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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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HelenM It all gets too much
  • replies: 17

For a few weeks now I've been on an okay level. Once I'm out and about life's been okay. Suddenly it's changed for no good reason. On and off I've had sleep problems with my depression and in the early days they caused me horrendous problems. If my s... View more

For a few weeks now I've been on an okay level. Once I'm out and about life's been okay. Suddenly it's changed for no good reason. On and off I've had sleep problems with my depression and in the early days they caused me horrendous problems. If my sleep plays up I can become quite distressed. On Thursday night I had problems getting to sleep. Then I kept waking and sleeping. So much so that on Friday I couldn't go to the charity shop where I help because I felt so rubbish. So on Friday night I took a sleeping tablet. Then last night I slept with nothing. Well I got 3and half hours. In Scotland it's midday now. I'm just crying and crying. My mind has gone crazy on me. I feel I've been shot down from the sky. Last week I had a couple of fantastic times and suddenly it's all gone. The sleep problem is all psychological but now I've got to try to get it back on track. Please could people answer as I don't want to ring my friends. My husband knows but is fairly dismissive and I don't want to talk to my family or anyone. I don't know why. The other week LING said she wanted to give up. We can't though. But I just wish it were possible because I feel so miserable. Any support would be helpful. Thanks, Helen

gibby3794 i dont even know :(
  • replies: 3

I have been feeling so depressed the last few weeks and I don't even know why, nothing has gotten worse, hasn't gotten better either but no worse than it was, im still inlove with somebody I can never have, hate my job, in debt to my eyeballs with no... View more

I have been feeling so depressed the last few weeks and I don't even know why, nothing has gotten worse, hasn't gotten better either but no worse than it was, im still inlove with somebody I can never have, hate my job, in debt to my eyeballs with nothing to show for it etc but ive been getting really bad the last few weeks, im scared at the moment as I never drink but ive been drinking 5 nights in a row, I thought it was just because there was alcohol in the fridge but I went to the bottle tonight to buy more because I had ran out, so it is scaring me a bit, I have had a few alcoholics in my life and do not want to end up like that but I think I might be, I have been smoking pot a bit more to and when I don't have it I want it but most of the time I cant get it due to my dealer being caught, im not sure what to do, is it just a phase I will get over? because it is at the point that as soon as I walk in the door from work I start drinking until I go to bed and the other day I wanted to start drinking at lunch time, I didn't even start until like 6 on my 18th

Guest_5602 Doctor says "it's not medical"
  • replies: 7

Hi, just as I was leaving my GP's room he said a bit of community work would help me recover from depression and that my depression wasn't "medical". I'm not sure what he meant by it not being medical, does anyone know? I've been on medication for ab... View more

Hi, just as I was leaving my GP's room he said a bit of community work would help me recover from depression and that my depression wasn't "medical". I'm not sure what he meant by it not being medical, does anyone know? I've been on medication for about 5 years. If it's not MEDICAl, then why does he presribe me MEDICAtion? Anyone else have a dismissive GP?

BubbysFootballHero Anyone so quiet they feel isolated and need to repeat themselves ?
  • replies: 2

So quiet to the extent that you just give up sometimes, youngest of 4, lived with one parent from 2001-2003, graduated year 12, with rubbish marks, and a snapped ACL that wasn't operated on till Jan 2004. then July 2004 i did it again, there was a ti... View more

So quiet to the extent that you just give up sometimes, youngest of 4, lived with one parent from 2001-2003, graduated year 12, with rubbish marks, and a snapped ACL that wasn't operated on till Jan 2004. then July 2004 i did it again, there was a time during that period where i self-harmed, it was only minor, but i felt quite guilty afterwards and tried to keep it hidden from everyone. Then people call you names, and you don't bother calling them back, because you think your words will just go unnoticed.I feel im just rambling on so ill leave it here.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 self-harm or suicide, please phone our support service on 1300 224 636.

MrsCam I guess its true what they say "what goes up, must come down"
  • replies: 7

been feeling really quite agitated over the weekend and today I have been teary off and on. called my boss to say i wouldnt be working today. I know Im not supposed to do that but it was just too hard this morning went out with some friends on friday... View more

been feeling really quite agitated over the weekend and today I have been teary off and on. called my boss to say i wouldnt be working today. I know Im not supposed to do that but it was just too hard this morning went out with some friends on friday night and had quite a few drinks, 6 or 7 I lost count. I had a great time dancing and laughing and even singing karaoke. I was feeling great and in the back of my mind I wondered if it was maybe a bad thing cos my psychiatrist said that the problem with going up is that I will inevitabely come down hard. He said I shouldnt drink more that 2 or 3 at any one time but I guess I was feeling good and I didnt want the fun to end... guess Id better not do that again... also going to go back to taking my mood stabilizer early in the evening like i was in the hospital. it sucks cos they zonk me out and I lose my evening but I think in the long run I will be better for it just called to get an appointment with my gp, next available is next week on the 7th... hoping I can feel alot better before then...

LyndaSZ Is this as good as it gets?
  • replies: 2

I can't help thinking that 'what if it never gets any better than this?" I want to be the person I used to be so badly. I have been like this for over two years and I don't like it. But this might be a good day and I just don't realise it. I don't wa... View more

I can't help thinking that 'what if it never gets any better than this?" I want to be the person I used to be so badly. I have been like this for over two years and I don't like it. But this might be a good day and I just don't realise it. I don't want to live like this any more, I don't want to be sad, tired, grumpy, horrible any more. I just want to lock myself away from the world and never come out again. I want to be alone all the time and I hate it that the family wants my attention. I feel so useless and anything I try I am sure to fail at because that's about all I do well, is fail. Nothing excites me any more and I really don't want to even be here a lo of the time. I am feeling so fed up and apathetic but this might just be as good as it gets for the rest of my days.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.

harry308 I have destroyed my wife and marriage
  • replies: 7

For the last 3 years I have struggled with depression to the point my wife wants out of our marriage. I took a huge step today amd went to my gp and got some help. I have also booked into see a councilor but I think it is to little to late. Trying to... View more

For the last 3 years I have struggled with depression to the point my wife wants out of our marriage. I took a huge step today amd went to my gp and got some help. I have also booked into see a councilor but I think it is to little to late. Trying to stay positive now that I can get things back on track I just feel so alone my family are distant and dont seem to care and I dont know how to tell friends what is going on. Just looking for advice and support.

Sleepyleelee What can I do
  • replies: 1

I have a huge problem and there's no way out of it, it's a big long hot mess of a problem and for years I've been trying to think a way out of it but every time I think I've got a way out it blows up in my face. I used to be such a happy person, even... View more

I have a huge problem and there's no way out of it, it's a big long hot mess of a problem and for years I've been trying to think a way out of it but every time I think I've got a way out it blows up in my face. I used to be such a happy person, even though my life has been way worse than it is right now even then I was happy in general. But this problem has just destroyed me. I never knew I could be so disabled by something. now I spend hours each day and night crying and I've thought about ending it almost every day for over a year. No one knows though, In fact most people probably think I'm fairly happy, and on the rare occasions I'm around other people i do usually feel a little better. But I can't go out much and that never used to bother me. Wish I could go back to how I used to be. One night I came close to doing it.. well close-ish, I thought about doing it that night rather than just someday soon, but I didn't actually attempt or anything, and I wished I had someone to talk to, someone to tell me that there IS a way out, but I wouldfall apart the second I tried to talk about it, I HATE crying in front of people, yet I do it so easily, god it's so annoying, I'm never going to have the guts to call one of those hotlines, I just find it too embarrassing even though I know they've heard it all before, it's also why I most certainly couldn't talk to someone I KNOW .. That would be even more humiliating. I'd almost rather leave this earth than talk about itt to someone yet at the same time I want to so very badly. Theres one thing that keeps me here, it's my dog. That's probably pretty disturbing to hear if you know that I have two children, but honestly I wouldn't be worried about them, they'll miss me I know, but they'll be taken care of and they'll get over it. But my dog who is on my lap almost all day, who follows me about the house as I do my stuff, she would just never get over it. And I'm lucky I have her I guess. She keeps me alive. 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. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE 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-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

still_hopeful This internal struggle is so dark and scary
  • replies: 4

Been struggling with anxiety and bouts of depression the past 9 months.I was having mild panic attacks in meetings at work - nauseous, couldn't think straight or do public speaking. I was dizzy and would just freak out. Often I'd fake being 'sick' an... View more

Been struggling with anxiety and bouts of depression the past 9 months.I was having mild panic attacks in meetings at work - nauseous, couldn't think straight or do public speaking. I was dizzy and would just freak out. Often I'd fake being 'sick' and explain my feeling off / nervousness by saying I was unwell. The prospect of a meeting brought on so much dread. Had some social anxiety, even with my best mates. I just felt off. Like a glass wall was between them and myself and I couldn't get through it. I couldn't be myself. I was seeing my pysch weekly over the past few months and then started on a low dose of medication. Had some side effects - headaches, inability to concentrate, drowsiness and occasional thoughts of suicide. Have been on that for over a month and it was slowly wearing off and I was feeling more anxious and have up'd my dose as per GP rec's. It's made me really irritable, depressed and I even lashed out at my ex partner last night and felt so terrible.This week I've had two nights where I have woken up in an absolute panic. Terror. So much anxiety and sadness. I can't stop crying. I've had to take the whole week off work. It's almost 4pm and I still haven't gotten out of bed this hasn't happened to me before like this ever. I have been lying here crying all day - feeling so alone and sad. Even though I have been reaching out to amazing friends who are there. I'm so lucky in lots of ways. But all I can think about is ending my own life. This is so hard. I feel like a burden on my friends and workplace. I don't like my job and need to change. I'm not sure what to do. Take time off? How on earth do you get better? Should I stop giving the medication a go - it was working for a couple of weeks once the initial side-effects wore off... and I finally remembered what it was like to feel normal again. My life just feels so empty. I'm single. 30. A young woman with a great job. But I don't know where I'm going and what I want. I know my problems are petty compared to others doing it so much more tough - but this internal struggle is so dark and scary. I just want out. I wish it would go away. Does it get better? How does one break through the glass wall? Do suicidal thoughts wane? They scare me. 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.

Jet21 Feel worthless
  • replies: 8

I feel worthless and like nobody likes me. I have constant struggles in my mind about what others think of me. I put up a happy face at work but at home I just have tears in my eyes

I feel worthless and like nobody likes me. I have constant struggles in my mind about what others think of me. I put up a happy face at work but at home I just have tears in my eyes

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