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: 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

JRogan I feel lost and like a failure
  • replies: 3

I’m 20, have sever depression and anxiety, usually I can cope pretty well and I can always help others with their own issues and problems but with me I don’t know what to do my sister is 4 years older. Successful. I’m the opposite. every job I lose i... View more

I’m 20, have sever depression and anxiety, usually I can cope pretty well and I can always help others with their own issues and problems but with me I don’t know what to do my sister is 4 years older. Successful. I’m the opposite. every job I lose interest in or get too depressed or anxious to go and end up quitting or getting fired. I don’t know what job to apply for or course to study. Nothing interests me and idk what to do, I hate being 20 and having no future, I have no money so I’m just costing money and I’m stuck in this endless cycle of going nowhere in life. i want to work, really I do. I want to have my own house and have money and have a future but no matter how hard I try I just can’t stick with it or something goes wrong and I end up right where I started. everyone says study something but I’ve looked at every course and I’m not interested, I work in hospitality but I’m too anxious to go to work. I’ve tried other places and it’s the same thing. I have no qualifications, a year 10 pass. Maybe. I don’t actually know if I completed year 10 because I missed the last few weeks. That’s it. What do I do? Where do I go? Honestly it’s like I wasn’t meant to be here. I wanted to study youth councilling which sounds ridiculous because I have depression but I can’t even do that without a year 12 pass and because I might not even have year 10 I don’t want to have to go back to school, at 20 and be in a class with a bunch of 15-16 year olds. what do I do?

Bones10 SEPARATION AND NOW SEVERE DEPRESSION
  • replies: 2

NEED SUPPORT AFTER SEPARATION, WHICH HAS TURNED INTYO SEVERE DEPRESSION AND VERY DARK THOUGHTS. ITS BEEN 3 MONTHS, I DONT SLEEP MORE THAN 2-3 HOURS A NIGHT, I CANNOT STOP THINKING MY BRAIN IS AT FULL STEAM AHEAD 24/7, I HAVE NO MOTIVATION WHATSOEVER,... View more

NEED SUPPORT AFTER SEPARATION, WHICH HAS TURNED INTYO SEVERE DEPRESSION AND VERY DARK THOUGHTS. ITS BEEN 3 MONTHS, I DONT SLEEP MORE THAN 2-3 HOURS A NIGHT, I CANNOT STOP THINKING MY BRAIN IS AT FULL STEAM AHEAD 24/7, I HAVE NO MOTIVATION WHATSOEVER, I DONT SEE MY FAMILY BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO BURDEN THEM WITH MY PROBLEMS. THE ONLY SUPPORT I HAVE HAD IS THE LADY I SEPARATED FROM AND ITS STARTING TO GET HER DOWN AS WELL, I DONT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY HEAD AROUND THE WHOLE ISSUE BUT I AM NOT HAVING MUCH LUCK. IM EXHAUSTED AND LOST I SUPPOSE . I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO? IM NOT NORMALLY AN AGGRESSIVE PERSON BUT MY TEMPER HAS ESCALATED AND MY PATIENCE IS VERY SHORT, IT FEELS LIKE ITS NOT EVEN ME ANYMORE! ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS GUYS AND GIRLS, Bones10

pkr00402 New to this, how do I ask for help?
  • replies: 6

Too often I feel inexplicably sad and empty, but I never let anyone see it. I always put myself out into the world as a bright bubbly person, I work as a receptionist in a gym so it’s all about keeping others happy. I feel like there’s no reason at a... View more

Too often I feel inexplicably sad and empty, but I never let anyone see it. I always put myself out into the world as a bright bubbly person, I work as a receptionist in a gym so it’s all about keeping others happy. I feel like there’s no reason at all for me to feel like I do most of the time, and I’ve never been to see anyone about it. I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting someone’s time or even spending money on an appointment that I didn’t need because I’m making it all up. I’ve had friends with really bad depression, and it makes me question if I’m just sad sometimes, like I don’t even have it as bad as others. I’ve seen this friend become too reliant on our friends and seen how many friendships she’s lost from being so hard to deal with, I don’t want to be that. I don’t even know if this makes sense.

Katso Help with depression
  • replies: 1

I am a 55 year old woman and I believe I have been depressed my whole life. Unfortunately the last year its become so severe - with heart palpitations, loss of interest in anything at all, avoidance of any activities- overwhelming tiredness and lots ... View more

I am a 55 year old woman and I believe I have been depressed my whole life. Unfortunately the last year its become so severe - with heart palpitations, loss of interest in anything at all, avoidance of any activities- overwhelming tiredness and lots of sleeping but no relief and feeling almost too tired to walk. I try to put on a fake face all day - accept all the rejection I have my whole life - from everyone and I'm just at the lowest feeling ever. I previously took a medication which was okay but I am just seeing if anyone feels the same. I feel so alone and after years of rejection- chronic low self esteem - old age symptoms making that worse - as every day I look at an old tired face, I'm almost giving up and need some relief from the sadness to try to find some peace

KatrinaS Depression and menopause
  • replies: 7

Hi first time poster here. I have had depression since I was 16 am now 54 years old. Have been on medication since I was 20 but depressive feelings have always lurked in the background. But for the last 3 years or so it has been worse, resulting in f... View more

Hi first time poster here. I have had depression since I was 16 am now 54 years old. Have been on medication since I was 20 but depressive feelings have always lurked in the background. But for the last 3 years or so it has been worse, resulting in feelings of anxiety and now social anxiety...I dont want to go out and socialise....I am ok at work but not with being out in a situation where I have to chat to people and make small talk. I feel everyone is judging me and I find no enjoyment in anything really. I have a wonderful husband but try and hide my feelings of despair from everyone as I dont want to make others feel bad. This includes immediate family. I dont have many friends as I am just not interested in staying in contact with people.I dont really have any time to myself as my parents live with us 6 months of the year and I feel I have to be oh so happy and normal when I am home...but all I want to do is curl up in a ball and avoid everyone. Sleep used to be a saviour but now I am experiencing insomnia. I was wondering whether other women at peri menopausal/menopausal age has found their depression/anxiety has worsened? I feel like a shit mother to my 2 younger girls still living at home (11 and 17) because I am no fun and dont want to go anywhere with them. Christmas has been a nightmare. My gp has left the practice and I have to try and find a new one whom I can relate to.

8888 The long lost battle
  • replies: 1

Have battled with anxiety and depression for 13+ years and have hid it everyone. Have been trapped mentally, physically, emotionally, financially. Have seen psychologist, psychiatrists, been on a number of different medications.

Have battled with anxiety and depression for 13+ years and have hid it everyone. Have been trapped mentally, physically, emotionally, financially. Have seen psychologist, psychiatrists, been on a number of different medications.

WhiteThunder Hard times
  • replies: 1

Hey first time doing this online. I have seen a professional in the past though. so I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone else thinks they know what Steps I should Take. so I’m 26 and have had my first Child a little over a year ago. befo... View more

Hey first time doing this online. I have seen a professional in the past though. so I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone else thinks they know what Steps I should Take. so I’m 26 and have had my first Child a little over a year ago. before having Him I suffered from depression going through a rough break up and had a tough time finding myself. i’m super happy to become a dad but the stress and being secluded from seeing my friends and sometimes family caused me to slowly fall into a depression and bad habits of drinking And smoking. after issues in my relationship . my partner gave me an ultimatum and said that I need to seek help and try to get out of my depression as she couldn’t be around it any more. I tried making small adjustments but didn’t seek help thinking that I could slowly get out of depression but I still didn’t feel like myself and still feel alone and anxious and still drink and smoke when I told my partner I would quit smoking. it has now come to a point where my partner has given me one last chance and told me to get help or I will lose our small family. Long story short. here I am

Maconna Mum and Daughter
  • replies: 1

Hi All I'm new to this....umm ok. 6yrs ago I found partner in shed. We have 2 daughters. Now 20 and 19. My now 19yr old currently lives with my parents. She did yr 8 then everything for her went haywire. 4yr mental health rollercoaster. She has now b... View more

Hi All I'm new to this....umm ok. 6yrs ago I found partner in shed. We have 2 daughters. Now 20 and 19. My now 19yr old currently lives with my parents. She did yr 8 then everything for her went haywire. 4yr mental health rollercoaster. She has now been diagnosed BPD. Unfortunately the reason living away was very bas communication and reactions. She told me almost a yr ago she was a boy....my response was ok, but I can't change over night to call you by a different name ect. It was going to take time. Time was not of essence sadly. We started to slowly make amends but things have flared and I don't know how to cope. I'm in breakdown mode. It effects every one around. I've chose to step aside and limit contact even with my parents but it didn't work....I'm Losing my daughter and my parents. Lost.

Emma87 Struggling to cope with my depression and how it is affecting my partner
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am new here and not really sure what to write, but after reading through so many of the posts I felt like this may be a good place to start. 3 weeks ago I got out of hospital after being in over Christmas for 10 days with meningitis, I am defin... View more

Hi, I am new here and not really sure what to write, but after reading through so many of the posts I felt like this may be a good place to start. 3 weeks ago I got out of hospital after being in over Christmas for 10 days with meningitis, I am definitely not recovered but am so much better than I was physically. However, am so much worse mentally! I have been in Australia now for 9 months, initially only for 6 months but met my partner after being here 2 months, so i decided to stay until the end of my years visa with the plan that we would apply for a defacto visa. I went home in October for 4 weeks, where I had a bit of a mental breakdown and self-harmed. I have a long history with depression, starting when I was a child with my parents and emotional abuse, then followed by emotional abusive fiance. With hindsight coming back to Aus straight away probably wasn't my smartest move, I struggled to get work money was extremely tight (I have a high level of debt ) and my health took a toll, which probably ended up with me getting meningitis, though my health hasn't been great for a long time possibly due to high stress and having glandular fever when I was younger. My partner has been amazing, but he is realistically all I have over here and the toll is starting to wear him down. He suffers from PTSD and I'm not helping him. I feel like I'm pushing him away and I don't know how to stop it. He needs me to work so we can pay rent and buy food, to ease pressure on him, i totally get and hate the fact I have relied on him financially. But I am struggling with being back to work. I feel the sensible thing to do would be to move back to the UK for a while, but I worry that the distance will be the end. To make things a little trickier my sister is coming over in Feb to travel a bit, but of course I don't have money saved as being hospital and struggling for work in Nov used up savings I had. So in my mind I have no choice but to work every day to save money for her trip and to pay bills etc. to help out my partner. I realise I am so lucky that I have a job and it pays well, I forget to see how lucky I am my current situation isn't helping with feeling positive. I'm so lost and stuck in a spate of brainfog. I've been referred to psych and my dose of meds has been doubled, so I am waiting for that to kick in. I just thought that if anyone has any advice or has similar situations it could help. Thanks for reading my little cry for help. Emma

Unknown_Feelings the whole story
  • replies: 3

Where do i begin, ive been depressed, had behavioral issues most of my life. but recently over the past 2 days, its gotten to the point where ive had suicidal thoughts. But here's the backstory Growing up i was physically, mentally and at two points ... View more

Where do i begin, ive been depressed, had behavioral issues most of my life. but recently over the past 2 days, its gotten to the point where ive had suicidal thoughts. But here's the backstory Growing up i was physically, mentally and at two points sexually abused. My mother was abusive, schizophrenic and on drugs, dad was a alcoholic and not ended up moving to Sydney growing up. My father was out of the picture pretty much after the divorce. He was an alcholic, gambler and suffered depression himself because of his parents dying. I didn't know at the time how he felt but seeing him as bad as he was just got to me. He passed away in august 2014. And its what triggered my depression. I stopped going out, i stopped doing things i liked, i basically went into this shell. Not talking to anyone, started drinking more. not eating, showering, not wanting to get outta bed. I think it was the big tipping point for me. Since that day it comes and goes in waves. not long after his passing, its fathers day and 2 weeks after that would have been his birthday. So august/September is really had for me emotionally. I did something in my past that my family found out about, so now they dont talk to me which im fine with. We haven't been much of a family at all. I lost friendships due to this also. I havent told anyone this at all, not even my close friend of 26 years. Lately all ive been thinking about is killing myself, no one will miss me when im gone, no one will greive for me if i went through with it. even had a suicidal thought about a hour ago at the time im writing this. I dont think talking about it will help because everyone i talk to either 1. Dosent understand 2. Dosent know what to say 3. And this is the most common, say ill be here always, you can tell me, and then f***s off. Its happened so often ive lost count I dont usually open up like this but i need to know im not alone feeling like this right? its so f***en hard to talk and convey how im feeling but it feels like i dont have much choice left.