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

Dube96 Scared to start Anti-Depressants
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’m looking for a little guidance from people who have had experience with medication to help their depression. I have been struggling with Depression mostly with some anxiety and stress for quite well over a year now and it’s been never ending. ... View more

Hi, I’m looking for a little guidance from people who have had experience with medication to help their depression. I have been struggling with Depression mostly with some anxiety and stress for quite well over a year now and it’s been never ending. I haven’t really had a long period of time where I have been feeling good. I have been to my doctor for bloods which are normal and also seeing a psychiatrist who has been trying to give me some CBT tips but they don’t seem to help. It feels like I’m on a bit of a rollercoaster. My therapist is a little hesitant about me going on medication and my doctor thinks I have nothing to loose but it just seems like such a big decision and if I start there’s no going back. I have no one close to me that has been on antidepressants and I would just love to hear some peoples thoughts about them.

Bulus_Shabbaz The Bipolar side of schizoaffective disorder.
  • replies: 1

The last few days have been a rollercoaster, my bipolarity is all over the place. I scared my friends with a random fit of maniacal laugher this morning. It was a pretty dark and messed up thoughts I had that set me off. They thought I was sobbing in... View more

The last few days have been a rollercoaster, my bipolarity is all over the place. I scared my friends with a random fit of maniacal laugher this morning. It was a pretty dark and messed up thoughts I had that set me off. They thought I was sobbing inconsolably about something because what they heard sounded like a little girl crying but my housemate and he soon realised I was actually laughing hysterically. But now I just feel flat.

BillieJean Lost
  • replies: 8

Hi. I have posted before and found it helpful. I am posting because I am having trouble settling tonight. I just had my birthday and I am realising that all my choices that have lead me to this point have been wrong. I am 37 years and I have nothing.... View more

Hi. I have posted before and found it helpful. I am posting because I am having trouble settling tonight. I just had my birthday and I am realising that all my choices that have lead me to this point have been wrong. I am 37 years and I have nothing. I have lived to please others, I push people away, I am in a job that causes me anxiety and all I want to do is have a purpose. I am so ashamed of myself and feel so overwhelmed that I can’t settle. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I just want to matter and be good at something. I am a complete loser. I have no reason to live and I am just taking up space and air. I am so worried. I am ashamed of my past mistakes. I wished I had done better. I wish I was not me. What am I going to do?

Lozlo Feeling overwhelmed and alone
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am new here but I just needed someone to talk to about how I have been feeling. I think I have depression and I know I have anxiety. Last week it's as if something hit me and my life was turned upside down. I lost any motivation to see... View more

Hi everyone, I am new here but I just needed someone to talk to about how I have been feeling. I think I have depression and I know I have anxiety. Last week it's as if something hit me and my life was turned upside down. I lost any motivation to see anyone and to do anything just empty. I have been slowly pulling back from my family and friends because I've been feeling like the relationships I have with them are one-sided and that none of them are really willing or wanting to listen to anything I say and I just feel exhausted tired and alone. Every time I try to talk to someone they always seem to think but I will just be fine and I'll be ok next week and that I just need to go for a walk or do something I like to do and it will magically solve everything it just makes me more upset inside because I feel like they're not listening. I just want someone to listen and hear me and what I have to say without telling me about their life problems and putting that on me as well because I've always feel like I always have to listen to everyone and care about their lives when I need them here for me I'm just tired. I feel selfish for wanting someone to just let me talk without hearing about their struggles. I am always the rock of all my relationships and I just want someone to be one for me. Im sorry for the rant I just needed to let it out

penguin7676 i think i have depression...
  • replies: 12

Hi. I'm kinda new to the forums. I have anxiety. It's great. (*obvious sarcasm*) I also suck in social situations. I find it hard to understand sarcasm and jokes. So about mid last year when I started having days when I felt completely empty I was ki... View more

Hi. I'm kinda new to the forums. I have anxiety. It's great. (*obvious sarcasm*) I also suck in social situations. I find it hard to understand sarcasm and jokes. So about mid last year when I started having days when I felt completely empty I was kinda annoyed, but also not the concerned. I just kinda played it off as being a moody teenager. But then those days started to happen more frequently, like once a fortnight. During christmas break it actually wasn't too bad. Since school has started up again it's happening more frequently, like once a fortnight-once a weekish. My friends have pointed out that it might be depression, but I'm almost too scared to put a label on it. Like once I know what it really is, then it will be like really real. I brushed it off and said that depression should happen more consistently. (cause that's what I used to think depression was, constant) But my friend said that depression can be everyday, or once a week, once a fortnight, once a month. So I looked up symptoms of depression and... anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, or sadness - I have anxiety, I've always cared about others, I feel guilty about stuff I did or said like 5 years ago, I had quite a loss in writing and reading for a while, my mood changes all the time agitation, excessive crying, irritability, restlessness, or social isolation - I've always been emotionally out of control. (I get annoyed and sad easily and cry a lot) I also don't have many friends and the friends I do have I kinda suck at keeping in contact with early awakening, excess sleepiness, insomnia, fatigue or restless sleep - I find it really hard to fall asleep and get up in the morning, I'm also basically always tired excessive hunger, or loss of appetite - I don't really feel hungry unless I eat something, like I can go over half the day without feeling hungry, but if I eat something like a slice of apple I will want to eat more and more food lack of concentration, slowness in activity, or thoughts of suicide - I find it hard to concentrate, I've always been lazy, and I've had suicidal thoughts for about a year now (I've never tried to do anything though.) weight gain or weight loss - I've gained a little weight but not that much repeatedly going over thought - I over think everything Can someone who knows about this pls explain what is going on with me?

Helpadad Depression and alcohol
  • replies: 16

Hi there, it came to a head the other day, I moved the kids out. I got my wife’s brother and mother involved in an intervention to try and show her that her drinking is destroying our family. It initially backfired, screaming, threats of killing hers... View more

Hi there, it came to a head the other day, I moved the kids out. I got my wife’s brother and mother involved in an intervention to try and show her that her drinking is destroying our family. It initially backfired, screaming, threats of killing herself etc. it wasn’t safe for the kids so I moved them out. That evening, to cope with the fighting she went out for more drink and crashed our car. Nobody else, which was lucky, but if someone is watching over is, it was the wake up call needed. she called me the next day, very low and said take me to get help. We went to the hospital which in itself was horrible. But they signed her up to a program for detox. We are just at the end of the detox week and have more on going therapy. I am staying positive because I have my old wife back. The kids have their mum back. I have stopped drinking myself completely and cleared the house of all drink. The doctors told me the odds of it working first time are slim, but I remain hopeful. She had a glimpse of what she would lose and what it would cost. the doctors have pointed to her loss of identity, caught in a rut, school drop off, kids lunches, supporting me, doing nothing for herself. This is something we will change and something I am more aware of. I initially thought there was no help, but it took drastic actions to find it. Whilst the help available does need improvement for mental health, it is there. My other posts explain how bad we were. ADIS are helping us, and I encourage others in a similar position to call them. https://adis.health.qld.gov.au/ Early days but things are changing. thanks

Chris D Depression I need people around me
  • replies: 50

This is my first time back to BB in quite a few yrs. I am currently at my lowest point in many years, all I'm seeking is people to support me. Hope someone can chat to me.

This is my first time back to BB in quite a few yrs. I am currently at my lowest point in many years, all I'm seeking is people to support me. Hope someone can chat to me.

mickey_dee hi all
  • replies: 2

Hi all I am new to this online stuff but been up n down for years.

Hi all I am new to this online stuff but been up n down for years.

Enola I am old nowl depressed since 15 years old. Never ends
  • replies: 1

Still just hanging on. I need a mentor. At 60 and it never ends. I know it all but still only last a few days. Just pretending asll the time. Is it woeth it.

Still just hanging on. I need a mentor. At 60 and it never ends. I know it all but still only last a few days. Just pretending asll the time. Is it woeth it.

Helarctus Forgot meds - Feeling the whirlpool of suck
  • replies: 7

I was distracted some last night and forgot to take my evening medications. The logical half of my brain understands this, knows this is something I can ride out, in a day or two things will even off and function will be restored. The emotional half ... View more

I was distracted some last night and forgot to take my evening medications. The logical half of my brain understands this, knows this is something I can ride out, in a day or two things will even off and function will be restored. The emotional half is already in a panic, cursing and flailing. Hammering fists on the inside of my skull; the sound of the keyboard is a pin strike in my ear and the prospect of getting out of bed a torment. Any suggestions on ways to rush the uptake or manage this downswing are appreciated. Helarctus.