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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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Bremslaire Feeling blue
  • replies: 1

Hello, I get so many days that I feel like crap rather then full of energy. I run two successful businesses that are more of a lifestyle then a job, but still I am feeling blue. Is this normal?

Hello, I get so many days that I feel like crap rather then full of energy. I run two successful businesses that are more of a lifestyle then a job, but still I am feeling blue. Is this normal?

odelle77 disconected
  • replies: 1

i often feel that im not actually depressed and dont need help, that im just down and that i would be wasting everyone's time if i burden them with my crap. as i read in the depression descriptions i gather that im a melancholic depressed person. i h... View more

i often feel that im not actually depressed and dont need help, that im just down and that i would be wasting everyone's time if i burden them with my crap. as i read in the depression descriptions i gather that im a melancholic depressed person. i have for years felt that nothing good will ever happen in my life and that im unworthy of anything good. i have this awful feeling of disconnectedness and dont find joy in anything. it feels totally horrible. to be doing things that are considered fun and not find any feeling for it, to be around people who are laughing and joking and not find any humor. to have this numb sad feeling cover everything thats good. as a kid i had dreams of travel and happiness and laughter and good jobs, fame and family. life hasnt turned out as i thought or hoped it would... i feel that it doesnt matter what steps i take to improve my lot that i never make it there. i feel that it doesnt matter how much i love a person or people that the feeling will never be reciprocated, that somehow everyone can tell that there is something unlovable something wrong something unworthy about and in me. ive been on medication before and the feeling of numbness, and the feelings of being unlovable didnt go away. i still found no joy in life. am i always going to feel like this????????

Oxayotl Depressed, alone, disconeccted.
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I don't really know where to start. I guess it all happened when my Father passed away when I was 19 due to a heart attack. I'm almost 33 now and the pain of depression has really taken it's toll. I just feel as if I have no where else ... View more

Hey everyone, I don't really know where to start. I guess it all happened when my Father passed away when I was 19 due to a heart attack. I'm almost 33 now and the pain of depression has really taken it's toll. I just feel as if I have no where else to turn. I'm the type of person that tries to be liked by everyone, hiding behind my mask of bitter sadness. I find it difficult to maintain relations and constantly wind up pushing people away, even though I continue to try to be a nice, generous and caring person. I just feel as ifno one really cares. My mind is constantly flooded with thoughts of paranoid illusions, depressed feelings and sometimes, on the really bad days, suicide. I don't think that I could ever go to that extreme, but the thoughts are there and it frightens me to no end. I'm lost. I've remained at home living with my Mum as she has depression as well, though not to the extent that I've gotten too. She's a loving caring person that wants to keep her family close, but her only brother tried to take his life last year. He has many bad problems himself, and so cannot dedicate himself to my Mum, which saddens her. I try to stay strong for her as I know she'll be destroyed to know the darkness that resides within me is pushing me to the end. I just don' t know where to turn. The actual friends I have are all married, some have kids. I feel left behind and isolated. I work as a Baker so my shift hours constantly conflict with any social activities that my friends have on. Hope someone can help shine some light into this dark corridor I've found myself in. I'm really struggling to hold it together. Thanks.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.

Chloekat84 Having a really bad day today but i shouldnt as its my kids bday party
  • replies: 7

My depression has been really hard to control all throughout th party today ive put on my fake smile and got on with it. But now im home and its over the tears are flowing and i cant control it. My son doesnt understand why mummy is crying and i said... View more

My depression has been really hard to control all throughout th party today ive put on my fake smile and got on with it. But now im home and its over the tears are flowing and i cant control it. My son doesnt understand why mummy is crying and i said im not feeling the best. I dont even know why im soo upset it should be a happy day and theres nothing to be upset about. I hate this illness and i just want the day over and done with so i can sleep it off hopefully feel better 2moro. I can win. Yesterday my anxiety was really bad now its my depression. Its soo hard coping with this alone. I know my parents are staying a few nights but they have gone to my sis's place atm and im just a crying mess and dont know why :'(

JWA14 Navigating depression
  • replies: 4

This is my first time sharing thoughts on this site but having read several of the posts it confirms the need to talk through the thoughts and feelings floating around in our heads. I, like so many, have been through various levels of depression/anxi... View more

This is my first time sharing thoughts on this site but having read several of the posts it confirms the need to talk through the thoughts and feelings floating around in our heads. I, like so many, have been through various levels of depression/anxiety for many years now. I've been on medication, seen psychiatrists and psychologists to varying degrees of success. Of late the pressures of this year from both running a business and in my personal life have found me veering back to my old thought patterns. Intense pressures at work along with the lack of a stable relationship and just recently an old friend and I seem to have ceased being friends, all inncuous enough but when layered on top of each other can really cloud ones world view with a very negative pall. I do keep myself active with both gym/ yoga and surf (weather permitting) even the simplest of things like a long walk does break the chain of negative thoughts. So in the end of the day it comes down to vigilance and even in the darkest of moments believing that there is a purpose and reason for carrying on. John

white knight Is crying good or bad for you?
  • replies: 15

The dreaded act of crying. That's from my view. Always large for my age in a mans world ex military, prison officer, security etc a world where crying immediately and permanently embeds weakness into other mens assessment of you. Behind the scenes th... View more

The dreaded act of crying. That's from my view. Always large for my age in a mans world ex military, prison officer, security etc a world where crying immediately and permanently embeds weakness into other mens assessment of you. Behind the scenes the big man became himself- a weeping mess battling illnesses I never realised I had. That was from as long as I can remember until 2 years ago or so. Then...the crying stopped! I've wondered if that has been good or bad...and why it stopped. Crying is thought to release stress hormones in the body. So there is a reason for it. It can be socially attractive to do in some cases. Attracting help for example. For me- I always ended up with a headache! if I cried. So why did I stop crying? Well I can paint a short picture of the circumstances. What was happening prior to 2 years ago? My medication had been correct after many years of false diagnosis and wrong medication from that false diagnosis. I'd dated and married my wife 3 years ago. So there are some changes, but it doesnt address something. Within those two years I'd had 2 meltdowns or "episodes" as my doctor called them whereby on both occasions wandered aimlessly where ever my body took me. Fully in a depressive state but I did not cry. I recently felt depressed. My depression doesnt last long nowadays. But I walked into the bush and sat, for hours, numb. I was aware a film of water enveloped my eyes but no tears fell. That's odd I think. Then I walked home. I needed the connection to nature, I needed to be alone. I was not suicidal. Planned that 18 years ago and I'll never go there again nor put my loving family through what could have been. That avenue IMO is stupid and selfish. Both my brother and uncle went that way I read on this forum upset people telling us they have cried all day. I feel for them, they must be hurting, they must be feeling empty and hopeless. They likely do not see any relief in their pain. Well there is relief, there are answers there- they are just in your line of sight, just beyond your reach and it is in the form of management. 1. Correct diagnosis 2. Correct medication 3. Correct quantity of medication. 4. Appropriate professional support 5. The will to get better 6. Environment 7. Supportive family and friends. 8. Less work pressure and so on. Achieve some of these and the light at the end of the tunnel might get closer and brighter. And you just might cry less. And I still dont know if crying less or more is better for you....

Shnook Need coping strategies - help
  • replies: 6

Today I am suffering my worst bout of depression that I have ever experienced in my whole life and I don't know how to cope. i have an appointment to go to in half an hour but I can't get out of bed. I rang and tried to reschedule but another appoint... View more

Today I am suffering my worst bout of depression that I have ever experienced in my whole life and I don't know how to cope. i have an appointment to go to in half an hour but I can't get out of bed. I rang and tried to reschedule but another appointment was not available. I'm afraid to go out because I feel like if someone even looks at me the wrong way I will break down and cry. I don't have any strategies to help me get through days like these. Normally I would just hide under the covers but the more I do that the more it will impact on my kids and my overall ability to deal with my depression. How does everybody else deal with days like these? What do you do to get through? I'm so foggy from my depression I just can't even think of ways to help myself because quite frankly I don't want to help myself today.

Soul Depression Disorder
  • replies: 3

Hello I'm Soul Please say hi I'm pleased to join the forum Depression Disorder any help or suggestions insights people with insight and can provide help Regards Soul

Hello I'm Soul Please say hi I'm pleased to join the forum Depression Disorder any help or suggestions insights people with insight and can provide help Regards Soul

CrazyCookie Time to speak up
  • replies: 1

I feel so sad and low, I cry every night . I cant control it anymore. I can only describe it as a empty blackness that is consuming me inside. I feel myself drifting further into the darkness and I dont know how to fix it anymore. Is normal to much t... View more

I feel so sad and low, I cry every night . I cant control it anymore. I can only describe it as a empty blackness that is consuming me inside. I feel myself drifting further into the darkness and I dont know how to fix it anymore. Is normal to much to ask? Is not having to fake smile such a big request? It feels like happiness, pride, achievement and sanity are too far for me to grasp hold of. Im stuck with sadness, anger and worthlessness. I dont want to continue feeling like this. I try and seek help but its not enough. I am scared if myself. I am not who I used to be. I am losing the plot at home and work because of this. I cant continue like this. I miss the REAL me and so does my family. I can see that. I try to talk to people but I cant express how im feeling in person. Im at a loss and not sure whats next or left anymore. Sorry.

Oneofakind Why
  • replies: 7

Why is day to day living and doing normal things so hard. Why do I have to struggle to be ok at work, and then just collapse mentally after. Why can't I like myself.? Why can't I be happy.?why do I worry about what people may think of me. Why can't I... View more

Why is day to day living and doing normal things so hard. Why do I have to struggle to be ok at work, and then just collapse mentally after. Why can't I like myself.? Why can't I be happy.?why do I worry about what people may think of me. Why can't I be strong. Why do I always feel so inferior to everyone else. Why can't I take stress. Why a mime

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