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Depression

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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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Murmur Wrong
  • replies: 7

I know that I need help. But I am too afraid to talk. I hate talking. Phones. People. It is easier to just be polite and pretend I am fine. But I am not coping.

I know that I need help. But I am too afraid to talk. I hate talking. Phones. People. It is easier to just be polite and pretend I am fine. But I am not coping.

kezza76 hi there.
  • replies: 4

hi Ive suffered depression in different severeties since i was 20 (now 36). This bout of depression I am having this time, is only allowing me to get for the last few nights 2 - 3 hours sleep and for the week before its ranged from 6 hours going down... View more

hi Ive suffered depression in different severeties since i was 20 (now 36). This bout of depression I am having this time, is only allowing me to get for the last few nights 2 - 3 hours sleep and for the week before its ranged from 6 hours going down to 1 hr 40. I have just started back up on medication again but it has not even been a week and I feel like im fighting a loosing battle. I would just love to chat to people who are suffering insomnia aswell, What your suggestions are and just general support thanks. I have had the bad thoughts(dont think i would ever do anything though). please some help is desperately needed.

JoeFirefly Sinking to the lowest of lows
  • replies: 2

Its tough trying to even put this into words. So many times Ive thought " Ill be ok. Something good will come along." In all honesty, it has been a long time coming. Just by reading the front page of this website the alarm bells were ringing. ive sta... View more

Its tough trying to even put this into words. So many times Ive thought " Ill be ok. Something good will come along." In all honesty, it has been a long time coming. Just by reading the front page of this website the alarm bells were ringing. ive started my own business. something ive wanted for so long. working with such talented people. I have great deal of resources available to me. What have I done about it? Nothing.. I have my reasons. Excuses some may call them. I have to visit venues in order to get gigs for artists I have on my books. The thought of dealing with ppl causes me so much anxiety. I was abused and threatened by a customer a long time ago. I was so defenceless. I froze. To be honest I was flat scared. Im struggling with so many different things. Im a complete wreck. To get rid of the anxiety. I began to smoke weed. I haven't stopped for 5 years. Sometimes I want to stop. Most times I enjoy it. Even tho I know I shouldn't. The tip of the ice berg. Im a compulsive gambler that has lost a lot of money over the years. Poker machines have pretty much ruined my life. I don't normally gamble in other forms. Like Id have any money left.. ( I have a sense of humor..) I have a great family around me. But telling them this will disappoint them. Its not like they wont support me, im just afraid they will go overboard in their reaction. I cry a lot. For a man to cry this much.. its not normal.. I know I need help.

melbournegirle I Feel Like I'm Living For Other People
  • replies: 5

I was diagnosed with depression about four years ago (although after extensive therapy suspect I suffered from it intermittently throughout my teens as well). I've been on medication pretty much for the last four years except for one particularly ill... View more

I was diagnosed with depression about four years ago (although after extensive therapy suspect I suffered from it intermittently throughout my teens as well). I've been on medication pretty much for the last four years except for one particularly ill-advised six month period where I decided I didn't need them anymore and luckily recognised the signs of an impending breakdown and went back on them. I have good times; times when I don't even think about depression and I'm as happy as the happiest person on earth. I have good reason to be happy: my family are amazing and have loved and supported me throughout, I have firm friends who have stuck by me thick and thin, a strong partner and a stable job in a shaky economy. Yet, lately I have just been feeling worse and worse. I attempted suicide a couple of times when I was first diagnosed, and since then have not considered it an option, because I wanted to live for myself and to beat this thing. Now, though, I've realised that I no longer have any desire to live for myself. I guess it's a good thing that I have these wonderful people around me to keep me here but life just...I'm not sure how to put it into words and make it make sense. I feel so sad it hurts, and like life is just passing me by, like I'm just a helpless spectator. I dropped out of uni last year because of my depression and after being one of the top students of my high school I'm now working in retail whilst my friends finish their studies and get "real" jobs. I met my partner at uni (we were both mature age students) and he is in his final year of studies, and if I hadn't continually failed and eventually dropped out, I would be right there beside him. I feel like a failure, and the pain of the sadness is sometimes unbearable. Sorry this has been so rambly. I guess I just needed to write this out and tell someone other than my psych what is going on. Thanks for reading.

Over-it-all A dark place.. i need help :(
  • replies: 4

hey guys, I've hit a depression all time low and i'm ready to give up and don't know what to do about it Work problems, money problems, about to be homeless problems, stuck in a bad situation as a carer for my mum, and to top it all off, my girl and ... View more

hey guys, I've hit a depression all time low and i'm ready to give up and don't know what to do about it Work problems, money problems, about to be homeless problems, stuck in a bad situation as a carer for my mum, and to top it all off, my girl and 4 yr old have left me for another man.. She was dazzled by a new guy with money and limosines and casinos and stolen away from me on the weekend. I'm ready for it all to be over.. life is just too hard.. i can't and don't want to deal with it anymore please talk to me. i'm desperate. I have no friends and it's a battle with my mind at the moment, which i'm quickly losing. help needed

La_Vie_en_rose That sinking feeling is coming back.
  • replies: 2

I've battled with depression for a few years now, and as much as I've made it "work" in my life. I can feel the sinking feeling slowly pulling me into the pit again. I know I shouldn't be like this, I have a good life. I have a job, a home, a partner... View more

I've battled with depression for a few years now, and as much as I've made it "work" in my life. I can feel the sinking feeling slowly pulling me into the pit again. I know I shouldn't be like this, I have a good life. I have a job, a home, a partner, and I live comfortably with the things I want. But the stress really really is starting to give me the blues. I came home from work in years today, all because I made myself stress about my boss coming in tomorrow (they're lovely btw). I didn't even tell my boyfriend, I just went and had a bath and cried to myself. I don't know what I'm really doing here, I just need help. Someone to talk to. I know I should talk to my boyfriend, but I feel like a burden. Why should he have to put up with my sook moods?

caroline_ Self hate
  • replies: 4

I've had a negative view of myself since I was a child. I assumed everyone hated me, and I always hated myself. Now I find it hard to believe people when they tell me nice things. At my last session my counsellor said that when I’m stressed, depresse... View more

I've had a negative view of myself since I was a child. I assumed everyone hated me, and I always hated myself. Now I find it hard to believe people when they tell me nice things. At my last session my counsellor said that when I’m stressed, depressed and anxious I revert back to what I knew as a child, what I believed about myself. She also said that I could have had PTSD from being bullied, but I don't know about that. Anyway, what I'm getting at... I have this final assignment and I'm having so much trouble completing it because I need to write about how I've fulfilled graduate teaching standards throughout my studies, which basically means I have to talk myself up and write about how amazing I am... but I can't because I don't believe it. I go into panic thinking about it because I feel like such a fraud. How can I do this? How do people learn to even like themselves and believe in themselves? Because I just can't no matter what anyone says.

Sarthom Falling.....
  • replies: 1

I can feel myself sliding further into a dark place. I find myself feeling depressed about depression if that is even possible. I'm quite at ease at home where I don't have to be social and put on my face of everything is right with the world. I feel... View more

I can feel myself sliding further into a dark place. I find myself feeling depressed about depression if that is even possible. I'm quite at ease at home where I don't have to be social and put on my face of everything is right with the world. I feel I have nothing to give at the moment and that is frustrating. I'm back to work next week and was hoping to have it all sorted by now. My sleeping pattern is beginning to be effected again. I'm having vivid dreams that wake me at all hours of the night and when I fall back into a sleep It returns. I never get anywhere and feel exhausted by the time morning arrives. I hate myself for feeling like this, but I'm having difficulties pulling myself out of it again. I can see it but I can't fix it which is even more frustrating. I feel I have to please everyone and if I don't then I'm letting them all down. I don't seem to have time for myself and when I sit down I'm dwelling on things that make me feel worse about myself. It's such a vicious circle. Is it just me or is this a common feeling others experience also?

furey What do you do when you've already tried everything?
  • replies: 6

Everyone always says it's so easy to get help - well, not in my experience. It seems to me the only way you actually get help is if you actually do something drastic. But that's not what this is about. So, you've ended up in hospital. You've seen the... View more

Everyone always says it's so easy to get help - well, not in my experience. It seems to me the only way you actually get help is if you actually do something drastic. But that's not what this is about. So, you've ended up in hospital. You've seen the doctors, done the therapy, and now...you're exactly where you were before, except now, there isn't any illusion of help and getting better. Now you know that you've tried and it didn't work. What are you supposed to do?