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

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Darcy2020 Coping with Depression
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I'm a 23 year old with chronic ADHD, anxiety and depression. I am currently experiencing the worst burn out of my life after months unpacking trauma in therapy. Turns out they weren't joking when they said trauma work gets worse before it g... View more

Hi there, I'm a 23 year old with chronic ADHD, anxiety and depression. I am currently experiencing the worst burn out of my life after months unpacking trauma in therapy. Turns out they weren't joking when they said trauma work gets worse before it gets better. I'm trying to hold on hope, and when I do manage to get a few hours of sleep and leave my room (I WFH) I can believe that things will be better on the other side. The issue is that I am in my final semester of uni with one month to go, and that month feels impossible. I have no motivation left, I can't concentrate and I just have nothing left in the tank. My doctor thinks I need anti-depressants but because of the side-effects I shouldn't start them until after exams, so I'm on my own there. I also don't have any support system where I am. I took longer to graduate than all my friends and they've all left now. My doctor asked me yesterday about a suicide plan and if there was anyone I could trust to go to and I had to answer that there wasn't. I have a few friends but they're all overseas and I've withdrawn from them almost entirely because I feel like a burden on them, so I hide how I'm feeling and end up feeling misunderstood. I also don't have anything to look forward to after graduation. I've been so depleted that i can't make any decisions about my future and part of me isn't fully convinced I'll make it there anyway. Basically I'm really struggling, and all I can do in this next month is just cope, survive and scrape through. If anyone is going through something similar, or has any tips on how to do that, how to pull through when you have nothing left to give, I would love to hear.

dwade3 Self-sabotage
  • replies: 1

Lately i've been having some pretty bad episodes. im sleeping later, not eating well. rewatching a childhood tv for the 1000th time. Ditching my hobbies because im tired and dont see any usefulness in doing it anymore. There's no sugarcoating that ri... View more

Lately i've been having some pretty bad episodes. im sleeping later, not eating well. rewatching a childhood tv for the 1000th time. Ditching my hobbies because im tired and dont see any usefulness in doing it anymore. There's no sugarcoating that right now, i am a loser, a bum whatever you want to call it. I'm so low, alone, tired of taking chances, because i end up miserable all over again. My depression is definitely a big factor in how badly im doing. But i've also been enabling it to, I've mad poor choice after poor choice. I also continuously lower my own expectations with my university work, because im mentally exhausted, when suddenly just scraping by is my new goal. I have an opportunity to go overseas for something amazing and yet im still sabotaging myself. So badly to the point, i think in my head that just killing myself is not only a good option but an ideal one , or weaponizing my depression and taking pity on myself will earn me a jail out of free card, because its easy.

My Mishy Just feel life isn't worth it anymore
  • replies: 3

I'm a 72 yo woman married to my partner for 30 years. Second time round for both of us. The last few months I've just felt so unmotivated even when I try, it's just not worth the effort. I'm in pain from arthritis most of the time and am having a ful... View more

I'm a 72 yo woman married to my partner for 30 years. Second time round for both of us. The last few months I've just felt so unmotivated even when I try, it's just not worth the effort. I'm in pain from arthritis most of the time and am having a full knee replacement soon. I sit in my chair most of the day and can't even be bothered to make the bed let alone anything else. My mind now constantly goes back to what my life could have been like if I'd been made feel loved and worthwhile by my father, but he constantly put me down and made me feel like I was totally unworthy of anyone decent to want me. I never thought I was good enough so I ended up marrying my first husband who was a mentally unstable alcoholic because that's all I thought I was worthy off. After 10 years of abuse and 2 children I feel gathered the strength to leave him. My 2nd husband was slightly better but also drank too much and had several affairs. I only really have stayed with him as it gave me and my kids security and a roof over our heads. I think this has come back to haunt me as nothing can make a difference now. I feel if I'd been shown love and affection growing up I would have blossomed into a much more confident woman and I'd have never let these type of men into my life. My brother was also very cruel to me, calling me an awful nickname that eventually everyone called me except my mother, but she didn't make them stop regardless of how humiliating it was to a 13 yo girl. His put downs have carried over to speaking nasty comments to my own children, now all adults, so I have removed him from my life too. I just wish I could feel some joy back in my life instead of this continuing feeling of emptiness and unhappiness.

Crum Felling as if life has no more road
  • replies: 3

Im 36 ryr old male how has a partner and 3 young boys living out of town on small property. Everything was as happy as we could be with our youngest child being sick from birth which has caused a lot of stress and worry to us all to then have 2yrs ag... View more

Im 36 ryr old male how has a partner and 3 young boys living out of town on small property. Everything was as happy as we could be with our youngest child being sick from birth which has caused a lot of stress and worry to us all to then have 2yrs ago my nextdoor neighbour/ relative had taken his own life to were l had found him. It was these last 2yrs of trying to keep a family together work 2jobs plus help out my relatives widow had all but brought me to my knee. Untill 2 months ago l found out l have end stage kidney failour. My hole life has been flipped and l have no direction we dont know how long l have left to live and lm scared of my children not having a father to grow up with.I dont know what path to take after the multipul fail surgerys and pain mentaly and physical. I am at the end of my road worthless sick and broken and still trying to hide the pain from my kids. With my life now been every 2day in hospital for treatment. No dignity left. With the feelings of being strong father and husband have been removed. And to alot of you guys out there know this feels like the end of life with no other way out. I need help to see a better future.

Chars2004 I'm finding it hard to keep going.
  • replies: 1

Hi, my pronouns are she/her. I'm 20 years old I'm really struggling to keep going with life and especially the how. In primary school I struggled a lot to regulate my emotions because of at the time- undiagnosed autism. There were also a few kids who... View more

Hi, my pronouns are she/her. I'm 20 years old I'm really struggling to keep going with life and especially the how. In primary school I struggled a lot to regulate my emotions because of at the time- undiagnosed autism. There were also a few kids who bullied me for my differences. Anyway long story short after primary school I started to school refuse, And from 14 I never went back to an in person school, I tried to finish high school online a few times but I always freaked out and cancelled it. Anyway I'v been depressed for a long time and have really struggled with pure o ocd and social anxiety as well. Tonight I felt so depressed. It's hard too put into words but I just feel like I failed at life. I have no friends haven't for years. I barley leave my family's home to go out anywhere. I keep trying to find something too study so I can move forward get a job ect. But I feel like I have no passion for anything career wise. I tried to start a photography course and then realize photography was never for me anyway. So then I think about just getting a job but most unskilled ones need you to socialize and customer service and I start panicking around people my age I don't know its so hard . So I feel stuck really stuck. Because I do want to move out and have my own space and eventually have friends and a girlfriend. And find other people to talk to who are also in the LGBTQIA+ community (I'm a lesbian). But it all feels so hard to just be able to do normal things like get a job. I've tried so much therapy but its not working. And just feel like I'm a failure and stuck. The only things besides my family that make me feel anything other then either numb or anxious is my passion for queer stories especially wlw stories, books shows, games etc. When i'm in a story I feel free. But I cant turn that into a job.So I just don't know what to do.If anyone here is/has been in a similar situation and has any advice and/or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you( and sorry for the bad grammar never fully learnt it but I'm trying to teah myself)

MEL88 Moving abroad
  • replies: 3

I moved overseas 9 months ago for a sporting opportunity for my son and brought my husband and 2 younger kids and my eldest daughter with me. I've been so homesick and my eldest daughter decided to move home after a few months as she missed her life ... View more

I moved overseas 9 months ago for a sporting opportunity for my son and brought my husband and 2 younger kids and my eldest daughter with me. I've been so homesick and my eldest daughter decided to move home after a few months as she missed her life back in NZ. I haven't really coped with this and missing out on her life and achievements and I feel so much guilt. I've been struggling with depression for months now and I contemplate going home everyday I don't like the job I'm doing and am just a miserable person to be around. I know this sounds so selfish as I moved here to support my son but I just can't find peace with being here. I haven't made friends and just feel constantly lonely even though I've got my other children with me. How can I decide to leave and go back home or embrace this opportunity in this country and stop being so sad and miserable.

geelt I'm stuck I don't have control
  • replies: 1

For the past week I've been draining myself mentally worrying over nothing. Using my brain power going in circles. I just want to stop and scream in frustration that nothing is going well. I'm one setback away from just losing it.Everything is a dist... View more

For the past week I've been draining myself mentally worrying over nothing. Using my brain power going in circles. I just want to stop and scream in frustration that nothing is going well. I'm one setback away from just losing it.Everything is a distraction.So much going in circles. I don't know what I want to do career wise so I'm trying to find entry level work. I'm too stuck to go study. I want something to at least get me out of this cycle of not doing anything. Something to get me out of the house away from home something to commit to. I can't find any work. My employment service is fed up with me always not getting the job after interviews.I'm being treated like an idiot and I hate it, but I can't refute because I'm an idiot. They're asking me why I want to work in retail, because they keep giving me retail jobs to apply for. Because entry level retail is all I can do. Because I keep telling them I'm not well enough mentally to handle a job and want to focus on my mental health so they tell me to apply for retail jobs. Then after not being able to find retail work they say why do you want to do retail when you aren't suited for retail, you should think about what you want to do, go back to study. I don't blame the employers I go to for interviews. Who would want to hire a disheveled mess of a candidate who is trying not to break down someone who has no confidence and is desperate with no meaningful experience. Best case is I find a job I don't like but I have to suck it up because its the best I'm going to get. Then after doing a job I cant stand I have to go home to a place I cant stand with people I cant stand. People who make me deal with their problems and if i say no they make more problems. And if I rty to escape they make more problems. I wish I had a healthy family. I wish I had a healthy home life but everyone hates eachother and no one can communicate with eachother no one is willing to change. I'm spending every day not being able to think properly getting pushed around by everyone. I'm trying strategies I've learnt but they dont work. I try my best not to lose it and reframe my thoughts and stay grounded. It doesnt work. I try to stay in the moment but the present just makes me mad. I try not to dwell on the past, try to rationalise my thoughts try to understand why I'm thinking the way I am but it doesnt go anywhere. I try waking up every morning to go for a walk then it rains. I try to go outside the birds my sibling keeps feeding attack me. I tell him to stop feeding birds so they get dependant on him and he starts raising bugs to feed them. Now theyre exhausting themselves by attacking their reflections and pooping everywhere.I go on a diet to lose weight and my dad keeps buying fatty meat and snacks and if I dont eat it he will get mad and start making life miserable because no one loves him. I hate cooking steaks. I hate being called master chef by my mum. communication doesnt work for those who cant communicate. In the end I havent tried enough and its my fault. I have to stop trying to fix things. I have to wait for everything to crumble and collapse so i can escape the rubble and move on with life.

Guest_19133201 Apps
  • replies: 1

Sorry but this would be the hardest app for mental health / anxiety/depression there's got to be a easier way to reach out to there's instead of typing

Sorry but this would be the hardest app for mental health / anxiety/depression there's got to be a easier way to reach out to there's instead of typing

Earth Girl Getting stereotyped
  • replies: 2

So this is a bit complicated because sometimes I am straight and other times I am a bit on the bisexual side? It took me a long time to figure out if I was straight or bisexual because... it changes? Well, when I say bisexual, curious might be a bett... View more

So this is a bit complicated because sometimes I am straight and other times I am a bit on the bisexual side? It took me a long time to figure out if I was straight or bisexual because... it changes? Well, when I say bisexual, curious might be a better word because I think about women when I have "particular alone time", but I don't actually want to have sex with them? And when I feel attraction to other women when in person, it's only romantic attraction where as when I have attraction to men, it's sexual attraction as well. I don't even want to touch other women when I have attraction to them, I just... I don't know? So it's really confusing. My sister told me that it's very common for girls to get girl crushes which I think might be what's going on with me. I asked her if she gets girl crushes and she said "Yeah! I"m like 'Ohhh, she's pretty." I still don't know what exactly a girl crush is though. Is that when you have some attraction to another girl, but don't actually want to touch them irl? Because that's what happens to me. Anyway, I was wondering what I should do about getting stereotyped for being curious and if there's a way I can even stop being curious because I find it easier when I'm straight and not a bit on the bi side. (I don't have a problem with other people being bi, I just want to go back to being completely straight and not having moments of curiosity because it's awkward and it makes other people feel awkward as well). Being straight is just easier for me personally. People say that since I am bi that it makes me masculine which I don't identify with. Bi girls and lesbians can be feminine and straight girls can be tomboys. I identify as feminine even if I have moments of curiosity.

vulnerable Seeking Friends, support, company and encouragement in SE QLD.
  • replies: 2

I've been through the ringer as have many of the people here writing and reading these posts. I'm a single Dad with 50/50 care of two kids I'm aged 50 and in spite of living in Brisbane for almost 15 years I've never developed a social life especiall... View more

I've been through the ringer as have many of the people here writing and reading these posts. I'm a single Dad with 50/50 care of two kids I'm aged 50 and in spite of living in Brisbane for almost 15 years I've never developed a social life especially one with mates to hang out with and talk to when life gets hard. I feel like many of my attempts to break free of self sacrificing behaviours fail simply because I lack support and the small victories create a false sense of security that ultimately means i slip back to old habits/patterns etc. I really hope someone reading this has some insight into how I can form new friendships and break free of the isolation I feel. K