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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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Kiri19 I haven't felt happy in years
  • replies: 5

I've recently been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in that order. I wasn't too surprised especially with the trouble they've caused me my whole life. My anxiety began when I w... View more

I've recently been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in that order. I wasn't too surprised especially with the trouble they've caused me my whole life. My anxiety began when I was only 12 and in middle school. It was hard for me to get out of bed and even go to school because of it and because I forced myself to go every day I started feeling depressed every day. Then came high school and I did what I thought I would never do in my life. I dropped out. Now years past and I'm a social mess. I just turned 20 last month but feel like a child with no experience at all. I haven't gotten my license or can even drive because of my anxiety. Every time I get behind the wheel I hyperventilate and start panicking feeling like I'm going to crash. I don't know if I will ever be able to drive in my life because of this, and no medication seems to help with it either. I never got my GED because I just suck at math in general. I took the test and passed the writing section but not the math or science so I just gave up. My self esteem fell even lower when I found out I couldn't pass. It hurts to think about it.. Then to top it off my younger cousins who I am proud of, but sad to know that they all received scholarships and off to college while I'm at home all day wasting my life away. I'm a short female, I look extremely young for my age, some people comment that I look no older than 14 which also makes me feel even more like crap, to know I won't ever be taken serious because of my appearance. Right now I'm living with my fiancé who miraculously cares about someone like me. He takes care of me and I feel like I might need support for the rest of my life with how things are going for me right now. Medications don't help but make me feel tensed, and just emotionless. We even discussed getting married but what's the point? My family views me as an outcast, his family doesn't approve of me at all. I have no friends to invite and it's just horrible the way things have played out in my life. I did have a job for 7 whole months which is a record breaker for me, but then I quit because of my anxiety and depression overshadowing me again. I feel like I really need help or I won't ever be able to actually be happy without having to worry every day. Worrying I will never have a steady job and the income I need to survive without someone taking care of me. I'm just at loss and it's getting worse.

gibby3794 totally lost
  • replies: 15

I have been depressed for a few years now, at the moment I am stuck in an apprenticeship I HATE because I cannot afford to quit, I am currently an apprentice chef and it is not fulfilling, can barely survive on the little pay I get, I want to do some... View more

I have been depressed for a few years now, at the moment I am stuck in an apprenticeship I HATE because I cannot afford to quit, I am currently an apprentice chef and it is not fulfilling, can barely survive on the little pay I get, I want to do something in community services but with work do not have the time to do the course nor the financial means to actually enrol in or complete the course. my mother (whom I am close to) is moving away on Monday, the time has came so quick I don't even know if I want to stay here or go with her. my mind is just so messed up at the moment I have no idea about anything and cant even think clearly as there are 20 million things going through my mind at once I don't know what one to think about first and end up overloaded and breaking down, I have tried seeing a councillor, only got through two sessions and stopped going as I did not like it, I don't know weather it was the person or the whole counselling thing I didn't like. my finances are in a complete mess as it is right now I have three separate court warnings from three separate debt collectors about four of my debts and cannot afford to pay anything on any of them, and somehow I do not own anything besides a $1000 car, I do not even own the bed I sleep on and I have over 15k in debts, it may not seem like much but they all of a sudden got out of control and I cant fix it, I have tried getting consolidation loans but my credit has been dragged through the mud I cant even get finance for a chuppa chup from a hock shop....... I just have no idea what to do anymore and don't know how to deal with things sorry if it doesn't make sense but as I said my mind is jumbled hahah

HelenM Analysing does my head in
  • replies: 3

I wonder if others have this problem. I'm constantly analysing my depression. eg. I'm sure I should be having another good day - I know I was having them more often a few weeks ago; I feel like crying all the time - that's been for days now - I don't... View more

I wonder if others have this problem. I'm constantly analysing my depression. eg. I'm sure I should be having another good day - I know I was having them more often a few weeks ago; I feel like crying all the time - that's been for days now - I don't think that's happened since January; I didn't feel any pleasure doing/talking to etc why? Is my mood going down further? The doctor seemed surprised when I said I was no better; God what will I do if I go down further - I'm on the highest dose of my meds etc etc This is a running commentary in my head on many, many days. Fear of not recovering or worse still, fear of getting worse. Possibly, and please tell me if anyone thinks this, my mood feels lower because of my expectations and the sheer frustration of not getting better. Thanks,Helen

charliec I just don't know what to do....
  • replies: 15

Ok, so here goes, I recently moved to South Australia from QLD to be with my fiancé, I left my job, my unit, my family/friends, to be with him, in a country SA town, and I hate it here. There's hardly any jobs going around here, believe me, I have tr... View more

Ok, so here goes, I recently moved to South Australia from QLD to be with my fiancé, I left my job, my unit, my family/friends, to be with him, in a country SA town, and I hate it here. There's hardly any jobs going around here, believe me, I have tried finding one. I just want to go back to QLD town where I came from, there's more jobs going there (around 770 on seek site alone) where here there's 47 on seek. I'm getting more and more depressed being here, so much so, I sleep half the day, I don't look after myself properly (eating/showering etc) I spend most of the time crying. And my fiancé sees that I'm getting depressed. I've lost 11kgs since end of January. I don't want to be without my fiancé, (we get married in Oct in QLD) I love him sooooo much, but I just can't stay here. I need my family/friends, my home town & to work full time, (i'll need to try to earn $ for a while before we have kids) My fiancé has been here probably about 7 yrs, he's on a disability pension and is likely never to work. He is a home body, stays home most of the time, and his mum lives here. He has no friends here either. He isn't keen on moving to QLD, But I know I can't be here much longer. I'm trying to convince him, and I think he may be opening up to the idea, of moving to QLD, and me working fulltime and sending him back to SA for visits. As it'd be so much easier for us to do that, then the reverse of sending me back from here (if I was working fulltime) as he doesn't work. I know it'd be hard for him to move, but it just seems the most logical solution. He's waiting for his mum to come back from holiday so he can talk to her, (as he doesn't have friends to discuss this with) I know he's scared of moving, he told me so. I feel like I'm in limbo, I don't know whether he's going to commit to moving or not, and I'm worried that he's going to break up with me and we not get married. Arghhhh my stomach is in knots

MrsCam I guess I need to switch forums
  • replies: 11

So I was admitted to Perth Clinic yesterday which so far is going well. The psychiatrist has taken me off the anti deppresant meds and put me on mood stabilizers as the cycling between the highs and the lows is an indicator that I may now have develo... View more

So I was admitted to Perth Clinic yesterday which so far is going well. The psychiatrist has taken me off the anti deppresant meds and put me on mood stabilizers as the cycling between the highs and the lows is an indicator that I may now have developed bipolar 2 rather than depression... will be interesting to see the affects over the next few days... Hope everyone is having a good day

lunaviolet59 who can I talk to when im depressed?
  • replies: 1

Since I was a little girl I have gone through long periods of depression. My teachers had me see the school counselor but I wouldnt tell her anything because I didnt trust her. I used to try to tell my parents but they blew it off as dramatics and ig... View more

Since I was a little girl I have gone through long periods of depression. My teachers had me see the school counselor but I wouldnt tell her anything because I didnt trust her. I used to try to tell my parents but they blew it off as dramatics and ignored it or laughed at me for it. Because of that I internalized it a lot during my childhood. Ive always had friends but if my own parents wouldnt believe me how could I possibly let some kids in? I started gaining weight and withdrawing from people. I started to self harm. I dont even remember when I started having thoughts about hurting myself. It just sort of was. By the time I was in highschool I was a completely different person. I had an emergency surgery that left me unable to ever have kids. I didnt have anyone to turn to and while my family thought id just been ok with it I was constantly reminded of what I lacked when I was at school or when our family had a new member. It became a big trigger for me and I didnt know how to cope. What could anyone understand? None of them were failures the way I would always be. years passed and I found myself engaged. The man I loved and trusted hurt me in so many ways and I would let the abuse continue because I was desperate. It took him leaving before I even realized what id let go on for almost two years. I started going to parties and experimenting with drugs. Every day I had hundreds of thoughts about ending it all. I hoped that id down the right combination and all my pain and emptiness would just go away. I told myself that every day was a new hell. Then at one of the parties I was sexually abused when I wasnt able to do anything. I still have nightmares and plead in my sleep. Its one of the reasons im afraid. Im afraid that all this will make me unable to connect with anyone. Ive been unable to have any relationship longer than 2 weeks since my fiance left and married the other woman. I cant sit with my friends without feeling like its forced. And I know they love me and I dont wanna lose them. But I cant tell my family any of whats happened or anything that im going through. Id just be an even bigger disappointment. And im afraid they'll just laugh at me again. There's nothing that bites more than your mom mocking your cry for help. I want a promising life and I want to get past this but its all locked up inside and my only outlet is the internet and my cats. I dont want this to bring me down but imbjust afraid to seek help. What should I do?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 roller coaster
  • replies: 9

I've been having episodes of depression for 12 years now. As the years have gone on it's become milder. This one started in January after a year's break. It's a roller coaster and not the way I usually experience my depressions. So please could someo... View more

I've been having episodes of depression for 12 years now. As the years have gone on it's become milder. This one started in January after a year's break. It's a roller coaster and not the way I usually experience my depressions. So please could someone tell me if this makes sense. Bad days, copeable days, days of fear, sometimes great days. All these moods come any time, lasting anything from a day to a week. Nearly always for no particular reason. The depression is no deeper and these moods are so random I don't know where I am.

Neil_1 I Don't Know
  • replies: 24

Dear allThanx for your posts.I don’t know at all – I think it can be a fine line as well – with so many things. Whether you’re here or you’re not. Whether it’s sunshine, whether it’s cloudy or whether it’s just a miserable cold foggy morning.You leav... View more

Dear allThanx for your posts.I don’t know at all – I think it can be a fine line as well – with so many things. Whether you’re here or you’re not. Whether it’s sunshine, whether it’s cloudy or whether it’s just a miserable cold foggy morning.You leave you animals and dog at home and off you go to work. You spend whatever hours you have to at that place. Then you head back to your “home”. Where you live. Where the food is, where the plates are. The dishes, the ever constant dishes that just build up – almost like magic. How can there be that many dirty dishes in one day? The TV’s are there, the computer is there. The clothes are there – we have to be here. We have to.We have heaters to keep us warm in winter.Our bodies are all different – everyone is different. Just look at your fingerprints to reveal that.Some of us like tea, some like coffee, some like water – some like spicy food – some enjoy jazz music, others enjoy western or heavy metal.With every choice in your life, you are creating a path – a path that you have to travel on.So I guess when you don’t want to exist, you just don’t make any decisions. Therefore, does the path stop? Or do you stop? I think the path is always there – and maybe you are on a travelator, that moves you along. Just while you sit with your head in your hands – but what are you contemplating?I don’t know.Neilps: my DOG days are counting up - and you know, I somehow feel better for doing that - my stomach was just getting way out of control - I had to do something. Maybe it's not drinking that is causing me to be so terribly down. I don't know. I don't think so. I think it's other things.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.

viper57 not happy
  • replies: 4

I just got rejected for help for my problems by a mental health service was really wanting their help dont feel very happy

I just got rejected for help for my problems by a mental health service was really wanting their help dont feel very happy

NeverID Just lost and confused
  • replies: 6

Hi, not sure how to start. Ive finally decided to make a profile and post something after a couple of weeks of just reading. I'm 19 and just finished my first semester at uni, working part time aswell. I thought that once exams were over i'd be able ... View more

Hi, not sure how to start. Ive finally decided to make a profile and post something after a couple of weeks of just reading. I'm 19 and just finished my first semester at uni, working part time aswell. I thought that once exams were over i'd be able to relax but i cant. Im panicking about results becuase i didnt do aswell as i'd hoped and cant afford to pay to redo my papers aswell as work demanding i work more shifts and it feels like this pressure from every direction is just crushing me. I moved cities to start fresh at uni to escape these feelings but theyre only getting worse, ive had a really hard time making friends and ive fallen out of contact with those i had. I feel like ive backed myself into a corner and eventually im just going to break. Every time i come to a fork in the road it feels like i choose wrong, I cant talk to my family, they'll only worry and want me to come home. It feels like im just a facade (i think thats the term i want) im just one ball of stress and anxiety who keeps up appearances everywhere i go. I have a different personality for every situation and now that ive finally got some time to myself i dont know who i am anymore. I dont seem to enjoy anything, its like ive kept up these appearances for so long that im just no one anymore. Dont even know what to do with the time now that ive finally got some to spare. Think i just wanted to get some of that off my chest, seems like ive got no one to talk to but myself nowadays.