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: 0

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

nicedae What drives you to keep going?
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I hope you’re well & that today has gone well for you. This is my first time posting here, and I guess it’s because I’ve hit a roadblock. A mental roadblock one could call it. I was diagnosed with depression & anxiety 8 years ago. Initially... View more

Hi there, I hope you’re well & that today has gone well for you. This is my first time posting here, and I guess it’s because I’ve hit a roadblock. A mental roadblock one could call it. I was diagnosed with depression & anxiety 8 years ago. Initially counselling helped a lot, for a few years I was genuinely happy. Around 2 years ago however my mental health took a huge turn, mainly due to anxiety issues, I was prescribed antidepressant and that’s been amazing. Anxiety issues are essentially gone. (10mg, daily) However over the last few months, depression has really begun to set it, I don’t feel worthless or anything like that, just empty. I don’t have a strong relationship with my parents, they separated when I was 8 (I’m now 24) and they’ve both decided life is better exploring their own paths. I’ve made peace with that, I still respect & love them so much. I do miss them however - quite a lot. (There’s no bad blood between us, they are just encapsulated in their own lives & seemingly have lost interest in me.) I have an incredible support network, that I don’t utilise. I just can’t and it’s not a pride or ego related issue. It’s more to do with not wanting to burden one with my problems, I don’t know how to get over that. but I digress. The issue now is that no matter how much I progress in my career, physical activity, relationships, or personal endeavours - the depression does not fade. (I don’t expect it to, and I understand mindset is a significant factor, but I am 100% a glass half full kinda guy.) I do not have high wants or needs in my life, I live quite minimalistic in a sense mainly to keep things simple. I am literally beyond grateful just to have been born & raised in such a beautiful country. I must admit I have considered ending it, I won’t deny that, but I do love life so much. I enjoy helping others, and that alone is enough to keep me around, at least for a while. My question for you today is, how do you keep going? What internal factors motivate you to move forward. I’ve hit a point now where I am not sure if that drive is within me to keep pushing. What also gets me down is that plenty of us feel like this, all for our own individual reasons. I’m not certain if this makes complete sense, but would it be reasonable to seek assistance from a professional? Thank you in advance, I really appreciate any input

Lach69 No feelings
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone else out there has been living life but not being able to enjoy it. Like do everything you used to enjoy just doesn’t make you happy anymore and not being able to love people anymore especially family members. Wak... View more

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone else out there has been living life but not being able to enjoy it. Like do everything you used to enjoy just doesn’t make you happy anymore and not being able to love people anymore especially family members. Waking up everyday doing the same thing hoping it will get better but it just doesn’t change and just not living life to the fullest it really make me sad

Hulaka Looking for help
  • replies: 1

Hi there,I look like a normal and lively lady, but my inside a lot of problems, angers and discomforts. I don't know and don't understand my tackles. My partner and I have been together for 13 years (meet at the first year in Australia). English is o... View more

Hi there,I look like a normal and lively lady, but my inside a lot of problems, angers and discomforts. I don't know and don't understand my tackles. My partner and I have been together for 13 years (meet at the first year in Australia). English is our 2nd language. We have fertility issues, my partner has no sperm out and also he addicted to slot machines for last 8 years. He is much older than me. I bear them till today. I am crazy right?! After these long years I am becoming more aggressive and stressful old lady. We have adopted daughter she is 3 now. I have no job, just look after her. I met a psychologist last year and she did not help me lot. Now I don't know where should I go and how to help or regulate my life!? Really worthless and hateful to myself!

_Sinner_ Normal?
  • replies: 1

Waking up feeling powerless each day. Walking around consistently with broken hearts and dreams. Knowing I’m the one that’s ruined all my relationships. Family. Friends. Relationships. I don’t know how to have close relationships. I don’t know how to... View more

Waking up feeling powerless each day. Walking around consistently with broken hearts and dreams. Knowing I’m the one that’s ruined all my relationships. Family. Friends. Relationships. I don’t know how to have close relationships. I don’t know how to be normal. Or feel happy. I’m a horrible person. That’s why I’m being punished. Freaking out, I’m pregnant. I just want it to be over. I know I’m going to be in so much pain after the operation as I’m so far along. And it’s a 3 hour car drive to the place & back. Not mentioning the cost. It’s so debilitating. I don’t want a baby, I can’t love myself let alone love or look after another. Just want to feel ok. Not depressed.

Depresso_Espresso Haven't felt like this before...
  • replies: 4

Hi, Ignore the forum name I have a weird sense of humour. Ever since 2017, I have experienced depression and anxiety. The depression slowly went away, and it turned into anxiety, panic disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. I'm not your... View more

Hi, Ignore the forum name I have a weird sense of humour. Ever since 2017, I have experienced depression and anxiety. The depression slowly went away, and it turned into anxiety, panic disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. I'm not your usual borderline, and I feel there could be a lot more done to help me but we all know some psychiatrists aren't amazing sometimes. For the past week and a half, I have been experiencing constant depression. Last week the only reason I got out of bed was really to go to work. I work in fast food, but I enjoy it. My mind is occupied, I get to be my real happy self and create a good environment there. I like it. But when I'm home, it's just constant depression. I feel I have a line of rejection I'm still going through, particularly with friends and romantic interests. I just feel like nobody actually wants me with them. I thought going into nature, something I love might be able to help me, I thought buying myself some nice books would help me, I thought watching sports I love would help me, I thought seeing friends would help me. But here I am, still really depressed, obsessing over the fact that I just want to end it all. Now, I know I'm not going to do that, I don't want that, but my brain is getting obsessed with it. I just feel so depressed. I'm 21, I should be able to enjoy life and do whatever I want but some days I just can't get out of bed. I feel my willpower muscle slipping away, and I feel like there's never enough time to talk about all of my trauma in a 1 hour session every week. I just don't know what I can do to fix this. I see some of my friends who are able to stay away from people and really control who they talk to. But I'm an introvert in need of a connection with people. With rejection following me everywhere I just feel so, so sad. I'm used to my brain being manic, making stupid impulse decisions, my personality changing every hour... But I'm not used to this stuff. Although, one minute I'm feeling really up, and the next minute I'm back down in the dumps. I know I have the skills to be able to pull myself out of this it's just so hard when everything is so inconsistent. I want to be a psychologist or someone who runs DBT therapy, I'm so excited to start my studies, but before they start I just feel like I have no purpose. I feel things can only get worse, even though I am at my rock bottom. Thanks for reading, I guess I'm just looking for people who understand, or just acknowledge it.

scottty I'm tired of being me
  • replies: 1

I've never posted on a support group/forum before so forgive me if this post is all jumbled im just writing down my thoughts has they are.I am 23 and I'm tired of being me i have these feelings on and off i can feel fine for weeks but these's feeling... View more

I've never posted on a support group/forum before so forgive me if this post is all jumbled im just writing down my thoughts has they are.I am 23 and I'm tired of being me i have these feelings on and off i can feel fine for weeks but these's feelings for 1-2 weeks some times longer its been happing for the last 12 years but its has been getting worse in the last 3 years. at night i spend hours just staring at the wall in the dark sometimes i crying sometimes im not i sleep untill 4pm most days so i can avoid the day and people i feel alone, dead inside, defective, unlikable, unlovable, gross. when i talk or hang out with my friends or family when the conversation stops or runs dry i start feeling nervous and anxious so i start talking and talking and talking i often miss social cues i have High functioning autism which just amplifies the feelings i thing most of the time i'm just tolerated. when i looking in the mirror everyday when i have shower all i see is a gross ugly fat looser that will be alone and die alone. its getting harder to hang out with my friends because the always have there boyfriends over or talking about them because i know i will never have a boyfrend its hard to fine someone that likes me people but i dont think anyone would want someone thats broken. i can't talk to my frends and family i don't think my frends really care and my parents would just make be feel even worse my sister is an alcoholic and when she's drunk she's very abusive to everyone. so i just shuve the feelings deep downall i want to do is sleep and eat pat my bird which i can't

_Sinner_ Sinner
  • replies: 9

I’m an alcoholic. I smoke. I’m heart broken. Got bills and no money. No job. I wake up everyday, feeling the guilt sink in. Feeling worthless/ a failure. No motivation. I just want to feel numb all the time. But I know I can’t be this depressed anymo... View more

I’m an alcoholic. I smoke. I’m heart broken. Got bills and no money. No job. I wake up everyday, feeling the guilt sink in. Feeling worthless/ a failure. No motivation. I just want to feel numb all the time. But I know I can’t be this depressed anymore. My life’s going up in flames and I just . Don’t. Know. What. To. Do. ✞

Slippers I dont like weekends
  • replies: 4

It can start to sneak up on you without you knowing it. During the week I am busy with work and I have structure. But come the weekend I begin to feel sad, stressed or down. I live alone (except my cat) and I experience loneliness, after a week of be... View more

It can start to sneak up on you without you knowing it. During the week I am busy with work and I have structure. But come the weekend I begin to feel sad, stressed or down. I live alone (except my cat) and I experience loneliness, after a week of being surrounded by people. It is a two edge sword for me as I spend most of my weekends alone anyway. I am in my early 50’s and don’t have a girl friend or significant other, I guess because I spent too long as home and not out chasing girls that this has hurt my social skillsI find weekends depressingly hard especially Sundays as I ruminate about paying bills, I have enough to pay bills and live but I seem to spend more money than I save, I am lucky I work full time. I spend most of Saturday doing house chores or washing so I keep my mind busy so I am generally happy.I am blessed I am allowed animals in my unit and my cat is my support system, he loves me no matter what.My family said that I should be on anxiety medication, I don’t know about this whether I should or not. I have heard of people going on medication for anxiety and becoming almost zombies with no emotions. My family while they love me in their weird way can be a little heavy telling me what to do. I remember once getting told repeatedly that I should get my hearing fixed to the point I started to cry. Then being told I shouldn’t be that emotionalUnfortunately I haven’t taken care of my dental hygiene, to the point that four teeth have been extracted. I look at the price of dental implants and they are too expensive for me to affordI sleep on weekends till 5am I am then up and have breakfast, after the chores are done I am more than likely to either go shopping, play computer games or sleep in front of the television.I need to get out of this rut, it has been a life time getting this way. I have made headway in the past but it has been up and down. I feel like I am like a broken record bringing this up again. I don’t know if I am just sounding off here and I am asking for help.

Unprocessed-Feelings Opening up for the first time
  • replies: 3

To the outside world I’m a happy 23 year old who excels at my work and is well known to the community. Yet the sad reality is my life is not the picture people perceive and I’ve never opened up about it to anyone just pieces to my partner of 3 years.... View more

To the outside world I’m a happy 23 year old who excels at my work and is well known to the community. Yet the sad reality is my life is not the picture people perceive and I’ve never opened up about it to anyone just pieces to my partner of 3 years. I have a mentally abusive family which have always treated me like garbage and to think I only have 3 more months till we move out yet the damage is done. If I’m alone at home after work I literally just cry and dwell on the past, and think about how unhappy I am. It’s got to the point where I consider taking my life and when expressed to my family was told “we don’t have time for this” nobody understands how it feels to be so unhappy so here i am. I’ve mastered the whole paint a smile on as nobody would ever suspect it yet why can i maintain a happy existence? I work so hard but i think the main issue is i overthink to the point where I create enough scenarios for every little thing so i can pick outcomes so I’m not surprised when they happen. Too much overthinking has ruined my life and recently even hear things which are clearly voices in my head. I cannot afford physiologists and would probably be deemed as schizophrenic. I’m not a danger to anyone else but fear my anxiety and depression will one day turn into anger…. I’ve tried to put myself first yet am perceived as being selfish. Do you think once I escape the grasp of my family i will truly be happy? Move into new house with parter around early October but fear the constant pressure of bills and money stress will become the new triggers. Why must life be so harsh and unforgiving?

Eagle2022 Is work making me depressed or is my depression making work hard?
  • replies: 3

I’m severely depressed. I haven’t felt this bad in a long time. Getting out of bed for work is an absolute torment. I’m struggling at work, doubting everything I do, second guessing myself self, reluctant to engage with people. But I can’t work out i... View more

I’m severely depressed. I haven’t felt this bad in a long time. Getting out of bed for work is an absolute torment. I’m struggling at work, doubting everything I do, second guessing myself self, reluctant to engage with people. But I can’t work out if it’s work itself that’s making me depressed or if my depression is totally clouding my judgement at work. I suspect it is both. I feel like quitting work but I obviously can’t. I can’t talk to anyone at work as it will go against me to admit how I’m feeling. So everyday I have to pretend and get through the day but I’m absolutely exhausted and I really want to go to sleep and not wake up. I feel immensely guilty for feeling that way because my beautiful children deserve a better version of me. I just cannot work out how to find myself. I’m completely lost. I can’t breathe, sleep, eat, think. I don’t know what it feels like to laugh. I can’t feel anything. I just feel dead inside.