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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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TitanFlys Frustrated
  • replies: 4

I'm feeling very frustrated with my depression and anxiety at the moment. I've done so much therapy and really sick of it and don't want to do it anymore because I would rather put that time into working on myself to heal from previous hurt/trauma et... View more

I'm feeling very frustrated with my depression and anxiety at the moment. I've done so much therapy and really sick of it and don't want to do it anymore because I would rather put that time into working on myself to heal from previous hurt/trauma etc. I'm on an antidepressant which I don't think is doing much. I seem to be just stuck in the same swinging pattern of burning out, falling in a heap, getting back up and repeating again however this time I'm stuck in the low longer than usual. I'm supposed to be working on building my support network and friendships, but I feel like I really have no clue how to make friends. I have lost a lot of self-confidence and feel socially awkward however I can put myself out there in a professional capacity but not personally. I find this really strange. Not really sure where to go from here.

Jane Failed again
  • replies: 5

I am over my life It’s one failure after another I think I try hard but I never succeed why are people like me born it’s just pain and disappointment i work hard but get nowhere other people in my situation would have achieved something I’ve done not... View more

I am over my life It’s one failure after another I think I try hard but I never succeed why are people like me born it’s just pain and disappointment i work hard but get nowhere other people in my situation would have achieved something I’ve done nothing if I didn’t have to care for a relative I would be happy dead

Reya Trying to will myself to seek help but feeling like I'm just being dramatic
  • replies: 1

Since I was about 12 years old I have felt like I have undiagnosed Depression and Anxiety, and of recent years I suspect ADD to some degree as I have started to learn more about the disorder. But try as I might I have never been able to bring myself ... View more

Since I was about 12 years old I have felt like I have undiagnosed Depression and Anxiety, and of recent years I suspect ADD to some degree as I have started to learn more about the disorder. But try as I might I have never been able to bring myself to seek a diagnosis as I have always been a very introspective and hyper-critical person who can identify the root and cause of most of my issues, so I have white-knuckled it for years. I feel like I know exactly what got me to this state when it flares up the worst, as it is almost always a result of poor choices on my behalf, or just plain bad luck. I was severely bullied all through Primary and High School, to a horrendous extent both in person and Online in High School in particular. Part of it came at a result of my own poor choices, but regarding events that took place Outside of school and did not involve any students there. The things I went through sound like a Teen movie when I recall them to friends. As I grew older, I would fall into despair as relationships ended, my creative endeavours failed, and now I have come to a point where I have given up on all my dreams as nothing ever works out. I am a very creative person but I feel like in this modern age of AI and over-saturation of online content, I have no chance in h*ll of making it doing anything I love. And so I've packed it all in and reluctantly tried to come to grips with reality that I may have to work a mundane, dull 9-5 and have to learn to be okay with it. I never had any interests outside of creative hobbies and so I have nothing to fall back on. And I live in a constant state of anger, resentment towards creators online or artists - fully aware it's my own jealousy, and hatred for captilism. I have never believed humans were meant to just be stuck in jobs they hate and then retire and die. IT deeply upsets me. So all this to say, it's hard for me to bring myself to seek a diagnosis, as I feel like I am just reluctant to grow up and get with the program so to speak. That if I got the h*ck over my "immature mindset" I wouldn't break down and cry every time I'm faced with responsibilities and the pressures of adult life. Maybe I am the problem, and maybe I'm Not mentally ill, but have just convinced myself I am all these years...

mchops Depressed from being unemployed. Feeling stuck.
  • replies: 3

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search and honestly pretty low about where I’m at. I was fired just over a month ago for being a “cultural misfit.” Since then, I’ve been applying nonstop and getting interviews for marketing roles (I’ve got 3... View more

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search and honestly pretty low about where I’m at. I was fired just over a month ago for being a “cultural misfit.” Since then, I’ve been applying nonstop and getting interviews for marketing roles (I’ve got 3.5 years’ experience), but after my last job where I did the work of two or three people I’m completely burnt out and don’t want to go back to that industry. I’ve got over two years of admin experience too, but not much luck there either. It’s frustrating that most roles, whether marketing or admin, pay around $70k but expect so much. Some interviews go nowhere, and others I’ve turned down due to toxic culture. I feel like I’ve done everything right. I got my degree, worked hard and still ended up with burnout, instability, and it’s challenging my mental health. I don’t even like waking up early anymore because I don’t want to face reality. I stay up late because it doesn’t really matter to me what happens tomorrow. I’m tired all the time and can’t seem to break out of this cycle. I don’t have huge expenses and JobSeeker covers my rent, but I just want something stable - something where I don’t feel exploited. I want to give up and isolate myself. I’m also so tired of people asking how the job search is going. I’m not really sure what to do anymore. Any advice would mean a lot. and thank you if you’ve read this far.

Guest_43234280 Health Issue
  • replies: 2

Hello, I’m 25 and have sciatic pain in my right leg. It limits my ability to do long walks, drive, do stairs and engage in my relationships. I feel so depleted and ashamed of it most of the time. I get upset that I’m only 25 and living with this. It’... View more

Hello, I’m 25 and have sciatic pain in my right leg. It limits my ability to do long walks, drive, do stairs and engage in my relationships. I feel so depleted and ashamed of it most of the time. I get upset that I’m only 25 and living with this. It’s been since January this year and got progressively worse. I was okay at first but the amount of anxiety, fear and crying has increased a lot. I wonder if anyone has also experienced something like this. I feel very alone and feel I need to hide my condition best I can. But the pain is really unbearable some days. I love doing nice things for people to but feel I need to ask people for help instead. I feel pretty worthless

Guest_10200 living with depression plus dealign with emotionally unavailable parents
  • replies: 1

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never r... View more

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never really understanding why id feel these rlly low pits and just general filtered dissatisfaction, i had gone to the GP and received a diagnosis for severe depression and anxiety. though definitely during that time it was one of the hardest times to keep living and waking up (this was roughly 1-2 months ago) it feels like im feeling the aftermath of this feeling. and to be fair every time I ask someone if depression and these feelings rlly ever goes away because genuinely spiralling, ruminating and thinking about all these things in my laughing makes it truly exhausting. for example even when im with friends, ill find it social anxious + awkward even if I know so much about them, though it always feels like they dont know anyhting about me or more its I haven't been able to let them know really anything about me and that makes me just incredibly numb to the fact that im idly being here. and also with my mum especially, since it is holidays, everything she talks to me about, everything she argues, everything is always about doing more work, and not dissapointing myself and my parents and how im wasting time in my life, whenever I try go out to like take a break, ive just been mentally exhausted. and yes I have a psychologist and im seeing her soon, however it just feels like im like I said before, just idly roaming and i 1. dont really know what im going to do in my future 2. im not bored ive just been drained 3. when im by myself I feel comfortable but also I know im avoiding rlly the unavoidable idea of social connection. though rlly I just want to have a higher satisfaction with my life, but also school is starting but im worried again for the rlly long holidays that follow. (im just seeking some advice as i find sometimes calling helps but it feels as though every time im either retelling my story or i can rlly voice out everything ive been meaning to say)

Guest_14569722 Ms
  • replies: 1

I don’t know what I’m going through to be honest, all I know is I feel left behind or left out. Seems like my life is not moving forward it stays . I’m getting tired of this . I don’t know what to do . I mean I know what to do but it’s not working .

I don’t know what I’m going through to be honest, all I know is I feel left behind or left out. Seems like my life is not moving forward it stays . I’m getting tired of this . I don’t know what to do . I mean I know what to do but it’s not working .

guest2046046 Juggling life & depressive symptoms
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone,I have been struggling a lot recently for what feels like no reason. I don't find enjoyment in things anymore and constantly have a sense of despair and depression all the time. It feels horrible but it won't go away. I constantly feel mi... View more

Hi everyone,I have been struggling a lot recently for what feels like no reason. I don't find enjoyment in things anymore and constantly have a sense of despair and depression all the time. It feels horrible but it won't go away. I constantly feel misunderstood by my family and I don't have any friends close enough to confide in so I also feel very alone. I just want to be able to feel normal and live a relatively happy life and feel comfortable and confident in my own mind and body but everything seems completely pointless, and it seems like all we do is work or feel guilty about not working, go through hardships when loved ones pass away and then we go ourselves. I am not sure what I am supposed to do anymore. I am a little overwhelmed and anxious about my final exams coming up for high school and I have had a job offered to me that seems ok but is a little bit of a drive but also seems like I may even find it good, but I am not sure if I even want it and it just makes me feel even more overwhelmed. I am not sure if this is just anxious feelings getting in the way. Everything feels crushing, overwhelming and depressing. If anyone has any advice or input please help! Thank you!

Guest_21378479 anxiety and insomnia
  • replies: 1

Hi, I recently sold my home I had for 37 years, to try to find our "forever home". Unfortunately I have created a situation where I feel unable to cope with anything now. I am 69 and feel like I have made the biggest mistake I could make. I live with... View more

Hi, I recently sold my home I had for 37 years, to try to find our "forever home". Unfortunately I have created a situation where I feel unable to cope with anything now. I am 69 and feel like I have made the biggest mistake I could make. I live with my long-term partner in her home so I am not homeless, but I have been catastrophizing everything possible, and having insomnia fairly often. It feels like it will never end . I have ongoing work commitments which I am afraid I will not be able to do if I can't find a way to deal with my feelings . I come from a family that has had major issues ( my parents were both dead by the time I was 19 , father from suicide ) and so I feel I am more susceptible to these issues. I don't know what to do. I have a psychologist , who has been helpful, but I feel my world has fallen apart.

Triste27 Lifelong depression
  • replies: 2

I have had depression since my early teens and I am now in my fifties. I have been on anti depressants for 20 years which have been a bit helpful. My mother was cruel. She still is and this has been a source of my depression. I have been to two psych... View more

I have had depression since my early teens and I am now in my fifties. I have been on anti depressants for 20 years which have been a bit helpful. My mother was cruel. She still is and this has been a source of my depression. I have been to two psychologists but that did not help much. I do everything you are supposed to; sleep well, eat well, exercise, socialise and meditate, yet I am still stuck with this depression. Can anyone else relate to having lifelong depression and if so, do you have any tips? Many thanks.