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

Vivianbear Introducing my (drum roll please) multiple problems and all consuming depression. Yay!
  • replies: 1

So...to start with lets look at my childhood or lack there of. I grew up in what would seem to be a pretty happy home, two parents and 3 other siblings. My father however was an asshole to put it bluntly! After the age of 8 he basically hated me or j... View more

So...to start with lets look at my childhood or lack there of. I grew up in what would seem to be a pretty happy home, two parents and 3 other siblings. My father however was an asshole to put it bluntly! After the age of 8 he basically hated me or just straight up didn't care. I was a victim of family violence between the ages of 8 and 12. After that it all became verbal, emotional, and mental. Since last year my parents have been seperated and after an episode during visitation with my dad I no longer see him. I am still a victim of family violence though but now it's from my brother. Now on to the depression. I have been depressed side around the age of 12. It flares every now and then. Today it was pretty bad cause I just randomly started crying and talking to myself like I used to. I am 16 and a girl.

perrytheplatypus High school & moving
  • replies: 2

I used to love school. I had amazing teachers and friends and I got good grades. Then I moved across the world and everything changed. My class is small and most of the people in my class are kind of rude. And everyday when I go to school I feel so u... View more

I used to love school. I had amazing teachers and friends and I got good grades. Then I moved across the world and everything changed. My class is small and most of the people in my class are kind of rude. And everyday when I go to school I feel so upset and the teachers there are awful and clearly do not know how to teach and I think I’ll have them as my teachers for one and half more years. I can’t do this anymore. My grades got worse and my few friends I have aren’t always supportive and I can’t transfer schools because the other schools near me are awful too. So I have no clue as to what to do. I’m so stressed and I get panic attacks a lot in school. I want things to go back to the way they used to be. I’m so stressed and confused and I have a test coming up too and we have so much to study for and it’s awful. I don’t know what to do

Kookie Sabotaging ocassions
  • replies: 2

Hi, need some advise on sabotaging special family moments or ocassions. Why does a person purposely begin conflict in the lead up to birthdays, Christmas/Easter holidays, any long weekends, or planned events. It's a pattern that I've noticed, been ha... View more

Hi, need some advise on sabotaging special family moments or ocassions. Why does a person purposely begin conflict in the lead up to birthdays, Christmas/Easter holidays, any long weekends, or planned events. It's a pattern that I've noticed, been happening for years, first I thought it was bad timing or coincidence but now I'm so in tune to this behaviour happening, and i dont know why. It's as if these moments or ocassions are a symbol of happiness and the person in question doesn't want to feel that. Any insight would be so much appreciated. Thanks

Hashimum13 Hashimoto hard time
  • replies: 2

Hi friends, i just wanted to jump on board and voice how I’m feeling, hoping this will help me, maybe see if someone can relate. im a 36 year old mum of two, a 3year old and a 9 month old. I have suffered bouts of anxiety and depression in the past, ... View more

Hi friends, i just wanted to jump on board and voice how I’m feeling, hoping this will help me, maybe see if someone can relate. im a 36 year old mum of two, a 3year old and a 9 month old. I have suffered bouts of anxiety and depression in the past, also PND after the birth of my first child. Along my journey I have learned to study myself and look out for early symptoms, avoid triggers and look after myself. I take AD and also have been diagnosed with Hashimoto disease which has been super difficult to manage as it is very unpredictable. after the birth of my second child I was expecting a bit of a rough time- but surprisingly seemed to bounce back quite well- ( despite the mastitis Lack of sleep ect...) so I guess I thought I’d dodged a bullet- that was until a week and a half ago. I suddenly hit a wall, feeling anxious, loss of appetite, upset stomach, tired and wired, lethargic,depression, and crazy brain fog .... i has a blood test and my TSH was in range but my thyroid antibodies had skyrocketed and so had white blood cells???... my GP Didn’t really have to much to say .... i don’t know if this related or return of PND? I know we are not doctors but I guess I’m just seeing if anyone else has had a similar experience? any advice would be appreciated thanks all, and hang in there!

Foxnin Why? What do I need to do?
  • replies: 2

I’m living in a current state of Groundhog Day. I feel like all I am doing is waking up to go to work to pay the bills. The problems that go with that, is that I am always exhausted and my partner thinks I have no time for her. I hate making her feel... View more

I’m living in a current state of Groundhog Day. I feel like all I am doing is waking up to go to work to pay the bills. The problems that go with that, is that I am always exhausted and my partner thinks I have no time for her. I hate making her feel bad and down but I don’t know how to make myself feel happy, so how am I meant to show her it’s not her fault. To be fair, she’s the only thing that makes me finally get up. We are currently fighting over all of this and I don’t know how to help explain to her that I need to work myself out to help us work us out. help me out if you can peeps. I’m so drained.

alexredm It's too early in the year to be feeling this way already
  • replies: 3

I never thought that my diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder was a life-sentence, I was diagnosed 3 years ago, studying a difficult course, and every year, I feel myself get better, only to slip into it during the final stretches of exam time or in... View more

I never thought that my diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder was a life-sentence, I was diagnosed 3 years ago, studying a difficult course, and every year, I feel myself get better, only to slip into it during the final stretches of exam time or in the longer nights of winter. However, April is too early for my symptoms to already start manifesting itself. This feels out of control and unexplainable, and it scares me that I am debilitated with a disorder that I neither understand or have the energy to confront. So help me what do I do? I feel so out of reach, but I don't want to spend my year with this over me.

Guest_672 Im not doing this a 3rd time round
  • replies: 12

Ive had major depression twice in 20yrs and can feel it slowly but gradualy creeping up to 3rd. Im not doing it again simple as that. Earth is definitely hell. You cant even rest in sleep dreams are so stressful.

Ive had major depression twice in 20yrs and can feel it slowly but gradualy creeping up to 3rd. Im not doing it again simple as that. Earth is definitely hell. You cant even rest in sleep dreams are so stressful.

Jojo100 I am new. Is this a safe place to post?
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone I am new to posting. I have bipolar and thought I would try here to see what it’s all about. I am going well at the moment, but have had some rough times too. Just wanting to know how helpful people find this site?

Hi everyone I am new to posting. I have bipolar and thought I would try here to see what it’s all about. I am going well at the moment, but have had some rough times too. Just wanting to know how helpful people find this site?

Helios007 Help - I dont know who to turn to
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I am a parent of a 6 month old and 6 year old. Since Child birth my partner says she is depressed but is not ready to seek medical help. this has now esclated in the last few days holding me responsible for her depression. There is constant s... View more

Hi All, I am a parent of a 6 month old and 6 year old. Since Child birth my partner says she is depressed but is not ready to seek medical help. this has now esclated in the last few days holding me responsible for her depression. There is constant screaming at me (I have not responded or reacted to it), I am at my wits end what to do and who to turn to. She has recently started drinking again, and it says it helps her sleep. I am not sure if alcohol and depression are interlinked. I refused to get drinks once and I have had it handed it back to me for 3 days. Everything I do is incorrect. I have now started doubting myself and am desperately looking for resources to help me cope and educate my kids around this as well. Even with our first child for the first 6-8 months she said she was depressed but this time its really viscious. Looking for any suggestion / help / support.

DisplayName5742 Does Life Get Better?
  • replies: 7

Hello, So, my life has gone down the drain. When I tell myself I'm managing okay, well everything goes pear-shaped. My partner and myself are having to move out of the unit we're living in as both of us lost our jobs last year and we haven't been abl... View more

Hello, So, my life has gone down the drain. When I tell myself I'm managing okay, well everything goes pear-shaped. My partner and myself are having to move out of the unit we're living in as both of us lost our jobs last year and we haven't been able to find anything else since. They have somewhere to go, but I don't. I can't go live as their parents as the parents don't like me. They think I'm only interested in my partner for money. I fell for my partner when he didn't have a job. Having been in a similar situation in the past I do have someone I can contact regarding emergency accommodation, and I have an appointment booked with them on Monday. I've tried asking my friends, and the response has been "no." There's also the matter of Centerlink enforcing a new rule regarding partners, as a result the only way I can get anything is to say I don't have a partner. Even if we're not living together I can't get anything because my partner should be able to support me. As I've been told by my case manager at the emergency accommodation office. Probably left a lot out, but to sum it up: I'm going to be homeless (even if I get into emergency accommodation, which will make me "legally homeless") in a matter of weeks, and I may not be able to get any assistance just because I have a partner. I can't get work, and I don't have any formal qualifications. Since I've been in a similar situation before I'm wondering, does life ever get better? Or should I just stop trying? I think that sums it up. Not sure though. Hard to think clearly... Or at all really. DisplayName5742