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: 8

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

ogtbird Living In Australia Help
  • replies: 15

Hi, This is a difficult post. I moved to Australia about 12 years ago from the UK. I tried hard to make AUSTRALIA and Western Australia my home but I struggled so much being away from family and friends in the UK. I also found Western Australia very ... View more

Hi, This is a difficult post. I moved to Australia about 12 years ago from the UK. I tried hard to make AUSTRALIA and Western Australia my home but I struggled so much being away from family and friends in the UK. I also found Western Australia very insular and remote. I bought houses had kids got a permanent visa to try and mask the underlying feelings about living here. Fast forward over a decade my marriage has failed and I just exist seeing my son a few times a week working a job I despise. I havr hardly any friends due to my marriage breakdown. I have no idea where to turn to. My son is only 7 and he to will be affected by the apathetic and negative attitude towards the country I tried to call home. I feel trapped and just feel like ending it all. I just cannot be bothered with life anymore.

Joshalot Depression and anxiety
  • replies: 3

Depression and anxiety was something that I never thought would touch me, until I saw my father fall into a terrible state of depression and anxiety. I seem to have his genes as I suffered depression and anxiety with all my 4 children. It was luckily... View more

Depression and anxiety was something that I never thought would touch me, until I saw my father fall into a terrible state of depression and anxiety. I seem to have his genes as I suffered depression and anxiety with all my 4 children. It was luckily picked up by the doctors at the hospital and I was given medication to help . But I had to do a lot of work myself to feel “ normal “. Exercise helped although it was extremely difficult to get my body to “ move”My family found it hard to understand as it was something that had not touched their lives before. But I’m out from under the cloud with the help of a great psychiatrist and psychologist and am now living a pretty good life. I have 4 grown up children who are doing really well and am very happy that I was able to get away from the “ black dog “ as Sir Winston Churchill named it.

HelloGail Daughter cutting me out of her life
  • replies: 2

Hi. I am at the end. There is nothing in my life worth living for and am hoping this heart ache will end my sorrows. I can only be myself and my only child told me today that she no longers wants me in her life. In fact on Christmas Day past told me ... View more

Hi. I am at the end. There is nothing in my life worth living for and am hoping this heart ache will end my sorrows. I can only be myself and my only child told me today that she no longers wants me in her life. In fact on Christmas Day past told me over the phone after I reached out to her for a reconcile "if you were not my mother, I wouldn't have anything to do with you". And today she confirmed this. If you read my previous posts of December 2022-January 2023 you will see what I wrote. Yes I had eye surgery on 12/12/22 and she left me, blinded, as she wanted to go back to her partner in Albury. Left me blinded as I had 12 stitches still in my right eye. My eye has since recovered from the surgery but her total rejection when I needed her the most after the surgery showed to me for the first time that my daughter does not care or even likes me. I raised her alone, got her through to university thanks to Kip McGrath. I worked hard to get her a Scholarship and she was granted a thirty thousand dollar scholarship which paid for her university campus accommodation and now she is fully qualified looks down on me as I am on a disability pension living in community housing. I did the best as I could on the little money I had. What happened? I do not know. My friends had warned me that I was spoiling her and now I believe I did so, it turned her into a person who does not appreciate me anymore. Sorry, I am in shock and lost for words.

Joe_the_Innocent27 Very angered, lost & frustrated
  • replies: 5

I am 28 at zero on Centrelink DSP wanting to start my life and leave everyone and forget everyone 1) I am with the most stigma diagnosis of Schizophrenia, because 10 years ago I wanted to kill myself and got mis diagnosed with psychosis on more than ... View more

I am 28 at zero on Centrelink DSP wanting to start my life and leave everyone and forget everyone 1) I am with the most stigma diagnosis of Schizophrenia, because 10 years ago I wanted to kill myself and got mis diagnosed with psychosis on more than one occasion 2) I am stuck on pharmaceutical treatment indefinitely and I am now a tragic pre diabetic without my gallbladder, they offer no sympathy or compensation with this for me 3) I have no interest in the mainstream entry job industries, wither that's hospitality, warehouse, retail, admin or call centre job's, and I am not wanting to be a labour blue collar through TAFE or go to University for numerous reasons 4) I don't get along with my family and have a narcissistic father, He socially labels and perceives me as disabled or needing more medication, He lowers my intelligence, His selfish & entitled & hypocritical, and I've never liked his personality my whole life, My mother exaggerates my personality and my brother only sees himself as stable and potentially competent 5) I am a spiritual person with Religious Biblical beliefs and believe only American society is that culture and shares my personality and beliefs, also they have more political diversity of agenda and I feel I have a choice for identity in the U.S.

south4th Feeling completely lost
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I came here today because I don’t know who to talk to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for depression but the appointments are few and far between. This week I discovered my ex boyfriend is getting married (while I am still single, and h... View more

Hi everyone, I came here today because I don’t know who to talk to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for depression but the appointments are few and far between. This week I discovered my ex boyfriend is getting married (while I am still single, and have been for what feels like forever). This set off, to my surprise, some real feelings of worthlessness and what I can only describe as grief, despite the fact I haven’t seen this man for years and he’s in the US anyway, but I guess I had never really gotten over him. On top of that, despite having been successful overseas, now that I’m home in Australia I can’t get a job. I feel lonely, useless, and worthless. All I want to do is sleep or cry. The only thing keeping me going is my dog. I can’t talk to my mum and sister about this as they just wouldn’t understand or at least wouldn’t know what to say to help. I would have talked to my dad but he passed away suddenly a few years ago which makes everything even worse. I just don’t know what to do - I’ve been trying to stay positive, I’ve been looking for jobs, I’ve been going to the psychologist and doing all the things you’re supposed to do, but nothing has really helped and I feel exhausted with the trying and like there’s nothing to look forward to and I’m afraid of the future. Any advice on trying to get through this??

LJpd81 Does therapy do more harm than good?
  • replies: 5

Hi so I've been seeing a psychologist regularly since 2021 for depression and sh. And a psychiatrist for 5 sessions so far.I usually look forward to going and talking to both of them.There have been times, I've thought, how many more sessions do I ne... View more

Hi so I've been seeing a psychologist regularly since 2021 for depression and sh. And a psychiatrist for 5 sessions so far.I usually look forward to going and talking to both of them.There have been times, I've thought, how many more sessions do I need and does it do more harm than good?I'm on medication and in the past I have sh, even as long ago as a few weeks ago.I've had a lot going on. Sick husband and trying to mend my mental health.I've started to feel better and yesterday, I was on a high and happy , despite the fact I was going to see my psychiatrist that day.She is helping, but I left yesterday feeling depressed and teary and I've felt the same all day today.It's triggered me wanting to drink and thinking sh thoughts and just horrible, down thoughts on myself . I have a post from yesterday, that explains more.I'm just, is it normal to feel depressed, after sessions? I am sometimes sad after psychologist sessions too.

Annie147 I’m new here
  • replies: 7

Hello everyone, I don’t know what I’m doing so I hope I’m on the right page . I suffer from depression due to a work place injury. I have a great dr , a pain management specialist, a surgeon and a psychologist.I feel like I am losing control over eve... View more

Hello everyone, I don’t know what I’m doing so I hope I’m on the right page . I suffer from depression due to a work place injury. I have a great dr , a pain management specialist, a surgeon and a psychologist.I feel like I am losing control over every aspect of my life and I definitely aren’t the same person I was 5 years ago and due to very high doses of medication I’m fairly sedated most of the time . I have lost interest in everything. I’m hoping someone can give me some tips thanks for taking the time to even read this

tank-89 Depression and anxiety and ptsd
  • replies: 2

Hi guys I’m at 34 year old bloke . When I was younger I copied it really hard form my mother she used to flog me around the back of the head and always yell at me for doing the littles thing wrong , and still too this day I’m still really scared of m... View more

Hi guys I’m at 34 year old bloke . When I was younger I copied it really hard form my mother she used to flog me around the back of the head and always yell at me for doing the littles thing wrong , and still too this day I’m still really scared of my mother . I don’t feel comfortable being around her I always make sure that there is another person there because I get intemperated form her I can’t stand being out with her in public.. it’s starting to get to the point where I want to runoff though the night an not tell anyone else about it. It feels like a big dark cloud is always following me around and I don’t have any friends an I don’t have any self confidence and I don’t have any self of steam and I don’t have any energy. I don’t like moving out of my comfort zones and I don’t like talking to my family members about things and still to this day I’m still scared of her, an still does yells at me if I do the Little’s thing wrong ..

J1992 Hey everyone
  • replies: 12

Hey this is my first post I’m a 30 year old male I’ve been really depressed for a few years and have anxiety about things I make bigger in my head I’m one of those people that loves to see everyone happy around me tbh I find it hard to even leave the... View more

Hey this is my first post I’m a 30 year old male I’ve been really depressed for a few years and have anxiety about things I make bigger in my head I’m one of those people that loves to see everyone happy around me tbh I find it hard to even leave the house some days my family are always there which has helped a lot I put on this happy face when I’m out there and pretend to be happy when inside I’m down which isn’t good my mates and friends have all disappeared over that time either have kids or are on drugs I don’t touch drugs or have kids yet which I feel makes me different some how and make me think more I sometimes feel like giving up on myself but I’m just hanging in I find sports makes me forget it and clears the mind even for abit I’m single and have bad thoughts some days about my life and where I am in it that little voice in my head can sometimes turn into a negative voice I’d love to hear from everyone thanks

Lost_Alone Feel like I’m always wrong
  • replies: 4

I feel like I’m trying to constantly accept and or validate how others feel and to help them. My own thoughts and feelings are often challenged or feel like they are being dismissed as less important. I know I’m not always right but surely I’m not al... View more

I feel like I’m trying to constantly accept and or validate how others feel and to help them. My own thoughts and feelings are often challenged or feel like they are being dismissed as less important. I know I’m not always right but surely I’m not always wrong either. When I try to share my feelings or thoughts about how im coping ir my concerns about issues I often get I'm too controlling or judgemental ir that other people have much worse. Even my partner says that mental health stuff is just a form of spontaneous nonsense or he says that even with all of his challenges in life he’s never felt that way and that I should just think about all I have to be grateful for. Which I know has a place but….I still feel. he constantly rants on about negatives and I don’t feel supported emotionally or trying to help my children emotionally. My youngest has spent 2 nights in a mental health ward and I feel like lots of it is my fault because I don’t approve of some of her friends - I don’t see them as being a positive influence in her life and worry that they are leading her into a troubled life…which is kind of where we are now. I don’t want her to have to go through this but I am powerless.