Depression

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

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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
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Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

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.

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

Alyca Is this really depression or something else, what should I do?
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I seriously can't tell anymore. I have this constant emptiness(maybe vulnerbility) and anxious feeling gnawing at me. It might alleviate some time, but it will grow back. I don't dare to go to sleep unless I'm tired enough to fall asleep in a manner ... View more

I seriously can't tell anymore. I have this constant emptiness(maybe vulnerbility) and anxious feeling gnawing at me. It might alleviate some time, but it will grow back. I don't dare to go to sleep unless I'm tired enough to fall asleep in a manner of seconds, or go quiet and do any quality works even if I really want to. I had to always watching something or forcing my mind both not to think and not to stop at the same time (Like watching TV), or the darkness and emptiness will find its way and seep in, making me feel anxious, scared, cold and meaningless. The smallest thing can set me off, and I'm constantly sensing and worrying about things that can go wrong, feeling I'm not prepared for such accidents or mishaps, no matter how slim the chances are. In fact I can't tell whether the chances are small or not, after all there is something called Murphy's Law. And this renders all my efforts, as everything, as long as it can go wrong, will go wrong. How can anyone make anything absolutely perfect? So it's always there, this gnawing voice, this very deep level of emptiness, powerless, and this angst, I can't even know the reason because anything can lead to that. In this case living alone is burdensome, for the future to me is not something to be looking forward to but something to be feared. I tried to talk to the family, none of them understand what I was saying, for they don't have the same problem. So all they can say is stop worrying, or you are worry about nothing. Does anyone here know about this kind of situation? Please share if there is a cure for that.

Bam2317 Marriage separation
  • replies: 1

Hi, recently my wife and i separated. We had been together for almost 9 years and married for 7 years. Im finding it hard to cope with the separation, i dont feel like doing the things i love to do, i dont feel like eating, i dont feel happy only sad... View more

Hi, recently my wife and i separated. We had been together for almost 9 years and married for 7 years. Im finding it hard to cope with the separation, i dont feel like doing the things i love to do, i dont feel like eating, i dont feel happy only sad, i get frustrated and anger with every thing and ever one and im also having negative thoughts like no one cares about me etc. We are currently still living in the same house and i wanted to leave but theres kids involved. Any advice will help

garysdash SELF HELP TIPS FOR DEPRESSION
  • replies: 0

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

hannahj I'm a terrible person
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I am a really terrible person I've been hiding it because otherwise if I don't no one would like me and I would feel lonely I was pretending that I love everyone and I understand everything But I am a very pessimistic person who would never agree wit... View more

I am a really terrible person I've been hiding it because otherwise if I don't no one would like me and I would feel lonely I was pretending that I love everyone and I understand everything But I am a very pessimistic person who would never agree with anyone I don't like myself being this way but I'm just too tired to change it I don't know why the chat is unavailable when it's 11pm maybe they blocked me

mate01 Is this depression?
  • replies: 4

So I've been thinking for a little bit that I might have depression, but I was unsure, so I didn't say anything to anyone. Now, people around me have noticed things about me that I see as well. So here is a list (kind of matched up with a symptom lis... View more

So I've been thinking for a little bit that I might have depression, but I was unsure, so I didn't say anything to anyone. Now, people around me have noticed things about me that I see as well. So here is a list (kind of matched up with a symptom list): - I lack motivation for just about anything, except for the things that make me happy - I create roadblocks for a majority of tasks and opportunities - I go through different emotions throughout the day (e.g. I'm not sad for all the day) - Rumination (can be about literally anything, often ends in a feeling of worthlessness) - Am quite tired or worn out (could just be school as I am in year 12) I also did an online test which stated that I fell into the category of moderate depression, but I know that they are only a guide. What do you guys think? It's really playing on my mind and I need to do something about it

Supporting_Partner Bipolar - desperate to support a loved one
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Hi, I’m posting here because I don’t know where else to turn. I love my partner very much. My partner was diagnosed with bipolar and although there have been many ups and downs, my partner’s current depression has me so worried than ever. She’s locke... View more

Hi, I’m posting here because I don’t know where else to turn. I love my partner very much. My partner was diagnosed with bipolar and although there have been many ups and downs, my partner’s current depression has me so worried than ever. She’s locked up in her room and won’t allow me to talk to her in any way. She sometimes gets violent when I try. My phone has been blocked so there’s no way to contact her when she’s not home. Our child is being so strong but is very sad because my partner won’t even acknowledge her unless she’s yelling at her to get out of the room. I want her to know that I’m there for her and I’m so desperate to help but I’m so lost and afraid she’ll hurt herself. I’m afraid if I ask friends to check in on her it’ll get worse. Is it in any way inappropriate to ask her psychologist to check in on her? Any advice would be appreciated Thank you

Alexa1401 Toxic Mind.
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Hi, I would really appreciate it if someone could help me. I can't get out of my own mind. I have depression. Its getting to a point where it feels like it will never ease up. Life has thrown a massive curve ball once again. My mum has been diagnosed... View more

Hi, I would really appreciate it if someone could help me. I can't get out of my own mind. I have depression. Its getting to a point where it feels like it will never ease up. Life has thrown a massive curve ball once again. My mum has been diagnosed with stage 4 non smokers lung cancer and bone cancer. Im to young to lose my mum. I cant get past the thought that she will never see me get married, have children or even see me go through life. I never really got to spend quality time with her as we have all been working non stop. And now the quality time i have with her is because shes sick and needs 24/7 care. Theres so many other factors as to why i have decided to reach out to someone, anyone for help. I just feel so alone and not my happy bright self. I would do anything to go back to being happy. Even for a day. I would appreciate if anyone could help me or even reach out and say tat they feel the same so its not so lonely. Thanks

Melanie01 How to cope
  • replies: 3

I’m feeling a little lost. My mum had oesophagus cancer and went through radiation, chemo and then an operation that she came through with flying colours. Started to get up walk around and eat like normal and then it took a sudden turn, and passed aw... View more

I’m feeling a little lost. My mum had oesophagus cancer and went through radiation, chemo and then an operation that she came through with flying colours. Started to get up walk around and eat like normal and then it took a sudden turn, and passed away 13 days after surgery. My brother passed away 11 months and 3 weeks before that from a heart attack and my dad 9 months prior to that from pancreatic cancer. All I do is cry and I don’t know how much longer I can try and hold it all together. I’m the oldest of 3 girls left and I’m trying to hold it together for the other 2 but I don’t know how much longer I can. I’m emotionally and mentally exhausted and don’t know where I go from here.

Desedrata Overwhelming feelings of being otherworldly.
  • replies: 7

Hello, This was a topic I wasn't originally going to bring up but since I have noticed a couple of other people have mentioned having similar feelings and thoughts, I thought I'd brave mentioning my experiences. I am an athiest however I was raised a... View more

Hello, This was a topic I wasn't originally going to bring up but since I have noticed a couple of other people have mentioned having similar feelings and thoughts, I thought I'd brave mentioning my experiences. I am an athiest however I was raised a Catholic and was also exposed to a lot of mythology and folklore. It was/is believed that some members of my kin see ghosts and have premonitions, myself included. I have always had a curious mind which lead to me seeking answers wanting to know how to become more intune with these gifts. I read and then I read some more and what I discovered broke my heart. For some reason or another I believed science and magic were the same thing which is probably fortunate really because I searched for answers in the non-fiction section and I found them. They just weren't what I wanted. I did not find how to strenghthen my gifts. I did not find how to get back to the world of Faye instead, I found reality. It was a shock to say the least and I spent a good decade or two coming to terms with my discovery and the loss of an entire world. I also commited the most unforgivable crime against God next to being Athiest. Which since then has left me with a feeling of being trapped in Pergatory as punisment and what better way to punish me then to force me to live the life I wished so, very much to escape. I feel trapped here in reality and have a constant longing to return to my world. I feel like when I see things or have very vivid dreams that they are my real kin trying to get me back, take me home. I know this is not the case but sometimes I still google to try and find away home, just incase. Part of me wants to forget, to live my life but the other part of me is afraid to because then the demons that put me here will have won or is it by holding on that I have failed the angels that put me here to protect me from the Faye?. I don't actually want anyone to answer that question as I know it is not real. I just can't shake the feeling is all. I have written this to let others know they are not alone in feeling that they do not belong to this world. What you think does not define who you are, what you do does.

Wonderland I don't know how to be honest with myself
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I had anxiety for 2 years silently struggling to breathe every single day. I was so scared to reach out for whatever reason. I was so scared to admit it to myself. I finally accepted it and reached out for help and I feel I was on track to recovery. ... View more

I had anxiety for 2 years silently struggling to breathe every single day. I was so scared to reach out for whatever reason. I was so scared to admit it to myself. I finally accepted it and reached out for help and I feel I was on track to recovery. However, last year I stopped talking to my abusive mother. Even though I know it's for the best it plunged me into a dark place. A place I have now been trying to escape for over a year. I feel so stupid, because I feel like I have done it again. All over again I have been scared to reach out. I have been scared to admit it to myself. I am in a depression. I can't be alone with my thoughts. I can't sleep. I miss my life but can't seem to get back to it. I did go to my GP to talk about medication, but I just cried the whole time. And answered the questions on my mental health test dishonestly because Im scared to be diagnosed. I don't know how severe it is, and how much of this is normal. I don't know what to do to get better. I tried to see my psychologist again, but found out he has left the clinic. I cried a lot and it just feels too overwhelming to organise a new psych. I feel it might be time for me to take some medication, but I'm honestly so afraid of gaining weight. I feel like it's so stupid and I know mental health is just as important but I'm already thicker than I'd like to be. I just don't know how to deal with this. I'm trying so hard but haven't made any progress.