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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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Guest_79147894 Depression Aniexty and truma
  • replies: 1

I feel so unwell, Im about to start on an antidepressant Im on one but its not helping me so they have put me on one to take at night. I feel worried about taking it but I feel so low that I'm thinking I just don't want to be here. Im not functioning... View more

I feel so unwell, Im about to start on an antidepressant Im on one but its not helping me so they have put me on one to take at night. I feel worried about taking it but I feel so low that I'm thinking I just don't want to be here. Im not functioning I feel so sad, feeling like Im losing it. I wake up at night and have jumbled thoughts going through my head and Im so tired I just want to sleep and feel scared totally not myself. I don't know what to do, I wish this wasn't happening but it is. And I wonder will I get through this.

Cito On the brink of madness
  • replies: 3

I suffered a psychotic depression in year 2000 and was stable on the prescribed medication. Recently have had panic attacks like before I got full blown depression in 2000 . im staying in the present and taking it a day at a time

I suffered a psychotic depression in year 2000 and was stable on the prescribed medication. Recently have had panic attacks like before I got full blown depression in 2000 . im staying in the present and taking it a day at a time

bluesunday i suffer from loneliness
  • replies: 2

I have 1 close friend but i feel like she doesnt even care about me. Everytime i try talk to her about my issues she always brushes it off as “oh sorry” or “that must be rough”. my mom doesnt care about my issues / thinks im exaggerating so shes out ... View more

I have 1 close friend but i feel like she doesnt even care about me. Everytime i try talk to her about my issues she always brushes it off as “oh sorry” or “that must be rough”. my mom doesnt care about my issues / thinks im exaggerating so shes out of the question i genuinely feel so alone & i think reaching out is too hard so i suffer in silence. i just wish someone would hold me & tell me everything is gonna b ok. idek whats wrong with me i dont think i suffer from depression but more loneliness ye sorry for the dumb rant

Guest_73802030 help.
  • replies: 3

I think I'm struggling with depression, I can barley get out of bed I don't eat I'm always fighting with my parents ever since they split I'm 15 yrs old and stuck in the middle of adult drama, and im so done with hearing them constantly talk bad abou... View more

I think I'm struggling with depression, I can barley get out of bed I don't eat I'm always fighting with my parents ever since they split I'm 15 yrs old and stuck in the middle of adult drama, and im so done with hearing them constantly talk bad about eachother.

Patrickj Depressed and Unmotivated - M35
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, I don't know really what to say here other than I've been feeling so down and unmotivated lately. For context, I live an ideal life - fantastic, supportive spouse, good income, good family. I suppose it stems from my job as a teacher, a ... View more

Hi everyone, I don't know really what to say here other than I've been feeling so down and unmotivated lately. For context, I live an ideal life - fantastic, supportive spouse, good income, good family. I suppose it stems from my job as a teacher, a profession that I feel is treated as a joke among many students and their parents. Some students have no qualms about telling me that my value as a teacher is tied up with my 'low paying salary' (yes, they say this). When I tell them I'm quite a good wage, they'll reply with 'that's not a lot'. Yes, they're kids, but far out... this profession is burning me out. I've been teaching for 10 years and I'm ready to leave. What else gets me down is that I'm 35 and I feel like I'm essentially blocked out of the housing market. It genuinely feels like everyone is better off. I'm beginning to turn to alcohol to cope with a sense of 'I'm not good enough'. However, I know it's all a fallacy. I'd likely feel this way even with a house of my own. Something in me just doesn't feel right anymore. I feel so unmotivated. I used to read 50 books a year. Now I'm lucky to read 1. At this point, I go to sleep, wake up, go to a depressing job, and get more depressed at seeing others buying houses, getting new jobs, starting families. I'm so sorry, guys. This is really a first-world problem post and I should be more thankful. Thanks for listening.

Finding_Courage Giving up hope that help is available
  • replies: 2

I’ve had trauma throughout my life from childhood through to adulthood. Depression, anxiety and recently ADHD diagnosed. I’ve experienced parental abandonment, DV (in 3 relationships and 2 family) and all of that led to drinking as self medication. B... View more

I’ve had trauma throughout my life from childhood through to adulthood. Depression, anxiety and recently ADHD diagnosed. I’ve experienced parental abandonment, DV (in 3 relationships and 2 family) and all of that led to drinking as self medication. But I stopped drinking, married a wonderful man and felt like life was finally getting better. Then I’ve recently discovered video and photos of me online posted by a twisted ex without consent. I’m traumatised and still in shock because he took the videos without me knowing. I’ve reported it to the police but I feel like nothing is being done and that they just don’t think finding this creep and questioning him is a priority. I’ve contacted two DV support services, one just gave generic responses and referred me on, and the other has not even responded to my request for support. I was treated with disrespect by a police officer when reporting the image/video abuse. I feel like I’m being courageous by seeking help as it’s so hard for me to do. I feel like I’m hitting road blocks everywhere I turn. I can’t sleep, my stomach is in knots, I’m anxious and depressed. I can’t focus at work. I feel like I’m going downhill and I’m losing hope.

Guest_97367783 Menopause and depression
  • replies: 3

Hello,Ive never contacted or spoken to a professional about my feelings, as I’m good at masking.Generally I have been a pretty positive person & I have a supportive husband and some family that I’m close with, however lately I’m experiencing my mood ... View more

Hello,Ive never contacted or spoken to a professional about my feelings, as I’m good at masking.Generally I have been a pretty positive person & I have a supportive husband and some family that I’m close with, however lately I’m experiencing my mood is dropping quite a lot more than it usually has.It’s like I feel a dark cloud is over me and my overthinking isn’t helping. I’m 51 and have had menopause for 5 years and have been on HRT for one year to help with mood. I hit burn out at the end of last year due to work load, so I’ve literally stopped working & had months to just potter and work from home when I can.My motivation for most things is almost nil. I’m not interested in socialising much at all, I’m lacking any enthusiasm I once had & feel like the me that was so bubbly and mostly happy has faded. It’s such a lonely lonely feeling and im feeling quite hopeless.

sofaking Weird/Embarassing coping mechanism. Will i ruin my life more by living in fantasy land
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, first time posting here I think my life objectively sucks i am 17 but may have a future with a 100,000 medical debt, my parents dont accept me for being gay, i go to a christian school, i am socially quiet/lethargic so people probably t... View more

Hey everyone, first time posting here I think my life objectively sucks i am 17 but may have a future with a 100,000 medical debt, my parents dont accept me for being gay, i go to a christian school, i am socially quiet/lethargic so people probably think im weird. I have some light friendships but i dont have the time for much leisure time because im always stressed if im not working or high.i have been doing this ever since i was 6, but i still pretend that a cartoon character is my boyfrend, i dont tell anyone the extent he makes me feel, for obvious reasons [he is also um.. inhuman,,, not even an animal, a literal talking object] but when i think of him i dont feel like shit. this is tearing me up. why did god firstly make me a gross homosexual but secondly make me sexually disturbed so i feel loved watching a static projected image of a sexless thing!do i only do this because i am sick in the head? i was exposed to cartoon porn since the age of 6 [nobody to blame but myself for that one,, literally searched it up all the time, never told my parents that i was looking at gross things because id know theyd kill me] am i making my disease of sexual perversion worse? im not even interested in real people anymore [because they wouldnt want someone like me] but i feel as if i need to stop living in fantasy land with him. i forced myself to lose my virginity with my friend, so i could stop the thought of imagining myself as a 30 year old virgin. whats worse is that he actually helps me. last year i stopped smoking pot for a whole week, because i at least had him in my mind. i feel happy drawing him and whenever i watch him i involentarily smile. My family isnt that bad, my friends are cool, im not bullied, if i was to complain about anything with my life i would be heard [and then told that jesus loves me]. why must i waste my life away like this

Guest_28755086 Teen with anxiety and depression
  • replies: 4

Hi i have been really struggling with anxiety and depression i always feel sad but try to act happy because my mum thinks its not real i did get diagnosed but she said that the doctors are wrong. I feel so alone and don't know what to do.

Hi i have been really struggling with anxiety and depression i always feel sad but try to act happy because my mum thinks its not real i did get diagnosed but she said that the doctors are wrong. I feel so alone and don't know what to do.

Neve year 7 stress
  • replies: 2

I think I have deppresionIn year 4 I moved schools and it was great but when I went to high school my mental helth dropt and I started to get freaked out by things like cars passing, getting strest out by simple mistakes or tests and always feeling l... View more

I think I have deppresionIn year 4 I moved schools and it was great but when I went to high school my mental helth dropt and I started to get freaked out by things like cars passing, getting strest out by simple mistakes or tests and always feeling like I have no perpous or everythink is an effort.