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

MysticMark Centrelink Review
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I have to relocate interstate and terrified about a Centrelink review for my DSP. I will have new GP's, Clinical Psycologists etc. Not sure how they will understand me and support me with CL and the DSP. Is the CL review process for the DSP a... View more

Hi all, I have to relocate interstate and terrified about a Centrelink review for my DSP. I will have new GP's, Clinical Psycologists etc. Not sure how they will understand me and support me with CL and the DSP. Is the CL review process for the DSP as bad as applying for it in the first place? Thank you and you’re feedback will be greatly appreciated.

DarkSunshine Am i depressed?
  • replies: 15

Hi everyone, I've started a thread as I am not sure as to whether I am actually depressed or just very over-dramatic / moody. I have completed the beyond blue checklist and it came out with a high. I didn't want to self-diagnose anything and so i dec... View more

Hi everyone, I've started a thread as I am not sure as to whether I am actually depressed or just very over-dramatic / moody. I have completed the beyond blue checklist and it came out with a high. I didn't want to self-diagnose anything and so i decided to try out all the online checks i could find - of which all also said the same. Even after so many tests, I wasn't satisfied as I am in my teenage years anyways so it may just be me being over-dramatic and moody. I have come here to ask if anyone could help me figure out whether i may actually be depressed or if it's just a phase (age). I am willing to answer any questions (may be brief though). The reason I have been reluctant but to come here is because I can't go to my GP or anyone as I'm too scared for my parents to find out - I don't think they'd be very happy. Would mean a lot if someone could help me out because my behavior lately has been driving me and (pretty sure) everyone around me crazy. Thank you for your time and sorry for bothering everyone on here who have to go through so much more while i whine about my minor problems.

cordimag 25 years old feels like I have no future
  • replies: 2

I basically live mooching off my family, I have no education, no work experience and I have not left my house in years. I stopped taking care of myself a while ago. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety a long time ago and getting help has alwa... View more

I basically live mooching off my family, I have no education, no work experience and I have not left my house in years. I stopped taking care of myself a while ago. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety a long time ago and getting help has always been a hassle. I can't drive because I have no license and I have to rely on family to get me to sessions. After a while scheduling becomes too much of a pain and it falls to the back burner before I stop going entirely. I just don't know what to do, especially when it comes to sustaining myself in the future. I don't expect people to support me my whole life and I feel like garbage for having done it for so long. I am facing a future where if I do get treatment I won't be able to get a job, at least from what I hear no one will hire someone who is almost 30 and has nothing to put on a resume and I am gonna go out on a limb and say that telling an employer you didn't work due to mental illness isn't going to increase my chances. I just feel like I have no where to go in life

Unicorn_Sparkles Feeling so overwhelmed with everything in my life
  • replies: 6

It's at the point where it feels like it's impacting every aspect of my life, that I'm shutting down completely. I'm one of those sad people who still plays Pokemon go, which I loved, because it got me out and about socialising (because basically all... View more

It's at the point where it feels like it's impacting every aspect of my life, that I'm shutting down completely. I'm one of those sad people who still plays Pokemon go, which I loved, because it got me out and about socialising (because basically all my friends are married and have their own lives now, so I feel like the single loser) and I loved that the group I was part of was so inclusive and didn't judge people on level, team etc, but lately it's like everyone has become so cliquey that people are going off and doing their own thing and not wanting to help and I don't understand why people would be so selfish. I admit I've been lashing out coz I'm frustrated, but I don't understand why people would want to be selfish and not include people and leave people out. Yet I feel like whenever I'm like "that's pretty crappy behaviour, not everyone is as elite or has their own crew they can hang outwith" some people give me this "some people have access to enough accounts to do things themselves, people will get left out, get over it" or "soz, wasn't thinking. I had enough accounts to do it myself" attitude (at least that's how the responses make me feel) and then it's like there's so much pressure that I feel like I need to do this and that, or play a certain amount and it's overwhelming. Then I get frustrated, coz I feel like nobody is listening to me and my concerns, so lash out, yet it somehow ends up being my fault. And then I also feel like a worthless loser, coz I'm unemployed, live at home with my parents. Mum has bad arthritis, so she's super slow, then dad makes fun of her being so slow. Also went to a family gathering recently and got cornered by cousins who were like "When are you gonna have kids? Isn't it time your parents have grandchildren?" I'm 37, this weighs on my mind on a daily basis as to why I'm single and why nobody wants me, not just on a relationship basis, but work and friends (I've all but given up on asking my bestie if she's free for coffee, she's always busy with her mother's group friends) It feels like I'm drowning in negativity and it feels like no matter what I do it's always my fault. I feel useless, worthless and not good enough. I'd much rather hide in my room forever and never come out. I also looked at speaking to a psychologist, but they're like $200, an unemployed bum like me can't afford it.

Infinity1199 Feeling Like Trash
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind but I'm not really looking for a solution today, honestly? I'm just struggling to talk to someone about my latest depressive episode and I just want to vent a bit to people who won't judge me or look at me like I'm ... View more

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind but I'm not really looking for a solution today, honestly? I'm just struggling to talk to someone about my latest depressive episode and I just want to vent a bit to people who won't judge me or look at me like I'm a freak. I woke up today, and I just felt utterly miserable. everyone's been telling me I should be enjoying my holidays and relaxing but without a strict schedule to follow I feel like I don't have a purpose, which then makes me feel frustrated and upset because I feel lazy sitting around on my butt while my dad and siblings are busy working. unfortunately as many of you might now, all of my anxiety just builds up and explodes. Lately, I've also been feeling lonely. I've been trying to date and hang out with some school friends but I've just been finding it really hard to feel motivated to do any of that without feeling exhausted. I know I should try and be social but I feel awful because I've admitted to myself that I don't enjoy being an extrovert, simply because I don't feel like I can trust people. I'm really sorry to bother everyone, but I just wanted to vent and feel a little better. I hope your all managing your conditions well, Infinity

Left_lost Lost and yet angry
  • replies: 1

I have been abused emotionally and financially, I have been accused, I have been on the edge of a cliff, I have been in hospital, My children, have been alienated from me, My ex could not support my depression and anxiety, I've seen a few psychologis... View more

I have been abused emotionally and financially, I have been accused, I have been on the edge of a cliff, I have been in hospital, My children, have been alienated from me, My ex could not support my depression and anxiety, I've seen a few psychologists, It's been over 10 years now, After hospital my first counselor died... suicide, Feeling sad, There are days I'm just angry, It's one day at a time. One hour at a time, one minute at a time. Survive.

Elsam Emotional Blunting
  • replies: 1

Just wondering if anyone has experienced emotional blunting? I have been on an anti depressant for some time and have just realised that I am emotionally numb. I cannot stand this feeling as I have not been able to cry or experience any emotion. I ha... View more

Just wondering if anyone has experienced emotional blunting? I have been on an anti depressant for some time and have just realised that I am emotionally numb. I cannot stand this feeling as I have not been able to cry or experience any emotion. I have stopped my anti depressant for now and am feeling fine. i just need my emotions to return and am trying to flush the medication out of my system. Has anyone experienced this and if so how long did it take for your emotions to return to normal? Thank you

Zeppie Just can’t deal with lonely
  • replies: 3

I have been dealing with depression on and off for 20 years I’m 36 years of age and suffer chronic pain but that’s just a part of my life now. It’s the loneliness I can’t deal with all my mates have moved on with families and kids and I’m still the s... View more

I have been dealing with depression on and off for 20 years I’m 36 years of age and suffer chronic pain but that’s just a part of my life now. It’s the loneliness I can’t deal with all my mates have moved on with families and kids and I’m still the single one out of us all. I have recently had to move back home due to not working a great deal with this pain issue I can only do 16 hours a week and that’s not enough to live on so Mum rescued me due to lack of $$. So with all this going on my depression has increased more than ever and it’s scary. It’s hard to see all these happy couples and to know your going home alone to mums house at the age of 36. I try to do things with the boys but I can understand they are busy with the family so I’m left lonely again and the brain just runs wild with negativity I just don’t know what to do please help me.

blueskies1 Dating someone with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I was dating a guy with depression for the last few months but recently he has stopped talking to me, fairly out of the blue. He told me that he was feeling really down and I told him that I'm here if he needs anything. It's been a few m... View more

Hi everyone, I was dating a guy with depression for the last few months but recently he has stopped talking to me, fairly out of the blue. He told me that he was feeling really down and I told him that I'm here if he needs anything. It's been a few more weeks now and I've heard nothing from him. Can anyone shed some light on what it is like to start dating someone whilst you have depression? I want to help him but I also don't want to push it. What is the best way for me to support him? PS I acknowledge that relationships just die of their own accord anyway but this seems very uncharacteristic of him. Thanks for your help!

Redboots In mental bondage
  • replies: 2

Hi I’m new here and just needed somewhere to share what’s been going on inside me. My depression goes in weekly cycles and its mentally exhausting. I’m not on medication and I don’t want to be as in the past they through me around a bit. I feel I can... View more

Hi I’m new here and just needed somewhere to share what’s been going on inside me. My depression goes in weekly cycles and its mentally exhausting. I’m not on medication and I don’t want to be as in the past they through me around a bit. I feel I can manage my lows with regular running. But when it hits me it really hits me and I don’t understand the reason for being alive. I don’t like this world and I don’t want to be a part of it. These thoughts immobilise me and I literally cannot leave the house. I feel like I’m screaming through a glass box on the top of a hill and no one can see or hear me. Does anyone else feel this imprisonment and isolation of depression?