Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

OU812 New Girlfriend depression , shuts down .
  • replies: 3

Hi guys , I been struggling with depression / anxiety for a while and in the last 8 months I have left my wife which has decreased my stress a lot but recently I have met someone new that gave me support and just a real boost in happiness . I feel re... View more

Hi guys , I been struggling with depression / anxiety for a while and in the last 8 months I have left my wife which has decreased my stress a lot but recently I have met someone new that gave me support and just a real boost in happiness . I feel recently that the honeymoon period is over and I'm seeing some unusual traits , I'm in the best shape myself but some things worry me. my girlfriend has these moments where she will find something difficult to deal with and she shuts down , more accurately she puts her head down for long periods of times and ignores anything around her and when you speak to her it's a mumble like when someone is drunk and just vomited and doesn't want to speak , I find this very unusual . I want to support her where I can and I wait it out and talk to her about what happens but I feel the talks aren't helping much. she does everything the hard way , she almost complains about everything around her except me but I am seeing that it could be rolling over me now from a couple of comments she has made . her kids don't listen to her and don't clean up anything after themselves , the house is always messy, I feel she is struggling everyday and I try to help her with chores I want to help her but I think there is some issues here with her and I'm not sure if she needs to talk to someone. her mother which suffered mental health problems passed away about 2 years ago and is still struggling with it , I'm not sure if her issues are hereditary but she also has hormone issues . i really don't know how to deal with this , I want to help her but I get the feeling she needs some help .

Evilnut I can't see the light.
  • replies: 2

I am so lost now after 8 years of trying. To find my way out is so hard.

I am so lost now after 8 years of trying. To find my way out is so hard.

Lambo Depressed mummy
  • replies: 2

I struggle getting out of bed everyday. I hear the kids awake, often crying in their rooms having been awake for some time. I feel like a failure. A terrible mother. A pathetic and worthless human. I always plan to get up early and do workouts before... View more

I struggle getting out of bed everyday. I hear the kids awake, often crying in their rooms having been awake for some time. I feel like a failure. A terrible mother. A pathetic and worthless human. I always plan to get up early and do workouts before the kids wake up but that only happens about once a week. I know I am fully capable to do the things I want to do but it is so hard to bring myself to do them. My oldest is two and second 9 months. I find myself wishing I didnt have to be a mum anymore more times than I like to admit. I love my kids to pieces ofcourse but I never realised it would be so hard. My hubby will play with the kids but doesn't help out often. I feel like I have no purpose. I don't contribute anything. I wish I could put the kids in daycare and work but that isn't an option for another 6 months at least. I hate talking face to face about how I feel. Husband thinks it's just something I can get over if I want to. Sometimes there only seems to be 2 options. End it or leave and be a single mum. It's so hard to love when emotions don't come easy. I'm lost and don't know where to go. Any advice?

Depressed24 My voices
  • replies: 6

My voices are more distressing when I m alone or when I m depressed . They call me lots of things that I cant mention mainly swearing and they call me weird when I m not I m not weird . I get lonely all the time my parents brought me a parrot but tha... View more

My voices are more distressing when I m alone or when I m depressed . They call me lots of things that I cant mention mainly swearing and they call me weird when I m not I m not weird . I get lonely all the time my parents brought me a parrot but that has not helped I still get lonely I have no friends and if I want to make friends on E harmony or RSVP I don't have a credit card so I get more depressed if RSVP was a better website I would find friends but I will keep trying even if it hurts . I m 24 years old and no guy wants me at all the more I cry and the more sad I get is annoying looks like I got schizophrenia and bipolar 1 . I wish me mom and dad could move but we probably cant anyway thanks to these voices . Can or does anyone want to be my friend if not then that's okay I get use to it

Ippygirlgr Hard time at present
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am currently having a major depressive episode at the moment that flared up following the 5th anniversary of my late grandad's death (23/08/2012). I was very close to Grandad and losing him has turned my mental health upside down. I am finding ... View more

Hi, I am currently having a major depressive episode at the moment that flared up following the 5th anniversary of my late grandad's death (23/08/2012). I was very close to Grandad and losing him has turned my mental health upside down. I am finding it hard to not cry but haven't really stopped since yesterday (23/08/2017). In consultation with my GP, I have increased my medication but it hasn't taken effect yet. Work is very understanding, they have said they want me to concentrate on my health before returning to work. But being casual, I only get paid for hours worked. Trying to be stronger but finding it very hard. How do others handle work with depression?? Thank you for any helpful tips/guidance.

AGentleSoul It feels like I am sinking again
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, I have been meaning to post here again, but I felt like I was bothering people when I did. I feel like I needed to post again because I need to talk/write more. The past year has not been so good for me because I hate living where I am, ... View more

Hi Everyone, I have been meaning to post here again, but I felt like I was bothering people when I did. I feel like I needed to post again because I need to talk/write more. The past year has not been so good for me because I hate living where I am, I am getting mixed results studying at university and it feels like I am slowly losing my trust and faith in people again. I will openly admit that some issues I have put on myself because I have been going to strip clubs and my only physical contact with women has been with sex workers. This is because I am starting believe the only positive interactions I will have with women is if I pay them! I hate where I am living because are neighbor's son in law coward punched and assaulted my dad whilst he was on the ground! The neighbour's son in law also abuses his children and it's hard listening to that almost every single day! My neighbor claims he has it under control, but he doesn't. I want to stay at uni, but I am starting to feel isolated and having doubts if I can pass. I am worried that I will fail and get kicked out! It is also stressful because I am also on centrelink payments, so if I get kicked out I lose payments which is only my only source of income at the moment. It feels like I am standing in quicksand! I guess I am just asking to be heard and if anyone else can relate? Regards, AGentleSoul

pawsy knocked down again
  • replies: 8

ive been doing pretty well since february when i came here in a very bad way. things have been more stable and more positive. but a mistake i made at work, not a very big one, but still .. and a phone call from the boss about the mistake, have knocke... View more

ive been doing pretty well since february when i came here in a very bad way. things have been more stable and more positive. but a mistake i made at work, not a very big one, but still .. and a phone call from the boss about the mistake, have knocked me off course again. im disappointed by how such a little thing can make me feel so low and hopeless. like things will never change for the better really. the most i can hope for is to get through the days somehow and keep finding something to pull me into tomorrow. so. at a time i had imagined id be getting stronger and more engaged in the world, here i am back in bed feeling like im made out of lead and the world outside my bedroom is hard and frightening and not made for me. bummer.

Fazza75 Lost again
  • replies: 3

Hello there. Not sure if this will help but hey got nothing to lose. Ive struggled with depression and other mental issues on and off my whole life. Am in yet another bout! Just so tired of fighting. When depressed I do some really reckless things. I... View more

Hello there. Not sure if this will help but hey got nothing to lose. Ive struggled with depression and other mental issues on and off my whole life. Am in yet another bout! Just so tired of fighting. When depressed I do some really reckless things. Ive done some terrible things that have hurt the ones I love. Gotten professional help numerous times. Yet still find myself back at square one. Any support would be much appreciated.

Anon98 Long Days, Tough Times
  • replies: 3

Hello guys. This is my first post here, and I'm unsure how exactly to say it, so here goes: Today is probably the most down I've felt before. I'm tired and I'm struggling to find happiness ahead. I've struggled with sleep and the ability to find joy ... View more

Hello guys. This is my first post here, and I'm unsure how exactly to say it, so here goes: Today is probably the most down I've felt before. I'm tired and I'm struggling to find happiness ahead. I've struggled with sleep and the ability to find joy since I started back at uni 4-5 weeks ago. I'm a full time student and have been since I started. It's not that I don't like my degree, it's just I struggle to motivate myself. I suffered days in year 12 with a lack of motivation, but it would clear up after a day or two. This year however, I often have thoughts as to why I'm doing what I'm doing or what the point of doing uni or anything is. I find it hard to talk about this with my family, as my dad seems overly confident and hard to talk to, and I don't know how mu mum would react. This morning was particularly unusual for me. I woke up perfectly fine this morning (first time in weeks), but after I left home for uni, I started feeling flustered and questioning myself. I was trying not to break down on the way to the city. I just don't know why. I created this account this morning because I needed to vent out my issues anonymously. I don't know what to do. I looked online, but I feel it is over generic and not very helpful (even though it could be). I feel like I need to have a break and do something fresh, but that was the half the point for entering uni. I figured the longer travel times and the fresh air would be good, but nowadays it's just a long walk. What do I do? I've never had any thoughts of self harm, let alone suicide, but I need a plan to improve my quality of life. Thank-you for any help that you guys provide.

Courteney92 Help. Pls
  • replies: 4

I'm completely at a loss, I'm suffer with anxiety and depression I also have BPD. Ive been struggling with a drug addiction for 5 years. In that time I have lost the love of my life been subject to serious emotional and physical abuse from a ex who i... View more

I'm completely at a loss, I'm suffer with anxiety and depression I also have BPD. Ive been struggling with a drug addiction for 5 years. In that time I have lost the love of my life been subject to serious emotional and physical abuse from a ex who is in a drug psychosis. I can't hold down jobs, relationships & holding on to my remaining friendships by there last thread. I'm emotionally disconnected and numb, my once bubbly nature has become withdrawn and I find it hard to communicate & be in public settings. And I just don't see it getting better. i spend every day in bed, I think I'm okay until I break down. Most days I think I just live in complete denial. I have lost my License, my house, really have no sense of self or identity and never have. I know drugs are a problem but if I didn't have them to numb me at times I don't know if I would still be here. and a lot of these issues sound like easy fix problems but they aren't I've tried. I feel as if im broken, I've studied all different things worked all different jobs I get so depressed I either get fired or leave. im so ineed of a reason to get out of bed and a income I got in to prostitution. some days I think I do it because I like it other days I'm sure I hate it and I think I only got it to it to punish my self. i have no idea about anything in my life I feel as if none of it's real and I'm on the verge of a psychotic breakdown. I don't know how my life from a normal happy child could turn in to this nightmare that won't end it's seems so unreal im honestly not sure if my life happening or this is in my head. I'm my own worst enemy, I'm on medication, seeing a psychiatrist and getting drug and alcohol counciling. nothing is helping and at the end of each appointment I smile and make out as if I'm okay. I'm incapable of letting my self realise how desperate, hopeless & completely misserable I am. and each time I actually realise how I feel, I get pushed closer & closer to the edge of breaking beyond repair. Surly at some point I will give up because it's allready at a unbearable point. but in amongst that I'm so confused and lost, I don't know what's wrong with me if anything or if maybe these are just excuses & I'm just lazy and self pitying and self loathing. I want to disappear but how do I hide from myself. pls anything I have never opened up like this before but I have no where else to turn