Depression

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

FAQ

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

Forums guidelines

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

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

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.

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

Riri Cross roads
  • replies: 4

I'm feeling a little stuck. I have moved to the country away from all I no. Im still traveling home weekly to do everyday things like go to the shops, docs, and place like that gives me a sense of comfort, and mainly for having more options on servic... View more

I'm feeling a little stuck. I have moved to the country away from all I no. Im still traveling home weekly to do everyday things like go to the shops, docs, and place like that gives me a sense of comfort, and mainly for having more options on services, but then I drive back and it feels like I'm returning to jail as there is not much to do. I don't feel safe walking in secluded areas so I rarely leave the house. I don't have anyone I talk to as my family have disowned me and my husband only likes to talk about ' positive things' and does not want to be brought down as his struggling enough with his own mental health. I have never had lots of friends, maybe one or two. But for more then a few months now I been going solo and getting stuck in my own head. I also have not got a job out of the home ATM so I suppose " ideal mind is the devils playground" . I'm studying part time which is just to keep me current in my qualification although it's not a profession I'm keen to go back to. I'm riddle with fear and anxiety that comes with risk taking or change that is not chosen or supported by others. I'm not getting any sort of approval or support from anyone,( been an 80s raised baby I seek it like air). I suppose I just feel lonely, but I don't want to burden others with my thoughts and have learnt that people don't want to hear them and I'm a private person anyway. I only speak with my counselor maybe once a month. I'm not sure where to start. I feel like a 'kept wife' away from all i know, but I'm aware that it's all about perspective and I have been trying to change my mine around things like living away from all I know. What makes it worse is that my husband reminds me daily that "I'm negative and his sick of me putting a negative spin on everything" as it feels very hurtful to him. I have asked him to stop reminding me as it's not helpful and what would be helpful is if he would quietly stand by my side and let me do what i need to do to bring myself out of the rutt. I feel like I don't get a second to breathe sometimes....I'm tempted to run back to what and play the part that my estranged family want me to,I live the scripted life and be excepted by all those who have turned on me. But I no I have made a commitment and need to " put both feet in " in order to really give it a shot. I'm just scared and feel pathetic and my self esteem feels shot.

maddy hey guys
  • replies: 11

I just wanna say don't give up even when it is really really hard because even though in the moment you feel like this will never get better it will so keep trying you are good enough

I just wanna say don't give up even when it is really really hard because even though in the moment you feel like this will never get better it will so keep trying you are good enough

Scared Medication
  • replies: 3

Has anyone with depression ever noticed improvement after only a few days of increasing meds.I have never noticed any improvement ever but last couple days not as severly depressed as before.I always have read other peoples stories of how meds improv... View more

Has anyone with depression ever noticed improvement after only a few days of increasing meds.I have never noticed any improvement ever but last couple days not as severly depressed as before.I always have read other peoples stories of how meds improved their outlook.Could this finally be my time to be one of the people who respond to meds.I hope so i have suffered so much for too longI want and need to feel selfish that its my turn to feel better

Phoenix99 Depression
  • replies: 6

Hii have been struggling to get anything done for the past 14 months. I am not seeing any improvement even though I have been in therapy and have tried different medications which I have a bad reaction to all of them. I am not interested in anything ... View more

Hii have been struggling to get anything done for the past 14 months. I am not seeing any improvement even though I have been in therapy and have tried different medications which I have a bad reaction to all of them. I am not interested in anything in life at all. I can’t think of a reason to be here at all! Actually I have no idea why I’m still here. I am so numb it hurts. Nothing stimulates me not even my phone or anything. Actually I do feel emotions inside but I just look blank on the outside. I just can’t express them. I don’t know what is going on. I want to scream out for help but I feel like I am trapped in my brain.

maddy hey guys
  • replies: 2

I haven't posted for a little bit but I just want to say thank you guys for your support you guys are such lovely people and you guys are so amazing luv y'all

I haven't posted for a little bit but I just want to say thank you guys for your support you guys are such lovely people and you guys are so amazing luv y'all

Random_Hpern I Don’t Know What is Wrong With me But Everyone Else Does and My Hope Draws Thin.
  • replies: 1

I’m a year 10 student and my senior studies are approaching faster than expected. I’m struggling to focus on what matters when I’m on the brink of losing all who I care about at school. My friend group, solid for almost a year until a few months ago,... View more

I’m a year 10 student and my senior studies are approaching faster than expected. I’m struggling to focus on what matters when I’m on the brink of losing all who I care about at school. My friend group, solid for almost a year until a few months ago, was open to me when I joined with my brothers, two, who look identical to me. This challenge of being a triplet and identical is something I hear many people say must be so cool or amazing. But, not a day goes by where I wish I wasn’t. Three people attached emotionally to each other from birth, is a burden to any group as its three more opinions to listen to and possibly an eye sore, or embarrassment. I thought we were safe in that group having suffered severe bullying from previous schools, but as the terms passed we began being marginalised. The fact that I was always called “triplet,” instead of my name after all these years only makes me feel like an abomination or a failed lab experiment as I’ve been jokingly called. My brothers and I were diagnosed with pessimism and social anxiety a year or two ago and I can’t keep holding my head up. Most mornings I no longer want to wake up as I know the sadness I am destined to experience until I can again be unconscious in sleep. My days now are just a cycle, I no longer sit with the people I once called friends, only one person I can rely on I cower near, and all day besides the name calling, I’m forced to be shunned, my opinions or voice means nothing, and despite the horrible things others in the group do, my every action warrants some from of abuse whether verbal or physical. My parents are blind to these issues and I can’t tell people because the reaction from my “friends” would for sure grant me out of their group. Without these people, some of whom I exchange in hatred, and others I let belittle me, I have no where to go, and I no I won’t see my 30’s when my mind matures if I am to still be depressed in adulthood. I can’t keep failing to fit in despite being at my current school for 5 years, and I can’t keep telling myself that I’ll be free in 2 years when school finishes. Even today a simple harmless prankster act I did (in retaliation to an identical act from a student mere seconds prior) aimed at being funny, warranted snickers and pushing from my “friends.” I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! Why do I fail at being human when others do it fine every day. I’m done being classified as something other than just a person or an individual all my life.

f1kk I think im depressed
  • replies: 3

hi, ive never used one of these sites before but for the last month or so ive just felt really hopeless and lonely. no matter what i do it just feels like nothing is going to get better. all my friends are distant, but it might be me pulling away and... View more

hi, ive never used one of these sites before but for the last month or so ive just felt really hopeless and lonely. no matter what i do it just feels like nothing is going to get better. all my friends are distant, but it might be me pulling away and i just want someone to know that im struggling and someone to talk to about how im feeling. my best friend is barely talking to me and whenever im around her it feels like she would rather be anywhere else. ive also been super stressed with school and exams but now that most of them are over i still feel anxious and worried all the time. how do i fix myself because i cant keep feeling like this. thank you to anyone who responds.

Guest_49709140 Not sure what to do anymore with my apprenticeship.
  • replies: 2

Jumping straight into it, I work for my dad age 55. I'm 20 and am the apprentice and pretty much his sole employee apart from the occasional cousin lending a hand on jobs. We're both plasterers/drywall and my dad takes alot of pride in his work, he i... View more

Jumping straight into it, I work for my dad age 55. I'm 20 and am the apprentice and pretty much his sole employee apart from the occasional cousin lending a hand on jobs. We're both plasterers/drywall and my dad takes alot of pride in his work, he is also a jw witness (religious), so although he jokes about it he always kinda views himself as a perfect human dosent smoke, dosent drink, always on time and keeps his word. While I've always respected that he tends to hang it on others when they fail to meet his standards, especially me it seems. Mainly due to me being late or missing work, not that it's an excuse but I do suffer from depression and haven't had it easy. So long story short good man, great dad but hard to work with. Getting to the actual story a few weeks ago my dad was arrested and taken out of state for a serious offence that has happened 25 plus years ago and even tho court proceedings aren't done he tells me he knows he is going to be doing time and it would be a minimun of a year if that. I'm a 3rd year apprentice with only one year left to go, although I've never raved about my job it has always been good money and a good opportunity for me to learn but in light of recent events I just feel like it's too much right now. I'm not saying to just leave my apprentice altogether but I feel like I need a break. My cousin has offered to take the apprentice over and continue running the business if my dad goes away but I've never really liked working for family to start off with because of the constant feelings of disappointment. Anyway just seeing if I get some advice. I know the logistics would be better if I just stuck out the apprenticeship then took of if I wanted but I've never felt so drained before.

jfad2010 New to this forum, familiar with these symptoms...
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new here. I'm a 31 yo male. My mother has been controlling and threatened suicide at multiple points across my life. My father is a doctor that dramatises his own diagnoses, making it seem like he's at deaths door when he's healthy. I have a ... View more

Hi, I'm new here. I'm a 31 yo male. My mother has been controlling and threatened suicide at multiple points across my life. My father is a doctor that dramatises his own diagnoses, making it seem like he's at deaths door when he's healthy. I have a genetic predisposition to anxiety and depression.This has effected my own confidence and created insecurities throughout my whole life, positively affecting my career (through imposter syndrome), and negatively effecting anything romantic (through deep anxieties). Whilst there have been good days, I feel destined to long term failure. I eat well, keep fit, and keep diary entries, even take anti-deps. They stave off the feelings momentarily, but I keep getting drawn back in.

Cocolee15 am i manic or just happy for the first time?
  • replies: 4

I've been diagnosed with schophrenia for almost two years and have been on antidepressants since I was 13 but yesterday I started this mood that is like a small little engine that won't leave I had a burst of energy for 4pm till 9:30pm where I was da... View more

I've been diagnosed with schophrenia for almost two years and have been on antidepressants since I was 13 but yesterday I started this mood that is like a small little engine that won't leave I had a burst of energy for 4pm till 9:30pm where I was dancing listening to music and sending guys I don't know my nudes on reddit and talking some crazy shit with them thinks I never say or do ever but right now I'm having a calm moment I feel tired like I need to sleep as I only got 4hrs sleep last night maybe I'm just overtired but I'm laughing at things that ain't funny having random bursts of laughter the whole day I have not been able to hold a conversation for more then a few minutes until they let me ramble on about stuff I did, I just did things because I felt out of control but in control at the same time I could of stopped but I didn't I watched a movie with my dad and put the phone away and I'm still feeling like I'm faking everything I do for attention to get attention but I can't stop can you sit down and watch a movie in mania without talking even when you want to say silly stuff but your dad is right there i have bought train tickets for tomorrow to leave this town with nothing but the clothes on my back there is some planning because i have to wait till the train leaves tomorrow but my case manager knows something is not right with me so i cant leave with a bag incase they see me ya know I just have to leave with my phone and clothes on my body tomorrow to another town to be free to feel free when I think about it i feel free when i think about staying home i feel stuck and terrible so i can feel terrible emotions its a mix of emotions i feel right now Could it be mania? Or the start of it? What do u think?