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

Mel2024 Depression
  • replies: 1

For a long time I have been struggling to find my purpose in life, I am a mum and have been since I was 17 although I love my children but I feel lost. For basically my whole life I have been a mother. But who am I outside of that.? I have been strug... View more

For a long time I have been struggling to find my purpose in life, I am a mum and have been since I was 17 although I love my children but I feel lost. For basically my whole life I have been a mother. But who am I outside of that.? I have been struggling a lot lately and I don’t know how to approach that conversation when someone I trust, how do you tell someone that you actually can no longer see into the future, and you are struggling to see the next day every day you wake.

ReeBecca No reason to be depressed all the time
  • replies: 7

For as long as I can remember, since I was a teenager, I’ve just never felt normal and I’ve always had this cloud of gloom hanging over me that I can’t shake. I do all the right things, I’ve been on medication for years, I exercise and I mostly eat r... View more

For as long as I can remember, since I was a teenager, I’ve just never felt normal and I’ve always had this cloud of gloom hanging over me that I can’t shake. I do all the right things, I’ve been on medication for years, I exercise and I mostly eat right. I am so grateful for the life that I have. I have a loving husband and children and a good job and I know that even though we have our struggles we are extremely fortunate to have each other as well as a home/food/clothes. But for some reason I am just so sensitive and emotional to the things that go on in the world and feel depressed all the time. When I hear about horrible things or horrible people it really upsets me even when it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I feel let down by humans in a way and don’t feel like I can trust anyone other than my family. I know that if I didn’t have my family I would not be here anymore because I couldn’t live like this without having them as my reason to live.Why doesn’t it go away no matter what I do? I put on a smile and go about being this functional person in society but it’s all a lie. Inside my head I’m struggling with every single daily task and interaction. I pray to god every single day to help me overcome my depression and anxiety and I think he does in so many ways. But I can’t overcome it completely and it’s exhausting. My husband and kids deserve so much better.

string_cheese big feelings feeling big!
  • replies: 5

Hi BBers, Tonight I am feeling lots of big feelings. I have changed medication recently, so that is probably why. But also, stuff happening in my relationships, family, work life and friendships. I am not great at actually feeling my feelings, or exp... View more

Hi BBers, Tonight I am feeling lots of big feelings. I have changed medication recently, so that is probably why. But also, stuff happening in my relationships, family, work life and friendships. I am not great at actually feeling my feelings, or expressing them. It scares me. My brain starts telling me I am stupid. It is like I don't trust myself. Looking for advice and reassurance?

NotThisKid Truely alone in life
  • replies: 1

Does anyone else truely care about anyone other than themselves for longer than a minute or two? When all the questions end up having no answers, what can anyone do for someone other than themselves? I know everyone will just say, you have to be acco... View more

Does anyone else truely care about anyone other than themselves for longer than a minute or two? When all the questions end up having no answers, what can anyone do for someone other than themselves? I know everyone will just say, you have to be accountable, take responsibility, only you can change your life. But there is nothing that can be changed, yes, it can be altered but to the detriment of something else either in life or in one’s self, or mind. Everyone expects someone can do or change something they have no real understanding of, in the form of likeness or experience, so it seems the right thing to say or expect. But here I am, reaching out for the hand that isn’t there. Some might extend their arm out, for a moment, but in the end, they will always fall short and move in another direction. Existence, is being alone. Others drift in and out of others existence, but it’s not their existence, they have their own. No one shares exsistance, mine feels very dark, cold, and unfashionable to my own mind. A dense weight crushing forcefully, I don’t want to exist like this is this is what existing is.

Mummaof2girls Postpartum depression
  • replies: 3

I have 2 daughters oldest is 5 in June and youngest just turned 1 in January. After having my youngest I have suffered with postpartum depression, I find myself crying every day, not feeling good enough and feel like a terrible mum. My oldest is full... View more

I have 2 daughters oldest is 5 in June and youngest just turned 1 in January. After having my youngest I have suffered with postpartum depression, I find myself crying every day, not feeling good enough and feel like a terrible mum. My oldest is full of attitude and never listens and I always find myself yelling at her and then feeling horrible about it later on. There are times throughout my day where I just want to walk out the door and not turn back. I miss having anytime to myself, I can’t shower or go to the toilet without having my kids beside me. I’ve changed for the better after having my girls, I was 22 when I had my first and was a bit of a party girl. So my children made me grow up in a better way. But now I’m 28 and just miss being able to do things for myself sometimes. I love my girls with everything I got, I’m just really struggling mentally at the moment and wanting to get some help but I’m too scared to ask for help and don’t know what to do.

geelt Feeling overwhelmed and lost with life
  • replies: 21

Lots of things are happening at once and I just need an outlet to vent my emotions. My head is full of useless unnecessary thoughts and worries that I keep making up for myself. I can start a new activity or hobby only for me to hyper-fixate and get ... View more

Lots of things are happening at once and I just need an outlet to vent my emotions. My head is full of useless unnecessary thoughts and worries that I keep making up for myself. I can start a new activity or hobby only for me to hyper-fixate and get myself burnt out and wasting a lot of time and money that I really shouldn't be spending. I overthink things and that affects my enjoyment of the activities I do. Thinking and worrying about buying things to do or thinking about doing things but when I get to doing things I start loathing it. I have no impulse control and stress over money when its just a dollar wasting so much brain power over nothing. No discipline. Currently on Job Seeker applying for work with low qualification/ no education needed. I decided that I'm not going to try going back to University because it doesn't feel worthwhile, but also realized how limiting employment opportunities are. Having to rely on public transport with transit taking 1-2 hours at worst to the closest available work. I've recently begun volunteering at a 2nd hand shop as well just to get out the house and interact with people. I worry about having no time to do things I enjoy if I start doing paid work which is contrasted by not enjoying the things I do for enjoyment or overthinking and stressing over small details. I haven't driven in a year and only have my Ls. Stressing and loathing about it wont help and it feels exhausting trying to ask help from my parents. Paranoid about crashing the car and I've been overthinking when going for walks near/crossing the road when the cars are nowhere near me but the hesitation makes worry and is affecting my alertness. I've even begun worrying when going up escalators even though the fear is unreasonable. A lot of hesitation and a lack of confidence with everything I do. The support groups I've been going to so I can take my mind off things have had their funding cut so they've been changed to fortnightly and the counselor I've been going to won't be able to see me for a couple months. I don't know what I want to do long term so I'm trying to change my mindset. Its fine to not make a lot of money, its fine to keep living at home with my parents, its fine not to accomplish anything grand and have a simple life. I have lots of ideas and thoughts of things to do but never follow through and just wallow in self pity and feeling restricted and limited in what I can do having to compromise I dont know

JLee Crippling insecurity
  • replies: 2

I have been trying to explain my feeling to my few family and friends but it seems they have grown annoyed and uninterested with my concerns but I am desperate. I need to know if what I am feeling is normal or unfair to my partner. My partner in my e... View more

I have been trying to explain my feeling to my few family and friends but it seems they have grown annoyed and uninterested with my concerns but I am desperate. I need to know if what I am feeling is normal or unfair to my partner. My partner in my eyes is amazing in every way possible, I adore the man but because I have put him on such a high pedestal I now feel inadequate and unworthy of him. I feel cripplingly insecure. Lately he has been distant with me, less affectionate and less attentive. I fear he is losing interest and so now I am tearing myself apart trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Did I push him away? Annoy him? Turn him off? Am I unattractive in his eye? Was he ever into me in the first place or was it all just convenient? God knows. His exes were all skinny girls and shorter than I am. He even said I am the first bigger girl he has dated. He has gone through a break up with his long term girlfriend months prior to me and was seeing others whilst talking to me. I fear I may even be a rebound. I do not know, this speculation is hurting my heart and head and I want someone to tell me the truth. He has been telling me a-lot of stories of him and his exes as well as the women he was “seeing” whilst talking to me. The stories have been making me feel sick to my core, I genuinely felt like I could vomit just from hearing him talk about it. It had made me feel disgusted by him. I may just be immature and insecure but if that is the case I just want to be told. Hearing it will definitely give me some closure and assure that I can find away to work around it.

Moving forward happy Struggling with life
  • replies: 2

I’ve always tried to be a positive person but recently I can’t shake the overwhelming depression I am feeling which leaves me sitting here feeling almost paralysed and not able to do anything at all. Each month my rent is behind (it’s been raised 4 t... View more

I’ve always tried to be a positive person but recently I can’t shake the overwhelming depression I am feeling which leaves me sitting here feeling almost paralysed and not able to do anything at all. Each month my rent is behind (it’s been raised 4 times in the last two years) to which I recieve email after email threatening eviction, that alone causes me so much stress and anxiety, having the roof over my head and my sons threatened each month. Keeping up with bills and even food shopping these days is rediculous, I’ve had issues with my car being impounded and can’t get it back cause of the price it costs, I’m almost finished my studies in community service but I have 200 hours of placement left which means I can’t get a job right now, I’ve come too far with my diploma just to give up now. I’m over having to fight for everything. I miss the world and how it used to be, everything these days is just so cold and everyone seems to just look after themselves, life never used to be so hard, is it just me or does anyone feel this way? I just need a break, I just want to be able to live my life instead of fighting so hard just to keep my head above water. Everything revolves around money, or lack of, even taking the kids anywhere costs so much now, adding to my guilt and depression when I can’t afford to do what every one else seems to be doing.

Scoota Feeling lost
  • replies: 5

Hi first time posting in this forum. I have suffered from major depression for over 20 years. At times feel like I'm a complete waste of being alive. I am on my 3rd marriage. Was abused by my first husband and second husband cheated on me. I feel the... View more

Hi first time posting in this forum. I have suffered from major depression for over 20 years. At times feel like I'm a complete waste of being alive. I am on my 3rd marriage. Was abused by my first husband and second husband cheated on me. I feel the need to have to have a man in my life so I married for the 3rd time. While I have had lots of down days and spent a whole year not leaving my bedroom I have considered suicide. I have managed to battle with my depression as I'm almost 60 I'm rethinking life. I don't want to work anymore I actually hate working as I have worked since I was 16 years old. Feel my mental health would benefit from daily work life stresses. I'm wanting to enjoy the rest of my life by not having the pressure of work. Just wondering if anyone else feels the same? I'm exhausted everyday and battle just to get ready for work.

dubrovnik Fed up, angry & unsupported
  • replies: 4

Hello i have written previously to this forum & had a lot of supportive and caring messages from people who really seemed to understand my situation.Thank you all for responding. My mother is suffering from vascular dementia, a nurse comes to care fo... View more

Hello i have written previously to this forum & had a lot of supportive and caring messages from people who really seemed to understand my situation.Thank you all for responding. My mother is suffering from vascular dementia, a nurse comes to care for her3 days a week, I work part time now & care for my mother on my days off.I took my mother to her doctor for her regular checkup mum has had problems standing up & getting up, she uses a walker & walking stick. I spoke to her doctor and told him that’s what has been happening, he referred her to get some tests done at a local clinic, ji have also organised a physiotherapist to come to my parents home twice a week to help them with their mobility.i told my sister that I took mum to visit her doctor, she had the audacity to call the doctor & ask him did I tell him about her problems with standing, mums doctor spoke to her and told her that that I told him everything.I asked her why she did that, she said that she didn’t believe that I told himabout mums current situation. she doubted me which made me very upset and angry, we got into an argument which left me really distraught.I am a very articulate & courteous woman who is very good at communicating but this makes me doubt myself I am feeling very down & don’t know what to do.