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

justyou81 Hate so much being depressed
  • replies: 6

I live in Perth WA and I work full-time. I hate waking being depressed. I wish I had friends at work who are my friends. Actually I wish I had friends who I can trust and lean on. I hate being on my own. I try so dam hard to fit in. I sick of this ev... View more

I live in Perth WA and I work full-time. I hate waking being depressed. I wish I had friends at work who are my friends. Actually I wish I had friends who I can trust and lean on. I hate being on my own. I try so dam hard to fit in. I sick of this everytime I wake up.... argggghhhh.. please help me....

simmac Dysthemia - can anyone recommend a professional?
  • replies: 2

Hello, I'm in my mid-twenties and I have dysthymia (persistent mild depression), which has come about since I was a teenager. I'm wondering if anyone has this disorder and may be able to recommend a good psychologist (in Sydney) to speak to? I have s... View more

Hello, I'm in my mid-twenties and I have dysthymia (persistent mild depression), which has come about since I was a teenager. I'm wondering if anyone has this disorder and may be able to recommend a good psychologist (in Sydney) to speak to? I have seen a psychologist twice before, for anxiety, but I don't feel I got what I needed out of that psychologist's approach, I felt it was very short-term rather than long-term solution focused. I wonder if anyone has had a good experience with a psychologist or psychiatrist who helped them with dysthymia? It is something I keep putting off seeking help for, probably because it is so invisible in a way. With anxiety, I had panic attacks, those were very apparent symptoms that needed attention. With dysthymia, I kind of kept hoping things would get better, because it's not like I can't function or get out of bed. But for the last year I've actually struggled to cope. I feel worthless all the time. I have little to no friends. At work I struggle to smile and hide my sad days and I "feel down" very easily, it only takes a small mishap for me to go into what I call "The Well", I'm not sure if other people experience this, but it's like you're doing fine, walking along like normal, and then all of sudden someone says something (or forgets to say something) and you're not looking and you fall into the well, it's dark, practically no light, and only negative thoughts are there, and it's very heavy, it actually feels like an anchor weighing down your heart, and once you're down there it's a struggle to get back up. My co-workers must think I hate my job, but I don't, I just don't derive pleasure and excitement from anything in the way they do - and I've pretty much been this way since my teens. But I don't want to be a gloomy person. I would like to stop avoiding this problem and speak to someone about it, but to someone who will take it seriously and not dismiss it. I'd prefer a cognitive or talking therapy based approach. I've been trying for years to overcome it myself, but I've hit a complete wall and can't go any further. I'd really appreciate some help if anyone can offer advice on some good people to talk to, or tell me about strategies that have helped you? Thanks everyone.

Dvo2456 To the point where Beers don't help
  • replies: 4

2 boys to 1 girl 1 girl to another loves the new baby mumma to the point got her tattooed on me destroyed every friendship I had and almost pushed my family away just to make sure she is happy my hobbies that I loved have become none existent I work ... View more

2 boys to 1 girl 1 girl to another loves the new baby mumma to the point got her tattooed on me destroyed every friendship I had and almost pushed my family away just to make sure she is happy my hobbies that I loved have become none existent I work 60hrs a week and I'm still being treated like the scum of the earth i have none to talk to and I've become desperate enough to join a site like this because I've got nothing left

uniting HERE WE GO AGAIN
  • replies: 5

Hi GuysI was wondering if anyone was diagnosed with Major Depression and prescribed an antidepressant once a day I was, after spending 5 weeks in a mental health ward. It worked great for 2 years but the past 2 weeks I am starting to slip back into t... View more

Hi GuysI was wondering if anyone was diagnosed with Major Depression and prescribed an antidepressant once a day I was, after spending 5 weeks in a mental health ward. It worked great for 2 years but the past 2 weeks I am starting to slip back into the Black Hole I was in. Just wondering if anyone has been the same wayBless you all

Sa77 Feeling Lost
  • replies: 9

It's been years of ups and downs and I guess I've got better at dealing with my depression by either hiding how I feel or just dealing with it. It's got to a point where I'm frustrated with just 'functioning' ok and being in every situation and watch... View more

It's been years of ups and downs and I guess I've got better at dealing with my depression by either hiding how I feel or just dealing with it. It's got to a point where I'm frustrated with just 'functioning' ok and being in every situation and watching others have fun and feel like I can't break through that barrier and feel the same way. Just want opinions on when you feel like your at a point where things can't get better, what do you do? What are the options out there for someone who feels like things may never feel any better?

SonjaKS7 HeartBreak Hotel
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I'm Sonja, and I'm new to this site. I came here seeking help, advice, and to just try and make a little headway in understanding things. I'm a mother, and have been increasingly finding things difficult, mainly over the last 2 years, my fee... View more

Hi guys, I'm Sonja, and I'm new to this site. I came here seeking help, advice, and to just try and make a little headway in understanding things. I'm a mother, and have been increasingly finding things difficult, mainly over the last 2 years, my feelings have been increasing, causing some pretty unwarranted and uncomfortable issues, and I'm really getting to a point of trying to make at least a little sense of the goings on. one of my biggest fears, is when I have a bout, (which can last anywhere from a mere few days to an exceedingly uncomfortable few weeks) but the most disconcerting part of getting so upset, feeling sad, angry and alone, isn't THOSE feelings, as much as an extremely heavy and crushing heartbreak feeling. sometimes, I can see why it happens, and to a degree I understand the causality of it, but of late (last 2 years) it has been increasing, so much so that, the episodes, which I see the reasoning and understand why it happens, are decreasing, and the instances for it happening without something as a trigger are increasing. now as I said before my sad, angry and lonely feelings, aren't so much the problem, as this heartbreak feeling. These days, I can almost sense when it's going to happen, but there's nothing I can do to stop it. when I understand what causes it, it still hurts, but it's all the more easier to handle, when it's triggered without arational reason, it's all the more difficult to cope with, and in spite of this, my loving partner still stands by me, and I KNOW I don't make it easy for him, or my 2 lovely, miraculous, gorgeous children, that all do so much for me. but I just can't shake this feeling that things aren't right, and then the heartbreak feeling sets in and I can cry for days, or even WEEKS, and it thoroughly upsets and drains me. has anyone else ever felt like this? Does anyone have some simple suggestions to maybe slow down, and curb this monster?

Living57 depression and anxiety hits all time high
  • replies: 5

When I think it cannot get any worse, death of hubby 8 weeks ago mentioned in previous thread, i get broken in to. Police were called, fingerprinting done, but this or these low life scumbags entered my home. Yes they took plenty of stuff, but what i... View more

When I think it cannot get any worse, death of hubby 8 weeks ago mentioned in previous thread, i get broken in to. Police were called, fingerprinting done, but this or these low life scumbags entered my home. Yes they took plenty of stuff, but what is really killing me is that they took my hubbys wedding rings, bracelet, watch and signet ring. I am more heart broken by this than by other things that I have lost. No I feel more uneasy about being on my own. My sleep, depression and anxiety was bad it has just gone through the roof. I doubt I have had more than a couple of hours of broken sleep each night. I hear every noise, real and imaginary. I dont want to leave the house for fear they may come back, even though I have been told it is highly unlikely. I am at my lowest. I didnt realise I could cry so much. I just feel violated. My family and friends are great support, but I cannot keep using them. How the hell do I go on now? I have lost my hubby, my rock, my partner, my friend and these mongrels have done this. Life is so bloody unfair. Feeling so sad, so lost, so angry, so down.

FJ Frustrated & exhausted
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am on a number of different medications.Sometimes I feel it's all becoming so hard to be working full time & dealing with my head but other days I'm flying high & nothing will put me down, it's so exhausting because I can't understand why I am ... View more

Hi, I am on a number of different medications.Sometimes I feel it's all becoming so hard to be working full time & dealing with my head but other days I'm flying high & nothing will put me down, it's so exhausting because I can't understand why I am like this.. I have an amazing supportive wife & 2 great teenagers ( yes there actually are great teenagers out there lol) I dunno maybe it's just another bad day, I got sick in February of this year & I thought I would be better by now. I'm am just frustrated Thx in advance.

JamieT No reason its just there...
  • replies: 2

I have reluctantly (but willingly) joined this forum in an attempt to address an issue that I wasn't aware of until recently. I am 29 years old and I have a young daughter who lives with her mother and a gorgeous partner who is by my side every step ... View more

I have reluctantly (but willingly) joined this forum in an attempt to address an issue that I wasn't aware of until recently. I am 29 years old and I have a young daughter who lives with her mother and a gorgeous partner who is by my side every step of the way. I do however, find myself questioning purpose and have experienced symptoms related to depression mainly around loss of interest at work, personal connections and in personal development. There are periods in the day where I am trapped inside my own head having off topic thoughts and running scenarios of discussions and actions which I rarely act upon. My days are filled with distractions and lack of productivity which is highly unnatural to me and it is bleeding from work into personal elements of my life. There are also periods of the day that I feel disconnected from my old friends and family as I emigrated to Australia to "live the dream".Depression/Anexiety/Low self esteem caused by the ebb and flow of life, amplified with the pressure of needing to be a strong and reliable man/father/protector/boss/money earner built up over well I do not know when it was all a distant memory. A recent 11 year relationship break up seems to be the trigger to some of this but I would not say all of it. There are elements in my life which are high pressure and there are elements that I can relax. Alcohol has become a problem but one in which I am dealing with progressively. I have recently been to the doctors who were supportive but could tell this was not a topic i was open to discuss with a stranger (i know right on the internet is much safer). I feel a lot of support around this issue is direct to women and the elderly who have loss/emotional experiences that lead to their feelings. I am in full support to these people but I haven't really found support around the issues I am experiencing. To be honest I am not even sure myself what they are so how could I trust someone to tell me to take/do this if I am not sure what I am telling them is the truth or my version of it! What am I looking for on this forum? The opportunity to connect with similar guys in my situation where there is no questionnaire or diagnosis that I can't lie around to get a "moderate" result. To hear about activities that others have undertaken to get positive results and any advice that is available for someone who thinks they might be depressed, shows all the symptoms of low level depression but doesn't really have any reason to be.

Chocolate_lover So sad & angry all the time.
  • replies: 7

Yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to go to my gp. i have been sooooo tired for the last 3-6mo months and I'm constantly finding reasons to be angry at someone, cause it makes more sense then just being angry at nothing or worse still crying ... View more

Yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to go to my gp. i have been sooooo tired for the last 3-6mo months and I'm constantly finding reasons to be angry at someone, cause it makes more sense then just being angry at nothing or worse still crying over nothing??!! It doesn't make sense, it's as if I've forgotten how to be happy, or how to find enjoyment in anything! I used to love playing with my kids, now I find excuses not too because I'm scared of what I might feel, why is that ? My kids are the light in my life but I can't smile with them..... That's not logical ??? my hubby says that he can't take my mood for much longer, and I don't blame him, I don't want to be with me why would he? I'm usually a very logical, light hearted person but last week I went away for work and on my way home on the second day I became overtly anxious that I needed to say goodnight to my kids...... Logically I knew they would be doing their homework and getting ready for bed after their sport activities in the afternoon but it didn't reduce the panic I felt at not hearing them and saying goodnight??? I don't understand why I feel this way, I feel I can't speak about it in my small country town because my job is a high stress position which requires me to support highly traumatised people, but I can't go on like this........ I'm sooooo tired all the time and my body aches 80% of the time! I can't find my motivation let alone show some capacity to be an understanding mum/wife.