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: 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

Start a discussion

Braxiatel81 New here and need to unload
  • replies: 8

Hi Everyone,I'm very new to this forum, first post in-fact. I need to share what I've been going through and I thought this might be the place. If this is posted in the wrong place i'm sorry.I'm 34 and married to a very understanding woman whom I hav... View more

Hi Everyone,I'm very new to this forum, first post in-fact. I need to share what I've been going through and I thought this might be the place. If this is posted in the wrong place i'm sorry.I'm 34 and married to a very understanding woman whom I have three lovely kids with. I've lived with depression and anxiety since high school but have only been seeking help and received a formal diagnosis for the last 2 years or so. I started medication, reluctantly, last year with some results. I stopped feeling sad all the time, I didn't get angry at the drop of a hat and then bottle this anger up. However, something clicked in my head and went off the medication cold turkey last Christmas. It was unpleasant to say the least. I never really felt better after going off the meds but I lied to my concerned wife. I didn't want to tell her the only reason I went off the meds was because I was gaining weight. I reluctantly went back to my GP, with my wife, early this year and went back on medication....a new type...My doctor was working closely with me to help me through this. He has been really helpful. He sent me to a number of clinical psychologists and other psychologists. He believed I have bi-polar. Once again, reluctantly I went along...I stopped going to the physiologist the previous year because I felt uncomfortable talking about things. Anyway, I went along to told that I didn't really have depression of any form at all that It was merely my personality with some anxiety and that he doesn't think medication will help. I came out of the appointment upset, angry and unsure of where to go and what to do. I still feel that way....helpless and and hopeless sums up how I currently feel. I immediately went off my medication and havn't been near my GP since. I feel like an absolute idiot. Since going of the medication things have gone down hill yet I cant bring myself to admit this to my wife. I have a woman at work I talk to but I don't feel like I can continually talk to her as I don't want to overburden her.I needed to share this with the hope that talking to others about it might make me feel a little better.

Sadmumma A mess again
  • replies: 3

Crying uncontrollably, trying to hide that from my husband as he gets so angry when I'm depressed. I'm continually told me & my mood wreck everything. That his life would be so much better if I wasn't in it, waiting formal dozen to work, got myself o... View more

Crying uncontrollably, trying to hide that from my husband as he gets so angry when I'm depressed. I'm continually told me & my mood wreck everything. That his life would be so much better if I wasn't in it, waiting formal dozen to work, got myself off my antidepressant at the beginning of the year but have crashed again after the ridiculously expensive & eventually ineffective "natural" paleo diet. I hate living like this

tebrown Unsure; 10 years of coping
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I am looking for some unbiased feedback on my situation. I am a happily married 24yo mum of 1 (mum of 2 in Jan 16). When I was 14 I was sexually abused by my step brother for a month whilst on a trial custody agreement with my Father and hi... View more

Hi there, I am looking for some unbiased feedback on my situation. I am a happily married 24yo mum of 1 (mum of 2 in Jan 16). When I was 14 I was sexually abused by my step brother for a month whilst on a trial custody agreement with my Father and his new wife. Instead of confronting the issue, he sent me home to my mum. I have not dealth with this issue and it still effects me to this day, even though I can't verbalise how so, nor can I remember much of the incident. After 8 years of not acknowledging it, I did my own research on my state of mind and I landed on PTSD, depression and anxiety. I grew up with an unintentional tough love environment so I learned to cope but in my bad months/years I would be unmotivated, I would self sabotage, I would go every day with a lump in my throat feeling like I was a complete failure. I would feel sick but not actually be sick, I would be constantly irrational and inconsolable, crying at the drop of a hat some days and not even been able to utter a word on others. After becoming slightly independent at the age of 21 I felt more in control of my state ofmind, especially when I met and married my husband. My anxiety (not diagnosed professionally) was ever present but I was in control. But due to current circumstances I feel back at square one. This time I am worried as I have a 11 month old baby, a baby on the way and my husband to consider. I don't want to be an absent mum even though I'm present, I would never forgive myself. I know I will lose my husband if I don't make him understand or fix it. I feel myself slipping into a mood I can't shake, I know I'm slacking off on my duties but I can't bring myself to do them and whilst I want to leave the house and be pretty and motivated, I can't even bring myself to brush my hair every morning or brush my teeth once a week. My husband doesn't understand through no fault of his own but I feel so embarrassed and pathetic trying to explain it. I feel like I'm lying or exaggerating or I'm not explaining it right and I sound stupid. I just want to know that I'm not just a failed, unmotivated person and that maybe there is actually something wrong that I can't control or get rid of. My brain is so scattered I can't put two words together or stay on one train of thought. I don't know what to do.

Living57 crying crying crying
  • replies: 4

I cry, i cry so much, i find a place to be alone and the tears come. In front of other people I hold it in, but alone I just let go. I have a great Dr, I am on medication that until recently worked fine, I see a psych, but then I only say a bit here ... View more

I cry, i cry so much, i find a place to be alone and the tears come. In front of other people I hold it in, but alone I just let go. I have a great Dr, I am on medication that until recently worked fine, I see a psych, but then I only say a bit here and a bit there. I don't want them to know that I am frustrated, that I find dealing with my husband frustrating (he has dementia). I hardly sleep, 3 - 4 hours broken a night is becoming normal, I cry a lot in those dark hours, frustrated because the future we had planned is gone. I cry cause it seems so unfair. And then, the depression washes over me in great big waves, and more tears. I come on here because the anonymity allows me to open up. I get angry. I loose my temper. I find myself experiencing emotions I don't know how to deal with. My husbands dementia frustrates me, 6 months ago all was well, now he forgets, I find it hard, I know its not his fault, but, oh no, gere come the tears again. Thanks for the shoulders

kerriel Friends seen to turn away..
  • replies: 6

I'm in the middle of a major depression which no amount or type of medication seems to be lifting. I met with my psychiatrist today, and he suggested I need to socialise more and stop isolating myself so much. I would agree with him but it feels as t... View more

I'm in the middle of a major depression which no amount or type of medication seems to be lifting. I met with my psychiatrist today, and he suggested I need to socialise more and stop isolating myself so much. I would agree with him but it feels as though everyone has turned their backs on me. I was hospitalised last year when the episode started and it feels since this became public knowledge I have lost pretty much any social contact I had. I took myself off Facebook and it honestly feels like I no longer exist. I'm at a loss as to what I need to do. I feel as though I've been dumped in the 'too hard' basket by both family and friends.

Mangof What if.......
  • replies: 4

What if 8 mths ago my day started as usual and ended as usual? But it didn't like a spiral appearing from nowhere spinning so fast that my breath is lost my chest is full of air and I can't breath endless deep darkness strangles what was once a succe... View more

What if 8 mths ago my day started as usual and ended as usual? But it didn't like a spiral appearing from nowhere spinning so fast that my breath is lost my chest is full of air and I can't breath endless deep darkness strangles what was once a successful loved wife and mother of 3 . Unbelievable in my own mind of what has happened no words just emptiness tears and breathlessness the feeling of being useless,ugly,unworthy of my good life.trying to fight the feelings by being positive and hating myself at the same time this is Crazy! Looking in a window seeing the scene play out then realising that person crying and so sad is in fact YOU.children crying because mums yelling What's wrong with me! My husband crying seeing me shatter into small pieces.What if.......this did not happen would time just have reallocated another day,place,time for it all to unfold?how do I cope with the changes of feeling ok to feeling so intensely sad?making irrational decisions because of anxiety attacks that overwhelm me. Trying to explain why I did things that in the real world are just easy to say no to? Lost sense of completeness,Empty days of loneliness due to not being able to leave the house.will this become easier and what do I need to do?This black dog is real and nasty. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

haggis_ Fog and fumble
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I don't often post on internet forums, always being more a post trawler. After reading through peoples stories about depression and anxiety on beyond blue and other support websites, I felt like it really validated some of the stuff I'd ... View more

Hi everyone, I don't often post on internet forums, always being more a post trawler. After reading through peoples stories about depression and anxiety on beyond blue and other support websites, I felt like it really validated some of the stuff I'd been feeling. It's actually very comforting to know, in a way, you're not that special. I finally felt I should add my own feelings. I was diagnosed with depression about 6 months ago. I have been seeing a psychologist for most of that time and have recently started on anti-depressants. I have supportive friends and family who know what I'm going through. So I have supportive networks. But onto something I've been experiencing and wanted to share. I feel I often can't think straight even in easy life situations. In the morning when I get ready for work I find it hard to follow a basic routine. For instance - making porridge. Involving grabbing a bowl, spoon, oats, milk and microwaving to make some porridge - easy right? But I often find myself hesitating in gathering all the different items. Like moments of complete blankness. It doesn't have any flow or ease. Everything is very slow. This feeling of fumbling through things extends to settings outside the kitchen. Luckily for me, my work is very structured and routine (involving a lot of data entry, processes and computer work). Even still, I find myself making little absent minded mistakes and then upon reflection not knowing why I made that decision in the first place. It's like I'm not even completely there. And in workplace discussions I find my reasoning skills and even my ability to articulate myself properly is extremely hard. I find myself fumbling through the words. And social situations are the hardest thing of all. It's rare for me to be able to engage people beyond the very routine conversations about the weekend or the weather. I find myself trying to think of things to say or ask. Sometimes on certain topics I can chat a bit about them but it's rarely a free flowing engaging two-way conversation. I frequently forget important pieces of information that people tell me like partners names, places they've been, interests they have. With Humour, innuendo & sarcasm I often find myself getting very confused by and often have to fake laughter at moments I think it's 'right' to laugh just to get along with people. I'm wondering if anyone else can relate to this?

Shell Too hard
  • replies: 10

I feel like I am not supposed to be happy even though I want to be for some reason life feels like its against me and always has been. Im not having good thoughts about myself, Its been a bad year Im just not sure I can do it anymore. beyondblue's cl... View more

I feel like I am not supposed to be happy even though I want to be for some reason life feels like its against me and always has been. Im not having good thoughts about myself, Its been a bad year Im just not sure I can do it anymore. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Horizon Facing up to it
  • replies: 2

Hello all!its been a year since I took up some big changes to deal with avoiding that black chasm. The first six months of this year were great. I acknowledged a situation at work was not working for me and began a new job as an educator in a kinder ... View more

Hello all!its been a year since I took up some big changes to deal with avoiding that black chasm. The first six months of this year were great. I acknowledged a situation at work was not working for me and began a new job as an educator in a kinder program. I still found myself doubting my actions everyday and often ran through a checklist of questions, "am I doing enough? Am I any good at my job? Would they tell me if I'm not doing things right or that I should be doing more?" I'd remind myself that of course my colleagues would and I'm just being anxious and the thoughts wee just thoughts. This was a huge step forward for me as a year back these kind of thoughts weren't questions but statements that I choose to use to describe every single facet of my life past, present and future. I guess I thought I was better. Beyond that point where I couldn't face it anymore. And I'd plan how I could easily just disappear and how I'd do it. These scenarios became a constant daydream. They're back. I got moved, unwillingly, into another position where the educating team do not work well together. I'm supposed to help them unify. I don't think I'm emotionally strong enough to cope with it. I don't want to talk to any of the very few friends I have about it . I don't want to be the 'Debbie downer'. But it's all started again. The questions have become statements again. I'm starting to think that everyone thinks I'm an idiot. I feel like a fraud. I should be able to control this. How do you stay strong when it all starts to slide again?beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Lookingforpeace Rollercoaster
  • replies: 1

I feel like I'm on a Rollercoaster and just want to get off. Some days I wake up and feel bright, optimistic and happy. Other days I wake up feeling neutral, which is fine by me. Then there are the days, like today, I am just so down, my heart is in ... View more

I feel like I'm on a Rollercoaster and just want to get off. Some days I wake up and feel bright, optimistic and happy. Other days I wake up feeling neutral, which is fine by me. Then there are the days, like today, I am just so down, my heart is in my throat and I am panicked. Why? Why do I wake up feeling this way sometimes? How do I get off this rollercoaster? Is depression/anxiety something I will just have to live with for the rest of my life??