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?
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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
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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

anonymousguy123 My life sucks
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First time poster, i did a random search for depression forums today because im feeling particularly low. I'm a 35 y/o male who doesnt know who he is or how to interact with people and suffers from what I can only describe as crippling depression and... View more

First time poster, i did a random search for depression forums today because im feeling particularly low. I'm a 35 y/o male who doesnt know who he is or how to interact with people and suffers from what I can only describe as crippling depression and anxiety. I maintain a somewhat healthy relationship with people at work due to my position but dont have any friends irl. All I do every single day is sit inside and dread social interactions. My mood changes, as I write this im starting to tear up but im not sure why, self pity maybe? I have a history of depression and anxiety which seems to have gotten much worse this year, and is starting to affect my work and behaviours. I think people dont like me because I cannot commit to a social event or will bail last second, as the anxiety builds and worries start to creep in - unreliable and depressed, who would try to be friends with that? I've tried to work on myself but honestly I dont think i can change at this point as this has been ongoing since I was a child. Growing up in an abusive home etc etc all that fun stuff... Never realised how I was suffering up until about 19-20 with my first suicide attempt, after that it became a lot clearer to me. After that came the drugs, anything I could get my hands on because I simply did not care. In truth I wanted to die for about a decade, drugs numbed that feeling and made it bearable and achievable at the same time. I put myself in countless dangerous situations because my rationale was "if something happens at least ill be dead". Drug use stopped at the same time I lost my social circle who were also addicted to many substances, had to cut them loose to stop the habit but ended up replacing it with another - self isolation. Now I hide away from the world in my room and lie to people irl telling them everythings ok when really it isnt. Unfortunately, to cope with the stress of this situation, i've once again returned to the only thing thats helped me feel anything, my old friend maryjane. I'm quitting today and will be in for a couple of rollercoaster days, I can already feel the need for a bong as i write this. I realise this isnt well written or anything, I just wanted someone to know what im going through since I have literally nobody to talk to. I hope you all get through your struggles Cant think of anything else to write and i cant see the keyboard anymore so peace

Whysoserious Help! Am in major depressive episode and my wife is bedridden.
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I need help with how to manage. I am in the middle of a major depressive episode. At its peak I was suicidal though I think that is behind me for the time being. Last week my wife injured herself rather badly and now can't get out of bed. It means th... View more

I need help with how to manage. I am in the middle of a major depressive episode. At its peak I was suicidal though I think that is behind me for the time being. Last week my wife injured herself rather badly and now can't get out of bed. It means that I have to manage to get everything done around the house and work as well. At the moment a successful day is getting out of bed, having a shower and getting dressed. I can cook but can't plan for shopping so just end up ordering takeaway and this isn't healthy for either of us. Just writing this post took inordinate energy. I'm sure someone else has gone through this and would love to know how on Earth I am to cope. Thanks all.

J45678 Just need a mate...
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Hi there... I have no idea what I'm doing, I have never reached out like this. I'm one of those ridiculous people who think that "i've got this, I don't need help" Where as a matter of fact... I do... I'm a mum. 3 kids, partnered. 1 child with curren... View more

Hi there... I have no idea what I'm doing, I have never reached out like this. I'm one of those ridiculous people who think that "i've got this, I don't need help" Where as a matter of fact... I do... I'm a mum. 3 kids, partnered. 1 child with current partner, other 2 are from a different relationship. I feel like I'm not good enough. Nothing ever is. I can't keep the house tidy, it's easier to lay down, watch tv and pretend it isn't there. I'm not good enough for my partner. It's clear to see. I can't do anything right. Heck. The fact I'm posting here when others have real issues, I'm probably being petty. I just need someone to talk to. Someone who won't judge. I'm sorry for taking up people's time. But ugh.

Nikki_24 Stuck and really struggling
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Hi guys, I'm not sure if posting on here will help, or if anything anyone says will help - feel like there's nothing that will help me feel better at the moment - but i'm really desperate. I've felt stuck for 2-3 weeks now. It started when i felt inc... View more

Hi guys, I'm not sure if posting on here will help, or if anything anyone says will help - feel like there's nothing that will help me feel better at the moment - but i'm really desperate. I've felt stuck for 2-3 weeks now. It started when i felt incredibly lonely. I don't have many friends and the friends i do have i rarely get to see and don't feel like they care about me much anyways. I feel like i have no one to talk to. I've begun to feel really depressed and alone, and then very anxious and stressed. I have 2 assessments for uni that i'm trying to get through, they are due soon but i'm really struggling to do them. I feel so out of it, i can't concentrate. I'm not interested in my uni work anymore, but at the same time i'm really stressed by it because i have to get it done in time. I have no energy, i've been sitting around in my room the last week doing nothing. I feel miserable, but i feel like it's partly my fault because i should be putting more effort in to think positive and get out of the house etc but i don't have the energy to do that. I have tried a few things, like meditation, reading stuff on here, talking to someone on the crisis chat, i've been learning about dancing/shaking to release stress etc and i've tried that a few times (felt absolutely ridiculous but it did make me feel better for a little while). Some of these things have helped briefly but then i feel awful again and i don't have the energy to keep on fighting it and trying all these different things to feel better. I feel so out of control - like i can't control my feelings or thoughts, i can't get out of this depressed and anxious state. I feel afraid that i won't be able to get out of it, and ashamed for being in this state. I have felt like this before and it has always passed, i'm trying to remind myself that this will pass too, but it always comes back. I don't want to spend the rest of life continually experiencing this cycle. I've put in so much to heal and overcome this, but i keep returning to this. I hate it. I feel like i'm not making progress. I feel like it's my fault. I want to ask someone to help me but at the same time i don't feel like there's really much anyone can do

lochness46 Reach out for Support but gets nothing back.....
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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
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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..
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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
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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.