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: 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

ophelieas hsc stress or something more?
  • replies: 2

Hi, im not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I'm just assuming that people on here will be able to help. Lately (over the last three weeks or so), I've been feeling awful. I've been mentally exhausted which has made me physic... View more

Hi, im not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I'm just assuming that people on here will be able to help. Lately (over the last three weeks or so), I've been feeling awful. I've been mentally exhausted which has made me physically exhausted, disconnected from my friends, sometimes unable to get out of bed on the weekends, and unable to motivate myself to study. I'm so teary, sometimes I spend hours crying for no reason, and at school the smallest things make me tear up. My friends have asked if im annoyed at them because they've said I seem disconnected and really snappy, but the thing is I just feel like I just can't partake in conversations, and sometimes im so mentally drained, even on days that I've done nothing, that I can't go out to parties and things. Pretty much im just curious whether this is just part of the HSC, or something more. I have quite a large workload, but I've always managed it really well, and since I'm aiming for a high ATAR it's not plausible for me to drop anything. Thanks to anyone who replies.

xAngelx Is this depression?
  • replies: 3

Hi there, this is my first time posting and I just wondering if I am suffering from postnatal depression. ever since I had given birth to my child I’ve had nothing but stress, my family is fighting with my in laws and then the in laws always makes me... View more

Hi there, this is my first time posting and I just wondering if I am suffering from postnatal depression. ever since I had given birth to my child I’ve had nothing but stress, my family is fighting with my in laws and then the in laws always makes me feel horrible. When I get too upset I just think I should disappear and leave my child behind but I can never do that as he is my absolute world. I love him with all my heart, if anything he is my reason for being here. I just need a little advice pretty please?

alicia_017 Binge eating due to Depression + Anorexia
  • replies: 2

One of the ways I handle my depressive episodes is by binge eating. This shouldn't be that big of a problem, but considering I also suffer from an eating disorder it makes my life hell. I'll eat up to 1500 calories because of depression, and then I'l... View more

One of the ways I handle my depressive episodes is by binge eating. This shouldn't be that big of a problem, but considering I also suffer from an eating disorder it makes my life hell. I'll eat up to 1500 calories because of depression, and then I'll fast for the next 3 days because of anorexia. After fasting I'll feel good about myself until I eat again. And because after eating I don't feel good about myself, my depression gets worse, and I binge eat. And then the cycle continues. Is anyone else in a similar position as me? And does anyone have any advice?

BlueArt First time post, please help I’m struggling with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi, so I’m 21 and seriously struggling with my mental health. I’ve never been this down in my life and I don’t know what to do. So some background I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I have probably had the symptoms for much long... View more

Hi, so I’m 21 and seriously struggling with my mental health. I’ve never been this down in my life and I don’t know what to do. So some background I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I have probably had the symptoms for much longer. I originally started my uni degree in social work and I realised a few years in that this was a terrible decision and I moved onto law. I have been doing law for a year and a bit and I am now regretting it to. I am struggling so much with it and I have recently gotten a job in the field and I am terrible at it. My bosses hate me and think I’m really bad at the job. They have said things to me like “Maybe this job isn’t for you” “you just aren’t getting it” “you seriously need to pick up your game”. I feel so stupid because this was so important to me to get experience. i feel like such a failure. I am not getting anything right. I am now thinking of changing to Human Resources. i am just so depressed. I’m even losing my friends. They just don’t seem to get or care about what I’m going through. They would leave in an instant and not think twice about me. I know they would. I just don’t know what to do with my life anymore. I am not good at anything, I’ve lost all ability to concentrate, I’ve lost my motivation, I’m sad and angry all the time and I just feel so stupid and dumb. i don’t know what to do. I am just over everything and giving up.

Sad_and_useless Working with depression/bipolar
  • replies: 15

Hi guys, I'm a 32 year old woman who is diagnosed as bipolar and severe depression. Have been this way for the majority of my adult life. I managed to work full time up until I was 28 as a vet nurse, then I had to have a year's break. I'm back at wor... View more

Hi guys, I'm a 32 year old woman who is diagnosed as bipolar and severe depression. Have been this way for the majority of my adult life. I managed to work full time up until I was 28 as a vet nurse, then I had to have a year's break. I'm back at work now after my second big break doing 20 hours a week at the same place. I love my job. I love my employers. Yet I'm really struggling once again with going in. All I want to do is sleep, I'm just bone tired. I'm just thinking to myself if I can't manage a measley 20 hours a week what the hell do I do? My employers have been beyond understanding and supportive, and so have my workmates. How many times can history repeat and I call in sick and everyone suffers? I'm in the exact same position I was in 10 years ago - when does it get better?? I've tried to help myself, have been in counselling, have been admitted to hospital, the whole nine yards. And again, how can I keep doing this to the people who care about me? I'm 32 years old and my mother still has to check in on me and make me dinner or lend me money. I keep waiting for it to get better but it never ever does. I don't want to be unemployed, I love my job, which I've had since I was 16 years old. I guess what I'm asking is, is it possible to be bipolar/depressed and still have a job? Would love to hear from anyone who is experiencing this same turmoil.

Ocelot1771 Therapy helps, but still alone at the end of the day
  • replies: 4

Hi, Just wondering whether anyone else experiences this and whether they can give any advice. I'm going through a bad patch in my life and I've lapsed into a pretty dark depression and sense of hopelessness. To make matters worse, I feel very isolate... View more

Hi, Just wondering whether anyone else experiences this and whether they can give any advice. I'm going through a bad patch in my life and I've lapsed into a pretty dark depression and sense of hopelessness. To make matters worse, I feel very isolated because I don't have a 'best buddy' that I can call every day that 'normal' people seem to have, and my support network is very limited (I do have a long-term partner but I don't want to just depend on him). I read plenty of tips online for how to help yourself during depression and the common advice is to reach out to friends and family, but what if you don't really have much of friends or family to reach out to in the first place?? I've started counselling, and while I'm at the session it seems to help and I walk out feeling good, but it's only for an hour once a week and in between I still have the reality of my lonely life to contend with. These online help forums help a bit too and thankfully they exist, but it's not the same as having a true face-to-face connection with people. Does anyone else feel this way? Just feel so alone.

Magma Feeling lost... anxiety, depression and memory loss
  • replies: 4

I’ve had depression for a long time but it got really bad due to work about three years ago. About the same time, my memory started to faulter. I have a great teenager, a loving partner, but I feel lost. I’ve had a lot of support since leaving work (... View more

I’ve had depression for a long time but it got really bad due to work about three years ago. About the same time, my memory started to faulter. I have a great teenager, a loving partner, but I feel lost. I’ve had a lot of support since leaving work (until recently that is), regular psychologist and psychiatrist visits and I jangle from medications. But I’m lost. I don’t remember most of my life. I remember bits and pieces. The important things like my family, some personal history and stuff. I forget decisions I’ve made, things I’ve done, people I know, names etc. People have to jog my memory or remind me of things, even minutes after. I just feel helpless and lost.

SailorsGirfriend Defeated
  • replies: 3

Hi I think I am depressed. Lately I have been having problems with my fiancé in the bedroom. We haven't been able to be intimate for 2 months now because he is suffering from erectile dysfunction. At first I blamed myself, that I wasn't attractive, b... View more

Hi I think I am depressed. Lately I have been having problems with my fiancé in the bedroom. We haven't been able to be intimate for 2 months now because he is suffering from erectile dysfunction. At first I blamed myself, that I wasn't attractive, but he assured me it wasn't that. However it keeps happening, and it is really starting to take a toll on our relationship. I feel as though he is being very selfish in his own feelings but keeps forgetting how it affects me, despite continually telling him. It seems to be putting more pressure on the situation but I can't help feeling anger and hurt toward him for it. I am at the point where I feel not living is an easier option, the arguments and low self esteem are so draining. Perhaps it has triggered my feelings of worthlessness. In the past 2 weeks I have had 3 panic attacks, and begin crying for no real reason. I just want to stay in bed and not go to work tomorrow. I get so tired of having to pretend I am happy. I don't know what to do anymore...

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,