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

thomasle1984 Recently diagnosed with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi All, My name is Tom. 30 years old and divorced for over year. I was diagnosed with depression months ago, when my mind and body started to shutdown. My mind couldnt string one though together and my anxiety actually would be at the point of making... View more

Hi All, My name is Tom. 30 years old and divorced for over year. I was diagnosed with depression months ago, when my mind and body started to shutdown. My mind couldnt string one though together and my anxiety actually would be at the point of making my body and voice physically shake. Since being on my medication it had improved, however over the last couple of days I have really struggled again. At times I cant think straight and when i do it gets negative.Its such a battle, and a battle I think i have fought for years before asking for help. Im tired of my thoughts, my anxiety. I just wish for peace and quiet.. Thank you for just letting me speak what is in my mind. Iwould not wish this on anyone... Take care and I hope you keep fighting your battle.Tom

aap Too much to fix
  • replies: 9

Hello i have visited BB quite a bit but have only just signed up. I have been seeing a counsellor for issues at work , over the last year, and I have been making some improvements as far as things not getting to me as much, although I have lost my pa... View more

Hello i have visited BB quite a bit but have only just signed up. I have been seeing a counsellor for issues at work , over the last year, and I have been making some improvements as far as things not getting to me as much, although I have lost my passion for my job as a result. I have a supportive husband and son who is 21 and a teenage daughter who is busy being a teenage girl I have had serious health issues over the years that seem to be resolving themselves but my problem is there still seems too much to fix. Despite having a good immediate family I don't have that relationship with my extended family, on both sides they live away and aren't interested. My friends prefer to stay at home rather than go out and I feel I have no family, friends or workmates that I can talk to about my mental state ,work issues or even just go out with on a regular basis. My son whom I am very close to is moving out soon and I know it is the next phase of his life, but I am feeling for my own loss as he truly is good company and understands me.( his moving out has been the instigation for signing up as I am devastated for myself and happy for him) Sometimes I feel there is too much to fix about my life as I have been trying to work on many things over a number of years and am getting tired of it all. I feel very lonely often and as I am so unhappy at work this compounds the problem. I need help to fix my loneliness, learn to let go of things and have some peace where I am not trying to rectify some part of me that is not right. Any ideas ?

rhiannon13 Mental health spiraling back down again
  • replies: 2

I thought my depression and anxiety was getting better, I've been seeing a psychiatrist for the past year and after agreeing that my mental health was getting back on the right track I've stopped having sessions. That was 2 months ago and the first m... View more

I thought my depression and anxiety was getting better, I've been seeing a psychiatrist for the past year and after agreeing that my mental health was getting back on the right track I've stopped having sessions. That was 2 months ago and the first month leading into the new year I felt so happy and felt like I was slowly escaping it all. But this last month has just had my mental health spiraling back down again and I've found myself in the worst states and I don't know what to do about it. I was taken into hospital last week while on holiday with some friends and thinking back to that night and the mental place I was in scares me so much. I know I need to go back to my doctor but thinking about talking to anyone always makes me so nervous. I'm stuck on what to do and feel as if I've taken 100 steps back and sat at square one again..

AlexClaire I feel very alone.
  • replies: 4

Hi Guys,Where to start. I'll try to keep it brief.I' m 28, have suffered with depression for the last 10 years caused by a head injury when I was 18. Been on medication off and on since then but have been on the highest dose for around 4 years, I am ... View more

Hi Guys,Where to start. I'll try to keep it brief.I' m 28, have suffered with depression for the last 10 years caused by a head injury when I was 18. Been on medication off and on since then but have been on the highest dose for around 4 years, I am been completely off it for the last 2 months. I am struggling. So so much. I have only been in Australia for just under two months having moved over with my boyfriend of over 3 years. There are a lot of firsts with this. First time we have lived together just the two of us, first time we have moved across the other side of the world together, first time I have been unemployed in a while etc etc. I'm really struggling. I' m so alone, spending so much time alone as he works 5 days a week, he has his mother and his sister here, I have nobody, I don't know anybody, we have so little money I'm trying not to spend anything so am not going out. He says I have a 'bad attitude'. That I'm being defeatist and negative about everything. Which is true. My mother is a very negative person and I think it's brushed off on me rather nicely. I'm taking everything out on him because there IS nobody else to take anything out on. I literally don't talk to anyone else unless it's on skype or whatever. And that's not talking. I just don' t know what to do, I'm not even really sure why I'm writing this I know other people have it much worse. I just have nobody. Why can I not just see the positives in life? Is my current mood just an effect of not being medicated in which case should I have stayed on them? I'm fairly sure we're nearing break up because he says he can't be around negative people. Then in which case, I'm across the other side of the world all alone and don't have the money to go back home. So. Honestly though, I am feeling very defeatist today. I would be quite happy if the world came and swallowed me up because right now its just to much pain and uncertainty. 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;}

somebody1209 help for people with chronic depression
  • replies: 8

I have chronice depression and i go through everyday with a pretend smile on my face and thinking about suicide. I am on medications but sometimes they struggle to work sometimes. Im just wondering if there is somebody out there that can help me beyo... View more

I have chronice depression and i go through everyday with a pretend smile on my face and thinking about suicide. I am on medications but sometimes they struggle to work sometimes. Im just wondering if there is somebody out there that can help me 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

Laurennn Can't take this anymore
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I posted in here a little while ago about anxiety. A few months ago I went through an extremely stressful process at my work due to me putting in a complaint against an older man at my work. They turned the process around and I nearly lost my... View more

Hi all, I posted in here a little while ago about anxiety. A few months ago I went through an extremely stressful process at my work due to me putting in a complaint against an older man at my work. They turned the process around and I nearly lost my job. They ended up changing their minds when I threatened legal advice & I kept my job. During that process I developed anxiety - even though I was convinced it was going crazy! (I've never had it before) and now I believe I've got some depression symptoms. Even though I kept my job, the feeling just hasn't gone away! I can't bring myself to go back to work after what they did to me so I'm currently in the process of going on income protection. I know I should consider myself lucky that I have a job, but it all just seems too much at the moment. The last month I have hardly left the house. My family is worried & wants me to go & stay with them but I just want to be alone. I wake up every morning & it's just too much to get out of bed. My housemates tells me to 'stop feeling sorry for myself' which makes me feel even worse. Before all of this, I lived a normal life for a 23 year old. I had a good job, friends & a life! Within 2 months, my life has turned & now here I am. A lazy depressed mess. I love life & I don't want to be like this but I've let it take over! I'm seeing the doctor again & my first psychologist appointment on Tuesday - I hope it helps! Does anyone have any advice to get my life back on track? I WILL drive myself crazy if I stay in this room for another month.

Braveface Needed an outlet
  • replies: 3

What does living with depression feel like, why is it so bad. Well personally it feels like I am a hand grenade with the pin about to fall out. But how did the pin get loose. Well while the pin is in the pain increases so I pull it out a bit maybe tu... View more

What does living with depression feel like, why is it so bad. Well personally it feels like I am a hand grenade with the pin about to fall out. But how did the pin get loose. Well while the pin is in the pain increases so I pull it out a bit maybe turn my music up full ball and scream into a pillow, or randomly lock my self away and cry. The worst part of this is I have no idea why I am doing it. Sure I am not a millionaire and my job sucks arse at the moment but I am not the only one in the world with a shitty job and no money. I read once a beautiful website that was made to make you think before you commit suicide, obviously it worked and I use it daily. The line that sticks in my head is about the pain. Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain. So why not take a pill and get over it. Well this is my bodies sick way of having a crack at me, you see antidepressants work for a time for some people they work for great. Others such as my self they last until you convince yourself that you don't want to look like a druggie and have to scoff pills daily so you stop taking them and pull the pain pin out a bit more to subside the pain and the vicious circle continues. I am a single dad of 3 young boys that I love to death, I would do anything to see them happy so at the moment I have that pain pin welded in but the pain is still there. I have found myself saying if their mother grows up and finds good man the boys won't need me any more and I can end my fight with the pain pin...lovely thought to live with right...... I wrote the above about two months ago. I just got a well paying job thought this would help subside the pain, well kind of hoped it would. But again I find my self putting on that brave face pretending to every one that I am fine. I just want out I am tired. I know that pills don't make me a druggie but my head screams at me everytime I consider them. 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;}

kiwi_girl depression and panic attacks after home invasion
  • replies: 4

I have experienced a home invasion. At night home alone have panic attacks and depression. Too scared to sleep and my depression is keeping me away from people. Feel not like I used to at all anyone got advice on how to cope. Please

I have experienced a home invasion. At night home alone have panic attacks and depression. Too scared to sleep and my depression is keeping me away from people. Feel not like I used to at all anyone got advice on how to cope. Please

Stormgrl101 Here IT goes again
  • replies: 4

today I saw my psychologist finally after a long 4 weeks. I have been feeling particular bad lately, due to recent changes in friendship and moving back to parents house, and she asked me if I'd had thoughts of hurting myself, which I had. So she sai... View more

today I saw my psychologist finally after a long 4 weeks. I have been feeling particular bad lately, due to recent changes in friendship and moving back to parents house, and she asked me if I'd had thoughts of hurting myself, which I had. So she said it was time to go back to the doc for a medication review because it's obviously not working. I feel sad and anxious about it, trying new medication. i just don't understand how or if I am ever going to truly "get better" if I've been like this my whole life? Like I don't know how to think or act any differently and yet I've been trying for the past year to get my life back on track but as I was told today I have spent more time 'watching life from the sidelines' then actually being involved... I don't know why I'm posting, I just feel hopeless.

Zoomah Helping friends understand my depression - Adventures in Depression
  • replies: 3

Was talking to a friend last week who linked me this comic. It is amazing. It has been used in psychology journals to demonstrate what depression is like. I got my parents to read it so they could properly understand what I feel like all the time. Ev... View more

Was talking to a friend last week who linked me this comic. It is amazing. It has been used in psychology journals to demonstrate what depression is like. I got my parents to read it so they could properly understand what I feel like all the time. Even though they are supportive they still didn't fully understand until they read this. Professor Jonathan Rottenberg - “I know of no better depiction of the guts of what it’s like to be severely depressed: Clutching your blanket, you are born into the baffling, boring, disorienting state that is depression – radically out of phase with the rest of humanity, unable to understand the concerns of other people, nor able to communicate yours to them.: Hyperbole and a Half - Adventures in Depression - (I never experienced the end of this one but most of it applied. Hyperbole and a Half - Depression 2- This one is what I'm like (MOD NOTE: Links contain profanity)