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

Arayofsunshine Feeling like everything is going wrong
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I'm new to this. I just rang the 1300 number and they were very helpful. Unfortunately had to cut the phone call short as my flatmate came home.. Ive been emotional in the last couple of days. The last few years have been a blur. I think... View more

Hi everyone. I'm new to this. I just rang the 1300 number and they were very helpful. Unfortunately had to cut the phone call short as my flatmate came home.. Ive been emotional in the last couple of days. The last few years have been a blur. I think things came crashing down yesterday and today. I don't know if its the "monthlys", family stress, work stress or the fact that my ex won't share custody with my dog. I think it's a combination of the above and that I do shift work and haven't had proper sleep in 4days! Work- there's a little bully... I've been transferred to a different workplace but same company. Family- obligation to send money to overseas family.. helping out my sibling with his own demons. My father was abusive. I miss my dog. He's a beautiful furchild. Boundless love. Lots if cuddles... Sorry I'm ranting... aimlessly. Hard to type on my phone I cried all day after work. I worked 5am till 1300. Sobs. Tears. A ray of sunshine one day. Is there a higher power.. a "god". Sometimes I feel so lost.. so alone. Yet I feel guilty... cos I'm an adult and should know how to handle my emotions. I need a new job. I need my dog.

Long_neck_19 need help
  • replies: 6

I need help, I know I need help, but I cant make myself get it. I cant go through the breakdowns around someone else and trying to make sense of my thoughts enough to tell someone what im actually trying to say or am feeling. I just cant do it. I don... View more

I need help, I know I need help, but I cant make myself get it. I cant go through the breakdowns around someone else and trying to make sense of my thoughts enough to tell someone what im actually trying to say or am feeling. I just cant do it. I don't know how to make myself. I cant get my partner to understand so how am I supposed to talk to someone else about it all???

Claroque Desperate to Connect
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone. This is strange, and I'm sure this is the third time in my life I have attempted to post something on here. Don't get me wrong, it's not deleted by the monitoring staff - rather it is deleted my myself as I usually come to the conclusio... View more

Hey everyone. This is strange, and I'm sure this is the third time in my life I have attempted to post something on here. Don't get me wrong, it's not deleted by the monitoring staff - rather it is deleted my myself as I usually come to the conclusion that my problems are insignificant and no one wants to hear about it.. so I end up deleting what my heart just poured out. I have been sitting here, starting out the window for the past hour. Just in silence, watching the world go by without me. I need help. I am 26 years old and from Sydney. I am living in a tiny apartment with my partner of four years. I have suffered with depression since high school. I became heavily into drugs shortly after leaving as I felt for the first time I felt happy on them - but the come down made me suicidal. I was able to quit after purging my life of my friends who were also heavily in this scene, but since then though I have also been lonely. I went to university and developed severe anxiety - I dropped 10kg in 3 months and had a BMI if 16. This continued over the next 5 years and I sacrificed everything because the fear of getting below my expectations of 'HD' was debilitating. My depression continued underneath this, although I felt I didn't have time to have these feelings.. than I needed to push on and focus. Many anxiety attacks followed. Now, I'm working in an unstable profession (not much I can do about this), in a horrible workplace (no much I can do about this) and have limited friends (I pushed them all away over the past 5 years). I saw a therapist who was helpful, although I am unable to see her within my working hours. I feel as though I am wasting away. I have no purpose, I have no desire, I have no passion. I feel as though there is nothing for me to do or live for except the happiness of others. Things that used to make me happy seem just to skim across my face in a smile but don't touch my heart. I have tried so many times to reach out to people - I get responses such as 'oh.. that sucks.. anyway how's work?' or 'there's a lot of people in the world that are worse off than you. Be grateful.' My partner listens, but doesn't really know what to say or what to do. I'm just desperate in my moment of clarity for someone to understand, to connect to someone. I want help, and I don't know what to do. I'm tried of being this way. I'm tired of being alone all the time (mentally and physically). I hope this place will help. Ideas? Thanks for reading.

Florrie_Jo Good evening
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new to the forums however not new to depression and anxiety. I have suffered for about 16 years but probably been at my worst this past year. I do what I can to keep on track and am aware of the signs when I'm heading for the lows. Exercise,... View more

Hi, I am new to the forums however not new to depression and anxiety. I have suffered for about 16 years but probably been at my worst this past year. I do what I can to keep on track and am aware of the signs when I'm heading for the lows. Exercise, meditation, reasonable eating, medication ...unfortunately due to a chronic illness, some of that medication makes it difficult to stay on track. I've have fallen in a heap but don't feel like explaining to anyone..mostly due to the fear of being perceived as weak. Even as I typed that I know it's unreasonable and unfair to make that judgment of others. My family are loving but have enough on their plates without worrying about me. My husband, well he goes fishing to avoid dealing with crying. My two girls keep me going. I know it will pass and it's one foot in front of the other. I'm hoping the forums will make the teeth grinding a bit more bearable during my low.

BB89 Mum with depression..how do other mums cope?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm a mum to two gorgeous boys 4(almost 5) and 2 and I have depression. I have my good and bad days. It can be so hard to cope with everyday things. Having depression makes me not have as much patience as I use to have I used to be so calm and ha... View more

Hi, I'm a mum to two gorgeous boys 4(almost 5) and 2 and I have depression. I have my good and bad days. It can be so hard to cope with everyday things. Having depression makes me not have as much patience as I use to have I used to be so calm and happy. Now I'm on edge all the time and find it hard to relax. Every few months I reach my limit and break down into tears then I pick myself up again. I just wish I didn't have depression so I could be a happy fun mum. anyone else have a similar story?

Mr_Wombat1 Struggling
  • replies: 2

Hey all. So I find life hard most of the time since everything seems to have a negative effect on me. I work 5 days a week and my work mates just don't make me feel welcome. They make smart remarks and laugh at my stupidity. Don't get me wrong, most ... View more

Hey all. So I find life hard most of the time since everything seems to have a negative effect on me. I work 5 days a week and my work mates just don't make me feel welcome. They make smart remarks and laugh at my stupidity. Don't get me wrong, most of the people at work are fantastic and friendly. My "friends" do pretty much the same. I have a handful of genuine friends that support me, but just feels like I have to make all the effort. I am 21 and have had depression for a while now. But just feels like it gets worse and worse over time. I don't want to have to take pills or anything like that. I just would like help with finding a solution to ignore the remarks and stay happy. I know people say just don't take it to heart.. But that is easier said then done. I have some problems with myself also. I am overweight, I sweat a lot also. From my armpits and hands mostly. It's a weakness of mine that keeps me from going out often. The only thing that really makes me feel happy is video gaming with my online friends, and going to music concerts to see my favourite bands. But obviously that is not healthy for me. Anyway, I hope there is some advice or someone going through a similar situation that I can connect with and talk to. Thanks for reading

Binksy Depression..out of the blue
  • replies: 2

Why does this overwhelming depression come over me out of the blue? I'm travelling along nicely... yes I'm on medication and have regular sessions with my psychologist.I get so fed up with feeling this way I want to cry. Yes this may be therapeutic b... View more

Why does this overwhelming depression come over me out of the blue? I'm travelling along nicely... yes I'm on medication and have regular sessions with my psychologist.I get so fed up with feeling this way I want to cry. Yes this may be therapeutic but the medication dulls this area and I am not able to cry. I've been on hols so out of routine-have I answered my own question? I just want this pain to stop I can't share this with anyone so decided to join BB online forum I find it very hard to connect with anyone when in this frame of mind.

jammajammamohuma Dont know where to start
  • replies: 1

I am feeling pretty depressed in the 2nd week of the school holidays looking after 3 children 2x3 year old and 1x6 year old plus looking after my 87 year old mother in law which thank god goes back saturday. my depression comes and goes but its alway... View more

I am feeling pretty depressed in the 2nd week of the school holidays looking after 3 children 2x3 year old and 1x6 year old plus looking after my 87 year old mother in law which thank god goes back saturday. my depression comes and goes but its always still the same just a feeling of utter dispear all the time. Im 42 years old. a stay at home dad and all ambition and passion for life has left me. Doing anything these days is hard. Ive actually had depression since I was young but it would come and go though plus I was young so I always felt some kind of hope. Now I feel like Ive already got 1 foot in the grave. I dont want happy pills. I dont want to talk to my wife about it shes no help at all. Im eager to get out into the workforce again but I need some kind of energy. My self confidence is shot.

ChiefMoots Tough weeks but looking forward
  • replies: 4

have had a major depressive episode this week, scariest I've ever felt. There are constant pangs of guilt for those left to pick up the pieces behind me but I'm determined to get better. Anyone out there involved in their own business who battle depr... View more

have had a major depressive episode this week, scariest I've ever felt. There are constant pangs of guilt for those left to pick up the pieces behind me but I'm determined to get better. Anyone out there involved in their own business who battle depression? Keen to discuss your challenges and triumphs

MichelleR Depression & Social Phobia
  • replies: 4

Hi, My first post! I haven't seeked help before but maybe asking if anyone else experiences social phobia might make me feel less alone. i find it hard getting out of bed each day but having to shop or even get fuel for my car is frightening. I stay ... View more

Hi, My first post! I haven't seeked help before but maybe asking if anyone else experiences social phobia might make me feel less alone. i find it hard getting out of bed each day but having to shop or even get fuel for my car is frightening. I stay home more than I go out. Work has suffered and Im 27 with no social life. Gained 20kg in first 12 months of depression, which doesn't help either. i feel like the phobia of seeing people or talking face to face, won't ever leave! Anyone have any tips?