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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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Stuck14 My counsellor thinks I need to have a "meltdown"
  • replies: 5

I have been fighting to keep myself here for a long time now and am really wondering why I bother. I don't have anyone or anything in my life that is keeping me here. I feel like I'm a punching bag, taking hit after hit. My gp has prescribed medicati... View more

I have been fighting to keep myself here for a long time now and am really wondering why I bother. I don't have anyone or anything in my life that is keeping me here. I feel like I'm a punching bag, taking hit after hit. My gp has prescribed medication an I don't know what to do. I have had alot of bad experiences with meds an I just don't want it to stop me from being able to express myself when I allow it. My counsellor thinks I need to have a "meltdown" an just allow it to happen, an I know they are right, I don't know how to tho. Sorry, it's not making much sense. I just don't know what to do anymore? What's the point?

Mares73 Holding on to what I'm losing
  • replies: 13

I pray to wake up without tears of dread. I pray that my children will see me smile again i pray that the empty, lost person I am will one day learn to live again. I don't think I'm asking for the world. I'm asking for myself to be found under the cr... View more

I pray to wake up without tears of dread. I pray that my children will see me smile again i pray that the empty, lost person I am will one day learn to live again. I don't think I'm asking for the world. I'm asking for myself to be found under the crushing pain. I'm asking for help to lift that load so I know how to live in freedom again. The hopelessness, despair & self hate are my only companions, beating me down to the point I myself can't be found. Please please help me, I fall lower each day and the fight gets greater each day. I have no one. My husband can't handle it & finds solace in work, I've isolated myself from everyone I know. I used to be the life of the party. Now I don't recognise who I am. It's so true what one member wrote-that she didn't want to die but more importantly she didn't want to live. Yes that's me. I have to live for others but I can't find a reason for myself right now.

Suzbj Has anyone got any advise how to stop the utter fatigue and sense of hopelessness?
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, The depression has got much deeper. I'm now utterly exhausted and feeling hopeless and so so tired - not just physically but mentally and re trying. I'm still going to try but I don't want to get out of bed now. I can't function or think... View more

Hi Everyone, The depression has got much deeper. I'm now utterly exhausted and feeling hopeless and so so tired - not just physically but mentally and re trying. I'm still going to try but I don't want to get out of bed now. I can't function or think and have slept these last few days day and night waking for short periods.I don't want to wake up - I just want to sleep and stop. Stop trying. (No - I'm not suicidal but it is very dark). I get energy and start positive things for a time and then it all gets sucked away by this extreme tiredness. Please help Suz

SillySonia Having a bad day
  • replies: 5

Feel alone, isolated and unloved. How worse can it get?

Feel alone, isolated and unloved. How worse can it get?

Bell 3 tablespoons of DARKNESS every year
  • replies: 5

Hello Beyond Blue community, I have depression that is most prominent in DEC-JAN-FEB of every year, hence the 3 tablespoons. It's only now that it's really clicked that it's those months specifically and it's when my father passed away 10 years ago n... View more

Hello Beyond Blue community, I have depression that is most prominent in DEC-JAN-FEB of every year, hence the 3 tablespoons. It's only now that it's really clicked that it's those months specifically and it's when my father passed away 10 years ago now. I still get dished out some heavy weeks here and there but I feel like a steady 4 out of 12 months I am just good for nothing. I have got a referral for a psychiatrist and waiting at the phone for that call when I can go and see them. I tried last year to get better and fell back into smoking pot which I've used several times to "get better" (more like forget about it so I never get well). I'm getting really bad now, my mum has severe depression and has admitted herself to a mental ward in the past. I feel bad for stacking my problems on hers so I rarely do, and I live away from most of my family. I have a good life, a lovely girlfriend and a wonderful sharehome but i still can't stop these feelings of despair. Can anyone recommend any good psychologists that practice in Melbourne I can get to quickly? I feel like a tiny wall that's got lucky in the eye of the storm but will be destroyed any time soon... Sincerely, Bellamy

ThousandMiles Fatigue - how do you cope?
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anybody else experiences extreme fatigue as a side effect of depression? I'm suffering quite badly from it at the moment, and it makes everything such an effort. I feel drained and crushed constantly, and no matter how ... View more

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anybody else experiences extreme fatigue as a side effect of depression? I'm suffering quite badly from it at the moment, and it makes everything such an effort. I feel drained and crushed constantly, and no matter how much sleep I get it doesn't go away And I try not to use caffeine because I got addicted to it in the past, and it also makes my anxiety levels high. Does anyone have any ways they use to cope with extreme tiredness??

chrisco I am feeling completely unable to change
  • replies: 1

I am feeling completely unable to change, barely coping and worried about my job, what people think of me. I am seeing gp, phsycoligist and would like to attend any recovery activities , as health practitioner's aren't helping much. Seeking out assis... View more

I am feeling completely unable to change, barely coping and worried about my job, what people think of me. I am seeing gp, phsycoligist and would like to attend any recovery activities , as health practitioner's aren't helping much. Seeking out assistance, ta.

Chris D Battling the thoughts all day
  • replies: 6

I am home alone and really struggling at the moment. I have been battling the thoughts all day and none of my safety tools have worked. I really don't know wat else to do. Really lost and going down with every passing hr i feel. I am scared that i am... View more

I am home alone and really struggling at the moment. I have been battling the thoughts all day and none of my safety tools have worked. I really don't know wat else to do. Really lost and going down with every passing hr i feel. I am scared that i am going to do something but something has always stopped me, i don't know what that something is. I know i go into hospital on monday but i'm just so lost and feel i have being deserted by my family, friends, cousins i let them all know what i am going through and none of them have been msging me or being in contact with me. Why? I thought when you are down u seek support from those groups of people, obviously i was wrong again. Don't deserve any happiness or anything for that matter. I'm a lost cause i feel. Forget it. Chris

Karen71 What I couldn't show him is just how yuck I feel
  • replies: 5

Ok so saw a psych he said I was depressed and changing medsit was like talking to a alien on a computer screen.skpe. What I couldn't show him is just how yuck I feel.im sick with a stomach thing my insides feel like they've been scoured, my head won'... View more

Ok so saw a psych he said I was depressed and changing medsit was like talking to a alien on a computer screen.skpe. What I couldn't show him is just how yuck I feel.im sick with a stomach thing my insides feel like they've been scoured, my head won't stop thinking about suicide and how the world just is horrible.i just don't want to be here anymore I've fought depression for so longim tied it just keeps comming back.im a nice person I don't do drugs or alcohol I don't really swear I raise wonderful kids whom I stay alive for but do I really have to live this way?im getting constant problems if it's not one thing it's anoutheri have to get an organisation to visit me because I have no freindspeople don't like me I don't know whyit hurts my pride to know the person talking to me gets paid tothe world is an ugly placeim tied so tied all the time and other people don't accept me my 5yrold has asphergus how do I leave himim so so tied no one really understandswhat happens really if I give up!no I'm not suicidal tonight just I don't know how much can I take I'm donebeyondblue’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.

link09 i am scared to ask for help
  • replies: 4

i have been looking at this site for a while and have decided to post. i dont know what to do any more everything just seems like a huge effort to me and i havent been happy in a long time, i wish that i would die or go to sleep and not wake up. so f... View more

i have been looking at this site for a while and have decided to post. i dont know what to do any more everything just seems like a huge effort to me and i havent been happy in a long time, i wish that i would die or go to sleep and not wake up. so far i have managed to get through but i dont see anything getting any better. i am scared to ask for help as i am worried that i might lose my job or that it would cost me any future oppurtuinties in my career. i am also worried about going on medication as i think it may make me worse. can anyone give me some advice on what to do i am sick of feeling like this

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