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

Tyke_Talty A song from me
  • replies: 2

HelloI am a singer/song writer, with a song I have written over 16 years ago that you may be interested in using to highlight or help raise awareness about depression.It was a song I have written to help me externalise the demons I have to battle wit... View more

HelloI am a singer/song writer, with a song I have written over 16 years ago that you may be interested in using to highlight or help raise awareness about depression.It was a song I have written to help me externalise the demons I have to battle with.It is one of many such songs I have written to help me cope with my depression. I don't believe I have any serious depression, just your average type that one may easily, (or not), find a road out of.But my two teenage daughters are struggling, with medication, to find a way forward from their unhappiness.My brother has had severe depression and has to take a constant cocktail of drugs to keep himself in a happy state.And so the list goes on.It is a song that talks about the horrible things that go through my mind, what I believe causes the horrible downward spiral, and what I believe one must do to find a way out.Yours sincerely,Tyke Talty

Astara Feel like a failure
  • replies: 9

So I went to my GP to get a script for something to help me sleep and left with a referral to see a psych and a script for anti depressants. It wasn't even my regular GP. I don't understand how that happened and how she could see what I apparently co... View more

So I went to my GP to get a script for something to help me sleep and left with a referral to see a psych and a script for anti depressants. It wasn't even my regular GP. I don't understand how that happened and how she could see what I apparently couldn't and says I'm back in the middle of severe depression. I feel like an absolute failure. I've had the medication before. I went to counselling before. Intellectually I know how to make myself better. So why am I here again? What is the point in going through all this treatment again if it's just going to sneak on me again when I don't even know. I just feel even more depressed for recognising I'm depressed. Hate this life.

kellie70 Care of possessions
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Do any of you with depression and anxiety get upset if others touch your personal possessions? For example, I don't like my Dad washing my car, or anyone using my computer, as I get worried that they will "wreck" them. I have had this issue m... View more

Hi all, Do any of you with depression and anxiety get upset if others touch your personal possessions? For example, I don't like my Dad washing my car, or anyone using my computer, as I get worried that they will "wreck" them. I have had this issue my whole life, and it is a family joke. Apparently my grandmother was the same with her possessions too. And now that I know a lot more about depression, I know my Nan suffered it too although it was never diagnosed with her. Would love to hear if anyone else has this problem? How do you handle it? It is not normal to not want people to touch everything we own, especially a favourite coffee mug. Is it because we want control over something as our minds are out of control a lot? Thanks for reading, Kellie

bipolarMe Confused
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have bipolar with severe depression. I've had moments of psychosis years ago. Not sure what I'm experiencing now... I see shadows or something on the corner of my eyes - daily. Sometimes hear my name or something being called out. But live alon... View more

Hi. I have bipolar with severe depression. I've had moments of psychosis years ago. Not sure what I'm experiencing now... I see shadows or something on the corner of my eyes - daily. Sometimes hear my name or something being called out. But live alone. Sometimes feel like something is touching me or crawling but nothing there. I get sleep paralysis occasionally. I get paranoid. I make myself believe things that I don't believe are true...feelings and beliefs. Been having this for a while but it's getting worse. Have been more depressed lately with spikes of mania. Any advice or does anyone associate? Thanks in advance

fifi hate this time of year
  • replies: 20

its seems every one is happy yet I sit hear all alone I hate this time of year soooo much .It is soo very hard when you don't fit in no matter where you go so why is this so much worse this year because all of my family are together and you guessed i... View more

its seems every one is happy yet I sit hear all alone I hate this time of year soooo much .It is soo very hard when you don't fit in no matter where you go so why is this so much worse this year because all of my family are together and you guessed it I am not included there has been tension over the last few years between my sister and I over lets face it rubbish any way of course I have a panic attack and loose it try to leave and then have my mother start her manipulative rubbish and long story short starts an argument between my sister and I any way she rips me telling me that I am basically a terrible person a drama queen and god only knows what else sorry guys I know this is sounding so hate filled and probably really petty but honestly if I don't let it out I really don't know what I will do I honestly just feel unwanted several references were made about my depression and how because of it I am weak and her words pull my head in cause the whole world doesn't revolve around me . that is where I should have let it stop but no idiot Fiona tries to make it better tries to make her see reason and then she starts telling me that the fact I cant have kids is my fault and not meant to be so I should just suck it up and get over it wow you would think after that I would retreat but no I continued to try to get her to hear me to validate that what I was feeling was valid but she just continued to attack me . all I want all I have ever wanted is to be embraced for the person I am I want to be wanted loved included just for once I would love for someone to see me I am again really sorry guys but honestly I just feel so down and needed to reach out to some one .

MisterM Mood swings in a day - is that bipolar?
  • replies: 4

I have always understood bipolar to be where you have a period of high and then a period of low. What if in the one day you can be high mood then later on low mood or vise versa, is that bipolar or does it have to be days/weeks of high and days/weeks... View more

I have always understood bipolar to be where you have a period of high and then a period of low. What if in the one day you can be high mood then later on low mood or vise versa, is that bipolar or does it have to be days/weeks of high and days/weeks of low?

Relay_for_life Emotionally attached to someone while depressed
  • replies: 5

Hi all , I am new to this whole thing of depression . I am a 37 years old mum of two beautiful kids . Married and have a settled life . It looks like I have been pushing myself too hard and being taken for granted . I had a conflict with my husband a... View more

Hi all , I am new to this whole thing of depression . I am a 37 years old mum of two beautiful kids . Married and have a settled life . It looks like I have been pushing myself too hard and being taken for granted . I had a conflict with my husband and then collapsed after that . I could not go back to my old me . My problem is that I feel emotionally attached and depending on my GP . He is an old friend as well , he is younger than me and not married. I understand that these are false emotion and that it is not gonna go anywhere due to back ground restrictions as well . I don't want to sacrifice my marriage and life too , but these feelings are killing me . I feel like a teenager again . Is this something common to happen and if so how can I deal with it ? Thanks

Tb12 Seeking help
  • replies: 2

Hi guys I'm a 31 year old male from Melbourne Australia who has had a range of events happen that has lead me to this forum ...I have always believed I had struggled with depression and anxiety but I never seemed helped, I would deal with it by using... View more

Hi guys I'm a 31 year old male from Melbourne Australia who has had a range of events happen that has lead me to this forum ...I have always believed I had struggled with depression and anxiety but I never seemed helped, I would deal with it by using alcohol or having people around me to take my mind off it, I have always had health anxiety due to being unwell and always think the worse.. I want to touch on a few experiences in the past 4-5years that has lead me to this point of depression that I have no idea how to handle, let me just say that as a child and in my teens I seen a lot and had a lot of family turmoil that I'm sure still is unresolved and lends hand to how I feel.. anyway in 2012- I lost my long time girlfriend to the jehovah witnesses and it was a lot to handle, I have had so many bad relationships and this one I thought was " the one" I understand break ups but this was way out of left field, I feel like I was completely lied to and I don't even know the women I was sleeping next to, she left for the witnesses and never returned or even returns my phone calls or texts it's like she never existed 2013- I wake up with a array of neurological issues out of seemingly what felt like no where, muscle tremors, jolts, twitches, weakness and are whole host of other things. I was rushed to hospital and for the next year was going through diagnosing testing for ALS a non curable disease that will kill you in four years, I still am ongoing with these symptoms today without a diagnosis but it am pretty much bed ridden most days, the dr's are currently sending me for other tests that are not very nice to have if they are seen as positive so my anxiety is huge and I don't know If all these new symptoms are anxiety physical manifestations on top.. 2014- I had one friend who was with me through all this he came into the hospital visits and what not and was there all the time, we had been friends for 15 years, closer than family and out of the blue he disappeared with a women he met and I have seen him maybe 2-3 times since, support totally gone. 6 months ago dad died of heart attack, out of no where, I'm broken and have guilt over it. i am pacing a lot, I'm alone, can't concentrate, I feel like I need to check myself into a support centre if they even exist? I feel like I lost everyone close to me and my identity and my future health is so uncertain and I'm alone dealing with all this, I don't know if I can.. I'm not suicidal but lost.

Relay_for_life Emotional dependant on someone while depressed
  • replies: 4

Hi all , I am new to the whole thing of depression . I feel like I am emotionally depending and attached to my GP . I am married and have kids . I understand that these are false emotions , but it is killing me . Are these feeling of being fragile an... View more

Hi all , I am new to the whole thing of depression . I feel like I am emotionally depending and attached to my GP . I am married and have kids . I understand that these are false emotions , but it is killing me . Are these feeling of being fragile and emotionally depending on others normal ? And how to deal with it ? Thanks ,

Kuchel Is sadness Permanant?
  • replies: 5

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like ... View more

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like a band aid solution. I ended by spending up to a couple of hundreds of dollars. My question is, is it possible that someone can be in the comfort zone of sadness. For example, when I am driving back home, I have opted to listen to happy music, but I mostly choose sad music. I have become pessimistic and very cynical. I have severed ties with my relatives and with some friends. The reason being, they just cannot understand what I am going through. Most of them thinks I have the power to change myself and since I am not changing, perhaps I am making a scene out of it to grab sympathy. Is this possible that I may like the “sad” part because I have dwelt in this for long? Lastly – why can’t I be happy like others?