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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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the_one_1 I can never seem to be happy at all
  • replies: 3

Problems seem to be everywhere for me and I can’t seem to get out of it. Someone who knows the girl I like told me that the girl I like likes someone else. My parents make me so upset and push me too much. In my school, I feel I’m not liked. I had as... View more

Problems seem to be everywhere for me and I can’t seem to get out of it. Someone who knows the girl I like told me that the girl I like likes someone else. My parents make me so upset and push me too much. In my school, I feel I’m not liked. I had asked someone who knows the girl I like to find out if the girl I like likes me back. This person came back to me and told me that she likes someone else. I told this person to tell the girl I like that I like her back. The girl I like found out I like her and that day she smiled when looking at me for the whole lesson. The day after this, the person I had asked first to find out who the girl I like likes told me the girl I like is going out with the guy she likes. Yet the days after her finding out she still shows me signs of liking me more than friends. She is always near me, one time she stretched her arms in my direction while talking to her good guy friend, she also brushed passed me a lot in one lesson (most likely on purpose), she stretches her foot towards me and also stares at me (her friends also stare at me). I don’t understand why she is showing me these signs of liking me when she actually likes someone else. Could she be lying because she doesn’t want to pass gossip around the school? (I had asked out a girl previous to this and the full year found out including this new girl I like) Does the girl I like like me back? Due to all the following problems (below), I want to be happier in my life such as getting a girlfriend. In school I feel I’m not accepted. Everyone calls the sport I like gay and due to this I feel isolated from being myself and am quiet. No one talks to me and people don’t accept me. My parents are also another problem, they push me in my schoolwork when I’m doing/trying my hardest and they are stressing me out a lot more. I just want to be happier and accepted in my school and is why I want a girlfriend. At least that way I will feel liked (at the moment I don’t feel liked) and will be happier. I feel like i'm in a box which is closing into me and squishing me into pulp. I’m not sure what to do. Please help me… :(

Cf It seems the days are getting harder and not easier
  • replies: 2

I broke down again yesterday and wanted to end it all. I would never do it, but its the only thought that I have atm. I think about how bad I feel every day and I just want these feelings to go away. I dont know where to go from here. I feel like I j... View more

I broke down again yesterday and wanted to end it all. I would never do it, but its the only thought that I have atm. I think about how bad I feel every day and I just want these feelings to go away. I dont know where to go from here. I feel like I just exist with no purpose what so ever. I have lost the will and motivation for life and have completely lost myself in the process and it scares me that I will never feel happy again. I just feel empty inside. I go to work as a distraction and try to fill up my weekend with things to do, but I dont get any enjoyment out of it. I feel like I have hit rock bottom and I am trying to get out of it, but I dont know where to go from here. I feel so alone, even though I have good friends, I just don't feel they understand. I feel guilty because my family know that I am not being myself but I dont know how to find myself again. I am on anti-depressants and am seeing a psychologist, but I feel like its not enough atm....I am so lost

lostblackbird Just can't keep doing this
  • replies: 3

I feel like I'm stuck in a revolving door, no sooner am I feeling "okay" and that I'm coping..finally, after so long, that I come crashing down again. This time last year, I'd been discharged from hospital for a 2nd suicide attempt in a matter of wee... View more

I feel like I'm stuck in a revolving door, no sooner am I feeling "okay" and that I'm coping..finally, after so long, that I come crashing down again. This time last year, I'd been discharged from hospital for a 2nd suicide attempt in a matter of weeks..and one of many over the course of the last 17yrs in my life. I get tired of hearing how I need to focus on my kids, that life is great and how it will all be better, soon. When is soon ? I get tired, frustrated and overwhelmed with trying to explain to others how I just don't feel like "me" anymore..whoever the hell that used to be. I'm 34 and I hate more than anything that I still wake up of a morning. Surviving this last 12 months isn't a sign of strength to me but rather one of failure..that yet again, something I'd set my mind to do, has come unraveled. I get asked to make promises from friends and family to not hurt myself..to not put myself in harms way..and so, on the outside, for the most part - I look fine. But I have found new ways of punishing myself..new ways of hiding how low and desperate I feel, I don't want to explain anything anymore. I just want it to stop.

lostllama Draining feeling of hopelessness
  • replies: 7

Hello everybody, I am new here. I have suffered from depression for years, to varying degrees. Sometimes it is anxiety, other times it is just a draining feeling of hopelessness. I feel like that deep inside, I don't really believe anything good can ... View more

Hello everybody, I am new here. I have suffered from depression for years, to varying degrees. Sometimes it is anxiety, other times it is just a draining feeling of hopelessness. I feel like that deep inside, I don't really believe anything good can ever come from life. I know that isn't logical, but it's a feeling. I have some great people in my life, but I often feel really alone and lonely. I don't feel like I know how to connect with other people. My emotions are always stormy and I feel like I feel things so much more than others do. Most of all, I feel like nobody really gets me. Does anybody else feel like this? Anyway, nice to meet you all.

Blurred_gold New to this and feeling lost
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, Hope all are ok. I have never posted on a forum before so this is a bit of a step. I have recently realised that I am depressed. I feel very hopeless. Started a new job two months ago which involved me working all day on my own seeing vu... View more

Hi everyone, Hope all are ok. I have never posted on a forum before so this is a bit of a step. I have recently realised that I am depressed. I feel very hopeless. Started a new job two months ago which involved me working all day on my own seeing vulnerable families in a health professional role. It is something that I have done for years and always enjoyed it. I have always worked in an office though and am a very social person. This new job finds me on the road all day or working from home, the only person I see all week work wise are the families I support. I have found this very difficult and have felt very unsupported in my role. Over the past month or so I have started to feel very lost, dreading going to work, teary, unconfident in my knowledge and skills, have negative thoughts and even started to pinch myself on my hand. The day I started to do that I realised something was very wrong and took myself to the Dr. He has referred me to a psychologist and also prescribed me antidepressants. I really don't want to take anything though and have not started on them as I am worried that once I start on something like this ( I have never taken antidepressants) I will never come off them! So I have made the decision to eat better and do more exercise and see how that goes. Today I woke up and just cannot face going to work. I have let my boss know but am so scared that I cannot do this job anymore. I cannot work out whether it is the job that has caused this, as I really don't like the job, or whether the job has merely been a catalyst to something underlying...I feel so helpless right now and scared that this is not going to go away. The added complication I have is I am on a sponsored visa and if I lose my job this puts me in a difficult position both financially and visa wise. This is not helping me to see the big picture. At the moment I feel like I can't see the woods from the trees and wonder whether i should start taking these meds or not. I feel like I have mucked up everything that I have worked hard for and have failed the people I support. This is so hard. Any advice would be very gratefully received. I have a very loving boyfriend who is trying understand...it's so hard when i don't even understand! I am note sure whether to quit my job as it fills me with so much dread. I know I am not doing it justice and that kills me inside as I have always enjoyed what I do. Especially when the families are relying on me to deliver a good service. The reality is the job wont change though and I am not good at being on my own all day...especially at the moment. I just feel useless and that i will never be good at it. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Any advice you can give me would be gratefully receiced. I hope that you are having a good day today

vip Depression and Substance Abuse
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone I was watching tv today and the news was saying Depression and Substance Abuse is at the all time highest its ever been. Its very high with our youth especially and more higher with girls than boys.Just shows we have lots of work here in ... View more

Hi Everyone I was watching tv today and the news was saying Depression and Substance Abuse is at the all time highest its ever been. Its very high with our youth especially and more higher with girls than boys.Just shows we have lots of work here in the future and it is becoming so common . Thank goodness for Beyond Blue and all the mental facilities that we do have and that we have do have to well the government has to fix this problem up with spending more money on mental health for future generations. Its great we can come on these forums and share all our experiences we can all help each other get through this terrible disease.

Yoli I'm losing control
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I am very confused and I need some help. I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety 3 years ago, I have been on sick leave and I'm now losing my job (I posted about this before). The stress of this has been huge, I have developed pain,... View more

Hi all, I am very confused and I need some help. I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety 3 years ago, I have been on sick leave and I'm now losing my job (I posted about this before). The stress of this has been huge, I have developed pain, like numbness in my arms and legs (this is new, I think it is stress related), I have pain in my chest, very teary and I feel like I am going to lose total control. On top of this, I feel that I should get over it and move on but I am not able to do it. I feel guilty and weak for not been able to get my thoughts and feelings under control. I would like to know how if what I'm feeling is this depression coming back? or perhaps it has never left, but its now getting worse??... I am at a complete loss of how to think and what to do to move out of this situation and thoughts Yoli

the_one_1 So lonely and unhappy
  • replies: 2

My parents push me around to do my school work when I do my school work. They always think i'm on Facebook and it annoys and stresses the hell out of me. This and another private family problem is not helping me in my school marks which are continuou... View more

My parents push me around to do my school work when I do my school work. They always think i'm on Facebook and it annoys and stresses the hell out of me. This and another private family problem is not helping me in my school marks which are continuously dropping. I don't have any friends. My one good friend is being pulled away from me because people are telling me that he thinks of me as a weird creepy person. Other people call me gay and that the sport I enjoy is gay. I'm not able to talk about something I enjoy. Due to this I feel i'm not accepted to be myself in the school at all Even the girls I like are a problem. I have never found a girl who likes me back and I don't think I ever will. I don't understand why, all the girls I like show me signs of liking me and end up not liking me. Its really annoying. Like the girl I like currently... I asked someone who knows the girl I like to find out who she likes. That person came back to me and told me that she likes someone else. I told this person to tell the girl I like that I like her. Suddenly out of the blue, a guy who is in the class which the girl I like is also in asked me if I like the girl I like. I said yes and every time she was next to me or looking at me, she was smiling at me. I then found out the next day that she is going on a date with the guy she likes. Yet she showed to me that she likes me back but is shy. On this same day, when in class, the girl I like hovered around where I sit during class. I sat back down and she didn't move (which means to me that she is interested in me). Throughout the day I saw her looking at me, talking to her friends who also looked at me. She is doing these things and yet found out she is going on a date with someone else, i just don't understand at all what to do. I used to live in a different state when younger and everything seemed to be more happier and was excellent for me. Ever since i've moved back here, my life has gone down hill. I'm not happy at all. In the other state I was in, there was a girl I liked who liked me back, the problem was I had to leave the time I found out. With all these problems I just want to be accepted for once and to loved and happy (due to my personal family problem). I'm an only child and my life is know horrible and I don't know what to do to make it better because no one likes me back when I want to me loved. Am I some kind of monster that this happens to me?

Lust2Dust Downward Spiral
  • replies: 2

Hi all and thank you for taking the time to read my post. i am new to this site but not new to depression. I am a 30 year old Male and have been suffering from depression since i was 13 years of age. I am currently taking medication and have booked i... View more

Hi all and thank you for taking the time to read my post. i am new to this site but not new to depression. I am a 30 year old Male and have been suffering from depression since i was 13 years of age. I am currently taking medication and have booked in for a few psychology sessions. I have struggled with alcohol abuse and anger issues in the past and have come along way from those times. I have a good job, a great partner and am a home owner yet i find it hard to see the good in life. I have had a failed marriage and lost all of my school friends over the last 4 years and find it hard to see the good in myself or the world. I have had constant weight battles gaining and losing between 40 to 50kg at a time. At this point of my life I find it hard to focus at work or drag myself to social outings as simple as shopping as i feel i will see people from my past that have cut me out of there life, i know i am a good person and am a good friend i was just going through bad periods. I can happily say i havent had an issue with alcohol for coming up to 24 months and my anger issues are under control. I guess i just need to know or understand how to start a new life at 30 years of age as i feel as of late i am slipping back into the slippery state of depression.

coco123 Success, self-esteem and depression
  • replies: 5

I should say that I'm quite lucky in some ways. I come from a very poor background, non-english speaking family. Imagine how much a trash bin collector get to raise 4 kids? Because of that I think I work very hard in my studies, hoping to change my f... View more

I should say that I'm quite lucky in some ways. I come from a very poor background, non-english speaking family. Imagine how much a trash bin collector get to raise 4 kids? Because of that I think I work very hard in my studies, hoping to change my family life. I managed to get full scholarships to go to Uni overseas for my Bachelors degree, Masters and recently PhD in a science field. I just started working at a research institute. However, I realised something is not quite right with me since I was in high school. I have cycles of highs and lows, in a space of few months time. When I'm at my lowest, I get bad headache, I feel anxious and tired all day, I can't focus. I even cried quitely next to my husband just to fall asleep. Once in a while I felt like I want to end this suffering, but I can't. I don't know how. I'm scared of needle let alone extreme pain. I blame my low self-esteem and my constant self-criticism, self-doubt for this problem. I'm sick of this. This has been going on for too long, 15 years. I need a way out. Can someone suggest me how to stay successful in life without depression? Please.