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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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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

shay2 I feel like I'm drowning but everyone around me can breath
  • replies: 5

Help I am 13 years old and a female. I think I am suffering from depression but I cant be sure, all I know is that I don't remember what it feels like to be truly happy and I have to fake smile everyday day. I started self harming last year but stopp... View more

Help I am 13 years old and a female. I think I am suffering from depression but I cant be sure, all I know is that I don't remember what it feels like to be truly happy and I have to fake smile everyday day. I started self harming last year but stopped after being threatened with therapy, I have now started up again and don't know how to stop or how to control these feelings. I have suicidal thoughts every day and night and they are getting stronger so I don't even trust myself to be alone sometimes. I am too afraid to tell anyone or ask for help so here I am asking anyone professional or non professional to give me some advice or even tell me some good ways to seek help because I cant anymore I am so sick and tired of crying myself to sleep every night. -Yours truly, broken xx

Mark_098 Thanks for your time-New user
  • replies: 6

I have suffered depression (and anxiety) on and off but mostly on since my brother took his life in October 2006. It has been a struggle to have a real-time connection with myself ever since. Sometimes I know who I am and even dare I say "I like who ... View more

I have suffered depression (and anxiety) on and off but mostly on since my brother took his life in October 2006. It has been a struggle to have a real-time connection with myself ever since. Sometimes I know who I am and even dare I say "I like who I am" and then there are times I think "I don't like who I am" or "I have no real friends" or when I'm out of work, it must be because "I am not good enough" There are days where I feel great; for example when I start a new job and things are going well, or when I have had a lovely day with my girlfriend. Then there are days when I feel worthless. This happens whenever I am without work as I currently am and have been for around a month. I can't help feel like sometimes my life is an opportunity for me to watch everybody enjoy their life and move forward whilst I struggle to make sense of my life and how I'm going to get where I want to go. I don't want to come across as someone who is generally ungrateful for what I have, because I am not. I appreciate everything that is great about my life, I really do. I just think when one's mind decides to attack itself in a moment of "opportunity" that it can be very hard not to listen a little to the hurtful things it says, given the chance. I always think (and sometimes say) LG "life's good" as I have a lot of evidence to suggest this. My girlfriend has been very understanding and supportive of me and my "trying times" as she knows all that I have been through and is extremely supportive in all that she does for me. I am currently studying through correspondence, which has given me new hopes and i'm really enjoying it. When I lost my brother, I lost both my parents as well. Ever since they have not been the same (I don't expect them to either) but it has been really hard because the people who I used to feel I could talk to about something(s) bothering me, now I don't dare trouble with because I can't rely on them for any psychological support. My mother has a notorious ability to bring things back to her life or to be indifferent in her advice or "airy fairy" about things. Yes this is because they both suffer depression as well. They are seeing psychologists and I should too. I have found 1 but it is a strictly 9-5 practice which is a pain because I can only see him when i'm not working which is hardly Ideal. Its a shame too because he is the only one so far that I feel I have made a real connection/understanding with. This is really hard to come by. I know, it's a no-brainer, I need to find someone who is open after hrs for the working population so that when I get work I will be able to continue seeing them. I guess I don't want to see him because I'm just going to have to change and start again when I find work. Frustrating. It is always nice to go for a walk when I feel low or burnt-out or have anxiety about something on my mind. Exercise is the best alleviater of symptoms for me but I wish they would stay gone... Depression is a nasty thing that poisons your mind when you have an outbreak and makes you sick. It sounds like an illness that be default, should come with a medicated treatment of some type but this isn't the way I want to tackle it. My brother was taking an antidepressant in the year and a half leading up to his death and I do believe there was a link. I will say it wasn't the deciding factor but it did, I feel, play a small part. I'm not necessarily looking for advice, I just wanted to get my thoughts off my chest. Thanks for reading and feel free to reply if you like.

a_long_time_lost Today I let it be known.
  • replies: 5

Today I came out and revealed to my mother that I have severe depression/anxiety. I tried to broach this subject with her a couple of weeks ago because she couldn't understand why I never want to do anything. I told her at that time I was depressed a... View more

Today I came out and revealed to my mother that I have severe depression/anxiety. I tried to broach this subject with her a couple of weeks ago because she couldn't understand why I never want to do anything. I told her at that time I was depressed and her reply was "what in the world do you have to be depressed about?" You see I have become a very fine actress over many years, I can put on the brightest smile, have an intelligent conversation , be funny and present the most perfect manners, so in fact NO ONE has any idea who I really am. Let me tell you it is such hard work, it is like being two different people in one! So back to my mum... she asked me to a girls lucheon and I declined as usual, she tells me "you know they all think you are making excuses why you don't want to come." Well today I could not take it anymore.. I told her to tell them all I am depressed, on medication and seeing a psychiatrist... she was speechless! Honestly she didn't know what to say but she has finally heard my words. Could any of you please tell me once you let the truth be known, do you suddenly feel like you are seen in a different light? The people that do know about my health issues seem to have changed toward me. It is not an imagined change, it is a truly noticeable one. I feel as though I have a contagious disease, why???? I may cry a little more than others, be more sensitive but I still love, care and have all the same feelings that I always did. What happened????

571Anon What is my next step please?
  • replies: 1

I am a 33 yr old married mum of 3. I have suffered from depression since the age of 14. Possibly earlier. The reason I know I had it at 14 is because that is when I began to self-harm. At the time I didn't know what depression was - why I just wanted... View more

I am a 33 yr old married mum of 3. I have suffered from depression since the age of 14. Possibly earlier. The reason I know I had it at 14 is because that is when I began to self-harm. At the time I didn't know what depression was - why I just wanted to stop existing. It wasn't until I reached about 20 that I discovered there was such a thing as depression and possibly I had it. I have worked very hard to try and 'fix' myself. Everything except take medication. I have tried eating well, sleeping well, going to counselling, making myself get out there and amongst the people, joining teams, becoming involved in my childrens' school, I even enrolled and was accepted to uni (which I have nearly completed now). I am at the point where I am tired of fighting this disease which I have had for more than half of my life. I have been fearful of anti-depressants because my older sister tried them and ended up committed for a time. I don't want to be locked up. I am scared I will go even more crazy - I don't know what will happen to my brain. I don't want to live in a fog, drugged to exist. My father suffers/ed a mental illness, unsure what but I know he did take massive pills for it. My eldest sister I have spoken about. My brother is a heroine addict. My little sister has had over 10 suicide attempts (that I know about). Simply, I come from a background of 'crazy'. Lately it seems to be getting worse (does this happen if left untreated/unmanaged for so long?). About two years ago I experienced a wonderful 3mths - thought I was getting better - turns out it was a mild 'up' - since then I have swung more between up and down, it's like a roller coaster. I am in a severe down at the moment, waiting for the up to kick in before I give up on life completely. I also feel more destinct 'personalities' forming. This is a little scary as I am not sure what is happening to me. So, the time has come for me to give meds a go, as the alternative is that I depart this life. I am in rural nsw and the medical services are shit. I don't know what my next step is - can anyone tell me where I can go, and I will endeavour to find the services I need. I am also scared that if people find out how crazy I am they will take my kids away (even though I would never harm them or myself in front of them), and it may jeopordise the line of work I am trying to work towards. I am also secretly fearful that after 6 yrs at uni, slogging my guts out, I will not be able to engage in full time work. I struggle to complete the responsibilities I already have.

a_long_time_lost Hello, I'm new and in a dark place.
  • replies: 5

Hello.. I am not sure how I got to this point. I think back and see events in my life which have all contributed to the place where I now live. It is dark and lonely here and I feel invisible to the people around me. They are unsure how to act in my ... View more

Hello.. I am not sure how I got to this point. I think back and see events in my life which have all contributed to the place where I now live. It is dark and lonely here and I feel invisible to the people around me. They are unsure how to act in my presence and I constantly feel as though I irritate them and therefore they display annoyance and lack of patience with me. Inside I am filled with guilt, unbearable emotional pain, despair, hopelessness and deep anxiety that I may be like this for the rest of my life. At this time I visit a therapist whom does not seem to be taking me anywhere, I am also on antidepressants and yet still all my emotions and feelings about situtions remain the same. I am fighting a losing battle and lack any mtoivation whatsoever to help myself when those I thought would help me haven't. Yes.. I too have suicidal thoughts but I'm not quite at the point of carrying them out, my son is the only one that stops me right now. I feel like I am going crazy so here I am, I just want to feel like I belong somewhere as I have no friends. My husband says he has had enough and I realise where this train of thought is heading. I need a lifeline and I believe that this forum may just be that place. Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to finally be myself without being judged.

zz101 Please, please help
  • replies: 1

I know it's not the place to ask this but I am crying my eyes out writing this. I'm 16 and I hate my life. I can't even look in the mirror anymore. I hate how I look and half the time I hope I was never born because if I did decided to commit suicide... View more

I know it's not the place to ask this but I am crying my eyes out writing this. I'm 16 and I hate my life. I can't even look in the mirror anymore. I hate how I look and half the time I hope I was never born because if I did decided to commit suicide I wouldn't hurt anyone. I wish I was never born to never exist if you get me? Please,please help. This is torture. I need help with Orthodontic treatment. I cannot afford it as I am a full-time secondary school student with no medical card and my mother is a single widowed parent. I have been going through the pain of not having braces since as long as I can remember from being bullied in school to not being able to smile in photos or opting out of them altogether. I cannot carry on like this. I went to two separate orthodontist and even with the payment plan my mother and I would not be able to afford it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Chloe

Ike1965 confused
  • replies: 2

Lately i am thinking what is the point of everything , i am in debt up to my ears and neever seem to get in front, All i do is work and constantly worry about how the hell i am going to pay my bills . I am married with 2 beautiful daughters but i can... View more

Lately i am thinking what is the point of everything , i am in debt up to my ears and neever seem to get in front, All i do is work and constantly worry about how the hell i am going to pay my bills . I am married with 2 beautiful daughters but i cant talk to my wife and frequently feel engulfed by overwhelming feeling of sadness . I feel i am just going around in curcles and getting no where . I dont know where to turn or what to do

Voice_Mail Feel Like I'm Having a Relapse
  • replies: 3

I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, and have been improving a lot with the help of medication and regular psychologist appointments, but I recently feel like I'm slipping again. My biggest issue is motivation, and it has definitely been ... View more

I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, and have been improving a lot with the help of medication and regular psychologist appointments, but I recently feel like I'm slipping again. My biggest issue is motivation, and it has definitely been lacking lately. I've slowly stopped leaving the house except for work lately, and even going to work is getting more difficult. But at the same time, when I'm at home by myself I feel like I'm definitely the most vulnerable. Does anyone have any tips about how to get motivated into doing things again? I know that going out with friends and exercising will make me feel better, but I just can't seem to get myself to do it... Advice, please?

trying_to_assist_depresse Need Help!
  • replies: 7

my live-in boyfriend of over 3 years has been experiencing symptoms of depression for the past 9 months and whilst he has acknowledged that he more than likely has depression he is yet to do anything about it. he refuses to see a doctor or psychologi... View more

my live-in boyfriend of over 3 years has been experiencing symptoms of depression for the past 9 months and whilst he has acknowledged that he more than likely has depression he is yet to do anything about it. he refuses to see a doctor or psychologist stating he will do it when he feels like it. most recently his reason is that he feels like he cant get better and maybe this is the way he is. he is self medicating with alcohol every sat night with his friends and I am at a loss as to help him anymore as he keeps pushing me away. i have tried to be optimistic and a supportive partner to him but it is effecting me constantly being pushed away from the one i love. he is highly iritable and says he dosnt know how he feels about me and isnt attracted to me with no physical activities occuring in over 10 months but he says he isnt attracted to anyone else either. he says he dosnt know why he feels this way and how to make it better. i am trying to be supportive to him and i only want him to feel better but i dont know how to help and am looking to know that this is a part of his depression or something else. i am also looking for looking for any ideas/suggestions on ways to cope and to not take it to heart so its not affecting me as negativly as it has been lately.