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
Jump to
Start a discussion

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

Start a discussion

sasa89 Fighting a losing battle
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, im new and I don’t mean to get too comfy straight away but I’m dying to get some things off of my chest. i am hanging by a thread. I don’t feel like I’m cut out for life. I have so many wonderful things, I’m just not one of them. People ... View more

Hi everyone, im new and I don’t mean to get too comfy straight away but I’m dying to get some things off of my chest. i am hanging by a thread. I don’t feel like I’m cut out for life. I have so many wonderful things, I’m just not one of them. People like me aren’t allowed to be happy. Every single thing is a struggle. I’m always the odd one out. Always. I give and I give and I love and I love but I’m no ones favourite. No one’s go to. Hell, even my best friend since childhood barely speaks to me since I got married. I have the most wonderful husband, but I’m a crap wife. I’m a crap person. No matter how hard I try. There’s always something new and terrible waiting around the corner. Sometimes I could just scream and scream until there is no breath left. I feel alone and cold. I have seen so many different therapists, shirnks, you name it. O one can change what I am. My lot on life will never change. Why fight it? I’m always forgotten. Always overlooked. Nothing I say or do is ever right. I hate it. I hate myself so so much people have no clue.

E12 Anxiety/depression(meds)- planning a family
  • replies: 3

Hi new here I’m wanting to start a family or at least I think I am. I have anxiety/depression diagnosed 9 years ago and have had treatment and medication since then. My concern is my medication and pregnancy. Just saw a psychiatrist who said it’s bes... View more

Hi new here I’m wanting to start a family or at least I think I am. I have anxiety/depression diagnosed 9 years ago and have had treatment and medication since then. My concern is my medication and pregnancy. Just saw a psychiatrist who said it’s best to stay in medication as it’s better for me to be stable than stressed while pregnant. I feel I will still be stressed about being on medication. My thoughts are running wild with it all Would love others experience on all this.

DJ_4x4 The ups and downs of living with depression
  • replies: 4

It’s been 4 years since my last post. I gess why I am righting again is because last time I found some relief in getting my thoughts down and out. It’s a strange old life that I live I really feel at eezs talking to a complete strangers yet I am unab... View more

It’s been 4 years since my last post. I gess why I am righting again is because last time I found some relief in getting my thoughts down and out. It’s a strange old life that I live I really feel at eezs talking to a complete strangers yet I am unable to approach a family member or friend. I am a 38 year old man been living with anxiety and depression as long as I can remember While my anxiety now seems some what under control my depression comes and goes like the wind. It’s be a particularly hard year for me more so much than any other. At the start of the year I lost a friend and family member to suicide and am still to this day trying to deal with this his loss. Anyone that I would have consider as a close friend has all but disappeared form my life it’s been more than 2 year since I last visited a friend more than a year since I have spoken to one of my friends on the phone. If someone was to ask me today if I had any friends I would reply as “no I don’t” and on top of all this my job that I do actually in joy and take grate satisfaction form has been a roller coaster ride with many changes this year both good and bad. For the last few months I could probably say I have been Doing ok considering. so last week end I decided to go out for the first time in a long time a night out and have a few drinks at a local clubs (nothing of considering level just a few drinks)and there as it just so happened I met a beautiful young girl and had what I would describe as “one of the best nights of my life” the first time I can say that I really had a good time and enjoy myself all year. But it was not to last. I have been on a high all week long smiling and even at times giggling to myself. Now same day one week later I have crashed hard into a equal all time low, it’s hard for me now just to see what I am typing as tears stream down my face... i know with experience in depression I will slowly climb back up but it’sa long long climb that seems to get harder every time. so I gess what I mean to say or thoughts form this is that I am always worry about the next time I might have a good time or simply feel good because I know the drop is just around the corner time and time again just when I feel I am getting over my depression I seem to just simply tip over the top I can’t deal with my emotions and thoughts my past always haunts my future.

TheRealMel So I told the doctor everything....
  • replies: 2

Well I finally saw the dr today and we did a MHP, possibility the highest marks ever for me on a test since the westpac maths competition 28 years ago LOL, chronic untreated depression and stress, and so the journey begins, with medication, reducing ... View more

Well I finally saw the dr today and we did a MHP, possibility the highest marks ever for me on a test since the westpac maths competition 28 years ago LOL, chronic untreated depression and stress, and so the journey begins, with medication, reducing alcohol, and really hoping to get into the first counselling session quickly, phoned twice and waiting, have gone totally offline from work but called the boss advising I have a certificate even though it’s always chaos, was having other tests for a chronic cough, but don’t want to tell them about this part, even booked in for the dentist, now what to do with the next two days before the family weekend....need to get myself well.

daisy8 In hospital
  • replies: 2

I'm in hospital at the moment, after surgery and infection on both feet, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks now and don't know how much longer it will take. I know that I'm where i need to be, but as each day passes my depression and anxiety increases... View more

I'm in hospital at the moment, after surgery and infection on both feet, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks now and don't know how much longer it will take. I know that I'm where i need to be, but as each day passes my depression and anxiety increases. I feel powerless to know what to do, i don't think there is anything else they can do either! Any ideas would be welcome, thanks,xx

Hiddenight New here
  • replies: 5

Hi ive been diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and BPD. I feel like I've been labelled and judged. I dont want any of this I've had enough.

Hi ive been diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and BPD. I feel like I've been labelled and judged. I dont want any of this I've had enough.

GardenGnome Burnt-out or depressed
  • replies: 2

I have had a lot of stressful events at work, home and broader family this year which has meant lots of work to do. I am at a stage where I am completely exhausted and dont want to deal with another thing. I find it very hard to muster any enthusiasm... View more

I have had a lot of stressful events at work, home and broader family this year which has meant lots of work to do. I am at a stage where I am completely exhausted and dont want to deal with another thing. I find it very hard to muster any enthusiasm for anything. I wondering how related and/or different burn-out and depression are. Are the strategies the same for dealing with them? For some reason I would feel better if I was burnt-out rather than depressed.

Gjorggan I will always be a sad man
  • replies: 3

I have had depression for 8 years on and off and I am 21 years old, only last year I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and I have been off medication since Christmas. I dropped out of my degree, moved back home and now I work full time. I... View more

I have had depression for 8 years on and off and I am 21 years old, only last year I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and I have been off medication since Christmas. I dropped out of my degree, moved back home and now I work full time. I have come to think I will never be really happy again. The strangest thing is that I am okay with that, I wake up angry, frustrated and down right miserable buts its been so long that its just another day for me, I don't expect anyone to understand it. But its who I am now. In public and at work, I put on the mask, I smile, socialise and I am a very polite person to most people. Some afternoons I go to gym for an hour (5 times a week) I get home, make dinner, eat, go to my room I try to go to sleep its hard for me to sleep but eventually I do. Its just another day tomorrow I tell myself. I eat healthy I exercise often, but at the end of every day I struggle to keep myself from screaming and crying. Is it just who I am? I have no idea but its my life now. I will always be a sad man.

emma_tucker Job depression & Scared of my future
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I never thought I’d be here posting but here I am. I’m a 26 year old female who has generally always been a happy person. I’ve started feeling the struggles of life over the past 12 months. Started when I hit 25, instantly negative though... View more

Hi everyone I never thought I’d be here posting but here I am. I’m a 26 year old female who has generally always been a happy person. I’ve started feeling the struggles of life over the past 12 months. Started when I hit 25, instantly negative thoughts of 25 and have no partner which makes me think no kids then no future. I’m sick of hearing “you’re still so young” from people who are married starring their own families. I’m last of my friends to get married and I feel like I’ve lost a lot of friends ships due to this coming of age. I currently work in childcare which I dread I absolutely loathe getting up every morning, it’s so stressful for the income I receive, I still live with my parents because I cannot afford to move out. I recently started this job at a new centre hoping to get a new insight of the industry and this isn’t the case. I feel so stuck in my life and I am not happy, I’m always snappy, I don’t get enjoyment out of anything anymore I feel like my friends all have what I want and it kills me seeing them being so happy while I’m here feeling alone and isolated thinking I’ll never have a family of my own. I want a new career but I have no experience in anything else and at this time of the year it’s hard to find a full time job, I’m really just looking for someone who has been in this situation and can give me some insight of why I’m feeling this way, I have no enjoyment for life anymore and no fear of consequences. please help me

bf90 timing is everything
  • replies: 1

Hi, Haven't had the best of weeks and it lately feels this is all my life is. Had a cold recently and after visiting my GP i don't feel any better, was prescribed antibiotics and i don't feel that better a week later. the other reason i went was to s... View more

Hi, Haven't had the best of weeks and it lately feels this is all my life is. Had a cold recently and after visiting my GP i don't feel any better, was prescribed antibiotics and i don't feel that better a week later. the other reason i went was to speak about talking to a counselor or someone to talk to. Been feeling depressed and more than anything just sad. i'm not in a place in life i want to be - unemployed at 31 and just not feeling happy in life. I understand it's a natural feeling to be depressed about not working but this feels different. making it worse is knowing Christmas is weeks away and the likely reality is that i won't be working before the year is out. I'm tired of the endless cycle of applying for work i'll never get, feeling depressed about not working and just feeling sad. I'm trying to help myself by starting to do exercise, eating better and having a positive attitude - it's easier said than done though. I'm still waiting to hear back from the counselor i called so hopefully once i have a chat that may help me. I'm just over feeling sad and depressed