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: 1

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

Zyler Thank you. My story.
  • replies: 2

Thank you If it wasnt for beyond blues call line I wouldn't be alive right now. I suffered alone and in silence with severe depression and anxiety issues for over a decade before it all became too much an I attempted to take my own life. Luckily I su... View more

Thank you If it wasnt for beyond blues call line I wouldn't be alive right now. I suffered alone and in silence with severe depression and anxiety issues for over a decade before it all became too much an I attempted to take my own life. Luckily I survived and got the help I needed , doctors medication and support from your great organization. I lost alot because of my suicide attempt, my fiance, the love of my life left me, my depression had taken too much of a toll on her, I cant blame her really. I must admit I again thought about taking my own life when she left thankfully many calls to the support line got me through it. Today im much happier, i used to be unemployed unable to leave my house (rented) and unable to find much happiness in anything but now just over a year since my suicide attempt I'm running my own online advertising firm with a few solid clients and looking to take on far more. I'm happy, able to leave my house ( still renting) and enjoy the outdoors. I miss my ex fiance deeply I dont think that will ever change but thanks to you amazing people at beyond blue I now know I have a future, I have goals, (something I've never had before) I want to buy my own place, build my advertising firm up and I want to get to a place that I'm well off enough that I can give back to the community and help others that are struggling with depression. I guess that's part of what this post is, it's a thank you to beyond blue and hopefully an eye opener to those reading it because trust me if this is something that I can do then you can to.

thebull Work for a trillion dollar company get abused every day. Feel boxed in and no way out.
  • replies: 5

As mentioned I work for a Trillion dollar company. Who takes customer importance over their employees. Essentially as an employee you can do nothing right, well not with a manager like mine. You can be abused, sworn at, see graphic nature pictures, a... View more

As mentioned I work for a Trillion dollar company. Who takes customer importance over their employees. Essentially as an employee you can do nothing right, well not with a manager like mine. You can be abused, sworn at, see graphic nature pictures, and its like oh well you'll be right take another call, and don't stay offline for longer than two minutes. I am stuck in a lowest form of depression once again as I am applying for jobs which I was once very skilled for, but now since working for this company nobody seems to want to hire me I am lucky if I get to interview stage. I know I never want to do this type of role again ever in my life though and discourage anyone else from it. I am sick of being abused everyday and people not accepting responsibility for their own actions. I dunno what to do, I have given up at this point, I used to be very skilled and would pick up a job within one or two interviews, thought this would be a good move a a short amount of time, oh how I was wrong. It's like an Australian sweat shop where there is no care, no responsibility for the employee. No debrief if you have a bad call etc. It just get back on the phones and deal with it. Anyway enough of my complaining, needed to vent. Going to take something and have a sleep. Yes just a sleep. Although I do want to run away from society and go live in the wilderness with my dogs and have nothing to do with it. I think the world population is gaining more and more people who feel entitled and show no regard for the person they are speaking with and want to blame other for their mistakes. Thanks

Katie____L Friendship troubles idk what do to
  • replies: 1

ok so i went to brisbane with my best friend and her cousin who in child safety, i felt left out alot cause she hasnt seen her cousin in a year which wasnt a problem just felt left out but she invited me to it so i try to enjoy my self. but anyway i ... View more

ok so i went to brisbane with my best friend and her cousin who in child safety, i felt left out alot cause she hasnt seen her cousin in a year which wasnt a problem just felt left out but she invited me to it so i try to enjoy my self. but anyway i had no meds that day which made it diffcult to enjoy myself. anyway we went to the mall and we sat down and we got maccas but she threw napkins at her dad but i thought she was mad at me so i went to toliet try to clam down it didnt work i had a psychosis epsiode causing me to throw things and casuing my friend to run away who didnt help me out at all she wasnt scared at all though she and her father cant be toghter or the police take him away anyway child safety call me a dangerous friend and she cant be friends with me now so i feel alone cause in the heat of the moment i said not talk to me ever again and i am sorry for that and also she literally said i cant hear voices telling me to commit crime but i am so idk what she on about i miss her i wish she knows i am sorry but she doesnt listen and tell me to grow up and change myself which is diffcult for me casue i dont want to change but i want to be friends with her still i miss her

Emery_E I don't recognise myself, and I'm scared to get help
  • replies: 1

I've suffered with mental health issues for many years now. First, it was anger issues, but after I came out as trans that disappeared. Then it was major depression and anxiety. I stayed at a psych ward for a couple weeks for suicidal tendencies when... View more

I've suffered with mental health issues for many years now. First, it was anger issues, but after I came out as trans that disappeared. Then it was major depression and anxiety. I stayed at a psych ward for a couple weeks for suicidal tendencies when I was 16, and then a Y-PARC when I was 18. After so many years of struggling, I lost my ability to trust. All the psychs and therapists I have ever seen have only ever looked at me with pity and judgement, and several of them have outright betrayed my trust in them. The last one I saw decided I was too high risk, and forced my mother and brother to leave their jobs early so that I could be taken to hospital two hours away. Once there we had to wait three hours before I was seen by anyone, where I was promptly turned away because there was nothing they could do to help me. I got over that - rather, I accepted that nobody would help. This year I've struggled, but I've gotten my life together. Although I did quit my job, it was for the best. Verbal abuse from customers and the occasional manager (I worked at McDonald's) was slowly driving me insane. I'm at uni, and have a course set for my ideal career as a Chaplain in the Defence Force. I'm also highly involved in my Church. My faith is what saved my life, and God is the only reason I live. But I still hurt. Each time I think I'll talk to somebody, open up and tell the truth, I can't. I can't trust professionals, I can't trust my friends, I can't trust my family. But I also can't trust myself. I've still got two assignments and an online exam to complete for this semester, and I keep putting them off because I can't focus. I can feel myself becoming emotionally detached. Even as I write this, I can feel myself falling apart. These last two days, whenever I look at myself in a mirror, I don't recognise the man looking back at me. I see a stranger. I don't even know what I look like anymore. I know I need help. I have an un-diagnosed eating disorder, nicotine addiction, and I'm also probably developing a drinking problem. But I can't get help. I just don't know what to do anymore.

FireflyXX Not coping at work - HR process?
  • replies: 5

Hi, I've worked as a nurse at a public hospital for 30 Years. Struggling with treatment resistant depression the last couple of years. Motivation finally improving but not coping well at work. Have a supportive, but junior manager who has made some t... View more

Hi, I've worked as a nurse at a public hospital for 30 Years. Struggling with treatment resistant depression the last couple of years. Motivation finally improving but not coping well at work. Have a supportive, but junior manager who has made some temporary accommodations for me but management are saying to continue to do so would be unfair on the other staff and I'm supposed to be finding a position "more suitable". I applied recently for a job in a less challenging area of the hospital but was unsuccessful. A very stressful situation at work last week resulted in a worsening of my condition and I'm now taking some (more) sick leave. My question is, do I now ask for a formal HR process to assist ("manage" me)? I havent done so untill now as my psychiatrist advised strongly me against it, saying they would "F*&*k me up", deliberately put me in a position I hate in order to get rid of me. I know this does happen. His advice was to actively seek other employment myself . I'm at the point of needing (small) doses of a sedative at work to calm my thinking which really is dangerous and untenable. Taking leave has not been of any benefit work-wise and I need some more permanent changes. I am planning to see a psychologist to assist with coping strategies. What are people's experience with HR processes at work? Should I push for a more formal process? I know I'm within my rights.

Another1one2 Not sure what's wrong with me
  • replies: 3

Hi. First time on here, but really it's my last option. Two years back when I was 16, out of the blue I felt as if I just couldn't think properly anymore and felt like I had lost all emotional responses to things. Previously easy social interactions ... View more

Hi. First time on here, but really it's my last option. Two years back when I was 16, out of the blue I felt as if I just couldn't think properly anymore and felt like I had lost all emotional responses to things. Previously easy social interactions became a challange, like that natural flow of ideas and thoghts was just gone. At the same time my sleep went to crap. Like two hours of sleep every second night. waited for it to pass but it never did, I also thought it may have been that medication I was taking for my adhd had stopped working. Got my doctor to change my adhd medication but it did nothing to improve these issues. Doctor put me on antidepressants and I think I was diagnosed with depression. So far I've tried multiple different medications. None of them have done much to improve these issues. It's been 2 years now, been on 4 antidepressants, been to 3 specialist and 2 psychologists, and no one has given me a straight answer to what's causing my issues. My sleep issues have went away, but nothing else has. Either I'm crazy or they're avoiding my questions. So yeah, that's where I'm at, still don't know what's wrong with me. Thanks -Matt

Lost_and_Confused Is there a way out?
  • replies: 11

I feel so alone sometimes. So unloved and uncared for, forgotten and ignored. There is a dark fog over me.. and I cant find my way out. Talking about it just makes it worse. Will I ever get back to my normal self? Will I even get out, or will I be tr... View more

I feel so alone sometimes. So unloved and uncared for, forgotten and ignored. There is a dark fog over me.. and I cant find my way out. Talking about it just makes it worse. Will I ever get back to my normal self? Will I even get out, or will I be trapped here forever?

Unicorn_Sparkles I took the step today and went and spoke to my GP
  • replies: 4

It feels like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It was scary, don't get me wrong, but I think it's because I've spent so long feeling like I've been judged. I know I really had nothing to worry about in the end. My doctor was amazing... View more

It feels like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It was scary, don't get me wrong, but I think it's because I've spent so long feeling like I've been judged. I know I really had nothing to worry about in the end. My doctor was amazing We've got a plan and I'm seeing the psychologist in a couple of weeks. The first avaliable appointment that was there. I don't need to bore you all with the details, although I can if you really want to. I just wanted to share this with you all, just to let you know that if you are considering seeing your GP, please do so. Just opening up to mine felt like a whole new world . I'm nervous, but excited at what the future holds. I've spent almost my entire life putting others first, that was how I was brought up from the time I could walk and talk. I've never looked after myself. To a point I love helping and caring about other people, i guess that's why I'm taking this step. To put me first for once. I feel like I can't stress this enough, please, to everyone reading this, put yourself first. It's the best thing you can do. It's a small step,but finally I might be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Much love and best wishes to everyone.

AspieD New here, hello
  • replies: 7

BB linked me here from a post I replied to on Facebook. If they saw what I recently posted on my own FB page, they'd probably be alarmed. A good mate also recommended that I get help. I hope I haven't let him down. My brain has broken before - not li... View more

BB linked me here from a post I replied to on Facebook. If they saw what I recently posted on my own FB page, they'd probably be alarmed. A good mate also recommended that I get help. I hope I haven't let him down. My brain has broken before - not literally of course. See I suffer from depression, and I'm on the autism spectrum; specifically I have Aspergers. I'm also 35, single, and gay. That's quite a mixed bag of "goodies". I'm already on anti-depressant meds, and they're barely working. I've been on them since 2010. I don't know if any other medication would help. I seem fixated on having a partner sometimes. All I want is someone special to be with me until the end. But no matter how many times I try to find that someone, it never works. People say "there's someone for everyone" or "you never know what's around the corner", but I don't believe that anymore. Yet at other times, I couldn't care less if I have anyone or not. The feeling, the want, it comes and goes. I don't know what else to say. I'm honestly not sure if anyone can help. But I suppose if anyone can try to help, maybe BB can.

166 Sad and Lost Enjoyment in Life....
  • replies: 14

This is my first time posting. I have had depression on and off for many years. This year I think has been my worst. I struggle with keeping my 'sadness' under control and usually immerse myself in my work which has always helped. I like to be busy. ... View more

This is my first time posting. I have had depression on and off for many years. This year I think has been my worst. I struggle with keeping my 'sadness' under control and usually immerse myself in my work which has always helped. I like to be busy. This year though I think I have suffered 'burn out' and work has not been so enjoyable. I just don't seem to enjoy anything....work, food, friends, tv. I have confided in family and my Dr (all of whom are very supportive) but nothing seems to be 'working' for me. Just feel a bit lost and like it will never be better. I decided to let my bosses in on the fact that I thought I was doing too much and needed to not do so much.....this was a mistake and now they think I am 'not coping' and I feel like they are attaching stigma....always referring to my 'not coping'. I wish I had not said anything now as I feel like they will always think this now. I feel like I have let myself down admitting it...was it wrong to be honest? And will I get better? Advice on how to lift myself back up again when I am finding everything hard and just want to avoid life???