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

Lookingforpeace Pressure to be happy
  • replies: 7

Does anybody else ever feel the pressure to be happy, or even the pressure to just NOT be depressed? My husband and close friends know I have depression, but sometimes when they ask me how I'm feeling, I just pretend I'm okay. Often I will even respo... View more

Does anybody else ever feel the pressure to be happy, or even the pressure to just NOT be depressed? My husband and close friends know I have depression, but sometimes when they ask me how I'm feeling, I just pretend I'm okay. Often I will even respond chirpily to mask it. Partially this is because I can't be bothered talking about it, but sometimes it is partially because I feel pressure to get better, like I know they want me to get better and when I'm not, I guess I don't like admitting it. It's not so much the stigma that prevents me from being honest, as my hubby and friends are very understanding and don't make me feel ashamed for it. It's just sometimes I feel like I'm a let down for not improving. Admittedly, this pressure is entirely self imposed.

ChrisG It's all getting a little much
  • replies: 8

Hi guys I'm new to BB and have spent the last couple of hours reading some posts by some very brave people. This has given me the confidence to reach out so thank you. Like so many of you, my life seems great from an outsider, I have a beautiful supp... View more

Hi guys I'm new to BB and have spent the last couple of hours reading some posts by some very brave people. This has given me the confidence to reach out so thank you. Like so many of you, my life seems great from an outsider, I have a beautiful supportive wife, we have recently been blessed with a baby boy (8 weeks old), supportive family and great group of friends. Over the last few years I've been seeing a phycologist to help deal with mild anxiety that I have been getting through work. We've worked on mediation/ mindfulness which seemed to work. I worked in a high paced, corporate sales environment. Late last year in the lead up to the birth of my baby the anxiety for work got a lot worse and I started getting panic attacks. This then turned into depression, fear of not being able to provide overwhelmed me. This was scary as I was expecting my first child and my wife and I have had a really tough time getting to this point. I didn't want my negative self talk to cloud this special time. GP's have tried some meds, but to be honest I couldn't get through the first couple of days of the meds, I felt like I had completely lost control of my thoughts. So back to focussing on exercise and meditation. I resigned from my high paced sales role to shift careers into something I think will be better for me and my family. I start in the new role next week. This decision has been over my head for six months and now that I've made it new anxietys have appeared, will I be able to provide etc. Some days I'm up; thinking positively about the next step and challenge, others I get really low and feel guilty for the potential financial pressure I'm putting on my family. We have a huge mortgage, like many in Sydney and I'm scared that this anxiety/ depression will effect me providing for my family. I know meds will help the low days and they are starting to get a little worse, but I don't want them to effect my up days, zest for living, energy levels and being able to be present with my family. I feel for my wife who has been on this journey with me. I just don't want to bring her down anymore. Would love any feedback / thoughts you may have.

PigDiesel Where to begin?
  • replies: 4

I'm a 43 year old male thathas had depression for a while now but has recently gotten to the intolerable point recently.

I'm a 43 year old male thathas had depression for a while now but has recently gotten to the intolerable point recently.

Evie1981 Recent diagnosis of borderline bipolar
  • replies: 3

Hi all Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety all my life and recently I was diagnosed with bipolar. It's hard enough to have depression and anxiety in this society and to have to add another dignosis to the list makes things even harder for... View more

Hi all Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety all my life and recently I was diagnosed with bipolar. It's hard enough to have depression and anxiety in this society and to have to add another dignosis to the list makes things even harder for me. i want to know from other people with similar dignosis in how they go about telling people, the stigma of all of these illnesses aren't very well accepted. Especially when it comes to relationships. Do you tell people, when do you tell them and how would you approach such a sensitive subject. how do the medication make someone feel I am yet to go buy them everything is becoming more and more scary for me Any feedback is appreciated thanks all

Carom New to depression....
  • replies: 6

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy.... View more

It's just hit me in the last few weeks that I'm actually depressed. So depressed. I thought I was crazy. My marriage is suffering. I feel like I'm being a distant mum who is adversely affecting my children, I'm a terrible wife and my own worst enemy. I used to be the life of the party, now I avoid a group of friends. We are in couples counselling but I think I am the ultimate problem and need to be in individual therapy to really make a difference. I don't even have a question here...just looking to find out what you guys have done to take steps towards recovery. I'm shocked and in complete despair that I am actually in this situation. I don't feel like I'm me anymore.

LizBethGirl Feeling so lost and helpless
  • replies: 5

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so l... View more

I don't know where to start. My basic story is that I have had self esteem/depression/anxiety issues for about 10 years (I'm 29) and they have recently gotten so bad that I don't see a way out. Last year I left an abusive relationship and I feel so lonely all the time being single. I just want to find someone who loves me for me and will accept me but I feel like no one will want me when I'm suffering from anxiety and depression. I feel like a burden on all of my family and friends and I feel like they won't want to be around me soon. I try so hard to keep going! I put on a happy face and I don't think anyone would have any idea how bad I feel inside. All of my friends are in relationships and they have their own lives and I just don't fit anywhere. I feel so lost and helpless and that nothing will ever help me and I will never feel better. I just want to give up! I have started seeing a psychologist and she talks about CBT and changing my thinking but that feels impossible when I have thousands of negative thoughts running through my head every day.. I just don't want to feel like this anymore! I don't want to go on medication because I want to be able to get better by myself and not rely on pills to make me feel better. I have been through so much and I just want a break from the bad! I'm miserable and numb and I don't think I can go on.

Wild_ How do you stop yourself in a moment of anger caused by depression?
  • replies: 16

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having tr... View more

Hi team, Over the last few days, I've found myself getting angry/outwardly irritated with those around me. It has been turning into an argument about how I am not good enough in the situation. I feel like its a part of my depression, and am having trouble stopping and walking away. I wonder - do you have the same problem? If so, how do you stop it in the moment? How do you beat it before it happens? Happy to take suggestions.

PrincessPoot Depression or bipolar?
  • replies: 5

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does ... View more

I have been suffering from depression on and off for probably more than 30 years. I am 47 now. Last December I was at my worst in a long time and sought a medication review. I am now being monitored for Bipolar II or the second time in my life. Does anyone have any advice on what behaviours I should be monitoring or what I should look back on that I may have missed?

Lonely40 Life sufferer of depression
  • replies: 5

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since sh... View more

Hi all Just signed up and thought I'd share. I am a single mother of three children and have been battling depression most of my life. I have been raising my children alone for the past 11 years and in that time have had only one friend, but since she moved away I haven't had any friends for the past seven years. I live in a small town and it's hard to find new friends because everyone has their clicky groups. I don't go out because I hate going on my own. The hardest thing I find is not having anyone to talk to and do things with, while everyone else is getting together for coffee and such, I spend my days off at home either cleaning the house or watching movies. I feel I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life. So that's me Looking forward to talking to you

Nobody_Special____ I am tired….
  • replies: 6

I am tired of this feeling of loneliness that engulfs me daily.. I am sick and tired of feeling resentment towards everyone I have come across in my life who doesn't see what has happened to me. I am tired of spending my days in a cone of silence. Ho... View more

I am tired of this feeling of loneliness that engulfs me daily.. I am sick and tired of feeling resentment towards everyone I have come across in my life who doesn't see what has happened to me. I am tired of spending my days in a cone of silence. How many of you haven't uttered a single word today? What's ironic is that with so little actual noise and stimulation in my life, I want nothing more than for the deafening noise to stop………and yet, tomorrow I have to get up, thankful that the weekend is over so I can go be a highly functioning member of society and maybe engage with people on a professional level. Sorry for the pointless spew, but I can't say these things to my 38 "friends" on Facebook or to my Linkedin network…opening up to friends in the past has just shown me that they weren't the friends I hoped they would be so I am not willing to try that experiment again. I'm glad this place is here so I can say what I need to, but fear it really won't help because the things that depress me are still there and the things I want to silence will continue to make noise... Do we get better or is this just a way to kill time? I wonder sometimes as killing time is really the only thing I truly enjoy anymore...