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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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Anchor25 It's like I've felt every possible emotion that I'm ever going to feel
  • replies: 4

I'm 32. I don't feel like I have anything to live for. My life is a waste. I have no purpose or great talents. And every day everything just seems hard.I' m done. It's like I've felt every possible emotion that I'm ever going to feel, I've travelled ... View more

I'm 32. I don't feel like I have anything to live for. My life is a waste. I have no purpose or great talents. And every day everything just seems hard.I' m done. It's like I've felt every possible emotion that I'm ever going to feel, I've travelled lots, I've been in love, I've had a good career and now... I'm just done. I don't want to get out of bed most mornings, even on weekends. I've always been a loner and I'm okay with that. I have only a few close friends and only one best friend who really understands me. I've never been close to my family. I see my brother and his family once a year at Christmas. I visit my parents maybe 4 times a year. We just don't have anything in common and it seems like a pointless exercise to even try to build a relationship there. And they don't want to either. I don't trust people. I don't really like people that much. Meeting new people and making small talk is a huge effort.I'm a negative, pessimistic person. I have read a lot of self help books, tried affirmations, self esteem courses, gratitude diaries etc. None of it works. I feel bleak about the future. I don't see what I have to look forward to except more of the same struggle. I feel like I am failing at life. I don't like myself - the way i feel and the way i can't dig myself out of this hole makes me feel like more of a loser. Intellectually, I know I need to think positive and maybe I should be working harder on this, but it's just another thing I'm obviously not that good at.My job bores me. I'm a well paid marketing manager. Things are changing at work and I often feel undermined and like I have to fight for my position. I have talked to my boss but he doesn't seem to get it. I feel like I can't quit or change careers because I need the money. How can you start a new career at the age of 32 anyway? Working in the corporate world is just all so fake. People would think I am nuts to quit. The thought of working in an office job for the next 30 years is just ridiculous. Is this what the point of life is? I've never really struggled to find dates or boyfriends. I have been seeing someone who i believe is m soulmate (what he believe is another story - and it's a long one) on and off for 10 years and when I finally told him how I really felt about life I don't think he could handle it and we haven't seen each other for weeks now. It's complicated.Have been on antidepressants for the last 6 months.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.

andi Will I ever get back my ability to cope with stress?
  • replies: 5

Ive always felt like I was a resilient person, shy and introverted but quite capable of coping with whatever life throws at me. Sometimes its dealt some very hard times but I have always picked myself up and carried on. I look back on things, and I h... View more

Ive always felt like I was a resilient person, shy and introverted but quite capable of coping with whatever life throws at me. Sometimes its dealt some very hard times but I have always picked myself up and carried on. I look back on things, and I have had to deal with a lot of stressors over the years and have had periods of low mood. For example, raising 2 kids entirely on my own, getting a degree while working, then caring for others in my chosen profession. But I have always managed to lift myself out of the depression with a bit of counselling and looking after myself. Last year, I completely broke down and felt suicidal. A number of stressors completely overwhelmed me and I could barely function. I have to work, so it took everything that I had just to get through the workday. I did start to get better with some meds, counselling, hypnotherapy and had been fairly stable for the past 3 months. The last 3 weeks have seen a number of different stressful situations, and I am back to feeling hopeless, no energy, shake when I am in a situation with even a little tiny amount of stress, socially isolated....if I could escape to a hut in the bush where no one could find me I would be happy! Does this ever end? Will I ever get back my ability to cope with stress?

Jo3 Feeling ok & not ok
  • replies: 34

Hey everyone I really don't know what's going on. The last week I have been doing okay, keeping busy, housework, gardening, walking, coffee with hubby down the street, sessions at the hospital - things look like they're okay. But then I think okay if... View more

Hey everyone I really don't know what's going on. The last week I have been doing okay, keeping busy, housework, gardening, walking, coffee with hubby down the street, sessions at the hospital - things look like they're okay. But then I think okay if I am doing okay why aren't I much happier in my life. And how happy should I be? So why do I feel so sad. I read a lot of people's issues on here and I feel really down. I wish there was something that I could do more for these friends. Reading about how much they are suffering, it makes me really sad. And I know we shouldn't take in others issues but it's too hard because I can relate to a lot of the posts on here. I then thought before - so how long will my depression stay with me - will it stay with me forever and I will have good days and bad days. I guess the more work I do as in therapy the more I will feel better. Jo

rooster Doing things extremely out of character
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, just after some advice. I have suffered from major depression, ptsd and also anxiety. For the past 10 years I have built myself up to be able to cope with everyday life without living in the pit of dispair that many live with day to day.... View more

Hi everyone, just after some advice. I have suffered from major depression, ptsd and also anxiety. For the past 10 years I have built myself up to be able to cope with everyday life without living in the pit of dispair that many live with day to day.Over the last few months I have been slowly sliding into a huge depression of which I haven't been in in a very long time. I have started drinking a lot to mask the inner pain I am going through. I also am finding myself doing things extremely out of character. I have spent the past few days on benzodiazepines trying to stop my mind racing. Does anyone have any tips to help get back to the person I built?

Moshii too scared to try or too fed up to bother
  • replies: 2

i don't want to be living like this but i feel so trapped. i've suffered depression and anxiety in varying degrees since i was a teenager living in england with mum and her (now ex)husband. i went to a bit of counseling at the time until i wasn't all... View more

i don't want to be living like this but i feel so trapped. i've suffered depression and anxiety in varying degrees since i was a teenager living in england with mum and her (now ex)husband. i went to a bit of counseling at the time until i wasn't allowed to and eventually moved back to australia when i was older. recently i've had sessions with the MHP, but between only 10 a year and having difficulty in opening up to people, i feel it is beneficial but barely functions as a bandaid. over the last few years my partner has been struggling with his own problems and things have become very hard when he doesn't want to do anything at all and i'm either too scared to try or too fed up and frustrated to bother. i'm really struggling at this second now, and i don't really even know why i'm writing this or what i want just gonna stop now sorry

White_Rose I have places to go, people to see - yet I feel unwanted and unloved
  • replies: 14

Like heaps of other people I have depression. I have had very good help for at least six months and I thought I was managing my life. Suddenly I feel as though I am back to square one. Difficult to get out of bed, although I make myself do so. A perm... View more

Like heaps of other people I have depression. I have had very good help for at least six months and I thought I was managing my life. Suddenly I feel as though I am back to square one. Difficult to get out of bed, although I make myself do so. A permanent, or so it seems, ache in my chest, feeling totally alone and sad unmotivated to do anything without a huge effort. There is no reason for this. I have family who care about me and friends. I have places to go, people to see and things to do and yet I feel unwanted and unloved. How does this happen and how do I get out of this situation? Life is not good

MrsCam sick of feeling crap for no reason
  • replies: 10

my first ever post on this site and Id just like to say THIS CONDITION REALLY SUCKS!!! I am 35 years old and have "nothing to be depressed about". some days I feel quite good then others I just feel crap again... having my first session with a new co... View more

my first ever post on this site and Id just like to say THIS CONDITION REALLY SUCKS!!! I am 35 years old and have "nothing to be depressed about". some days I feel quite good then others I just feel crap again... having my first session with a new counsellor this week so hoping that will help a bit but I really dont even know what Im going to say... having my sessions via video link as I live in remote WA. have spoken to her once on the phone and somehow managed to give the impression that my husband and work colleagues are quite supportive of me but in reality they are just sick of me, they want me to get over it... I take my meds as required and make a point of getting some light exercise each day as these things are supposed to help. mostly I eat healthy as 18 months ago i had gastric sleeve surgery to help lose weight so getting the correct nutrition is especially important.. I know I am not as hard done by as many and I know that I basically have a good life but that logical thinking goes out the window when I am feeling so overwhelmingly low...

BeeGee Dysthymia - I'm newly diagnosed
  • replies: 5

Hi all Just thought I'd share a bit of my story. I'm a 47 year old guy with what most would consider a moderately "successful" life so far - married to a wonderful woman, three great kids, a solid career. But there's really been no enjoyment of life ... View more

Hi all Just thought I'd share a bit of my story. I'm a 47 year old guy with what most would consider a moderately "successful" life so far - married to a wonderful woman, three great kids, a solid career. But there's really been no enjoyment of life for as long as I can remember. It's not that I'm sad all the time - on the contrary, most of the time I feel nothing at all and find myself acting out feelings for the benefit of those around me. I know how to make the right faces and say the right things in social situations so that interpersonal interactions go well but really there's not much happening behind the face at an emotional level. I've struggled with anger most of my life but over the last four years have recognised where it comes from (people - especially my kids - thwarting my efforts to control situations) and have learnt to let go of the need to control... thanks to some excellent counsel from our church's pastor. All my life I've felt like an outsider - like everyone else knows some shared secret that nobody has ever told me, so I'm somehow left out. I don't mean that like it's some sort of conspiracy, it's more like when someone tells a joke that everyone else gets and laughs at, but you're missing some key piece of information to be able to get why it's funny. You might laugh along with everyone else, but you really don't get it. There's a shared understanding that you're missing and you don't even know what it is. I've been unable to really form fulfilling relationships with people. In talking to my wife since my diagnosis she often feels "shut out" of my life, which is awful, but I was unaware and even now I'm not sure what to do except to keep sharing my journey. The weird thing is that I was completely unaware that I was depressed. No clue. I thought this was normal, that going through the motions every day was as good as it gets; happiness and pleasure were for other people, and I just got to do my duties. I'd still be thinking that if it weren't for the fact that I'm studying at the moment and had a lecture 2 weeks ago on mood disorders. When the depression slide came up on the screen I was utterly horrified to find that it was me. A light went on! This is not normal! If this is an illness maybe it can be cured, like they say. So I made an appointment with a good GP (she rated my depression as 16 out of 13! Who knew?!). She started me on meds and referred me to a psychologist for CBT. Looking forward to brighter days ahead.

MrsCam It must appear I'm being lazy but it's just too much effort
  • replies: 14

hubby & I are supposed to be going out socially this evening but I just dont feel like it... I manage to put on a happy face at work through the week but tonite it just feels like too much effort... I think hubby might b annoyed with me... I have not... View more

hubby & I are supposed to be going out socially this evening but I just dont feel like it... I manage to put on a happy face at work through the week but tonite it just feels like too much effort... I think hubby might b annoyed with me... I have not tried to stop him from going at all, in fact I have encouraged him to go which im pretty sure he will but I still feel like Im letting him down... I did no study or housework today even though I was supposed to do both... I know it appears to him that I am just being lazy but at the moment it is all just too much effort... I only got dressed today cos I wanted junk food so I needed to go to the shop, otherwise I wouldve stayed in my pjs all day... even now i am in my bed with my laptop even tho it is only 6:30pm... I know I probably should make the effort.....

butterfly2009 my partner cops alot of my down times
  • replies: 3

Hi all, i am new to this forum but am feeling tonight like I really needed to get some answers or some insight as to how I have been feeling.... I dont know if its depression... or not.. or anxiety... or not...I guess I have a bit if a long story but... View more

Hi all, i am new to this forum but am feeling tonight like I really needed to get some answers or some insight as to how I have been feeling.... I dont know if its depression... or not.. or anxiety... or not...I guess I have a bit if a long story but... I just feel empty all the time, I feel like i am not good at anything I attempt and then I feel like a failure when I think i should try something else to see if I am better at that ( I am talking about my job here) I am 27 and have pretty much started a new job every 1.5 to 2 years changing careers or changing companies, It seems like when the pressure gets too much I look for something else. I am not a lazy worker by any means i am more of a perfectionist if anything and i put alot of pressure on myself... i always have in everything i do. I am currently working for a man whos way of working involves putting alot of pressure on me and expects overtime to be worked to pretty much keep your job (its very wrong I know) he likes to pick at things and put you on the spot, i feel nervous as soon as I hear him walk in the door and feel giddy in the head sometimes at work when I know he is there and my heart races. ..... I feel the answer is to get another job but then i feel like a failure, like i am giving up when the times get tough once again.... I have a partner who I have been with for 8 years. He says he supports me and wants me to get another job but then tonight when I was discussing how I was feeling down because I have to go to work tomorrow he snapped at me and said it was so annoying talking about this all the time, that all I talk about is my boss and that I should be positive. My partner works away and I dont see him for 4 weeks at a time so we only talk on the phone... as soon as the conversation was over i burst into tears and cried for about 30mins... I just feel really unsupported i think. .... i lost my mum 5 years ago to breast cancer and I dont have her to speak to about alot of things i guess which makes venting harder.. my partner cops alot of my down times.... on top of all the work stress I am constantly thinking i am going to get breast cancer and cant get it out of my head. I dont have feelings of suicide or anything but I just feel like... I am .... useless... worthless... and now... annoying. I feel like ok, I cant talk to my partner about feeling down anymore because its annoying him... i dont know what else I have to talk about..... I dont know what makes me happy besides my dog... I know I have family and friends but its hard to see past the things that get me down most of the time. As I mentioned earlier my partner works away and you would think I would jump all over him the second I see him but I have lost interest in being intimate and am tired most of the time... I spent most of my long weekend lying on the lounge in and out of naps.... I dont know maybe I am just in a rut.... but I just wanted to see if anyone else can relate to this or if I am just being dramatic. I am feeling a little lost now I dont feel I can talk to my partner... Sorry for this very LONG post but i needed to get this out. Hope someone can help!