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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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: 0

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

Barnard Its all come unstuck
  • replies: 1

Hey, I’m here because I think I may be close to rock bottom and literally have no idea how to get back up again. I feel like nothing I have tried has worked, in fact that things have gotten worse the more I have tried to address my depression and now... View more

Hey, I’m here because I think I may be close to rock bottom and literally have no idea how to get back up again. I feel like nothing I have tried has worked, in fact that things have gotten worse the more I have tried to address my depression and now increasing bouts of anxiety. I don’t know exactly when all this started but I suspect it’s been 15 years or more. I think the trigger points for me have been having been diagnosed with cancer at age 28 (I am now fully recovered), my father dying of a heart attack when I was 33, last year age 38 losing my job and now in the last couple weeks my wife leaving (citing my depression as one of the reasons). I think there are other things like feeling that I have made poor career choices that are now holding me back that niggle away. These seem to be becoming worse. It can’t go on like this so today I am going to take it more seriously. I’m interested in any tips, that can help. I feel like there is nothing in my mind or life that doesn’t need massive amounts of work. No idea where to start

Blairkpm1712 I am Depressed and don't know how to tell my parents
  • replies: 3

Over the last couple of months, I have realised that i am depressed. I have tried to bring it up to my parents but I'm scared they will think i am over reacting or if they over react to the subject. My mom has a lot of problems with depression, not i... View more

Over the last couple of months, I have realised that i am depressed. I have tried to bring it up to my parents but I'm scared they will think i am over reacting or if they over react to the subject. My mom has a lot of problems with depression, not in the sense that she is depressed but she reads a lot of stuff on teen depression and i don't want her to see me that way. could someone please give me some advice? that would help. Thank you,

Angel2012 Stuck in the past
  • replies: 4

I am new to this and finally working up the courage to talk and get help. I lost my baby boy before birth a few years ago. Since then i have kept myself busy and occupied till recently. I miss him, i want to be with him, i dont feel like i belong her... View more

I am new to this and finally working up the courage to talk and get help. I lost my baby boy before birth a few years ago. Since then i have kept myself busy and occupied till recently. I miss him, i want to be with him, i dont feel like i belong here anymore. I have had thoughts to head to the highway and not return, but i cant do that to my living children. I dont want to feel this way anymore, i want all my children

FallenFreaK How to push myself to do stuff when I can’t and no one else can
  • replies: 2

How do I get pushed to do stuff if I can’t push myself and I have no one else to do it. I have assignments and shopping, washing, cleaning, etc but can’t bring myself to do. Can’t do it. I don’t have anyone else to help me or support me or give me a ... View more

How do I get pushed to do stuff if I can’t push myself and I have no one else to do it. I have assignments and shopping, washing, cleaning, etc but can’t bring myself to do. Can’t do it. I don’t have anyone else to help me or support me or give me a boost. What do you do to do stuff?

nickname1119 Im a VCE student suffering depression....
  • replies: 2

My depression symptoms got really severe recently..... I m unable to concentrate on anything at all and constantly tired....... I have so much to study for and my family have really high expectation on me....... I tried to force myself to do some wor... View more

My depression symptoms got really severe recently..... I m unable to concentrate on anything at all and constantly tired....... I have so much to study for and my family have really high expectation on me....... I tried to force myself to do some work but i couldn't concentrate on anything at all and my brain is just not working....... I dont know what to do as I don't want to fail my studys and all.......

Pelia No one can see it
  • replies: 9

A lot of people have better eyes than mine But no one can see it I called my parents overseas and dad just asked how his grandchildren are, how my husband is, how the passion fruit tree in the garden is...He doesn't see it And I laughed my head off w... View more

A lot of people have better eyes than mine But no one can see it I called my parents overseas and dad just asked how his grandchildren are, how my husband is, how the passion fruit tree in the garden is...He doesn't see it And I laughed my head off with mum to those silly jokes I googled before I called her because I really don't want her to worry about me...She feels guilty enough not being able to help me ... She doesn't see it I called my sister and she gave me a big lecture on how to eat a healthy diet and how to exercise to keep the cholesterol low... she doesn't see it I take my middle son to school each morning and meet a handful of school mums everyday... They often comment on how cute my youngest baby is and how big his eyes are... They don't see it I used to speak to few of my friends about my feelings but they have their own life too... They eventually not check on me anymore to avoid depressing news... They don't see it My husband who is the most significant person in my life but is always busy with work... He struggles to keep his "demanding" wife happy and is losing himself too... He sees me but he doesn't see my feelings or my hair cut... He doesn't see my tears or why I bleed in my heart... No one can see it...No one sees I am lonely. No one sees I am falling. No one sees how hard I live for others. I wonder if anyone will see it if I disappear

Damiandamian First time poster needing help
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, So I am a first time poster and I have been dealing with Depression, Bipolar and anxiety for as long as I can remember. This all came out in a way that it never has before where I completely broke down at work. I was saying that the world be... View more

Hi guys, So I am a first time poster and I have been dealing with Depression, Bipolar and anxiety for as long as I can remember. This all came out in a way that it never has before where I completely broke down at work. I was saying that the world be better off without me and I wouldn't a burden to anyone anymore. There are 3 main contributors to my current feeling and state. Financial, physical and mental. Those are each a side of a triangle and I am in the middle. I fall as though the side and just pushing and squeezing more and more and it's pushing me over the edge. I feel awful for breaking down in a public place the way that I did. I need help dealing with this and to live as a happier human being. I haven't spoken to anyone before about it except for when I was 12 and had a counsellor. I am too scared and worried to talk to other people about it and seek the help that I need. Thank you for listening and I am sorry if I wasted your time.

white knight Depression, the benefits of physical exhaustion
  • replies: 1

I first stumbled on this in 1997. I hadn’t been diagnosed with depression and bipolar until 6 years later but know now I had them all along. Recovering from a marriage split with kids involved, survived a suicide plan in full swing and heavily depres... View more

I first stumbled on this in 1997. I hadn’t been diagnosed with depression and bipolar until 6 years later but know now I had them all along. Recovering from a marriage split with kids involved, survived a suicide plan in full swing and heavily depressed when I moved into a caravan park it seemed all downhill from there but I decided to rebound. To get myself financially ahead I worked 3 jobs including one shift work. I purchased a block of land and ordered a kit home, a two storey quaker barn to be used as a house. Suddenly I was flat out either working or building. My only day off was one day a fortnight while I had my kids but even then as they played hop scotch on the house slab I toiled cleaning up or moving things. I became physically exhausted. I know this because I had a delivery of 60 sheets of plaster. Huge sheets by any standards and I had to cut them smaller to hang pieces on the wall. After several days the stack of sheets didn’t seem to have reduced and my old back injury returned. Suddenly, the thought of failing overwhelmed me and I collapsed in a blubbering heap. Ten minutes later I got up, made myself a brew then got stuck into it again. How? Well, I’d been conditioned to be positive and never give up. Always seek the positive…and the positive was- that I was so exhausted I slept well and no longer dwelled on my ex wife and her childish antics and emotional abuse. I was proud I was succeeding albeit on my own during late nights with candlelight. Since then I’ve always taken on challenges to over exert myself so I sleep better. This is particularly good for ADHD sufferers or those that have guilt or mania or dwell on issues. Being active means keeping your mind in constant activity, a busy frame of mind, always thinking, always doing, not stopping except for sensible breaks. There are spin offs. You succeed in doing something, creating, re-establishing your life. What's the motivation? well look for one. In my case I'd lost my home, neighbours, dog, full time fatherhood. My ex got the house and I got our garage. My motivation? Get my house back by my own hands! Any regrets? Well yes, I could have done with a smaller home and employed a tradesman or two. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You can do other things to make yourself spent like sports and hobbies. While you are exhausted you might well be thinking of a troublesome topic but you aren’t beating yourself up. Better than moping any day. Achieve and be proud. TonyWK

geoff Just Need Some Support
  • replies: 52

Hi all Like many people, I have struggled through my life with depression. I have found that recently my depression has been increasing due to various reasons, feelings of worthlessness, diminished the ability to think, concentrate and to make constr... View more

Hi all Like many people, I have struggled through my life with depression. I have found that recently my depression has been increasing due to various reasons, feelings of worthlessness, diminished the ability to think, concentrate and to make constructive comments back to those who are asking for help. I am proud of the support I have provided to people in my 15 years on the forums although some advice isn't accepted, but we genuinely hope to spread light on why they are feeling depressed -------------- I know others, as well as myself, have had a relapse with their depression and how it has affected them, to know that one simple trigger to anything could cause this to happen. Has your depression become worse through personal or work related issues! Any support you can provide me during this difficult time would be really appreciated. Geoff.

Possum_Magic1 Where is this coming from? Is it really depression or depression from something else?
  • replies: 4

Hi All I had my first bout of depression over 20 years ago from an Hormonal Injection. I recovered well and had never had another episode until May this year. I started not feeling well and not sleeping well. I started working because all the symptom... View more

Hi All I had my first bout of depression over 20 years ago from an Hormonal Injection. I recovered well and had never had another episode until May this year. I started not feeling well and not sleeping well. I started working because all the symptoms of depression were there and I am perimenopausal. I gave myself anxiety just dreading falling into the dark hole. Bam......next thing depression. A depression far worse than before. Back to a psychiatrist who gave me medication and the journey began. But this time weeks went by and I wasn't really getting anywhere. I had used both medications before but this time my body just didn't feel right. Weird side effects and the fatigue was awful. I was no longer the woman I was multitasking and getting everything done. I couldn't concentrate couldn't think what to have for dinner everything that was once simple became my nightmare. I went to my GP often as I trusted her more than my psychiatrist! She ordered full bloods yet again and Bingo there it was! My calcium as well as parathyroid levels were higher than they should be. I was then sent for an Ultrasound of the thyroid. Bingo there it was again. An enlarged parathyroid gland. Believe me when I tell you these little glands control the hormones in your body and when they malfunction can rock your world. One of the most common side effects is depression and generally not feeling well. I am booked to see a surgeon in the new year to get rid of this enlarged parathyroid gland. All it takes is 20mins. Within 2months I will be able to wean off my medication. If you don't feel right and you are being treatment resistant, keep pushing until you find the answer. I'm so overjoyed to finally get to the answer that caused this depression. I hope you are able to get to yours. Will repost after surgery. Merry Christmas Possum Magic