Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Guest_94637978 Mazzy
  • replies: 2

I have broken my foot in 3 places and didn't go to hospital I walked around on it for 12 days thinking it was a sprain It was very very painful my daughter saw it and insisted I go to the Dr The foot was a mess I have a moon boot crutches knee scoote... View more

I have broken my foot in 3 places and didn't go to hospital I walked around on it for 12 days thinking it was a sprain It was very very painful my daughter saw it and insisted I go to the Dr The foot was a mess I have a moon boot crutches knee scooter as it is zero weight bearing I cannot believe how much this has affected me I'm so miserable and feel like a burden to everyone I can't drive difficult to walk around only using one leg Has anyone been completely miserable after breaking there foot I'm so sad and miserable

Cactus Loneliness
  • replies: 2

I am 50 years old, female living with so dat undiagnosed autism. I have never had any close friends and I live far from family. I suffer from bad depression because of it. It seems to get worse the older I get. When I discussed this with my doctor, h... View more

I am 50 years old, female living with so dat undiagnosed autism. I have never had any close friends and I live far from family. I suffer from bad depression because of it. It seems to get worse the older I get. When I discussed this with my doctor, he suggested I join clubs to meet more people. Lack of access to people isn’t the problem though, I have been with an animal welfare group for 5 years and didn’t make a single friend, despite going to lots of their social gatherings. I’ve been with a plant society for three and a half years, I’m on their committee and all I have is acquaintances, whom I only see at the monthly meetings. No one wants to catch up outside the meetings. I know lots of people. Problem is it always stays superficial, a deeper connection just never develops. I don’t feel like I fit in anywhere, I’ve felt like that my whole life due to this lack of meaningful connection. I feel that because of my autism it’s even worse as I don’t understand the intricacies of social interaction. I can’t really read people and when I do talk to them it never comes naturally, I have to think about it all the time (how much eye contact, volume, when to speak and not interrupt), it’s exhausting. I can do it for a bit but people always seem to dislike me or simply not be interested in me. I go out by myself sometimes because I don’t even have someone to go for a coffee or a meal with. I’m always the only person who is there by themselves and it’s painful to see others talking and laughing together, sharing their thoughts and experiences.I feel like an alien visiting from another planet. I have lots of plants (hence the plant society) and a pet cat but I so desperately need deeper connection to people. I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life.

LC80 Nothing left to give
  • replies: 3

Recently a divorced family member passed away leaving three children behind. I am estranged from my family so I could not attend the funeral. The person who passed was treated very shabbily by me when they were growing up, and in a time of need I tur... View more

Recently a divorced family member passed away leaving three children behind. I am estranged from my family so I could not attend the funeral. The person who passed was treated very shabbily by me when they were growing up, and in a time of need I turned them away. I am partly responsible for the situation they found themselves in and I feel partly to blame for the death. To receive a message that it should have been me in the coffin weighs very heavily on my shoulders. I'll carry that thought for the rest of my days. In recent years I have been doing a fair amount of volunteer work. With the weight of that plus the recent family death at the age of nearly 68 years old, and with my own chronic health conditions I feel as though I have nothing left to give. Any future I have looks very dark.

Jencop Loosing my husband
  • replies: 1

Hello I cared for my beautiful husband for 12 years with dementia and he was in my arms when he took his last breath in November after his funeral I returned to Perth with my daughter for Xmas then to Melbourne to be with my mum and sister for new ye... View more

Hello I cared for my beautiful husband for 12 years with dementia and he was in my arms when he took his last breath in November after his funeral I returned to Perth with my daughter for Xmas then to Melbourne to be with my mum and sister for new year. I was rushed to hospital on 29th December and my gallbladder was removed. I have been at my sisters recovering, grieving and because I have been sleeping sometimes 10-15 hours she says I’m depressed? I miss my husband very much but I’m not in a dark deep hole. I’m just tired. I go home to Newcastle in a week to restart my life without him at home. I have great friends at home to help me if I need to talk. I’m just worried about sleeping the days away? Has anybody else had this experience?

Belu Son moved interstate
  • replies: 1

My 23 year old son just finished Uni and moved interstate for a job. There were job opportunities here in his career and he could have still moved out of home but he really wanted to go interstate for an new beginning and I’m really struggling so muc... View more

My 23 year old son just finished Uni and moved interstate for a job. There were job opportunities here in his career and he could have still moved out of home but he really wanted to go interstate for an new beginning and I’m really struggling so much with it, I cry a lot. I have a good support network with my husband, other son & friends but there is more to the story. He had brain cancer when he was 9 & a secondary cancer a couple of years ago. He also has ongoing issues from the initial cancer, I was with him every step of this and he mine when I was diagnosed with cancer too & had 18 months of treatment. We have quite a connection and he still relies on me for a lot. I know this will be good for both of us but I just don’t know how to get back to my happy self. I’m also scared that if something else medically pops up I can’t get there fast enough. I don’t need to find other interests, I have a fairly busy life, I just don’t know how to deal with this.

BookReader My Depressed Husband Wants to Leave
  • replies: 11

My husband and I have been together for 10 years, married for almost 4 years now. When we were dating and engaged everything was great. We had such fun together and loved each other dearly. A week before our 1 year wedding anniversary we separated as... View more

My husband and I have been together for 10 years, married for almost 4 years now. When we were dating and engaged everything was great. We had such fun together and loved each other dearly. A week before our 1 year wedding anniversary we separated as he said that there has been a build up over the past few weeks where he feels he was no longer in love with me and was not the same person anymore. At the time I genuinely thought he was having an affair. 4 months of being separated and we decided to get back together and work on our relationship and marriage. We did individual councelling for a while and eventually rebuilt the marriage.He then fell into a similar state only a few months later but we did not separate, it was so hard to stay but I refused to go through the process again, even though I did not understand what was happening to him.Now, about 2 years later, it has started again. And only now have I been able to see that he is potentially suffering from severe depression. He says he is unhappy in life, that being home makes him miserable, and he has nothing left to give to me in terms of love and what I deserve which is someone who will treat me right. He feels we have grown apart and have no common interests anymore and he is thinking of leaving. He is avoidant of me, does not touch me or look in my direction. And he is hardly ever home, he will go out with friends and not come home for hours.I am trying to stay strong and be there for him but being alone all the time in the house with no one is starting to take a toll on my mental health and I am struggling to find reasons to stay. I feel so much guilt and genuinely have no idea what to do.

Bleah Breakup with a child involved
  • replies: 1

I'm in a bit of constant stress. The mother of my child and I were together 6 years with a child that is 2 and a bit. She brought up the idea of breaking up and at the time it seemed fair, we were not communicating and life was getting in the way of ... View more

I'm in a bit of constant stress. The mother of my child and I were together 6 years with a child that is 2 and a bit. She brought up the idea of breaking up and at the time it seemed fair, we were not communicating and life was getting in the way of us spending any time together. But after a few months of living apart it's a tonne of stress and I have not been able to move on. It's not getting easier. I just feel so lonely, I don't really have any friends outside of work. I'm very introverted and find it hard to communicate, but I really hate being alone! It's affecting every part of my life

Marcus78 I Have Severe Depression, ADHD, and I am Having Issues with Romantic Rejection
  • replies: 5

First time posting on a forum over another person. This is more for me to vent and to work through my feelings and to stop overanylising the situation. I'm 46, have ADHD and severe depression and I am by no means an expert on relationships. I have kn... View more

First time posting on a forum over another person. This is more for me to vent and to work through my feelings and to stop overanylising the situation. I'm 46, have ADHD and severe depression and I am by no means an expert on relationships. I have known this female friend for 15 years. I met her through a group of friends. Over time I started developing feelings for her. After a breakup I had a while ago, I confided in her to get over the other person which really helped. She has confided in me too after her breakups and relationships over the years. Slowly after this I started developing even more feelings. I mentioned that I had feelings for her, and she did not take it well. I had to calm her down and say that I don't expect you to feel the same way which made her feel better. But the feelings were always there and she knew this but chose to stay friends. I never pushed her regarding this. A few years ago, the group started hanging out less and less as some had started their own families or moved away from our area. I hadn't talked to her for a good 3 years. About six months ago, I contacted her out of the blue and we started talking again. We'd share everything, from sex, relationships, hobbies etc. We talked a lot. Talking about things, as you do, out of the blue two months ago she mentioned that we should have a night alone. I was a bit taken aback with this, but she was serious. She mentioned that it could be fun. I said that I realise that it would just be a night alone, no relationship etc. She liked this. I thought I could handle it so I agreed to organizing a date and time when she could. I never pushed it due to her commitments with work and kids. But after two months I figured that she was just not interested in meeting up. Her responses were a bit lacking for a while too but not overly so. Two weeks ago she finally asked when are we doing this. We organized a time for Friday Late November. First time I saw her in years and my heart skipped a hundred beats. Yep the feelings were still as strong as always. It was a great night, we booked a hotel room, had dinner and a few drinks as well. Talked a lot as it was the first time I had seen her in years.The next three days were a bit weird. I felt depressed and upset and it was then I realised that I did not handle it as well as I thought I would. But I kept it all as it had usually been. No upsetting text messages etc, I just talked as we always had. She barely answered my messages, and if she did they were just one word answers etc. I realised that she is busy, so my messages were very sporadic, and she had gone quiter in the past, but never this quiet. I realised after those three days that the night we had was a possible mistake. I felt really hollow and upset over it. And her lack of responses was upsetting too. It made me realise that my feelings for her were still very strong. I decided to end the casual relationship there and then. Rather than not saying anything or ignoring her I thought I should be upfront. I sent her a text explaining that I still had strong feelings for her after all this time, and that I didn't think I could do this again. A few hours later she texted me saying that she would have to answer this text later. I then said that you don't have to. I understand that you don't feel the same way and that I still wanted her as a friend. Roughly a week goes by and no communication from me or her. I didn't want to push it as I know she is busy and has her own issues. After that week I sent her a message in the morning asking if we were okay. No response. Later that night I sent her another message saying that I would leave you to it, and if you ever want to talk I'll be here. Later she told me off. She was annoyed that I sent the earlier message during work hours, she was &*#$%#@ angry, that I was being overdramatic, if she had known this in the first place that I couldn't handle it she would never had offered, and that she was sick of men saying one thing and meaning another. I was confused and the reply hurt, but I apologized. I told her that it was a mistake on my part, and that it wasn't until afterwards that I realised that I couldn't handle it, and that I wasn't trying to hurt her in any way. In the end I asked her if she could remove me and block me on social media, as this was the only way we communicated. And that it would be better for both of us to prevent any contact situations. I also didn't want the temptation of unblocking her if I did block her. I just needed to distance myself and sort my feelings out. She finally did block me after an argument we had. Again saying that I am an idiot, and to stop with the over emotional stuff. And that I was being weird. The whole situation has led to another huge depression episode and I am totally upset over this. I can't stop thinking about it.