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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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Bonnieeeeee Struggletown
  • replies: 4

I'm struggling to accept and find ways to get myself through the depression and anxiety taking over my body at the moment. I attended the doctors about 2 months ago and they alerted needed immediate help. I'm a very proud person and have found it har... View more

I'm struggling to accept and find ways to get myself through the depression and anxiety taking over my body at the moment. I attended the doctors about 2 months ago and they alerted needed immediate help. I'm a very proud person and have found it hard to accept and I'm almost embarrassed which makes me ashamed. Since then not a lot has changed I'm struggling big time and although my partner tried he finds it difficult to understand and because I don't understand it myself yet I can't really explain it. My anxiety takes over my entire world to the point where I had to leave my career which I loved. I've never done anything like this or reached out asking for help but I'm at the stage I need help because I'm terrified and unsure what to do. I don't enjoy opening up which makes my recovery all the more difficult, if anyone has any advise with regard to how to move past this, how to explain to my partner because I need him more then anything. Struggling through life is not fun

Guest_3712 Rain, rain go away
  • replies: 0

hi guys, I have spent a lot of time on line today as I having a bad one. it is raining and I always find the rain makes me worse. I have been reading lots of your posts and have responded to some when I think I have something to offer. The truth is I... View more

hi guys, I have spent a lot of time on line today as I having a bad one. it is raining and I always find the rain makes me worse. I have been reading lots of your posts and have responded to some when I think I have something to offer. The truth is I need some help. I need to know is there anyone out there that shares my problem. I continue to self medicate despite being admitted to hospital several times for detox, and then finally getting off my opiates after an infusion in August. I know the dangers, I know I am not fooling myself with my reasons, most of which I don't get anyway. I told my psych I wanted to get off and although he knows everything about me he still says my drug use isn't the main problem , my depression is. He says the dosage of my meds isn't too high and he would rather I stay on AD and I can ween off my anxiety meds if I want. The thing is I don't know if I really want to . I say I do but I'm pretty quick to reach for a pill if I'm in pain, feeling down or as is today it is raining! What the ??? I can't help feeling that the meds give me some level of control. I feel less anxious and usually very calm and out of it. I know I will never get my life back on track until I can give up these drugs but I am really struggling. I keep as busy as I can doing various things, but I know I am again addicted and I am really scared I will have to go back into hospital. My husband would be devastated if this happened. I am only slowly regaining his trust after the last admission. Is there anyone going through this? Please let me know Stressless

guest75 I hate this stupid disease
  • replies: 2

Im sitting here at my mums, stressing, crying and thinking about this stupid illness that effects each of us on here, either personally or a loved oneWhy does it effect us all in such different ways?I read some people struggle to find/perform work wh... View more

Im sitting here at my mums, stressing, crying and thinking about this stupid illness that effects each of us on here, either personally or a loved oneWhy does it effect us all in such different ways?I read some people struggle to find/perform work while they suffer with it...This has never been an issue for me, even with my social anxiety problems, i have always held a good job, i interview well. when my resume makes it through and i get an interview, i always at least get a 2nd interview. Even when i was unemployed for the last little period of my life, i was offered a couple of jobs in there that i had to turn down for different reasons (maybe my mind created these reasons, i dont know)i read some people who want to be alone, want to be away from loved ones, dont want people around them. I am the TOTAL opposite of this, i am craving affection more than any time in my life. I want to be around people, i want to talk to people, i want to be close. I dont have that sort of relationship with my mum or my sister where i am living, and i dont really have any friends. My kids are away from me so i cant be close to them at the minute, and Tara I would give everything i owned just to be able to hold her at the minute, to be able to sit down and talk to herWhy did this horrible illness make me so angry? It turned me into a horrible horrible person. I said and did things i can never take back to the people who mean the most to be in the world. The depression didnt make me do or say those things, those were my actions that i have to live with, but it made my moods change.My moods changing has caused me to lose the most important things in my life, my kids and my best friend/my only friend/my partnerIf i lose Tara i dont think i want to keep going. Its scaring me, i am having serious suicidal thoughts and i am having trouble making them go away and i have no one to talk to and i dont know what im going to do - i think i can make it to tuesday but i dont know what i will do if she chooses to continue the IVO process because these thoughts are getting harder and harder to ignore... 'beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.'

Mares73 Big bad monsters in head
  • replies: 11

Dear all I am having an awful morning. I woke up feeling really emotional & don't know why. My husband woke up shortly after & I could tell he was upset. He said I don't communicate anymore as I shutdown & isolate myself & he feels like he is living ... View more

Dear all I am having an awful morning. I woke up feeling really emotional & don't know why. My husband woke up shortly after & I could tell he was upset. He said I don't communicate anymore as I shutdown & isolate myself & he feels like he is living alone. He criticised my medication, my Drs & my wish to talk about Beyond Blue. He said he'd had enough suffering. I asked if he would read about depression and he said why would he read it when he lives with it everyday. He was harsh & angry. I wanted to explain to him that if he read material he might be more compassionate & hopeful. Sometimes I think he must believe I enjoy all this. Can't he see I'm in pain hurting, not knowing where my mind will end up next? I'd do anything to stop my thoughts & experience happiness. I spent $200 I didn't have on Selfhelp books the past few weeks. I'm trying so so hard. And I took my son out as promised yesterday & spoilt him even though I didn't feel like it-I forced myself for him. Then I got home and rarely does this happen, but I was overwhelmed to end it all. But my safety net is my kids & I don't think I could ever do that to them. This morning I'm so overwrought with emotion and want to never stop the tears but I can only feel them flow softly down my face. (Neil I want to cry & cry like you but I can't). It's not going to be a good day by the way things are going. I need to find myself somehow. For those that don't know-I left home at 19 & moved into a share house of young people. Until then I had been supporting my mum who had breast cancer & 2 younger sisters. I stayed that long as my Dad had abused me & I waited until he left before I did. My self worth/esteem was so low I thought that the first person to show me any form of love &/or affection I'd stick with. So at 19 I married a guy in that house & we still together today although we've endured so much with my illness. His leukaemia & issues with kids. Anyway today I feel really sad. My husband is so angry I'm only seeing Drs/Psychiatrists who prescribe more medication each visit. My Pysch knows my history & says I have PTSD, trauma. Severe anxiety & chronic depression. She said I will always live with the pain but hopefully come to accept it as a chapter of my life & move on to the next chapter. Don't you hate those days you get up & could start crying before you hit the bathroom. It's a roller coaster. I like GA mentioned in a previous post hate the fear of not knowing what's going to hit me when. I feel I'm a hopeless, unmotivated, unfuctionaning, wreck of a person who used to be so bright & fun & happy & loveable. Now I'm a lonely isolated stuck at home feeling worthless person who is heading nowhere. I hope you are all doing a little better than me this morning. Lve Mares xxx

jodes76 starting to move forward
  • replies: 1

Lately I have started to feel better than I have been. I have a long way to go. Went to drug and alcohol counseling which has helped. I know it's going to take some time before I get to that happy place, but at least I'm heading in the right directio... View more

Lately I have started to feel better than I have been. I have a long way to go. Went to drug and alcohol counseling which has helped. I know it's going to take some time before I get to that happy place, but at least I'm heading in the right direction. My hubby still gives me grief for hanging out with a friend. He didn't like me getting my tongue pierced. Now he complained that I want to dye my hair black. I am my own person and should be allowed to do the things I want

tashi doubting myself:(
  • replies: 6

totay expecially I'm doubting every decisions ive made. Feeling extremely down. I miss mu family and need to be closer to them. Bit that means shifting and possibly destroying the life ive made gor myself over the past to years. What do I do

totay expecially I'm doubting every decisions ive made. Feeling extremely down. I miss mu family and need to be closer to them. Bit that means shifting and possibly destroying the life ive made gor myself over the past to years. What do I do

TinyJanet Really feeling it
  • replies: 13

Hey everyone I wanted to write on here because I spend so much of my day biting my tongue. My friends and family ask "how are you?" and I give an automatic bright smile and reply with "Great! how are you?" I feel relieved to find an online forum wher... View more

Hey everyone I wanted to write on here because I spend so much of my day biting my tongue. My friends and family ask "how are you?" and I give an automatic bright smile and reply with "Great! how are you?" I feel relieved to find an online forum where I can give an honest answer. And honestly? I'm NOT okay. Not even a little bit. I'm angry. I'm tired. I'm really hurt. I want to be around those I love, but I dont want to have to interact with them in any way. I get confused easily, I feel frightened all the time. I dont sleep - I just worry. Every night, my mind replays in alarming clarity everything I've ever done wrong and every hurtful event I've ever encountered. I arrive at work for my 9-hour shift exhausted but I keep going because right now, I'm the sole 'breadwinner' for my Fiance and I and everything relies on my ability to get the rent paid and put food in our fridge and cupboards. Albeit pot noodle and baked beans, at least we're still getting fed. But I want to shout "STOP" and I want to go home - to bed - and stay there for about 3 months. I want so badly to say I'm really hurting. To tell someone that I'm really unhappy. I feel so lost and so alone and I'm so stressed, strung out and under so much pressure that I literally think my head will explode. I feel desperate. I really want to say to my friends - I'm broken and you dont have to fix me, just hold onto me. Hold onto me so that I dont fall apart and remind me that things are going to be better. Please just tell me that you still care, you still like me and although I feel like I'm losing my mind - you'll still be there when the smoke clears. I'm at the stage where I'm so unhappy, I dont know how to get through today. I would rather...not. It's 9am now...I have 8 hours of very stressful work at Reception until I can go home again. How do I do this?

Mitch154 Confused
  • replies: 2

Hi my names Mitch , in February of 2013 I was diagnosed with a condition known as brachial neuritis , it is basically a condition where my nerves in my shoulder / back on my right side becomes inflamed and I have lost muscles and movement. Being a ve... View more

Hi my names Mitch , in February of 2013 I was diagnosed with a condition known as brachial neuritis , it is basically a condition where my nerves in my shoulder / back on my right side becomes inflamed and I have lost muscles and movement. Being a very active 21 year old you can imagine how hard this hit me , I also lost my job around this time and nothing seemed to be going right , I have since found it hard to get motivated to do things I used to love , have trouble sleeping , I am moody where I have never normally be . I also get headaches regularly and seem to have muscle / nerve pain in other parts of my body out of nowhere . Has anybody has any experience with depression causing physical problems ? Thanks

iamsotired just feel flat
  • replies: 4

I have plenty to fill my time with, but I find I need to use so much energy to start and then stay focused. Any suggestions?

I have plenty to fill my time with, but I find I need to use so much energy to start and then stay focused. Any suggestions?

guest75 I am scared
  • replies: 21

I am so scared of next tuesday I know I have done everything asked of me in the temp IVO, i have not contacted Tara even though every impulse i have in my body wanted to I have done everything I can think of to improve myself (Meds, Psychologist, Enr... View more

I am so scared of next tuesday I know I have done everything asked of me in the temp IVO, i have not contacted Tara even though every impulse i have in my body wanted to I have done everything I can think of to improve myself (Meds, Psychologist, Enrolled in Mens Behaviour Change Program, Given up drinking coke, working on mensline anger management worksheets, writing stuff to get it out of my head, have a job and an interview thursday for one much closer to home, gotten a myself a car) What happened at the start of december knocked me to the canvas...it has taken every ounce of strength i have to get myself back up and to the point where i am now. If it goes bad next week, i know i dont have the strength to fight back again, i dont even know if i want to fight back to be honest Im scared...so so scared and its making me feel sick

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