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

All discussions

Spixx Can't find the strength!
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, not sure anyone will ever read this but lets see how I go. I think I've had depression on and off in my whole life but always seem to find a way to come out of it then years later it will come back. So today it came back. I do have heap... View more

Hey everyone, not sure anyone will ever read this but lets see how I go. I think I've had depression on and off in my whole life but always seem to find a way to come out of it then years later it will come back. So today it came back. I do have heaps going on in the last year, I lost 2 family members during covid and was unable to go and support my family during such a hard time and had to watch the funerals through my computer which I hated. My youngest son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (first in the family) and I sometime want to take that pain away from him and feel its not fair and that its all my fault no matter what anyone says. In 2 weeks we are scattering my grandmothers ashes and my partner wasn't going to come (is now) with me for emotional support because well kids come first and his kids have a basketball game on and I thought that this kinda situation would mean I would come first and he would be with me during this hard time. My car is about to die and I have like 50c in my saving account, I cant find a job that I want to do, so I'm forever studying till I find something. I just feel like a total failure all the time and feel like nothing I do is going to fix the bind I'm in. I feel like my world is falling apart and I have no 1 to communicate with. I never want to get out of bed even to take my kids to school, they are always having the day off cause I cant get outta bed, I eat everything in the house, then feel shit cause I have no money to get more food and if I do I eat that too. Just cant seem to find the strength to continue everyday. But I have to for my kids. I want to cry all the time, I want to hide, I want to break things, I want to break up with my partner just to run away. Not looking for answers, maybe a quick vent. I don't know anymore. Just wish that life wouldn't be so hard on me when I try all the time to do what's best for my kids and myself but bad things happen everyday and I feel like someone is playing with me to get me to give up. Like I'm being tested in some sick game like lets see how long till she cracks and ends it. And I find its not very fair when I'm a good person. Just been dealt a shit hand at life and I just keep failing. I should get up and go and pick up my children from school. If anyone did read this, sorry for my craziness. Bless.

Jules292 I can’t move past 2020
  • replies: 5

My calendar still sits on December 2020, my mother passed away on the 22nd. If I change my calendar then that moment in time will move on and I just can’t let it. I have not been able to debrief properly about what happened and more than likely won’t... View more

My calendar still sits on December 2020, my mother passed away on the 22nd. If I change my calendar then that moment in time will move on and I just can’t let it. I have not been able to debrief properly about what happened and more than likely won’t be able to. Everything that went on leading up to her death disgusts me and I need to talk to someone, someone that has better writing skills than I have, I want to write the letter to describe the events and then send it to everyone involved ie: the hospital, her specialists. They need to know how badly she was treated in her final days. I don’t want to write it myself as I believe it will be taken as my anger expressed, and then dispelled as an angry response to my grief, but they need to know! Or is it me trying to be vindictive and trying to get revenge from the disappointment of her passing? I don’t believe so, if the truth can’t be told then how can change begin? I was planning to get someone to put all the facts together to write an explanation for the letter and why her life was much more than the care she received. She passed so disappointed and yet so quietly, that was the person she was, I can’t help but miss her and grieve her loss every minute of every day. Everyone else seems to have moved on but I can’t, that’s why the letter is so important. Thanking you in advance for reading Jules x

Rikster First Post - All Over the Shop
  • replies: 2

Just a place to air some thoughts. Feeling like crap at present but no-one would know. I'm not manic, I'm not depressed but the void is there. Wouldn't mind spending a week in a PARC or similar but don't know how to express how I feel. Easy when you'... View more

Just a place to air some thoughts. Feeling like crap at present but no-one would know. I'm not manic, I'm not depressed but the void is there. Wouldn't mind spending a week in a PARC or similar but don't know how to express how I feel. Easy when you're really depressed because it's so obvious. Not so easy when I feel like I do and can put on a brave face in front of people. There have been a few triggers I must admit. I'm tired of living in a society where our leaders are not accountable for their actions. It's said that the standard you walk by is the one you're prepared to accept, but at the same time who is one person to fight the system? Think I'll go to bed and shut the world out for a few hours. Cheers!

faegirl I don't really feel anything anymore...why could this be?
  • replies: 36

Hi there, I'm not exactly too good at conveying my thoughts in a succinct manner, so I'm sorry if this get's confusing. As the title says I don't really feel anything anymore. I sort of walk around like some sort of robot, going through the motions, ... View more

Hi there, I'm not exactly too good at conveying my thoughts in a succinct manner, so I'm sorry if this get's confusing. As the title says I don't really feel anything anymore. I sort of walk around like some sort of robot, going through the motions, feigning happiness when I'm in my classes at uni and I don't know if this is normal? It's almost like my base mood is really quite low and flat, and that I feel empty as if there's nothing left in me. I don't genuinely feel happiness (only fleeting moments), I don't even feel sad a lot of the time, I just don't really feel anything. I'll admit, I've put myself through a lot of sleep deprivation due to studying which started maybe around year 12 (so I've done it on and off for about 3 years), and my diet hasn't been the best so that could be why I feel low on energy at times, but I have been working on sleeping more instead of staying up late to finish work. Despite this, my low / empty feelings persist, it feels more than just tiredness. I don't care for things anymore. Things don't give me any satisfaction, I don't get really upset over things anymore (aside from when I'm super stressed from uni and break down haha), I don't get really happy over anything either. Music, the one thing which I swore I could never live without, which used to make me feel good, is now starting to sound like noise in my ears to block out the world. I don't really know why I am this way. I used to put this "deadness" down to my personality, I've been this dry/kind of emotionless person for as long as I can remember, but I think lately it's gotten a little worse. I was always told as a child to "smile more" or to stop being pessimistic etc. but now I've kind of begun to wonder whether this is just my personality or if it is something more? At times, on top of my low mood I get hit with really dark periods where I lose all motivation, I don't talk to anyone (not that I have anyone aside from my family to talk to anyway), I don't do anything. I just sit in bed and watch crap on netflix or youtube to distract myself from the thoughts. I feel that I cry more easily nowadays (and I don't really know why because I don't feel extremely sad) and these periods have started happening more frequently as of late. I don't know if this is depression. I don't have any real reason to be depressed. Is it all in my head? I really have no idea anymore. Has anyone felt the same way before?

JamesS New city...
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I am struggling to sleep. I recently moved cities after being offered a dream job. Not long after, my relationship ended and I've been adjusting to being single. I've moved house, left my friends and family behind, and have started basically ... View more

Hi all, I am struggling to sleep. I recently moved cities after being offered a dream job. Not long after, my relationship ended and I've been adjusting to being single. I've moved house, left my friends and family behind, and have started basically a new life. At first I felt very positive with so much change, but it has started to dawn on me the enormity of the change and how isolated I am. I want to feel optimistic but I only feel anxiety and depression, which I hoped I had left behind. My biggest fear is that people secretly hate me, or are holding grudges against me. I really just want to find peace and happiness. Thanks guys

Username2021 Afraid of getting help
  • replies: 3

I have thought about going to the doctors and telling them about how I'm feeling but I just feel like he would just tell me to change my lifestyle around and not give me something that will help, I'm constantly feeling tired and numb I'm not fully aw... View more

I have thought about going to the doctors and telling them about how I'm feeling but I just feel like he would just tell me to change my lifestyle around and not give me something that will help, I'm constantly feeling tired and numb I'm not fully aware of what feelings are what because I have never really dealt with them only pushed them aside I just want to feel happy with my life I want to be able to tafe work instead of putting it off for another time I am unemployed because I'm afraid that I'm not good enough and will mess up and get fired anyway and another thing that upsets me is being 27 years old and getting out of 2 toxic relationships in a row when everyone around me is getting married and starting a family I feel like my time is running out and it's going to be harder to fall pregnant when it's time because my periods are all over the place I can go months without getting a period I just recently moved out on my own for the first time and I'm scared that my house is going to get broken into as well as me getting attacked by someone I just can't shake that feeling I have tried so hard to be positive and to get into spirituality and stuff like meditation and wellness but it seems like it's getting old now I just want to feel ok

ypla Feeling so lonely
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone My name is Allen (not real name) and I found this forum through lifeline. This is my first post here so please be kind if I've neglected any rules. I'm going though major depression that I think is mainly caused by loneliness. I don't hav... View more

Hi everyone My name is Allen (not real name) and I found this forum through lifeline. This is my first post here so please be kind if I've neglected any rules. I'm going though major depression that I think is mainly caused by loneliness. I don't have any relatives or friends, and my anxiety kicks in when I see people going out with their friends and partners. I thought I'd fight my anxiety by being outdoors but it's causing more harm than good. Going out for a drink or meal makes me happy but I get weird looks when I ask for a table for one. It feels like they watch over my shoulder so I could finish up and just leave. I don't enjoy outdoors anymore. I'm almost 30 and never fell in love with someone that loves me. If I die, there is no-one to attend my funeral. I went to uni and I wished I could've found someone because it feels like I can't now. It just sucks. I'm scared of dying alone. Already stated having heart problems due to anxiety and stress. Every day feels like I'm grinding and grinding. My performance at work has almost diminished to zero. I've worked so hard to reach where I am now and now it feels like I don't have any purpose now. Please help me.

hawaiian_robot feeling very hopeless
  • replies: 5

hi all, no caps because not feeling up to typing properly life is in a bit of a rut, can't see things improving anytime soon. have been out of work since dec 2019, was working at a school but they didn't renew my contract. said something about how th... View more

hi all, no caps because not feeling up to typing properly life is in a bit of a rut, can't see things improving anytime soon. have been out of work since dec 2019, was working at a school but they didn't renew my contract. said something about how the budget couldn't allocate a lab tech, but it's bullshit because i know they got someone to replace me. have a lot of qualifications but just nothing in my field. still applying for whatever but not even getting an interview. this is despite job network being like 'have you thought about cleaning', that's awesome with a chemistry phd. worried i'm going to be share housing forever, i'm 37 this year, no hope, no job prospects, no relationship, no home of my own where i'm secure. dealing with centrelink makes me want to off myself.

AnxiousGeek80 Depression And being an Alcoholic !
  • replies: 2

At 41 years of age , And dealing with terrible depression and alcoholism for more years then I care to admit > I have Finally Taking the steps to Go into detox to clear this negative aspect from my life . I was wondering if anyone has been been throu... View more

At 41 years of age , And dealing with terrible depression and alcoholism for more years then I care to admit > I have Finally Taking the steps to Go into detox to clear this negative aspect from my life . I was wondering if anyone has been been through this process before . As I suffer from been confined to an area that im not allowed to come as I please and Not being allowed to smoke is open outdoor areas is such BS !! lol Anyways , thanks for taking to read my post, and any and all feedback is most welcomed

JK-Elle Study
  • replies: 1

So I'm a single mum to 4 and studying full time. Two weeks in I seem to have had a little breakdown, I took a day off from school, and after a really massive sleep feel so much better, but I now worry it will happen again. I don't have the option to ... View more

So I'm a single mum to 4 and studying full time. Two weeks in I seem to have had a little breakdown, I took a day off from school, and after a really massive sleep feel so much better, but I now worry it will happen again. I don't have the option to go part time (isn't offered), and I need to study as I was an idiot in my youth and didn't build a career for myself so am now 35 with nothing to offer the workforce and I really need a job so between a rock and a hard place. I've tried various psychologists, I take my meds (going back to my dr to discuss what happened last week)