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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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REC500 Thoughts on paper
  • replies: 2

This is my first post but after reading some of the posts I can see I'm not alone here. I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression around 2015 and have managed to keep things together until about 12 months ago due to the nature of my work combined with... View more

This is my first post but after reading some of the posts I can see I'm not alone here. I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression around 2015 and have managed to keep things together until about 12 months ago due to the nature of my work combined with a toxic work environment. I reduced my working week to 7 days per fortnight and am on medication however it still became overwhelming and I took leave without pay. I have not worked since October 2023 and am living off my savings. More often now I don't do activities and hobbies I used to enjoy and most things are a struggle and seem pointless. Low moods and lethargy are present most days. Some days getting out of bed seems pointless. It can also be tiring pretending everything is okay when it is not. I tell myself suicide would kill my elderly parents and devastate my grandchildren but that is starting to wear thin. I care about things less and less and feel immune to any emotional situations where I know I should care, or be angry or happy or concerned but I don't. Thats all.

Summerinvincible Foot fracture & mental health decline
  • replies: 12

I fractured my right foot 6 weeks & 3 days ago and it has been the hardest thing I’ve gone through which completely took me by surprise (I’ve gone through hard times before and was on antidepressants for over a year 5 years ago). I didn’t get the bes... View more

I fractured my right foot 6 weeks & 3 days ago and it has been the hardest thing I’ve gone through which completely took me by surprise (I’ve gone through hard times before and was on antidepressants for over a year 5 years ago). I didn’t get the best care from the public hospital here in Perth so I spent a lot of time worrying if what was happening was normal, or if it was nerve damage. I’m a single parent of a primary school aged child which was added stress as I couldn’t drive (right foot!) I can’t walk by myself yet but can at least drive now as of this week. So my mood perked up for a bit until I started the slow process of learning to walk again with crutches and moon boot. I was told it would take 6-8 weeks but it’s slow going. I wonder if I’ll ever feel completely normal again. I’ve tried posting in Facebook groups but they won’t approve me as they say I’m asking for medical advice (I’m not!) I just need to be heard. I wasn’t told anything specific about recovery except to “play it by ear” but luckily there’s lots of resources online from orthopaedic surgeons. I have crutches which cause pain in my wrists and squash the nerves in my hand so I have padded the handles with foam and got a wrist splint for support. Last night I felt really down as I felt like I’d caused damage after a walking session. It doesn’t hurt at the time, just sharp twinges afterwards which is worrying so I’m just lying in bed now. I feel like no one cares because I’m not dying and it’s not a long term condition even though when you suddenly can’t walk, the days are long. I feel really alone as only a couple of friends have provided practical help. One “friend” in particular disappeared completely. Thanks for listening.

beezandhoney Sister struggles with depression/ suicidal ideation
  • replies: 3

hello this is my first time posting in a forum like this, but I’m just trying to look for some answers.my older sister is constantly talking about how much she hates her life and how everything in her life gives her a pit in her stomach. like the sui... View more

hello this is my first time posting in a forum like this, but I’m just trying to look for some answers.my older sister is constantly talking about how much she hates her life and how everything in her life gives her a pit in her stomach. like the suicidal ideation is just always lingering in her mind. She talks about how she hates this society and how people function in it, (city life) and I agree with her honestly, but it’s the horrid feeling she’s fighting with everyday and I just feel hopeless, like I don’t know what to do next. she mentions how medication messes with her and makes her feel worse so im afraid to suggest she goes back on that again. Years of seeing psychiatrists just isn’t working for her so im not sure what else to suggest. My family and I offer her our support constantly, but it’s not enough, I feel. If there’s anyone out there who knows exactly what my sister is going through and is able to offer some advice/support, that would be very much appreciated. Sorry this got so long haha

StephenP12 Struggling with some proper strong mood swings
  • replies: 1

Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distra... View more

Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distractions in terms of music/podcasts even for example, just in general. Sometimes can push through it in fact kind of often, but not at the moment

MissNobody992024 I can’t do this anymore
  • replies: 4

You know how much it sucks when people say they know how you feel and they clearly don’t? I’m 25 and I’ve struggled with mental health all my life, I’ve tried everything and I still can’t get a job, I’m living with my alcoholic mother who makes every... View more

You know how much it sucks when people say they know how you feel and they clearly don’t? I’m 25 and I’ve struggled with mental health all my life, I’ve tried everything and I still can’t get a job, I’m living with my alcoholic mother who makes everything about her and I have nobody. I’ve had people constantly tell me that they are here for me but when it really matters they don’t care. I want nothing more to move out but to do that I need a job and even if I get one my mother has the maturity and responsibility of a 6 year old constantly smoking and drinking and considers me lazy no matter what I do. For the longest time I’ve felt like I’m not supposed to make it and I don’t know maybe I’m just not worth it but despite that I’ve done nothing but fight for everything but recently I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t want to fight anymore.

daydreambeliever1967 Moved from Melbourne to Fraser Coast & “really struggling……”
  • replies: 19

It’s been almost a month & I want to go back. My partner & I planned this move in 2017 - but I wasn’t ready to come now.He was. He’s ecstatic & I am slowly falling apart internally. I left a job I loved of 14 years.We are both at retirement age - but... View more

It’s been almost a month & I want to go back. My partner & I planned this move in 2017 - but I wasn’t ready to come now.He was. He’s ecstatic & I am slowly falling apart internally. I left a job I loved of 14 years.We are both at retirement age - but I wasn’t ready. I miss the seasons. I hate the heat & yes I have lived in QLD before, but years ago - the humidity is BEYOND & we are on the coast.I am constantly on the verge of tears & not being honest with friends & family when they ask “how are you settling in?”My partner is golf mad which has always suited me, but now I feel so very isolated.I want to flee. My anxiety is thru the roof.I am shaky & teary all the time.He is caring & concerned but has no idea just how bad I am.Is there anyone out there that has been through this? Will it pass? I’m not feeling up to joining “clubs” of any sort atm.I don’t want to break down in front of strangers etcAll ideas, thoughts & advice welcome x

JJ1981 A LIFE WELL...WORN!
  • replies: 5

Hi ladies and gentlemen. I am in a very interesting (sad, sick, confusing, whatever you want to call it) situation regarding my mental health. I'm 42 year old male who had done so much to try to better his own life, but I have woefully not achieved t... View more

Hi ladies and gentlemen. I am in a very interesting (sad, sick, confusing, whatever you want to call it) situation regarding my mental health. I'm 42 year old male who had done so much to try to better his own life, but I have woefully not achieved the milestones expected of a successful (or at least, normal) man. In fact, my life circumstances are so complicated that I have to write a lot more than 2,500 words to fully describe it. I have been getting excellent mental health treatment, but still felt really worn down about life but, gladly, not in a position of even contemplating THAT fatal act. The circumstances were so complicated and horrendous for me that most people would have not been that resilient, if they went through the same life I had. Probably, the only things that stopped things from getting even worse were a stable, decent immediate family (of which I came from), me not having permanent disability and me not being sexually abused. I will only scratch the surface of the issues that have been dragging me down...Me and my family have always worked to try to make a better and more stable life for ourselves. Yet, I felt that our journey has been made 100 times harder than everyone else who put in the same effort, dedication and sacrifice. I think this is because of many people (in at least two Australian states) having problems with me and/or my family. Problems ranging from me having an Italian Catholic father and an Australian Protestant mother, to me growing up in one of my old city's poorest suburbs. From me being 1 out of 1-2 high achieving males in Year 12 to me dealing with the effects of elitism in higher education, work and society. And, boy, Australia does have a big elitism problem. From my late father's criminal history (and criminal reputation) to Italian Australians confusing me on how to actually act like a good enough Italian to blend in with them! From having both sides of my family treating me and my immediate family with the grossest of contempt, to me not being able to get proper help with anything from socialising to getting funding to me finding a partner. Even within my healthcare career, so many employers, coworkers, patients, social workers and the big decision makers have disregarded the contribution that I have made to my work and to their community so much and so often, that I have been burnt out to the point where I would never work regularly in my old job again. See...complicated. Need to make sense of all above. Thanks

Guest_9871 52 years old and going nowhere
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am new here and thought I needed to talk with someone as I am feeling extremely lost. I am 52, separated for 4 years, just lost my new partner yesterday as she is too busy for me. I am not struggling financially but cannot seem to save or get a... View more

Hi, I am new here and thought I needed to talk with someone as I am feeling extremely lost. I am 52, separated for 4 years, just lost my new partner yesterday as she is too busy for me. I am not struggling financially but cannot seem to save or get anywhere in life. Had a house but lost after separation. Now only renting and no lifht at end of tunnel to buy another one. Currently have no interest in anything and I feel like a total failure in life. Not sure what to do.

Toby_Girl4 Feeling Alone
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I have always struggled with Severe Depression and I am not coping at the moment. Taken time off work just feeling alone coz I feel it's all in my head and others are worse then me so why am I depressed

Hi there, I have always struggled with Severe Depression and I am not coping at the moment. Taken time off work just feeling alone coz I feel it's all in my head and others are worse then me so why am I depressed