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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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Girl_Anachronism Staying strong for others, not myself.
  • replies: 28

So dear Jo asked how I was but I felt bad about taking over her thread. I would have posted on ymy old thread except I promised I would start a new one. Even if today is far from good, I wanted to live up to some promise I made. I'm not good today. I... View more

So dear Jo asked how I was but I felt bad about taking over her thread. I would have posted on ymy old thread except I promised I would start a new one. Even if today is far from good, I wanted to live up to some promise I made. I'm not good today. I am feeling like breaking down due to pressures from my favourite pressure points that I haven't dealt with this past year and I am torn about what to do about it. I want to practice the techniques my psych taugh tme but the monsters are resisiting hard today. Every moment that I don't do them just gives them more strength. That leads to more indecision and...well. This leads to a vicous cycle of thoughts I am trapped in at the moment. Add to that there is housework I should have done but haven't and despite sleeping all day after being sleep deprived, I am still exhausted. If I crawl into bed I will be giving up on getting anything done which is tossing another steak to my monsters. At the same time I don't know if I can do any good not in bed. I can't breakdown though because I am worried about my friend who is extremely ill right now and my husband is not doing great. So I am going to keep an eye on him tonight and take him to the doctors tomorrow. Other people need me to be strong, to be here and present so I am. It all feels like a layer of ice though, underneath which is a heaving ocean. I am tossed around by all these emotions and thoughts. They all feel so real. At the same time all I can think is that right now my good friend is fasting for a life threatening operation to remove a tumour. She has all these real problems and I'm sitting here unable to get up and do the dishes because I'm to weak to even do that. I just keep thinking that if there is any power in the universe, to take the sickness from her. She is such a lovely person, she doesn't deserve what she is going through right now. Give it to me, if someone has to get sick, to die. I'll take it. Just leave her be. None of this I'd feel right about saying out loud. Like I said, I have to be strong for her. I feel it though. Then I feel bad for feeling it, i feel bad for feeling bad... Vicous circles and all that. So yeah, I'm not conflicted and not good today. GA

jodes76 what can I do
  • replies: 2

I'm so depressed right now. Had a fall out with a friend. My daughter is getting harder to control. I don't know if I can go on like this. I don't know what to do. Sometimes I feel like I just want to end it all Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-... View more

I'm so depressed right now. Had a fall out with a friend. My daughter is getting harder to control. I don't know if I can go on like this. I don't know what to do. Sometimes I feel like I just want to end it all Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA 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:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} '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.'

Christa1 Want to feel better
  • replies: 15

Hello I am new here. Decided to join as I am feeling a bit alone with this illness at the moment. I have struggled with depression for many, many years and have been taking medication for it for the past 10 years, which has enabled me to keep on livi... View more

Hello I am new here. Decided to join as I am feeling a bit alone with this illness at the moment. I have struggled with depression for many, many years and have been taking medication for it for the past 10 years, which has enabled me to keep on living, but not necessarily happily. I am currently on a month's annual leave, and have 2 weeks of it left. This week I have been feeling very flat & have been having persecutory dreams. This is probably in anticipation of having to return to the 'daily grind' soon, which I dread. I have some good things happening in my life at the moment as well, but I don't seem to be able to feel the happiness that these things usually bring. I find that I rarely feel happiness about anything. I feel trapped in this life. It would be good to hear how other people obtain contentedness in their lives. Regards, Christa1

pretty_green_eyes Help with some issues of depression, isolation and no sex
  • replies: 8

I thought I would give this a go since I have nobody to talk to and I feel as though nobody understands. A few years ago I have found out that I have mixed depression. I always thought it was my normal behavior to get upset, have thoughts about suici... View more

I thought I would give this a go since I have nobody to talk to and I feel as though nobody understands. A few years ago I have found out that I have mixed depression. I always thought it was my normal behavior to get upset, have thoughts about suicide etc. My father left when I was 5 and has never really been there. Some say he never should of had children. My mother replaced him with a man only weeks after being separated who abused me. I tried to tell my mother and she accused me of lying. I was abused for over 10 years until he went to lay a hand on my mother. My father was never really there and my mother moved us to a different state so we would be further away from him. In my teenage years I rebelled as I was not allowed to do anything, so I did it. I was constantly drunk, on drugs and having sex with boys. But years later I have left this bad behavior behind. I don’t drink alcohol, don’t smoke and definitely don’t touch drugs. Some of my family members found out about my depression and anxiety and have told me just to get over it. Nobody knows how it feels to be abused unless you have been though it and one does not simply get over it even if the person is now deceased I have seen several psychologists which I feel don't do much, I have tried anti depressants and to be honest make me feel even crazier than I am and I cant drive my car on them. I have a loving partner who I have been with for over a year and two puppies. We have moved 1300 kms away from friends and family leaving me quite isolated. My partner works in mining and works away for two weeks at a time. I would like to meet people but I am not into joining clubs and things as I have anxiety and hate being out of my comfort zone so I work and relax at home. My partner also suffers from depression after losing a house to his previous girlfriend and also being in a lot of debt. Due to his depression he is unable to get an erection and will not seek help for this. We haven’t had sex in over 6 months which is somewhat frustrating and causes our only arguments from. From working two weeks straight my partner is always extremely tired when he arrives home. Sometimes too tired even to kiss me or talk to me causing me to feel unloved I would love some advice on how to deal with these issues Thanks for listening

Shnook Recently Diagnosed, feeling overwhelmed
  • replies: 8

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with depression and I was hoping to reach out to others that may be able to offer advice or strategies. Through discussions with my GP, I have come to realise that my depression is most likely linked directly to my ... View more

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with depression and I was hoping to reach out to others that may be able to offer advice or strategies. Through discussions with my GP, I have come to realise that my depression is most likely linked directly to my social anxiety and OCD. I am struggling to fathom these "labels" that I have been given because up until now I always believed it was my personality to be neat and tidy (not a compulsion), and that I was simply going through some rough patches. However after a bit of soul searching it occurred to me that I have probably been suffering from depression and anxiety for quite some time but I never cared to admit it out loud. I am booked in to see my GP again and get a referral to a psychologist. I am looking at this being the first step in dealing with my issues. I have begun taking St.Johns Wort - a natural herb used to help subdue symptoms of low mood and anxiety. I was wondering if any of you have taken this and noticed significant change in mood over time? I am hesitant to take clinical medication for fear of not being able to come off it - also my partner is loathed to me taking such medication so unfortunately I don't have support there. I have also been self-medicating for many years, particularly in social situations, to calm my nerves. I have never used anything stronger than alcohol, but now I have become dependent on it to help me loosen up. Can anyone offer any strategies to help me become calm in unfamiliar social situations without alcohol? I am struggling to think that depression and anxiety are my lot in life. It is difficult for a perfectionist like me to comprehend that my perfectionism is sucking me into a deep, dark hole. I am positive that I can climb my way back out but certain that I cannot do it alone. I hope you can help.

Jo3 appt with GP
  • replies: 12

So today I had an appt with my GP so he could make sure I was okay. Well I wasn't okay. He said he cares about me and wants to see me happy again and not in this state. He said he would be very hurt if i did something to myself. I was sitting there, ... View more

So today I had an appt with my GP so he could make sure I was okay. Well I wasn't okay. He said he cares about me and wants to see me happy again and not in this state. He said he would be very hurt if i did something to myself. I was sitting there, head down not really paying attention to what he was saying. I don't care anymore. I told him I had a plan and we talked about it and now he wants me to see a psychiatrist. And i said no because i don't want to talk about the same stuff over and over again. And then he'll probably give me more medication which i don't want.I told him why can't he just send me away somewhere and he said I am not at that point of being admitted into hospital. But he wants me to see someone. I told him i can't because then i will lose my therapist and i don't want to lose him as i am comfortable with him. But actually last night in session we talked about how bad i thought my depression is and he said i probably should see a psychiatrist as well. Can i see a psych for one visit or do i have to keep going back and now with less hours at work which means less money i don't think i can afford seeing a psych.What are they going to do anyway? I'm not in a very good frame of mind at the moment, my GP wants me to stay busy all weekend and I have to go back on Tuesday to see him. My GP said that my husband is at fault to a point because he doesn't want to acknowledge my depression and doesn't speak to me about it. I know he wants it all to be perfect but it's not perfect.So that was my day today, I am exhausted and fragile at the same time. These thoughts are horrible.Jo

Gingerninja symptoms - feeling poorly
  • replies: 2

Hi people, so, this is my 4th day not working and at home... I'm freaking out because I have not stopped sleeping... Each morning, I resolve to myself that I'm going to go do something. Walk, run, swim...leave the damn house. So today, I managed to l... View more

Hi people, so, this is my 4th day not working and at home... I'm freaking out because I have not stopped sleeping... Each morning, I resolve to myself that I'm going to go do something. Walk, run, swim...leave the damn house. So today, I managed to leave the house... To go to the pharmacy to get my scripts refilled... (I don't think that even counts as it is a 2 min drive) i also forced myself to have a shower after 3 days of no showers... Is that extra bonus points? Anyway, so my first question is: my meds have been adjusted (dosage increased) back to something I have been on previously. I don't know if I'm feeling better, but I do know that I'm feeling crazy lethargic... And sleeping... A lot.... Is that normal? Dizziness... Been feeling so dizzy, but maybe that's just because I have been spending so much time horizontal... (Not in the fun way). Fuzziness...i feel fuzzy, like my whole brain is fuzzy, as if I haven't brushed it with a toothbrush and minty fresh paste for a few days. Do you guys get the same thing after medication adjustment? My Second one is: in an attempt to 'do' something, I thought my SO and I could start on planning the kitchen (probably slightly ambitious). 5 minutes in, I was already irritated and annoyed at him... For no reason. So he's being supportive, trying not to ask too many questions, sitting in silence, but his presence is starting to annoy me... I want him to go out, do something and leave me alone (selfish I know). If I'm getting irritated by my SO who 'understands', I'm going to last about 5 minutes against my work colleagues who are about 1000000000000 times more insufferable. Anyway, this is more of a vent than anything else... But if you've got ideas on the medication thing, drop me a line. I don't really recall having too many probs with side effects before, but then again, I never can remember clearly what it's like from episode to episode. ginger ninja.

jodes76 So messed up
  • replies: 2

This year has started not so well. A friend dumped me last year. Now it's happened again. I just very upset and depressed right now. I'm trying to get positive. Going to get my tongue piercing out as I never should have done it. It's time for me to t... View more

This year has started not so well. A friend dumped me last year. Now it's happened again. I just very upset and depressed right now. I'm trying to get positive. Going to get my tongue piercing out as I never should have done it. It's time for me to to help myself and try keep my marriage together . Next week when kids at school going to get back into the gym.

Mares73 Part 2-Crisis Point
  • replies: 6

Dear allThankyou so much to those who replied to me in my last post-Kate & 'Alone & Scared" thanks for being there at the right time.Jo-I know your overwhelmed so thank you so much-your also a special friend.That leaves Geoff & Neil. Geoff-I can't th... View more

Dear allThankyou so much to those who replied to me in my last post-Kate & 'Alone & Scared" thanks for being there at the right time.Jo-I know your overwhelmed so thank you so much-your also a special friend.That leaves Geoff & Neil. Geoff-I can't thank you enough for your support, wisdom, insight & advice. I've wanted to say that to you for ages but it was never an appropriate time. You are a core member of BB who consistently welcomes & responds to others. I admire you so much & I thank you for all you do. You are inspirational in your generosity. I would love to kknow how you managed to live with depression/PTSD/anxiety as they are what I seriously struggle with. But I understand that's your personal journey & in no way do I want to intrude.That leaves me with a reference to Neil-as you mentioned Geoff, he is going through a difficult time & I am guessing there are many other issues he has to deal with that we are unaware of. I was thinking of him this morning & how many people he replies to & offers support-I may be completely wrong-but I do wonder if by filling his time with other people's problems that he then has no time to confront his own issues.He is brilliant at supporting & advising others, but perhaps it's time to look after his well being first. I have such fondness for him & have left mags for him in his last two posts which I hope he gets. I really wish we could talk on phone or email or something. I know I'll be thinking of Neil all day & it's hard when the forum is a slow place for reading, receiving & posting messages. But yet the forum is brilliant as its probably the most advanced method of communication re mental health.As for me, the acute team want me to see a Registrar Pyschiatrist at a public hospital tomorrow. Has anyone had any experience with psychs in public hospitals? I'm a bit worried I'm going from the frying pan (my private pysch) to the fire (public mental health system).I have asked that my private pysch & GP not be informed of the present situation as I want the space to explore options without feeling guilty. The acute team said they will find out if it has to be disclosed.My husband has his narrow mind determined that the sole problem is being caused by the use of one medication I started nearly 4 was ago. And has said to me "he is sick & tired of trying to help me as I don't take his advice" -meaning not take the prescribed medication. But whilst I & the acute team agree I need a medication review-they also said that no medication would cause my current state of mind four weeks after I started it. If I was to react this badly it would have happened at the start or early stages ie first week of me taking the medication.And the acute team were shocked he had left me with kids in this state-when I spoke to him last night to ask him to please read a little bit about depression, his reply was that I could harm myself whether he was here or not so what was the point of taking time off work to come home when I was in this state-he said he couldn't do anything to fix it so he was angry the acute team thought he should be with me at this time.He barely reacted to the acute team coming (even though he has previously trained in social work) which surprised me as before he left I asked him are there any services that can come to your house? And his reply was that mental health services are so under resourced that acute teams are only for people who are either seriously ill with conditions such as Schitzophenia or people who are seriously ill.He immediately followed that statement by saying 'there's no way an acute team would ever visit someone like you, you aren't unwell enough". So off he went to NZ telling me I'd be fine & that the only thing he would finally say on the matter was " you know what I think & you've chosen to ignore my advice so there's nothing more I can say or do about the situation"- he was referring to his "advice" to stop the stimulant medication.I don't know if its just me being negative but it hurt that the only reason he saw for coming home was because of safety issues & he thought harm could occur whether he was here or not. But what stood out to me was that he hadn't considered coming home in terms of providing care, compassion & loving support. He hadn't considered that being with me would be a natural thing to do when your partner is seriously ill. He hadn't thought that being here would provide me with company, support, compassion & make me feel loved & reassured.I guess it was like a complete lack of emotion in response to my situation & that hurt. He is home tonight (Thursday) & goes back to NZ on Sunday. In some ways given his response to what I'm going through-I am feeling anxious about him coming home for a few days & would now really prefer he didn't. As whilst he is here he will criticise me for not following his advice, he will make comments such as "he is completely over this situation) & he will not talk WITH me, he will talk at me & I get very anxious when he is in that frame of mind & given how fragile I am now, the last thing I need or want is he tring to intervene & overtake things-for example when I go to visit pysch tomorrow I'm sure he will want to tell his opinion.Oh-update-he just phoned & said why are you going to see a pyschiatrist at the hospital-psychs that work in public health are hopeless. Great support-just what I needed to hear. Things are really hard, I'm just managing to get through each day & now I'm going to have to deal with him. Anxious just thinking about him.Je is due at 5pm tonight. I will be very anxious. Does anyone have any advice or knowledge or experience of Pyschiatrists on an Acute Mental Health team?Thanks x Mares x

guest75 a mattyj update
  • replies: 14

Well just got back from court She arrived with a guy this morning, so no idea what that means...but then a girl arrived a little later We sat around for hours (case was heard at 12:45, we arrived at court at 8:30) My lawyer got her to agree to a 6 mo... View more

Well just got back from court She arrived with a guy this morning, so no idea what that means...but then a girl arrived a little later We sat around for hours (case was heard at 12:45, we arrived at court at 8:30) My lawyer got her to agree to a 6 month order with just her listed - NOT the children, so that is a win at least, but i guess i know her feelings towards me, and at least i can feel free to pursue Katy (or someone else) now - without any admission of guilt from me So i will still have access to the kids, but will only be on weekends...we have to arrange some sort of mediation to get an agreement in place Now i have to go back to my lawyer to get some of our savings money back so i can set myself up (dont want to continue living with my mum) and to put our house on the market, i am not letting her just keep everything we worked for together - i worked some horrible jobs so we could buy that house....now i have to start all over again