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 chats on this Forum having 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

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Cocolee15 am i manic or just happy for the first time?
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I've been diagnosed with schophrenia for almost two years and have been on antidepressants since I was 13 but yesterday I started this mood that is like a small little engine that won't leave I had a burst of energy for 4pm till 9:30pm where I was da... View more

I've been diagnosed with schophrenia for almost two years and have been on antidepressants since I was 13 but yesterday I started this mood that is like a small little engine that won't leave I had a burst of energy for 4pm till 9:30pm where I was dancing listening to music and sending guys I don't know my nudes on reddit and talking some crazy shit with them thinks I never say or do ever but right now I'm having a calm moment I feel tired like I need to sleep as I only got 4hrs sleep last night maybe I'm just overtired but I'm laughing at things that ain't funny having random bursts of laughter the whole day I have not been able to hold a conversation for more then a few minutes until they let me ramble on about stuff I did, I just did things because I felt out of control but in control at the same time I could of stopped but I didn't I watched a movie with my dad and put the phone away and I'm still feeling like I'm faking everything I do for attention to get attention but I can't stop can you sit down and watch a movie in mania without talking even when you want to say silly stuff but your dad is right there i have bought train tickets for tomorrow to leave this town with nothing but the clothes on my back there is some planning because i have to wait till the train leaves tomorrow but my case manager knows something is not right with me so i cant leave with a bag incase they see me ya know I just have to leave with my phone and clothes on my body tomorrow to another town to be free to feel free when I think about it i feel free when i think about staying home i feel stuck and terrible so i can feel terrible emotions its a mix of emotions i feel right now Could it be mania? Or the start of it? What do u think?

Gj-1974 Struggling with depression and anxiety
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Hi l am struggling very badly at the moment because l have had a recent relationship breakdown and Domestic Violence. My health is getting worse due to stress causing high blood pressure and mow my housemate wants to leave putting under financial pre... View more

Hi l am struggling very badly at the moment because l have had a recent relationship breakdown and Domestic Violence. My health is getting worse due to stress causing high blood pressure and mow my housemate wants to leave putting under financial pressure. Just don't know what to do anymore

Eri-d Schizophrenia
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Hi, my names Erika And the doctors think I have Schizophrenia and depression. I feel lost and alone. I hear voices and see things that are not really there. I don't have any friends and have no one to talk to. Last year things got bad and I tried to ... View more

Hi, my names Erika And the doctors think I have Schizophrenia and depression. I feel lost and alone. I hear voices and see things that are not really there. I don't have any friends and have no one to talk to. Last year things got bad and I tried to kill myself and got put in hospital. Any one feel to talk to me as I'd love to hear from you. Thanks. Erika.

nootnoot Husband is not supportive when it comes to my depression.
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I have been diagnosed with depression since 2009 and have had ups and downs since then but I have mostly not felt depressed for a few years. I am 11 weeks pregnant and the past few weeks I have felt the most depressed. It's like my antidepressant has... View more

I have been diagnosed with depression since 2009 and have had ups and downs since then but I have mostly not felt depressed for a few years. I am 11 weeks pregnant and the past few weeks I have felt the most depressed. It's like my antidepressant has stopped working. I have bouts of crying, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of abortion and thoughts of ending my marriage. Very extreme thoughts. I am tired every day and everything is effort. I still try to carry on with going to work and looking after my almost 3 year old but all I want to do is lie in bed. I have never been able to talk properly with my husband about how I am feeling. He avoids any conversations about feelings by laughing them off or becoming defensive. I have spoken to my obstetrician and my family who have said to try and talk to him about how I'm feeling at the moment. I brought it tonight and said I have been feeling very low in mood lately and finding everything a bit much. He laughed and said "low in mood, you just get on with it". He knows he upset me and I've now gone to bed early. He never comes to apologise for being insensitive. When I last saw my obstetrician she mentioned the option of a mental health admission to sort out my medication and talk to a psychiatrist. I know my husband would not like that as he'd have to look after our son alone. I know his mother and father would be supportive and help him out. I would miss my son but I want to be better for him. I don't give him as much attention as I used to. I don't know what to do but I know I need help. Thank you for reading.

Rip_van_winkle I have a lot to say, bare with me.
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I'm going to use this as my therapy.In the third grade there was a girl who would brag all the time, to the point where it annoyed me so much that I decided to do the opposite as to avoid being annoying.But this has started causing harm which only st... View more

I'm going to use this as my therapy.In the third grade there was a girl who would brag all the time, to the point where it annoyed me so much that I decided to do the opposite as to avoid being annoying.But this has started causing harm which only started get really bad in the last 3 years.I'm doing a carpentry apprenticeship and my boss is a bottle of stress ready to burst. So when I make a mistake or when I'm not moving fast enough, he's not happy.He not mean to me in any measures, aside from the classic tradie banter. But his vocal frustration and anger is what sets me snow balling down a path that starts as "you idiot, of course you're not supposed to do that" "you've nearly finished you're apprenticeship, how do you still suck this much" but somehow finds it way to "you're a failure in every way, you have nothing because you are nothing, you're a waist of space who only brings everyone else down, you're not happy because you don't deserve to be, you're a failure in every way, you should do the world a favour and kill yourself" and unfortunately I agree.I know this isn't me. I've named this "the voice" no, not the tv show with delta goodrem.There are moments of my life where I'm genuinely happy with where I am in life and who I am, and all it takes is the sun shining on my face.I have large aspirations in life. I want to be a prime role middle for people to look up to and I believe that everyone has potential to be a force for good and I believe everyone has a part to play because there are greater forces at work then just the forces of evil... Gandalf said that.But I'm scared, I'm scared that I'll listen to the voice and make like Delbert Grady and correct myself.I know I need help and I don't want to live in this fear any longer, but I'm too scared to ask for help.I've always been a man who's gets incredibly uncomfortable in both receiving or giving to much emotion. It's incredibly hard for me to listen to a compliment or a sincere "I love you' but I wish that wasn't the case. Without a second thought I'd sacrifice myself for any of my friends and family because they are the most important thing to me.But this fear of tell any of them about my situation or the voice is terrifying, I just don't want to burden anyone, even a therapist with that burden. Even just writing this scared me. I don't know what to do, but I know that if I don't find a way to fix this. I'm going to joining a statistic very soon.Thanks for coming to my ted talk

Ineedhelp95 Feeling lost
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Is it normal for your parents to involve themselves in your life's 24/7. Long story short im a single mum living back at home with my dad with my nearly 2 year old daughter. I find that I have become incredibly depressed the last few months and I don... View more

Is it normal for your parents to involve themselves in your life's 24/7. Long story short im a single mum living back at home with my dad with my nearly 2 year old daughter. I find that I have become incredibly depressed the last few months and I dont know if thays because every opportunity I get to leave the house my dad will do something to stop the process and to top it off he's full on ADHD and when both of us are home he is loud and non-stop all day so my daughter is overwhelmed constantly I don't get time to have a break unless it's going to work where I look after other children.I'm going insane living in this environment please tell me this feeling is normal and I'm not psycho I love him and I'm glad he has such a relationship with my daughter but I've never been so frustrated and wanted to leave an environment before which sucks because I can't afford a place with the rental market so I feel like om stuck and that's making me not want to even try and be positive. In all honesty I've just given up and I can feel my whole attitude slipping. Please help

Rainbow1234 Post Partum Blues
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I had a baby 12 weeks ago and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. The first few weeks when i got home from the hospital I was crying multiple times a day, sometimes for no reason and other times because the baby was always crying. I have go... View more

I had a baby 12 weeks ago and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. The first few weeks when i got home from the hospital I was crying multiple times a day, sometimes for no reason and other times because the baby was always crying. I have gotten better with managing my new life but I still find myself crying from time to time, missing my old life and finding time to myself. When I do, I feel anxious about my baby and I also don’t find pleasure in the things I used to do before. I don’t feel as organised as I once was, I feel lonely, I am always exhausted and I miss having productive days (work wise). Sometimes I just want to switch off but I just can’t and I often feel trapped or in a rut. My partner has been amazing through it all and is hands on but I try not to load him with too much as he works full time. I love my baby very much but still can’t fully adjust to the lifestyle change, I knew it was coming but thought I’d adapt better but that hasn’t happened. I am not sure what to do really- any tips or similar experiences?

Mikhaela teacher mayhem
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i had this teacher and like i would have her every friday, she would be the grumpiest old grouch of a ksdy, maming fun if me and the little to no thread of friends i had. she would say stuff like "stop tapping your pen on your desk" to this kid who i... View more

i had this teacher and like i would have her every friday, she would be the grumpiest old grouch of a ksdy, maming fun if me and the little to no thread of friends i had. she would say stuff like "stop tapping your pen on your desk" to this kid who i know has trouble keeping still, he has a bad reputation but she specifically targeted the kids with ADHD or autism. so yeah, and one day it's just too much to handle.she tells me off for nit having 'thick enough' lines. she said "mikhaela, those lines are not thick enough" and under my breath i said "ok well i'll just go fix it for the one hundredth time i guess" and she had the audacity to say "mikhaela don't be rude i didn't do anything no need to be cranky" it kind of led me to be crying, and grace at this point was still my friend, she came to comfort me and like i needed a rub on the back and a kind voice telling me that i was alright. and grace got in trouble for comforting me. and i went to the bathroom tears streaking down my face my face all pink and puffy my glasses all fogged up. and we walked a lap of the oval (grace and i) and we had to walk opposite directions cus we were talking to each other.there was this other time when grace and i refused to go to class for like half an hour and like we didn't get to do art and she and i were c;elebrating. there was this other time when i had an appointment with my medicine-chooserer or whatever they're called, and i had a full on breakdown i was that scared and sad, my dad had to go in and explain why i was not ccoming to school today and explained to them about mrs KAIN she refused to come to parent teacher interviewsshe wouldn't speak to my parents when they tried to contact hershe wouldn't like even listen to their complaints

Angie Struggling
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I suffer from Fibromyalgia and depression daily. But the last month has been the worst it’s ever been and I feel so lonely and scared. I can’t pin point why though.My husband works daily and I miss him like crazy. We don’t have children, which probab... View more

I suffer from Fibromyalgia and depression daily. But the last month has been the worst it’s ever been and I feel so lonely and scared. I can’t pin point why though.My husband works daily and I miss him like crazy. We don’t have children, which probably contributes to my depression. we have 2 dogs, 1 is very barky and hard to control, but the other is a sweetheart who try’s to be with me all the time. Im a loner and I cry a lot.

seshgremlin dont know whats wrong and feel a little dumb
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basically i have a lot in my life that im thankful to have but i have no idea why i feel so down. i have two loving healthy parents, i go to college at a good uni, i have really good job prospects, but i just feel horrible. i dont want to get out of ... View more

basically i have a lot in my life that im thankful to have but i have no idea why i feel so down. i have two loving healthy parents, i go to college at a good uni, i have really good job prospects, but i just feel horrible. i dont want to get out of bed, i dont want to talk to anyone, my friends piss me off, and i cannot bring myself to do even the tiniest bit of work unless i have some medication. it feels like everything takes so much effort and i have to 'put it on' because no one wants to be around the bummy depressed bloke. i just want to rot in bed and live through those micro dreams you get when you wake up and go back to bed really quickly. it's not as bad as last semester when i would sleep for 20-24 hours on average and i lost 6kg because i was skipping meals because i didnt want to get up or talk to people, but i feel constantly unmotivated like whats-the-point kinda feeling. which is not good because i really need to lock in for internships but i dont want to prepare. i have 'friends' that i talk to at college but because i couldn't really interact much w them at the start of the year because i wasnt 18 now im like out of the loop and i cant see myself getting back in and it just feels like im the last resort like the last choice to hang out w kinda thing. and idk if thats the reason but i remember not being 18 was really really bad for my health at the start of the year which is a bit silly but it is what it is i guess. and its really annoying because i know i have the potential to do really well at uni but because i dont want to do anything i wont. i mean we're 4 weeks into the semester and i havent started two subjects. and idk if its depression or anxiety or adhd or a mix of a few things because theres like symptoms for all of them but i wanna go to a gp or psychiatrist to get it checked out but the issue is im so unmotivated that i cant even make the effort to go to it. i mean its an hour tram ride away and i cant be bothered walking for a minute to get food so low chances. and idk if its a bit of existential stuff as well because icl life seems really bland and grey and i dont see the point of going on like this. its not like i wanna kill myself but i dont really want to live either. idk why im writing this i just feel really stupid for feeling so bad when i know theres so many people who would trade lives with me in an instant and im not ungrateful or anything just really confused. maybe im trying to see if anyone else feels this way