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

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sanitycheck12 I NEED SUPPORT PLEASE
  • replies: 4

I know i might not have it as bad as some of you and you might not understand how hard it is for me but i still have it hard and need some extra support. A LITTLE BIT OF MY STORY I have been diagnosed with severe Depression and anxiety my parents wan... View more

I know i might not have it as bad as some of you and you might not understand how hard it is for me but i still have it hard and need some extra support. A LITTLE BIT OF MY STORY I have been diagnosed with severe Depression and anxiety my parents want to test me for ADHD, i also apparently did some very high-risk things that could have been dangerous I have to go to the GP every month and get a bunch of tests like ECG and blood tests. CONTINUING... So i just ask for some support because these are just a couple of things in my life and well yeah PS i really hope i'm not violating or triggering anyone and if anyone else needs support i'll try and help also just joined so i don't really know how this works, but i'd love to here someone elses story.

Bloom39 My depression is quite severe and I think it's affecting my relationship. Advice?
  • replies: 7

I've had severe depression since I was 13 and it went undiagnosed until I hit senior school. I hinted to my boyfriend about my mental illness when we got together, until I told him fully after some time that I have depressive episodes intermittently ... View more

I've had severe depression since I was 13 and it went undiagnosed until I hit senior school. I hinted to my boyfriend about my mental illness when we got together, until I told him fully after some time that I have depressive episodes intermittently without consulting anyone for consolation. I've had another depressive episode and decided that I wanted to reach out to him about my intrusive thoughts and how I've been feeling. I told him that I've been frustrated with the way family members have been treating me and that I've contemplated taking my own life because I felt worthless in their eyes. I keep saying that no matter how loudly I cry, no one makes me feel heard. My parents are very traditional, to the point they are emotionally abusive and neglectful and have gaslit me multiple times when I was younger. To this, he tells me not to say that I want to take my own life. He then asks what my family members have done that caused me to be depressed. Then said that that if I died, they would still care about me even if they don't show it. I then disclosed that I completely skipped my meal because I've been crying for so long that I lost my appetite. And this isn't good because I have ed. He then asked whether I wanted food, and that he'll order me food. Although I appreciate the gesture of trying to make me feel better. I somehow feel even worse. I feel like I wasted my breathe. Even though he said that it is better that I let it all out, I wished I never let it out in the first place if my feelings were validated at all. I feel alone even when people are around me. No matter how clearly I explain my feelings, how much emphasis I place on my thoughts and severity of the situation. I feel unheard in the relationship. It is bad enough that my own parents don't care. Why must I stay in a relationship like this? I try to be understanding to people the same way I wish to be understood. But all I'm met with is obliviousness. I don't know if this is a relationship worth keeping. I already go to therapy, but I think I'm going to need therapy for more than just me to make this relationship last. I don't use my depression to attention seek. I rarely confide in my boyfriend. But I did this time because he's my partner. I just wished he had comforted me at least. Advice from another that knows better than me?

ABC01 Everyday is Groundhog Day
  • replies: 8

Hello,Everyday to me right now is on repeat. Everyone else’s lives are moving ,the dates on the calendar are flashing by and I am stuck on a loop.I feel like a record/CD getting stuck and repeating that same small sounds.I don’t know how to get off t... View more

Hello,Everyday to me right now is on repeat. Everyone else’s lives are moving ,the dates on the calendar are flashing by and I am stuck on a loop.I feel like a record/CD getting stuck and repeating that same small sounds.I don’t know how to get off this feeling. How to move at all. I make myself do one task a day,and when it is done,I am exhausted and just want to sit down again.Do others feel like this?Have you figured out how to change?ABC01

Diver_1 A follow on......
  • replies: 1

So, I’d like to add more to my initial post. At 15, I fed sharks at Manly Marine-land, not with the grab sticks people use today but rather with my hands. This experience fueled my love for the water. At 16, I joined the Navy Junior Recruit School, a... View more

So, I’d like to add more to my initial post. At 15, I fed sharks at Manly Marine-land, not with the grab sticks people use today but rather with my hands. This experience fueled my love for the water. At 16, I joined the Navy Junior Recruit School, and finally, I found where I was supposed to be—I was home, at last.Fast forward some 30 years and five conflicts later, I left the Navy. Yes, I felt a bit lost outside of my normal regime, but you adapt, as they say, and it worked for some time. There were some hiccups along the way, but you get over them and move on. However, as the old saying goes, "You dance to the tune, but the piper wants to be paid."Now, 20 years after leaving the Navy, I find myself grappling with unexpected consequences. Depression has crept into my life, bringing a profound sadness and loneliness that I struggle to express. It’s as if the ability to talk about these feelings has been stifled. Watching events unfold on social media—whether happy or sad—often brings me to tears. This emotional response feels disproportionate and disconcerting, making me question what’s happening inside me. Have I bottled up my past? What do you do to get this stuff out? Many have said to just talk it out with someone, but I can tell you that is easier said than done. Many just would not understand.

Pink grapefruit Loneliness
  • replies: 7

Hi. I often feel that people hate me and are trying to pull me down. I want to enjoy life but I feel that I live with such fear. Is it normal or something wrong with me..

Hi. I often feel that people hate me and are trying to pull me down. I want to enjoy life but I feel that I live with such fear. Is it normal or something wrong with me..

Superherogirl Not depressed enough
  • replies: 3

Hello. I'm only young and started high school last year. I just made this account because sometimes I feel like there aren't any friends I can get close to or talk to. I really want to have one, close friend that I spend all my time with but i feel l... View more

Hello. I'm only young and started high school last year. I just made this account because sometimes I feel like there aren't any friends I can get close to or talk to. I really want to have one, close friend that I spend all my time with but i feel like I'm too toxic or picky or rude or mean to do that. I just never put in effort with my other friends and I can't find anyone I really like and I miss my old friend from primary school. I'm always the secondary friend to everyone I know, and it just leaves me feeling to dejected. It's sort of like a paradox, where I struggle between not wanting to be with my friends and wanting so badly for them to like me. I just think that if I left all of them, nobody would really care because no matter how long I've known you there are always better people to be around. I haven't properly had a best friend since I was maybe nine? Everyone always likes other people more. I have nobody I want to talk to at school. And the schoolwork is so overwhelming- I'm in an academic program, and even though neither of my parents forced me into it I always wanted to be the best at everything. It's like no matter what, if my grades aren't perfect I will have a full on mental breakdown. It's awful, because if I don't get a grade up to my standards I'll just start crying. I know I'm smart, and I know I'm good enough, but I just can't stand it. Also, my appearance. Some days I feel pretty, but others I just wish I didn't have to see anyone. I have some acne that I know isn't very bad, but I just hate it. I hate looking in the mirror and knowing nothing's changed and I'm still ugly. The worst part is that I want therapy, I want to be on these platforms, but don't ever want my parents to know. I want them.to think I'm fine because then we never need to talk about it. And the whole time this goes through my head I feel so selfish for even wanting therapy, because I probably don't have depression and I'm just an attention seeker who is overreacting. No matter how I feel, how much some days I wish for new parents, or a new face, or a new personality, I'm some There might not be much you can do for me, but just a reply would be nice. Just someone to talk to.

Jaibigrone907 The world is overrated because of people!
  • replies: 12

1) Society only conceives themselves and they don't try to understand others. Everyone's bias and no one can disagree with themselves typically. 2) People either cause your problems, they otherwise don't care, or they even potentially enjoy hearing a... View more

1) Society only conceives themselves and they don't try to understand others. Everyone's bias and no one can disagree with themselves typically. 2) People either cause your problems, they otherwise don't care, or they even potentially enjoy hearing about them with some. 3) Advice and support is usually cliché, interaction is superficial, often the only redirected recommendation is shrinks that leads to detrimental pharmaceutical treatment and involuntary clients who feel invalided and become victims. 4) I can't relate to my nationalities culture, only since my generation globally is following a unified consensus to not be interested or believing in Christianity Religion or with being all under the same political left wing mainstream consensus. I find their indisputable with any of their popularised views and they argue with illogic. They project their insecurities too often and they can't have as much meaningful or broaden conversation, everything's usually awkward, weird, or whose cringe, a hipster, desperate and they feel things are worth addressing. I don't like their music since 2008, their too into Andrew Tate, women aren't prude. I only like older generations. 5) The 21st Century is horrible, people are high consumers and overt materialist's, which than makes them more socially superficial, shallow, narcissistic, insincere. Their less emotional courtesy and manners today, people are more grandiose and with potential audacity to not care, it's too much with financial net worth and being entitled. I don't like globalism - diversity. 6) Everyone's more innocent until proven guilty and they won't take needed accountability, they have no humility to be wrong anymore, they treat sincerity and make it that your so humble or rare, to normalise to feel & be mental, fake and laugh at what's true or say that it's strange or weird, but to be guilty of the same acknowledged things. 7) I couldn't relate to my father. I am a male cultural misfit Christian Fundamentalist and my father is a generic misogynistic that's chauvinistic, sexist. His got no issue with the bloke culture in my opinion and he is stoic and selfish, His not creative. He tries to vicariously live his sports team through me at times and he diverts his illiterate limits onto me that I'm dyslexic. His potential with rarer jealousy and puts his average mediocrity on a pedestal with being the bread winner and the family bill payer. His sister and family is narcissistic and with dysfunctional differences.

Stardust Dealing with a controlling other parent
  • replies: 1

I have been with my partner for 11 years. He has a controlling x partner who he shares custody of kids with. The 13 year old does dance 9- 1 hour classes, the 15 year old does 3 drama classes and is working about 2 times a week. We have recently had ... View more

I have been with my partner for 11 years. He has a controlling x partner who he shares custody of kids with. The 13 year old does dance 9- 1 hour classes, the 15 year old does 3 drama classes and is working about 2 times a week. We have recently had to drop 1 class each due to the fact we cant get them there. We received a not so nice messages cause we should be able to because she can. We don't care about the kids and don't want them to be happy.We are so proud of the 15 year old getting a job but she is controlling how he uses the money he earns. $180 in a weeks pay has been broken down to $20 to our house $40 to spend at her house and $120 to save for her house. ( big pay due to school holidays) They also have phones but she is using that now to control our weeks. She doesn't use them to communicate and say hi etc or anything that needs to be communicated she is using them to see what is going on at our house. ( she has a tracker also on the phone) so every time we leave the house there is questions about where we are going. oh your not going to school today? no the bus was just late. oh and it was great the day that we were making the 13 year old go to school when she didn't want to so her mother told her to go to school as normal on the bus so dad doesn't know and walk down to her work. That's just a brief on some of what's going on. I'm at a loss of what to do, i hate seeing the kids upset cause she is trying to control our weeks. i know we don't know everything and are learning every day but does that mean she gets to make all the decisions for the kids cause i know no parent gets it all right, am i wrong in these thoughts?She keeps all awards, trophies makes all the decisions, never lets us know of excursions, even the ones that fall on our week, don't know of doctors appointments etc not allowed to get there hair cut, not allowed to buy extra dance, drama uniforms for our week, kids don't tell us much cause they are scared of making her angry. We let it all go to save the kids cause when we were trying to fix it the kids were even more upset then they are now. cause she just keeps saying i do what i want and you will do what i want because that is co parenting.. I'm just so depressed not be able to just live our lives and it is ruining our relationship and i can't deal, these kids are my world to its bad enough to have to share kids for any parent let alone feel like we are being controlled all the time and cant live our lives because of it.

tortuedtofu Falling deeper and deeper
  • replies: 1

The last few days I've been falling deeper and deeper into depression.I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I had health anxiety at first for a week which subsided after seeing the GP. And then my depression kicked in and has been working ... View more

The last few days I've been falling deeper and deeper into depression.I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I had health anxiety at first for a week which subsided after seeing the GP. And then my depression kicked in and has been working in overdrive. It almost feels crippling, I cry almost everyday several times a day.I'm in my 40s and struggling with finding a partner and feel like my time has past.I also can't let go of my past, constantly thinking of things I could of done and should of done. I see people's past on social media and makes me depressed how I couldn't have the same experience. Maybe if I want a family I would feel embarrassed sharing my life choices.I also can't stop thinking about death and how I don't feel like I have much time left.

Outside observing Just a another depressed Sunday
  • replies: 1

I think my experience is like so many others and yet I can't connect with people. I can barely get out of bed because I see little point in doing so. I feel like my life is falling apart and I am sabotaging my future career by just putting in the min... View more

I think my experience is like so many others and yet I can't connect with people. I can barely get out of bed because I see little point in doing so. I feel like my life is falling apart and I am sabotaging my future career by just putting in the minimum. I am anhedonic. No one seems to see it or care. So why should I care?