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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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Zee Life
  • replies: 6

I just feel like I have no one, and when people say that they’re there for you, they’re not. Because when u need them the most, they’re busy or they don’t have time. You try to explain to them how you feel and how scary it was dealing with it all alo... View more

I just feel like I have no one, and when people say that they’re there for you, they’re not. Because when u need them the most, they’re busy or they don’t have time. You try to explain to them how you feel and how scary it was dealing with it all alone, and they show they understand, then the next day it’s back to normal. I just wish I could have someone always with me that whenever I need the help I can just turn to it or go on my phone and message it to them, and keep them updating so I don’t have to constantly tell the story all over again, or tell it to a new person. But no one truely understands you, or knows the full story and I think that’s what I hate most

SilverBunny Exhausted and It's my fault
  • replies: 1

It's so awful to have all the pressures of my own mistakes piling up on me. I'm awful for procrastinating, but even more so when I know that I'm spiralling. In a way, my diagnosis has only served to make me worse and give me something to blame my ina... View more

It's so awful to have all the pressures of my own mistakes piling up on me. I'm awful for procrastinating, but even more so when I know that I'm spiralling. In a way, my diagnosis has only served to make me worse and give me something to blame my inability to work on. I pushed all my work back, now I have two days to get it all done and I'm stuck in this awful state of paralysis-- I'm here, writing this, instead of working. I might be using this as a further obstacle to keep myself from just getting into it and getting it done. I'm so scared of failing that I just don't try, and now I just can't. I want to apologise to my poor mother who worked so hard at a thankless job to pay my fees, and I'm just throwing away that hard work. I'm trying to get on top of it. I really am. It's al I've ever wanted to do, but I just feel this crushing weight on top of me. I feel sick to my stomach whenever I get an email, worrying that my course providers have finally gotten sick of my poor attendance and my rare submissions and decided to remove me from the course. I did it to myself. I convinced myself it could wait and I would be fine and now I'm out of time. Please excuse my tragic venting and thank you for listening.

Jenny1 Partner 80 will not accept depressed blames me
  • replies: 2

How to survive 50 year relationship when partner denies anxiety depression even when having many episodes over the years. Always my fault and last two episodes wants to separate. Not an option at our age or what I want. I have read all the literature... View more

How to survive 50 year relationship when partner denies anxiety depression even when having many episodes over the years. Always my fault and last two episodes wants to separate. Not an option at our age or what I want. I have read all the literature and he refused to see anyone. I am currently sort of ok but worried about the future.

Ponder Navigating Deep Depression, Agoraphobia & Deteriorating Health
  • replies: 22

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with i... View more

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with individuals who tend to retreat in response to extroverted expressions. However, I wholeheartedly welcome those who can relate to such profound emotions.My primary intention is not merely seeking sympathy or commiseration; instead, my goal is to uplift myself from the deep hole I currently find myself in. My struggles with morbid obesity and experiencing signs of a looming heart attack have been daunting. I even had a mild one before, but I resisted seeking medical help due to feeling misunderstood. Being reduced to just a panic disorder in the community's eyes, with multiple diagnoses, hasn't been beneficial for me, and it only adds to my depression.Today's industry and its clinical approaches haven't resonated with me, as I've operated differently for many decades. I prefer not to adhere to any particular narrative or advocate specific ways of survival in this confining world. My aim isn't to tell others what to do, but rather to explore and influence my own path. Perhaps, this thread will serve as an outlet for this purpose if it endures, or if I choose to continue sharing.Lately, the cycles of despair have been getting longer, and I find myself wrestling with a tight chest every night, both psychologically and physically deteriorating. Despite having plenty of support, I struggle to find conventional methods that truly resonate with me.I hope to write about the various strategies I plan to adopt, as I embark on the journey to overcome this latest extreme cycle. At times, even simple tasks like mowing my own front lawn feel challenging, and I no longer concern myself with the notions of right or wrong. Perhaps, the government could provide assistance, but I fear it might only lead to further disempowerment or unwanted confrontations.Admittedly, I write better in the mornings, and I am uncertain if this format suits me well. Nevertheless, this seems to be my only outlet to reach out and express myself.

Tugboat Health Anxiety is ruining me
  • replies: 4

Hello, it’s been some time since I have felt the need to reach out for support. I am 61 years old and have suffered health anxiety from my early 20s. I have had so many different health anxiety from stomach aches, throat issues and the list goes on….... View more

Hello, it’s been some time since I have felt the need to reach out for support. I am 61 years old and have suffered health anxiety from my early 20s. I have had so many different health anxiety from stomach aches, throat issues and the list goes on….. my biggest fear is cancer and unfortunately I did get breast cancer almost 5 years ago and had chemo and radiation and on blockers. My current issue is I have pain in my breast and I am petrified the cancer is back, my anxiety has gone through the roof! I have scans booked in early Aug but that’s not soon enough for me. I am currently having time off work because I cannot function, crying all the time and just cannot get negative thoughts out of my mind. I am really struggling and grateful I have a very understanding husband. In the past I have tried so many different therapy’s but none have worked for me.

Reminiscent_sky Scrape the rust to rust all over again.
  • replies: 1

It’s been… so long. im so tired- no sick of the sentiment that I could improve. People keep telling me that im okay to express these feelings, that I’m not causing harm by just being around. but I see it. I can see them being stretched thinner, thinn... View more

It’s been… so long. im so tired- no sick of the sentiment that I could improve. People keep telling me that im okay to express these feelings, that I’m not causing harm by just being around. but I see it. I can see them being stretched thinner, thinner, thinner, thinner, thinner, thinner. thinner. thinner. thinner. thinner. thinner… thinner… thinner… and thinner still… Im living upon my selfishness alone. Afraid of pain my heart keeps beating to feed blood to the brain that wishes for nothing but to rip it out and end the torment for myself and any fool to compassionate to call themselves my friend. I’m tired of the two cent answers to my pleas. what hurts more than seeing the same repetitive nonsense that doesn’t work is seeing the offended responses after I disrespect their honest advice. if this is all I amount to. To argue with unhelpful people who’s intentions are only the purest and kindest in nature. then I want to go. No more playing with my food, I’m far too observant to ignore the disappointed faces at the table. If there’s really nothing that I can do to break myself from tearing through the rubble to piece myself something that only falls apart again than I’m going to have to genuinely start thinking about how to remove myself from the equation entirely. That there’s no answer that crushes the truth I seek to call delusion, I don’t care. I won’t just sit here and ruin the lives of those I care about. Not again. I’m tired of asking these questions to those who pain me to see respond. They don’t deserve to deal with my bullshit- I don’t deserve to deal with the *aftermath* of my bullshit, or maybe I just don’t want to feel the shame that results of it. tired of being in my own head. Sick of giving myself hope only to mess with other people’s happiness. Fed up of crawling back to “friends” because it’s too painful being alone, I wish they’d all just renounce me and move on.

Guest_29503762 Feeling lost in life and generally numb
  • replies: 5

I’m seeking advice and kind words from anyone who has been through or had a loved one go through similar.I’m struggling to find any motivation to get through my days at the moment, my usually bubbly self just feels so distant and far away. I wake up ... View more

I’m seeking advice and kind words from anyone who has been through or had a loved one go through similar.I’m struggling to find any motivation to get through my days at the moment, my usually bubbly self just feels so distant and far away. I wake up and wish I could just stay in bed all day and not face reality. I don’t want to talk to anyone at all, I struggle to regulate my emotions (I’m crying everyday because I feel useless and worthless). I am taking everything personally, whether it’s someone’s general attitude, their words or actions, I think it’s my responsibility to claim fault.I find myself saying to myself and my partner that I just don’t want to be here anymore, I breathing and living is hard, life in general is hard.I do have a history of depression and anxiety, but this just feels like I’m in a hole I don’t know how to get out of. Any advice is welcome (please be kind, remember I’m a sobbing mess!)

Strawberries I think I'm depressed
  • replies: 1

Recently I've found that I'm not really looking forward to anything. At the moment the only thing I really look forward to is adopting a cat. It's something I've always wanted to do and bring me a lot of joy to think about, but I realised that when I... View more

Recently I've found that I'm not really looking forward to anything. At the moment the only thing I really look forward to is adopting a cat. It's something I've always wanted to do and bring me a lot of joy to think about, but I realised that when I look to the future that's all I can think of. I have no real dreams or aspirations just the feeling of having to get things done. I'm worried I'm really depressed and the only thing keeping me going is an imaginary cat. I don't know what to do. For reasons I can't really say I don't have access to therapy, and I'm worried I'll find a reason not to want said imaginary cat and have nothing to live for at all.

Guest_36420082 A fear of sleep
  • replies: 1

I am a 70 year old male diagnosed with heart failure 6 weeks ago,I am struggling to cope with it. I struggle to sleep at night because of it,have been in and out of hospital since the diagnosis due to the lack of sleep on average every third day.Woke... View more

I am a 70 year old male diagnosed with heart failure 6 weeks ago,I am struggling to cope with it. I struggle to sleep at night because of it,have been in and out of hospital since the diagnosis due to the lack of sleep on average every third day.Woke 2am this morning like every morning with only two hours sleep and can’t go back to sleep. I have realised I am scared of closing my eyes ( the fear of not waking up). Is this normal. Can you get help to fix it before it gets beyond me.

Guest_09428630 how do i keep going?
  • replies: 2

hey, i dont know if anyone will see this, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep going when ur literally the worst person?

hey, i dont know if anyone will see this, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep going when ur literally the worst person?

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