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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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Chris D I feel isolated
  • replies: 1

Tonight this thursday evening, even though i am not alone i feel isolated, i feel alone. It's like one day or one hr i could be feeling gd and getting into tv shows that i am watching but sitting here in the lounge room at this very moment things hav... View more

Tonight this thursday evening, even though i am not alone i feel isolated, i feel alone. It's like one day or one hr i could be feeling gd and getting into tv shows that i am watching but sitting here in the lounge room at this very moment things have very much gone down hill for no apparent reason. I'm not just that i feel sad, it's more it's thoughts that i have not had since before Christmas. I know that i do get support from all of you here at BB and people who i see though the week but i can't explain it. Why it changes in an instant and this time there were no warning signs, usually i can recognise the swigns and use the tools i have in place to combat these thoughts. Reading other people's threads and the responses they get, i'm a person that is very sensitive, i know this forum is here for everyone. I think what i'm trying to say is that i need support at the moment. I'm trying to say something without offending or upsetting anyone. I can't think of the words now there gone. Chris

Guest_3712 Give me a Go
  • replies: 4

I don't know how many more times I can continue to get up. I have tried so hard to put all of my crap behind me and re- enter the workforce primarily and then hopefully the human race again- but no-one will give me a go. Before my injury 9 years ago ... View more

I don't know how many more times I can continue to get up. I have tried so hard to put all of my crap behind me and re- enter the workforce primarily and then hopefully the human race again- but no-one will give me a go. Before my injury 9 years ago at work which then spiralled into drug addiction, depression, suicide attempts and hospitalisation, I was a force to be reckoned with. I was top of my career and was seen as the go to gal . I set all kinds of records in my chosen career and was a confident , self assured strong lady. 3 years after my injury I was let go from my employer as I could no longer do the job required. I have spent the last 6 months applying for jobs. Initially in my chosen field then anything I thought I could do. I am registered on every job site available and spend hours scanning the work available. Unfortunately the process now of applying on- line may be user friendly for the employer, but it doesn't give the applicant a fair go. A lot of the employers want you to take an 'intelligence test' first ( you know square pegs round holes stuff) , multiple choice scenarios etc. If you pass this round then it's something else again. You're very lucky to get an interview. I used to recruit people in my line of work all the time and I never solely relied on someone's application and / or personal information. I relied on my gut instinct and the employee's experience and presence. All jobs now ask OH&S questions. Can you lift certain weights, bend, stand , do somersaults??? I had a back injury. I had surgeries. As soon as I mention a prior condition forget it. If I have to say it was workers comp then that's a double whammy and I will never hear back. Do I lie to get a job? What happens then if I can't lift a box or climb a ladder? I need to work. I need to be part of something again and feel important. My self esteem is at rock bottom and with each passing day I am losing that drive to move on . It has take me a very long time to get to this point and I am so scared I am going to go back to where I was. I am still on prescription meds and the temptation to self medicate is very real. Today I am having a " I don't care day" I stayed in bed late, didn't walk the dog and couldn't care less about what's for dinner. I am losing my motivation. I have done all the courses, read all the books I know what I am supposed to do. But I have tried time and time again. God help me I am so tired of this ****. I have read some posts that have similar issues so maybe someone out there has something they can say that will get my motivation back Stressless

Chris D "A Must Read Thread" Part 3
  • replies: 3

Hi All, Like the other 2 posts in this sequence, this post is aimed at encouraging, inspiring, supporting and caring for all that are here on BB and also those you are suffering in silence both here in Australia but around the world with a mental ill... View more

Hi All, Like the other 2 posts in this sequence, this post is aimed at encouraging, inspiring, supporting and caring for all that are here on BB and also those you are suffering in silence both here in Australia but around the world with a mental illness. As i sit on my bed listening to powderfinger this wednesday evening, we all come from our different paths and converge here at Beyond Blue. Some people are just starting their journey, yet some are a little further progressed but we are all heading for the same goal, that being getting of top of all of our own personal battles. To those people who are really struggling tonight and everyone else i urge you all to read this post. You may be feeling at the lowest of all of lows but something like this post can help bring you out from the darkness and into the spotlight. It is the spotlight that can really start to help you and you can start to make some big in roads in managing and feeling better about yourself. We are all here to help we will not leave anyone behind if you fall we will pick you up because that is what friends do they help eachother they pick us up when we are feeling low. We band together, we hold eachother's hands and walk in one staright long and very Srong, Defiant line. We are 100% in eachothers corner. We Stand Tall and knock down all the obstacles that come our way. TOGETHER WE WILL WIN, WE HAVE THE WILL POWER, WE HAVE THE BELIEF, WE HAVE THE STRENGTH, WE HAVE FAITH inside us all that we will all get better, have the support we need, here encouragement when we most need it and have the most important aspect of all this Beyond Blue online forum caring community. I hope to all that read this thread you can all take strength and keep that strength to fight on DON'T GIVE UP it is not an option. Kind Regards Chris

J7 help - new to this
  • replies: 6

I don’t know what is wrong with me. I have no reason to be sad.I have a great job which i enjoy, a supportive family and finally great friends. I have felt like this for years. But i hate myself. I put on a facade to everyone that i am ok. Some days ... View more

I don’t know what is wrong with me. I have no reason to be sad.I have a great job which i enjoy, a supportive family and finally great friends. I have felt like this for years. But i hate myself. I put on a facade to everyone that i am ok. Some days I am better and others I am so low I cannot be reached.I have locked myself away from everyone and have taken two weeks off work. I feel I just cannot face anything right now. I have been drinking to the point that I cannot remember anything and then I have days of eating so much crap that I feel physically sick. I am overweight and have been trying to lose weight for most of my life. I am only 26 and I thought I would have done so much more by now. My last relationship was a year ago and it still haunts me. I loved him so much but I had to end it. All I want is to be desired, loved and this year I have been getting so drunk and sleeping with random men for a moment of intimacy. I crave love, thats all i want and because I want it that bad I know I wont get it. I feel like I have no option but to actually get help. I’ve been thinking about ending things and how much of a relief on everyone it would be. I just feel like a burden. I am unsure if this is depression? I just needed to vent.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.

pursuitofhappiness Positive thoughts, positive life :)
  • replies: 5

I'm slowly recovering from depression and wanted to share how much of a difference it can just make to think positive!! I woke up one day and decided that I had had ENOUGH of feeling worthless and constantly crying and always feeling this overwhelmin... View more

I'm slowly recovering from depression and wanted to share how much of a difference it can just make to think positive!! I woke up one day and decided that I had had ENOUGH of feeling worthless and constantly crying and always feeling this overwhelming sadness, I realised that it was up to ME and no one else to change the way I think and to be happy. I just saw this quote online: "Actually, I just woke up one day and decided I didn't want to feel like that anyone, or ever again. So I changed. Just like that". And it's possible! Be grateful for all of the good things in your life, and when you face anything negative, see it as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to overcome, to be better, and to be stronger!! You can do it!! There's goodness all around and we just have to choose to see it and appreciate it! And I just wanted to post the following for anyone who needs this: "If you find yourself stuck in traffic; don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!" I hope that no part of this post upsets anyone in anyone and I hope it inspires you to make that change and make that decision to be positive. It is so so worth it. I know now that I only have one life so it's up to me to make it the best that it can be. I'm not going to let anyone or anything bring me down because I am worth so much more than that, I deserve to be happy and so do each and everyone of you!

guest75 a letter to my wife
  • replies: 4

i had to get some stuff out of my head so i wrote a letter to my wife that i dont intend sending to her but will show her when/if this ivo stuff goes away Dear Tara, I write you this letter to you, knowing you may never read it, but writing it is hel... View more

i had to get some stuff out of my head so i wrote a letter to my wife that i dont intend sending to her but will show her when/if this ivo stuff goes away Dear Tara, I write you this letter to you, knowing you may never read it, but writing it is helping me deal with the situation at the minute I need to tell you that I am still head over heels in love with you. I still want to be with you. You and the kids mean everything to me and I feel like an empty shell without you guys I know I've made mistakes, I know I have said and done things I cant take back. I know I don’t deserve another chance. I am trying to change, I am trying to become a better partner, a better dad, a better man. I am doing everything I can think of to improve – I am on anti depressants, I am seeing a psychologist who told me the caffeine in coke can make depression and anxiety worse, so I have given the up cold turkey since before Christmas. I have a new job on the docks in Melbourne, that I am driving to everyday, but have an interview for a role here in town next week that I will take if successful. I have joined a number of depression forums (beyond blue, etc) to talk with people in similar situations to me. I am doing everything I can think of to get better, for you, for the kids Tara, I am scared, scared like I have never been before. Scared I’m going to lose you, lose the kids. I’m fighting as hard as I can, but without you I’m struggling. I’m absolutely exhausted, not physically, but emotionally. I’m struggling to see any light at the end of the tunnel. I joined mensline today to ask if any other men had gone through the IVO process. That has scared me even more. You told mum you didn’t want to do this, and if I got myself sorted out by the 21st then everything would return to normal. I’m getting by each day on that hope, but I’m really starting to lose hope and don’t know what to do. I love you with every part of my being and I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say that if this is over, I don’t want anyone else, I will never be with anyone else – you are the only person I want to be with I am going to close this now by saying, I LOVE YOU, you mean everything to me Love Always Matty

guest75 everything i've done has been for NOTHING
  • replies: 3

Everything i've done over the passed month has been for nothing Everything i've done to try and improve myself, for nothing It was all for her - I NEED her in my life, not want, NEED...I've been trying to become a better person, im fighting what is a... View more

Everything i've done over the passed month has been for nothing Everything i've done to try and improve myself, for nothing It was all for her - I NEED her in my life, not want, NEED...I've been trying to become a better person, im fighting what is apparently a losing battle alone, i had summoned enough strength in myself to get thru until the 21st, but what then? I dont have the strength to keep going much longer

Jo3 can someone talk to me pls
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone I need to talk to someone. I am feeling panicky, emotional and not with it. Hope someone can come on and chat with me. Jo

Hi everyone I need to talk to someone. I am feeling panicky, emotional and not with it. Hope someone can come on and chat with me. Jo

bCalm How do I help loved one?
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I am after any good advice. My grilfriend who is usually positive and motivated is in a rough patch. She is out of work and struggling financially. I unfortunately have been through the same deal but have managed to land some work now and am ... View more

Hi all, I am after any good advice. My grilfriend who is usually positive and motivated is in a rough patch. She is out of work and struggling financially. I unfortunately have been through the same deal but have managed to land some work now and am starting to recover financially. However I am limited in what I can do for her financially still, and to make matters worse we live interstate to each other, we try and catch up every couple of weeks around mainly my off week for my kids visit times. She has been down for some time, but is getting worse. I have been through previous down times with her due to death in the family or work stress, and I believe I am a good listener and have some understanding of her feelings. She is not scared of talking to professionals and has been to counselling in the past but not yet in this case. She has been to her doctor and he has prescribed an antidepressant. She has never been on medicine during our time together, so I am anxious about this. She has been on this for 2-3 weeks and is now constantly tired, is still down, not able to see light at end of tunnel and hard to talk to, very emotional, easily upset, crying, I think even borderline statements about suicide a couple of times, such as "I just want to go to sleep and not wake up". Its really hard to feel like I'm helping at all from the other end of the phone. I'm just listening, comforting and encouraging as best as I can. Her regular doctor is away for a couple more weeks, but I think she needs to get the medication reviewed and start seeing a counsellor asap. I might be able to get some friends to drop into her a little too. Not sure, what do you experienced or qualified people think? Any advice?

iusedtobefamous Scared.
  • replies: 2

I don't know what to do. I suffered pretty badly from severe depression and anxiety when i was a teenager (12-18, literally the whole time I was a teenager). I'm 21 now, and I honestly thought I was better. But lately, I don't know, I've been really ... View more

I don't know what to do. I suffered pretty badly from severe depression and anxiety when i was a teenager (12-18, literally the whole time I was a teenager). I'm 21 now, and I honestly thought I was better. But lately, I don't know, I've been really struggling, and It's honestly scaring the crap out of me. I had to quit my job because a guy there was being an arse to me, and it got to the point where I just couldn't go in there. I was standing in the car park having a full on panic attack because his car was there, and I literally just turned and ran away. I spent the rest of that day crying in bed, I just felt so pathetic. Like, if i was any regular kind of person, I'd be able to deal with it or something. I don't know. It's just that I haven't felt like this in years. I didn't realize it was still a risk. I don't want to hurt myself, I was so proud of myself for stopping that, but I'm having those urges again, and it's really scaring me, and I don't know how strong my willpower to not do it is, and I made an appointment to see my psychologist, but she's away til the 21st, and that just seems like so far away. I don't feel like I can talk to my family about how I'm feeling (I still live at home), I just feel like I've put them through so much already, and it would be so unfair especially on my mum to make her have to start worrying about me like that again. I'm just really scared, and worried, and I feel so alone, and useless and pathetic. I'm home alone all day today, and I'm really worried about how I'm going to try to distract myself from feeling like I want to hurt myself. '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.'