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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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Rose2021 I am feeling a bit sad
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so w... View more

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so well. It is hard having autism, ADHD, epilepsy, intellectual disability and depression. I want to be happy for once. I wish I didn’t have Autism, ADHD & Depression.

Loveanimals Empty and Hollow
  • replies: 5

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing... View more

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing in life. No social life, no partner, no job. No hobbies....nothing other than food and alcohol. I either don't drink then eat all day, or I don't eat then drink all day. I have tried so many hundreds of times to stop this vicious circle! I feel there is another side of me that absolutely takes over and I have no control over any of it. I try to go for a walk or read a book; try to do something other than sit around waiting for bedtime as that is all I look forward to. I have applied for numerous jobs and nothing has come of any of it. It is obvious that I am severely depressed. However, I have seen so many doctors and psychiatrists/psychologists and all any of them have done is prescribe medication. Which has never worked. I fear I am so damaged by my past and indeed my current situation that nothing will ever help me. I know that it is up to me to change this...but the 'bad' side of me says 'oh well you hate life anyway so who cares if you die from cancer/heart attack whatever'. I have a very dysfunctional relationship with my 'family' so I only see them when I absolutely have to. I have posted here about those issues. I guess it is just my pathway in life and I have to somehow overcome it. I do struggle constantly with this. I just do not know what to do anymore. I have honestly tried everything to no avail. I am so sorry if anyone reading this understands! As it is an awful way to exist. However....I wish someone could help me. Thanks for reading.

Alel Uncomfortable with my feelings
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I ... View more

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I still had those anxious and depressive thoughts or mild symptoms. I find myself feeling very uncomfortable if I am not happy or distracting myself on my phone. Just that, if I'm not happy all the time or just feeling okay still feels shitty, then there must be something so wrong with me and I can't imagine myself not feeling slightly sad and anxious for the rest of my life. I know it's not true because even people without anxiety and depression can't be happy 24 7 and have those okay days. But I feel like whenever I do, i get scared that its going to stay that way or it's going to get worse. And that there is no such thing as feeling better for me or a better version of me. I can't tell whether my thoughts/feelings are true or because of anxiety and depression.

Assist Being well
  • replies: 5

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s al... View more

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s all around me. Can we get well. What’s happened?

wendykasz007 Feeling low all the time
  • replies: 3

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking ... View more

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking for people to talk to that know how I feel. I've had depression all my life I am 51.I don't enjoy anything anymore not even music. I need friends

randomxx l dunno wth is wrong with me
  • replies: 10

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess m... View more

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess me at mid 40s and that's about what l've felt too so l'm very lucky in that way but unfortunately on the inside just of late usual zests seems to have left me and l can't be bothered with anything.l've always been moody and also in and out of depressed stages too but of late that's more so than not these days and it seems ridiculous to me but ldk wth is wrong and why the change- it's different now.l've also lost interest in work but worse lately feel like l can't even cope with it any more.l only work pt for myself at home so no pressures l've also always quite enjoyed it to but lately ???Been living alone mostly last 12 mths as my d moved out and gf has been interstate so we just visit a mth a time usually but l also might've blown it.last she was down at mine was gonna be for 3mths and she was so gorgeous, l really couldn't ask for more but yet, l was in the dumps so much that l eventually cut the 3mths short- hence probably blowing it with her now too bc that did not go down well at all and also really really hurt her.l should've been so happy to have her here again but yet l could hardly hold a smile. l feel like that with everything atm and of late been wondering if the other me the mostly old me is coming back this time or not. l don't want meds bc really compared to most depression, l'm actually quite light, but it is still enough to ruin things.ldk. Any thoughts appreciated.

tapeace I think I've been depressed since a very young age.
  • replies: 3

hi everyone, it's my first post so please forgive any mistakes I might make in where I am posting or what I am asking. I think I have had depression for so long that it feels normal. I don't feel overly sad, in fact I would rate myself pretty happy g... View more

hi everyone, it's my first post so please forgive any mistakes I might make in where I am posting or what I am asking. I think I have had depression for so long that it feels normal. I don't feel overly sad, in fact I would rate myself pretty happy go lucky. growing up I was always at every party, never part of the drama, always felt I had a very grounded view on things. if a friend hurt me I would understand and get over it very quickly. I know I have no self-esteem. I've never thought my issues were important. I was abused as a child and have never told a single soul, I've never really felt pain from that just blocked it out. I still see the person who did it and have a very normal relationship with him. I had absolutely no motivation or care about the future for as long as I can remember, but no anxiety about it either. As I've gotten older in life (now near 40) I've spent the last 2 years in bed watching TV. getting up to do what I had to do (feed my son or get him ready for school), completely secluded myself from everyone of my friends and I don't even miss them. it's been months since I've done basic things like showering and brushing my teeth. but I still don't feel sad or anxiety or worried or cry. has anyone else dealt with anything similar?

Ponder Navigating Deep Depression, Agoraphobia & Deteriorating Health
  • replies: 21

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with i... View more

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with individuals who tend to retreat in response to extroverted expressions. However, I wholeheartedly welcome those who can relate to such profound emotions.My primary intention is not merely seeking sympathy or commiseration; instead, my goal is to uplift myself from the deep hole I currently find myself in. My struggles with morbid obesity and experiencing signs of a looming heart attack have been daunting. I even had a mild one before, but I resisted seeking medical help due to feeling misunderstood. Being reduced to just a panic disorder in the community's eyes, with multiple diagnoses, hasn't been beneficial for me, and it only adds to my depression.Today's industry and its clinical approaches haven't resonated with me, as I've operated differently for many decades. I prefer not to adhere to any particular narrative or advocate specific ways of survival in this confining world. My aim isn't to tell others what to do, but rather to explore and influence my own path. Perhaps, this thread will serve as an outlet for this purpose if it endures, or if I choose to continue sharing.Lately, the cycles of despair have been getting longer, and I find myself wrestling with a tight chest every night, both psychologically and physically deteriorating. Despite having plenty of support, I struggle to find conventional methods that truly resonate with me.I hope to write about the various strategies I plan to adopt, as I embark on the journey to overcome this latest extreme cycle. At times, even simple tasks like mowing my own front lawn feel challenging, and I no longer concern myself with the notions of right or wrong. Perhaps, the government could provide assistance, but I fear it might only lead to further disempowerment or unwanted confrontations.Admittedly, I write better in the mornings, and I am uncertain if this format suits me well. Nevertheless, this seems to be my only outlet to reach out and express myself.

Rose2021 I wish I was happy
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I wish I wasn’t depressed and sad. I won’t do anything to harm myself which is good. I am safe. I am just super sad and depressed.

Hi everyone, I wish I wasn’t depressed and sad. I won’t do anything to harm myself which is good. I am safe. I am just super sad and depressed.

stell_a178 Moving Out at 20 (Family Issues)
  • replies: 6

I don’t have the best relationship with either of my parents. My dad is abusive and I no longer talk to him and my mum tends to shut down any of my issues relating to mental health. More recently the fights between my mum and I have become unbearable... View more

I don’t have the best relationship with either of my parents. My dad is abusive and I no longer talk to him and my mum tends to shut down any of my issues relating to mental health. More recently the fights between my mum and I have become unbearable, and I have been looking to move out. However, in one fight I said I would completely cut ties with her once I moved out. I somewhat agree with what I said and somewhat don’t. But since then, my family has been telling me that I’m just a lazy spoiled brat that should be thankful for all that my mum has done for me. I understand that her financially supporting me is incredible and I will forever be grateful of that, but she also does not support me in regard to my mental health whatsoever. She believes I am faking my mental issues, and that my psychologist is just saying yes to everything I say and not actually helping me. I disagree completely. Anyway, I am just feeling really alone and stressed because of this. I don’t know if I am using my mental issues as an excuse for behaving badly and that I should be grateful for her and just keep it at that. I thought my sister would support me when I said I would cut ties, but she said my reasons for doing so are not valid. She said that if my mum didn’t physically abuse me, I should be keeping in contact with her. But I feel as though my mum has only been detrimental to my mental health. She constantly talks about my weight, compares me to other people my age, tells me that I never work as hard as she does, that I just sleep all day and don’t do anything (I work and go to Uni), that I never cook and clean because I am lazy etc. I am so utterly tired of being judged for every single thing that I do, that I am finding it hard to find a reason to keep in contact with her. She has made me so bad about myself and everything that I do, so why would I continue to go out of my way to talk to her.any advice or notes are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and my heart goes out to any one else in a similar situation x