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: 0

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

Giggyy persistent depression is killing me
  • replies: 9

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I alway... View more

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I always end up feeling empty and exhausted all the time. I cant keep up with my studying and my living space is a total mess. I feel like my only friends are slipping away from me because I am so hopeless and it annoys them to see me looking so miserable all the time, they try to cheer me up but i am beyond help and i can see them getting irritated. they dont talk to me much anymore and they are all i have left. I am so tired and I feel like my life is already over and Im just waiting for the end, I just want to feel happy because I truly dont seem to remember what its like

Ms-B My world is falling apart
  • replies: 11

Hi I am new here. I have major depressive disorder amongst many other mental health issues and have been suffering on and off for most of my adult life. I am 40 now. I do understand the root of the majority of my mh issues are from complex trauma. I ... View more

Hi I am new here. I have major depressive disorder amongst many other mental health issues and have been suffering on and off for most of my adult life. I am 40 now. I do understand the root of the majority of my mh issues are from complex trauma. I have been through some horrific things, not sure how I survived to be honest. Logically I know that things can get better because I worked really hard on my mh in my 20s and as a result I got better. But I had a lot of significant things happen a few years ago and my life has fallen apart again, this time much much worse than before. i live in a very dark world. My head is constantly switched on and does not stop. It is relentless. It feels like torture the things that I have to try and manage on a daily basis. I think that is enough. thanks for reading

Rose2021 I am feeling a bit sad
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so w... View more

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so well. It is hard having autism, ADHD, epilepsy, intellectual disability and depression. I want to be happy for once. I wish I didn’t have Autism, ADHD & Depression.

Loveanimals Empty and Hollow
  • replies: 5

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing... View more

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing in life. No social life, no partner, no job. No hobbies....nothing other than food and alcohol. I either don't drink then eat all day, or I don't eat then drink all day. I have tried so many hundreds of times to stop this vicious circle! I feel there is another side of me that absolutely takes over and I have no control over any of it. I try to go for a walk or read a book; try to do something other than sit around waiting for bedtime as that is all I look forward to. I have applied for numerous jobs and nothing has come of any of it. It is obvious that I am severely depressed. However, I have seen so many doctors and psychiatrists/psychologists and all any of them have done is prescribe medication. Which has never worked. I fear I am so damaged by my past and indeed my current situation that nothing will ever help me. I know that it is up to me to change this...but the 'bad' side of me says 'oh well you hate life anyway so who cares if you die from cancer/heart attack whatever'. I have a very dysfunctional relationship with my 'family' so I only see them when I absolutely have to. I have posted here about those issues. I guess it is just my pathway in life and I have to somehow overcome it. I do struggle constantly with this. I just do not know what to do anymore. I have honestly tried everything to no avail. I am so sorry if anyone reading this understands! As it is an awful way to exist. However....I wish someone could help me. Thanks for reading.

Alel Uncomfortable with my feelings
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I ... View more

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I still had those anxious and depressive thoughts or mild symptoms. I find myself feeling very uncomfortable if I am not happy or distracting myself on my phone. Just that, if I'm not happy all the time or just feeling okay still feels shitty, then there must be something so wrong with me and I can't imagine myself not feeling slightly sad and anxious for the rest of my life. I know it's not true because even people without anxiety and depression can't be happy 24 7 and have those okay days. But I feel like whenever I do, i get scared that its going to stay that way or it's going to get worse. And that there is no such thing as feeling better for me or a better version of me. I can't tell whether my thoughts/feelings are true or because of anxiety and depression.

Grxmloid Paralyzing anhedonia
  • replies: 1

For the last 2 years I have had anhedonia which started at the time my chronic health issues began. I've determined it's origin is in my gut problems (at least mostly) and I am working with a naturopath & still waiting to get an endoscopy/colonoscopy... View more

For the last 2 years I have had anhedonia which started at the time my chronic health issues began. I've determined it's origin is in my gut problems (at least mostly) and I am working with a naturopath & still waiting to get an endoscopy/colonoscopy with the hospital gasteoentorologist which is the only thing I can afford right now. I tried to manage it myself because I thought i knew what it was (the initial chronic fatigue and sickness was caused by a catalyst) I was also struggling to work, but now I've had to borrow money, because it became a matter of life and death (I became so suicidal). I feel so upset I let it go this long and get so bad before I caved in and realized I couldn't do it on my own. What I was doing was making it worse or not helping. I've been getting treatment for only 2 months now which I can't believe. I've become more impatient than ever. 2 years of my life gone to this.I've done so many tests, and now awaiting on results from yet another, being heavy metal toxicity (could be highly likely considering some of the causes leading up to everything). I now need to move house as the property owner who inherited the house doesn't want to pay capital gains tax. I am only just starting to feel some improvements from the gruelling process of trying to get the right measurements of probiotics etc (which were giving me extreme side effects in the beginning) and now I'm facing the loss of a familiar, safe house and suburb plus one of my housemates is leaving for new Zealand instead of coming with me and my other housemate to the next house. Meanwhile I've been so isolated because how this has all been impacting my brain function, and my mood, has made it virtually I m possible to socialize. But I'm trying to so hard, nonetheless, however I'm able to. But I have drifted significantly from the people in my life. When I am with others most of the time I feel boring because the anhedonia means to creative thought, no excitement, no natural vibrancy. It's destroyed my self esteem which now thst my brain is working better I am trying to do mindful practise on. The housemates rightfully so organized a house cooling party which at this stage I am dreading. 4 of my friends are away travelling and I don't know how who will come of my invites, nor how I will cope being at a party (I've tried a few this year, normally I'm a party person, but they were so difficult) because it feels like I'm just acting. Because I don't feel any joy and my mind isn't working lile normal, every thing I do is in memory of who I was. I am doing things because "that is how that's done for this reason" not out of a natural momentum. It's bad to not try but its also bad to just be faced with the fact that I still just feel so numb and dissociated from myself and the world. I'm glad it's improved to the point of crying some days but I just dont feel human and I am so sick and tired of being in survival mode for 2 years. I am an optimist but this will push anyone the the edge. I don't want to die I just want to be better and this has got to be the hardest thing I've ever done

Assist Being well
  • replies: 5

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s al... View more

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s all around me. Can we get well. What’s happened?

wendykasz007 Feeling low all the time
  • replies: 3

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking ... View more

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking for people to talk to that know how I feel. I've had depression all my life I am 51.I don't enjoy anything anymore not even music. I need friends

vulnerable I’m just so lost and afraid
  • replies: 5

Context, I’m nearing my 50th birthday and have nobody I can honestly say is more than a close acquaintance. From 2004 to 2020 I was in an abusive relationship with a toxically narcissist wife the ending of that of course cost me my home and half of m... View more

Context, I’m nearing my 50th birthday and have nobody I can honestly say is more than a close acquaintance. From 2004 to 2020 I was in an abusive relationship with a toxically narcissist wife the ending of that of course cost me my home and half of my life with my two kids. In trying to rebuild I met a wonderful lady whom I fell very much in love with. A strong and independent single mother who unlike me has very much got her life together. For almost 4 years she has been something of a rock for me but unfortunately it looks like my inability to make plans is now more than she is willing to deal with and it seems like this relationship too is going to end. I’m unable to express just how sad this is making me feel, at times it’s just my kids that keep me from ending it all. I’ve known I’ve got anxiety quite badly and to some extent I’m being treated for that with regular medication. Though I hate to admit it I’m now quite convinced I also have significant depression too and probably have had for many many years. I don’t know who I am anymore, I lack energy, motivation or any lasting moment of happiness. I don’t ever know what I would like to do and even former hobbies from my better days just feel like ghosts of my past. I feel trapped by myself in this endless cycle of misery, heartbreak and dreams that never come true. I don’t know what to do, where to turn to or how to break the cycle. As I said before if I didn’t love my children as much as I do I’d just wish my life over to end the misery. I was able to talk about this with my mother but unfortunately she lost her battle with cancer last year so she too is lost to me. I know I’m not a bad person I’m loyal, generous, romantic in ways and kind hearted. I just don’t seem to be able to break out of this depression and it is destroying me.

randomxx l dunno wth is wrong with me
  • replies: 10

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess m... View more

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess me at mid 40s and that's about what l've felt too so l'm very lucky in that way but unfortunately on the inside just of late usual zests seems to have left me and l can't be bothered with anything.l've always been moody and also in and out of depressed stages too but of late that's more so than not these days and it seems ridiculous to me but ldk wth is wrong and why the change- it's different now.l've also lost interest in work but worse lately feel like l can't even cope with it any more.l only work pt for myself at home so no pressures l've also always quite enjoyed it to but lately ???Been living alone mostly last 12 mths as my d moved out and gf has been interstate so we just visit a mth a time usually but l also might've blown it.last she was down at mine was gonna be for 3mths and she was so gorgeous, l really couldn't ask for more but yet, l was in the dumps so much that l eventually cut the 3mths short- hence probably blowing it with her now too bc that did not go down well at all and also really really hurt her.l should've been so happy to have her here again but yet l could hardly hold a smile. l feel like that with everything atm and of late been wondering if the other me the mostly old me is coming back this time or not. l don't want meds bc really compared to most depression, l'm actually quite light, but it is still enough to ruin things.ldk. Any thoughts appreciated.