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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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Nothing Left I’m lonely and lost and close to giving up completely
  • replies: 10

I had an episode of major depression and anxiety almost 4 years ago. Fought on for 18 months before the family had enough and the marriage ended. Divorce going through now. I’m 51. I’ve lost a lucrative career and my home, my grown up sons hate me an... View more

I had an episode of major depression and anxiety almost 4 years ago. Fought on for 18 months before the family had enough and the marriage ended. Divorce going through now. I’m 51. I’ve lost a lucrative career and my home, my grown up sons hate me and won’t speak to me. I have no friends at all and no family in Australia. I literally go to my new crap paid job or sit at home with my cat. I never go out or do anything. My meds keep stuff in check to a point but I’m constantly sad and lonely. I wish I was still with my wife but that’s gone, I can’t imagine I’ll ever get someone else and see no point in life now. My self esteem and confidence is zero. I hate myself. What can I do? Right now I’m just existing and I hate life.

JJJ I don't know what to do
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm a second year university student, and recently I've been experiencing a lots of negative emotions that I'm struggling to cope with. The constant anxiety I'm having with my studies is really impacting me day to days. I'm cyring all nights, nea... View more

Hi, I'm a second year university student, and recently I've been experiencing a lots of negative emotions that I'm struggling to cope with. The constant anxiety I'm having with my studies is really impacting me day to days. I'm cyring all nights, nearly everyday. I would be eating and suddenly think of the assignments dueing soon, and immediately lose appetite, with that weird, disguting feeling emerging from my stomach, urging me to continue on study. But when I get to my desk I'd start procrastinating, franctically scrolling through social medias and kpop vids while torturing with the stress of assignments. Every morning I'd wake up and know that I'd need to study but am struggling to even get up off bed. I know I should stop procrastinating and take action immediately but I just can't Things had gotten worse yesterday when I was taking my break from study. Standing on top of the stairs, I had such a strong urge off throwing my self down the stairs so I can get a broken limb as an exemption or a medical condition to apply for an extension. My self destructive thoughts had becoming more and more frequent. But what really confuses(?) Me is that these depressed and anxious moods usually occur during time at school. Like I'd be fine during the holidays, having regular appetite and no trouble falling asleep. But as soon as I get caught up with too much works I'll experience a super strong sense of eagerness of self harming. A few weeks ago I had an instructive thought about crushing myself into the traffic when I was waiting for my bus just to end and take a break I don't want to share this to anyone since I'm sounding psychotic. My sister had a severe case of depression and I don't want to add any more burden to my family. I also fear the efforts to reach out to a psychologist

Herrr Where to start
  • replies: 4

sorry, I don't know how to explain or where to start. I know I need to see someone but I'm never kid free or maybe I just to scared I have 3 kids oldest 13 youngest is 2 I live with youngest 2s father sleep in separate rooms because it's his house he... View more

sorry, I don't know how to explain or where to start. I know I need to see someone but I'm never kid free or maybe I just to scared I have 3 kids oldest 13 youngest is 2 I live with youngest 2s father sleep in separate rooms because it's his house he owns it and he was always telling me to get out of his room when I wouldnt give him sex or let him touch me. I just felt after a long day with the kids on me 24/7 I wanted to relax in bed with my partner but not be touched. I do the cooking cleaning of everything inside/out have the kids all day everyday I feel distant from my kids like maybe I envy them idk. I'm cranky all the time partner is always telling me I need anger management. I know I'm depressed if I didn't have my kids or knew of someone I trust to love and care for them I wouldnt be here I think of it everyday. I try to have a day off but partner still calls out to me for help. The other day I stepped back done nothing all day. House was a mess youngest put poo everywhere. I made them sandwiches for dinner, ( lucky because partner just sent them to bed) he didnt even know I fed them. He had the audacity to ask me to vacuum. I do it everyday. I said no ill do it in the morning he got the shits. Everytime I ask to do something he says no one tells him what to do he will do it when he's ready. Fk after reading this shit I can tell I need to leave.

jane_1 supporting someone with OCD
  • replies: 1

Hi Beyond Blue community,I am reaching out as i am not sure how to support my partner who has intrusive thoughts OCD. For example, they constantly ruminate over intrusive thoughts or thoughts on whether the way they are feeling is right, if they shou... View more

Hi Beyond Blue community,I am reaching out as i am not sure how to support my partner who has intrusive thoughts OCD. For example, they constantly ruminate over intrusive thoughts or thoughts on whether the way they are feeling is right, if they should be happy in this specific moment and if they aren't, why not. They constantly think about whether their feelings are real or if they are pretending and it makes them very distressed. They have received a diagnosis from a pyschologist but despite this, they question whether they actually have OCD. I wanted to know if anyone has had experience with supporting a partner with OCD and could share how they support them. I would also like to know if anyone with OCD has experienced/experiences this and is willing to share what helps them? Thank you

Mel2024 Depression
  • replies: 1

For a long time I have been struggling to find my purpose in life, I am a mum and have been since I was 17 although I love my children but I feel lost. For basically my whole life I have been a mother. But who am I outside of that.? I have been strug... View more

For a long time I have been struggling to find my purpose in life, I am a mum and have been since I was 17 although I love my children but I feel lost. For basically my whole life I have been a mother. But who am I outside of that.? I have been struggling a lot lately and I don’t know how to approach that conversation when someone I trust, how do you tell someone that you actually can no longer see into the future, and you are struggling to see the next day every day you wake.

ReeBecca No reason to be depressed all the time
  • replies: 7

For as long as I can remember, since I was a teenager, I’ve just never felt normal and I’ve always had this cloud of gloom hanging over me that I can’t shake. I do all the right things, I’ve been on medication for years, I exercise and I mostly eat r... View more

For as long as I can remember, since I was a teenager, I’ve just never felt normal and I’ve always had this cloud of gloom hanging over me that I can’t shake. I do all the right things, I’ve been on medication for years, I exercise and I mostly eat right. I am so grateful for the life that I have. I have a loving husband and children and a good job and I know that even though we have our struggles we are extremely fortunate to have each other as well as a home/food/clothes. But for some reason I am just so sensitive and emotional to the things that go on in the world and feel depressed all the time. When I hear about horrible things or horrible people it really upsets me even when it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I feel let down by humans in a way and don’t feel like I can trust anyone other than my family. I know that if I didn’t have my family I would not be here anymore because I couldn’t live like this without having them as my reason to live.Why doesn’t it go away no matter what I do? I put on a smile and go about being this functional person in society but it’s all a lie. Inside my head I’m struggling with every single daily task and interaction. I pray to god every single day to help me overcome my depression and anxiety and I think he does in so many ways. But I can’t overcome it completely and it’s exhausting. My husband and kids deserve so much better.

NotThisKid Truely alone in life
  • replies: 1

Does anyone else truely care about anyone other than themselves for longer than a minute or two? When all the questions end up having no answers, what can anyone do for someone other than themselves? I know everyone will just say, you have to be acco... View more

Does anyone else truely care about anyone other than themselves for longer than a minute or two? When all the questions end up having no answers, what can anyone do for someone other than themselves? I know everyone will just say, you have to be accountable, take responsibility, only you can change your life. But there is nothing that can be changed, yes, it can be altered but to the detriment of something else either in life or in one’s self, or mind. Everyone expects someone can do or change something they have no real understanding of, in the form of likeness or experience, so it seems the right thing to say or expect. But here I am, reaching out for the hand that isn’t there. Some might extend their arm out, for a moment, but in the end, they will always fall short and move in another direction. Existence, is being alone. Others drift in and out of others existence, but it’s not their existence, they have their own. No one shares exsistance, mine feels very dark, cold, and unfashionable to my own mind. A dense weight crushing forcefully, I don’t want to exist like this is this is what existing is.

Mummaof2girls Postpartum depression
  • replies: 3

I have 2 daughters oldest is 5 in June and youngest just turned 1 in January. After having my youngest I have suffered with postpartum depression, I find myself crying every day, not feeling good enough and feel like a terrible mum. My oldest is full... View more

I have 2 daughters oldest is 5 in June and youngest just turned 1 in January. After having my youngest I have suffered with postpartum depression, I find myself crying every day, not feeling good enough and feel like a terrible mum. My oldest is full of attitude and never listens and I always find myself yelling at her and then feeling horrible about it later on. There are times throughout my day where I just want to walk out the door and not turn back. I miss having anytime to myself, I can’t shower or go to the toilet without having my kids beside me. I’ve changed for the better after having my girls, I was 22 when I had my first and was a bit of a party girl. So my children made me grow up in a better way. But now I’m 28 and just miss being able to do things for myself sometimes. I love my girls with everything I got, I’m just really struggling mentally at the moment and wanting to get some help but I’m too scared to ask for help and don’t know what to do.

JLee Crippling insecurity
  • replies: 2

I have been trying to explain my feeling to my few family and friends but it seems they have grown annoyed and uninterested with my concerns but I am desperate. I need to know if what I am feeling is normal or unfair to my partner. My partner in my e... View more

I have been trying to explain my feeling to my few family and friends but it seems they have grown annoyed and uninterested with my concerns but I am desperate. I need to know if what I am feeling is normal or unfair to my partner. My partner in my eyes is amazing in every way possible, I adore the man but because I have put him on such a high pedestal I now feel inadequate and unworthy of him. I feel cripplingly insecure. Lately he has been distant with me, less affectionate and less attentive. I fear he is losing interest and so now I am tearing myself apart trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Did I push him away? Annoy him? Turn him off? Am I unattractive in his eye? Was he ever into me in the first place or was it all just convenient? God knows. His exes were all skinny girls and shorter than I am. He even said I am the first bigger girl he has dated. He has gone through a break up with his long term girlfriend months prior to me and was seeing others whilst talking to me. I fear I may even be a rebound. I do not know, this speculation is hurting my heart and head and I want someone to tell me the truth. He has been telling me a-lot of stories of him and his exes as well as the women he was “seeing” whilst talking to me. The stories have been making me feel sick to my core, I genuinely felt like I could vomit just from hearing him talk about it. It had made me feel disgusted by him. I may just be immature and insecure but if that is the case I just want to be told. Hearing it will definitely give me some closure and assure that I can find away to work around it.

Moving forward happy Struggling with life
  • replies: 2

I’ve always tried to be a positive person but recently I can’t shake the overwhelming depression I am feeling which leaves me sitting here feeling almost paralysed and not able to do anything at all. Each month my rent is behind (it’s been raised 4 t... View more

I’ve always tried to be a positive person but recently I can’t shake the overwhelming depression I am feeling which leaves me sitting here feeling almost paralysed and not able to do anything at all. Each month my rent is behind (it’s been raised 4 times in the last two years) to which I recieve email after email threatening eviction, that alone causes me so much stress and anxiety, having the roof over my head and my sons threatened each month. Keeping up with bills and even food shopping these days is rediculous, I’ve had issues with my car being impounded and can’t get it back cause of the price it costs, I’m almost finished my studies in community service but I have 200 hours of placement left which means I can’t get a job right now, I’ve come too far with my diploma just to give up now. I’m over having to fight for everything. I miss the world and how it used to be, everything these days is just so cold and everyone seems to just look after themselves, life never used to be so hard, is it just me or does anyone feel this way? I just need a break, I just want to be able to live my life instead of fighting so hard just to keep my head above water. Everything revolves around money, or lack of, even taking the kids anywhere costs so much now, adding to my guilt and depression when I can’t afford to do what every one else seems to be doing.

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