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
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

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

Start a discussion

erin000 I think I have borderline...
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, Im 24 and still struggle to know where I fit in, in life. I have always felt this way and always struggled to find a career or direction that I feel content in. I will have intense ideas to make dramatic change in my life and convince m... View more

Hey everyone, Im 24 and still struggle to know where I fit in, in life. I have always felt this way and always struggled to find a career or direction that I feel content in. I will have intense ideas to make dramatic change in my life and convince myself it will make me happier, I always try and hold back on making big changes as I know it’s impulse. I have always felt odd or like people don’t approve of me, and carry this into every situation. It’s always been challenging to make friends and when I do they almost always struggle mentally themselves (relationships also). They are all intelligent/ switched on individuals but usually are quite self loathing and erratic with their friendships, I find myself constantly trying to please them and seek validation even if they are a bad friend. I romanticise validation and find myself day dreaming about situations where I feel validation or admiration (usually socially). I consistently over analyse conversations after they have happened and scour through what I should have said, my inner voice telling me that I’m an idiot which usually sends me into a spiral of anxiety. I can never switch off my mind, it’s a loud and overwhelming place to be. I generally am quite irritable, especially with my family members and find it hard to accept help, love or empathy from them and others. I am really sensitive to rejection and find it leads me to be relatively depressed, this could be as little as a guy not getting back to me or even a small amount of constructive feedback at work. I generally internalise it and can cope quite well but I get to the point where I feel like I’ll burst. I have never self harmed or attempted suicide. I have thought about no longer being here and how it would be easier but knew I would never action those feelings. I’m really struggling to feel safe and secure within my daily life. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jessie_L Manager Problems
  • replies: 2

I had been given my casual contract to sign 2 weeks ago and was told i will be called for induction by the manager. I called after 1 week and she said my contract has been given to HR for processing and they havent gotten back to her. I waited for an... View more

I had been given my casual contract to sign 2 weeks ago and was told i will be called for induction by the manager. I called after 1 week and she said my contract has been given to HR for processing and they havent gotten back to her. I waited for another week and i had gut feeling something was wrong so i called this week which 3 rd week going. I have a friend who works there and she told me she asked HR and they havenot received my contract from her. i was shocked since i am very desperate for a job. i called the manager and said if il get an induction simetime soon and she said hurryingly said that my contract is still in HR and i said that i contacted them and they said its not there. she quickly changed and said the contract is with her and she has to fill missing papers. I was calm and said ok thanks. when hung i up the phone i cried that i am being treated like this. My friend advised me to talk to higher post manager and i did call and ask that if my contract has been sent to HR, he said he will have a look and call. He didnot call me back since than. I was depressed whole day and today. i havent eatten much for 2 days. My husband got worried too since i have been looking for job more than 3 years. Why is she treating me like this? i havent even started the job and she is treating me like trash. What can i do? I feel like dieing because i finally saw that il get my self worth by working. I dont deserve this at all.

Michael9 Ceasing Antideppresants and having terrible withdrawals - hospitalisation or is this just wasting people's time?
  • replies: 1

After approx 12 years on Antideppresants, last 2 years @ 300mg daily, a new psych in Adelaide, which took 11 weeks to see as a new patient, 7 week gap then took place due to his scheduled holidays. As a result though I completed the taper & am off an... View more

After approx 12 years on Antideppresants, last 2 years @ 300mg daily, a new psych in Adelaide, which took 11 weeks to see as a new patient, 7 week gap then took place due to his scheduled holidays. As a result though I completed the taper & am off antideppresants but not yet on any alternative. The script he gave me was refused filling by two local chemists. I called my Melbourne Doc & he agreed to not touch it as it was more addictive than antideppresants & could not see how a psychiatrist after 2 sessions could diagnose me. The psych hasn't for clarity. The withdrawals have made me beyond irritable & following quitting my job to take care of my elderly father a year ago, I'm at breaking point in terms of frustrations & anger, I am in no danger to myself & pose none to others. However I haven't slept for more than 11 days have no access to sleeping medication (which went from instant sleep to needing at least 3 tabs to get to sleep for perhaps 2 hours). Valerian etc is all a waste & I eat sleeping medication like tic tacs (kidding, but nowhere near strong enough) My GP in Adelaide said there were very few good psychiatrists in Adelaide & doing a search on this site and the RANZCOP with a 50km radius came up with NONE! Do I present to a hospital? I have hospital cover & full extras, but I am concerned that I do not want to endure a cinematic experience & end up there for life in a wheelchair staring out a window. I can function but I need something to curtail these withdrawals. I've often wondered if my depression is just symptomatic of something else (I have mountains of books I buy each week but never read, no motivation etc) but it's unreasonable for a new psych to be able to diagnose this after 2 sessions & sadly due to more holidays (his) I can't see him again til May. This is the antideppresant withdrawals I know (I hope). Is Adelaide really that hard to get a good doctor? I've been trying since September & have clearly drawn a dud after waiting 11 weeks for my 1st appointment. Any advice, suggestions would be appreciated. Should I present to a hospital (Flinders or?) I just don't want to create a future problem with my private health cover, employment opportunities etc by taking this step. Will this just pass on its own in a few weeks? For those of you that beat antideppresants eventually, did your sweating stop? That was one of the worst things about it, but now I'm very irritable, sad, exhausted and can't remember the last time I felt really alive.

arthurjames Sick Leave depression and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi, You may guess from the title that I am currently on sick leave. Last Friday, I injured my back hoping out of a car (of all things). It spasmed intensely which resulted in my partner and parents having to pick me up off the driveway and myself hav... View more

Hi, You may guess from the title that I am currently on sick leave. Last Friday, I injured my back hoping out of a car (of all things). It spasmed intensely which resulted in my partner and parents having to pick me up off the driveway and myself having to take over a week off work. In normal circumstances, I wouldn't worry about taking the time off, but over the last 6 months I have had the worst luck. 6 months ago I came off my anti depressants which resulted in me needing a week off. A month later, I injured my foot and needed a week off. One month ago I had a case of gastro which resulted in once again, a week off. And now my back problem! I am sitting here feeling miserable as I am missing out on potential overtime I could be earning as well as missing out on some holiday, since I had to take some days out of my annual leave to cover the days off as I have ran out of sick leave. I fear what my colleagues think (i.e 'oh look he's off sick again') and am worried that my recent absences from work will be detrimental to me ever applying for a promotion. I am only 24 so not really of the age where frequent injuries would be expected or at least not thought of as strange. I also worry that even when I go back to work how long will it be until my next illness/injury? I am not someone to 'chuck a sickie'. I want to work hard and earn money as I am saving up for a house. I know it's out of my control but that just leaves me feeling powerless. I am struggling to enjoy myself here as all I can think of is work.

Triceratops I feel like I'm losing myself
  • replies: 1

I moved at the start of the year after being homeless for a little bit. I had no other choice but to move into the place where I am now. It was all good for the first couple of weeks but then it turned. I have depression and anxiety, I had been doing... View more

I moved at the start of the year after being homeless for a little bit. I had no other choice but to move into the place where I am now. It was all good for the first couple of weeks but then it turned. I have depression and anxiety, I had been doing well until it became clear that I'm stuck in a toxic environment. My housemate is an alcoholic and has a few other issues which she puts on me, she also can't take medication as it has the same effect as alcohol. There's now been numerous times where shes been intoxicated and yelled at me accusing me of things that aren't true. When I try to defend myself I get told to shut up over and over again. I can feel myself slowly disappearing, it's like I'm sinking into a hole and I can't get out. I am losing myself, I feel like I'm drowning. I'm trying to find work so I can leave but I'm not having any luck and I honestly don't know how much longer I can last here. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm losing.

jd493 I'm so Lonely.
  • replies: 1

I have BPD and have been diagnosed with it for a number of years. Every time I find a stable friendship group I somehow ruin it with my actions as a result of BPD. Also relationships. I want to find love but don't want to continue getting hurt and hu... View more

I have BPD and have been diagnosed with it for a number of years. Every time I find a stable friendship group I somehow ruin it with my actions as a result of BPD. Also relationships. I want to find love but don't want to continue getting hurt and hurting others. I am so depressed and lonely and angry with myself.

Dabrown92 General Help Needed
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I’m not quite sure where and how to start here. I’m a typical male who never ever thought mental health would ever effect me. But the last two or so weeks my mind seems to have other plans. I’m a 26 year old English bloke who moved here abo... View more

Hi there, I’m not quite sure where and how to start here. I’m a typical male who never ever thought mental health would ever effect me. But the last two or so weeks my mind seems to have other plans. I’m a 26 year old English bloke who moved here about 18 months ago. I always thought “what do I ever need to be depressed about?” I have a loving girlfriend, strong family and friend group, home etc. But I’ve been feeling rather worthless here recently and I can’t quite pinpoint how or why. Maybe I’m feeling lonely, homesick, I can’t figure it out. I’m usually a fit bloke who enjoys going to the gym 4/5 times a week as well as playing football once a week but in the last few weeks I’ve found myself getting home from work being totally deflated from what little and unproductive work I’ve done for the day. I’ve found my appetite suddenly plummet to where I often won’t eat an evening meal as I’m simply not hungry. And I simply don’t have the energy that I used to. My head is telling me “just get up out of bed, go on a drive, get back to the gym, go explore Australia” but I simply don’t have that “get up and go” mentality which brought me to Australia 18 months ago. As a job, and no disrespect to anyone out there who may also do the same job, I’m a general labourer on various construction sites. It’s pretty skull numbing (in my opinion). This was always a short term job for me as visa restrictions have made it pretty hard for me to nail down any solid work. I do have a goal in my life to better my career options. And I’m working towards them within the next 6 or so months. But my mind can’t seem to see any further than the next few days. I sometimes feel anxious when thinking about my future goals as they could be a risk which won’t pay off for me. I had a semi breakdown for maybe 45 mins before writing this. And I find it very hard to tell my loved ones how I’m feeling. I’m aware that there are people in far worse positions than I am right now. But I feel like this was the only way I have to get things off my chest. If anyone at all has been through something similar I’d greatly appreciate some advice and hopefully I’ll be back to being the old me in no time. Thanks in advance

MeganMe Really bad spiral
  • replies: 4

Am so emotionally drained I can't even type out the whole story, so here's the short version. Sister called me (yelling) the most selfish person on the planet because my current bout of depression, combined with worst anxiety ever and chronic pain, h... View more

Am so emotionally drained I can't even type out the whole story, so here's the short version. Sister called me (yelling) the most selfish person on the planet because my current bout of depression, combined with worst anxiety ever and chronic pain, have me somewhat (a lot) financially reliant on our mother. Yes, I'm nearly 50, single mother of 3, but after battling depression and anxiety for 20 years and chronic pain for the better part of 6 years, I'm not doing so well. I know I've screwed up, I know I'm not paying my way. I have helped my mum as much as I can in non financial ways - she's over 80 now, and pretty healthy, but I'm here for her when she's not - shopping for her, cooking for her, doing anything I can. Sister just doesn't get the mental health thing - it's all laziness and selfishness in her eyes. The screaming row happened a few nights ago on one of her rare trips to our part of the world. I'm beyond hurt. I'm nearly utterly broken. I sent her some articles to read about depression and how it feels, I don't think she even read them. My mother is devastated that we've had such a falling out. I'm honestly not sure how to get past this. I can't get what she said out of my mind. I've replayed it over and over and over and freaking over in my head. She was SO cruel in her words. I don't know what to do. I want to make it right, especially for my mum, but I can't forgive her words.

44Max44 Depressed
  • replies: 6

So I've been depressed for the better part of 5 years now, but never as depressed as I've been feeling the past couple of weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I had my first run-in with health anxiety, I convinced myself that I had cancer and pretty much cr... View more

So I've been depressed for the better part of 5 years now, but never as depressed as I've been feeling the past couple of weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I had my first run-in with health anxiety, I convinced myself that I had cancer and pretty much cried myself to sleep that night because I was fully convinced that I was going to die. Long story short, after getting tests done, I found out I didn't have it, but the trauma from that incident has stuck with me ever since. I haven't been the same since that incident. I haven't been able to enjoy myself doing anything pretty much. Things I enjoyed doing not even the day before this incident I just totally lost interest in. For the past couple of weeks, all I've done every day is watch Netflix, movies, YouTube, or anything else just to keep my mind off of things. I've also hardly been eating, and have lost 2 and a half kgs in 2 weeks because of this. I'm not taking care of myself whatsoever, just doing anything possible to numb the things I'm feeling. The main thing that is getting me down is that I've convinced myself that at some point in my life, it might not be for another 50 years or it could be tomorrow, that I'm going to get some disease and die. Just thinking about my future and the hard things I'll have to go through gets me super depressed. Death is the main issue I'm struggling to come to terms with, I have the mindset of "if we're all going to die, why even bother doing anything?" and I just lay in bed all day watching stuff. I find that even the mention of death or some health issue triggers my negative thoughts and it gets me so sad. I've been sleeping 12 hours a day, and being awake 12 hours a day. It's like a 50-50 ration of sleep to being awake. I know this is super unhealthy both physically and mentally, but no matter what I do I can't seem to get myself out of bed in the morning when my alarm goes off, I just hit snooze and go back to sleep, and before I know it it's 3pm and most of the day has already gone by, making me even more depressed. Some days I feel like I'm feeling okay just to get hit with a wall of depression and I go back into the dark place I was in the day before. It feels like a never-ending cycle of ups and downs, but I'm only really focusing on the downs and ignoring the ups. I want to see a psychiatrist more than anything, but it would take somewhere around 2 months just to get my first appointment. At this point, I'm just hoping for a miracle.

Kaelyn_____ Why am I like this
  • replies: 2

Hey yall, I try to keep this short and simple without any grammar mistakes. I recently met new friends who are really cool and nice, I like them but I wish they stop changing I dont know why I am like this, I am not at all rude to them in anyway or t... View more

Hey yall, I try to keep this short and simple without any grammar mistakes. I recently met new friends who are really cool and nice, I like them but I wish they stop changing I dont know why I am like this, I am not at all rude to them in anyway or try to sabootage, I feel depress talking about these topics like getting a job or studying or about the future, I much rather live in the present then have to worry about stuff like that I am only 17 is there any strategies to over come this as I am proud for their achievements,