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

Muscat Depression / anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, I suffer from depression/ anxiety and I'm not very well right now . I thought maybe talking to someone that is going through the same thing might help me. I haven't left my house for over a year now and when I do I get anxiety attracts and s... View more

Hi guys, I suffer from depression/ anxiety and I'm not very well right now . I thought maybe talking to someone that is going through the same thing might help me. I haven't left my house for over a year now and when I do I get anxiety attracts and start sweating shaking and feeling really sick in my stomach or if I no I have to go somewhere I feel so sick in my stomach for days. I have trouble leaving my room and being that mom, wife I should be. I am letting my family down so much and they r not really understanding. I'm not sure where or what to do anymore ..

Emtemt BDD, Anxiety, Depression and bodybuilding
  • replies: 5

Hi All, I just wanted to reach out and tell a little bit of my story in hopes that I can help someone with their struggles. I have suffered from body dysmorphic disorder for majority of my life with only realising it was a serious issue a few years a... View more

Hi All, I just wanted to reach out and tell a little bit of my story in hopes that I can help someone with their struggles. I have suffered from body dysmorphic disorder for majority of my life with only realising it was a serious issue a few years ago. My BDD is focused toward my stomach and the constant feeling and fear of being fat. I grew up very overweight through my childhood which lead to a lot of teasing, no self confidence,anxiety and depression which has stayed with me and only gotten worse into my adulthood (I am now 26). I found that through the gym and fitness I began to feel a lot better as most people do, so I decided to take it to the next level and work towards a bodybuilding competition,striving for that illusive 6 pack of abs I had always dremt about,little did I know this would make everything a million times worse. I became obsessive over trying to get lean enough to get a 6 pack when I wasn't getting to my goal the anxiety towards food and depression began to kick in. I did eventually do a show, however it was a very bad decision as it amplified all of my mental health issues. I thought if I got that 6pack it would fix all of my issues, I was so very wrong! I am now working towards a healthy,fit and happy lifestyle where I am accepting of my body and how I look. I still have my bad days but overall things are getting much better. I could go on and on into much more detail but will leave it there. Please reach out if you have had any similar issues or just want to talk about anything, I want to help.

Alittlebitofpeace Feeling guilt and shame about be on a disability allowance
  • replies: 12

Hi I have clinical depression and anxiety, I'm on a disability allowance. I'm 56. I come from emotionally abusive relationships. I have 4 children,one still at home. It looks like I'm doing great. I have a passion for needlework and quilting and I am... View more

Hi I have clinical depression and anxiety, I'm on a disability allowance. I'm 56. I come from emotionally abusive relationships. I have 4 children,one still at home. It looks like I'm doing great. I have a passion for needlework and quilting and I am blessed to have all the stuff I need to create. This sounds ridiculous I know. Sometimes I am frozen still with the knowing that other people are out there earning a living and I'm not. I've been called a bludger by x partner for this and it sticks. I teach my skills at the local shop and I have lots to do but the guilt makes everything unenjoyable. Even when I'm doing things I love I am thinking negative thoughts continuously and it seems like I have to push myself to do even fun things. I all sounds like crap and when I'm well I can see the sillyness of it all. This is a major problem for me. Mostly feeling very useless and unworthy. Does anyone else feel like this?

Alone78 Feel like my world is being ripped apart
  • replies: 5

Yesterday morning, I got out of bed, ready to face the day, as it was the day I got to see Shannon Noll perform. Excited as I was, I thought 'Nothing can destroy this moment!'. Boy, was I ever way wrong. I received a message via my Facebook messenger... View more

Yesterday morning, I got out of bed, ready to face the day, as it was the day I got to see Shannon Noll perform. Excited as I was, I thought 'Nothing can destroy this moment!'. Boy, was I ever way wrong. I received a message via my Facebook messenger, from my birth sister, Caitlin, stating that my birth father Ken, was diagnosed with cancer, and that the kemo treatments he was receiving, were not working for him as well as they should have been, and that he now may not have much longer. When I found my birth father, Ken, it felt to me, like I finally found where I belonged in this insane world, that I finally knew who I was, and why I was here. All my life, I had always felt like I never fit in anywhere, like I didn't belong. But like I said, that all changed when I found and met my birth father. And now, it feels like my spine is being ripped out of me, with the news that he may not have much longer. At first, I hated Caitlin for telling me this, I then started to feel my anger change from Caitlin, to the cancer that was attacking Ken. I refused to believe it, and started to cry at the fact that I was losing him. I started thinking to myself, that I didn't care anymore, and that I wished it wasn't happening. My partner Jason, reminded me that I was so looking forward to seeing Shannon Noll, at a venue close to where we live, and that I'd been waiting for this moment for a long time. But he could see that I was soon going to be going down that long dark path I usually favour, whenever I get news like that so bad. He then said that he had to go out for a short while, and as I was only concerned with drinking my sorrow and depression away, he saw that I would be alright, for that short time that he was going to be gone. When he came back, he had one of our best friends with him, and said that I needed people around me. So Jason and our friend Nathan helped me to get ready to go out to see Shannon, and they were right. It did cheer me up a little. After, we went to our favourite karaoke spot, and had a few songs each there. but after I'd come home, I found that news about Ken, started to creep back into my memories, and I find myself depressed again, and wishing it wasn't him that I will soon be losing. I'm sorry I wrote so long, but needed to get that off my chest, but right now, I don't know where else I can turn. True, my partner knows of my bad news, but the truth of the matter is, that I'm just not coping with the news of Ken losing his life to cancer.

turner05 Hi
  • replies: 10

My name is Natalie and i have depression i feel like i am always pushing people away out of my life i also feel like i am no good to anyone

My name is Natalie and i have depression i feel like i am always pushing people away out of my life i also feel like i am no good to anyone

Outofsorts I'm struggling
  • replies: 3

Hello, I just need to get all of this out. I rarely get time to myself to put my thoughts in order; my son is asleep and I usually nap when he does, but decided to use this time to write here. I have suffered mild depression for years, but this past ... View more

Hello, I just need to get all of this out. I rarely get time to myself to put my thoughts in order; my son is asleep and I usually nap when he does, but decided to use this time to write here. I have suffered mild depression for years, but this past year it has gotten severe; my doctor has changed and just increased my meds. I have a serious foot injury that's been ongoing nearly a year, only recently diagnosed and being treated for. I have a nearly 3 year old very active son whom I adore, but he's driving me mad as well, being the age he is. Because I'm so depressed I have very little patience with him, especially when we are out and he's 'misbehaving' which in reality is just him being his age. I worry so much about how my depression is affecting him. I get angry with him and that's not fair on him and then I feel guilty which makes things worse in my head. My husband and I love each other but have a lot of conflict. The other day he berated me about having meat from the shops in the fridge and not having put it in the freezer yet "you know you can't freeze OFF meat, you know that don't you?" I had just bought the meat the day before and was dealing with a very sick child. He is very anal about food going off (and many other things!), yet I have never ever given us food poisoning. It was so uncalled for and that is his attitude. He has a lot of anxiety and his way to deal with it is to try and control things. He also deflects a lot; won't apologise for things but say "I was just joking" or "But you do it too". Anyway, after the meat incident I finally said out loud what I'd been thinking for ages: We have to go for counselling or we have to split up. I cannot take it anymore. I feel I take all the blame and my depression often gets the blame. Good news is he agreed to counselling and he has organised our first appointment for Monday. I'm not from Australia. I have been here 10 years and while I sort of have some friends, I don't feel I have "my people" or anyone I can just ring and say 'hey let's go get a drink' or hang out with and vent. I don't feel like I've really settled in here. Whereas hubby did grow up here. Of course, if we were to go back to my country it wouldn't be the same, as all my friends have moved on. Anyway, in a nutshell I'm really struggling. I have lots of projects to do at home but no energy or motivation to do them. I struggle just to do the daily things. Thanks all for listening.

Guest_128 BLACK/WHITE UP/DOWN LOVE/HATE
  • replies: 14

Is it good or bad to be on here????? not sure if this is makes sense , to be alone with all this your alien conditions or to be filled with everyone's shit as well. bit like you can't be a little bit pregnant. You are or your not! On a funny note; ho... View more

Is it good or bad to be on here????? not sure if this is makes sense , to be alone with all this your alien conditions or to be filled with everyone's shit as well. bit like you can't be a little bit pregnant. You are or your not! On a funny note; how funny it would be if all the others left and it was just US

Juliet_84 I hate my life today
  • replies: 4

Hi, About a year ago, I left my partner of 11 years which devastated me, and still does. When I met him, everything that I'd never been sure of, I suddenly was. I have had a chronic illness since I was young and I had never felt truly accepted, until... View more

Hi, About a year ago, I left my partner of 11 years which devastated me, and still does. When I met him, everything that I'd never been sure of, I suddenly was. I have had a chronic illness since I was young and I had never felt truly accepted, until he came along and showed me what life could be like when someone works with what you can do and can't do. It was never an issue to him. He was my soulmate, but there was also another side to him. In arguments he would turn violent and mean, and it hurt so much that my best friend could turn on me so swiftly. It kept escalating over the years, interspersed was the person I loved. Anyway, I've been on my own for a year now and I'm going through a particularly bad flare of my condition and I honestly wonder how I will ever meet anyone again in this state. My house is a mess, I haven't washed, my clothes are terrible and I feel miserable. A part of my thinks what a fool I was to leave and think I deserved better.

White_Rose I have changed my (again)
  • replies: 17

Hello Everyone I feel I am getting better again and have decided to go back to my original on-line name. I am trying to be more positive and I think White Rose is more positive than Life is not good. Please BB moderators, leave this post on this foru... View more

Hello Everyone I feel I am getting better again and have decided to go back to my original on-line name. I am trying to be more positive and I think White Rose is more positive than Life is not good. Please BB moderators, leave this post on this forum as this is where I post most often. Mary

Cassar Migraines and depression
  • replies: 6

Migraines and depression, not a good combo.Having a bad one today they last 3 days,and the pain is so bad try to keep doing things but it makes you feel real sick through in my mood and i have spent my day trying to do house work and crying most of t... View more

Migraines and depression, not a good combo.Having a bad one today they last 3 days,and the pain is so bad try to keep doing things but it makes you feel real sick through in my mood and i have spent my day trying to do house work and crying most of the day the pain gets unbearable ,I have had them for30 odd years and they can come on by simple day to day things.I pray that depression can simply be fixed and not return ,i struggle enough emotionaly with the migraines...These 2 together to much i just want to curl up in a fetal position and wake up normal and my old happy self that i havn,t seen in a long time....