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

Lolue Making friends in late 20s
  • replies: 6

Hi, I've recently dropped a whole lot of toxic friends and friends who just never put in any effort. One of the big things for my depression is that I'm really lonely. Does anyone have any good suggestions on good places or hobbies to make new friend... View more

Hi, I've recently dropped a whole lot of toxic friends and friends who just never put in any effort. One of the big things for my depression is that I'm really lonely. Does anyone have any good suggestions on good places or hobbies to make new friends for people in their late 20s?

Jb_ Having many breakdowns from depression and lonliness
  • replies: 5

Hi, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. Just seeking some general advice. Recently there's been a few people die in our family. My father from suicide and grandfather from cancer. I don't have any brothers or sisters or really any close fam... View more

Hi, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. Just seeking some general advice. Recently there's been a few people die in our family. My father from suicide and grandfather from cancer. I don't have any brothers or sisters or really any close family. My closest friends have moved to New Zealand recently and the other couple of people I'd see have stopped talking to me. One only texting me to tell me everything he hates about me. I have never in my life felt so alone. With depression and ADD/ADHD on top of that... I'm often at a loss as to what to do. Loneliness feels very overwhelming when you have nobody to go to. When you feel friendships have an expiration date. Any and all advise appreciated. Thanks

Hopelessnick No girlfriend lead to my depression.
  • replies: 2

I just want to share my story and am open to any advice. I've always wanted to have a girlfriend, but have struggled, mainly due to my shyness in public and lack of social skills (I don't know how to socialise about "fun" things. I do say funny one l... View more

I just want to share my story and am open to any advice. I've always wanted to have a girlfriend, but have struggled, mainly due to my shyness in public and lack of social skills (I don't know how to socialise about "fun" things. I do say funny one liners quite a bit though and people laugh.) I am also insecure about my voice when I talk loudly, so I speak in a very quiet voice and most of the time, people need me to repeat what I said. By the way, I'm Asian who sees myself as a true blue Aussie, so my mates are all Caucasians. Anyway, that made me avoid social situations and made me stay at home a lot. As a result, I have become very distant with my friends. Then I stopped caring about my hygiene and hardly brush my teeth or shower. Now I feel like I'm stuck in bed in front of the TV 24/7. I work from home as well do to COVID-19. Every time I see a girl I find attractive on Tiktok who goes live, I try to socialise with them on their stream, but it makes me feel even more depressed. I can't help doing it even though it makes me feel sad. What should I do? I don't want to see a therapist unless I absolutely have to. Thanks in advance.

JRFOXIE STUPID
  • replies: 8

I have Bipolar Disorder. In July I experienced a mixed episode. My psychiatrist admitted me to a private clinic. I swung to depression,became suicidal and attempted suicide. I was transferred to the nearest public hospital and they were concerned I h... View more

I have Bipolar Disorder. In July I experienced a mixed episode. My psychiatrist admitted me to a private clinic. I swung to depression,became suicidal and attempted suicide. I was transferred to the nearest public hospital and they were concerned I had injured myself in my attempt. The public hospital told me that my examinations had come back showing no injury and they would keep me for a few days then transfer me back to the private clinic. When the public hospital attempted to transfer me back the private clinic declined to take me back.They said they were still concerned about my suicidiality.As I didn't live in that region the hospital transferred me to my nearest hospital. As I was privately insured and beds were limited that hospital transferred me to another private hospital. There I had ECT and that psychiatrist took me off all of my medications and put me on a different antidepressant. It caused me to gain nine kilos. I was discharged on 3/10/20. I have begun feeling paranoid that somebody is going to kill me. So I contacted the office of my own psychiatrist , at the private clinic I was originally admitted to. I was given an appointment for Monday. Then this morning my phone rang and it was the clinic informing me that my appointment was cancelled and the clinic said that I could not see my psychiatrist again. So now I have no psychiatrist and have to try to find a new one. Meanwhile I'm feeling paranoid ,not sleeping and feeling ravenous all the time due to this antidepressant. It could take up to six weeks before I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist. I feel so stupid and angry with myself for attempting suicide.

Sallywully Tired, stressed and overworked mum
  • replies: 2

Hi, i am a 30 year old mum of two young children, one with a mental disability. I suffered from anxiety and depression in my 20s and attempted suicide once, landed me in mental hospital for a while. Got my shit together got help and for years I felt ... View more

Hi, i am a 30 year old mum of two young children, one with a mental disability. I suffered from anxiety and depression in my 20s and attempted suicide once, landed me in mental hospital for a while. Got my shit together got help and for years I felt so great happy and empowered. I had my second child and the same year my other child was diagnosed with his disability and things started to go downhill from there. So many other things happened in the meantime (as well as COVID) and started a new extremely demanding job, being the main provider at home keeping this job is a huge load on my shoulder on top of trying to be the best mum for my children whilst managing full time work and fast forward to now i am I once again really struggling to cope with extreme anxiety and depression.

lilly2016 Diagnosed with Bowel Cancer
  • replies: 49

Hi, I haven't been here for a while, I used to be part of the forums struggling with Depression and anxiety, well I'm back. I am terrified of my latest diagnosis of a large cancerous tumor in my bowel which needs to be removed in the next few weeks a... View more

Hi, I haven't been here for a while, I used to be part of the forums struggling with Depression and anxiety, well I'm back. I am terrified of my latest diagnosis of a large cancerous tumor in my bowel which needs to be removed in the next few weeks after delays due to just how busy the hospitals are. I'm scared, I'm anxious, I'm sad, I can't think straight, I'm in pain at times but have strong medication. I have addictions I need to stop pretty much asap! I pray, I cry, I shake and deeply hurt by hurting others by my diagnosis. I think of chemo all the time, the operation, my life. I'm not coping. I haven't told my father and don't know how to, his old and already lost his wife his brother, 2 sons and grandson in the past ten years. I know you can't do anything about any of this but if just one person could pray for me I would be grateful. I'm sad by what this virus has done to the world, the heartache it has caused for so many people, the personal stories I hear, the depression lockdown is causing. I try make the most of the times I feel okay, both physically and mentally but I just fall to pieces sometimes. I'm trying to be strong and pray the lord will give me the strength I need. I'm not brave, nor do I think I deserve the love I get sometimes for some reason, but please look after each other and help each other, please do something kind for someone because it makes so much of a difference in someone's life. We are all in this together. Thank you for listening. Xxx

Mumma_Ky Whole new world
  • replies: 10

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression 4 weeks ago. I’m taking antidepressants,which have been increased, and I’ve started talking to a psychologist. I have suffered with anxiety for the last 15 years. I do not know what is going on, I have no ide... View more

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression 4 weeks ago. I’m taking antidepressants,which have been increased, and I’ve started talking to a psychologist. I have suffered with anxiety for the last 15 years. I do not know what is going on, I have no idea what’s happening to me, let alone how to begin to fix it, and I am scared... really scared. I find it hard to find words when I speak, I seem to be on a delay when I have to verbally reply to someone, it’s almost like people think I’m not going to answer. I have no concentration, it took me 30 mins to order a pizza and I have no focus. I haven’t been to work in four weeks, and I cannot believe that I have no idea when I will be able to. I am an empty shell, no emotions, and that is so far from who I am normally that I don’t really know who this person is who is care taking of my body while the real me is away. Is this normal in the world of depression that I now find myself in . I have absolutely no control over what’s happening to me and it’s frightening. I don’t know what to do... do I try to push myself to do things that I don’t want to do, or do I wait and see what happens. I have no idea how to accept something when I don’t know what to expect from it next. Thanks for the opportunity to put these feelings down on paper, as such, I just don’t know what else to do with them.

Fisharony Hi, my life's a mess and I don't know how to be happy
  • replies: 3

Hello, I'm 16 and I feel like my life has come crashing down around me. I am posting here because my friends don't like when I complain about my life, they say "fish you don't know what its like to struggle and your life is perfect". But my life is f... View more

Hello, I'm 16 and I feel like my life has come crashing down around me. I am posting here because my friends don't like when I complain about my life, they say "fish you don't know what its like to struggle and your life is perfect". But my life is far from perfect. I just left my old school because of all the bullying, I'm in year 10 but since year 5 I've been part of a really toxic friendship group. At first they just left me out of things but over time it escalated. They started making me sit outside the circle, they made other people stop talking to me and they wouldn't invit me to anything. And if someone did invite to to something they would say "uninvite her or we aren't going and you'll have to sit outside the circle". I stayed because I had one really good friend in that group, we'll call her Maggie. Maggie stuck with me until year 8 when she started dating the leader of the group. A bunch of drama happened with them but they stayed together for 3 months, I felt like I lost my best friend, I was so alone. When they broke up the leader pushed Maggie out of the group, so that's when I left, I supported her and helped her. I tried to stay strong as I've struggled with anxiety and depression for years. It was hard to help her when she said she wanted to kill herself and I didn't know what to do. At the beginning of year 9, I felt like the year was going to be better but then in the second term Maggie committed suicide. She was gone, my only friend. I didn't tell anyone that she wanted to die because she said she'd hate me if I did. I've struggled since then and I feel like it's my fault. Thanks for reading

Unknown33 I need help, I can’t cope anymore
  • replies: 2

I don’t know what to write here as my concentration has gone so bad. I am writing because I can’t cope anymore. My mental illness is so bad. I have anxiety, depression, derealization and lately it is even worse as I have started thinking about death,... View more

I don’t know what to write here as my concentration has gone so bad. I am writing because I can’t cope anymore. My mental illness is so bad. I have anxiety, depression, derealization and lately it is even worse as I have started thinking about death, not to kill myself but how each day I am getting closer to death and what is the point of living? Im only 25 but I can’t enjoy my life, not a second of it and every minute is a struggle. I don’t have any friends at all. My mum has passed away, I’m so disconnected from everyone else as if no one exists or nothing is real. I can’t take antidepressants as I’m pregnant and right now that I should just be enjoying my pregnancy, I’m dead emotionally, mentally and physically. Morning sickness just makes it worse. I need help but i think that help is never available to me. I hate my feelings, myself and this situation.

kacir ready to give up
  • replies: 4

I had a baby 8 months ago which made my partner want to move in together (obviously) but that meant moving away from my family and I have always been super close to my family. My dad recently passed away from a heart attack and I haven't been the oka... View more

I had a baby 8 months ago which made my partner want to move in together (obviously) but that meant moving away from my family and I have always been super close to my family. My dad recently passed away from a heart attack and I haven't been the okay since. The move has made me hate my partner, I don't feel in love and I am constantly in tears and he just doesn't understand, and then we have covid on top of all this so I am still not allowed to see my family as they live too far away and it is tearing me apart. I lost all my friends after I had my baby not that I had many before that. I don't have my license as I have no one over here to teach me as my partner is still on his p's therefore he can't teach me so I am stuck in this house nearly 24/7 with no one to talk to and no friends, no family just my baby. My partner normally works 5/6 days a week but at the moment it's 4 days a week but he just spends the days he has off drinking with our housemate that has just moved out today but now my partner is spending the day at his new house leaving me here all alone again. I had to beg him for attention, to chose a day of the weekend to just spend with me and our baby and he didn't want too but I told him I would leave and I still want to, I just don't have the heart to leave considering there is a baby involved. I feel sad constantly, I just eat junk food and it has made me put on weight but I don't have the effort to cook anything. I don't want to get out of bed anymore but I have to for my baby. I'm lost, I don't know what to do anymore. I hate myself. I'm just ready to give up.