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

MisterM Intense self hatred
  • replies: 18

I don't know what is wrong with me. I have an intense self hatred and at times it spills over into hating everything around me including people at times. I have begun avoiding meeting new people or going to events with people I barely know through th... View more

I don't know what is wrong with me. I have an intense self hatred and at times it spills over into hating everything around me including people at times. I have begun avoiding meeting new people or going to events with people I barely know through the live music scene as I think I am not worthy of people's time and love. I have given up on trying to find a girlfriend, I don't find myself appealing and think I am not good looking. I have stopped performing my music at open mic as I feel like I am making a fool of myself. I have stopped looking for a job. I have lost all self belief. And the mental abuse by my mum has ramped up lately. She keeps telling me I bring her and my dad shame and have been bringing them down due to being unemployed and wants me to keep it secret from their friends and relatives. She noticed grey strands coming out of my hair and told me no girl will ever want me. Add to that the bad bullying at my most recent job this year. It just reinforces what I think about myself. I feel like I am becoming bitter, hateful and twisted lately.

Goodvibesenthusiast Why is life so hard? Had some rough things happen recently, thinking about taking AD's
  • replies: 2

HI Guys, I'm feeling pretty flat and would love to hear some advice on how to best cope with this situation. To give you a little context I'm a 27 year old male, I work full time, go to the gym regularly have an 'ok' social circle and have battled wi... View more

HI Guys, I'm feeling pretty flat and would love to hear some advice on how to best cope with this situation. To give you a little context I'm a 27 year old male, I work full time, go to the gym regularly have an 'ok' social circle and have battled with depression the last 2 years or so. I'm with a girl - I love her we started seeing each other December last year everything was so great we became best friends she made me so happy and wanted to be a better person. I did a lot for her, helped her financially assisted her when she had an accident tried to be the best BF I could possibly be. She's from England and was on a working visa which had expired, we talked about things and after a lot of discussion we were pretty adamant to be together and she decided to come back on a student visa. I gave her a lot of chances to end things and not continue the relationship but we were mutual and she wanted to come back to oz. I was really cautious (I've been hurt before and have a lot of trouble opening up) as I knew how easily I get hurt when it comes to women and my trust so I wanted to do everything right. We entered into long distance relationship it was hard, we knew it was going to be hard. We talked every night really healthily, we texted constantly we were there for each other. She was so good, gave me the support I needed showed no signs bad signs, this went on for about 10 long weeks. Until yesterday, out of the blue - it was a week out from her departure date and she tells me that she's no longer feeling the same and doesn't know if she wants to be with me or come back to oz. Needless to say I was pretty distraught and in complete shock, I didn't know where any of this came from. I felt completely betrayed and so hurt how my best friend could do something like this. My body just shut down, we were supposed to move in together so my whole lifes plans have shifted as well. Now I'm here finding it hard to get out of bed or be active or communicate to friends/family or even eat. After a long period of being single I opened up and became vulnerable just to get hurt. I managed to put my feelings aside and tell her to take time to think about it, in the end I just want her to be happy. In the meantime I left work early and called up sick. Im feeling anxious and sick. I'm really struggling and want to get anti-depressants to help me through... it's a last resort but I just want to feel level again. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yana8216 Another bad night on the booze
  • replies: 3

2 drinks at the pub after work yesterday turned into about 10 schooners of beer, maybe more. Binge drinking has affected my life for 12 years. Lately I have a big night about once a week. It's affecting my health, I'm hiding/lying about my whereabout... View more

2 drinks at the pub after work yesterday turned into about 10 schooners of beer, maybe more. Binge drinking has affected my life for 12 years. Lately I have a big night about once a week. It's affecting my health, I'm hiding/lying about my whereabouts to my family when I'm out, and I make silly choices that could threaten my health/safety and my relationships. My husband works away a lot which means I live on my own mostly, and the reason why I'm able to downplay my drinking. I'm so tired of feeling lethargic and unwell as a result of my drinking. I don't want to be the person I turn into after too many drinks. I'm tired of embarrassing myself and worrying that someone I know has seen me out when I'm intoxicated: I attend regular christian meetings with people who don't go to pubs, much less drink more than a couple. I am a shy person by nature and have been encouraged by work colleagues etc to drink in the past/present as it brings out my personality and I become a party animal. After an emotional day nursing yet another hangover, missing bible study, and putting off housework that desperately needs doing I've decided to attend my local AA meeting tomorrow night. I desperately need support in order to turn my lifestyle around. My own efforts have failed. I'll let you all know how it goes. To anyone else experiencing this battle I wish you all the best in beating it.

Shivers88 BIpolar - is it Hypomania/Mania?
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, so I've been diagnosed anxiety disorder, and I find myself my entire life becoming so overwhelmed at anything, whether it be from stress, from not getting things done on time and even excitement. can someone tell me the feeling of hypomania?... View more

Hi guys, so I've been diagnosed anxiety disorder, and I find myself my entire life becoming so overwhelmed at anything, whether it be from stress, from not getting things done on time and even excitement. can someone tell me the feeling of hypomania? Because my anxiety disorder gives me false beliefs that I may be Bi Polar even though my clinical osycologist saids I'm not.. Whenever i get tensed, stressed or evenly overly excited or overwhelmed I get panicky, my heart races and my fight or flight physical symptoms become present. And with this feeling, sometimes I'm feeling I am going through mania??? But I can calm myself down and I'll be ok again. It's like all my life I've always rushed to get things done and if they're not done I'm constantly going over in my head that I have to get it done to be satisfied. It's like maladaptive perfectionism. Can someone explain that hypomania and mania is the symptoms above? My husband rushes with everything so it's possible I've learnt his traits. Please let me know what your experiences are....

BeyondConfused Losing hope
  • replies: 6

Hello im new to this so sorry if i miss some things im a 24 yr old female and i have had depression for about 20 years now when i was a child i did see help but hardly remember most of it when i dont to my teenager years i was still seeing people to ... View more

Hello im new to this so sorry if i miss some things im a 24 yr old female and i have had depression for about 20 years now when i was a child i did see help but hardly remember most of it when i dont to my teenager years i was still seeing people to help with my depression but was also started on anti-depressants being a teenager i thought after awhile cool the meds worked i dont need them anymore but the depression did come back but didnt seek help for it until after my daugther was born when i was around 21 i went back to my doctors was sent to see professional help but was also put back onto anti-depressants but sadly 4 days after being on it i had seizures in my sleep and was placed into an induced coma after getting to hospital apperently i had a 10 minute seizure and now i have epilepsy after the i was put on a different anti-depressant and had more seizures my doctor explained it looks like the medication were causing my seizures so now i cant even taking any type of anti-depressants ever. I am in need of help i dont know what to do i have no family support at all and noticed seeing professional help dont help either. I know i have depression due to alot of abused in my life and cause of somethings that have happened to me which i just started opening up too. I just dont know what to do anymore everything i try to help me doesnt seem to work or wont its got to the point to were i have now become a recluse and i juat dont want to be like this anymore and i dont want my daugther to see me like this anymore she should see a happy person not the person that i have been betraying its hurts so much

GeorgieBelle Please help
  • replies: 2

I am stuck in a rut of frustration, stress and sadness and I cannot find my way out. I feel increasingly anxious and increasingly depressed. My self esteem has plummeted. I am constantly tired. I am tired of being invisible. I am tired of putting in ... View more

I am stuck in a rut of frustration, stress and sadness and I cannot find my way out. I feel increasingly anxious and increasingly depressed. My self esteem has plummeted. I am constantly tired. I am tired of being invisible. I am tired of putting in so much effort with people, and then not getting anything back. I look for the best in people and it continues to backfire and hurt me. It is taking me longer to get to sleep at night, yet always feel like I am about to fall asleep. I feel like I am always about to cry. I am so tired of trying. Please help me.

StayingPos77 Just needing some support
  • replies: 3

Hi all, Feeling very overwhelmed by life at the moment, and just needing to reach out for some support. To give you some background im a 38 year old male and have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. At the moment feeling partic... View more

Hi all, Feeling very overwhelmed by life at the moment, and just needing to reach out for some support. To give you some background im a 38 year old male and have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. At the moment feeling particularly sad, stressed and anxious. I have a wife and two young children and facing a lot of challenges. My job is very stressful and the expectations are insurmountable. We are facing financial pressure, and managing the home finances are my responsibility, and finding it very difficult to make ends meet. Also struggling with my relationship with my wife. I feel quite disrespected and not supported much. My wife believes that depression is always solved through medication and says she has no sympathy because im not doing anything to help myself. Unfortunately ive been down the road of antidepressant medication in the past and with absolutely no effect. To seek professional help is financialy out of reach at the moment, hence why im here :-). Needing to make lots of decisions at the moment, trying to look for a new job, considering what to do about my relationship, trying to reduce my stress levels etc. Not a good time to do it when im teary, sad and the pressure makes my chest hurt. I just need some understanding and someone to work with me through the issues, rather than feeling alone in the struggle. I'm not feeling hopeful at the moment, i haven't had plan work out in a very long time. Oh well, must stay strong and keep trying. For my sake and that of my children, i need to find a happy place in life. A place where i can find myself again. Re-learn to like being me. To be able to sit in a quiet room and not feel the need to have my stressful, sad thoughts drowned out by tv etc. Just feel like staying in bed all day. Hiding from life. Burying my head in the sand. But as i said, im looking for a new job and trying my best to make changes. Lets hope a plan finally comes together. Thank you for listening! Any helpful, supporting words would be greatly appreciated. Thank you beyondblue for being such a wonderful organization! Keep up the awesome work. Cheers!

Frangipani Isolating myself
  • replies: 12

Such a struggle at the moment to talk about my feelings, it's so much easier to pretend to be ok. I have struggled with depression/anxiety for so long now, the main reason due to not being able to have a child I feel so angry at myself for getting so... View more

Such a struggle at the moment to talk about my feelings, it's so much easier to pretend to be ok. I have struggled with depression/anxiety for so long now, the main reason due to not being able to have a child I feel so angry at myself for getting so bad, watching friendships slip away, not being closer to family and not living my life to the fullest, the last few years feel like a blur It feels at the time so much easier to avoid certain situations/people but in the long run u r left even more isolated from how u feel, this whole thing has hurt me inside and out, I just wish the old me could come back Just needed to vent and someone to listen

smileym Living with Depression
  • replies: 2

Finally feel well enough to share my story I was first diagnosed with depression 7 years ago just as my marriage ended.I had been living with a textbook case of a narcissistic husband and had been subjected to 19 years of psychological abuse.My depre... View more

Finally feel well enough to share my story I was first diagnosed with depression 7 years ago just as my marriage ended.I had been living with a textbook case of a narcissistic husband and had been subjected to 19 years of psychological abuse.My depression rended me unable to work for over 12 months and included suicidal behaviour. During my recovery I finally realised what had been happening to me over the course of my marriage. I also came to discover that I could love another woman and now am proud to say I am a lesbian. Unfortunately my personality has made me susceptible to chosing another narcissistic person as my partner. We have been together for 6 years. I have been on regular medications for depression and at the beginning of this year I had suicidal behaviour and am lucky to say that my GP and psychologist were my saviours. As it came to light that my relationship was my trigger but at that point I was so defensive of my partner, I was displaying typical narcissistic victim behaviours. My depression resurfaced with a vengeance, I had the means and I had a plan to end my life. But I turned to the people that had helped me the most,first my psychologist, and inturn my GP that got me help.It required a 2 week stay in a mental health unit at a hospital.I am no stranger to hospitals as I work in one as I am a Nurse Manager. So I had to overcome the embarrassing feelings, self blame and guilt.The only way to do this was let people in to help, being honest and share what I was thinking.I have since continued with regular psychology sessions and GP visits to keep me going in the right direction. 4 months later I'm strong and clear headed enough to start dealing with the issues of my partner. We are still have sessions together. For this part I remain hopeful but am ready to make the decision,that to stay well, being in the relationship with a person who has no insight into there narcissistic behaviour is not right for me.I have support if need be and I also have a safety plan! I am determined to stay strong and actual look after my self for a change. I now know that it's not me to blame.it all will work out if we keep moving forward.smileym

Jmp33 Feeling hopeless
  • replies: 4

Hi all, This is my first post do here goes. I broke up with my partner of 8 years 3 weeks ago. Ever since my life feels like it's falling apart. I think I've always suffered mild depression but the past couple of months and then the breakup have got ... View more

Hi all, This is my first post do here goes. I broke up with my partner of 8 years 3 weeks ago. Ever since my life feels like it's falling apart. I think I've always suffered mild depression but the past couple of months and then the breakup have got me to the point that I don't even know who I am anymore. I cry all the time, I don't have family support as they hated my partner. I feel like he has left and is off travelling the country courtesy of his dad who basically bribed him out of our relationship with money and travels, while I'm left here to pick up the pieces of my life. He has disconnected his phone yet had called several times from a private number which only leaves me feeling more upset and confused. I can't eat, have no motivation to get off the couch and I'm sooooo tired from not being able to sleep. Ive just started antidepressants but they take time to work I know. I'm alone, scared and feeling so overwhelmed with how to move on. It's like I'm in a daze.