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

DJPTigerland140414 Negative thoughts never disappear!
  • replies: 3

I hate having to battle my mind every single day im alive. Trying to beat the thoughts telling me all day that im a nobody, loser, ugly, fat,etceven though nothing directly has occurred sometimes to make me feel this way. It is such a tiring and drai... View more

I hate having to battle my mind every single day im alive. Trying to beat the thoughts telling me all day that im a nobody, loser, ugly, fat,etceven though nothing directly has occurred sometimes to make me feel this way. It is such a tiring and draining battle 24/7 365 days a year fight to be in a fight that never ever ends and the mind never lets up. Im starting to feel that nothing short of a mind transplant will fix me. Some people would look at my life and say im a lucky person and there are most certainly people worse off than myself so why wont my mind accept that and let me just get on with my life and stop thinking negative thoughts whilst im not dorment and asleep. I feel like I cant keep fighting a battle I cant seem to win it just absolutely destroys my morale and doesn't allow me to start regaining my lost confidence and self esteem. I cant ever remember being confident or having self esteem it was never allowed to develop when I was a child. Being constantly put down by your parents will do that to a person I guess. Surely there must be something or someone out there that can help a person who really doesn't know where to turn next. I have honestly tried nearly everything out there and im still here today 32 feeling worse than ever. My life isn't even that bad but my mind just wont see it and believe it. I consciously know this fact yet still cant change my state of mind.

Tearsfall Dont know what else to do
  • replies: 21

Hello well her i am, yes just signed up , feeling lost and alone even though i have my adult children and a partner who loves me dearly. staying on top of life is becoming more difficult. So much going on and iv lost myself somewhere along the way. I... View more

Hello well her i am, yes just signed up , feeling lost and alone even though i have my adult children and a partner who loves me dearly. staying on top of life is becoming more difficult. So much going on and iv lost myself somewhere along the way. Im always helping others iv given up so much to be where i am

LalaMunk Just some thoughts - I hope this may help someone
  • replies: 3

I wonder what could have been. Who would I be if my illness were non-existant? Would I be successful? Would I be happy? Would my strongest friendships and relationships have actually lasted? Would I feel so isolated and abandoned…? It is the wonderin... View more

I wonder what could have been. Who would I be if my illness were non-existant? Would I be successful? Would I be happy? Would my strongest friendships and relationships have actually lasted? Would I feel so isolated and abandoned…? It is the wondering that hurts the most. Forever contemplating what could have been had I not been held back by the inefficiency of my own brain. These thoughts never leave my head. These thoughts keep me awake at night and distracted throughout the day. An endless cycle of what ifs. I have given up all hope of these thoughts ever subsiding. I have given up hope of ever being truly happy. I have resigned myself to a perpetual battle with my own mind; and with such resignation I have empowered myself. No, I will never be content. No, I will never be “normal”. No, I will never love myself and have sufficient confidence to brush off my insecurities. Yet I am strong; I will survive. I will forever battle with the demons inside. Surrender is not an option for me anymore. With understanding and acceptance of my illness I have found the strength to fight. To stare into the eyes of the black dog and say, “Not today mf. Not any day.” I will never back down again. I will never take the easy way out. I will struggle. I will hurt. I will cry, and rage, and scream into the night; I will polish my armour after every battle and despite my exhaustion I will continue to fight. I may have depression, but depression doesn't have me.

Chyuuuu Not sure if I should do work or not if the only thing I want is to be miserable
  • replies: 1

Recently I think I can feel my antidepressants starting to work. However, I spent so long when I was depressed telling myself that I don't want to get better or be happy, and still feel that way to an extent. Now I feel like if I start doing things t... View more

Recently I think I can feel my antidepressants starting to work. However, I spent so long when I was depressed telling myself that I don't want to get better or be happy, and still feel that way to an extent. Now I feel like if I start doing things that would be good for me like doing schoolwork or going outside it would undermine my progress and I will lose what I spent so much time on, and return to mediocrity. The only downside of not doing work is that it would just draw attention which would just be uncomfortable and humiliating and something I want to avoid, but I can't bring myself to just be good to myself. Perhaps this lifestyle of just doing nothing is more comfortable and i'm too lazy to do anything else, or I feel like my depression/misery was an excuse or achievement in some way. Does anyone have any advice for what I should do?

Kdk I am so sad
  • replies: 3

I am so sad it doesn’t leave me. I’m in short stay but feel so alone. I don’t know how long I can keep going. Everyday I wonder will this be my last.

I am so sad it doesn’t leave me. I’m in short stay but feel so alone. I don’t know how long I can keep going. Everyday I wonder will this be my last.

geoff Can we be pushed into a Depressive State ?
  • replies: 1

It's just my opinion, as I have been through this so many times in my life before and it's an ugly place to be in. If anyone has been pushed into Depression whether it's a partner, family member, or even through your work environment please let us kn... View more

It's just my opinion, as I have been through this so many times in my life before and it's an ugly place to be in. If anyone has been pushed into Depression whether it's a partner, family member, or even through your work environment please let us know as we can provide you with the support you need. Geoff.

Anicca Feeling down
  • replies: 2

Today has been a bad day. I usually manage everything on my own but because a have a friend I thought I could rely on, I asked for help. I was let down this afternoon and now feel totally frustrated. My anxiety was high for other reasons, which my fr... View more

Today has been a bad day. I usually manage everything on my own but because a have a friend I thought I could rely on, I asked for help. I was let down this afternoon and now feel totally frustrated. My anxiety was high for other reasons, which my friend knew about. Of course my anxiety skyrocketed. I have Bipolar 11 and have lived with anxiety and depression all of my life. I'm now in my early sixties. Sometimes I think I'm better off shutting myself off from the world.

AntiHero Lonely and Ashamed
  • replies: 5

I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness including chronic depression (anxie... View more

I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness including chronic depression (anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, you name it). This has had a significant impact on my life, but I've always managed to keep it well hidden (out of shame and self-preservation - the stigma is terrible). I'm in therapy, on medication, and have even quit drinking since my drinking behaviour wasn't very healthy. Despite all of this, the thing that I'm most ashamed of is that I've never been in a serious relationship, not only because my mental illnesses have held me back, but also because a traditional family and upbringing prevented me from dating as a teen, so I never set solid relationship foundations for myself. I'm 28 with relationship experience limited to flings and crushed hopes. I'm trying to internet date but have had poor experiences: I've been lied to, ghosted, and faded out on. I'm starting to think maybe people sense something is up with me, and they run as soon as they do. Or, perhaps I get a little too hopeful too soon, which scares people, so people run off again. I recently came out of something (I couldn't really call it a relationship - two months or so of dating and long conversations?) and was heartbroken when I found out he wasn't fully interested. Is there something wrong with me? I've believed for so long I was unlovable, and now that I've tried to date, all these poor experiences seem to validate this thought - I'm not capable of being loved. I've been single all my life and my loneliness is really affecting me. It's making me desperate for SOMETHING. Is there something wrong with me that I've been single all this time? Is there something wrong with me that no one wants to be with me, or give me a chance?

JRFOXIE Feeling invalidated
  • replies: 4

I have a mood disorder that my parents do not recognise. Instead they believe I just have a bad behaviour. They were offered education at the last family meeting but refused it saying they knew enough. It wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to live... View more

I have a mood disorder that my parents do not recognise. Instead they believe I just have a bad behaviour. They were offered education at the last family meeting but refused it saying they knew enough. It wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to live with them. They are critical of everything I do or say. They told me I can never end up in hospital again for anything physical or mental health because they don't want to have to pick me up. Obviously it is a promise I cannot possibly make. It is wearing me down and I was only discharged from hospital for depression in December.

Assaad Severe depression
  • replies: 7

Hey everyone im only 24 and I started running my own building company recently. I’ve always been poor always living pay check to pay check but I could always see the bright side of things but now I’m making upwards of $20000 a week and it’s got me so... View more

Hey everyone im only 24 and I started running my own building company recently. I’ve always been poor always living pay check to pay check but I could always see the bright side of things but now I’m making upwards of $20000 a week and it’s got me so depressed like big whoop I have money now what’s the big deal? I always thought I would be happy having money but i felt so much better when I had nothing I feel so useless at the moment and I have big plans for myself but I feel like I could be doing something else to benefit others has anyone experienced this or something like this at a young age ( I’m a big over thinker ) I also suffer from severe anxiety but I have that under Co trip maybe that’s playing with my thoughts? Any advice would be much appreciated