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: 0

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

AndrewR1 Over the Pain & Constant Struggle
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm not sure where to start,but I've been trying so hard with employment travelling around ruffing it, constantly getting screwed over or lied to ,plus suffer with anxiety disorder and depression. Just over the constant struggle, I'm losing hope &... View more

Hi I'm not sure where to start,but I've been trying so hard with employment travelling around ruffing it, constantly getting screwed over or lied to ,plus suffer with anxiety disorder and depression. Just over the constant struggle, I'm losing hope & trust in general, I dunno why I bother, my soul is drained ,actually fealt suicidal today. My parents don't understand & don't have circle of friends anymore. Over my life & uncertain future.

KAW-22 Anxiety & Depression
  • replies: 1

I love my life and my job so much but I seem to be struggling alot lately to even get out of bed to go.I feel like I have a panic attack just at the thought of leaving the house all of a sudden.

I love my life and my job so much but I seem to be struggling alot lately to even get out of bed to go.I feel like I have a panic attack just at the thought of leaving the house all of a sudden.

RM89 Job loss and pregnancy
  • replies: 1

Hello, This past week I lost my job, fired for misconduct. I believe it’s been a total misunderstanding and fighting it. I’ve been there for 10 years and put everything in it. I loved my role and I feel like I’ve lost who I am. My income, all of my h... View more

Hello, This past week I lost my job, fired for misconduct. I believe it’s been a total misunderstanding and fighting it. I’ve been there for 10 years and put everything in it. I loved my role and I feel like I’ve lost who I am. My income, all of my hard work, I’ve just put so much of myself into the place. Worse thing is, I’m 10 weeks pregnant. I’ve barely been eating or sleeping and cry all day. I have 2 other children and a supportive husband but I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. I’ve lost all stability, future maternity leave etc. I feel so broken and lost, I can’t function. What do I do?

alexis123 My friends don’t care about me
  • replies: 9

my two best friends have said that my depression and sh makes them uncomfortable and basically say i’m not fun anymore because i don’t drink alcohol and go crazy like i used to. I never tell my friends triggering or talk about my mental health around... View more

my two best friends have said that my depression and sh makes them uncomfortable and basically say i’m not fun anymore because i don’t drink alcohol and go crazy like i used to. I never tell my friends triggering or talk about my mental health around them, they said they can’t be my friend out of nowhere, i’m struggling really hard because i’ve given them nothing but love and support. I wish they loved me like i love them.

SherlockandWatson96 Feeling so alone
  • replies: 8

I’ve recently been dealing with issues regarding my friends where I feel like I’m putting in so much work to make them happy and I get nothing in return. Not even a “how are you today?” I’ve recently also just disclosed that I was sexually assaulted ... View more

I’ve recently been dealing with issues regarding my friends where I feel like I’m putting in so much work to make them happy and I get nothing in return. Not even a “how are you today?” I’ve recently also just disclosed that I was sexually assaulted when I was younger and when I told them that it all seemed fine. Now I’m basically been told to try harder and be a better friend but my friends don’t seem to do it in return. Because of that I’ve had a severe bouts of anxiety and now depression. I feel so alone because it just doesn’t seem like if I die tonight that I would be missed and that anyone would care that I’m gone. My friends have said before they can notice when I’m depressed. So why haven’t they noticed and even asked if I’m ok? It’s not for a lack of trying on my park either. I’ve explained that I need (even the smallest) amount of validation and still I get nothing. I just feel like shit and don’t want to be here anymore.

Jess553 Supporting a partner who wants to do it alone
  • replies: 14

My partner has slipped into a bout of depression. We've been together 4.5 years without anything like this happening before. We were living together but he left to live at work 11 weeks ago. He isn't comfortable talking about whats going on. He says ... View more

My partner has slipped into a bout of depression. We've been together 4.5 years without anything like this happening before. We were living together but he left to live at work 11 weeks ago. He isn't comfortable talking about whats going on. He says no-one will ever understand. I am sure it's due to his mothers death 8 years ago. She was murdered in a dv situation and there was an incident a few weeks before his depression that spurred it. He has entirely isolated himself from everyone and looks at me like I'm nothing. He finally decided to get help and has been seeing a psychologist which is amazing and I'm so grateful that he has sought help. But he still isn't coming home. He said he doesn't want to come home while he is in therapy because he feels like he wants to kill the first person he sees when he leaves. He says it's painful, and he doesn't want to bring that back to me. I understand that as much as I can. But what really hurts me most is the lack of communication, intimacy and care on his part. He has gotten better since the first few weeks. Msging me every now and again. I get so pathetically excited if he asks me how my day is going which I know is sad but it gets my hopes up. He stopped being able to say I love you. He hasn't said he doesn't, just that he feels empty, doesn't care about anything including himself. I ask if he's leaving me and he would say he doesnt know how he'll feel tomorrow or sometimes he says if he was going to he would do it by now. On Friday he was able to say I love you again once, but was it because i gave him his birthday presents and was crying becausd I miss him? But I swear his eyes looked red like he was hurting too. But am I seeing things where there isn't anything to see because it's easier for me? I could hold on forever, I love him so much. But is it normal for a person with depression to not be able to express love to their partner? Is it likely to come back after he had worked through his anger in therapy about his childhood and mother? Is he in his isolation and basically forgetting about me and our relationship because he's not there and we're barely talking except the good morning and good night I send him. Im struggling with my own anxiety and depression as a result of everything. But any help I seek out suggests I leave or just look after me. But I want to support him and I want some reassurance that im not stupid for doing so.

Bbygrl2022 what's wrong with me? part 1 (because apparently 2489>2500)
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone i hope everyone is okay today if not thats okay too we will get through thisthis is my situation: i turn 20 in two weeks, and i dont know if ill make it this year.. every year when my birthday comes around she visits, the part of me th... View more

Hello everyone i hope everyone is okay today if not thats okay too we will get through thisthis is my situation: i turn 20 in two weeks, and i dont know if ill make it this year.. every year when my birthday comes around she visits, the part of me that was all i had looking after me back in 2016. When my dad was on his deathbed, my mum so distraught she couldn't even look after herself and my siblings were to young to understand what was going on. that part of me matured overnight from a scared 12 year old to a stand in parent that looked after her siblings and stood strong next to her mother to keep the family together. that part of me that started to ask god to take her instead, and when he wouldn't respond she tried to take the matter into her own hands. she didn't succeed but her dad did get better and after time i got her to leave and things were normal for a time. 9 months later dad was back in hospital and guess who came back? yeap, she was hardened now after being sent away so she was more insistent and yet gentle with me so the inflictions gave me peace... for a time and much like drugs you never get that good a kick as the first time so her ideas weren't as scary and nauseating as they were to start with. but i delayed once more until dad got better but she wouldn't leave a second time, so she changed her ways.

JustAnYtka Am I a bad person?
  • replies: 6

Tonight I was just sitting on the couch with my mum and my dog when I suddenly had thoughts about harming them. I'm so disturbed with my own brain because I would never hurt anyone or anything. Is that who I really am? I had to go to my room because ... View more

Tonight I was just sitting on the couch with my mum and my dog when I suddenly had thoughts about harming them. I'm so disturbed with my own brain because I would never hurt anyone or anything. Is that who I really am? I had to go to my room because I couldn't stand the thought of hurting someone that I love so much. I'm disgusted by myself

Jay bird Really scared and alone
  • replies: 2

I am 45, 5 kids who are now all older and 3 have moved out….I rarely hear from them unless they want something and I reach out and it goes ignored. I thought I was a good mum. Now I feel lost and rejected.I have other family too who I am simply invis... View more

I am 45, 5 kids who are now all older and 3 have moved out….I rarely hear from them unless they want something and I reach out and it goes ignored. I thought I was a good mum. Now I feel lost and rejected.I have other family too who I am simply invisible to and I have reached a point now I am done.I want to disappear…I feel so hurt and I can’t tell anyone this because that’s manipulative and they don’t need to listen to my bullshit.how do I live a life when everyone around you allows you to be nothing?I don’t know what to do, how to escape this feeling…i have absolutely no one I would tell how Iam feeling so I pretend each day. I am about to break. Inside i already am

KellyEFL PostNatal Depression
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I have a 9 week old baby and have finally accepted that I’m suffering with post natal depression Ive had a pretty direct conversation with my husband this morning as it’s having a hugely negative impact on him, our baby and our overall relati... View more

Hi all, I have a 9 week old baby and have finally accepted that I’m suffering with post natal depression Ive had a pretty direct conversation with my husband this morning as it’s having a hugely negative impact on him, our baby and our overall relationship I was diagnosed this week and have a history of depression and anxiety so hasn’t really come as a shock but I’ve still had trouble accepting it I don’t want to feel like this and fully acknowledge the illness I need to take first steps and have a doctors appointment tomorrow where I am going to ask to be medicated, in addition, I have a number to call to make a counselling appointment Im desperate to fix myself and mend my strained relationship. Terrified of losing my husband please any tips would be much appreciated I know it’s not a quick fix but anything that will potentially help I am game to try