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?
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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

Kaelyn_____ Why am I like this
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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,

Tepm Feeling useless
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So i dont really know what else to say. I am so sick of hating myself that much that i get no enjoyment or excitment to do anything. I have tried so hard since having kids to be good at somethinf to have a hobby for both myself and to i dont know i g... View more

So i dont really know what else to say. I am so sick of hating myself that much that i get no enjoyment or excitment to do anything. I have tried so hard since having kids to be good at somethinf to have a hobby for both myself and to i dont know i guess make me more mum material but theres nothing. I know it sounds dramatic but i dont have any fine motor skills. I cant baje or cake decorate although ive done classes i dont paint or draw i cant sing or anything i jist feel like i have nothing and its really wearing me down. I need an outlet a boost of confidence and all i get is attempts and fails and friends and family cant even tell me positive about myself. Im juat useless and feel so shit atm. I have alot going on but the fact i cant zone out to a hobby is making it hard to deal with life. I cant even read a book cause my mind is so scattered i cognitively cant keep up

G484 Hiccups.
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Gday gday Im a second year at uni and been flipping in and out of depression and anxiety for a few years, and not sure why but suddenly I’m plagued with the feeling of not understanding what’s wrong with me, this incessant need to feel deflated and u... View more

Gday gday Im a second year at uni and been flipping in and out of depression and anxiety for a few years, and not sure why but suddenly I’m plagued with the feeling of not understanding what’s wrong with me, this incessant need to feel deflated and useless- what’s the point. On above avg dose of AD but I’m not sure if they’re not working, or I’m just that sad. I feel like I do nothing but despise my soggy minds obsession of asking me why and if I’m still depressed. This unrelenting sinking feeling of uselessness and not caring about anything is so so damn draining. For me, anxiety is like having the hiccups, violent and fills the capacity of my mind, but then it stops and I’m constantly on the cusp of waiting for the next one- that throat choking can’t breathe need to swallow type thing.

Vivianbear Introducing my (drum roll please) multiple problems and all consuming depression. Yay!
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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.