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

Timmy87 Dealing with severe depression and Work
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. First time poster so Hai. Im gonna get straight to it. Ive been battling pretty strong depression and anxiety for a couple of years now. The biggest concern I have is how much this is impacting my job. I also have a fair amount of debt. ... View more

Hi everyone. First time poster so Hai. Im gonna get straight to it. Ive been battling pretty strong depression and anxiety for a couple of years now. The biggest concern I have is how much this is impacting my job. I also have a fair amount of debt. I have a good job that pays very well the problem is I haven't been for the last 2 weeks and I'm only new at this place. My depression has hit me so hard I can barely get out of bed. I feel like a husk of a person. I've started a new medication thanks to my GP whom I know well and trust. But it's taking a while to kick in and I'm not functioning in the mean time. Im scared I'll lose my job and wind up with a stack of debt that can't be paid. I'll lose my car etc. My new employer is a bit miffed. I've tried to be as transparent as I can to keep them on side but I don't know how long it can last. Thanks Tim.

RoadTripin71 Vertigo - link with anxiety/depression?
  • replies: 3

Has anyone experienced vertigo as part of anxiety and/or depressive episodes? I have recently been diagnosed with Cervical Vertigo hand in hand with a major depression episode and I am wondering if there is a link between the two conditions.

Has anyone experienced vertigo as part of anxiety and/or depressive episodes? I have recently been diagnosed with Cervical Vertigo hand in hand with a major depression episode and I am wondering if there is a link between the two conditions.

Basboos About to explode
  • replies: 2

Im not Australian and neither is my husband. He’s been living in Australia for 6 years now. We got married in our country and i moved to Australia. My husband goes to work, coming back home at 6:30ish. During the day im always alone i know no one her... View more

Im not Australian and neither is my husband. He’s been living in Australia for 6 years now. We got married in our country and i moved to Australia. My husband goes to work, coming back home at 6:30ish. During the day im always alone i know no one here and i cant find a job. I deeply miss my family, my friends and my life. I cant cope, i cant get used to living alone. im about to explode out of loneliness. I dont have any power, will or energy to do anything. Everything i do is because i have to not because i want to. This has deeply affected my life and my relationship with my husband. I don’t usually express my feelings so its only translated into anger. Life here is soo much different than it is in my country. I feel lost and helpless and i think im going through depression. thanks.

Zwebs98 Seeking advice on what to do next.
  • replies: 2

Hi, my name is Zac and I have depression. Recently my long time girlfriend and I split up due to her being unfaithful and I have not handled it well. It was a very happy relationship and due to this I have stayed very close friends with her. However ... View more

Hi, my name is Zac and I have depression. Recently my long time girlfriend and I split up due to her being unfaithful and I have not handled it well. It was a very happy relationship and due to this I have stayed very close friends with her. However the breakup has had a large impact on my life and lifestyle. I lived with my girlfriend for close to a year and due to us splitting up I have had to move back home. This wasn't an issue as my parents welcomed me back straight away and had a room ready for me. Although they haven't said anything to me and they keep assuring me that it's ok, I can tell that me moving back into home has been a struggle for them. Due to us being a moderate to low income family, My presence has meant them spending more money in order to support me aswell. Things such as food, hygiene supplies etc have had a bit of an impact on the amount of money spent each week. Although I offer to buy my own food and supplies, they keep assuring me it'll be ok for them. This has had a large impact on my mental health as constantly I feel like i'm such a burden to have in the house, and I feel so bad and sorry for them that all of a sudden I've moved back in and they have had to adjust their lifestyle. Often at night I can't sleep because I feel so bad for them and this has a large impact on me constantly being sad. Due to this, I have lately been buying fast food as an alternative to my parents cooking food for me. In the last month or so, I've noticed a weight gain and this is starting to upset me, and I also have a lack of motivation to go the gym which i used to go on a daily regular basis. Another thing Is that I have all motivation to do anything. Simple things such as going to the shops for example. I don't want to leave my house, I don't want to speak to anybody or do anything, and I dread going to work. When I am at work I'm just as miserable there. I don't know what to do. I went and spoke to a GP who then referred me to go speak to someone at a local mental health clinic, But I found the one on one interaction a little awkward and wasn't sure what to say. It's rare for a day where I don't end up crying. I constantly think about what my girlfriend did to me and I always blame myself for not being better, even though she herself has told me this isn't the case. I'm just constantly sad now 24/7. I'm not suicidal or ever have been, I'm just over being constantly sad. I'm sorry but I just need some help

demonblaster Your MI (Mental Illness) / Issues. What goes on?
  • replies: 19

Hey I think it's important for people, everyone to know what struggles there are with MI & any issues that people go through for hopefully understanding & support. Could create more tolerance in society. We NEED a voice Hoping people would like to co... View more

Hey I think it's important for people, everyone to know what struggles there are with MI & any issues that people go through for hopefully understanding & support. Could create more tolerance in society. We NEED a voice Hoping people would like to contribute here to what you have to deal with for understanding & learning. I'm Bipolar, done a fair whack of research & deep thought. I believe with want & determination this can be beaten, worse scenario getting emotional control which I think although mammoth is the key to our survival and reaching peace from the beast.(Depression) Diagnosed Type 1 & 2. There's others (later) Type 1- more likely not necessarily to have visual & auditory hallucinations, grand deur, delusions. The highs (mania) are very high. Type 2 - slightly elevated mood (mania, but OH SOOOO GOOD too) There's more depression Deep, recently heard there's far more suicide attempts than any other MI with BP (Bipolar, or BPD - Disorder & heard from Psychiatrist too staggering, something like 6 in 10 people attempt. The downs are horrific. Absolute HELL as most here understand that pain. I attempted in teens 4 times and really wanted out. Clearly failed & glad I did, since loss of partner recently has been an option but now outta equation, I'm gunna get this, pulled me down all life. Many people get it around teens yrs or common later in life. Stress induced? Some can have one episode in their life and be BP. I'm more than a rapid cycler that is 4 or more a yr. I have 8-10 major cycles (episodes) MANIA: BLOODY MAGIC!!! You feel sooo damned good, pure utter happiness, confidence, self assured, promiscuity, erratic over spending,reckless,ideas flood with such clarity, your mind keeps up at rapid pace, unbelievable (moreso super fast in type 1), projects, belief, energy, motivation, determined, ALL tools for success, but think the brain knows it can't keep pace up for long is why it all slams at once, OH & sleep, nah can do so many all niters without and booming with energy, I get some never enough through meds. NO BODY ON THIS EARTH DOESN"T WANNA FEEL THIS WAY, Gift from God with devils pricetag. DEPRESSION: For most it's heavy & before cycles, I get both worse on coming down, WOW, complete opposite. DEEP as. So hard to cope, the exhaustion from it all is mighty, use to hit the wall and it'd keep pushing but got highs down over yrs but still takes wks for recovery. More to say but later. Thx 4 time/listening & contributing if so

p_man chronic bi polar depression...relentless
  • replies: 7

hi am currently in the grips of bipolar depression, i have been at rock bottom for 8 months, had three medication changes, was hospitalised for two weeks and am currently on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist to see about changing medications yet a... View more

hi am currently in the grips of bipolar depression, i have been at rock bottom for 8 months, had three medication changes, was hospitalised for two weeks and am currently on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist to see about changing medications yet again as my current combination is having zero effect. i am exhausted and feeling like the path to wellness is nowhere in sight, i'm afraid to change medications as it was a change in medication landed me in hospital, but i must try as i can not exist in my current state....the depression is all encompassing and relentless.....im struggling to stay afloat, feel like i have lost my mind. desperate for relief the constant pain is unbearable, everything takes so long and there are no guarantees.....i hope so bad i find a doctor that can help me, who can find a medication combination that can give me my life back, im so tired of hanging on by a thread i want to live............. Report this ❤ 0

DiggerM Please help
  • replies: 4

I would like to know how to stop feeling depressed all the time and be happy again and to stop trying to stave my self please respond thanks

I would like to know how to stop feeling depressed all the time and be happy again and to stop trying to stave my self please respond thanks

fish1805 Advice needed
  • replies: 3

Hi all, this is my first post and the first time ive really spoken about what im going though and would appreciate and advice you can give. 7 Months ago i was forced out of a job i loved and had been in for a decade, since then ive been in another jo... View more

Hi all, this is my first post and the first time ive really spoken about what im going though and would appreciate and advice you can give. 7 Months ago i was forced out of a job i loved and had been in for a decade, since then ive been in another job that i detest, the boss is just not a nice person, belittles staff at every turn and i am suffering severe depression and anxiety now, i wake up and shudder at the thought of going to work, the work load is too much, its a 2 person job and more often than not its just me. I have a heart condition and a few weeks ago i was in hospital for a related scare, luckliy nothing came of it and i was given clean bill of health, my boss rang every day to ask when i would be back and the other staff have told me he was whinging about me not being in and putting me down while i was off. Everytime the boss walks in he focuses on a negative, never mind that my hours at 7am to 5pm, i start getting calls from drivers (im in transport operations) at 5am and they dont stop until 9pm, im at my wits end and am constantly on the verge of walking out but with bills, xmas and a family holiday coming up i just cant afford to leave but feel like i need to to keep my sanity. What should i do, i just keep saying just get through till Xmas and then 3 weeks later your holiday and then come back fresh and find something else but i dont know if i can last that long, im really struggling................need help and thats hard for me to ask for!

Sonz88 New baby and struggling with life
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have found this forum at 1am after a very difficult day. I have a baby who is one month old. The pregnancy was very difficult and I struggled to keep on top of my anxiety during it. I went on my antidepressants six weeks before he birth as ... View more

Hi all, I have found this forum at 1am after a very difficult day. I have a baby who is one month old. The pregnancy was very difficult and I struggled to keep on top of my anxiety during it. I went on my antidepressants six weeks before he birth as my mood was deteriorating rapidly. during the pregnancy my partner’s job was uncertain and this along with other issues caused us both stress. Our relationship is very solid but it took a toll both of us and I felt quite lonely for parts of my pregnancy. my partner is overall very supportive, I have the sort of relationship and support most people could only dream of. We had a big argument a couple of weeks after the baby was born when I was already struggling and I just feel like it was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. Sometimes I feel so sad and hurt that I just want so desperately to numb the pain and think a lot about just getting blind drunk so I stop feeling so sad and hurt and let down. I don’t do this because I have two young children and want more than anything to just be a great mother to them. I just find the thought of wishing I could get drunk and wipe myself out so I didn’t feel so sad anymore comes up more often than I’d like. I keep picturing myself going out to the pub and getting wasted while leaving my children at home with my partner and that image makes me feel like a terrible mother. my bond with my oldest is very strong. I love my new baby, but sometimes I worry I am not bonding with her the way I should. I think that perhaps I am just being paranoid as I am so afraid of getting PND that I am looking for signs everywhere. I keep reminding myself that I’ve had years to bond with my oldest and that my bond will strengthen over time with my youngest and I do and say all the things with my baby i did for my first. Maybe it just feels a bit different the second time around when you have a toddler to look after and you can’t give as much time to your baby as you could when you didn’t have another kid. All I want is to feel ok, and even though everything is technically ok with my life I just can’t shake this feeling that something isn’t right and is just ‘off’, yet I can’t put my finger on it. I am thinking that perhaps the big argument I had with my partner a couple of weeks ago is maybe the main reason I feel like this, but just keep worrying that I will get PND and that I am not connecting with my baby as I’m supposed to.

Tomutd Out of nowhere
  • replies: 3

First time poster so will see how this goes. I've had a girlfriend for 8 months now and we're as close as ever, things have moved quickly. She recently moved to start her new job, only 45 mins away. Works 9-5:30 I work 2pm til midnight. Communication... View more

First time poster so will see how this goes. I've had a girlfriend for 8 months now and we're as close as ever, things have moved quickly. She recently moved to start her new job, only 45 mins away. Works 9-5:30 I work 2pm til midnight. Communication has become the main issue for us. Anyway it was only 2 days ago that I woke up and it was like my mind had done a backflip. To the point where I told her I didn't wanna leave my job to go live with her even though we'd spoken about it numerous times. I couldn't even tell her I loved her. Never had this happen before. I've had a sick feeling ever since and I feel like I've ruined something that was so perfect. I'm not exactly sure what switched. But I just feel horrible hurting someone I love and care about. Just not sure how to rectify it. I'm feeling so overwhelmed by it all. Thanks for taking the time to read