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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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scorch I can laugh but it doesn't reach my heart
  • replies: 5

Hi guys. I am so emotionally empty today. Disconnected. Like all my feelings are having a holiday, or I'm viewing them from another room. They are there... but not there. I can laugh but it doesn't reach my heart. Or smile but it doesn't reach my eye... View more

Hi guys. I am so emotionally empty today. Disconnected. Like all my feelings are having a holiday, or I'm viewing them from another room. They are there... but not there. I can laugh but it doesn't reach my heart. Or smile but it doesn't reach my eyes. I don't feel bad. I don't feel good. I just feel empty. Like there's nothing inside me. Like I've got nothing left to give. I don't know why. Life is going great for me right now, things are really starting to pick up. So why am I so numb? What can I do to feel again?

XR6Turbo i feel like I am never going to get better
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am new here, not new to depression have been struggling for the last 3 years. Different medication, trips to hospital etc. My depression has been caused by stress which has lead to anxiety, then depression. I work as a professional and have alw... View more

Hi, I am new here, not new to depression have been struggling for the last 3 years. Different medication, trips to hospital etc. My depression has been caused by stress which has lead to anxiety, then depression. I work as a professional and have always seen myself as a perfectionist. Made some minor mistakes that started to set off the anxiety, then depression. My world is falling apart around me, i feel like I am never going to get better and that I will eventually lose everything. I hate myself at the moment, giving up feels like the easy option? I cant get back to see my psychiatrist for another few days.

TT I am on antidepressant but it is coming back
  • replies: 2

I have been depressed for a long time but only started taking antidepressant 4 months ago. I remember it was dark and deep. Just like how most of us feel, exhausted and hopeless. I was suicidal. It felt like ending this life was the only way out. But... View more

I have been depressed for a long time but only started taking antidepressant 4 months ago. I remember it was dark and deep. Just like how most of us feel, exhausted and hopeless. I was suicidal. It felt like ending this life was the only way out. But I was lucky my bf fully supported me. My doctors put me on the medication and made sure I had all the support I needed. Things got better for a few weeks until I started losing weight and sleep. I started to get sick more frequently. Then before I knew it, it comes back. I can feel myself sliding back into the deep darkness. I started withdrawing myself, crying and feeling guiltu. I dont know how to fight it because I am exhausted everyday. And I really don't want my bf to put up with me anymore. It is not fair. I know a lot of us ask this question but when is it going to end?

Istherelight What if the meds don't work?
  • replies: 4

Hello,I am a female in my early 30's and have just been diagnosed with severe depression and mild anxiety. I have a good job that I have been working in for over 10 years and have had ups and downs in my life like most people. I had a rocky childhood... View more

Hello,I am a female in my early 30's and have just been diagnosed with severe depression and mild anxiety. I have a good job that I have been working in for over 10 years and have had ups and downs in my life like most people. I had a rocky childhood and teen years however from my early 20's my life has been fairly stable and I have always been a happy person trying to do the best in life. In the space of a few weeks I felt like I hit a wall, I lost interest in everything, work, gym, getting out of bed, even brushing my hair. I felt as though I just could not function. I have been referred to a psychologist who seems lovely and my Doctor had prescribed me medication this was nearly four weeks ago. I have had terrible side effects and I don't feel any better at all, in fact, I feel nothing, no happiness, sadness or any other feelings. I was very hesitant to touch medication, however was convinced when the psychologist advised me it would "give me my life back". I am now worried what will happen if it doesn't work on me, I'm currently on extended sick leave from work and have had to make up an illness to my boss, family and friends because I didn't feel I could tell them what's really wrong. Especially at work I fear I would be discriminated against and seen as weak. Has anyone had a similar experience? Does medication work on everyone? Has anyone had any positive experiences? any advice would be so much appreciated. Thank you

Shell Too depressed to eat.
  • replies: 8

I have been down and then I have been very down like at the moment where I cant even be bothered to eat......I am just full of self loathing at present, anyone else feel this way?...I mean with the eating thing, where you haven't eaten for days.

I have been down and then I have been very down like at the moment where I cant even be bothered to eat......I am just full of self loathing at present, anyone else feel this way?...I mean with the eating thing, where you haven't eaten for days.

Kyles I would like to get back some of my energy and enthusiasm
  • replies: 2

Hi. I had a nervous breakdown about 9 years ago now. Since then I have been 'retired' from work, and am under the care of a psychiatrist. I am medicated at present. I was reading an article today which talked depression suffered by a few high profile... View more

Hi. I had a nervous breakdown about 9 years ago now. Since then I have been 'retired' from work, and am under the care of a psychiatrist. I am medicated at present. I was reading an article today which talked depression suffered by a few high profile people - John Hamm and Ruby Rose amongst them. In essence, John's story was 'got sick, took anti-depressants, now I'm back', while Ruby's was more 'have suffered from this most of my life'. Do you/ CAN you ever get better from this? My doctors says I will never be what I was before. I feel like I have lost so much. I know I have changed a lot, but I would like to get back some of my energy and enthusiasm. I feel like I've been sick forever. Can anyone help me? Cheers, Kyles

ashaboo9 tips or suggestions on how to help your partner understand your illness
  • replies: 1

Hi all,Im not usually one to post these types of things but feeling pretty down tonight and thought I might share. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 5 years ago. I have kept it to myself for years, no one would suspect me as someone with a ... View more

Hi all,Im not usually one to post these types of things but feeling pretty down tonight and thought I might share. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 5 years ago. I have kept it to myself for years, no one would suspect me as someone with a mental illness, I have a supportive family, have been in a relationship for 4 years now and generally live a normal and happy life in the eyes of everyone around me. Sometimes though, I wish that they would understand the complexities of my illness and how their actions or words effect me behind closed doors. My partner skips around my issues most of the time, when I start to feel anxious about something and tell him I am upset, he forgets how hard I take things and gets angry at me for being upset. Its just a circle, I get upset, he gets angry then I get more upset, work myself up, sometimes have a panic attack, sometimes feel like harming myself, sometimes feel like putting myself out of my misery. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to help your partner understand your illness? Or how they can help in these situations? Would be great to hear from people in similar situations.

Mares73 If I have to do this alone, where do I start?
  • replies: 10

Hi all Geoff and I are in the middle of a discussion about this which we are working thru separately. several weeks ago I was suicidal, my thoughts were out of my control & I would of done anything to feel better but nothing worked-it took time & tal... View more

Hi all Geoff and I are in the middle of a discussion about this which we are working thru separately. several weeks ago I was suicidal, my thoughts were out of my control & I would of done anything to feel better but nothing worked-it took time & talking on here to get through that terrible period. I'm now seeing my Pyschiatrist again & she believes I've gone as far as I can with medication. That there are issues in my life I need to confront in order to ever get better. i wondered what you all thought? I'd always believed it was so debilitating that there was nothing I could do but endure it. But now I've been told depression can be overcome by improving Selfesteem, having a purpose, challenging negative thoughts & confronting my fear & avoidance. My pysch said 'depression doesn't control you unless you let it'. She also suggested a book called "Beating the Blues" which doesn't provide for depression except challenging behaviours. i feel overwhelmed. If I have to do this alone, where do I start? Would appreciate opinions Lve Mares

dazzsyd I feel like a caged and wounded animal
  • replies: 2

Just needed to post somewhereHave suffered depression most of my life, but since 2009 its been getting worse and over the last year, so bad that there seems to be no end in sight. I've seen psychiatrists, psychologists and taken medication but nothin... View more

Just needed to post somewhereHave suffered depression most of my life, but since 2009 its been getting worse and over the last year, so bad that there seems to be no end in sight. I've seen psychiatrists, psychologists and taken medication but nothing seems to have "taken", partly because I have, at least prior to 2011 tried to please the specialists I've been seeing and made out like things were improving, when they were not.I feel like a caged and wounded animal, I feel like a nothing. I no longer have friends,bar one , who is an ex-partner. My family is part of the problem - my upbringing and more recently my mother have caused my great unhappiness and I cannot get over it - I know I need to forgive and move on, but how? They don't recognise that they ever did anything wrong, they don't see how I can be so hurt by them bending over backwards and doing everything they can to help my sister through her tough times (which is appropriate) but they could never, ever try and do anything to help my through this, in fact going out of their way to make it worse. My family loves me but only because of familial bonds - there is no mutual respect, there is no attempt by them to understand or know me in any way.Every night I go to bed and pray that I don't wake up. I manage to get through work, come home, and either cry or sit and feel numb. I have nobody to talk to and I'm scared I'm going to do something stupid because my only friend is leaving the country for a month and then I really will have nobody to talk to.I just want this to stop. I have no life to speak of. I have no joy, nothing to look forward to. If I try and go out, I become overwhelmed and leave usually in tears, because I know I don't belong out there among decent, normal human beings.I'm sorry for the rambling nature of this post, I cannot think coherently at present and I apologise to those who may have wasted their time reading this. 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;}

nickers12 It's exhausting lying to people who care about you
  • replies: 1

So, this post is a long time in the making! The reason I've not done anything about how I feel is because I just can't explain how I feel exactly. I think I'm depressed and I think it's getting worse, although I do wonder if it's just me being lazy s... View more

So, this post is a long time in the making! The reason I've not done anything about how I feel is because I just can't explain how I feel exactly. I think I'm depressed and I think it's getting worse, although I do wonder if it's just me being lazy so that I don't have to achieve anything in my life, like maybe I'm making it all up to explain why after almost 32 years of existence I still haven't achieved anything. I can't recall a time in the last 15 years where I've been happy for an extended period of time. I asked my Dr many years ago why I felt awful, couldn't sleep & had a constant tightness in my chest and he said it was because "I was going through a rough patch in my life" as I was in a terrible relationship, hated my job and things with my friends were starting to change. I figured he was probably right and that things would get better. Anyway, fast forward to today and things aren't better and have hardly gotten better since then. My boyfriend of 4 years says I'm the most negative person he has ever known!! This is coming from the person who loves me the most in the world, who doesn't want to be without me. Though I don't know why, I'm so awful to him at times I make him cry & make him feel bad about himself to take the spotlight off of me! I feel so lost sometimes that I just cry. Some days are good, some are great, and some are just down right awful. I don't share my feelings with my partner or my family as I just can't talk about this stuff and I feel like I've been acting "Ok" for such a long time around them that I don't know how to be truthful, although there is a long line of depression in my family. I hate the thought of coming across as weak and I don't want to share my feelings with them, I guess that's why I came here instead. My current situation is this: Unemployed after losing my job last year, (I had a job for about 3 months that made me so anxious I was physically sick for the entire time & couldn't handle it so had to resign, even though my boss told me she didn't want me to because I was doing such a great job!), absolutely no income & having to borrow from my partner to pay my personal bills so now in debt, applying for jobs and getting absolutely no response (studying online in the meantime), sleeping patterns drastically changed so bed at 5am and up at 11am or 12pm, no motivation to do anything, anxious to talk on the phone or to go out, living in a town where I have no friends but unable to make friends as anything social is getting harder & harder for me and it goes on and on. There are so many more things going on I could talk about but I've gone on long enough. I just don't know where to start. I feel like my "normal" or "happy" feelings are neither normal nor truly happy, but I can't remember not being like this. I see people who seem genuinely happy and I know that's not how I feel. I don't want to act anymore, it's exhausting lying to people who care about you. It feels awful to tell your mother that "Things are great" when earlier that morning you were disappointed that you actually woke up. Even now I've sat for 10 minutes contemplating whether to push the Post this thread button because I'm afraid it's the wrong thing to do! I'm pushing it now & hope that someone out there might be able to offer my some kind of insight! Thanks in advance