Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

cv02 I dont understand why I'm paralysed with fear
  • replies: 14

I was diagnosed with Major Depression 4 years ago and went to a psychologist, went on meds, finished up, got better, had a relapse, did the same cycle again, got better- haven't felt depressed or anxious in a while - then BOOM! I overhear that my (ex... View more

I was diagnosed with Major Depression 4 years ago and went to a psychologist, went on meds, finished up, got better, had a relapse, did the same cycle again, got better- haven't felt depressed or anxious in a while - then BOOM! I overhear that my (extremely supportive) manager is quitting and well I had to pop an AD just to calm my body down. I can feel my mind going down the very familiar paths of undertainty and doubt. I HATE THIS FEELING. Looking at the situation logically - I am happily married, have a job, a house, a big ass mortgage, 2 wonderful kids and even a tesla. But instead of feeling grateful all I'm feeling is a sense of fear for the future and an inadequacy that I can't keep up with my life, my debts, I fear of getting fired and not having a job. Of going through the debilitating pain that I went through 4 years ago. Change is good. But I hate change. I have to learnt to live with change.

Animal-lover Feeling lost
  • replies: 2

Hi this is the first time I have posted on here. I’m 51yr old female, have had depression/anxiety my whole adult life. Single mum of 3 amazing but challenging teenagers. Lots of medical stuff been happening with my 15yr old for some time as well as a... View more

Hi this is the first time I have posted on here. I’m 51yr old female, have had depression/anxiety my whole adult life. Single mum of 3 amazing but challenging teenagers. Lots of medical stuff been happening with my 15yr old for some time as well as all struggling with their own mental health. I’m feeling very flat, deflated, tired, overwhelmed and trying to find some good in each day but feel it’s getting harder and harder. Then we add financial pressures, work and life. I’m very lonely and isolated due to my own anxiety and rarely leave the house. Looking for some inspiration.

Lisa-27_91 Depression from work
  • replies: 3

so I work in the hospitality industry for the last 8 years, I love my job but I keep getting moved to different venues this year, I am on my 4th. This last venue I have been treated really badly, no appreciation, my roster has no work life balance. I... View more

so I work in the hospitality industry for the last 8 years, I love my job but I keep getting moved to different venues this year, I am on my 4th. This last venue I have been treated really badly, no appreciation, my roster has no work life balance. I have 2 kids 5 and 7 years old, if I have to take time off to look after them I am made to feel guilty and belittled, I have been told that my time off to took after kids is unacceptable. Being at this venue has made me loose my self confidence and I'm slowly sliding into depression.

jane_1 having a sibling with depression
  • replies: 12

Hi,I have a younger sister who has been struggling with depression for 2 years now. We have been taking her to a psychologist, but am unsure whether it is helping her. I wanted to know what are some signs or ways that it is helping her?I find myself ... View more

Hi,I have a younger sister who has been struggling with depression for 2 years now. We have been taking her to a psychologist, but am unsure whether it is helping her. I wanted to know what are some signs or ways that it is helping her?I find myself feeling very anxious. I hate seeing my parents so worried and am unsure what to do. Whenever she seems tired or sad or is crying, I feel sick. I don't know how to help her because I try to give her advice but she doesn't listen to me and thinks I'm bossing her around. Does anyone know how to get through to someone who is very stubborn and unwilling to receive advice?I would be grateful for any advice people could give me.

7891 Whats sleep
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone new to this, Feeling very down lost and empty All mixed emotions really, Lost my dad/best friend my everything on 7/5/22 still feels like yesterday to me lost him to a flesh-eating bacterial infection that I witnessed his death, I can not... View more

Hi everyone new to this, Feeling very down lost and empty All mixed emotions really, Lost my dad/best friend my everything on 7/5/22 still feels like yesterday to me lost him to a flesh-eating bacterial infection that I witnessed his death, I can not sleep when I do i awake up and down all night long or lay there for hours because all I dream, think about and see is my dad and the things I had seen happen to him I can not get it out my head or stop thinking about it no matter what I try it's made me paranoid been having bad anxiety attacks it's making me angry have bad mood swings sad an sometimes just feel nothing like empty no energy don't know how to explain the feelings that come an go

Guest_6011 Struggling to get anywhere with feeling better about myself, proving myself to be a good person
  • replies: 10

Yeah just struggling for getting anywhere to feel better about myself and just to feel better about what I'm doing. In general, like I'm not good enough just never do feel like that I can do better. And be, get better just never happens. People want ... View more

Yeah just struggling for getting anywhere to feel better about myself and just to feel better about what I'm doing. In general, like I'm not good enough just never do feel like that I can do better. And be, get better just never happens. People want to be a hindrance on it and find some stupid thing to "hang the hat" on for myself, that's going well. But truth is whatever I do- is never good enough

Leesees79 Older mum
  • replies: 1

Hi. I'm an older mum of a toddler who is experiencing depression can anyone else relate to this?

Hi. I'm an older mum of a toddler who is experiencing depression can anyone else relate to this?

Strop23 Supporting a Partner with Depression
  • replies: 8

Navigating supporting a partner with depression and supporting yourself and your own needs and mental health can be incredibly challenging. My partner is struggling with depression, im doing my best to support them but they are not in a place to want... View more

Navigating supporting a partner with depression and supporting yourself and your own needs and mental health can be incredibly challenging. My partner is struggling with depression, im doing my best to support them but they are not in a place to want to help themselves. As the support person you experience so many emotions at once. You are worried for your partner because you want them to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there are resources available to help. You feel frustrated and at times resentful, especially if they are not doing anything to help themselves - and then there's guilt for feeling frustrated with someone you love when you know they are struggling. And then there's you, trying to say and do all the right things, researching ways to be the best partner you can be, feeling as though everything you need is on hold, sometimes your partners behaviour can also be triggering if you fear loss of connection. Experiencing so many emotions at once and not necessarily knowing the answers can be a very lonely place and leave you feeling like nothing you are doing is right.

LostMojo23 LostMojo23
  • replies: 1

Does anyone feel the lost of motivation. Even with house choirs I feel like it's an effort these days. I was a very motivated person and everything I said I made it happened. These days I feel I have nothing to look forward to. I'm lost with my caree... View more

Does anyone feel the lost of motivation. Even with house choirs I feel like it's an effort these days. I was a very motivated person and everything I said I made it happened. These days I feel I have nothing to look forward to. I'm lost with my career and deep down I feel depressed about my life. I don't know why and I'm sure that many people would like to be in my shoes as it seems I have it all together. I'm usually a go getter but all of a sudden I feel I'm doing things because it has to be done or because i have to do it for someone. I don't feel the pleasure and the emotional reward physically and mentally that I used to feel when I do things for me or for someone. It's not that i don't get things done but majority of the time i dread doing them. Is this normal? Does this make sense? Is this also a depression.

Bee40 Up and down
  • replies: 3

Hi all , I guess I came here cause feel it good to talk wirh others n wonder if anyone been through what I'm going through atm . I think it's depression I'm not sure . One moment day starts off fine , I get kids to school and say good morning to part... View more

Hi all , I guess I came here cause feel it good to talk wirh others n wonder if anyone been through what I'm going through atm . I think it's depression I'm not sure . One moment day starts off fine , I get kids to school and say good morning to partner. But then once I'm alone I go through thoughts, like anxious to go back to work tomorrow, it great job wirh great staff but the children are stressing me out n then I don't want tobe there . Then there's the coming home and seeing the small messes around the house that saying see you can't organise yourself just like ya mum points out and then there's the thought of I should just call my sis snd tell her I've had it wirh life is to overwhelming and think all would be fine without me . The family be fine without me . Then that thoughts just upsets me . That's just today's thoughts