Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

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.

doonzy spiralling out of control
  • replies: 1

hey guys been a sec since i have been on my life is crazy atm week before christmas i went from being employed with a stable job, a wife and kids and a loving family to all of a sudden single no job and everyone is the opposite of happy. i really hav... View more

hey guys been a sec since i have been on my life is crazy atm week before christmas i went from being employed with a stable job, a wife and kids and a loving family to all of a sudden single no job and everyone is the opposite of happy. i really have no idea what to do now. ive been looking for services around my local town but alot of them are for immediate help and im not really sure if i fit that right now. i know i need help and that i am extremely sick but i just dont know where to go from here. hope everyone is going well and keep fighting the good fight

bob01 again
  • replies: 1

over the past week Ive been kept busy. I started education again and finnally met up with mates. however I find these to sort of be a distraction from myself as i spend time off doing nothing, all i want to do is be alone as each day just talking to ... View more

over the past week Ive been kept busy. I started education again and finnally met up with mates. however I find these to sort of be a distraction from myself as i spend time off doing nothing, all i want to do is be alone as each day just talking to family just feels unnecessary, when im alone i feel relaxed and flat (which is how i am most of the time anywayse). since I last posted ive felt mentally numb (fogged), partially daised, stupid and get a tight almost sick feeling in my chest. just overall i feel like im a changed person underneath a mask

NicolaA Supporting my kids when I’m depressed
  • replies: 2

How can I support my kids - one with BPD, depression, ptsd, and body dysphoria and one with Social Anxiety - when I’m clinically depressed myself?

How can I support my kids - one with BPD, depression, ptsd, and body dysphoria and one with Social Anxiety - when I’m clinically depressed myself?

Wondrous How do you do it
  • replies: 5

I want to know HOW do you get better. I know what to do to get better. I know that I need to eat well and regularly, I know that I need to exercise and get out in the sun and fresh air. I know that I should journal or meditate or read or find a hobby... View more

I want to know HOW do you get better. I know what to do to get better. I know that I need to eat well and regularly, I know that I need to exercise and get out in the sun and fresh air. I know that I should journal or meditate or read or find a hobby. I know that I should get off my phone and social media. I know I should socialise. I know I should be mindful and positive. I know that I should clean and organise because living in a clean and organised house makes me feel calm. I know that I should shower and look after myself properly, I should take the time to dress nice and put myself together so I feel put together. I know all this. I know that I should take it slow and allow myself grace when it doesn't go as planned and I should not expect too much of myself all at once. I know this. Im not asking WHAT I need to do. Im asking HOW do I do it. HOW do I get out of bed and into the shower? HOW do I find the energy to make myself breakfast and then go for a walk? HOW do I put into practice the things I know I need to do? I am unable to keep living the way I am but I am also unable to do anything about it. I always just end up back in bed after doing the absolute bare minimum required of me.

Lonely91 How did I get here
  • replies: 2

I’m normally a bubbly, lively person with so much energy and enthusiasm but the last few years have sucked that out of me. On the outside, people think I’m ok but on the inside I’m falling apart. I’m always tired and constantly so sad. I’ve been knoc... View more

I’m normally a bubbly, lively person with so much energy and enthusiasm but the last few years have sucked that out of me. On the outside, people think I’m ok but on the inside I’m falling apart. I’m always tired and constantly so sad. I’ve been knocked back too many times. I have no job satisfaction. I have financial stress and live on my own. I am so lonely and I feel the loneliness every single night. I struggle to get quality sleep or even sleep at a reasonable time. My relationship with my parents is not great at all. My mother is a narcissist and has affected me in so many ways. I am not me and I haven’t been me in a very long time. I have had so many breakdowns and feel like such a burden. I feel like hiding or running away. I just want to disappear sometimes. I need to find a way to get through this because it is draining me.

user-beyondblue_forum Bipolar- hating my job and not being supported at work
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, I just feel so trapped and depressed. I hate my job and I've applied for so many new ones but never get them. My job makes me highly irritable, flat and upset and takes the happiness and energy out of me and I hate it! I am on the disabi... View more

Hi everyone, I just feel so trapped and depressed. I hate my job and I've applied for so many new ones but never get them. My job makes me highly irritable, flat and upset and takes the happiness and energy out of me and I hate it! I am on the disability employment program (for mental illness) at work and surely I'm meant to be supported! I wish my manager would sit me down and ask how I am but instead she leaves me feeling judged and intimidated and worried that if I ask if I can do different tasks that I don't hate so much they won't renew my contract. They are not at all supporting me even though they know I'm on the disability employment program and this makes me angry and upset. I usually love doing art when I get home but work makes me so unmotivated, irritable, angry, upset and flat. I just feel there's no end!

Guest_1584 Will these be the right thing and help ? depression and poss' bipolar .
  • replies: 47

Hi all. l can't go into anymore than this but my daughter 19 1/2 has serious depression and anxiety and they suspect mild bipolar. The poor thing had an absolute yr from hell last yr and all friendships she's grown up with and new ones are blown to b... View more

Hi all. l can't go into anymore than this but my daughter 19 1/2 has serious depression and anxiety and they suspect mild bipolar. The poor thing had an absolute yr from hell last yr and all friendships she's grown up with and new ones are blown to bits - there's a lot more but she feels her reputation is completely blown - semi country area so you could imagine, add SM, She's been in a terrible way 3mths, mostly in bed , crying, completely down on herself. She's been to doctors and psych and when a bed comes they want to keep her in for awhile. Anyway , it's too hard to go further so please don't ask there's enough there. But there's a few things l'm wondering if they will help and are they a good idea, Firstly , she racked up 1500 in fines, all way over due so they're probly a lot more now. l've had to sort out my own before and l know what a gruel it is to get pay offs and it all sorted. She's put it off for mths, she can't do anything let alone face those people and all the paper work and calls. So l'm thinking of paying them out and she can just pay me off, done. But is that good idea , or should she try at least to fix them herself ? But l don't even know how she could cope with that right now, The next thing is , she wants to move away when she's well. Says she can't repair things here and doesn't even want to anyway with most of the so called friends. She certainly couldn't cope away right now but she's never been away or on her own and can't realize how hard and lonely too it will be, She has no one left and loneliness right now is just torturing her but at least she has us and her ex bf she's still friends with. But then l think , well a lot of us moved away late teens early 20s , l back packed round the country 12 mths at 19 totally alone. completely left where l grew up later too. Ex moved cities totally alone at 17 , started nursing . And as l was sayin the other day , not many actually go into adult with child hood friends anyway , most change into different directions. We don't know, can't stop her if she does later , but would it be a solution , would she get well enough again to cope ? Thanks for ant thoughts and advice , appreciated. rx