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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_16356908 I'm sick of everything
  • replies: 3

Hi, There's so much to write, but I don't know where to start. I've had depression for nearly 30 years & have been medicated the whole time - I have a strong genetic depression link on both sides of my family & have been told that I won't be coming o... View more

Hi, There's so much to write, but I don't know where to start. I've had depression for nearly 30 years & have been medicated the whole time - I have a strong genetic depression link on both sides of my family & have been told that I won't be coming off my meds anytime soon. I'm at that point in my life that I am starting to hate it. Nothing brings me happiness anymore. I overeat to compensate for how I'm feeling & it's alway junk food. I work in a high school & hate having to come to work each day - due to my depression & an awful manager who thinks they own the school. My life also includes looking after my elderly mother - I live with her. I have to shop, assist her with her meds everyday as well as help dress her. My other siblings have their own lives & help out, but my mum is my responsibility most of the time. I never seem to enjoy anything that I do anymore as I always feel guilty leaving mum alone & I hate coming in to work. I'm sleeping more too as I want to forget how I'm feeling while I'm awake. Has anyone felt like this & what advise would you give for getting out this rut? Chacky

CedricT Poem
  • replies: 7

I don't know if this helps or makes things worse but I write poetry about how I am feeling. This is one: Hurt: And so it goes The story of to and fros The ups and downs Will sadden the happiest of clowns Scared of the pain You are the one left to dra... View more

I don't know if this helps or makes things worse but I write poetry about how I am feeling. This is one: Hurt: And so it goes The story of to and fros The ups and downs Will sadden the happiest of clowns Scared of the pain You are the one left to drain Each week has a new low You have become life’s little hoe Nothing inside is left to hurt Your heart torn out and stomped in the dirt The pain turns physical A razor is now seen as clinical The loss of a friend Another step closer to the end You push and mislead They want to help and do a good deed Your mind is now your worst enemy Will you ever find some form of clarity? Your hurt and scared Are you too damaged to be repaired? Allow people in please! The pain will begin to ease Dont be scared of this monster Be the hero of the story Tame the beast and learn to conquer

Ozhugbear Cant cope with friendship break up
  • replies: 4

I have had a friend for 11 years we spend 5 hours a day together and eat lunch and he makes dinner together. Yesterday he said to me out of the blue when i said i loved you it made my skin crawl he was so nasty yesterday. Today he wrote that his goin... View more

I have had a friend for 11 years we spend 5 hours a day together and eat lunch and he makes dinner together. Yesterday he said to me out of the blue when i said i loved you it made my skin crawl he was so nasty yesterday. Today he wrote that his going into hospital next week and doesnt want to see me for 3 weeks. I am so depressed do i just let the friendship go

Guest_94481555 dealing with sadness as a teen
  • replies: 1

I’ve felt sad most of my life I’ve had my phases where it would get better but it never left it would just hide until it had its chance to come out again what I’m dealing with right now I feel is serious but I seem to feel like no one believes me and... View more

I’ve felt sad most of my life I’ve had my phases where it would get better but it never left it would just hide until it had its chance to come out again what I’m dealing with right now I feel is serious but I seem to feel like no one believes me and they think I’m exaggerating but I’m legit begging for help I’ve never asked for help I’ve always delt with it alone and I had control but not anymore I don’t feel real and I’m too numb to think I’ve lost my train of thought and I’m unaware on what to do I hope someone reads this and can relate but I also don’t bc I’m very empathetic i wouldn’t want someone to feel the way I feel but it’s only natural i guess I feel so empty to the point I feel nothing at all I just wanted someone to believe me and understand just because I put up a act around people doesn’t mean I’m not slowing dying from the inside

Reminiscent_sky How far should self sacrifice go? A genuine question.
  • replies: 2

Hello again forum. it's been a while. There's been a fair bit that's happened between posts but I'm not necessarily here to do an update post.I'm here to ask a question. I earlier today left my online friend group after having an inconsequential argu... View more

Hello again forum. it's been a while. There's been a fair bit that's happened between posts but I'm not necessarily here to do an update post.I'm here to ask a question. I earlier today left my online friend group after having an inconsequential argument with my friends. The argument wasn't particularly important but I came to the realisation that the obscuration of my personal self and the idealised version that I had charaded online was able to be broken. Of course there was times before where my moroseness would seep through the cracks of the facade, of course I could pick up the pieces then but this was genuinely the first time I felt like falling into an outburst under pressure. Lately my hopelessness has reached a critical mass of sorts and this has caused me to lash out (usually at myself). My self loathing has manifested its own hatred seemingly. Like I've become more irritable, I used to have pretty serious anger management issues when I was younger and I've always kept the explosive anger part but it's like my short fuse has returned from the past to bite me. The good news though is that I can't hurt anyone with this since there's nobody who interacts with me in real life. Everybody finds out eventually that I'm not a very nice person and so eventually I was left alone. Back to what I was saying I *thought* I couldn't hurt anyone with this but now it seems like I'm struggling if not failing to contain my stress, lamentation and pain. This separation between me and the way I presented myself to my online friends lead me to stay in touch with my online friends past the initial downfall of my mental state. After doing a quick reflection I realised that if I'm going under I don't want to be dragging down their moods with me especially when I'm giving them nothing back in return. The friend I talked to about leaving said that they would never give me crap for the way I'm feeling but that isn't what's wrong. It's the fact that their empathy attunes with my sorrow and makes them feel worse, the fact that I'm also now emotionally unstable is just a silver lining to these reasonings. There's no end to these thoughts and feelings in sight so if I had any self respect left I would abandon my friends and force them to forget me, as to wither away as silently as possible. They might be the only people I converse with which has kept my head above water for a while now, but it's selfish of me to keep them by my side if I'm aware that I'll just be dragging them down. But at the same time am I being selfish by hurting them like this because I can't bear to see them leave me on their own terms? What's the worse option? I do want to stay and remain friends but I'm not sure how I'd even talk to them if, after I come crawling back, I experience a total mental collapse in the future. They don't deserve to deal with that. I was never worthy of their friendship anyway. But It's been about 3 hours, it's felt like 6. I've got this impending sense of doom in my chest, the kind before you experience something terrifyingly painful. I'm regretting the things I've said and leaving that server. But do I listen to my selfish self preservation that's kicking in or do I just need to swallow my despair and accept what's coming from here on out? I don't want an answer like "I don't deserve to do this to myself" because I do. I'd much rather take the full force of my pain than offload it onto my friends. Until my psychologist works that out of me it's just objective fact. I just want to know if I've made the right choice by not letting my venom linger in others. Should I relent and let myself brew my tempest over a peaceful, happy village full of people who say they enjoy my presence? Is it worth it even with the chance I create another ruin of a relationship in my wake?

BG1993 Feeling very down after having a brain tumour removed
  • replies: 2

My husband and I got married in February then only a couple of weeks after I found out that I had a large brain tumour that needed removal.It was removed 5 weeks ago, all went well but I have recently found out I will also be needing chemotherapy for... View more

My husband and I got married in February then only a couple of weeks after I found out that I had a large brain tumour that needed removal.It was removed 5 weeks ago, all went well but I have recently found out I will also be needing chemotherapy for a small amount that needed to be left behind.Unfortunately I have been feeling very negative and unmotivated to do anything, speak to anyone or leave the house. I also feel awful that I am not a pleasure to be around especially for my husband.I am yet to be approved for my income protection and it hurts that my husband has to support everything, rent, house bills and my bills including for my car which I am now unable to drive for 6 months.I am hoping for some advice from some people who are or have gone through something similar and how to turn life back into something more positive. Thank you so much

moody-_ahhhhh Uni and Poor Health
  • replies: 3

i feel uni is just a setup for people to get impostor syndrome, doubt themselves and burnout results take too long to be released so its hard to see progress and i feel so weak and incapable, some kind words and moral support would be appreciated

i feel uni is just a setup for people to get impostor syndrome, doubt themselves and burnout results take too long to be released so its hard to see progress and i feel so weak and incapable, some kind words and moral support would be appreciated

Zombie_s3r3nity i feel alone
  • replies: 5

Everybody thinks I'm lazy and useless I hate myself. I hate that I can't do the simple task of going to school for a full week. everyone just doesn't get me they would only care if I was dead. I'm really struggling but no one seems to actually care I... View more

Everybody thinks I'm lazy and useless I hate myself. I hate that I can't do the simple task of going to school for a full week. everyone just doesn't get me they would only care if I was dead. I'm really struggling but no one seems to actually care I'm only 14 and I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I don't know what to do. Every time I'm slightly upset people say ' I'm not allowed to be upset because everyone else in the world has bigger problems than me' they say I can talk to them, but they don't actually care they are just going to keep living their lives regardless of what I say they don't actually care no one does and I'm so tired. I just want someone who gets me someone who I can talk to that would actually care. I don't want to feel alone anymore.

SoloLeveller Depressive waves and I really need to vent...
  • replies: 1

I haven't posted in quite some time cause life is just breaking me down. but, depression is worse than life. I've suffered two massive betrayals of friendship that compare to a childhood trauma I wish I could forget. two long time friends (one 22 yrs... View more

I haven't posted in quite some time cause life is just breaking me down. but, depression is worse than life. I've suffered two massive betrayals of friendship that compare to a childhood trauma I wish I could forget. two long time friends (one 22 yrs long and the other 17 yrs long) which I had done so much with. friends I tried to encourage, tried to comfort, tried to work through mental issues with. now I'm here, one friend left who's is a great friend but he's also much younger than me. that just means our interests are very different and don't give either of us much to talk about with each other. I'm in my 40's and I'm also so tired of the thought of trying to make new friends. good thing about old friends are the stories we'd have and share whenever we hung out. I'm a carer for my mum which is very stressful but also very worth doing. my dad was a monstrous piece of filth that deserves to die by my hand. honestly, these days I can't keep myself stable or happy in any sense. every night I hope I don't wake up in the morning. I have constant suicidal thoughts run in head every day. I just don't act on them and try to focus on other things. not having those friends has disabled me to a certain extent. no one to understand me, no one to vent to, etc. but, would I try to forgive them? hell no! if they suddenly came to me with options of being friends again? also a hell no! as far as I'm concerned, life isn't worth living. never has been. but, my mum needs me just as much as I need her. I have two older siblings but they have their own lives to live. so, when they visit my mum and me we both try to keep things happy and positive (which is exhausting) but it is what it is. I'm also terrified with a life without my mum. might seem childish but that's the truth. she's always been there for us. always did her best with what she had. my plan was always this. if she was to suddenly pass away then I would follow soon after. that thought first hit me while I was in primary school. I became her carer cause my sister's always wanted to chase after a career and starting a family. so I thought "I'm not going to leave my mum alone" I couldn't. the things she suffered at the hands of my dad are just to disturbing to even type out. all that I have these day's is caring for my mum (which isn't a burden at all) and a crippling void of loneliness that just doesn't leave me be. I try to keep myself busy but it keeps eating away at me no matter how positive I try to be.

Dabullmeister Feeling completely alone
  • replies: 2

I have a some pretty rough years. I graduated uni in 2024 and couldn't get a job out of uni which left me isolated and made me feel worthless this sadly meant as well that I didn't keep in touch with a lot of the people I graduated with. Move to this... View more

I have a some pretty rough years. I graduated uni in 2024 and couldn't get a job out of uni which left me isolated and made me feel worthless this sadly meant as well that I didn't keep in touch with a lot of the people I graduated with. Move to this year I started a PhD and I am really enjoying it, it is really rewarding and fulfilling only problem is that it is still very isolating. Most days I have no one to talk to and I have no one to do anything with. Like I'm in my 20s I feel I should be doing stuff but I just don't have anyone to do anything with. Doesn't help I live an hour out of the city as well. It just is becoming too much and I can feel it start to effect my ability to do work.

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