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

lochness46 Reach out for Support but gets nothing back.....
  • replies: 4

I’m needing to just vent & it seems it’s been one of those nights last night when I looked for support from people whom I consider friends, because I was feeling extremely lonely, but as always not one person whom I asked for a was available or even ... View more

I’m needing to just vent & it seems it’s been one of those nights last night when I looked for support from people whom I consider friends, because I was feeling extremely lonely, but as always not one person whom I asked for a was available or even responded to me. It’s shit. I grew up with my parents never acknowledging my feelings or validity how I feel, so thus why I am the way I am & live with a developed mental illness. So after reaching out to few for support, but getting nil back.. I called a mental health counselling line & thank god someone was there to emotional connect with me & give me the support that I was needing. It’s just a shame, that I don’t have people that can give me what I need when I need a empathetic & compassionate ear, just to talk to someone.. it’s nice when a stranger listens to me, but ur means a whole lot more when it’s someone I know & treasure.. thx for reading..

lochness46 I have no life because of my mental illness
  • replies: 6

I so freakin bored stupid tonight...am sick of either sitting in front of the tv or sitting in front of the freakin computer screen....AGH!!!! Please Universe, can I have more of a satifying life or even just someone to talk to for some company....??... View more

I so freakin bored stupid tonight...am sick of either sitting in front of the tv or sitting in front of the freakin computer screen....AGH!!!! Please Universe, can I have more of a satifying life or even just someone to talk to for some company....??? Theres nothing to do in this god forsaken place I call home...

Ian_5112 Hi, I need help
  • replies: 6

Hi, Due to an addiction to alcohol, I'm 24 and have been an addict since I was 16 My health both mental and physical have deteriorated dramatically the last few years. I'm struggling with anger, depression and god knows what else. Ongoing court battl... View more

Hi, Due to an addiction to alcohol, I'm 24 and have been an addict since I was 16 My health both mental and physical have deteriorated dramatically the last few years. I'm struggling with anger, depression and god knows what else. Ongoing court battles to see my daughter, Money is an issue...and I cant work as I'm soon expecting heart surgery. I have also just lost my partner, my home and a lot of friends because I have no control of myself. I'm desperate for help and I feel like im fighting a battle that cant be won. I have debated many times if life is worth hanging around for. I feel like a burden to those around me. A burden to my parents, my friends, too my daughter....

Scarlett06 I said something terrible..
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone. tonight I have said something terrible to someone and I feel so horrible. A man replied to my ad I posted about selling some old toys. He was being extremely rude to me and I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. I told him to “k*ll himself” ... View more

Hi everyone. tonight I have said something terrible to someone and I feel so horrible. A man replied to my ad I posted about selling some old toys. He was being extremely rude to me and I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. I told him to “k*ll himself” and then blocked him. I would never even dream of doing this to anyone. As someone who has attempted suicide many times, this is the most insensitive thing I could say. I wasn’t thinking and it was in the spur of the moment. I hate myself for this and I don’t know how I will ever be able to forgive myself. I apologised to him sincerely, and told him I didn’t mean it. This is the lowest I have ever gone. I can’t get lower than this. How do I fix this? How can I restore my goodness ? I am not this type of person. I am a good person. I don’t know what to do. Someone please help me I am struggling.

peacock Struggling with depression
  • replies: 6

Hi, I’m having a very bad day today. Awoke feeling down and sad. Can’t enjoy anything and wishing it would just leave me alone. Depression is so exhausting and hard. I’ve increased my meds but it takes a while to take effect. I’m so sick of feeling l... View more

Hi, I’m having a very bad day today. Awoke feeling down and sad. Can’t enjoy anything and wishing it would just leave me alone. Depression is so exhausting and hard. I’ve increased my meds but it takes a while to take effect. I’m so sick of feeling like this again. I rang Lifeline like I often do and felt a bit better after talking to them. I hope this day improves.

human12 sharing is caring
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am new here. I hope you are doing fine and staying safe. I am 23 having an exam in 2 months and didn't study because I can't focus and I don't feel I want to. I am here just because I want to talk and share, as this is something I only do with ... View more

Hi, I am new here. I hope you are doing fine and staying safe. I am 23 having an exam in 2 months and didn't study because I can't focus and I don't feel I want to. I am here just because I want to talk and share, as this is something I only do with my therapist once every 2 months "Being me". I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. doing therapy and medications. but nothing really helps. I have been searching for meaning for the life for about a year and a half now, but still didn't find it. Whenever we have a cloudy day in Melbourne, I feel more down. I relate myself to the environment, plants, air, sun, sounds, anything natural, and normal because this is what I want to be normal. I hold myself each day and tell her it's going to pass, you will reach. I just feel so guilty I don't study but I can't, I really can't. I don't know if this is a disease, or this is how we are born. I just feel better in writing this, I cried which is a thing I can't do. I don't see the point in living and feeling this pain every day every day, and for what? what do you carry this pain for? What is the thing at the end of the road we have to keep living for? Why do we even exist on this planet if we all gonna die one day? I hope whoever reads this you get what you want one day, stay safe, stay alive.

MikaelaJ I'm destroying everything good in my life.
  • replies: 4

I dont understand who I am anymore. In the past 18months I have become a person I loathe and am making choices that I don't want to? I feel like my world is spinning out of control. I've been with my husband for over 10 years and nearly a year ago I ... View more

I dont understand who I am anymore. In the past 18months I have become a person I loathe and am making choices that I don't want to? I feel like my world is spinning out of control. I've been with my husband for over 10 years and nearly a year ago I gave birth to our first child. Before I fell pregnant I was drinking large amounts and having blackouts. I was unfaithful to my partner and devastated as I have no desire to be with anyone else. He is a good man and I love him and was too scared to tell him because I don't want him to leave. Because of this I am utterly and totally confused as to why it has happened 3 more times?? Each time I have been highly intoxicated and blacked out, even regained focus half-way through something and realised what was happening. I don't remember how or why it has happened and absolutely hate myself for this. Since pregnancy, the guilt has been eating me up inside and I'm just waiting everyday for him to find out and leave. I love him so much and don't understand why I would do this to us??? I don't agree with my behaviour and think that what has happened is appalling, selfish, thoughtless, cruel and just plain mean. I'm not only ruining my life but my husbands and daughters lives. I feel as if they would be better off without someone like me in their lives. I can't handle life without them so do not want to tell him what's happened. I just want all of this to go away. Why would I do something like this to such a good person who I love? I feel like I am two totally different people? My actions are not who I am!

Captain Australia Question about situational depression versus clinical/chemical
  • replies: 9

My name is Simon, and four years ago I was diagnosed with an invasive head & neck cancer. The doctor told me how sorry he was, and gave me 6 months to live. He said if I wanted to fight, I had about 40% chance that the chemoradiation would get rid of... View more

My name is Simon, and four years ago I was diagnosed with an invasive head & neck cancer. The doctor told me how sorry he was, and gave me 6 months to live. He said if I wanted to fight, I had about 40% chance that the chemoradiation would get rid of the cancer, but it would cause me some chronic health problems. I fought, and I got lucky. (But with cancer, there's no such thing as lucky, not really). The post treatment side effects haven't been a party, and my thyroid was devastated by radiation damage, such that over 4 years I put on more than 50kg in bodyweight. I recently realised that I was probably suffering a reasonably serious depression, and it was only because I live in the light of the love of my wife and boys that I could muster enough power to do the barest minimum in self care. I didn't want to admit this, I'd say it's ennui, living in limbo (my cancer has a significant recurrence risk), I just didn't like looking head on into the idea of depression. I left home when I was 15 (emancipated child), my mum was a junkie and the domestic situation was .. bad. Untenable. I slung a pack over my shoulder and walked from Brisbane to Sydney. It was massively healing, escaping a horrible situation where everything was broken and I had no real hope. Recently inspiration struck me to do it again .. and it made me realise that I was broken, how I was waiting to die, not living. I realised that I had allowed myself to slip into a depression, where even surviving cancer, life stretched ahead of me sterile and uninviting. I felt adrift, separated from the world. The only thing keeping light glimmering in my life was my children. And ... ahh shit .. I realised .. I realised that I was underperforming as a parent. I was there, I cuddled, I loved .. but .. I was partly a ghost. I was no kind of role model. Anyway, it flicked a switch in my mind. Since then I've been walking daily, losing weight, attending to my health, and I feel strong, resolved. I wanted to share my story and ask if anyone thinks I might be exposed to diagnosable depression, or does it feel to you (as it does to me) that I've been stuck in a dark situational hole, but I've lifted myself out ? Thanks for your time and insight ---- if you are suffering, I'm so sorry. Cancer taught me all about suffering, I think it's unlocked an empathy in me that was there before, but uncultivated. I sincerely wish you well.

shrivelled_mushroom what if i’m just faking it?
  • replies: 12

hi i’ve been diagnosed with depression. but i look at all these other posts or hear all these stories about others with depression and their situations seem so much worse... i mean i go to a good school and i get good marks (even though my marks have... View more

hi i’ve been diagnosed with depression. but i look at all these other posts or hear all these stories about others with depression and their situations seem so much worse... i mean i go to a good school and i get good marks (even though my marks have severely plunged since i got depression) and my family is loving and safe and secure and my family is well off enough and i have enough to eat and a warm bed and no addiction or anything... what if i’m just faking it? i feel so guilty for saying i have depression when others have it so much worse. i have no reason to be depressed. i mean sure, sometimes i feel really sad or empty or mad or even suicidal but come to think about it it’s probably just the moody teenager inside of me. and the times i feel ok i’m always worrying that maybe i’m not depressed after all and my parents are just wasting their money on the psychologist and my friends and family are just worried for nothing. and then i feel selfish which leads me to feel depressed. and of course i don’t want to be depressed but sometimes i feel... almost relieved to be feeling depressed or something, like i’m proving to myself that i actually have depression which is selfish and spoilt and stupid and ironic of me. gosh i hate myself. i swear i’m just making this whole depression thing up and i’m actually 100% ok. like why am i wasting peoples time on this forum anyway? i have no extreme problems, my only problem is my selfish character. i don’t know what’s wrong with me and i can’t tell if i’m faking it or not. i probably am faking it all and just using it as an excuse for my dropping marks and withdrawal from friends at school. i’m such an idiot. sorry for wasting your time. can someone give me an answer... am i really faking this whole thing??

MsAnxious Depression and potentially losing a job
  • replies: 3

Hi all I have been dealing with depression and anxiety for a couple of years and am in the care of a psychiatrist. Recently I learned that my job is likely to be made redundant in the next 3 to 6 months. I have worked hard for this job and the income... View more

Hi all I have been dealing with depression and anxiety for a couple of years and am in the care of a psychiatrist. Recently I learned that my job is likely to be made redundant in the next 3 to 6 months. I have worked hard for this job and the income pays for our comfortable lifestyle. Without my job, we will need to drastically adjust the lifestyle. I have been feeling very upset since I learnt about the potential redundancy. My husband can’t understand why I am so upset. My mind is fixated on the likelihood of the job searches that I might have to go through, and the likelihood of not being able to find the same as good a job. Please I just need someone to tell me to get a grip and that all things considered losing a job is not that big a deal! For some reason I just can’t shake the doom and gloom. Any advice would be appreciated. Regards MsAnxious