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

Bacon_Pancakes93 Feeling directionless with no motivation
  • replies: 2

Just hoping to see if anyone has been in a similar spot. This is entirely out of the ordinary for me, but last few weeks I have wanted to do nothing but stay in bed and game, everything else feels like too much effort, I'm oversleeping, I don't find ... View more

Just hoping to see if anyone has been in a similar spot. This is entirely out of the ordinary for me, but last few weeks I have wanted to do nothing but stay in bed and game, everything else feels like too much effort, I'm oversleeping, I don't find enjoyment in the things I love (going to the gym, reading) and I have no direction/don't know what I am doing with myself. This is having a huge impact on work as I don't want to go to work most days and every week am having 1-2 days off (either genuinely from being sick or calling in sick). I am 30 and ended a long-term relationship in April (diagnosed with anxiety-induced insomia as a result of this), currently living with my parents again. I was also briefly promoted at work a few months back in an acting capacity, but was passed up on the opportunity to make it permanent, now back to my usual job/tasks. I was fine during the settling down period, but now I feel like everything is catching up. I don't understand why I can't find the motivation to do anything or work out my goals. I just feel weirdly empty. A counsellor told me I'm showing depressive signs. I'm planning to book GP and Psych appts but I know these can take some time. If anyone has suggestions on where I can start in the meantime or something that worked for you, that would be greatly appreciated.

Choccie_Snow07 Extremely stressed, anxious, depressed, lost, overwhelmed with no job and only $20 to my name
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out today as I am really struggling with my mental health and financial/work/relationship pressures are exacerbating the depression, stress, anxiety, and helplessness I am feeling. I wanted to reach out to hear fro... View more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out today as I am really struggling with my mental health and financial/work/relationship pressures are exacerbating the depression, stress, anxiety, and helplessness I am feeling. I wanted to reach out to hear from you about how you navigate similar situations, any support, guidance, advice, and empathy would be so very appreciated. I am extremely socially isolated because of where I live as well as chronic social anxiety being a barrier to me connecting with others, so am hoping I can connect with others through here who will likely understand how it feels from similar experiences. I have been out of work for a long time now and it is making me feel so stressed, lonely, bored and depressed. I am isolated. I am in so much debt and have $20 to my name, it is stopping me from sleeping and making me feel utterly sick. It has been really confronting lately to wake up with the realisation of my situation, and wondering what the hell went wrong. I did not envision my life to be this way, I am a qualified helping professional who cannot seem to secure a job and have no money, I can't even help myself. I feel like such a loser. I am so upset I have let my life go this way. I am bored, I don't see anyone or have any friends. This is not living, but I don't know what to do or how to fix it. Utterly lost and feeling helpless. Thank you for taking the time to read.

GreenEgg I feel so alone, sad and guilty
  • replies: 2

Hi I feel like I let everyone down. I don’t know how I can deal with it because I logically know it can’t be true but I believe it. It’s so overwhelming and makes me feel so alone, like people just don’t see me and if they did they’d hate me. Sometim... View more

Hi I feel like I let everyone down. I don’t know how I can deal with it because I logically know it can’t be true but I believe it. It’s so overwhelming and makes me feel so alone, like people just don’t see me and if they did they’d hate me. Sometimes I try to tell people and they don’t accept it but even that just makes me I feel drained and exhausted and anxious and sad. It’s overwhelming and makes me sick to my stomach. I haven’t eaten properly in days and I just don’t have energy to do anything I’m so tired every time I think things are changing and I’m getting better I just end up back here g

sammieee Struggling to make progress on assignments
  • replies: 3

I don't even have any energy to vent. I don't remember the last time I felt this awful. Depression has triggered my insomnia again, but this time I keep waking up too early and just become groggy for the entire day. I have a 1500w paper and a 2500w r... View more

I don't even have any energy to vent. I don't remember the last time I felt this awful. Depression has triggered my insomnia again, but this time I keep waking up too early and just become groggy for the entire day. I have a 1500w paper and a 2500w report due on Monday next week (already granted extensions). I did some rough research and have some rough ideas of what I'll write but it's so hard to continue. Especially the 2500w report is based on an interview that I kinda bombed so I'm just scared. It's like I'm back to survival mode. I don't think I can visit a psych - I'm an intl student and therapy still seems expensive even with insurance. I've been let down by all my therapists back home anyway. I'm sorry if this post is all over the place.

nadstar Depression washes over me from nowhere
  • replies: 1

I'm struggling with my functioning depression one day or for a few days I'm amazing full of life going to events,visiting friends, going to work and being able to complete my daily chores and the next I cancel everything call in sick and end up with ... View more

I'm struggling with my functioning depression one day or for a few days I'm amazing full of life going to events,visiting friends, going to work and being able to complete my daily chores and the next I cancel everything call in sick and end up with migraines. I'm starting to think I talk myself into the migraine so I don't feel guilty for doing nothing. I can sleep for 18 hrs at a time n not leave my bedroom. My girls r older now and don't need my help. How can I get a grip of this depression that is letting down people I care about and piling the weight on me. My mindstrength is so weak. I feel so guilty everyday I'm like this but don't have a partner to open up to or push me to get up when I'm like this.

Ashley_Thompson Hey all
  • replies: 3

Hey guys I have a question and it’s playing in my head and playing silly nuggets with me what do I do if my so called best friend has accused me of messing with thier life I’m lost and confused please help

Hey guys I have a question and it’s playing in my head and playing silly nuggets with me what do I do if my so called best friend has accused me of messing with thier life I’m lost and confused please help

Pipppa Living life alone
  • replies: 4

Not sure how to keep on keeping on. I’m 27, have no parents (both deceased) no siblings, not close with any family. No actual friends, split up with a partner of 2+ years which is my down fall. Still grieving the loss of my father who was my best mat... View more

Not sure how to keep on keeping on. I’m 27, have no parents (both deceased) no siblings, not close with any family. No actual friends, split up with a partner of 2+ years which is my down fall. Still grieving the loss of my father who was my best mate.

Mich1 Anxiety depression I don't know?
  • replies: 2

Well this is hard and has my nerves on edge putting this in to words is a lot harder.I have always though i had anxiety maybe depression.I hate going out, I never go anywhere I I've not been before I have arguments with my partner because they won't ... View more

Well this is hard and has my nerves on edge putting this in to words is a lot harder.I have always though i had anxiety maybe depression.I hate going out, I never go anywhere I I've not been before I have arguments with my partner because they won't walk in to a new place first especially restdraunts incase I do it wrong which often leads to just leaving. Or if I say the wrong thing I obsess over it for ages thing that happened years ago I still obsess over.I am pretty good when I am not along in a group I can feel normal and happy but then after I feel empty. So empty but I know I shouldn't I have a job, a partner, I know what I want to achieve. But I get so overwhelmingly heavy is the only way to describe it. Like something is sitting in my chest and stomach and I just don't want to move. Then I think maybe I am faking it. I don't know why how can I be faking this feeling of emptiness but I think that and I don't know what to do what If I decided to talk to someone and they think I am a joke and am faking it.

Tiani Loneliness
  • replies: 1

Hi everyoneI have never done anything like this. Where I put myself out there and write down how I truly feel. My life has changed drastically and I feel very alone. I am 31 and have never been in a relationship or felt like I truly belonged. My life... View more

Hi everyoneI have never done anything like this. Where I put myself out there and write down how I truly feel. My life has changed drastically and I feel very alone. I am 31 and have never been in a relationship or felt like I truly belonged. My life feels like a window where I’m looking out and wishing I could be anywhere else but here. I’m in the dark, struggling for a hand to hold onto. I’m a burden to my family and I don’t how to help myself. Especially when it comes to seeking help and getting counseling.

harrison.c Found out some horrible news and it's really getting hard to cope
  • replies: 5

Hey guys, only my second post here and I still don't really know how to start these but i'm doing what the person that replied to my first thread said and continuing to write on here. I've had a pretty rough couple of last weeks as i've just found ou... View more

Hey guys, only my second post here and I still don't really know how to start these but i'm doing what the person that replied to my first thread said and continuing to write on here. I've had a pretty rough couple of last weeks as i've just found out my father has lymphoma and his chances are pretty slim because he has a lot of other problems due to his liver and It's REALLY knocked me down. I have never really had a good relationship with him, it has always been sort of awkward I really don't know why, we're both pretty socially awkward people though, i feel particularly worse because we've just never really got on well, a lot of arguing and just not a normal father son relationship. He's had a rough childhood too was adopted at a pretty young age. I can truly say now that I know I've taken him for granted.. he does so much for me and my family, he's a full time carer for my mother who has Multiple sclerosis and he helps me with pretty much everything because i'm still 24 living at home unemployed with some pretty bad mental health. He's in hospital at the moment, I've been visiting him and all I want to do is tell him how sorry I am for the way I've treated him and tell him all the good things about him and that I love him and everything he does for everyone but I cant really.. he's so out of it and tired and sick, It's absolutely breaking me and I feel like this will take me over the edge if he doesn't recover. I've tried talking to friends and family and it does help a little but the realization of losing my father when I come home and sit alone with my thoughts just makes me break down.