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

Echtis I feel so incredibly alone.
  • replies: 3

I'm in my mid-20s. My life isn't over by any means, but I can't help thinking "Why do I even try?". I'm trying to make friends at University, I've joined a couple of Uni clubs, but I feel so out of touch and rejected. Maybe times have changed, but I'... View more

I'm in my mid-20s. My life isn't over by any means, but I can't help thinking "Why do I even try?". I'm trying to make friends at University, I've joined a couple of Uni clubs, but I feel so out of touch and rejected. Maybe times have changed, but I'm constantly made fun of for my word choice, my actions, and every interaction feels like some kind of point scoring event against me. I get that I'm older than most of these people, and I'm out of touch socially, but it feels like people are literally making up social rules to belittle me. An example of this: people were joking about how they were undateable. One person said, "I'm pretty sure everyone here is some kind of alcohol." "Or mentally ill." Another says "Or autistic." I add, and there is silence like I've said some kind of slur. People berate me about how the correct term is person with autism, and I have to apologise. Should be noted I was diagnosed with this when I was 15, and it is, like the other things people joked about, a medical condition. A few months later, one person is talking about how if someone called them a slur which I'm not going to type based on their identity, they will react with "Hell yeah I am" or something like that. I ask isn't that a bad word, as I've always known it to be. Everyone looks at me and explains that it's about 'taking back and owning' the word. I've just gotten so tired of listening to everyone else talk to try and learn social rules that bend themselves backwards in various hipocritical and bigoted ways, whilst all the while they mock me. I really like this club's hobby, and I don't want to leave because of that. But I cannot help but feel unwanted and even hated, every time I open my mouth it ends with half a dozen people telling me to get stuffed in various ways. It isn't just this club either. I just cannot seem to have positive interactions with anyone at any social club, or follow any of the social rules I didn't learn the last 4 years. I feel so alone as every attempt to make friends just ends in misery, rejection, or ridicule. How am I meant to learn the rules when everyone uses me as a punching bag? I just want to be accepted, I'm not trying to hurt or upset anyone, but I'm treated as an antagonist.

stacey27587 How to talk about how you feel to your partner who already has depression
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone! I’ve been really struggling mentally lately, I’ve got a lot going on and I’m just the the point where I’m exhausted all the time that I don’t have the strength or energy to look after myself; I’m not showering, eating much, I sleep but ... View more

Hey everyone! I’ve been really struggling mentally lately, I’ve got a lot going on and I’m just the the point where I’m exhausted all the time that I don’t have the strength or energy to look after myself; I’m not showering, eating much, I sleep but wake up feeling the exact same I’m just going through the motions each day. It has put a big toll on our relationship My partner has always suffered from mental health and I feel like if I talk to him about it I will burden him more and make his worsewhat do I do?

sowbad How can I reconnect with my friends after isolating myself due to depression/anxiety for months.
  • replies: 3

At the beginning of the year my depression was extremely bad. I completely stopped going to school and lost all motivation to do anything. I stopped talking to my friends and they stopped talking to me. Over the past few months it’s gotten better, Iv... View more

At the beginning of the year my depression was extremely bad. I completely stopped going to school and lost all motivation to do anything. I stopped talking to my friends and they stopped talking to me. Over the past few months it’s gotten better, Ive got a girlfriend who has helped me massively. I’ve started going to therapy, taking meds and now doing online school. I need advise on how to reconnect with my friend group. Since I’ve stopped going to school none of them have attempted to message me to ask where or how I’ve been. My anxiety is telling me they don’t really care as none of them have really talked to me for months. Every night I see them online. playing games and talking together and I miss that. They don’t know I’m doing online school now or that I’ve been struggling with a multitude of mental and physical illnesses. I want to have friends again but I’m to scared to talk to any of them.

Baileysmells Becoming so tired, feelings of isolation and emptiness loom over when my mind isn’t busy
  • replies: 5

My battle against mental illness has lasted since 2019, while I can say I’ve improved, it’s still not enough to feel like progress has been made. I’m in a new town, I’ve distanced myself from my friends back home. This is the first time in my life I ... View more

My battle against mental illness has lasted since 2019, while I can say I’ve improved, it’s still not enough to feel like progress has been made. I’m in a new town, I’ve distanced myself from my friends back home. This is the first time in my life I can say I’m truly alone. With no one to share my day with, as an introvert this is weirdly foreign to me; yet my anxiety stops me from creating connections at University. I get home and I realise that this is it, just sitting at home, wishing I could at least pick up my hobbies again. I guess it feels as if there is no substance in my life, it doesn’t feel meaningful. I am essentially on house arrest due to the car dependency of my new town, I’m currently waiting until my sister is ‘allowed’ to teach me. Does anyone else just have this overwhelming feeling of *sigh*? That days are just passing by? How do you cope with this? I just feel lost in this world, I’m deeply unsatisfied with the way world works systematically, I used to reject the idea of participating at all. Now I am attempting to shoo away that existential dread as I become a part of society again.Thank you for reading, just a conversation helps honestly:’)

Mr K I'm so lost I don't even know what to look for.
  • replies: 20

I've had some great times in my life but the memories of these are so faded I can't recall them.I'm so exhausted by life that I can't even remember what I enjoy anymore. If I have spare time I can't think of anything I'd like to do so I never seem to... View more

I've had some great times in my life but the memories of these are so faded I can't recall them.I'm so exhausted by life that I can't even remember what I enjoy anymore. If I have spare time I can't think of anything I'd like to do so I never seem to do anything. I seem to go through the motions trying to survive and feel totally stuck in a rut. I'm being treated by prescription for anxiety and I've previously seen a psychologist who helped me transition through an abusive marriage and eventual separation and divorce. I have 50% custody of my children who I love and live for but I worry that my lack of drive, will be detrimental to them. I wish I were energetic, motivated, and excited by life. I wish I was good at small talk and could tell people about the fun times I was enjoying. Everyone seems to have a plan, or a dream and here I am just trying to make it through another day.

Venice I don't know what to do?
  • replies: 4

Hi,Lately i have been feeling lost and lonely and I don't know what to do about it. I got out of an abusive relationship earlier this year, and I am studying full time university. the last year and a half I have failed my units in University. I am no... View more

Hi,Lately i have been feeling lost and lonely and I don't know what to do about it. I got out of an abusive relationship earlier this year, and I am studying full time university. the last year and a half I have failed my units in University. I am now in a better relationship and my scores are getting better, however we are thinking of moving to a city where there are more options for me. I'm scared to do it, my family are already 8 hours away, if we move it will be 20 hours. I know flights are cheap but it is also a financial burden on my family. I have been feeling so lonely without my mother around and although it is something I want to do, I am so scared. I feel like I have already failed so much with my past relationship and my university. My university is not supporting me, and due to my poor grades, are threatening to expel me if I don't get 50% this trimester. I don't know what to do.

MissJ94 Feel myself slipping again
  • replies: 2

Ive been in my currently job for 6 months and have been loving it up until last Tuesday.. when i started this job, in the first week i was told that the position was to be regraded and that we all needed to reapply and do another interview. No one wa... View more

Ive been in my currently job for 6 months and have been loving it up until last Tuesday.. when i started this job, in the first week i was told that the position was to be regraded and that we all needed to reapply and do another interview. No one was happy but we got through it and all of us except 1 were successful! Good times! Then we were told by our bosses bosses boss that a person on the interview panel wasnt supposed to be on it and we all needed to do another interview. Again, no one was happy. We did the interview again(11th July). Last Tuesday i found out that im one of the unlucky ones who werent successful.. Ive been told i can reapply when they advertise again or i can apply for another role as an AO2..Im just so upset and angry with all of this! If they knew the regrade was going to happen when i was hired why didnt they just interview me then as an AO3 and not an AO2? Ive literally had 3 interviews for this job that i already have in the last 6 months. And will need to do another one still!!When i found out i couldnt stop crying and even now im highly emotional about it but no tears are coming! I had grown to love this job and really freaking enjoy it after a very toxic environment when i was a registered nurse.. I really dont want to leave this job And it all comes 2 weeks after the one year anniversary of me resigning from my previous nursing job and just before i need to see a neurologist for suspected MS.. After hearing the news on Tuesday last week i told my manager id need a mental health day on the Wednesday, that was all good. But now ive been sick woth tonsillitis since then and havent been well enough to return to work yet(forever how long im going to be there anyway!!). Whilst i want to go back to work desperately because i love the job, i almost just dont want to go because i feel so defeated.. how many hoops do i need to jump through to know i have a secure job? Its been absolutely draining. The feedback was pretty much that i didnt interview well, of course i didnt because i was given 2 days notice when with the anxiety i get, i need closer to a weeks notice for that stuff! They pointed out that the July billing(reason for the regrade) audit that was done was almost perfect and thats a reflection of pretty much just my work as my colleague was off sick for 3 weeks in July and it was literally just me.

Down-Mum Feeling lost
  • replies: 7

Hi guys,first time posting. Not really sure where to start, growing up sucked balls but it is what it is. My adult life I met my husband 8 years later we got married, my mum passed away 1 week before our wedding, that was a hard ticket to cop. Moving... View more

Hi guys,first time posting. Not really sure where to start, growing up sucked balls but it is what it is. My adult life I met my husband 8 years later we got married, my mum passed away 1 week before our wedding, that was a hard ticket to cop. Moving forward, I took care of my dad with his bills (while paying our own house repayments etc) until my dad sold the family home for much less than what it was worth as he had no choice. At this time I got my dad into an over 50’s place that backed onto the same street I lived which I loved as we could take care of him, we would cook a meal for him (hubby likes to slow cook meat) so dad would come up once a week and if we had leftovers we would take them down to my dad. Friday afternoons my son and I used to go and spend time with my dad.one Friday he said I’ll get you to take me to the hospital to get this X-ray done if that ok, I told him no problem, by Sunday morning his neighbour was knocking at my door saying that things weren’t good at dads. She called the ambulance, when I walked down there I had to break into dads unit, he had fallen over and proceeded to ask for me, while laying on the floor pretty much de*d he told me that he had been on the floor since Tuesday, I had been there the Monday. I just can’t seem to overcome this, even at 230am my mind still goes though crazy thoughts if I had of done things sooner etc. I know I can’t blame myself. My brother promised me a funeral, dad didn’t have a lot of money as my husband and I had been paying a lot of bills that the other kids didn’t know about. He spent 18 days in intensive care after being declared brain dead, which I spent every day by his side, my dad was my best friend after mum passed, we became closer than ever.my dad got cremated without a ceremony or any family being there which I think imstruggling with as I didn’t get any closure. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense I was just typing as thinking. My head is a mess and I need to vent and find other people who maybe going through what I have who have been able to move forward. please help!

Guest_1584 l can not stand what the world is becoming
  • replies: 16

Change change, update update, learn this be that, gdp's and countries becoming so inter tangled , cultures lost and as if Australia needed to lose what tiny culture it did have? The internet/computers/smart phones, l just hate what it's doing to the ... View more

Change change, update update, learn this be that, gdp's and countries becoming so inter tangled , cultures lost and as if Australia needed to lose what tiny culture it did have? The internet/computers/smart phones, l just hate what it's doing to the world, lives ,our young, just so wrong our minds and blown stress is higher than ever in history, so damn depressing and never ending. BB has changed, Ebay l use for work never endingly, every time l go to run ads l have to learn whatever latest bs changes they've made since. My trading site one of the best l'd found, they've completely ruined, it's not even customizable anymore. It's taken 6mth to hack my own new computer and ways to stop never ending updates - you normally can't turn of, yet they suck up your data , computers stops whenever it feels like it middle of anything fitting updates. Yeah you can at least set a time- just more bs. Not to mention important stuff just lost bc of updating. And BB , sorry but what on earth possessed them to do whatever they';ve done to this place, it's unusable to me now. Not to mention 3cam band at top now using valuable screen space with nothing in it that couldn't be set on a1cm high line instead of taking up 3cm of your screen, the word counts stuffed, threads are ridiculously set out. The insanity of changes all these places make- out of pure boredom l'm sure, ANY of them touch anything, l've seen so many sites just ruined. Thank the Gods we've at least got a new Gov now with at least some soul and undoing and bringing in sooooo many things our country's been so desperate for so long yet had been rail roaded into putting up with the last 10yrs. Maybe the materialism mentality with all polished up brand new everything and shallow life it's become here will find some soul again, so many things. So much about the world now. Gdp's,wars, competing, climate,internets and never ending new gadgets and change and updates, monstar insane mortgages,costs of living- learn this manage that cope with this get with the program, talk about "the human condition" There it all is right there. rx

NotAGhost Being Good At Feeling Bad
  • replies: 2

Anyone ever get so tired of learning how to deal with mental illness? They tell you to go for a walk, talk to friends, have a snack or a hot drink, eat, sleep, go under the Sun. And look, yeah, those things get me through the day, but it does not mak... View more

Anyone ever get so tired of learning how to deal with mental illness? They tell you to go for a walk, talk to friends, have a snack or a hot drink, eat, sleep, go under the Sun. And look, yeah, those things get me through the day, but it does not make the day more enjoyable. It just keeps me alive- and that's good, apparently. I mean sure, it actually is. I want to play the new hzd game, watch the next season of sandman, go swimming when it finally gets hot enough and all those things require breathing to one extent or the other. But sometimes I wonder if the fact that those things feel worth doing is the illusion, and depression is the most accurate response to reality. If suffering is the baseline and those moments of joy and fulfilment are evolutions way of bribing us into existence. If so, evolution really needs to pay me better. I guess I'm not having kids though, so maybe it's right not to care about me. The blighter should really remember we are a social species and that my existence is still good for the community. Atleast, I hope it is. Either way, it's stuck with me for now, I'm really good at being miserable and somehow finding joy. I'm really good at supporting the people I love, and want them to have the opportunity to support me. I'm really good at doing the daily little things, eating something, looking at the blue sky, talking to someone, for a bit. If depression wants to end my mortal existence I needs to use its own hands, mine are occupied.