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: 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

Start a discussion

fred2018 wishing to connect with others in the same mental space
  • replies: 5

After many years with mixed success on medication for unipolar depression, I am trying a ' magnetic' treatment, we can't mention treatments can we hah? Have had the illness since I was 18 like I said with mixed success , have found the illness confus... View more

After many years with mixed success on medication for unipolar depression, I am trying a ' magnetic' treatment, we can't mention treatments can we hah? Have had the illness since I was 18 like I said with mixed success , have found the illness confusing at times but am looking forward to seeying if this treatment gives me some clarity, my mother passed two years ago so thats also made things interesting, I try to keep my sense of humour as it has kept me somewhat steady through some rough seas. Hah this has turned it to more of a ramble but yeah.

iAlex Not sure what's wrong, losing all hope, thoughts getting dark. . .
  • replies: 13

So im new to this and dont often share like this but im at a loss right now. I'm 30 year old guy if that helps. I started feeling this way maybe a week ago and it hasnt subsided so i dont know if its depression or what. Out of nowhere i suddenly was ... View more

So im new to this and dont often share like this but im at a loss right now. I'm 30 year old guy if that helps. I started feeling this way maybe a week ago and it hasnt subsided so i dont know if its depression or what. Out of nowhere i suddenly was on the verge of tears at work, things i never though of before started flooding my mind. Things like, how im disappointed in how much life turned out, job, social life, love life etc. I tried to stay positive and tell myself it will be fine, but that didnt work. My job is a dead end and i have to partner so im at home alone most of the time. Socially i dont really have many friends, maybe 3 or 4 but they have their own lives and actual careers so i never get to see them. My only form of happiness seems to be in the form of video games and tv shows/anime but even now i barely play any games. Im a bit overweight and thought exercising would help, so i started walking while listening to audio books and that seems to help until im done and back at home. Then everything starts to sink in again. Ive tried eating better and thats a dead end it seems, my appetite has gone out the window and for the past week ive had the equivalent of 2 ready made meals a day, like the jenny craig ones just store bought. Basically im feeling lost, alone, and empty. Like ive got nothing and wont ever have anything. The one girlfriend i had when i was 20 hurt me in a way that before i knew it 10 years had gone by of me being single. Thats basically it, its not very well structured so i apologies for that but my mind is racing and all over the place right now so i tried to make it as readable as i can. Just looking for advice, i cant turn to family since my mother i havent spoke to for years, my father is going on holidays in less than a week and i dont want him to miss them or have a bad time, he needs them.

BornToBeBetter Trying To Understand How Long Should I Have Off Work??
  • replies: 5

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety yesterday after going to my HR manager and breaking down in front of her. She promptly got me to contact my GP and make an appointment, he has referred me to see a psychologist, of which the fi... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety yesterday after going to my HR manager and breaking down in front of her. She promptly got me to contact my GP and make an appointment, he has referred me to see a psychologist, of which the first available appointment isn't until Saturday afternoon. ( The psychologist did say one may come up sooner) My HR manager said take as long as you need of work to help clear your head, my problem is I know how busy it is and feel guilty for taking time off to work through this diagnoses. I know everyone is different in regards to collecting their thoughts and getting back to being functional. Should I feel bad? or just suck it up and go back to work tomorrow and wait to see the psychologist on Saturday or use this time off to try and workout what is going on in my head?

Mistwraith93 I need to vent In Safety, feel free to join in.
  • replies: 5

I apologise for this stream of consciousness in advance, but I’m in a very bad place at the moment and need to do something other than... well... keep it inside. im certain I will be fine later on but god it doesn’t feel like it right now. I havnt be... View more

I apologise for this stream of consciousness in advance, but I’m in a very bad place at the moment and need to do something other than... well... keep it inside. im certain I will be fine later on but god it doesn’t feel like it right now. I havnt been “ok” in over a year now. I have been dealing with severe clinical depression and anxiety for years now but it was when my fiancée and partner of 12 years left me “because I can’t watch you be this sad anymore”. That statement would almost be sweet sweet if I hadn’t then found out she had been repeatedly cheating on me for the last couple of years. Her not loving me anymore and wanting to go would have been fine. Would have hurt, but hey, it’s an honest reason I could have respected. but finding out all the other lies and whatnot absolutely broke me. Since then Ive had a lot of trouble making new friends. I think I’m too desperate to be friendly and it comes off as dishonest, insincere or just plain weird. It also doesnt help that at my age (26) everyone has their friendship groups pretty nailed down and breaking into someone else group can be hard. but right now I’m at the end of my rope because I have not had any kind of social interaction with anything resembling a friend in over two months now. I keep trying to make plans, and nothing ever goes through. i get the usual excuses/reasons, life is crazy, and getting people together when everyone’s got jobs or studies is hard. I GET that. But two months is starting to feel ether deliberate or a cruel joke. im the person people come to to talk about all their problems. People message me for advice, and help and I’m happy to give it, but when the conversation turns away from the topic at hand, the conversation ends. as the title suggests, this is more about venting for me than asking for help. I’m DOING all the “things” I should be doing outside of seeing a psych (I’ve used all my cheap visits, and have racked up 2000$ debt with psychiatrists following the breakup) I’m trying to reach out to people, I’m giviv them ALL the benefit of the doubt, I’m trying to meet new people through volunteer work and I’m chasing a new job. im trying not to be desperate. But I AM desperate. i like my alone time but I feel so horrifically and comically alone right now and there is nothing I can do apart from “keep going” for no logical reason. there is ALOT more going in but word limits are a thing. I’m an open book, so ask away, or vent yourself if you need to. I’ll listen.

LostInMyThoughts I don’t want to fall back down the dark hole again
  • replies: 2

lately I’ve been feeling like I’m starting to fall back down that dark hole again. I haven’t been there in a long time. It started with the small thoughts just those little ones to make you feel a bit worthless, makes you question yourself, your wort... View more

lately I’ve been feeling like I’m starting to fall back down that dark hole again. I haven’t been there in a long time. It started with the small thoughts just those little ones to make you feel a bit worthless, makes you question yourself, your worth, your purpose. Then it started to get a bit darker and I started having thoughts about how life would be better without me, other people wouldn’t care if I wasn’t around. Those sorts of dark thoughts that can really weaken your mindset. I’ve been trying so hard to just remind myself that they’re not true and maybe I’m just over tired from work or maybe I’m just bored with how my life is right now but I have things to look forward to in the coming months I just need to be patient, I’m going to graduate soon I’m going to start a new career next year. I shouldn’t believe these thoughts but I’m also so so scared that I’m just trying to convince my self everything is okay, like sugar coating when really I’m just ignoring the beginning warning signs that I might be falling back into depression. please if anyone has any way I can try and fight these thoughts to help me stay strong and to not let it progress any further then please provide me some insight or advice. I don’t want to fall back down that dark hole, I’ve been winning this battle for 2 years now and I’ve come so far. Thankyou.

Cazza65 Respite for sufferers
  • replies: 10

Hi I’m new to this forum. I’ve suffered depression for most of my life unfortunately. I recently spent a night in a public hospital as I didn’t know what else to do. Felt I just needed ‘time out’. I sat in the waiting room in Emergency from 10:30am u... View more

Hi I’m new to this forum. I’ve suffered depression for most of my life unfortunately. I recently spent a night in a public hospital as I didn’t know what else to do. Felt I just needed ‘time out’. I sat in the waiting room in Emergency from 10:30am until being admitted to a bed in Emergency @ 4:30pm I was assessed firstly by the Dr & then a psychiatric nurse. I was moved to another area (emergency overflow) & I was desperate for a good nights sleep but it was extremely noisy in this unit I got about 3hrs sleep & that was after a sleeping tablet! The nurse saw me again in the morning & he said I would be discharged (which I was nervous about as I didn’t feel like I could go home as I was still in a bad way) as I wasn’t ‘bad enough’ to be admitted to psychiatric ward & I wasn’t a suicide risk. I guess that’s a relief in some way but what I was disappointed with is I felt because I didn’t have a physical injury/illness I was not required to be in hospital . So, I feel after this experience, there needs to be some sort of respite house for mental patients to have some time out. Not a hospital as such but somewhere quiet, safe & secure. I guess it comes down to $$ & staff etc. not everyone can afford a private facility. Just wondering about other people’s opinions. PS I am seeing a Psychologist & taking medication. I do feel I’m getting better, but some other people may not be as fortunate with friends/family for support

Deadkai What am I doing wrong
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, I'm a 26 year old guy who feels lonely, afraid and worthless. I've never had a girlfriend and feel scared when I approach women. I don't feel like I have friends who care about me, I've never felt part of any groups, don't get me wrong,... View more

Hey everyone, I'm a 26 year old guy who feels lonely, afraid and worthless. I've never had a girlfriend and feel scared when I approach women. I don't feel like I have friends who care about me, I've never felt part of any groups, don't get me wrong, I try to put in my best effort but it's seen as being desperate by few while others take advantage, and I let them out of fear of being lonely. I tend to have mood swings which push me to my extreme positive, rare as it is, is the only chance I get to speak with women. And then the feeling goes away and I just stop talking. I know all of this may sound like a childish plea for attention and I'm OK with that as long as I can get some help. I want to make friends I can trust and rely on, I want to meet my other half and not just stare with greif and jealousy while I glance at others living their happy lives. Can someone advice me on how to approach people without reeking of desperation and how to talk to women randomly, not like in a suave James bond manner but in a way that I would atleast go up and talk to them.

Vitsyra What happened to my happily ever after?
  • replies: 24

Hi All, I'm Dawn and I'm new I have struggled with anxiety and depression since my early teens, but I think overall I've managed pretty well on my own.. I'm turning 30 in two months.. and the most amazing thing just happened, I finally moved into my ... View more

Hi All, I'm Dawn and I'm new I have struggled with anxiety and depression since my early teens, but I think overall I've managed pretty well on my own.. I'm turning 30 in two months.. and the most amazing thing just happened, I finally moved into my brand new house after 3 years of building misery. I have two beautiful cats, two beautiful bunnies and a pretty good job. So why aren't I happy? I feel annoyed at myself, while my life certainly isn't perfect I think its pretty good and most people would be more than happy to have it. Silly me thought once I moved into the house and settled in everything would just be perfect, my own happily ever after.. Unfortunately moving into my new house caused my anxiety to go AWOL.. then my depression decided to join the party. 6 weeks later and I am starting to feel better, but I thought I would try some counseling anyway.. but I don't think it really went well and I'm not convinced I'm going to go back. I guess what I'm trying to ask (while also introducing myself) is have you ever gotten everything you wanted (or something you wanted) and then found yourself not as happy as you were hoping? What did you do?

do71 Feeling likeI am not good enough
  • replies: 2

I always feel like I am not good enough at anything..my looks..my weight gain..I feel numb I dont want to do anything and this gets worse when I drink, I then get abusive becaused I have bottled it up..I have to fix me otherwise I am going to loose e... View more

I always feel like I am not good enough at anything..my looks..my weight gain..I feel numb I dont want to do anything and this gets worse when I drink, I then get abusive becaused I have bottled it up..I have to fix me otherwise I am going to loose everything...this is the start of recognising I am depressed

Notanurse Career burnout
  • replies: 6

Im a registered nurse and im beginning to hate it and regret ever going into it. I just feel so burnout, the work load is too much, theres never enough staff, management is the worst and putting more and more pressure on us each week. I hate it! Abso... View more

Im a registered nurse and im beginning to hate it and regret ever going into it. I just feel so burnout, the work load is too much, theres never enough staff, management is the worst and putting more and more pressure on us each week. I hate it! Absolutely hate it! I dont want to go back but i dont know what else id do for a job! I always thought being a nurse was where i want to be but since working where i am now theyve just killed all desire i once had. How do i find out what else id want to do for work? Right now i feel like theres nothing id be good at or will like and its sending me into another severe depression. I havent been able to east for 2 days now because im so stressed and anxious, i just feel too sick to eat. And i dont see my phychologist until the end of the month..