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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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jodes76 so over it all
  • replies: 2

very depressed at the moment. been drinking heavily, I don't want to give it up. also having suicidal thoughts. have been self harming. im such a mess, feel like theres no way out of this.

very depressed at the moment. been drinking heavily, I don't want to give it up. also having suicidal thoughts. have been self harming. im such a mess, feel like theres no way out of this.

phil350 What else to try?
  • replies: 3

I have had depression on and off for most of my adult life. I'm better at recognising the signs these days and seek help. In the past a few months on medications will see me through the worst of it and I'll make changes in my life to reduce the stres... View more

I have had depression on and off for most of my adult life. I'm better at recognising the signs these days and seek help. In the past a few months on medications will see me through the worst of it and I'll make changes in my life to reduce the stressors. However this time it's not working. I've been severely depressed for almost 2 years. I've tried a huge range of drugs, none have worked. I've seen a couple of psychologists for a couple of dozen sessions. I'm also seeing a psychiatrist but this hasn't helped. I've have just had 9 sessions of ECT and this hasn't worked. The psychiatrist now wants me to see another psychologist but my life sucks and I hate talking about it. I have spat out my story to so many people already I can't bear to do it again. Suicide is looking like a very good option. I have attempted it in the past and didn't want to head back down that path but I've run out of options and ended up here. Suggestions?

ecm1 I'm not sure what to do....
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new here and need some help figuring out what to do. I have been feeling very down/sad/worthless since taking an acne medication 4-5 years ago. If feels as if ever since taking the medication I have not been the same person. I was warned tha... View more

Hi, I am new here and need some help figuring out what to do. I have been feeling very down/sad/worthless since taking an acne medication 4-5 years ago. If feels as if ever since taking the medication I have not been the same person. I was warned that it caused depression but I am not sure what I am feeling is depression or not because some months I feel okay and others I feel horrible. When I do feel bad I feel worried, hopeless, worthless, I have no self esteem and no motivation. As well as this I have started feeling a bit nervous like having hot flushes and racing heart. I am too scared to see a doctor because I feel stupid going if what I am feeling is just the "normal" feeling down in the dumps because I know what I am feeling is not as severe as some peoples experiences. I have not talked about this to my friends or family because I am too scared that they wont understand or think i was being pedantic so your advice would be very helpful and much appreciated. Thank you.

dwilli10 Reaching Out...
  • replies: 5

Hi, My name is David. I’m 33 years old. Married. Two kids. I’ve been living with depression for nearly 10 years now. I tried to write why I’m depressed for this forum. I read it and I laughed. Then I thought, what’s wrong with me?! On the surface I s... View more

Hi, My name is David. I’m 33 years old. Married. Two kids. I’ve been living with depression for nearly 10 years now. I tried to write why I’m depressed for this forum. I read it and I laughed. Then I thought, what’s wrong with me?! On the surface I should be happy. My kids are healthy. My wife loves me. So why do I hate them so much? Why do I do this to myself? I can’t stomach own reflection most days. I see my family as burden sucking the life out of me. I’m constantly thinking about all the things I’ve never done in life: a youth squandered, a tonne of regrets, no fulfilment. I have very few friends who I rarely see. I have interests but I don’t have the freedom to pursue them. I feel trapped in my own existence, walled within commitments and responsibilities. People say to me, “the grass is always greener…” or that “things could be worse”. Sometimes I think they’re right. But then it’s back to the drudgery of work and home, work and home. I get nothing out of it – no pleasure whatsoever. I’m reasonably healthy, I don’t take drugs or smoke. I wish I had an alcohol problem sometimes. I wish I had a specific problem to pinpoint all this on. But I don’t. It’s a bit like purgatory – that middle ground where it’s not quite Hell but sure ain’t Heaven. You go for months not being noticed. An insignificant spec whose very existence doesn’t matter. You want things to be better, but you should be grateful that they’re not worse. So if that’s the case then why do I always feel like this? Why do I feel so lonely? Like no one understands me. I’m only here to prop up others. Drowning while everyone around me breaths easy. It’s like the whole world is in on some secret to living life that I’m not privy to. I feel like such a loser. A failure. I could’ve done more but didn’t and can’t. I’m not even sure why I’m posting here. Maybe I just need to vent, or find someone to talk to - the people near to me are sick of hearing me bitch about the same things. Hell, even I'm sick of myself. I'm just so tired of being me.

Lisado Lost the plot last night
  • replies: 4

Last night I lost the plot . Had nothing to eat for 2 days, had too much wine , fight with my hubby for " not understanding" he does but he keeps it to himself and I am mean about it. So I took some pills. More to show him I'm at the depths of dispai... View more

Last night I lost the plot . Had nothing to eat for 2 days, had too much wine , fight with my hubby for " not understanding" he does but he keeps it to himself and I am mean about it. So I took some pills. More to show him I'm at the depths of dispair. It was silly off. I seem to be doing so mAny things which are out of character for me. i was very sick all night and feel dreadful now. Going to book counsellor for first time but I feel scared and I'm a huge failure if wife and mother . lisa

Arian Anyone else out there
  • replies: 1

Hi all This is my first time posting here. About 12 months ago I went to my doctor because I felt like I just wasn't coping with life and the smallest things set me off crying. He asked how long I had felt like that and I said a couple of months but ... View more

Hi all This is my first time posting here. About 12 months ago I went to my doctor because I felt like I just wasn't coping with life and the smallest things set me off crying. He asked how long I had felt like that and I said a couple of months but he suggested it had been much longer than that. A year later I understand that he is right, feelings of hopelessness and sadness are things I have dealt with for many years. Found it hard talking to a psychologist, was never encouraged to talk about feelings when I was young and really struggle to articulate them now as an adult. Been on anti-depressants 12 months and dose just been upped recently so feeling a bit better but find that i just want to scream sometimes because I feel constantly weighed down and havent resolved anything. I have been reading stories and forums on here but I find it hard to relate. I am a single 34 year old female with no dependents and never been in a serious relationship. Most posts by females seem to be young or older and married and with children and a lot of their issues seem to come from those relationships. I also dont think i have had a dramatic life event which has caused these feelings. Is there anyone else out there whose experience is similar? Thanks

hobbitmomma losing my mind?
  • replies: 5

ok here goes I am hoping that by writing this down it will all become either much clearer or just disappear into thin air - don't hold out much hope of either happening. I am off work due to stress caused by the attitude of my manageress, fighting wh... View more

ok here goes I am hoping that by writing this down it will all become either much clearer or just disappear into thin air - don't hold out much hope of either happening. I am off work due to stress caused by the attitude of my manageress, fighting what appears to be an endless battle with workcover, 12000 miles from my family, live in a very remote outback town in south australia, live by myself and am feeling so low it hurts. I cannot see a way out of the mess my life is in right now - and I don't think anyone realises how bad it has become. My days seem endless - not just boring but pointless, I cry for no reason, feel suicidal a lot of the time, only am too scared to do anything about it - that seems really stupid I know but it is how i feel. Most of the time I feel l am going crazy by degrees - I have had panic attacks when out and am now too scared to do that unless I have someone with me - that is not always possible so I tend to stay in a lot. I want my life back - I want to go back to where none of this was happening and where I felt if not in total control , at least in partial control. Sorry if this sounds like the rambling of a mad woman but I think I need help and am afraid to ask for it in case I am told to go away ans stop being silly.

SirLanky why is it so hard?
  • replies: 2

I just started working in a telecommunications call centre. Ive been unemployed for 2 years. I need the money from this fulltime job. But im not coping. Out of 5 weeks ive had almost 2 weeks off. I just feel like crawling in a hole and dying. I feel ... View more

I just started working in a telecommunications call centre. Ive been unemployed for 2 years. I need the money from this fulltime job. But im not coping. Out of 5 weeks ive had almost 2 weeks off. I just feel like crawling in a hole and dying. I feel like a complete failure. I dunno what to do. I just cant cope. I hate leaving the house. My wife is supportive but she just doesnt understand.

MaryG New
  • replies: 20

Hi everyone, I have read quite a few posts now and I can see there is a lot of support out there. I am new to this label of depression but I realise now that at 47 years of age I have suffered for most of my life. I just didn't have a name for it. It... View more

Hi everyone, I have read quite a few posts now and I can see there is a lot of support out there. I am new to this label of depression but I realise now that at 47 years of age I have suffered for most of my life. I just didn't have a name for it. It took a death of someone very close to me and some other huge life upheavals to break down my defence against it...and I haven't been coping that well for a couple of years now. I am at it's mercy. One thing I can't get my head around is how I can feel good one day and then crash and burn so badly the next. I don't get how my family and friends can suddenly mean nothing to me and how I could even consider ending my life. But there are days and weeks when I can't get the thoughts out of my head. Alcohol is a problem for me and I know it's bad and I can go without for a while but then I'm back on it and the whole guilt thing kicks in with the deceit and hiding it from everyone. I just want to feel good. I read a book recently and the author described the voices in her head as the depression talking. It made total sense to me but I had never thought of it that way before. When they tell me I'm not good enough, or I'm stupid or I'm ugly....its not true, its just the depression. The black dog. This has helped a little. The weird thing is I have positive voices too. I mentioned it to my husband once and said that the voice in my head was pushing me on and telling me I could keep running and not to quit (I was running in a race) He didn't know what I was talking about. He has no voices...positive or negative. Am I the weird one? I am working in a foreign country for the next couple of weeks. I crave the solitude, but it's not good for me. The hotel room is quiet and gives my mind too much space. Those negative voices came with me and the vodka is very cheap here. Not sure why I am writing this...other than I think I need some help.

RayS just feel like it's punishment!
  • replies: 2

I've been dealing with manic depression since I was first diagnosed over 20 years back. I do the right thing and take the meds, as best as possible keep a positive attitude in front of others, try to look at life as a glass half full adventure and ba... View more

I've been dealing with manic depression since I was first diagnosed over 20 years back. I do the right thing and take the meds, as best as possible keep a positive attitude in front of others, try to look at life as a glass half full adventure and basically take things as they come. I've managed the condition for so long it just feels like part of my "normal" existence. Life throws the odd curve ball at me, my psych's wife being diagnosed with and subsequently from cancer a year after I started seeing him, mum dying of cancer a few years back, my mother-in-law (whom I loved very much) taking her own life a year later, my wife's battle with her own depression and anxiety following her mum's passing, me living with severe chronic RA....the sought of things most people have to deal with at some point in their lives. I've handled it all, and kept plugging. There have been times when the depression has swung in and hit me full face, but I've always worked through it. I always felt I could take whatever it threw at me as long as I felt I could fight. And then, two weeks ago, my wife of 8 years is diagnosed with a potentially life threatening condition following one of those "routine" checks that women have. She's handled the news so much better than I have. All of a sudden that damn mongrel black dog is turning feral on me and I'm back where I was when this lousy thing first started. I feel like I'm being punished for something I don't understand and that in turn makes me feel so damn selfish when my wife needs my support more than at any time in our lives together. I know I'm not the first bloke to have faced this, so I guess all I'm looking for here is some positive feedback. Have you been through this sort of thing? How did you handle it? Increased meds? Therapy? Faith? I'm not at all suicidal. Just.....lost.

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