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

Spark_019 Help.
  • replies: 3

Recently I have been really struggling. I am a grade 10 student in high school. The school environment makes me so depressed. I have no motivation to even do simple tasks. I dread the thought of having to move to the next class when the bell rings an... View more

Recently I have been really struggling. I am a grade 10 student in high school. The school environment makes me so depressed. I have no motivation to even do simple tasks. I dread the thought of having to move to the next class when the bell rings and find it so difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I have always been a good student, with mostly straight A's and the occasional B, but the school environment - if i'm honest - makes me want to crawl under a rock and die. I feel as if I am trapped in an endless cycle of exhaustion - wake up, cry, spend 7 hours sitting at a desk, come home, cry, struggle to sleep. I have been in this cycle for at least 6 months and I don't know how to deal with it any more. I missed an entire class because I couldn't stop myself from crying in a toilet cubicle. I can't talk to my parents because they are already dealing with their own issues and I couldn't bear to unload my fragile mental state and burden them like that. I don't know how much longer I can deal with this. I feel like no one can hear me. I am falling further and further into a dark hole each day.

deprees8 talking a lot after starting meds
  • replies: 4

hi everyone, dpress8 here just want to find out if i am not alone in this quandary. i have noticed when i first started taking the anti depressants and im noticing again that i am talking a lot more than usual i just want to know if im alone in this ... View more

hi everyone, dpress8 here just want to find out if i am not alone in this quandary. i have noticed when i first started taking the anti depressants and im noticing again that i am talking a lot more than usual i just want to know if im alone in this or did anybody else notice this when they started on the meds. im starting to worry that im talking to much when im out and people are staring to notice and "judge me". please let me know what your experiences were or if im totally "alone" in this cheers and have a good day people. and as i say to everyone i meet now. Smile.

Puggsley2 Where to start?
  • replies: 4

I am a fairly healthy 74 year old, reasonably secure financially and living in a home I own with my wife of 50+ years. I shouldn't be depressed, but I am. All my sources of support seem to be closing at the same time, these include volunteering in em... View more

I am a fairly healthy 74 year old, reasonably secure financially and living in a home I own with my wife of 50+ years. I shouldn't be depressed, but I am. All my sources of support seem to be closing at the same time, these include volunteering in emergency services, sporting shooting, motorbike riding, even full time employment. This has meant that my outside support base is shrinking and I have no idea how to move forward. The big black dog is sniffing my my heals but the local GPs seem more interested in their fees than me. Is life supposed to feel this hopeless?

haike what should I do with my alcoholic and depressed partner
  • replies: 3

Where to begin? we've been together one and half year, we met in New Zealand when we were both travelling there on a working holiday visa. He was honest to me at the beginning, said he’s an alcoholic for 5 years and he has depression since he was a t... View more

Where to begin? we've been together one and half year, we met in New Zealand when we were both travelling there on a working holiday visa. He was honest to me at the beginning, said he’s an alcoholic for 5 years and he has depression since he was a teenager. He want to quit drinking, and he never deny his alcoholism. we've always been travelling in the past year, since we come from different country, kind have to, all the visa problems. We fight a lot over alcohol. He start being physically and mentally abusive. I start being crazy also. Every time he got a bottle, I try to pour it out, then we get into a fight, next morning we’ll hold each other crying and say sorry he’ll never drink again.. then, it happen again. he drink and we fight/argue from nz to china, then Indonesia. there were somedays he did really good without drinking, but never last more than 2 weeks. always some bad thing happen, to became his new excuse to start drinking again. now we are in Australia doing working holiday.. He become so mad recently, at everything, got fight with people after drunk at night, then got himself in trouble. I have realized i'm in an abusive relationship for a while, but it's so hard to let go, so hard to give up on him, to watch him suffer, I want to help so bad, but don't know how. we were trying to find a place to settle down, get a job, which, he said would help him a lot. but we just couldn't make it yet when we still travelling. and his mind set is he won't stop drinking until we settle down. but I can't deal with he drinking anymore, it drives me crazy, I thinking about breaking up all the time, and so many hurtful things he put on me, I'm mentally destroyed..but , who is going to help him? I'm the only one he has, I feel so selfish, but meantime I know it's the right choice for both of us. he is not only an alcoholic, he is in depression too. and I know partner's support means a lot to him. but, when I'm so mad at him drinking and when we argue so much, it dose't do any good for him. I tried to calm down, I searched a lot stuff online, I learned a lot, but when thing happened we do stupid things we couldn't control our anger... im so lost, so confuesed ,,don't know what to do? what's right? I just want to make the best choice for him, he needs more help than me. I'm still strong, positive, looking for a way out, for us, him and myself...but I'm so lost , and helpless..

Gjorggan How do I continue? feeling of constant guilt and shame, depression.
  • replies: 2

I am a 22 year old male, living with his parents, working 7 days a week 8 - 13 hour days, haven't had a meaningful intimate relationship in 3 years. Work isolates me from my friends, when I go out to see a movie or anything that is typically a 'socia... View more

I am a 22 year old male, living with his parents, working 7 days a week 8 - 13 hour days, haven't had a meaningful intimate relationship in 3 years. Work isolates me from my friends, when I go out to see a movie or anything that is typically a 'social' event, I go alone. I don't allow myself to be vulnerable to anyone (probably why I am here) for the reason I really don't think anyone really cares. I have had depression on and off since high school, I have seen help and have been medicated before. I know I am sick, I know I need to talk, I struggle so much to open my mouth because I really think unless the person is being paid they really don't care. How do I continue? I am constantly at odds with myself I want to go on and try harder yet I still find myself crying almost every night, in the car on my way home from work. This sickness never seems to end. How do I continue?

anotherpuglover What’s going on with me?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I’d love some advice from anyone willing to help. The last 2 weeks I have been feeling very down and I have been crying at the drop of a hat. I have found that my work life has been made difficult because I simply can’t get through witho... View more

Hi everyone, I’d love some advice from anyone willing to help. The last 2 weeks I have been feeling very down and I have been crying at the drop of a hat. I have found that my work life has been made difficult because I simply can’t get through without wanting to cry. I spent 1hour at work this morning before having to go home because I couldn’t keep the tears away. There’s a few things going on in my life at the moment, but there’s definitely not anything that’s playing on my mind. I’m finding it hard to stay focused and concentrated. People will be having a conversation with me and it seems to be going straight over my head. All I want to do is be in my bed. I am sad and I don’t even know why. Any suggestions to help get out of this awful headspace?

Josh_Smith Post break up depression
  • replies: 6

Hi, I don't really know how to start these things so I'll dive right into it. Background: 4 years ago, my ex girlfriend and I decided to make things official. We had known each other since we were born and both grew up in rural Australia. Small town,... View more

Hi, I don't really know how to start these things so I'll dive right into it. Background: 4 years ago, my ex girlfriend and I decided to make things official. We had known each other since we were born and both grew up in rural Australia. Small town, so everyone new everyone, no secrets. Towards the middle of the relationship, she had a bad relationship with alcohol. She barley drank ever, but when she did - she was flirty with other guys. It got so bad that my parents had received picture of her kissing another boy and also at a wedding we were both invited to was kissing someone on the dance floor. Now she tells me that she has never slept with anyone. In any case, we decided to try and make things work out. She had been to clinics, seen specialists and really seemed as though she was putting the effort in to try and make us work. She is now overseas doing a rural course for 6 weeks, and I noticed that she was being very active on social media but didn't have the time of day to respond to my text, even letting me know she got there okay and was safe. She promised me that it would always be her and I. But we recently had a big fight about this, and that she had told me I would always be a priority. I know this sounds needy, but my trust was broken after hearing about these cheating instances. She now has blocked me on everything. I'm finding this break up extremely hard to deal with. Our families are close and no doubt I will be seeing her again. I am honestly trying to be the bigger man, but this heart break is like nothing else. What are your suggestions on coping with with. I had been hitting the bottle pretty hard lately which has been affecting everything. My work, my social life, my health. I have come to the conclusion that I can't be this person anymore, but need advice on how to numb the pain. Thank you

BCarger13 Highest of Highs to Lowest of Lows
  • replies: 1

Hi All I am a 28 year old male, been in a relationship for 5 years and generally have lived a good life. I moved from Adelaide to Brisbane almost 7 years ago, when i arrived i had no work and after 4 years built myself a career in the coffee industry... View more

Hi All I am a 28 year old male, been in a relationship for 5 years and generally have lived a good life. I moved from Adelaide to Brisbane almost 7 years ago, when i arrived i had no work and after 4 years built myself a career in the coffee industry i started as a technician worked my way up to a state manager. I had developed a great friendship with my boss at the time we were best mates and worked well together, around 12 months ago the friendship started to drift off and i noticed that he wasnt at work alot leaving me to run the state in his absence. It turned out that he was actually building a coffee roasting business with the company owners son. This was something we were always going to do together however i didnt have a millionaire father to fund the project. I felt betrayed by this and left the company within a month to another company where i took on a larger and well paid role still in the coffee industry. However after 5 months i was burnt out and suffering from anxiety issues, i decided i would take the 20k in savings i had and open a coffee shop. I sunk every penny into it and was finally feeling happy with my life, during the last period of last year i had a visit from the second coffee company i had worked at and was offered my job back same money and all. So i decided that yes id take it and closed my shop down however after two weeks i contacted them and they informed me the owners did not want me to return. I never heard a thing back from the worker who approached me to coming back again making me feel as if i had been betrayed by a friend. I closed my shop in February of this year and have not been able to get any work since, im getting married in October and am building a debt in my overdraft. I feel as if i am on a rollercoaster ride some days are better but i feel as if i have failed in life and have massive issues now trusting people and trusting their word. I have no close mates who i can talk to and feel like im going through this alone, i have always had a job since i was 15 and with no employment i feel my life has no meaning and i have no drive for life. Im not sure what to do really, everybody keeps saying just stay positive and the universe will deliver but its been 4.5 months and i'm just not sure how much more i can give. I dont no what to do or where to turn hoping some body on here has been through a similar situation. Thanks Brendan

RiseAboveIt Depression & Psychotic symptoms
  • replies: 4

Hi I have been psychotic for a few years now. At night I hear lady singing and touching my blanket to wake me up! Obviously no one is in my house and that scares the living $hit out of me! I regularly hear ghost trying to crawl into my bedroom, just ... View more

Hi I have been psychotic for a few years now. At night I hear lady singing and touching my blanket to wake me up! Obviously no one is in my house and that scares the living $hit out of me! I regularly hear ghost trying to crawl into my bedroom, just like horror film. Once or twice, I managed to confront frightening voice and face it - nobody was there! Anger is more useful than fear - basic psych 101 - arnie said that in that awful terminator film. I am on anti psych meds and regular therapy. There is no cure so I have accepted my condition. BUT what can I do about Depression which I hear is treatable! Just looking for ways people here have perhaps found way LONG TERM to keep their depression in check or even beat it ? Please share your experiences... Thanks in advance.

SirDepressedALot Thought I'd give this place a go.. SO heres me.
  • replies: 1

Me; Manic Depressive General Anxiety Disorder PTSD So I work 4 days a week, its hard but its manageable for the time being. On my days off I go to the gym for an hour or more as I've been trying to get back into shape was 95kg at the start of the yea... View more

Me; Manic Depressive General Anxiety Disorder PTSD So I work 4 days a week, its hard but its manageable for the time being. On my days off I go to the gym for an hour or more as I've been trying to get back into shape was 95kg at the start of the year and I'm down to 78kg - yay for small wins but thats pretty much all I do. I work and I go to the gym on my days off, rinse and repeat. I've lost all my (2-3) close school friends over the years and now I'm stuck in a city that I absolutely hate. Making friends with anyone has got to be the hardest thing it takes time to be friends with people but generally I've never had many friends and a lot of people just dont seem to like me. I've grown so used to being along these days but at the same time really long to have a friend. Animals are great but its not the same. Simply put the dating scene for me also is - not good. I'm just getting really over everything at the moment. I've come such a long way in the past 10 months from having social anxiety to where I was failing my classes as I'd be having panic attacks sitting in my car unable to go in before class to now working in retail dealing with people on almost a daily basis. I guess I had too higher expectations for how things would be.. Its great the my anxiety isnt as much of an issue anymore but I really thought things would be different. I feel like I could so easily crash and burn right now that everything I've achieved is slowly just slipping out of my hands.