Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

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

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

spontaneous sunflower I want to start living but I don't know how
  • replies: 22

I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for a number of years now. I’ve been seeing a psychologist since I was diagnosed and I’ve sought help on these forums. Both have been helpful; some aspects of my mental health have improved and some ... View more

I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for a number of years now. I’ve been seeing a psychologist since I was diagnosed and I’ve sought help on these forums. Both have been helpful; some aspects of my mental health have improved and some haven’t. I’d say the main thing getting help has done is made me understand my feelings better and stop me from causing serious harm to myself. But I’m yet to see some real improvement and I’m starting to feel hopeless. I feel like I’m losing everything and I didn’t even have much to begin with. I left high school because of my struggles. I completed a one-year TAFE course but have yet to do anything with it. I’m 19 and I’ve never had a job because of my anxiety. I’ve been trying to apply for jobs and have even been to a couple job interviews but the whole process is just nauseating and I’m so inept at the whole thing. All my friends are going on with their uni degrees, working and earning/saving money, getting their licenses, etc. I have none of that because of my anxiety and depression. Everyday I feel myself falling behind my friends and drifting away from them. All of this boils down to the stark realisation that I don’t really know who I am or what I want. I feel like I’ve spent my whole life so far trying to work this out. I’ve always been quite self-analytical and philosophical. Maybe that’s my ultimate issue. I can’t just do things (like most functioning adults do), I need to almost feel like it’s my purpose to do whatever the thing is. But I’ve never really felt like that, I feel like an imposter and out of place in most situations. It scares me that I’m almost 20 and I have no work experience, no savings, no prospects. I know I don’t need to have everything figured out but I honestly have nothing figured out. Life just isn’t very fun and I don’t think I’m a fun person to be around anymore but I’m not sure how to change any of this. I look back on my life so far and I don't feel I was even there for most of it, like even in the good memories I'm in disbelief that it was even real. Maybe I'm just thinking this because right now I'm nowhere near "happy" or "okay"... I don't know. I just feel like I haven't lived and I want to but I don't even know how to start. I feel like my whole life is just being eaten away by my depression, anxiety and internal battles.

McKnzie Depression and past trauma
  • replies: 2

First time posting here - I've battled depression and anxiety since my childhood. It haunts me and I wish I didn't have it. Started acupunture treatment for other issues and he instantly picked up on my depression. I took the hit pretty hard as I hav... View more

First time posting here - I've battled depression and anxiety since my childhood. It haunts me and I wish I didn't have it. Started acupunture treatment for other issues and he instantly picked up on my depression. I took the hit pretty hard as I have tried to heal myself without medication for a while. Each time I go, he always asks, how's the heaviness...I sometimes wish people realise how hard it is to not have that heaviness carrying it around... past trauma, anxiety, it's just part of my mechanics, and I try and not let it get me but gosh it's hard deal some days - if only people really knew the happiest of people, have the saddest of eyes if only they truly looked

oz_robbo caught in a cycle
  • replies: 7

Not sure how to break the cycle of depression, negative/destructive thoughts. the catastrophizing. just made some changes in my life to make it better. moved towns/states. change in relationship. change of workplace, same employer. just found a new c... View more

Not sure how to break the cycle of depression, negative/destructive thoughts. the catastrophizing. just made some changes in my life to make it better. moved towns/states. change in relationship. change of workplace, same employer. just found a new councillor, only had the one visit, seems quite good. Need some advice on how to help break the cycle, just so alone, slowly meeting people and getting out and about. just feel so empty with no one to turn too. just so confused and overwhelmed at times. 2500 characters isn't enough room to type it all out lol

Mumma_Ky This really never ends, does it?
  • replies: 5

This is never going to end,is it. Im doing everything that I can think of to help myself manage my symptoms of depression and anxiety, I’m seeing a psychologist..I have a toolbox full of cbt tools, I’m aware of how I’m feeling and things that trigger... View more

This is never going to end,is it. Im doing everything that I can think of to help myself manage my symptoms of depression and anxiety, I’m seeing a psychologist..I have a toolbox full of cbt tools, I’m aware of how I’m feeling and things that trigger me and I’m on antidepressants. It’s been 3 years since I developed depression and 16years since I’ve been conscious of my anxiety. I just want to take myself away and not have to speak or interact with anyone, maybe I just don’t get to be better than this. Maybe it’s ok to stop trying to work this out, because to be honest, it’s exhausting and I’m tired of it. Other people live solitary lives, are they just brave enough to be themselves, I just think that’s where I’m at now. I force myself to go to work, pharmacy, and it’s destroying my head. Im not financially secure enough to give up work, and up until now I never wanted to, but I really struggle to get myself in there. I feel like I’m on a never ending cycle of feeling bad, getting help,feeling better, feeling worse etc. I don’t believe anymore that I can get better...I think this is it. I have lost my happy thoughts. I have lost hope.

Claire_4 I’m just tired
  • replies: 6

I just want to be left alone, I’m better when I’m left alone. It’s easier to just be by myself. I know I shouldn’t cut people out of my life but I just can’t be a good friend right now, I can’t be a good daughter, I just can’t participate in life rig... View more

I just want to be left alone, I’m better when I’m left alone. It’s easier to just be by myself. I know I shouldn’t cut people out of my life but I just can’t be a good friend right now, I can’t be a good daughter, I just can’t participate in life right now. I tried to wait it out and continue on like everything’s fine but I’m projecting, I’m not being a good human being. I’m being a horrible person to the people I love. And everything just hurts too much and I just can’t make it stop, and I don’t understand cause my life is good, I have friends, I have a good job, I have my parents, I have a roof over my head, I have everything essential I need so why do I feel like this. And I know I’ve been here before, I’ll get through it, but I don’t want to get through it just to go through it again and again and again, god I’m so tired. But I’m an adult now, with responsibilities, so life goes on. I don’t know what to do anymore. Any advice or just prospectives would be appreciated

her1 A Little Lost
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have been feeling a little lost lately. I moved interstate within the last year and haven't been able to ground myself since. I'm hoping chatting with someone on here will help me feel less alone.

Hi, I have been feeling a little lost lately. I moved interstate within the last year and haven't been able to ground myself since. I'm hoping chatting with someone on here will help me feel less alone.

YorkeYorke Stocktake of Life
  • replies: 1

Hi All, I'm posting because I haven't felt like myself, or felt anything at all recently. Emotionally numb, detached, directionless and lost. I guess I'm getting to the point where I don't recognise or feel familiarity with much at all, so I'm hoping... View more

Hi All, I'm posting because I haven't felt like myself, or felt anything at all recently. Emotionally numb, detached, directionless and lost. I guess I'm getting to the point where I don't recognise or feel familiarity with much at all, so I'm hoping writing will help in some way. I'm not enjoying my university studies, work, connections with family and [most] friends. I feel like I shouldn't be living with my parent still but financially I need to right now. It's hard to know how to fix how I feel because I'm not sure what activities/relationships are temporarily feeling worse or what has truly changed. I have continued to make effort with maintaining relationships, exercising and eating relatively healthy in an effort to try and do the things that in theory, should help - even if I'm not noticing it at the moment. I use to feel emotions intensely, which meant the good times were great (uncontrollable and unforced laughter with friends, joy in playing music, getting energy from entertaining others) but the hard times were intense (anxiety/panic attacks, depression). I seem to have flattened out into a constant lull of apathy or ambivalence towards everything, and find it really hard to make up conversation with people - just a complete mental block of thoughts, feelings and sensing the world. I've always been a people person, so completely drawing blank in conversation over the last 6-12 months has also made me feel worse about myself. I guess I'm trying to work out how I can improve my situation, especially in the context of my psychologist being very busy at the moment. I'm usually booked in once/month, but I cancelled my last appt as I thought I had nothing to talk about. In hindsight, I don't think I was actually going well, it was the mental block tricking me a bit. Now I'm still 2.5 weeks away from the next appointment and feel like I need to go more regularly for a while.

BShock Feeling Lost
  • replies: 2

Hey there. I have never really felt compelled or needed to post anything or browse BB in my life. I have recently moved away from home to university. I have spent about six weeks here and have felt consistently low and without excitement or motivatio... View more

Hey there. I have never really felt compelled or needed to post anything or browse BB in my life. I have recently moved away from home to university. I have spent about six weeks here and have felt consistently low and without excitement or motivation to do anything. I am failing a lot of my classes and am regularly skipping tutorials. I am part of a group of friends but I don't feel like spending any time with them, which makes me feel like a terrible person and like I should be hanging out with them, although when I do hang out with them, I want nothing more than to be in my room, alone. I hate feeling this way but think that when I act any other way, I am presenting a fake persona. I am wondering if there is anyone who has felt like this who can offer some tips. I feel like crying most days and have done over the past few days. I am just really unsure of what is happening and if this feeling will persist forever. By rejecting offers to hang out and go out, I feel like people think that I do not like them but it is the complete opposite. I do like these people it's just that I don't feel like interacting with anyone. I am aware that this is a negative pattern of behavior and would love to get to the bottom of why this is. I have never felt like this before. If anyone can provide some advice or has experienced a similar feeling, I would greatly appreciate the help. I have done some research on SAD and anhedonia and believe that these could be similar to what I am experiencing. Cheers

Guest_1573 I'm beginning to realise it is not me..it is them!
  • replies: 5

Hi As per my recent posts I have been in a very terrible space. I have always tried to help people and animals. I have since been torn to shreds by horrible people and suffered major anxiety and depression. All through trying to help a rescue dog :(.... View more

Hi As per my recent posts I have been in a very terrible space. I have always tried to help people and animals. I have since been torn to shreds by horrible people and suffered major anxiety and depression. All through trying to help a rescue dog :(. I am a good person. I will be the person that gives you the $5 you need at the checkout. I rescue stray animals and show great care to our environment. I put water out for my native birds. You get the gist I am sure. After all I have been through already in this horrible year I truly believe that it is other people who are damaged; not me. I just want a peaceful life and I just want to be me. No lies, bullsh.., anything. I am moving on KNOWING that I am good and that the only reason I go crazy is when people push and push and try to destroy the good that I do. I am so sad about most humans. They are greedy, lying, selfish and horrible. Leave a trail of destruction behind them. I do not do that. I am the one who tries to fix their destruction (animal rescue). People at work....bullying, ignorant and uneducated monsters. Family...same The dynamics are exhausting. All I want is to have another darling dog in my life. That is the only time I feel happy. I have so much love to give but I do not give it to people as they do not deserve it. Only animals do. Thanks for reading.

123101_6 can i go to a mental hospital?
  • replies: 2

TW: sh, suicide, physc wards ive asked twice to stay as an inpatient in a hospital bc i dont feel safe at home from myself (once on nov and once in feb. for sh). both times ive been refused bc i am a young teen (so in their eyes was ‘obviously faking... View more

TW: sh, suicide, physc wards ive asked twice to stay as an inpatient in a hospital bc i dont feel safe at home from myself (once on nov and once in feb. for sh). both times ive been refused bc i am a young teen (so in their eyes was ‘obviously faking it’ as they told my mum ) i was actively sh-ing so i wouldve thought i would be able to stay, its gotten worse + thoughts of death have started popping up heaps again. pls fully honestly answer if u think i wokld be able to stay bc if i ask to and they say no again i dont think ill be able to ask in the future + ill stress my family out alot. i really want help and ive gone through sm options in my head, i have a therapist a gp a physciatrist and everything like that but its not enough. im not close enough with my friends to go their and my family is unable to keep me safe here.