-founded or unwelcome advice. In an e... View more

I have been unable to understand what Depression is about. My daughter has suffered from Depression for many years and I've wanted to help her to recover but didn't want to exacerbate her situation by offering ill-founded or unwelcome advice. In an effort to feel comfortable about directly addressing her situation I bought several books that purportedly would explain what it is like for her and what others have done to overcome or manage their condition. None of the books I read really put it in a way that I could comprehend nor identify with, or what it must be like. I feel like I've experienced a sudden epiphany or revelation in terms of my understanding of the illness. I have just returned from a holiday in Europe/England and travelled economy class on a flight from London via Dubai which left England around 11pm. We awoke at 7am so were awake for 16 hours before departure. I had only a few hours sleep before arriving in Dubai. The subsequent flight to Melbourne was disrupted and we had to return to Dubai so the entire trip took around 36 hours instead of the original 24 hours. Except for a few hours of sleep I must have been awake for over 30, in addition to the 16 hours before departure. Overall it was nearly 2 days without adequate rest. As a result I experienced a severe case of jet-lag. The symptoms included lethargy, irritability, confusion, fatigue, bouts of nausea and inability to relax enough to sleep properly at night, but uncontrollable sleepiness during the day. I thought, 'if this is what Depression is like, no wonder people struggle to cope!" I couldn't think straight. I tried functioning during the day, e.g. I tried to order a new battery for my wife's laptop and couldn't even correctly transpose the part numbers into the online order form. I mistakingly wrote an "8" where a "B" should have been, an "S" became a "5" and I left a "0" out of a string of 3 zeros in a row. No wonder the system couldn't find the correct model of battery! This confused kind of behaviour continued for 3 or 4 days until I rested enough to be able to function somewhat normally, but at least I've now recovered. I would appreciate a reply from anyone who is experiencing, or who has suffered Depression, to comment on my symptoms to see if they are similar to those of Depression. If they are, I will be better able to understand my daughter's situation and why it's so hard to overcome. With sleep, at least one can recover from temporary jet-lag!

burkey still here
  • replies: 1

there has to be a better place for me. Is depression when you hide from every one I will not leave my farm unless my wife is with me and then I am afraid some one will come near me. I f I see some one come near my gate I will hide behind a tree till ... View more

there has to be a better place for me. Is depression when you hide from every one I will not leave my farm unless my wife is with me and then I am afraid some one will come near me. I f I see some one come near my gate I will hide behind a tree till they go. I want to die but just cant bring my self to do it as I love my wife to much. I have been on tablets for depression for 3 years but there not working any more. I am scared they will lock me up and never let me out. I just wont to be left alone hope I wont to go to sleep and never wake up again 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.

HelenM It breaks my heart
  • replies: 5

I an hyper sensitive. I wish so very much I wasn't. I do not read papers or watch the news because all the pain in the world is too much. Even when I'm well I know that this isn't a world I like being in. I go on facebook and animal lovers sometimes ... View more

I an hyper sensitive. I wish so very much I wasn't. I do not read papers or watch the news because all the pain in the world is too much. Even when I'm well I know that this isn't a world I like being in. I go on facebook and animal lovers sometimes post tragic stories to highlight what goes on. Last night there were three. I try no to read them and usually I can somehow get by. I love animals and it may be wrong but I prefer them to people. Well last night there was a story which has made me cry and cry. I won't repeat it here because I don't want to upset anyone. But it's made me just feel so miserable. My mood has come down anyway although it would have really upset me whatever. It highlights the absolute cruelty and I know this is common place. Ironically this had a happy ending but there was something in the whole situation that touched me in a profound way - if that makes sense. I know that this mood will pass. What won't pass is the continual cruelty that people, animals and the environment are subjected to. I tried to ring one or two people that could maybe calm me a bit but they weren't in. Then I rang the Samaritans to talk a little. The chap helped a little but I feel so miserable. I really HATE this world. I was like this before I was ill. I wish I could be like my son. He has excellent coping skills - somehow he can separate his emotions from the cruelty. I have to go to the charity shop now. I posted this really to get it out because the hurting feels too big. I really hate this world.

clovercreek first time...first post
  • replies: 9

hi,So...gah i dont know how to really start, I think i have found myself here at Beyond Blue because ultimately i feel alone with this. I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression about 6 months ago, it was about 9 months ago that i first had a '... View more

hi,So...gah i dont know how to really start, I think i have found myself here at Beyond Blue because ultimately i feel alone with this. I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression about 6 months ago, it was about 9 months ago that i first had a 'breakdown' of sorts and started seeing a psych and looking into medication. I am finding it all very difficult...even as i right this now my anxiety is telling me to stop and delete it, shut the computer off because no one will want to listen to your petty complaints, plus your grammar is probably woeful! i have a lot of time at the moment to myself (whether this is a good thing or not), i have one part time job and a supportive partner who i happy for me to take time to 'get well', not that he really understands what that means. I am therefore alone for the majority of each day and that is how i like it. I am worried i am getting to dependent on this time and am now actively hiding from the world even more. I suffer all the usual symptoms that comes from googling 'depression symptoms' but i cant get past how stupid i feel every day. I still dont believe i have depression i feel as though I must be making it up, i dont really have anything wrong with me, i'm just lazy and can't be bothered trying so i will pretend to be ill. also i am having great difficulty with medication and was hoping for some advice from others...i was originally put on medication which went up pretty quickly after i realised that it was having little to no effect. This made me very numb and ruined what was left of my sleeping patterns. I felt as though i couldnt really be happy or sad, instead of being able to cry i would have mini panic attacks. I had very bad withdrawal as i was changing to a new drug, i have started on a dose and am at least 21 days in, which is how long they tell you to test it for...i am not feeling like the side effects are going away. I am constantly fatigued, very sleepy, and almost everyday suffering one, more or all of the following; insomnia, nausea, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, constipation, diarrhoea, sweating, hot flushes, and heightened anxiety.any advice would be greatly welcomed. thanks so much.CC

dboy1975 empty lives
  • replies: 6

A year ago I had it all my son was living with my partner and her two kids and myself and for for reasons I don't understand I managed to self destruct it all the ones I cared about the most I hurt them deeply so 9 months ago I failed at an attempt t... View more

A year ago I had it all my son was living with my partner and her two kids and myself and for for reasons I don't understand I managed to self destruct it all the ones I cared about the most I hurt them deeply so 9 months ago I failed at an attempt to take my own life. I was put in mental health ward and I hated it.ever since then I have not been able to find anything to help me and I have lost custody of my son and my partner and I have separated I have been so lost I have been so cranky my attempt did not work now I'm just trying to get by

Bruce_Wayne Feeling trapped and frustrated
  • replies: 5

Feeling absolutely terrible at the moment, I'm behind on paying my parents board because I've spent my money on food and drinks, money which I received from centerlink. They're working hard and all I do is spend money on stuff that I want because I f... View more

Feeling absolutely terrible at the moment, I'm behind on paying my parents board because I've spent my money on food and drinks, money which I received from centerlink. They're working hard and all I do is spend money on stuff that I want because I feel too stressed to work a job. I feel like my life is going no where at the moment, I'm 23 and don't have a diploma or any qualifications. Attempted 2 different TAFE courses, 1 of them twice. All of which I dropped out of because I felt overwhelmed and stressed by. I don't have a job and feel like I'll struggle to work one. I feel so stuck, despite trying to keep busy I feel like a direction-less spoilt brat who has been given everything and yet is still unhappy. I feel even worse though because I know feeling sorry for myself achieves nothing and I can't help feeling it. This makes me angry and frustrated at myself. I feel like I never learn, I never deal with this in a better way. I just sulk until things go my way because I feel powerless to actually do something about it.

DDarko Tick tock goes the clock......
  • replies: 3

I have always had in the back of my mind that when you get to the age of thirty your life pretty much ends. So, i guess i've got two years left….. I am struggling to effectively deal with growing older and find that i am experiencing a lot of anxiety... View more

I have always had in the back of my mind that when you get to the age of thirty your life pretty much ends. So, i guess i've got two years left….. I am struggling to effectively deal with growing older and find that i am experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression associated with the idea. I will briefly touch on my background. I have just turned 28. I would describe myself as having super sensitivity to life, which is slowly being dulled with time. One of times few positives. I am relatively introverted, socially anxious, characterised as OCD, imaginative, idealist, borderline dreamer, person who has probably lived too much time in his head instead of facing that sometimes painful 'real world'. I have historically been someone that has tended to enjoy riding the emotional roller coaster and have dabbled in drugs to potentiate this fluctuation. Don't get me wrong. I am a real person, am slowly beginning to face some long running fears, engage in a lot of healthy behaviour and there are a lot of positives in my life . I understand it is not a unique idea, and is probably in the back of everyones mind. It hasn't come into fruition overnight but the feeling (or lack of) has grown since my mid-twenties. I am pessimistic about the future as i feel it is going to be one general slide towards feeling less and less. I hate this emotional flat lining. Is this what ageing is……?? Where the moments of feeling truly alive become less and less. What sucks more is i feel that i am acutely aware (more than other people) of what i am loosing. I get fleeting glimpses of how i think i felt (experiencing feelings of higher intensity) when i was younger, and feel sad knowing that i can't get feelings of that same intensity back. I have half a mind to neglect preparing for the future just so i can experience the next few years with more feeling. As in quit my job/career, travel, go hard on drugs and generally not give as much of a $#@%. I hate sounding like a downer, but hey, i guess this is a depression forum. Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Maybe from someone that's gone/going through a similar experience. I guess its not something that you can conquer but more come to peace with. If you do have a time machine though…. let me know, I'm ready! I am listening to the song 'Human' by the artist Krewella on youtube , as i write this and well...... not all feeling is lost. Cheers guys/girls

Declan Every day has become a struggle
  • replies: 6

I was 8 years old when I first thought of suicide. I'm now 20 and over the years these thoughts have gotten more frequent to now nearly every day. Some worse than others. I have a beautiful loving and caring girlfriend, family and friends. And yet I'... View more

I was 8 years old when I first thought of suicide. I'm now 20 and over the years these thoughts have gotten more frequent to now nearly every day. Some worse than others. I have a beautiful loving and caring girlfriend, family and friends. And yet I've been stuck in my head for years dealing with this stuff myself. I've tried reaching out to people but finding it makes them feel awkward which results in them trying to dodge where the conversation is going. I've spoken to my mum and bought her to tears. Dealing with this burden has become a burden. So I deal with it myself. I'm so tired of living life like this. Driving to work and feeling awful over nothing. I think about suicide. And it all sounds perfect until that one word comes into play. Selfish. What of my mother? What of my sister and father? What of my friends? And what of my girlfriend. A complete stranger who has come to love me and grown with me. How could I be so selfish to leave them all. All these beautiful people full of colour and love....but what about me...?theyre not spending their time dealing with these thoughts day in day out. I have little will to live. But I can't deal with the thought of hurting anyone other than myself. And so I guess I continue to block it out. Wear a fake smile and and cry silently , pretend to be happy as I have done for the past 12 years. It's just a sad fact that one of these days it's all gonna be too muchbeyondblue’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.

Here_apos_s2u Feeling frustrated
  • replies: 1

I have been battling this depression constantly now for 3 years with 2 long admissions to hospital I am in therapy weekly and just want everything to be ok i want my old life back where I wasn't haunted by my past does anyone have any suggestions

I have been battling this depression constantly now for 3 years with 2 long admissions to hospital I am in therapy weekly and just want everything to be ok i want my old life back where I wasn't haunted by my past does anyone have any suggestions