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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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Nightstand There’s one thing about me I’ve left out...
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I've turned 22 as of the 5th of August.... And just by going by my last few posts things still are not going well for me.. I haven't been able to celebrate with the people I've wished to have... And to be honest I haven't seen that many people for a ... View more

I've turned 22 as of the 5th of August.... And just by going by my last few posts things still are not going well for me.. I haven't been able to celebrate with the people I've wished to have... And to be honest I haven't seen that many people for a couple of months now.. not in my community, people I know or for the people who'd bother to come look for me... I just want one year before I go out... where I feel truly loved, accepted and cared for all that I am.. but people have always just seen me for my surface.. no matter how much I open up for them.... I'm trans and I've been for as long as I can remember.. I've been trying for some time now.. and the only reason why I'm making my first steps is if I don't do it now.... I feel I won't be alive long enough to see this even if it's just to myself.. I'm scared that I won't have anyone to support me in all of this.........

Guest_51435782 I’ve ruined my wife’s life
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This is hard for me to talk about I’ve never posted anything like this before. I believe I’m not a bad person I’ve never hurt anybody purposely. It would seem I make a lot of poor decisions and say bad things in the midst of an arguments these things... View more

This is hard for me to talk about I’ve never posted anything like this before. I believe I’m not a bad person I’ve never hurt anybody purposely. It would seem I make a lot of poor decisions and say bad things in the midst of an arguments these things my wife reminds me of regularly, the biggest is my mother lives with us in a separate granny flat due to my father cheating on her and she had nobody this sometimes puts a strain on things. I feel like my wife would be better off without me, I’m seriously considering running away and never coming back, she will be upset by this but she will get over it and eventually move on into a happier life I want what’s best for her I believe I owe it to her she is a good person. This may seem a little radical but I think it’s best for her.

Prsangi Hates my current job, sacred and axious to resign
  • replies: 3

Hello, I am currently working in as a fixed term contract employee (i took the job for a personal reason, when it served me well), but was never happy nor enjoy the work. I feel guilty getting paid, when deep down I know I am not putting my best effo... View more

Hello, I am currently working in as a fixed term contract employee (i took the job for a personal reason, when it served me well), but was never happy nor enjoy the work. I feel guilty getting paid, when deep down I know I am not putting my best effort to fulfill my duties. I am very anxious about telling my manager that I want to end the contract, but keep on getting dragged to the same situation and the anxiety goes away for some time and then creeps back again and again , and I am under chronic stress because of this. Anyone experineced a simillar situation in life?

Purple_Monkey Family with disabilties
  • replies: 1

How does one deal with the guilt of wanting more from life but restricted due to being a carer? For context, both teenage children have recently been diagnosed with autism and adhd. Husband of 20 years disabled from a fall about 5 years ago, as well ... View more

How does one deal with the guilt of wanting more from life but restricted due to being a carer? For context, both teenage children have recently been diagnosed with autism and adhd. Husband of 20 years disabled from a fall about 5 years ago, as well as recently diagnosed with autism and adhd. I am carer for all of them. I am the kid’s ‘safe’ person, they want me to take them to all the appointments etc, they come to me with their troubles. Husband doesn’t have much of a relationship with them. He can’t connect with on their level and ends up lashing out at them for having different beliefs and values as him. Husband was a tradie, the main breadwinner, the man of the house, the protector. He slipped in a shopping centre one day. His injuries meant he could no longer work as a tradie. His health has declined to the point that he can no longer work in any capacity, gets around with a walking stick, in constant pain, always medicated on strong pain killers, low mood. As a result of the constant arguing between him and the kids, him lashing out from the pain and being frustrated not being able to contribute anything, our marriage is suffering. All relationships are suffering. I work full time. I want to drop back my hours to enable me to look after everybody, take them to appointments etc but as I am now the breadwinner, and Centrelink say I earn too much, we are living off my wage, so I can’t drop back my hours. They don’t take into account how much specialist appointments or medicines cost. The kids are having issues with schooling. I’d love to home school them. I’d also love to study, but this costs $ and requires time off work. I had dreams of travel (I’m 40). My dream holiday of bushwalks with the husband has gone, he can barely walk. I feel so ripped off that my life is gone because of them but then I feel guilty because they cannot help having their disabilities, and it’s my responsibility to care for them. I’m tired of sacrificing everything for no thanks, I want to run away but then the guilt comes back. How do I get over this guilt?

Emotions26 Do not feed the monster
  • replies: 129

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one perso... View more

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one person I think today I am resonating with several posts in different areas but cannot remember where they are I am literally lost within this website as well as within myself I am working very hard at keeping the dreaded "D" at bay which I have battled with too many times.I have had this since young apparentlyI have had large gaps of time where I am mostly symptom free I think The monster is the dreaded "d"It is also a relative whom I have had to relinquish her hold over me.I have only learnt about this stuff recently so struggle talking about it. So I think of do not feed the monster as in do not think of her. Or do not feel guilty or upset or worry or a thousand other things Also do not feed the dreaded "d" as it lurks waiting I will not find this piece again

Earth Girl I think I might have a semi-serious problem
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I recently found out that staring a lot/not blinking much can be a sign of anti-social personality disorder and I've heard a few people say that I stare at people. I don't think this is the only reason why I might have this disorder especially since ... View more

I recently found out that staring a lot/not blinking much can be a sign of anti-social personality disorder and I've heard a few people say that I stare at people. I don't think this is the only reason why I might have this disorder especially since my Auntie who is really sweet use to stare a lot and get distracted when talking to people easily (her mental health wasn't good), but also because I also recently read that a lot of the things I use to do could be considered anti-social such as often playing victim and snitching and dobbing on people (which I feel really bad about now). I didn't realize that doing those things were as bad as they are. The reason why I say I think I might have a semi-serious problem instead of a serious problem is because I use to think that anti-social people did extremely bad things such as going around unaliving innocent people all the time and really insane things like that. I would never try to unalive someone so I know my problem isn't as extreme as it could be. But I am still worried about it. I try to be a good person and do the right thing. I don't know how to get help with this particular thing plus, a lot of people who specialize in this field seem to talk really meanly about people with this problem instead of focusing on ways to help them that are honest but not mean. My current psychologist has helped me a lot with my vulnerable narcissism problem, and she doesn't even know that I have it (she says that I seem really lovely), but I don't know how to get help with possible ASD as well? Are narcissism and ASD sort of similar? While I am worried that I might have this problem, I am glad that it is not as bad as it could be because I know that I have some empathy at least and I don't want to physically harm anyone, especially people who haven't even done anything to me. I also definitely can experience genuine happiness, in fact, I often experience it and very easily (even if I just see a nice plant or animal or remember something nice or funny that happened, it makes me happy) and I've heard that some people with ASD don't experience happiness like that?

Nightstand I don't even know how to feel in all this....
  • replies: 1

August is coming up which means I'm going to be 22 soon.... And despite all that has come to past I've been coming back to celebrating alone... Again.. I know my message and story wouldn't reach the people I'd just wished I've gotten to share with...... View more

August is coming up which means I'm going to be 22 soon.... And despite all that has come to past I've been coming back to celebrating alone... Again.. I know my message and story wouldn't reach the people I'd just wished I've gotten to share with... But I've really been at a braking point on just feeling this hopeless in being the person I want to be... I know by the end of this I won't have the people who'd just stayed back for me.. but I can die smiling in understanding that all the love, compassion and acceptance I showed for the people I cared for.. has still led me to having to feel like this on my own.....

K2024 Just started on a new medication - when will the brain zaps stop?
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone! I've googled and googled, but all the info I find is about 'brain zaps when coming off medication'.I'm experiencing this while commencing the med. Wondering if anyone else has experienced the brain zaps while first starting out and if so... View more

Hi everyone! I've googled and googled, but all the info I find is about 'brain zaps when coming off medication'.I'm experiencing this while commencing the med. Wondering if anyone else has experienced the brain zaps while first starting out and if so, how long did it last please? (days? weeks?).... Thanks kindly

indigo22 Following the breadcrumbs to improve mental health
  • replies: 169

Hi everyone, The last few months have been somewhat confusing as I have discovered more about my mental / physical health and how it has all been connected. I had not put the pieces together, I am not sure why, it seems so obvious now. I have dealt w... View more

Hi everyone, The last few months have been somewhat confusing as I have discovered more about my mental / physical health and how it has all been connected. I had not put the pieces together, I am not sure why, it seems so obvious now. I have dealt with Dysthymia since about 12 and Major Depression since about 14 but was not diagnosed until my 40s and had no idea that had been the problem all along. I knew I wasn't like everyone else but thought I was just born that way. Back then mental health was not a subject that was openly discussed and the signs mostly went unrecognised and untreated. I had about 10 years of talk therapy with a social worker that helped immensely. I have had a sensitive digestive system for a good portion of my life, not so much that I sought treatment, just things like indigestion with certain foods, bloating and the like. I suppose I thought everyone had those types of issues. I have also had nervous system reactions over the past 15 years, like involuntary shaking in certain situations, that I had put down to getting older and being less resilient having been through a lot of difficult challenges. I have been seeing a psychotherapist who also does somatic work (turns out you were right mmmekitty, I did need some more help). The first session of somatic work, in this case EFT (tapping), brought up a deep and long standing belief that I did not deserve to be helped. The emotions were buried so deep that I was not even aware of them. After that session things went haywire physically for a few days and took some weeks to start to settle. Being the type of person who needs to have an understanding of what is happening and why, I have been reading many books on the symptoms I have had. That is when I began to join the dots about how interconnected by mental and physical health actually were. It has required a lot of processing on my part, and an acknowledgement of what I have been consciously unaware of, but it has been necessary to finding a way forward. This will be an ongoing journey as new symptoms show up that need to be looked at. I know now that there is a lot of unreleased trauma in my body that is a contributing factor in not healing mentally or physically and I know now what needs to be done to improve. There is only so much that the medical profession can do, I believe the rest of the responsibility lies with us in digging deeper to find the causes and the answers. In many ways, that in itself becomes empowering. Take care all.indigo

guest2046046 Feeling Depressed
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am just new to the anonymous forum but I just wanted to get some advice from some strangers with a more objective point of view and vent a little. I am a high school student that is struggling with feelings of depression that more ofte... View more

Hi everyone, I am just new to the anonymous forum but I just wanted to get some advice from some strangers with a more objective point of view and vent a little. I am a high school student that is struggling with feelings of depression that more often comes than goes. I hate my high school and have practically no friends. I have tried sitting with so many different people but none of them seem that interested in being friends with me and I don't particularly click with any of them and I feel constantly lonely. I don't really have anyone to talk to about how I am feeling, which often makes me feel even more empty and depressed. I have been excluded from formal tables that I thought I would be able to sit at and have lots of assignments due as well as lots of exams coming up soon that I am dreading. Although I already have early entry into a uni, I just really do not have the motivation to study, so everything combined with exams I just don't want to do is horrible. I find myself thinking nothing is enjoyable anymore, and even when I go to go home from school, I find it quite pointless because nothing interests me or makes me feel relieved from leaving school (I used to like wasting time on youtube but now that doesn't even seem appealing anymore so nothing is), and I feel like I have no friends to talk to. I have a therapist and have medication but am unsure if this clearly is even helping. I have a fairly chill/ok job that often takes up some of my weekends and has a longer drive that takes a little while, and I feel obligated to be busy all the time to be successful I guess and the rest of my family is busy as well. I have now been offered a new job a bit closer to home. I am not sure what to do with this either, and I am going for an interview soon but unsure whether I am bothered to even work at a new job anymore, since everything already feels a bit overwhelming, but maybe if I take only one shift a week? (the job situation is simplified I have no characters left). This all seems insignificant, a bit like I shouldn't really be having problems and not feeling ok but honestly everything is really draining and I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on what to do?