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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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LongHardRoad Help - how can I separate my true feelings from the depression?
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am 24 and I have been suffering from depression and anxiety on and off since adolescence but mostly it has gone untreated. I have a parent with bipolar and a sibling with depression and I have always had to be strong for them so I guess I just ... View more

Hi, I am 24 and I have been suffering from depression and anxiety on and off since adolescence but mostly it has gone untreated. I have a parent with bipolar and a sibling with depression and I have always had to be strong for them so I guess I just learnt to suffer in silence. But recently I have been finding it more difficult to cope. I moved out of home with my fiancee and I have been unemployed for months. My depression seems to come in waves but when I am at my lowest I feel like I can't imagine a future for myself. I can't imagine feeling better or being happy or just managing to cope at all. Has anyone else experienced this? I have been getting very irritable with my partner and having doubts about marrying him. We have been together since I was 16 and he is the only person who knows the real me and I know I love him. But our relationship hasn't always been smooth sailing. I don't know if how I am feeling is because of my depression or if it is how I really feel. I'm just really confused and I could use some advice from people who have been there Thanks.

Mld92 It's just so hard, I don't know what to do anymore.
  • replies: 3

Where to start...? I'm 21yr old female and I am the type of person who is naturally really emotional but also sensitive so it has been hard for me to realize that I have a problem but I think I can see it now. For the past 6 months I believe I have b... View more

Where to start...? I'm 21yr old female and I am the type of person who is naturally really emotional but also sensitive so it has been hard for me to realize that I have a problem but I think I can see it now. For the past 6 months I believe I have been suffering depression and it's just getting worse and worse. It started off as a mood every now and then where I just felt down toward life, I felt sad and lonely at times for little reason at all and would just find myself crying for the smallest reasons or no reason at all. It has been hard for me to pin point whether I'm depressed also because I work a very stressful job which requires me to be on my feet for 8hrs straight sometimes with no break, unpaid overtime almost daily, shift work which consists of late nights, overnights and working almost every weekend, and to add to that the level of responsibility is taken home with me, so I can never just go home and relax there is always something on my mind when it comes to work. Lets just say I am very unhappy in my job and when you're spending 40-50 hours of your week there it becomes very draining. Working late nights and weekends has stripped me of my social life, and I also get little time with my family or partner. I just miss people and I miss my old life. But I have to work this job and these hours to survive, I have been frantically looking for something new but it's a lot harder then it would seem even though I have over 5yrs of experience in my profession. Anyway I believe my job has been the trigger for how I am feeling. I come home with little energy and I just feel dead all the time, I could stay in my bed forever if I could. The tiredness and stress has made me want to withdraw from others in the only bit of spare time that I do have, just to rest. I come home and just cry, I feel empty, I feel like I'm stuck in a place I just cannot get out of. The worst part is that before I had this job I was the strongest person, I had confidence and I used to smile all the time, I was independent and bright and people looked to me for advice, I used to look forward to things. But now I just don't even know who I am anymore, I don't enjoy the things I used to as much, its just not the same feeling anymore, its like I'm good at feeling down but i cant feel the highs of life at all. I feel alone and like I'm stuck in a rut I cannot get out of, I'm disappointed in myself. I don't eat properly or consistently anymore, mainly because when I get home I just want to sleep and then I don't get many breaks at work, I have no energy or motivation to just get things organized for myself like I truly need. I am very good at faking happiness and faking a smile so no one even knows I am going through this, only my partner whom is worried about me and can see that I've changed. I will be going to the doctors to get help I just am afraid to open up, as I'm not good at talking to strangers and opening up about myself. The worst thing is the feeling of being alone, and the constant pain, tears and feeling of weakness. It's not that I want to die. But I have no idea how long I can put up with life the way it is now...

Miss_Out Crying
  • replies: 11

I cry every day for the life I should have had. I am the single mother of two teenagers. Their abusive father left me 10 years ago for someone better, then on breaking up with her killed himself leaving a letter blaming me, his mother also blames me.... View more

I cry every day for the life I should have had. I am the single mother of two teenagers. Their abusive father left me 10 years ago for someone better, then on breaking up with her killed himself leaving a letter blaming me, his mother also blames me. I am ugly, I have lost 50kg but ugly is to the bone, hey. I have been unable to establish new relationships as I am not what all the men want.. I live in a small community and the stigma of being a single mother is always there plus so much gossip and assumption of things that are not true. I am also a professional, to my clients I seem happy and upbeat, able to solve all problems,but on the inside I am crying,hoping for someone to help me with my problems. I am just so alone in the world. I have some good friends, but they rely on me a lot and dont understand how lonely I am as they all have people who love them, and are not hideously ugly like me. I feel constant envy for people who manage to be happy and loved although they hurt people' lie and cheat. I want bad to come to them and good for me. I am not perfect but surely I do not deserve a life sentence of misery. I tried to get help today, my GP is booked out for 1 week, and my clinical psychologist is booked out for 2 weeks. There is no psychiatry in my area, the closest being over an hour away...I feel so alone and isolated, and only stay alive for my boys...I need help SSRI's are not working I am afraid for my own future

Florrie Depression or something else?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've been finding it really to hard to enjoy life recently and am not sure whether that is due to a few tough situations in life all happening at once or whether I'm on a downward spiral. 18 months ago my husband was made redundant and since then... View more

Hi, I've been finding it really to hard to enjoy life recently and am not sure whether that is due to a few tough situations in life all happening at once or whether I'm on a downward spiral. 18 months ago my husband was made redundant and since then he has made next to no money trying to set up his own business and it hasn't taken off. We have two pre-school age children and I work part-time to try to keep the mortgage paid. I'm constantly tired and worried about money, so much so that most evenings I cry myself to sleep. I can't turn off that voice in my head that reminds me that life wasn't supposed to be like this. I can't talk to my husband about it because he blames himself for the whole situation but I know that he is trying his best. For the last month or two I've found it really hard to enjoy life and have lost motivation to exercise or eat healthily. I just want to crawl into bed and ignore all the s*** that we're going through. I'm just worried that, if things don't improve, then nor will how I feel. Are these feelings just a reflection of the long-term problems we're having or am I starting to spiral into depression? Thanks in advance for any advice

BJ Depression or anxiety, are people not understanding or am I being selfish
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Bear with I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. I was diagnosed with a depressive illness end of last year, and it looks like I have had it most of my life, at least since primary school, (I'm 27 now). Since I was diagnosed I have made huge... View more

Hi everyone, Bear with I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. I was diagnosed with a depressive illness end of last year, and it looks like I have had it most of my life, at least since primary school, (I'm 27 now). Since I was diagnosed I have made huge improvement, however I feel like I still have a way to go yet. One thing I have done is I have joined my local rural fire brigade and loving it, the problem is my boss/s have told me on no uncertain terms that if my commitment to the fire brigade interferes with my work they would have ask me to stop participating in it. Feel like I need to do this for me, not just for my community, or am I just being selfish and that I should give it up and find something else. Thanks for listening, BJ

Hayley Depression: You Suck
  • replies: 5

My depression is starting to take a turn south feeling like crap again and keep thinking those thoughts of falling asleep and not waking up or whatever scenario runs through my head at the time. Just thinking I have to get through another day as sure... View more

My depression is starting to take a turn south feeling like crap again and keep thinking those thoughts of falling asleep and not waking up or whatever scenario runs through my head at the time. Just thinking I have to get through another day as sure as the sun rises another day will come time stops for no one. My frustration triggers these thoughts you try this med that med this therapy that therapy no meds no therapy, your doctor your psychologist, your psychiatrist, your friends your family your partner, religion, spirituality, lifestyle changes, the nurse, the hospital, the emergency department, those numbers you ring and there is a stranger on the other end, the internet nothing f*** works. People say to you everything will be ok you will get through this all you have to do is...this What? oh right no I've tried that, done that, doing that What else ya got? When you loose hope you loose everything. I have lost hope. I know there is no magic pill I know there is no quick fix I know I haven't got a broken leg Ive got a broken psyche I know I have to be patient be positive how can I do that when I cant get out of bed.

Katieb30 At a time of need
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm a 30yo woman and have had depression for as long as I can remember. I've been on medication since I was about 15yo. On Wednesday I went away with my partner for a few days to help him out for work. I forgot to pack my medication and there... View more

Hi all, I'm a 30yo woman and have had depression for as long as I can remember. I've been on medication since I was about 15yo. On Wednesday I went away with my partner for a few days to help him out for work. I forgot to pack my medication and therefore hasn't taken it since Tuesday.. The effects of not having my meds are physically and emotionally draining. Physically I have been feeling myself suffer the withdrawals from the medication and can only describe what happens as some sort of electrical impulse that goes right through my head and the rest of my body. It's an awful feeling and not one I hope to feel again. emotionally I have not been able to stop crying. My life is great. I have no reason to cry but alas am fighting back tears as I type this. i wanted to come on to this forum to see whether anyone out there living with depression and anxiety believes it is possible to manage these illnesses without being on medication? I think it's wrong that one would go through such physical and emotional trauma simply from not taking a tablet!! Am wondering if anyone out there has had success from just CBT and leading a healthy lifestyle? Thanks in advance!!

ONM Am I depressed or just being pathetic?
  • replies: 3

I feel like I'm a happy person but over the past two years I have been getting sadder and sadder and find that sometimes I lose my shit I cry and actually feel physically ill for what exactly I can't put my finger on. W maybe behind in bill payments ... View more

I feel like I'm a happy person but over the past two years I have been getting sadder and sadder and find that sometimes I lose my shit I cry and actually feel physically ill for what exactly I can't put my finger on. W maybe behind in bill payments or my daughter may be being naughty or I look in the mirror and I can't stand what I see, I feel like a failure and I have a lot of guilt of the situation we are in. I maybe be fine one week then super crazy sad the next. I'm up and down all the time. I've just started to tell my husband how I'm feeling, he wants me to get help he is very loving and caring and even putting him through this makes me sick. I feel embarrassed of the way I feel and what is am putting my family through......how hard is it to do the next step and get professional help....do I need it? Or am I just being silly? Please help me.

Marley Feel tired
  • replies: 2

I suffer depression and anxiety but doing ok (I think). I just quit my job and had to go there today to handover. After leaving I have no regrets and wonder how I lasted so long. I feel an immense sense of freedom from this. I am not thinking about a... View more

I suffer depression and anxiety but doing ok (I think). I just quit my job and had to go there today to handover. After leaving I have no regrets and wonder how I lasted so long. I feel an immense sense of freedom from this. I am not thinking about another job yet, too hard too confronting. I'm taking some me time. My only problem is I still feel rather unmotivated at times and feel tired by 12.30, feeling I need some rest time before collecting kids. Is this making lazy habits laying on my bed just resting - I rarely sleep. It feels like a time waster but Is sooooo peaceful.

Claudio Please help, i cant figure out if i have anxiety or depression or if im just being pathetic
  • replies: 1

Hi, im new the forums and i really hope you can help me. It has been going on for quite sometime now, about 7 - 8 months but has gotten worse over the past 3 months. Now i feel very edgy, like someone could say or do one tiny thing and i can go from ... View more

Hi, im new the forums and i really hope you can help me. It has been going on for quite sometime now, about 7 - 8 months but has gotten worse over the past 3 months. Now i feel very edgy, like someone could say or do one tiny thing and i can go from being happy to wanting to punch the first thing i see. Its like i have years of anger just waiting to be unleashed. But its not only the people around me that can change that, i can also just go from being happy to angry in a matter of minutes. I also just feel very sad, like i could cry and cry for days but i try not to because i dont think there is a reason so i would be crying over what, nothing. For some reason i feel like there is nothing to look forward to in life, i have no drive or ambition to do anything anymore. I have gotten lazier and lazier and just lost all life in me. Also, a couple of times, not to often i have questioned myself asking if what im doing is actually what im doing, like im dreaming or something for a couple of minutes, and sometimes for those couple of minutes my perception of time screws with me. Sometimes if i am out, with parents or infront of friends parents i worry that im gonna do something weird and make an ass of myself. One last thing, im in a long distance relationship, she only lives about an hour away but i only get to see her on weekends, sometimes not for two weeks, i just thought i'de mention that just incase it is a factor. Please, any help will be greatly appreciated, Thank You