Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

nataya empty
  • replies: 5

Hi im new here abd just learning my way around the forum.i am not new to depression tho.I feel so empty, this emptyness consumes me complelty, i dont know how to fet full again.i feel so alone like i am an alien from a different planet that the rest ... View more

Hi im new here abd just learning my way around the forum.i am not new to depression tho.I feel so empty, this emptyness consumes me complelty, i dont know how to fet full again.i feel so alone like i am an alien from a different planet that the rest of the world. I dont know how to get connected with anybody and even my self.Its so hard just to do everyday task. I can not even shower as im should. I have to work but its so hard to stay connected and i only do 2hrs a day if i work.I feel i am the worst person in the world right now and i can not shake it at all.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.

Rachl Do I need help or am just like this?
  • replies: 6

New member here. I have been on medication twice in my life for depression / anxiety. I feel like I am heading back to that way again. The last time I was on anything was about 3 years ago. I am not sad (although I have days were I am, not many) I fe... View more

New member here. I have been on medication twice in my life for depression / anxiety. I feel like I am heading back to that way again. The last time I was on anything was about 3 years ago. I am not sad (although I have days were I am, not many) I feel like I am constantly irritated. I am married with children, my husband works away, I do miss him when he is gone and am excited for him to come home, but when he gets here I don't want him near me this has only just started happening in the past 2 months, my children irritate me, people at the shops irritate me. I am snapping at my children on a daily basis for simple things and that's not fair. Hubby tries his hardest to please me and all I seem to do is complain about everything thats wrong and tell him that I am unhappy with everything, but I don't know why. We have argued quite a bit in the past 2 months and if we have had a drink and any small thing he might say I will start a fight and I have become mean, I call him names, tell him how much I hate everything and I wished I never married him. I feel like I have become a terrible person. I have always been someone that over reacts and gets easily angered, from my late teens, I don't want to be this person, I grew up with a mother that was like that. I seem to not be able to move on from things that have upset me or caused problems in the past and I will re think them and then get angry/upset again. Is there really anyway to change yourself or I am going to be a snappy irritated person for the rest of my life?

geoff Phil Hughes and Sean Abbott
  • replies: 2

My heart goes out to Phillip Hughes and his family and wish them our greatest sympathy, this also extends to Sean Abbott who must have the greatest weight of the world on his shoulders which could possibly initiate a break-down. Situations like this ... View more

My heart goes out to Phillip Hughes and his family and wish them our greatest sympathy, this also extends to Sean Abbott who must have the greatest weight of the world on his shoulders which could possibly initiate a break-down. Situations like this are unavoidable, but truly devastating when unfortunately they do happen. I sincerely hope that their families, friends and any one connected with these two people seek professional help, as it will be a long road for them all. RIP. Geoff. x

Bronson83 Don't know where to turn...
  • replies: 2

I'm 31 years old and recently had to leave my job due to the immense stress having such a huge effect on my mental health. It wasn't planned and I left without having any sort of back up in place and now my poor wife is stressing out like crazy. I've... View more

I'm 31 years old and recently had to leave my job due to the immense stress having such a huge effect on my mental health. It wasn't planned and I left without having any sort of back up in place and now my poor wife is stressing out like crazy. I've applied for so many jobs I can't even remember them and the only 'interview' I have had so far was a shitty recruitment company trying to flog some government funded course at me.My wife is supportive and hasn't done anything to further the stress, in fact shes been looking up jobs for me as well and I've applied to any she forwards me, but I still feel souseless and have recently started developing some serious self-loathing. The last few days in between applying for jobs and dropping off resumes I've spent curled up on the couch sobbing and contemplating just ending everything. I don't understand why I feel this way but it's the only thoughts that seem to bring me any comfort at the moment and the worst part is I don't have any good reason to feel this way.What do I do? Who can I talk to?? I've tried talking to my wife but I just made her feel terrible and she thinks she has done something wrong. I already take medication for my depression but I've never felt this low before....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.

Gomez Depression and anxiety severe...feeling hopelss
  • replies: 7

Hey people. have struggled and mostly controlled depression/anxiety for many years. It's always in the background but have used exercise, routine, distraction etc to get thru. Despite several hospitalisations and follow up with psychiatrists I have n... View more

Hey people. have struggled and mostly controlled depression/anxiety for many years. It's always in the background but have used exercise, routine, distraction etc to get thru. Despite several hospitalisations and follow up with psychiatrists I have never done well on any anti-d's. I also have hashimoto's (hypothyroid) and initially had some success with armour thyroid. For the past week i have slowly begun a crash which is now beyond anything I have experienced before. Whilst the main symptoms are extreme depression , anxiety/ agitation+++ and debilitating fatigue, I somehow feel it is related to adrenal fatigue. I have been to a Gp who couldn't get me out of the office quick enough. i have a appt with my thyroid specialist tomorrow which I only got by pleading. Point is ...I am struggling to get through each minute and just feel like I can't make it through. Desperate for relief but don't know where to turn or what to do

heather92 I feel like I'm letting people down
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm 22 and have been suffering from depression for a bit over a year. I've had a tendency to get down on myself since high school but basically I had a big professional opportunity get cancelled due to circumstances completely out of anyone's con... View more

Hi, I'm 22 and have been suffering from depression for a bit over a year. I've had a tendency to get down on myself since high school but basically I had a big professional opportunity get cancelled due to circumstances completely out of anyone's control which acted as the major trigger. In the month or so following I moved back to Sydney from Brisbane leaving behind a group of friends who were around all the time and moved back in with my parents who had just decided to get a divorce. So I basically went from an amazing living situation to a really toxic and unpleasant one, and I couldn't move out as I was unemployed. Around the middle of this year things started to turn around - Dad moved out and got his own place in May or so, I got a job, and I am hoping to have another chance at the opportunity I missed out on this year - although there is still a chance it will fall through again. I had a few sessions with a counsellor who suggested I try St John's Wort to help with my depression and it worked well for me. But there have been times when I forgot to take the pills for sometimes extended periods of time and during those periods I get really frustrated with myself that I even need to be taking pills to feel happy. Does anyone else who's taken antidepressants feel like this? When my depression first hit last year it significantly impacted my studies - I scraped through my exams but ended up not submitting a major assignment that I needed to finish my degree. I lost all motivation and I am still suffering from that now. I tried to take one subject this semester and have had no motivation to study at all. I'm so angry with myself because my parents have been so supportive of me while I have been studying and I feel like I'm letting them and myself down and I'm worried that my poor performance is going to impact on my post uni options. I haven't told them just how much my studies have been impacted because I feel so ashamed. I don't really know what to do. I just feel... lost. My self esteem is at an all time low, I'm questioning my ability to pursue the career I want and just feel like I'm failing the people I care about.

JustTiffanyxo More bad days than good...
  • replies: 5

I'm finding that I am having more 'bad' days than 'good' at the moment. If I get too overwhelmed or even angry, I cry. Sometimes hysterically. It's like I have no control. My actions (the crying) doesn't convey how I'm really feeling. It makes me fee... View more

I'm finding that I am having more 'bad' days than 'good' at the moment. If I get too overwhelmed or even angry, I cry. Sometimes hysterically. It's like I have no control. My actions (the crying) doesn't convey how I'm really feeling. It makes me feel weak. It makes me hate myself. It feels like I'm stuck in this huge hole and I can't get out. You know? I nearly get to the top and then something happens and I fall back down again. But that's depression isn't it? Nasty thing it is. Oh well. Just writing down thoughts.

Breakeven I'm Not Sure If I'm Depressed Or Just Downright . . . Weak
  • replies: 2

A bit about myself before April/May 2014 -> I'm 22, I work full time in a call centre, the pay is really good, I have a loving boyfriend - soon to be fiance, I'm days away from picking up my first BMW, I go to church every Sunday, I go to the gym, I ... View more

A bit about myself before April/May 2014 -> I'm 22, I work full time in a call centre, the pay is really good, I have a loving boyfriend - soon to be fiance, I'm days away from picking up my first BMW, I go to church every Sunday, I go to the gym, I have about six loyal friends that have my back no matter what, I have a family that I love and would do anything for. I don't understand why even with all this I'm struggling to be happy let alone content. My dad works overseas in Iraq for a defence organisation in the counter terrorism field operations and intelligence division. He's been doing this ever since I was 7. My family and I only see him twice in a year and whenever he comes home - we drop everything to go spend time together as a family. My family and I are very close. Every time he goes back - I've noticed the same behavioural and psychological patterns. I don't feel motivated to go to work, I'm sick, I phase out, I stop caring about bills, commitments, my friends etc. Especially the last two months I've gradually started to take more and more days off work. My dad visited the country and left four weeks ago. I've been off work for the past three weeks. Some days I pull a sicky when I'm not sick but not lately. I've had a cold, really bad headaches, bleeding noses twice a day, indigestion and days where I feel like my chest could cave in. Work used to be enjoyable. Church is now a time filler for my Sundays, I'm short tempered, emotional, easily angered, tired all the time, I cry about the little things, I'm insensitive, rude and just "whatever" with life and people. An incident at work that occurred in May2014 I know set me back a bit. I was one of the best in my role. I now doubt my ability to perform certain tasks at work, I stress about work and I'm cautious and anxious always trying to keep on the safe side in fear that I'll lose my job. I've cut some friends off because there was unnecessary drama and I don't have time for it. I'm confused. I don't know why I don't care anymore. I dont know why I can't force myself to go to work. I feel stressed, angry, sad and sick at the thought of going to work the next day. I don't understand why I have literally everything but I feel like I've got nothing but my family and my boyfriend. My family and I we all live in different suburbs, states, countries but even when I'm with my family i feel slightly happier but only because I'm not lonely. Am I depressed? Or do I just need to harden up? Help me

mc1622 Feeling completely alone and like giving up
  • replies: 12

This is my first time since I was a kid that I've tried to reach out but I'm at the point where I know I need to talk to someone. I moved to Australia 2 years ago from Canada and it seems like a constant struggle since day one. I gave up everything I... View more

This is my first time since I was a kid that I've tried to reach out but I'm at the point where I know I need to talk to someone. I moved to Australia 2 years ago from Canada and it seems like a constant struggle since day one. I gave up everything I had back home to be with my partner here and although I love him very much, it's becoming extremely overwhelming. I haven't met any friends, his family and I don't get along although I have tried everything and it's become a wedge between us. I recently lost my job leaving me with zero income with adult responsibilities still to pay for, found out that my partner (after a year and a bit of being here he finally decided to come clean after being confronted numerous times) had cheated on me 3 times when we lived together in Canada and he lied to me about everything. I feel completely isolated and alone and when I get upset I need to walk away to avoid massive blow outs. I have pre existing depression and anxiety and it's increasingly getting worse every day. Sometimes I will just start crying and not have a reason that I can explain to anyone to have them understand. I have no one to talk to and feel like every time my partner and I try to discuss anything, it's turned around on me that I'm the one with the problem. It's hard enough to make friends as an adult but I feel with my anxiety that it's next to impossible. I've always felt like I'm a strong individual but inside I'm struggling to survive. I have next to zero trust in any one due to previous abuse (multiple types) from friends and family as a child continuing on to adulthood. The current relationship trust issues are extremely hard to get over. I feel hard headed in trying to stick up for myself but am always brought down and made to feel like it was my fault somehow. I feel like after losing my job (I have been looking non stop for a new one), that I am worthless and can't contribute to anything that I'd like to and that I'm just a burden. My defence mechanisms have become anger I guess...I get so upset when I feel like I've been wronged and in my head it clicks in to "well, why did you trust them anyways?" and I get angry with myself that I let it happen. I don't know where to start to deal with any of it other than to write it down like I have here...and if anyone does reply, than it's an added bonus haha RELATED THREADS Anxiety - feeling alone, like I am going crazy I feel nothing and I don't care about anything anymore Can't stop crying for no reason Feeling alone and stuck Feeling alone, now realise I'm not the only one

HoneymoonErin In so deep :/
  • replies: 3

I'm so deep in my depression, I don't do anything anymore.... like at all. I don;t eat, sleep, do assignments, do the things I used to love and I gave up on my dream of singing a few months ago. I can't seem to get myself above it. I am under extreme... View more

I'm so deep in my depression, I don't do anything anymore.... like at all. I don;t eat, sleep, do assignments, do the things I used to love and I gave up on my dream of singing a few months ago. I can't seem to get myself above it. I am under extreme pressure to the point where I don't want to wake up in the morning and go to school. I'm always handing stuff in late and the thing is I just dont care, My grades are sucking and I want to do something about it but I can't....Does anyone have an suggestions on how I can cope with the pressure and so i can do the things I love again? 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.