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

HeyOk Today
  • replies: 3

Today is day 3 of no sleep, I called in sick at work for the third time this week. I spent 5 hours listening to bob dylan songs writing parts from his lyrics over & over, the parts that made me feel like someone understood. Today I feel a manic side ... View more

Today is day 3 of no sleep, I called in sick at work for the third time this week. I spent 5 hours listening to bob dylan songs writing parts from his lyrics over & over, the parts that made me feel like someone understood. Today I feel a manic side of depression. I kept thinking of quitting my job. Of moving towns. Of change. But it doesn't matter really. The black dog chases you down no matter where you are. Does anyone feel like depression makes you watch your life waste away. You stay indoors. Stay quiet. Hope for a nice moment?

Lookingforpeace Bad mental health day
  • replies: 4

Hi all I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. As I was getting ready for work, a feeling of sadness came over me which unfortunately didn't go away all day. I spent most of the day being unproductive and generally keeping to myself. I don't kn... View more

Hi all I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. As I was getting ready for work, a feeling of sadness came over me which unfortunately didn't go away all day. I spent most of the day being unproductive and generally keeping to myself. I don't know why I have these (what seem like random) bad days. Then when I have them, I panic about them lasting longer than a day and me falling back into depression. Any advice/words would be greatly appreciated.

Arnie69 A dysthymic life
  • replies: 12

Since my early teens I have felt different, left out, ostracised, rejected, square peg in a round hole. People always used to ask why I never smiled, why did it look like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was incredibly introverted and... View more

Since my early teens I have felt different, left out, ostracised, rejected, square peg in a round hole. People always used to ask why I never smiled, why did it look like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was incredibly introverted and lacked confidence although being very good at sport was a saving grace. Being mildly competitive, I loved the skill aspects of AFL and cricket but never got into the team bonding and mateship that much; it never interested or motivated me. As a shy teenager, I struggled meeting girls. Between that and some pretty hard rejections, I had an incredibly lonely decade and turned to alcohol. For the last 36 years or so, I've felt hollow. My wife and I joke about me being all dead inside. I tell her that I'm a broken human being. It's crazy how you can feel gloomy for so long and think that's normal. It's like living with a glaucoma that hazes everything you see, think and feel and disappears anything that used to be enjoyable. I feels like I have to make myself do everything; I have no motivation that other seems to have in keeping a house tidy, playing with the kids, gardening or fixing things, travel etc I'm married with 2 boys. For most of my marriage, I've been going through the motions. I generally don't feel anything for my wife so I have to make it up and think what I should be feeling in different situations. She can see through my charade and is incredibly hurt by it. About the only thing I get enjoyment from is my writing. I started writing long fiction a few years ago. My wife has a great job and works full-time while I look after the boys and the house, so I have plenty of time to write. I have tried to leave my marriage twice (we have 2 boys). I met someone else (a writer) who summoned feelings from me that I never thought I would feel again: flushes of warmth and joy right through my chest. I tried to leave but came back both times; I couldn't deal with the guilt and loss. I guess I'd rather live with a life of regret rather than a life of remorse. I can't stop thinking about what it would be like to spend a life together with my *special friend* and all the positive feelings that it seems to promise. I do wonder whether it would fade back to gray after a while though, like everything else has over the last 46 years. I'm resigned to a life without happiness or joy but it will be liveable.

Grizzly_82 Jealousy and depression
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new to this forum i am currently a 33 year old male that's been single for 8 years, all my friends are getting married to beautiful women and I seem to can't even get a second date let alone a beautiful one. my depression just gets worse and w... View more

Hi I'm new to this forum i am currently a 33 year old male that's been single for 8 years, all my friends are getting married to beautiful women and I seem to can't even get a second date let alone a beautiful one. my depression just gets worse and worse, to top it off my best mate just separated from his wife and has now been seeing a very beautiful girl. i just don't know why I don't have the same luck as my friends in this life. I seem to always struggle in everything compared to all my friends. 8 years has been such a long time, the jealousy towards my mates and the hurt I have is making my life unbearable. i just don't know what to do anymore

Miss-Anne-Throwpy Little things collect like stagnant water
  • replies: 1

Wasn't planning on typing further posts here but there's nobody else. I am in a hole and it sucks. Sunday was a good day for me. First good day in so long I can't remember. I was actually having a laugh with a friend I hadn't seen in months and I fel... View more

Wasn't planning on typing further posts here but there's nobody else. I am in a hole and it sucks. Sunday was a good day for me. First good day in so long I can't remember. I was actually having a laugh with a friend I hadn't seen in months and I felt good. Monday arrived and I was anxious and teary. Tuesday similar though not as bad. Today I feel both good and bad and I can't explain that, I really can't. Does anyone know what I mean? Am off work until next week so it's not agoraphobia or work stress, just depression I guess with anxiety for no reason. I am bipolar. Work haven't really kept in touch, which is kind've a relief really. I did call in of course. One message from an manager asking me to call again was returned by me 4 times but couldn't get through. After a couple of hours of trying I instead left HR a voice message and an email, which was acknowledged so I assume no news is good news. I will call again tomorrow though to be responsible. I can't afford to be unemployed. I'm well aware this job is not a good fit. It is an area I've had a great deal of past experience but I guess it has evolved and changed a lot over 20+ years. I am applying for other more suitable roles as well as entry roles in a different industry. I'm mainly seeking part time to be sensible as I'm not quite right. If that all works out (really soon), then I feel like I can save myself. I have cancelled my psychology appointment on Friday as I haven't the funds to go. I'm not paid when not at work. On a good note, I think the new medication is settling. It still sedates me but seems less than before. I can think better and not drift and nod off. Hopefully my weird up and down emotional mood is about the settling in of medication. Being back at work will be the big tell... Well the horrible CBD peak hour commute probably will be too. Ahh, I just feel so out of control and lost. I've discovered a new mental health group, Mind that is somewhat more local to me than the 2.5 hour commute and there is potential of no cost psychology of some description. Unlike the Government standard issue, they were actually lovely on the phone and seemed keen to help. I just need to take the right steps to get the ball rolling. This could be very good. I was floored that they sounded approachable and I got through in 2 minutes. It's stuff like this that lends hope.

Sylar Finally admitting I have depression
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I guess on some level I've always known that ive had depression. But have never admitted it to myself because I've always felt that admitting it would mean that I'd let it consume everything. But I think perhaps it's slowly crept up on me a... View more

Hi there, I guess on some level I've always known that ive had depression. But have never admitted it to myself because I've always felt that admitting it would mean that I'd let it consume everything. But I think perhaps it's slowly crept up on me anyway. I fill out my day very well. I excersise, i run, work, socialise way to much in order to keep myself from coming home and letting myself realise my reality. Essentially im pretty happy in doing these things. But at the end of everyday I realise my harsh reality of not being who I thought I was going to be. Everything I work for falls apart and that I have no confidence, such low self esteem and negativity about myself that I spend hours every night condemplating my life. I refuse to sleep because I feel like I'm wasting precious time when i should be working on how to get my life together. I fidgit constantly and can never shake the feeling of being lost. Lost with work because it's a dead end job and i hate it. confused about my sexuality that i have accidentally formed a double life on. The straight me vs the gay me. I tell myself i identify as being a lesbian but I think that perhaps I just got over being told that i was my entire life that perhaps i just went along with it. Growing up I wasn't allowed to be sad or cry or show much emotion at all. I thought once I moved out and went to uni it would all sort itself out. It never did tho. I guess I feel trapped in a life full of making everyone else happy and caring for everyone else that I forgot that i maybe needed the help. I have no support because im everyone else's rock and because I don't know how to ask for help. My world appears very normal but im honestly struggling with myself and can't overcome helplessness 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;}

TigerMum How do you go on?
  • replies: 3

What is your thing that keeps you going?How do you go on when everything is unbearable pain and darkness?Having a day and trying to hold on from getting sucked down, could do with some ideas pls.ta beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often wor... View more

What is your thing that keeps you going?How do you go on when everything is unbearable pain and darkness?Having a day and trying to hold on from getting sucked down, could do with some ideas pls.ta 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:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; 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-fareast-language:EN-US;}

boondy is anger depression
  • replies: 6

Hey all.im new here so dont really know wat to say or how. im 39-Ive suffered depression anxiety anger issues for so long only clinically diagnosed 5 years ago.have a few family members with depression lost my uncle n a close mate to suicide.been on ... View more

Hey all.im new here so dont really know wat to say or how. im 39-Ive suffered depression anxiety anger issues for so long only clinically diagnosed 5 years ago.have a few family members with depression lost my uncle n a close mate to suicide.been on dif meds over time 4 dif psyches 3 dif gps.at moment i dont take meds not for last year or so.i dont feel as if meds work. I dont get'depressed''or suicidal thoughts like I have in the past but the anxiety n getting angry at the smallest things n I guess just negative towards so much Is a daily struggle.my girlfriend/daughters mum wants me to get help if not for me for my daughter.but I dont think I need meds N just about given up on shrinks.is there hope?

Jo-Candice Self-worth
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I thought I would share my feelings and day-to-day struggles with others. I'm a mom of 3 children and am happily married. I have a good life and nothing to complain about. All my life I havd battled depression. I've gotten ... View more

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I thought I would share my feelings and day-to-day struggles with others. I'm a mom of 3 children and am happily married. I have a good life and nothing to complain about. All my life I havd battled depression. I've gotten really good at hiding it as I'm worried that people will not like me or think I'm to much work. And if I'm honest I don't think I have anything special to offer the world. I don't excel at anything and I've never had a talent. But to the outside world I project something different and confidence. My self-worth is so low and I worry people will not like me. Today my fear came true. A friend had picked up my depression and knocked me down for it. I felt my mental health was bullied. I am just wondering if anyone else lives in secret with their depression? And what about your self-worth? I am hoping by listening to others will help me relate and help me change the way I feel about myself. Thanks for listening.

missyjane86 Life just getting worse, No one seems the same?
  • replies: 2

Putting it short, I'm a Mum of 4, I have a little boy in my care all the time and 3 girls that are with there dad, Most people would read that and think why hasn't the mum got her girls, Well ive been in battle with my ex for 6 years, it has gone bac... View more

Putting it short, I'm a Mum of 4, I have a little boy in my care all the time and 3 girls that are with there dad, Most people would read that and think why hasn't the mum got her girls, Well ive been in battle with my ex for 6 years, it has gone back to court again, I gave up as he is a liar and controls everything. Every single day I wake up and my chest achs, I need someone to talk to but everyone seems to busy or simply don't understand, Ive tried to salvage what is left with my sons dad but he just can't understand why I'm like this, why am I so upset, we don't have a friendship and we don't get along, I feel like every day all I see is the negatives, growing up has not been easy, and it seems like its not getting any better. Ive come here in hope to meet people I can talk too or vent with, I have major depression and it is the one thing I would change if I could. I want life to be happy, and enjoy my days, instead I seem caught up in the dark circle with no one to share my thoughts with without being told I'm just a negative person, and never happy. life's not meant to be this hard, I'm sure of it.