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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond... View more

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond Blue is hosting a special free webinar for our tradie community on Tuesday 12 August at 4.30pm which you can register for here. We know that Tradies can face unique stressors, with a culture of toughness and difficult job demands that can impact personal time and self-care. It can also be tough for partners and family members who aren’t sure how to support someone in a trade who may be showing signs that their mental health isn’t at its best. If you’re unsure where to start your conversation this is the space for you. Whether you want to share your own experiences, ask questions, or simply connect with others who understand what you're going through, you're in the right place. If you're seeking additional support, here are some resources: Hope Assistance Local Tradies: Home This Is A Conversation Starter: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter Mates in Construction: MATES - Industry Based Suicide Prevention - MATES Don’t forget - our counsellors are always here for you on 1300 22 46 36. We’ll also use this space to post some of the questions and answers from the webinar discussion. Feel free to dive in and keep the conversation going. Thank you again for joining us — we’re glad you’re here.

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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Mares73 Hope & Support for this forum
  • replies: 3

Dear all At the moment it seems most (or many) members are experiencing real challenges with the illness we know as depression. Often it's difficult to separate anxiety from depression as they commonly coexist. For example I suffer from both but have... View more

Dear all At the moment it seems most (or many) members are experiencing real challenges with the illness we know as depression. Often it's difficult to separate anxiety from depression as they commonly coexist. For example I suffer from both but have stuck to this forum. Reading through each post I can't respond to everyone but I try my hardest to offer those in desperate need -even a short note that i feel for, and are thinking of them. i should clarify that the purpose of this site isnt for members to provide support to anyone-rather the primary purpose is to share, reach out for support for yourself & along the way you may find peoples stories & experiences you can relate to & possibly reach out to. For me this is my sole form of support at the moment (if you want to textualise read my last post "Broken Heart"). So I can't describe my gratitude as the support I received/am receiving at one of the lowest points of my life, has in so many ways helped me to survive-even if its only existence until I get help to feel alive again. And I've struggled with this illness a longtime-and the usual symptoms such as extreme low confidence, despair, frustration & isolation. I appreciate its one of the toughest battles we each face & in the community we still have not broken the stigma that depression IS an illness. At times you may be able to scrape by, at others you may need constant ongoing care & support. It is a difficult thing to ACCEPT this illness & if we could, we may be able to make adjustments in our lives to live with it. But to fight year after year hoping that you can completely "overcome" this illness-makes it more difficult-I think-to have support put in place & to educate those in your life who could be a support if they understood the illness. I've always avoided it, found it too painful to accept its an ongoing part of myself that I need to accept & be able to recognise rather than avoid the symtoms that suggest a depressive onset. I recognise now that I HAVE to accept it, the same way I'd have to accept that I had any form of a serious illness & similarly adapt my life so I had the right treatment & knew what to do if I felt really unwell. There are members here far far more insightful than I am & I in no way think I have a better understanding of this illness. I humbly thank the people who have shown me genuine compassion, support & advice. There's times it seems a small group can focus on a member in crisis & provide all the care & support they can. Then there's other times (this week may be an example) where each person is struggling in their own way & has to focus on their own recovery & keep any energy or strength they have for themselves. Yet other amazing people keep the spirit of the forum alive. For that, I just wanted to say thankyou. And to those in pain, isolation & despair-I can only hope that you find this site or the support you each need to get well. im just holding on & that's all I can do right now. But no gratitude is enough for the friendships, connections, care & support I have found on this forum. I truly hope we continue to share our journeys on Beyond Blue. Lve Mares xxx

DarkSkies Weight Issue
  • replies: 6

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression since 2006. There has been good times in that period. When i am on my medication i can live a normal life. This last year i tried again to reduce the medication because i have weight issues. It put me in hosp... View more

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression since 2006. There has been good times in that period. When i am on my medication i can live a normal life. This last year i tried again to reduce the medication because i have weight issues. It put me in hospital. I was angry for a long time after because i can't help the weight. I am asking the beyond blue community how you dealt with the weight gain? Is there some way around it? I go to gym 3 to 4 times a week. I walk my dog every day. Please help me.

JCliff Second Post
  • replies: 3

I have posted once before, the shorthand version on how I dealt with my depression. I have often found that writing or in this case typing is a good way to process my thoughts and feelings. Funnily enough I used to do a lot of it but now I don't. Bac... View more

I have posted once before, the shorthand version on how I dealt with my depression. I have often found that writing or in this case typing is a good way to process my thoughts and feelings. Funnily enough I used to do a lot of it but now I don't. Back then what I wrote was destructive, hurtful, not to anyone apart from myself. A way to verbalise my feelings about my own self worth so that they just weren't thoughts swimming around in my head. It is coming up on 12 months since I attempted to take my own life. I have for the past month thought about it a lot and it has made me feel a large number of emotions both good and bad. I have unlike the past reached out to my girlfriend, family and psychologist to let them know that I had been thinking about what happened and in the grand scheme of things it has been very difficult. I have been moody on occasions and have been once again that feeling of overwhelming tiredness. I am not quite sure how I will go coming closer to the date. Although I have come an extremely long way since March 18th 2013, it is a scar that I feel everynow and then when my mind wanders. I read an article this week written by Alan Stokes on depression, Ian Thorpe, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Matthew Reilly who appeared on Australian Story. After reading it I cried, felt an overwhelming sense of sadness because those are feelings that we all know and fears that we face as we battle this illness. There are a number of things that help me each day. The knowledge that despite what my fears were, the people who love me will not run when I am sad. It is ok to have bad days and it is ok to tell people your having a **** day. Today is one of those days, pretty ****, pretty flat and I am slowly counting down the hours until it comes to an end. But I will go home to my girlfriend and step son and know that everything will be ok, that I can say it was a crap day and will receive a hug a kiss that will help. So if you are feeling crappy today, pick up the phone, call someone from your family, call a friend and it could just turn your whole day around.

Guest_3712 What's Behind the Door?
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, I found this piece of writing tucked in a pocket of my wallet yesterday- ( co- incidence?) I wrote this some 4 years ago , on my first admission to a psych hospital . Obviously I was in a different state of mind then but I think the meaning ... View more

Hi guys, I found this piece of writing tucked in a pocket of my wallet yesterday- ( co- incidence?) I wrote this some 4 years ago , on my first admission to a psych hospital . Obviously I was in a different state of mind then but I think the meaning is till the same. What's behind the Door? Going in or coming out? Sliding across and back again. Double doors, single doors, painted doors, stained doors. Coming out or going in. Glass doors, metal doors, steel doors, timber doors. Exit or entrance, way in way out. Goodbye old life, Hello new life. Close the doors of doubt and confusion The key to happiness unlocks the door of hope The door of hope is the door untried. Take Care all Stressless

searchforananswer something that worked for me..
  • replies: 3

I have been suffering from depression for 7 years, its been a long and very hard journey for me. For the past 7 years, I have been searching for something that could cure me, I mean it was the thing that kept me going, HOPE. And so I tried so many di... View more

I have been suffering from depression for 7 years, its been a long and very hard journey for me. For the past 7 years, I have been searching for something that could cure me, I mean it was the thing that kept me going, HOPE. And so I tried so many different 'possible cures', from medications, hypnosis, supplements, counselling, and a bunch of other things, but nothing really worked. About 6 months ago, I tried this thing called 'foot detox', many say there are many health benefits I could get from it so I gave it a go. And to my amazement, I started to feel better after the first treatment, so i came back again to have more treatments and I could feel continuous health benefits from it. After that I bought my own machine which cost $100 from ebay and have been feeling better than ever. I finally getting out from depression and I am so excited about it !! but my question is, how does this machine help me from getting out of depression?Im searching for an answer, this machine works by transferring positive and negative ions in and out of my body, which eliminates the body waste and improves health, But personally I dont think I got better from depression because I got rid of the body waste. But rather its because the positive and negative ions that charges ur body (and brain).. i believe brain is like a battery, which is the source of power for the body. When u have a negative experience/ trauma, ur brain malfunctions and it causes depression. I think some parts of ur brain stop functioning and by transferring the positive and negative ions into ur body, the machine helps to stimulate ur brain cells and so it could work normally again. What I really want to know iss, has anyone else received benefits from this treatment? or will anyone willingly try this and tell me how they feel about it? I have been suffering from depression for a long time, and I hope that I can help people by sharing my experience. Cheers !

smallbear For anyone interested in a Mindfulness Support Group
  • replies: 1

My name's Ash and I'm interested in forming a group to discuss The Mindful Way Through Depression. Normally I don't have much time for books. I'm an author myself, so I tend to be pretty impatient with charlatanism and the industry in general.This is... View more

My name's Ash and I'm interested in forming a group to discuss The Mindful Way Through Depression. Normally I don't have much time for books. I'm an author myself, so I tend to be pretty impatient with charlatanism and the industry in general.This is the first thing that's ever helped me through my Depression. I think a lot of the charm has to do (as with most things) with the teacher(s). The message is straightforward, but the way it's presented finally brings all that disparate common sense we all know, together. I've just joined here. What I hope to achieve is an ongoing dialogue where those who are into the program in the book and its insights can support one another to stay on track and really, finally get well. Apart from my wife, I've never had any friends. So you'll have to excuse me if there's some extraordinary taboo about barging in here and announcing something like this. I've had Depression pretty much all my life. I've tried everything bar getting my brain fried. I've even tried mindfulness and self-compassion prior to finding this book, and they provided only mediocre results at best. You'll notice I haven't provided a link to the book, that's to, again, avoid any accusations of spam. I know that if you're as keen as I am, you'll look it up.

Beetle Things that pulled me away from the dark side.....
  • replies: 4

HI to all the lovely people here This will be just a short post. Just want to share my 5 cents what has helped me to get better....so far. I am diagnosed with MDD with and GAD and was close to end it all 4 month ago. -1.Going to ( good understanding)... View more

HI to all the lovely people here This will be just a short post. Just want to share my 5 cents what has helped me to get better....so far. I am diagnosed with MDD with and GAD and was close to end it all 4 month ago. -1.Going to ( good understanding) GP and fess up big time. -2. agreeing to meds and Councelling -3.stop/reduce alcohol -4. fight to get enough sleep, ME-time, -5. talk to friends how I feel not nessesary telling them about my depression/anxiety/suicidal thoughts -6.accepting my past ( sexual abuse by father, emotional & physical abuse by parents,emotional abuse by partner, physical abuse by stanger -7. accepting I suffer from MDD and GAD and that I need the meds to stay healthy. Not fighting the diagnosis. -8. accepting I will never be cured, but managed, and living with that reality as best as I can.. I don't know if that helps anyone, but it has helped me...so far.... All the best on your journey xox Beetle

MaryG I had a black dog video
  • replies: 7

A friend shared this on FB and I remember when my GP gave me this book to read. I was in a bit of a fuzz at the time and I wasn't quite ready to fully accept my reality. But now 4 months on I watch this and think yep that pretty well describes it. ht... View more

A friend shared this on FB and I remember when my GP gave me this book to read. I was in a bit of a fuzz at the time and I wasn't quite ready to fully accept my reality. But now 4 months on I watch this and think yep that pretty well describes it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

Dot If only I could see inside my own head
  • replies: 12

I wish I could turn my eyes around and see inside my own head. Our eyes are always looking out. We see the rain, the sun, the beauty of nature, the people we love and those we don't know. We see the darkness, that fuzzy cloud that distorts our realit... View more

I wish I could turn my eyes around and see inside my own head. Our eyes are always looking out. We see the rain, the sun, the beauty of nature, the people we love and those we don't know. We see the darkness, that fuzzy cloud that distorts our reality and sends us retreating to that place in our head. Why do I wish I could turn my eyes around? I want to see and fix the bits that are broken. Pills don't work for me, I hate that disconnected feeling. I went to a psychologist once and they wanted me to scream at a chair - definitely not my thing. I have tried talking to family and friends but I get the feeling they just want me to 'get over it'. So here I am taking another step in my journey to 'get over it'. First a little background. I am female, I guess the name Dot gave that away, I am approaching 59, I work full time, I live alone and I have a fabulous son of 28. I am the 'chatty Cathy' at work, the one who is always positive and laughing, the one who notices when someone else is down and the one who is happy to offer a comforting word or a motherly hug. I am also the one who drips perspiration from my head everyday walking to work, the one who sees people looking at me in judgement, the one who hangs around the fringe of the work morning tea, the one who always says no to social events. Funny isn't it - I am sitting at home alone writing this and feeling anxious. Why? You can't see me. You won't know me if you passed me in the street. Yet somehow in my head I am never good enough, I won't measure up. Does that make me sad, yes sometimes it does. Does it make me angry, no not really. The truth is it makes me feel a great sense of disappointment and sometimes shame. Why did the 21 yr old who worked on our farm 'fiddle' with me when I was 12? Did that really happen or did I manifest that in some part of my broken mind? If it wasn't real why does it still haunt me. Why did my marriage fail? Why did my husband leave me to raise our son alone and unsupported only to come back when he was sick and dying of cancer? Why did I look after him, bury him and grieve for him? Why do I feel no connection to my sisters? Do they really care? Tried a few times to discuss my 'condition' with them and the first thing said is "....oh yes I have friend who's got that... do you want another glass of wine?" Ah no I don't want a glass of wine, what I really want is you to listen to me - pleeeaaasse! So next step is how do I fix me? I am pretty strong but it's getting a little harder to resist the temptation to run away from everything and everyone. So here I am embarking on project Dot - turning my eyes around and looking inside my own head to fix the bits that are broken. This year I have signed up for the 'World's Greatest Shave' - I figure that people are staring at me anyway, so I will shave my head (to a number 1) and give them a reason to look. This is a leap outside of my comfort zone but hopefully I will raise a little money to help others and that makes me feel good. Step 2 of project Dot is to sign up Beyond Blue to find tools and tips to help me in my journey and hopefully offer some help to others like me and let's face it even though we feel alone there are a whole lot of us out there. Step 3 - exercise more, eat better, stop using bad food as my drug if choice. Step 4 - study - in an attempt to fill some empty hours but also to gain traction and move towards accepting that I am a strong, capable person who does not need the validation of others to feel whole. Step 5 - to keep picking myself up when I fall down and I will fall down. Accepting that I will fall is a positive step, knowing how to pick myself up quicker is what I am striving for. I had my first depressive episode when I was 19, so I have been struggling with this for a long time. For me it is now about acceptance of my condition and not looking for the 'magic cure' but looking inside myself for ways to better manage my condition on a daily basis so I can lead a more socially connected life. At the moment if I did not have to work I would probably stay inside away from all human contact. So folks that's a, not so brief, post about me. Please feel free to have a chat and ask any questions or share any tips you may have for me. Cheers:-)

SeanA Getting Through Dark Days
  • replies: 2

I'm looking at the diary of the darkest period in my life. Page after page of negative thoughts, complaints and aggression. As the months have turned into years since these dark days, I look back at this time and it seems like a dream. I remember the... View more

I'm looking at the diary of the darkest period in my life. Page after page of negative thoughts, complaints and aggression. As the months have turned into years since these dark days, I look back at this time and it seems like a dream. I remember the feelings ... but that is about all. They are just a memory. A friend reached out to me recently and asked how I got through this time. You see, it's his turn now. He is struggling. This article is my effort to shine some light where there is none. To make sure others can follow advice that worked for me. But when it comes down to it, my Mother gave me the best advice. "Put one foot in front of the other," she said. Smart lady. Logic Through counselling, I looked at emotions from a logical point of view. I was asked to imagine that I firstly was a lawyer fighting for my opinion. Why I was right. Then I would list the reasons why I was entitled to feel that way. Then I would be the defence lawyer arguing why my assumptions were incorrect. Why I was not entitled to feel that way. Writing a journal. Writing a journal of your thoughts and feelings does two things. Firstly it allows you to get intrusive thoughts off your chest and onto paper. These thoughts often happen at inappropriate times. For example, when you are trying to sleep at night. I looked back at the diary of my worst days and looked at the times I wrote many of my posts. 2, 3, 4 and 5 AM in the morning. Putting these thoughts down on paper allowed me to go back to sleep. Even if I was only to wake up an hour later I would still write down what I was thinking. The second reason is that in the light of day, you look back at what you have written and can balance your emotions better. You realise that feelings are transitory. They rise and fall sometimes with a mind of their own. In my darkest days I seemed to only be experiencing lows. Then occasionally I would feel slightly better and record that. This helped me realise that if I could have one good period, then I could have more. "Don't do the things that cause you to get upset" I remember deciding on this. I traced why I was feeling negative and realised that sometimes the cause was something I had control over. I committed, if at all possible, to stop doing things that created negativity in my life. This is a lesson I learned that helped me pull through the darkest period. But as an unexpected benefit, I still use this mantra 10 years later. My experience of depression is behind me, but I realise that it is the small things we do on a daily basis that make a massive difference in our future. Small seemingly insignificant habits that reap a massive return years later. So there you go. Writing a journal, Logic and Not doing the things that cause you to be upset. I used these three techniques to get me through a period of time that seemed to go on forever. One more thing. A counsellor asked me at the end of that period why I had never done anything fatalistic. To end my life. My response was that I didn't think it was in my make up. But I suppose no one who takes that final step would say it is in their make up. One thing was that I have always wanted to leave a positive legacy as a result of my life. This intent allowed me to look into the future and see something worth working towards. In conclusion, I remember reading about a conversation between a student and a teacher. The student asked, "How will I know if I haven't achieved my life purpose? The teacher responded, "If you are still alive, your life mission is still in front of you".