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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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
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Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

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.

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

Angel_Joy I am new. Hello.
  • replies: 27

Hello, I am new here. Would someone like to know a bit about me and why I am here? Umm, this is kinda embarrassing. I-I don't really know what to say.

Hello, I am new here. Would someone like to know a bit about me and why I am here? Umm, this is kinda embarrassing. I-I don't really know what to say.

Hoodinny What else
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How much more dose someone have to take b4 they break???, I've had 2 back operation an in that time my beta half has had 2 lots of mini strokes, told she has mums disease has gotten frozen shoulders (both of them) an last week we where told she has t... View more

How much more dose someone have to take b4 they break???, I've had 2 back operation an in that time my beta half has had 2 lots of mini strokes, told she has mums disease has gotten frozen shoulders (both of them) an last week we where told she has the onset of parkinsons. I've had to deal with being the black sheep in my family my hole life, like I'm a criminal or drugo this im not, but having to deal with my backnis one thing but what em i going to do when the misses getting bad an needs me to do more for her how em I going to help, like I can't even dress myself sometime with the back pain I get. Sorry for complaining guys but it's this I'm sick of being dealt the shit hand everytime with everything, I know life isn't eazy but with do I get a break I can't deal with it its all getting way to much 4 me 2 deal with to be honest I over it I don't know how much more I can take, I just wanna leave this earth an go else where but how do I do that!!!

WinterRin Is it just my anxiety or is it undiagnosed depression?
  • replies: 3

Lately I’ve been feeling much worse than I always do. This is bad because I usually feel pretty down because of my GAD (diagnosed by a professional when I was 5 years old). At first I thought it was just puberty and anxiety but it didn’t go away. I h... View more

Lately I’ve been feeling much worse than I always do. This is bad because I usually feel pretty down because of my GAD (diagnosed by a professional when I was 5 years old). At first I thought it was just puberty and anxiety but it didn’t go away. I haven’t told anyone about this and I think I should. Can anyone help me figure out if this is just a phase or will it stay? Also it could be genetic because my dad has depression. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense I’ve been struggling to type proper sentences

Alkaco21 Chronic health diagnosis. A new job. And a happy boyfriend.
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. First time poster here. I’ve battled with depression as long as I can remember. I definitely go through periods where I’m okay and then times when I can’t manage to look after myself. The down periods are becoming more frequent. I have w... View more

Hi everyone. First time poster here. I’ve battled with depression as long as I can remember. I definitely go through periods where I’m okay and then times when I can’t manage to look after myself. The down periods are becoming more frequent. I have what I would consider to be high functioning depression. I did very well at school/uni. I have always worked hard and had great jobs ahead of others my age. I had my own water front apartment by age 23. To everyone looking in, I have everything. Even to me I know I have everything I could ever want. I still get home of an evening and can’t stop crying. I fight with myself to get out of bed in the mornings because I haven’t slept. Last year I got diagnosed with a chronic health condition and that’s really thrown me around. Especially because often this particular disease is an immune response caused by immense stress levels - something I know I have. I have a lot of guilt now piled onto an already debilitating condition because I know if I’d looked after myself better and loved my body, I probably wouldn’t be facing this lifelong illness now. There’s no treatment. I’ve recently finished uni and have landed a great job that I start next week. I can’t even describe the anxiety I feel over that and the imposter syndrome is very real. I can’t stop the thoughts telling me I need to call it quits and move home because I won’t cope with it. The same depression also tells me I’ll be a failure if I do go home. I’m an adult and I should be able to deal with a normal adult life. So - why can’t I? I met a great boy last year. He has his life together. A great job. A positive outlook. He’s generally happy. I’m just this depressed ball of emotion who needs to be looked after and absolutely crumples in a heap when we’re apart. (He works in another state). The weeks we get to see each other are great and I feel almost better. And then he’s gone and I’m a mess. I put my stress and anxiety on him and I don’t think it’s fair. I think he’s my person but I turn into a completely needy depressed mess and he shouldn’t have to tolerate that. Then I push him away in the throws of one of my episodes which are happening most days now. I’ve supported someone suicidal and I know the toll it takes. I just wondered if anyone has battled with anything similar and how you dealt with it. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for 4 months but don’t thinks that’s helped. Really considering medication. Any replies are welcomed. Thank you.

M2 Work disclosure?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm a low level manager at an organisation that sees itself as quite modern and progressive. I'm currently struggling heavily with a long running bout of both anxiety and (more immediately present) debilitating depression which is impacting m... View more

Hi all, I'm a low level manager at an organisation that sees itself as quite modern and progressive. I'm currently struggling heavily with a long running bout of both anxiety and (more immediately present) debilitating depression which is impacting my performance at work. I feel VERY busy, my day is full, but i succeed in achieving VERY little. Not being able to adequately add any value only serves to add to my worry and fear and fuels my dive into despair. I speak to my wife regularly about leaving this role so i can have a breather and surface for air... But we can't afford this and my depression will only be fueled by new fears and stresses of finding a new role. i have constant ideation going on but this is not new, and not immediately concerning (though this can change rapidly). anyway... My question is... Is there any value to be had in disclosing my current situation with my manager? I suspect (know) this would trigger hr to be informed and it would spell the end of my progression in this company (modern or not, i suspect this place is no different to any other) but perhaps something immediately positive would be a result. Or am i dreaming? Stigma is difficult to wash off and this is not a new position for me to be in, just perhaps more severe and prolonged (8-9 months?) than outbreaks I've encountered before.

Julz01 Torn
  • replies: 7

I haven’t posted in a while but reaching out because I am struggling at the moment. My psychiatrists recommends a 3 week stint as an inpatient but I feel like I am letting my husband down. I did this 4 years ago and my life turned around so I am thin... View more

I haven’t posted in a while but reaching out because I am struggling at the moment. My psychiatrists recommends a 3 week stint as an inpatient but I feel like I am letting my husband down. I did this 4 years ago and my life turned around so I am thinking this could be good for me. i am drinking too much but can’t stop so hospital puts a stop to that. But I feel less of a person if I have to go to hospital to stop the noise in my head time to just deal with me. Then I am worried how I deal with work if I do this what do I say. My psychiatrists is changing my medications around to try and get me through this so coming of one of my meds & working out if I need a substitute so maybe this would be better managed as an inpatient. So confused

Helpadad BPD and alcohol
  • replies: 14

Hi there, I’ve been struggling for a while mostly in denial about my wife’s condition. She has extreme mood swings which I have asked her to seek medical advice about as they are more changes of personality. Over the last year she has been drinking i... View more

Hi there, I’ve been struggling for a while mostly in denial about my wife’s condition. She has extreme mood swings which I have asked her to seek medical advice about as they are more changes of personality. Over the last year she has been drinking in secret, hiding bottles of wine in cupboards and this has progressed to hiding it in sports bottles. I have caught her a few times and she blames me for everything. I cannot talk to her when she has been drinking as the words that she says are too hurtful. I gave up all drink in an attempt to help her stop, we were good for two weeks then I found her drinking in the bedroom. She admits she is depressed and blames me, because we had three kids and she gave up her career and independence. If we didn’t have kids, I would walk away, but I don’t trust her with the children, especially as she drinks in secret. I have asked her to get help, she always finds and excuse, and how can I prove she is getting help? my work is highly stressful and I am juggling trying to keep my family together and not make a mistake at work. Do I involve her family? Do I ask her to leave? I want to help her, as I still love her and I don’t want to split my family. I feel I am slowly breaking and finding it hard to keep smiling for my children. I don’t know what to do.

startingnew Really Struggling
  • replies: 17

Hi Everyone, I haven't been online for a while but I am really struggling. I don't really know where to start.

Hi Everyone, I haven't been online for a while but I am really struggling. I don't really know where to start.

Ammberr doesnt know how to feel about me due to his depression
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So yesterday night my bf and i were having a few drinks then somehow its started into an argument then hes says he doesnt know if he loves me and maybe we should be friends but it wasnt that long ago we were talking of buying a house and settling dow... View more

So yesterday night my bf and i were having a few drinks then somehow its started into an argument then hes says he doesnt know if he loves me and maybe we should be friends but it wasnt that long ago we were talking of buying a house and settling down ive gone away to give him space and ive gone and checked on him once since ive been gone he says his depression is why hes pushing me away because he doesnt want me to suffer and he doesnt know how he feels about me but i still love him weve been togwther for 3 years and hes struggled with drinking and drugs but ive always stood beside him and supported him and he let me be there for all his other breakdowns and i guess i just need help with what i can do or should do i dont want to make it worse and harass him but its also a huge blow for me i mean this is the man i was gonna marry someday and it just all arlund sucks for everyone involved