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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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Griffyn My life is "good" but I'm not happy.
  • replies: 2

Hi all. I'll start by saying that by most peoples standards my life is good. I own my house, I have a fiance, I have friends and family who i reguarly catch up with, I have stable job in which I am respected and treated well, I have as much money as ... View more

Hi all. I'll start by saying that by most peoples standards my life is good. I own my house, I have a fiance, I have friends and family who i reguarly catch up with, I have stable job in which I am respected and treated well, I have as much money as I need to do things that I want to do without really doing any budgeting. Despite all this, I'm not happy. In fact I'm miserable. Previously I would expect 4- 8 months a year of feeling bad, this was standard for years but the last 2 years I have only really felt good for days at a time. I'm nearly always tired, I have next to no energy for doing the things I enjoy let alone all the life maintenance stuff I have to do. It just feels like all I do is eat, sleep, work and on the weekends, pass the time until I have to go to work again. Honestly life just feels like a huge waste of time and effort. I don't see the point of spending the next 40-50 years working just to retire, maybe do a bit of travelling and then die. All that time and effort for nothing. I know the script at this point is to tell me to reframe my perspective or practice gratitude but it doesn't make any sense to me to change my mind, to lower my expectations just so I can live out my boring regular life. I want to do something extraordinary, I want to be someone who really matters, not to other people, but to myself. The issue of course is that I'm not extraordinary. I'm just a regular person who is going to live a regular life like all the other regular people. Anyway, I'm not sure why I'm writing this because I know I won't find the magical solution to all my problems here but a small part of me hopes that I will. I've tried talking to several psycologists but they can't tell me anything that I don't already know. I don't think SSRIs would benefit me because I don't think I have issues with regulating seratonin. I just don't know what to do, I don't know what to try next. I feel like I'm going to be miserable and dissatisfied for the rest of my life and my only options are to find a way to deal with it or KMS.

randomxx Would really appreciate peoples thoughts on a housing situation !
  • replies: 50

Hi to all.lt's an unbelievable time in life to find myself stuck in this position, just don't know how to look at it, or what to do about with it, if l can anything at all. Problem is, at almost 60, yeah l've mixed up details in other threads just a ... View more

Hi to all.lt's an unbelievable time in life to find myself stuck in this position, just don't know how to look at it, or what to do about with it, if l can anything at all. Problem is, at almost 60, yeah l've mixed up details in other threads just a bit concerned some l know may also be here and haven't wanted any connection here that l might know, butttt, yep.Thing is l didn't get anything out of my last house, the people l went into the property with as it was a big place, went broke.Well , sort of lucky although maybe a curse , not sure anymore but l do still have a 1ac country property, 18yrs now, from back when l was married.l can't work anymore for mh reasons but if l took care l can survive until l can get the pension- living at the 1ac place- it only has a small over nighter atm but l could extend and it'd come up quite nice . Problem is, it's in a ting town, 30mins to the main town which is a really nice place and there's also a couple of tiny ones in between before that main buttttt, out where this place is, is tiny and out on it's own .l always planned selling it about now but problems are now that for 1, even if it did sell, it's just a cheap little country block it'd only be a good deposit on something closer in- but circumstances now that'd mean a new mortgage and l'd have to keep working too, don't think l could stomach either of those especially the stress in trying to make it happen.2nd thing highly possible it doesn't even sell anyway. l know l'm lucky to at least have it and all , with the housing crisis and so many in worser positions , l just never dreamed l'd be living on it though and honestly, just don't know but it looks like l might be forced to.l grew up in the city and have lived in some of the nicest places in the country but to have to settle on this place out there now- look the property itself is a really cute block and in a nice little back street- if l could put it on a truck to somewhere else it'd be really nice - but this town. rx

Guest_47874125 How do I cope with the unfairness of life?
  • replies: 5

Time says it all really. how do I cope with the fact that life will never be fair? For me and for others. how is it that so many evil people get so much good stuff while so many good people suffer?

Time says it all really. how do I cope with the fact that life will never be fair? For me and for others. how is it that so many evil people get so much good stuff while so many good people suffer?

Sav142025 How do I tell my parents that I have depression and anxiety
  • replies: 4

How do I tell my parents that I have depression and anxiety I am 14 you have probably read my other post if not I am 14 with very bad depression and anxiety if you have any ideas of how I can tell my parents please say something. Have a better day th... View more

How do I tell my parents that I have depression and anxiety I am 14 you have probably read my other post if not I am 14 with very bad depression and anxiety if you have any ideas of how I can tell my parents please say something. Have a better day than me 🫥

Amber88 My cheating partner
  • replies: 4

So my partner thinks I’ve cheated , which I haven’t, I’ve told him multiple times I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise this rship, but every time we have an argument, he keeps bringing it up saying oh you’ve cheated. His exs have cheated on him in th... View more

So my partner thinks I’ve cheated , which I haven’t, I’ve told him multiple times I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise this rship, but every time we have an argument, he keeps bringing it up saying oh you’ve cheated. His exs have cheated on him in the past, because of that he thinks I would do the same, as he keeps saying all girls are tied to the same brush, he does not trust me at all, he’s got trust issues, I’ve showed him he can trust me but doesn’t . So because of getting accused for something I’ve not done, I’ve stopped being so affectionate towards him, I’ll still do small affectionate things like kiss him on the cheek and that. So lately because of this, he decided to download dating apps ‘to keep his options open’ so he’s been flirting with other girls behind my back, i told him I want to work on us, but I said that he needs to delete the dating apps and close the ‘open options’ he doesn’t want to do that , so I’m literally living with someone who’s interested in talking to other girls behind my back…

OrangeFantastic I feel like i have lost something but i do not know what it is.
  • replies: 2

I feel like there is something missing. My life is perfect on paper, i get good grades and i have good friends and im creative and fit and cute or whatever but i just..something just feels off. My heart doesn't really resonate with anything that it u... View more

I feel like there is something missing. My life is perfect on paper, i get good grades and i have good friends and im creative and fit and cute or whatever but i just..something just feels off. My heart doesn't really resonate with anything that it used to, my hobbies dont feel fufilling and i cant be bothered to be half as disciplined as i used to. I would rather sleep in the whole day than do anything. There are things that make me happy but i feel like these things come with the cost of failure and...i dont know how to explain. It is so confusing for me and even i don't understand why i'm feeling so lost and tired and fatigued or whatever . Even when i do love something i lose interest after a couple of weeks or i elf sabotage and convince myself to stop putting in so much effort. I push myself to consider what the purpose of all the things i do even are and when this happens i just feel so overwhemed. I need help but i dont know how to get it. I went a school counsellor and they just brushed it off and didn't let me get more sessions and i basically just vented to them but got no help at all. I want to go to a psychologist because theres so much happening in my head but my parents would judge me like they always do and it hurts so much. I feel like im so alone and no one wants to help me. I turn the things i love into habits and then i forget why i do them, i guess. And my mood changes so much too, which really affects why i cant get help because i feel like once i stop feeling sad my sadness from before just doesnt even matter anymore.

Wilhelmina_Spankbottom Young Onset Parkinson's Disease and depression
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about when I was 32 years of age. Since it became an issue, I have not been able to hold down a job for longer than 6 months. I have constant bouts of depression, for which my husband's answer is ... View more

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about when I was 32 years of age. Since it became an issue, I have not been able to hold down a job for longer than 6 months. I have constant bouts of depression, for which my husband's answer is "suck it up". He is a control freak, has kicked me out of the house, and is having an emotional relationship with a once close female family friend and says it's all in my head. I am about to lose it completely. I just don't know what to do.......

Guest_12267680 I'm scared
  • replies: 1

I feel so numb. I'm just a random teen that's taking a break up too close to heart I guess. Nothing feels right anymore.

I feel so numb. I'm just a random teen that's taking a break up too close to heart I guess. Nothing feels right anymore.

indigo22 Following the breadcrumbs to improve mental health
  • replies: 201

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

Dave_76- Life’s too hard
  • replies: 2

(49yo) First time posting… I have been feeling very very low for a decade, and I can’t snap out of it. This morning, I decided to type ‘beyond blue’ in to my browser. The first site that came across was ‘MensLine.’ I clicked on it and saw several rea... View more

(49yo) First time posting… I have been feeling very very low for a decade, and I can’t snap out of it. This morning, I decided to type ‘beyond blue’ in to my browser. The first site that came across was ‘MensLine.’ I clicked on it and saw several reasons for mental health. They were…Men’s mental health, including anxiety and depressionRelationship problemsAnger managementCoping strategiesGrief and lossLoneliness and isolationParentingStressSuicide preventionIt’s a little concerning, when I realised that every one of these IS affecting me. Some more so than others. I feel so alone, but find myself going to bed early to be alone. I have never dealt with the loss of my grand mother, which affected me a lot. As did the loss of an uncle, and my mum won’t be too far away. I want to feel closer to my wife, although I feel that she isn’t trying…or is it me. I feel lonely and depressed nearly all of the time. I only have 1 true friend, who lives 2hrs away. The only other person I hang out with outside of my wife and girls, are my parents. Parenting…I have teenage girls, so I’ll say no more about that. I gave up alcohol 10 months ago. I feel that’s 1 positive in my life. I was brought up to be a man, so I keep all of this inside me. When I’m asked, “Hey, how are you?.” My answer is always, “Couldn’t be better!”Maybe things will get better soon…