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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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vip Depression and Substance Abuse
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone I was watching tv today and the news was saying Depression and Substance Abuse is at the all time highest its ever been. Its very high with our youth especially and more higher with girls than boys.Just shows we have lots of work here in ... View more

Hi Everyone I was watching tv today and the news was saying Depression and Substance Abuse is at the all time highest its ever been. Its very high with our youth especially and more higher with girls than boys.Just shows we have lots of work here in the future and it is becoming so common . Thank goodness for Beyond Blue and all the mental facilities that we do have and that we have do have to well the government has to fix this problem up with spending more money on mental health for future generations. Its great we can come on these forums and share all our experiences we can all help each other get through this terrible disease.

Yoli I'm losing control
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I am very confused and I need some help. I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety 3 years ago, I have been on sick leave and I'm now losing my job (I posted about this before). The stress of this has been huge, I have developed pain,... View more

Hi all, I am very confused and I need some help. I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety 3 years ago, I have been on sick leave and I'm now losing my job (I posted about this before). The stress of this has been huge, I have developed pain, like numbness in my arms and legs (this is new, I think it is stress related), I have pain in my chest, very teary and I feel like I am going to lose total control. On top of this, I feel that I should get over it and move on but I am not able to do it. I feel guilty and weak for not been able to get my thoughts and feelings under control. I would like to know how if what I'm feeling is this depression coming back? or perhaps it has never left, but its now getting worse??... I am at a complete loss of how to think and what to do to move out of this situation and thoughts Yoli

the_one_1 So lonely and unhappy
  • replies: 2

My parents push me around to do my school work when I do my school work. They always think i'm on Facebook and it annoys and stresses the hell out of me. This and another private family problem is not helping me in my school marks which are continuou... View more

My parents push me around to do my school work when I do my school work. They always think i'm on Facebook and it annoys and stresses the hell out of me. This and another private family problem is not helping me in my school marks which are continuously dropping. I don't have any friends. My one good friend is being pulled away from me because people are telling me that he thinks of me as a weird creepy person. Other people call me gay and that the sport I enjoy is gay. I'm not able to talk about something I enjoy. Due to this I feel i'm not accepted to be myself in the school at all Even the girls I like are a problem. I have never found a girl who likes me back and I don't think I ever will. I don't understand why, all the girls I like show me signs of liking me and end up not liking me. Its really annoying. Like the girl I like currently... I asked someone who knows the girl I like to find out who she likes. That person came back to me and told me that she likes someone else. I told this person to tell the girl I like that I like her. Suddenly out of the blue, a guy who is in the class which the girl I like is also in asked me if I like the girl I like. I said yes and every time she was next to me or looking at me, she was smiling at me. I then found out the next day that she is going on a date with the guy she likes. Yet she showed to me that she likes me back but is shy. On this same day, when in class, the girl I like hovered around where I sit during class. I sat back down and she didn't move (which means to me that she is interested in me). Throughout the day I saw her looking at me, talking to her friends who also looked at me. She is doing these things and yet found out she is going on a date with someone else, i just don't understand at all what to do. I used to live in a different state when younger and everything seemed to be more happier and was excellent for me. Ever since i've moved back here, my life has gone down hill. I'm not happy at all. In the other state I was in, there was a girl I liked who liked me back, the problem was I had to leave the time I found out. With all these problems I just want to be accepted for once and to loved and happy (due to my personal family problem). I'm an only child and my life is know horrible and I don't know what to do to make it better because no one likes me back when I want to me loved. Am I some kind of monster that this happens to me?

Lust2Dust Downward Spiral
  • replies: 2

Hi all and thank you for taking the time to read my post. i am new to this site but not new to depression. I am a 30 year old Male and have been suffering from depression since i was 13 years of age. I am currently taking medication and have booked i... View more

Hi all and thank you for taking the time to read my post. i am new to this site but not new to depression. I am a 30 year old Male and have been suffering from depression since i was 13 years of age. I am currently taking medication and have booked in for a few psychology sessions. I have struggled with alcohol abuse and anger issues in the past and have come along way from those times. I have a good job, a great partner and am a home owner yet i find it hard to see the good in life. I have had a failed marriage and lost all of my school friends over the last 4 years and find it hard to see the good in myself or the world. I have had constant weight battles gaining and losing between 40 to 50kg at a time. At this point of my life I find it hard to focus at work or drag myself to social outings as simple as shopping as i feel i will see people from my past that have cut me out of there life, i know i am a good person and am a good friend i was just going through bad periods. I can happily say i havent had an issue with alcohol for coming up to 24 months and my anger issues are under control. I guess i just need to know or understand how to start a new life at 30 years of age as i feel as of late i am slipping back into the slippery state of depression.

coco123 Success, self-esteem and depression
  • replies: 5

I should say that I'm quite lucky in some ways. I come from a very poor background, non-english speaking family. Imagine how much a trash bin collector get to raise 4 kids? Because of that I think I work very hard in my studies, hoping to change my f... View more

I should say that I'm quite lucky in some ways. I come from a very poor background, non-english speaking family. Imagine how much a trash bin collector get to raise 4 kids? Because of that I think I work very hard in my studies, hoping to change my family life. I managed to get full scholarships to go to Uni overseas for my Bachelors degree, Masters and recently PhD in a science field. I just started working at a research institute. However, I realised something is not quite right with me since I was in high school. I have cycles of highs and lows, in a space of few months time. When I'm at my lowest, I get bad headache, I feel anxious and tired all day, I can't focus. I even cried quitely next to my husband just to fall asleep. Once in a while I felt like I want to end this suffering, but I can't. I don't know how. I'm scared of needle let alone extreme pain. I blame my low self-esteem and my constant self-criticism, self-doubt for this problem. I'm sick of this. This has been going on for too long, 15 years. I need a way out. Can someone suggest me how to stay successful in life without depression? Please.

lperez tired of feeling alone and disappointed
  • replies: 3

Hello, This is my first time posting anything about my struggle with depression, im hoping this will allow me to get through it this time. I am a 26 years old and have been suffering with feeling alone most of my life. Im currently engaged to a wonde... View more

Hello, This is my first time posting anything about my struggle with depression, im hoping this will allow me to get through it this time. I am a 26 years old and have been suffering with feeling alone most of my life. Im currently engaged to a wonderful man who cant seem to help me. I feel like im living a double life. My family and friends have no idea that I wake up with a huge knot in my throat and wanting to burst in tears, instead they see a happy person who is constantly making jokes and enjoying life. Im constantly relying on others to validate my happiness, which I know isnt right but I cant help but feel that way. I feel as though no one is loyal anymore and im always dissapointed my actions from my "friends". I just started seeing a therapist and am struggling from being so emotionally connected. I hate my deep thoughts and wish I could just enjoy life more. sometimes I just want to runaway and start fresh but I know I cant. I hope there is someone out therethat feels the same, because im finding it hard to find someone that feels the way i do. Everyone around seems so happy and surrounded by supportive friends. please help.

Sandy98 Do I have depression or do I just think I do?
  • replies: 2

I realise there is a difference between being depressed and being down, but I'm just not sure if I'm depressed or am just trying to convince myself. I know the usual symptoms of depression and all but I'm still finding it hard to figure it out, and I... View more

I realise there is a difference between being depressed and being down, but I'm just not sure if I'm depressed or am just trying to convince myself. I know the usual symptoms of depression and all but I'm still finding it hard to figure it out, and I can't talk to my GP about it because he is part of my community. I am usually tired even though I've slept most of the day and I can't really feel happy. Most of the time I'm upset at something or myself and other times I'm just numb. I just can't feel joy. I'm also always nervous but I didn't think that was a notable symptom because I'm always nervous due to my shy personality. Lately I'd prefer to stay inside than out and I get tired really early in the day. I'm still fifteen and I know most teenagers have mood swings and the like but I feel as if I've got something more. Is it depression or just a said effect of being a teenager?

Hollie_93 The dark spiral called my life.
  • replies: 3

One moment i am a happy, sociable and loving life, the next i am withdrawn, depressed and hating it. It was all so gradual, starting with my anxiety getting worse and worse and then eventually spiraling into a deep dark depression. Sometimes i feel l... View more

One moment i am a happy, sociable and loving life, the next i am withdrawn, depressed and hating it. It was all so gradual, starting with my anxiety getting worse and worse and then eventually spiraling into a deep dark depression. Sometimes i feel like i should just give up - there is no quality in my life, i have no self confidence and i just feel like life is pointless. I think my guilt on how doing such a thing would impact my family... and i think that is the only reason why i don't. I want to be myself again, i actually don't seem to remember what my life was like before i got a mental illness, all i remember now is how each day is the same - the intense fear to leave the house, the lack of self worth, my lack of motivation - all things that 2 years ago would never describe me. I am seeing a psychiatrist and doing CBT for my anxiety but i just feel as though now that my anxiety and depression has completely and utterly consumed me. I don't know what to do. If someone has any words of wisdom or help for me i would greatly appreciate it, Thank you.

the_one_1 Get the feeling everyone treats me like I'm some kind of monster
  • replies: 3

I don’t know what to do. Everyone seems to just push me around and I can’t do anything to stop them because I don’t want to be violent or hurt anyone. I can’t be myself around people. The things I like to talk about and my personality have lead to me... View more

I don’t know what to do. Everyone seems to just push me around and I can’t do anything to stop them because I don’t want to be violent or hurt anyone. I can’t be myself around people. The things I like to talk about and my personality have lead to me thinking everyone thinks I’m some kind of monster. I can’t talk about things I enjoy without people making fun of me. With the girls I like, I'm nice, look confident, have daily showers, brush my teeth, try to look good, put deodorant on. I admit I'm not athletic and do sports but that shows that I'm just a standard normal guy. But no girls seem to like me back, strengthening my feeling of people thinking I’m some kind of monster. Life has become so hard for me that I don’t feel like living anymore. I’m not sure what to do. Please help?

Cf I am so scared that it will never get better
  • replies: 15

I don't think that I can do this anymore. I can't deal with crying everyday and knowing how far away it is going to be before I am actually going to be happy and I am worried that I will never get there. I hurt myself last night because its the only ... View more

I don't think that I can do this anymore. I can't deal with crying everyday and knowing how far away it is going to be before I am actually going to be happy and I am worried that I will never get there. I hurt myself last night because its the only way I felt like I could get all the pain out. My only thoughts now are that I don't want to be here and I'd it wasn't for how bad it would destroy my family I would end it now.