Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

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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.

Chris_B Are you looking to support someone else with depression? PLEASE READ before posting
  • replies: 1

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and f... View more

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition It's full of threads from people who have family members and friends going through anxiety, depression or other related conditions. Have a read through the threads there, and feel free to take part in the discussions. Below are also some helpful beyondblue resources you might want to look through first as well: Supporting someone Have the conversation

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

All discussions

bb2005 Dysthymia
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) by a doctor on discharge from the psychiatric ward on Monday. I thought I would drop in to say hi as I guess I belong here now. Cheers.

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) by a doctor on discharge from the psychiatric ward on Monday. I thought I would drop in to say hi as I guess I belong here now. Cheers.

MissAnthrope07 Does anyone ever feel like nobody believes you're depressed because you seem happy?
  • replies: 1

I spoke to a mental health professional 2 weeks ago and the entire time I felt like he didn't believe me. I just sat there, mild-mannered, giving this stranger compendious details about my history and trauma and he probably didn't take me as seriousl... View more

I spoke to a mental health professional 2 weeks ago and the entire time I felt like he didn't believe me. I just sat there, mild-mannered, giving this stranger compendious details about my history and trauma and he probably didn't take me as seriously because I wasn't visibly broken up about it. Sometimes I don't even believe myself. I regularly work out, eat clean, sleep well, socialise - I even tried those stupid joe rogan shorts about cutting coffee, avoiding social media, and taking ice-cold showers which are all supposedly good for your dopamine levels - so statistically I should be as happy as a crackhead by now, but instead I'm miserable.

loganJ132 struggling to reach out
  • replies: 3

as a tall, more muscular and traditionally masculine person i find it hard to reach out because i think people will judge me and even when they do i say it’s okay because i don’t want to be a burden on them or be seen as vulnerable. i want to be able... View more

as a tall, more muscular and traditionally masculine person i find it hard to reach out because i think people will judge me and even when they do i say it’s okay because i don’t want to be a burden on them or be seen as vulnerable. i want to be able to talk but i’m not even sure why i’m feeling this way, i have no reason to feel like this but i just can’t find joy in things i used to and it’s really affecting my relationships, job, school etc. i just want to know how to deal with these feelings.

Nobodie Depression blocks me from doing anything
  • replies: 2

I am having so much problem about my parents. They kept discouraging me, denying all my achievements, and criticizing all the decisions I have made. Years before, I tried to listen to "part of" what they said. But what I ended up with was a crush in ... View more

I am having so much problem about my parents. They kept discouraging me, denying all my achievements, and criticizing all the decisions I have made. Years before, I tried to listen to "part of" what they said. But what I ended up with was a crush in my entire life and a self-abandoned suiside. What was left after that was a missing heart. I can't really felt my heart pulse after that and I don't even think my personality was there. Soon after that I chose to leave my mom and went to my dad who is in another country. There I met my first girl friend ever. Things happen on me was way more twisting and difficult than any TV series I have ever heard of. I have been trying to deny they are so bad cause I believe everyone has their own goodness. Yet, three years has passed, I couldn't believe what they did was even worse. What my mom has been doing was only breaking promise, misleading on all my choices, and being 24hr wavering. Now she started to fabricating the history, rooting all the previous bad things on me, and kept promising me all the things she couldn't have done and compelling me to go back and stay in her city. My father, another extremist, even got divorced and been single for couple of years, trust more on his ex-wife, "workmates," agents, and other relatives but not me. Most interestingly, all my childhood memory on him was ever-lasting bickering with mom at home. My mom always tells me what aspects on dad she looked down upon when I grew up. His business has been paying him less than half of the amount he deserve yet he is so proud of the "relationship". He once told me proudly that his peers called him for a midnight emergency job, but in return, they offered him a meal... He said this is true friends. He is so proud that even if paid at a discounted wage, he think that the vegetable friend send him is a witness and proof of that. As for agents, he is so close to the female agent that he wouldn't even care that I was cooking for the family. The agent was quite impolite to me but he didn't notice even a little. He kept on telling me how nice the agent is. Yet after I search online, I found him paying at the highest price of high point in history for houses at the lowest point of the market. Then after I learned more, I did realize that all the properties he got are sharply decreasing in price and no one was willing to purchase.

Baileysmells When does it end? When does it stop being a battle?
  • replies: 1

My energy is so low recently, my ability to fight my negative thoughts has been dwindling. I have a month to find a place to live or me and my sister are on the street. I’m the only one doing all the work: cleaning, packing, applying for houses. I’m ... View more

My energy is so low recently, my ability to fight my negative thoughts has been dwindling. I have a month to find a place to live or me and my sister are on the street. I’m the only one doing all the work: cleaning, packing, applying for houses. I’m physically and mentally drained. I moved away and grew apart from my friends so I’m in a new town, with no stability or people to lean on. I feel so alone. I hate that I’m jealous of my sister for finding a partner so close to her personality because I had found the same only to be ghosted, watching and being around them stings. No one new is coming along, all the apps have stopped providing matching all of the sudden. I truly am alone. I just want to have relationships and stability but I myself as well as external factors sabotage all of that. I have no certainty in my future, I just want to have someone and a roof over my head but I can’t even have that. Instead I sit here dwelling in my depression wishing for more while I hide away in my room from my sisters relationship. I feel pathetic, I feel unworthy. Life just never throws me a bone, it seems to be problem after problem. Every time I get close to someone it leads to heartbreak. When can I just be able to rest, when is the world going to give me a reason to smile- to keep going.

Minnxey Hello all
  • replies: 1

I have been married for 37 years and me and my husband are drifting away from each other. I want the relationship that I had 20 years ago but we have become friends or something I need to have intimacy and love in my life. Please help there is so muc... View more

I have been married for 37 years and me and my husband are drifting away from each other. I want the relationship that I had 20 years ago but we have become friends or something I need to have intimacy and love in my life. Please help there is so much more but I feel like I don’t want to live anymore. I am controlled

AM7 Hate my dad for an historical offence, but love him
  • replies: 5

I have MMD with anxiety I found out about a year ago that my Dad has been charged with an historical sexual offence.....I can't reconcile what he did - to who he is.I totally believe what he did abhorrent and advocate that all perpertraters should be... View more

I have MMD with anxiety I found out about a year ago that my Dad has been charged with an historical sexual offence.....I can't reconcile what he did - to who he is.I totally believe what he did abhorrent and advocate that all perpertraters should be gaoled...it's a core beliefbut he is my Dad who never treated me with any kind of immoral behaviour.Having these two diametrically aposed is tearing me apart...My sleep is poorer than normal....my friends are worried about me as I am not me.It's almost like I'm in a sort of limbo - where I don't care, cause I can't until the court has charged him. I have been told to tell my Dad I hate him....but I can't...I don't want to hurt him...but then I hate myself for being weak... And then I found out that both my parents had been abused as children... I never believe in excusesI have been on my anti'Ds for 12 years..and they are not enough.Ignoring it no longer works....I am angry at him, but so very sad for him.I can't do this double sided emotioneven though I am Gemini any suggestions on How I can go on

SherlockandWatson96 Has anyone every lost a pet? How do you handle their passing?
  • replies: 8

I just found out this morning that my dog might be put down today. He’s been getting old but as of last night he couldn’t eat, drink or go to the bathroom unassisted. He also seems to be having issues with his back leg too. I knew this was coming, bu... View more

I just found out this morning that my dog might be put down today. He’s been getting old but as of last night he couldn’t eat, drink or go to the bathroom unassisted. He also seems to be having issues with his back leg too. I knew this was coming, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon. He had a good life but i always thought it could be better. Ive know this is coming for a long time and I have been reminiscing on good times with him so maybe I’ve processed some of this already. I don’t know, I haven’t had any strong reactions and I know I should be incredibly sad. Does this happen to anyone? I guess I worry that the grief will all hit at the same time and I’ll be a mess. How did you handle your pets death? thanks for listening

Wanderingguy Reducing my medication Dosage
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. I have been on my current antidepressant for around 12yrs now. I now feel that my mood is no longer stale and my anxiety, agitation etc has increased significantly. yes there have been a few challenges in my life recently which I am sure... View more

Hi everyone. I have been on my current antidepressant for around 12yrs now. I now feel that my mood is no longer stale and my anxiety, agitation etc has increased significantly. yes there have been a few challenges in my life recently which I am sure have contributed. Anyway to make a long story short 2 weeks ago I halfed my dosage with a view to weaning off completely however, I now find that after reducing my dosage my moods, anxiety etc have stabalised and i am feel better than i have for quite a while now. What I would like to know, is "is this a normal result for reducing your dosage?" If not, im confused as to why i am feel so good. by the way, im not complaining about that, im just a little confused. Cheers in advance.

Quiggs I need help knowing
  • replies: 3

Hey I’m not sure how to start this off but I’m currently 18 years old and I’ve been having thoughts for the past 2 weeks jumping between the idea of if I have depression I tried the test to see if I may have anxiety and depression and I got very high... View more

Hey I’m not sure how to start this off but I’m currently 18 years old and I’ve been having thoughts for the past 2 weeks jumping between the idea of if I have depression I tried the test to see if I may have anxiety and depression and I got very high as my result For a while now I have been jobless and havnt even got my license yet but I’m close to getting my license and I might be getting a job soon but even before that most my nights I haven’t been able to go to sleep without crying and feeling how worthless and lazy I am I’ve been lazy for a long time ever since I turned 16 to now 18 years whenever my dad is home from work he is always doing something and I never think to help him until now realising I’m just really lazy and just have no motivation to do anything and it’s because I always get distracted playing games on my computer but even when I’m playing games my friends online stuff make fun of me for not having a job and not doing the effort to get my license but I feel like just doing it at my own pace but I can’t cause I feel pressured to do this stuff quicker to get a job and my license but for a long time I have realised I suffer from anxiety and at a lot of times it’s difficult I have trouble talking to strangers very often and I stutter and can’t think quickly to respond but recently I have just been feeling down and sad. Not motivated to do anything and I just feel horrible for being lazy I just can’t put in the effort to try and I think to help my dad when all day he is working on something and my mum asks me to do things but I just forget about them and I feel horrible for not helping my dad after all he never stops working on things even when he gets home from work I almost forgot to add but no one knows how I feel cause I don’t want to trouble them my dad or mum. Brothers and anyone else I have never thought to come out about it cause I don’t want to worry them