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: 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

2iceShy Sleep it off?
  • replies: 5

Does anyone else sleep off their depression? Some people drink, some people take drugs. I do neither. But when im feeling low, all i want to do is block out the world & sleep. I feel guilt for this. Days will go by & all Ive done is sleep, eat and wa... View more

Does anyone else sleep off their depression? Some people drink, some people take drugs. I do neither. But when im feeling low, all i want to do is block out the world & sleep. I feel guilt for this. Days will go by & all Ive done is sleep, eat and watch TV.

LaurenCecelia Depressed, going through a breakup and just broke my leg.
  • replies: 5

Hi guys, I was diagnosed about a year ago with depression, after struggling for many years prior to that. I'm undertaking counselling and taking anti depressants and have good days and bad days. I'm working full time, and studying part time. Recently... View more

Hi guys, I was diagnosed about a year ago with depression, after struggling for many years prior to that. I'm undertaking counselling and taking anti depressants and have good days and bad days. I'm working full time, and studying part time. Recently, I went through a breakup of sorts. I say of sorts as I'm talking about the first person I ever really opened up to, and the person who encouraged and helped me to seek help. We broke up for a period before I was diagnosed when I was overseas, however we have continued talking for the majority of the time, and for the past year he has been helping me cope with living with depression. He's the only way that I normally go to when I'm down, and he often helps get me out of my rut, purely by just being there. A couple of weeks ago he told me he just wasn't feeling the same, and thought we should stop seeing each other romantically, however he still cares about me and wants to talk to me (which I don't quite understand). So understandably, I was quite upset about that, and it also happened the week before my mini thesis for my masters was due. My nonna was also in ICU at this time, so I was having a rough time there too. so that's what I've been trying to deal with recently, and I was coping through getting out and exercising, and seeing friends. however, one week ago I broke my leg. I was hospitalised for 5 days as I requires surgery to place a plate and screws in. All of my friends were amazed at how positive I was throughout the whole thing, whereas inside I was struggling and just wishing my ex could be there. We talked, he knew I was in hospital, yet he didn't ask if he could visit. now I am at home, on bed rest, and everything seems to be hitting me as I cannot seem to keep myself occupied as I previously could. No runs or walks, no going out etc. I try to read and watch movies but I just can't seem to concentrate and only drift into a spiral of sadness. Does anybody out there have any ideas or strategies or just thoughts on how I could try and cope a little better? It has been good to get this all out, and I would love if someone could take the time to reply. thanks for reading.

Taz2u Falling into the pit again
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone. I have had depression for most of my life and take antidepressants regularly. I've been feeling pretty low lately and teary, yet I'm finding it difficult to say anything to my husband. I have 3 children- 2 grown up and one about to go... View more

Hello everyone. I have had depression for most of my life and take antidepressants regularly. I've been feeling pretty low lately and teary, yet I'm finding it difficult to say anything to my husband. I have 3 children- 2 grown up and one about to go to College next year, as well as a stepson, 2 daughter-in-laws and 3 grandkids.I spend most of the week alone at home with my dog. I feel very lonely and don't have any siblings or parents nearby. I am finding it hard to get dressed in the mornings and get little satisfaction from most things. I attend church regularly, yet feel like I have few good friends. My mum was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and already suffers from Alzheimers. I went over to give my support recently and found myself having to be the strong one for everyone else. I'm tired and wonder who is there for me when I'm in need. My sister didn't support me very much when I was fragile and this is very annoying, even though I know she has a lot on her plate at home too. I cried for the first time last week, shortly after going to bed...I couldn't talk about what i was feeling because it was overwhelming. My husband asked me what was wrong, hugged me then went back to sleep. He never asked me anything after that. His mum is old and has been depressed from chronic pain.She stayed with us last week and I had primary care of her. I feel guilty because I really didn't need someone else to care for, and I didn't feel I was being cared for either. My husband wants to bring her for another week at Christmas. I feel very alone and very tired. I've felt down before, but sometimes it feels like nothing changes. I terrified to stop taking meds, as I can find myself in this black hole even when I take them diligently

endlesslydriftingthroughspace i only feel emotion through empathy
  • replies: 7

I' m lost. I have not a hard life. It was. But I fought and made a fair one. Through constitution. Now I contribute to life through an act I don't see the point in. I had so much work to do to put myself on a level playing field I forgot what it was ... View more

I' m lost. I have not a hard life. It was. But I fought and made a fair one. Through constitution. Now I contribute to life through an act I don't see the point in. I had so much work to do to put myself on a level playing field I forgot what it was all for. Now I am adrift. I seem to float in and out of peoples gaze only to end up frozen in time. In front of my reflection. I am just here without purpose. Drifting. Dreaming. Searching. I am. I can. I do. Still nothing to need. I stare back at the reflection and desperately ask for a reason. A point. I dont feel sad. I feel little emotion. I would kill for my own little piece of real sadness. Empathy consumes me. I must have a purpose other than to feel other peoples anguish. Other than to listen and calm them. Where is the peace I promised myself. I walk through wonder, possibility and chaos yet my heart does not stir. What did I give up that day. Where did I hide it. Where do I turn. What am I meant for. I don't empathize with peoples joy. Only their worry and heartache. It feels like everyone is flying past me at a million miles an hour when I'm amongst the crowds. Endlessly drifting through space. Another cog in the great machine. A man that does not understand love anymore. A dreamer without a dream. I'm half the man I used to be, I'm half the man you see. I lie till I become the lie. I'm not honest to myself. I'm ordinary. I' m scared out of my mind. I beg myself to change. This is the first time I have ever spoken about this to anyone. I'm not sure what to expect from this really. Is there something wrong with me. My heart tends to feel like it has butterflies from time to time. I find it easier to speak in broken sentences when I try to express my inner dialogue.

Dave83 What to do? Need some advice.
  • replies: 7

Hey guys,New here, but not really to Depression.Started early 2011, I was becoming unhappy at work & starting to get that feeling where you sort of wanted to cry but wouldn't. Thinking I was just unhappy with my job, I decided to quite a few months l... View more

Hey guys,New here, but not really to Depression.Started early 2011, I was becoming unhappy at work & starting to get that feeling where you sort of wanted to cry but wouldn't. Thinking I was just unhappy with my job, I decided to quite a few months later.I started to go to the gym more often & even got really into it. Started meeting new people, started doing those mud runs/fun runs etc.. and found something new. Though throughout the year there would always be a day here & there where I would just be sad for no reason. It got to the point where I would cry, for no reason, & a day would become a couple days, which would eventually become a week. I had no idea what was happening or why. By the end of the year, I decided to study, have something to focus on, to look forward to.2012 everything became much worse. I would wake completely depressed, stay in bed, cry & wanted my life to end. I knew somthing wasn't right, so I jumped online & took some tests regarding depression & figured that's what I had, though still doubted it as I hadn't hurt myself or attempted suicide.Studying was stressful, it was something new & I couldn't understand a lot of it, I felt pretty stupid, which I guess would contribute to me feeling down. On-top of that, I wasn't eating well & was training a lot + I had some family issues. By August, I hated my life, hated anything I was interested in, everything just became bad. Start of 2013 I decided to see a GP & went onto medication & eventually saw a Psychologist, though neither really helped. I started a (temp) job at the gym, which I loved, but some things went down with the staff that made me depressed again & eventually the job finished which made me really upset. To me, the place that I enjoyed the most, with people that I enjoyed being around, I felt were somewhat responsible for causing me to feel low, so I ended up leaving.6months later, still upset, no longer on meds, they made metired, I returned, and ended up talking to them about what happened, and even breaking down & crying. Only problem is, even today, I still feel hurt, everything that happened still upsets me, every time i wake up, even though ive spoken to them many times, It all just upsets me. A month ago I started becoming really depressed & thinking of suicide, I was put on medication again. i put membership on hold & went back to the GP & started & now looking for a Psychologist, though don't know who to see (western sydney). Sorry for the long post, but does anyone have any advice ?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.

6502832 Feeling lost
  • replies: 2

There is so much going on in my life right now and it feels like I'm losing control and I'm not dealing with it well. I've one close friend but he has his own things to deal with and it 8hrs away. Feeling sad and alone. I am seeing my Gp tomorrow but... View more

There is so much going on in my life right now and it feels like I'm losing control and I'm not dealing with it well. I've one close friend but he has his own things to deal with and it 8hrs away. Feeling sad and alone. I am seeing my Gp tomorrow but I don't even know where to start to tell her what's going on

Miss_Debz I just don't know
  • replies: 2

So never want to sound like a victim, or someone just wanting attention.. But seriously, why are we here?? I have decided to join here as I just have absolutely no idea of where else I can turn to, or what to do. Yeh, I just don't know

So never want to sound like a victim, or someone just wanting attention.. But seriously, why are we here?? I have decided to join here as I just have absolutely no idea of where else I can turn to, or what to do. Yeh, I just don't know

Bayliner I broke today
  • replies: 2

Hi, new to this sort of thing, feeling like I have pretty much run out of options, I'm a new dad to a beautiful 6 month old IVF bub, my wife has suffered depression for around 7 years and is suffering PND very badly ATM, wife went through cancer, los... View more

Hi, new to this sort of thing, feeling like I have pretty much run out of options, I'm a new dad to a beautiful 6 month old IVF bub, my wife has suffered depression for around 7 years and is suffering PND very badly ATM, wife went through cancer, loss of her dad, brother in jail, we relocated to central Qld 12 months ago at the request of my company, they unfairly dismissed me and I was out of work 6 months ago, i took them to court and won the case. Working again now but it's tough going. My wife hates it up here. Today I broke, my wife is aware of her depression but struggles to see anyone, after many years of encouraging her to go to a doc, holding her hand and trying to be supportive I broke down and cried for about an hour, not a real manly thing to do, still crying as I write this as I have never really thought back and spoken about this before. Feeling very helpless that I can't fix the problems for my wife, that I don't make as much money as I used to and I have to sell everything off to survive, that I feel to blame for moving my wife up here and all she wants to do is go back to vic, we can't afford to move back, I have trouble sometimes settling the baby, wife says I'm never around but all I do is work and come home, I don't know anyone up here so there isn't much for me to do. Feeling very helpless and that I have lost me... So sad that I can't fix our problems anymore and life has become so hard and complicated. I just want my wife and baby happy more than anything. I feel a bit silly writing this stuff down, normally I'm in control of my life and have direction now it feels like it's put of control and I'm heading into a dark place. The pressure is way too high, we have another baby on the way, due in May next year, not sure if my wife can cope with the additional pressures, me working to put food on the table and a roof over our head, stressed out to the max and I can't keep up, how do I get help for my wife?? How do I fix it?? How can I provide a better life for mum and bubs?? I try to always do my best, what happens when I'm not good enough and I fail?? I just want things back to normal well as normal, want my wife happy and running out of options

DrewBot TRAPPED in a stressful situation with NO easy answers
  • replies: 2

Hi,I just joined this site with hopes that I can connect to others dealing with depression like I am. I have a history of depression and a few years ago, I attempted suicide. I was glad for quite a while that I was unsuccessful, but I find myself lat... View more

Hi,I just joined this site with hopes that I can connect to others dealing with depression like I am. I have a history of depression and a few years ago, I attempted suicide. I was glad for quite a while that I was unsuccessful, but I find myself lately wishing that I would have died then. This post kind of jumps all over the place. I apologize. Its the best I can do right now. Just to give a little back story, I am a transgender guy. I have been transitioned for a few years now and that helped immensely with my feelings of depression/suicide. I am still happy regarding my transition. However, shortly after my transition, my family began to get sick. My dad has had several strokes and is now disabled. My mom has battled cancer 3 times and tries to take care of my dad. I will always be willing to care for them should the need arise. However, my brother has thrown a monkey wrench in everything!! He is a nice guy, but I remember numerous times hearing him curse people and wish death on them. For years, my wife and I told him that he needed to see a doctor because we were pretty sure he was diabetic and or had kidney/heart problems. He chose to ignore our concerns and not go see a doctor for the discoloration and swelling in his legs. He also continued to have a diet consisting mostly of fast food. He ended up having such bad kidney disease that he is now on dialysis.He has also lost most of his eyesight and has had toes amputated.He has a long history of not paying his rent and I have no idea how he even still has his apartment! Even when he was working, he didn't pay all of his rent and has come to expect his landlord to just accept however much rent he has to pay her.He also lost countless jobs by acting like an ass at work, which has no doubt allowed him to blame others for his actions.Fast forward to early this year. He began having worsening issues with his eyesight and has since lost all sight in his left eye and most in his right. He expects us to come over to his apartment whenever he needs something and then complains the whole time about how lonely he is and how he has no one. He has also told several people that my wife hates him even though she has never done anything to him. She just chooses to not get involved with his drama.I believe I should have a right to enjoy my life and not be responsible for him. I feel trapped though. I just don' t know what to do. Wish I would have died when I tried before to end my life.........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.

JustTiffanyxo Sometimes
  • replies: 5

Sometimes I just don't feel good enough. Sometimes I just want to cry. Sometimes I want to scream. Sometimes, despite my support network, I feel so alone. So many people around me, caring for me, doing there best for me and I feel alone. It doesn't m... View more

Sometimes I just don't feel good enough. Sometimes I just want to cry. Sometimes I want to scream. Sometimes, despite my support network, I feel so alone. So many people around me, caring for me, doing there best for me and I feel alone. It doesn't make sense. I've been called selfish numerous times but I don't understand how. I always feel like I'm not good enough. Someone else can be me and be a lot better at it. I wonder if I would be missed if I was gone. Sometimes i feel so black inside that i worry that the blackness is going to seep out and let everyone know I'm broken. I am broken.