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

bel1701 Ive been dealing with depression for ten years or more
  • replies: 4

Im so sick of it, bringing me down, im not able to do anything because it feels like its controling me. Help.

Im so sick of it, bringing me down, im not able to do anything because it feels like its controling me. Help.

Lweezuk Work life depression balance
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm 28 and have been suffering with depression since my late teens. I'm currently on medication but just in the process of switching. I've been in Australia for just over a year and thought a move away from my old life in England would make me "be... View more

Hi I'm 28 and have been suffering with depression since my late teens. I'm currently on medication but just in the process of switching. I've been in Australia for just over a year and thought a move away from my old life in England would make me "better" but hence feelings have just travelled and I feel isolated from my friends at home. I've been in a really bad place for about 3-4 months now really urging myself to think positive but struggling to drag myself out of my "pit". Sometimes I feel like I want to scream and cry all at once and still this won't represent my thoughts. My work are great but I've been taking a lot of time off recently unable to motivate myself to get to work or bursting into tears at my desk. I feel like a burden. Some days I feel good and on my "down days" im worried my colleagues think I'm overreacting or being dramatic. I have my sister here in Melbourne but I push her away a lot not wanting to drag her into my mood. I'm going through through a relationship breakdown because he doesn't understand my depression. I wish I knew what to do for the best. Louise

Zebra Depressed
  • replies: 5

I've been suffering from depression for about 4 years now and didn't realise just how bad it was or that I even had it until I took an online quiz and read other peoples stories on beyond blue. The thing is I didn't have an major traumatic experience... View more

I've been suffering from depression for about 4 years now and didn't realise just how bad it was or that I even had it until I took an online quiz and read other peoples stories on beyond blue. The thing is I didn't have an major traumatic experience that caused my depression. My husband had been working FIFO at the time and had been doing it for 2 years at the time my depression started. At first I thought I was just feeling lonely and was missing him that's why I was feeling down but even after he came back for good I never got better. It's been 4 years now since I first realised I was depressed and I can't seem to break free from it. I used to be a very happy and bubbly person who used to enjoy going out and having a good time. Now I don't go anywhere I have no enjoyment in anything and just about find everything I do exhausting and a task even something as simple as going to the corner store which is literally down the road. I have no patience for anything or anyone. When my husband wants to take me out to dinner I get anxiety I don't wanna leave the house. I'm so unhappy I feel like nothing I do is good, I feel worthless, guilty about everything and nothing at the same time even though I haven't done anything wrong to anyone. I'm worried that my marriage is going down because of it, my husband is supportive but not in the way I need him to be because I can see how annoyed he is getting especially when he suggests we go out and do things and I always say no ALWAYS. I really hate myself for being like this with him but I can't control it I really really can't. I don't have any thoughts of suicide, thank god but I really am unhappy.

Ianian ASD and a downward spiral
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm not sure what to post here to be honest, or what to say. I've got ASD with side orders of major depressive and anxiety disorders... I came off my medication a few months ago and have had a slow downward spiral ever since, to the point where I... View more

Hi, I'm not sure what to post here to be honest, or what to say. I've got ASD with side orders of major depressive and anxiety disorders... I came off my medication a few months ago and have had a slow downward spiral ever since, to the point where I've been in tears at work for no reason at all and have been panicking that - for some unknown, unspecified reason - I am going to lose my job. I've always fought my own battles - I have no family to speak of and my wifecan' t cope... she will be there for me but she can't help me through. But now I am working FIFO I can't fight it on my own, there's no escape. I've rung EAP and seen the site doctor who wanted to send me home because he thought I was (am) going to do something to myself... I convinced him (and my manager and my manager's manager) to let me stay. I need to keep busy and working; if I get sent home I will be just sitting there isolated from my workmates and with little support. As I wrote before, I'm not sure what I am doing posting here. Perhaps it just helps getting it out. I have difficulty communicating what is going on in my head to people. I have been speaking to counsellors etc. but I am not sure that I have got it across properly. I have some good friends here on site who have been going out of their way to help and understand which is great, however I also feel guilty about that, being a burden etc. I have found myself disguising it again if I am not doing well so I don't worry them or be an inconvenience. Stupid, I know, but I feel really naked and exposed and it feels like everyone knows about what's going on. It is a long, dark road. At times, like now, I don't know if it is worth travelling.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.

JaeS Needing a break?
  • replies: 2

Hi, so I have been dealing with Depression and Anxiety for about 5 years now, since I was 16. I am now a 21 year old male, my mental problems I had gotten under control pretty well for the past 3 or so years, still having occasional attacks. Recently... View more

Hi, so I have been dealing with Depression and Anxiety for about 5 years now, since I was 16. I am now a 21 year old male, my mental problems I had gotten under control pretty well for the past 3 or so years, still having occasional attacks. Recently, within the last month I have fallen back completely into my depression, sometimes not leaving my bed or bedroom for days straight. I have had my roommate/friends come wake me up cuz it was 4:30pm, I couldn't get to sleep all night, til 12pm that day. What this post is about, is I just feel so lonely, stressed and depressed all the time. What I am wondering is, is it wrong of me to want to badly go into a mental rehab, only for a few weeks. Just so I can have a break? I don't want to have to worry about if I can afford to pay rent, or that 6 month over due bill. Or my career not going right, or the fact I can't go a day without drinking or getting high.. I started self harming again too.. Is it wrong of me to want to have this break? I have not been into a mental rehab as I hide my problems quite well. But I would think the people who visit are able to have a rest from life.. Again, is it wrong for me to want this..?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.

AshN117 Struggling
  • replies: 4

I am 26 with depression. Lately with my financial and social issues it's become a real chore to continue day to day life. I lost my job that I really enjoyed four months ago and I am still unemployed. Between juggling bills, rent etc finances are ver... View more

I am 26 with depression. Lately with my financial and social issues it's become a real chore to continue day to day life. I lost my job that I really enjoyed four months ago and I am still unemployed. Between juggling bills, rent etc finances are very thin and I do not know how I'm going to feed myself until the next centrelink payment. I am applying for work but I always get knocked back, sometimes without explanation. All this stress is becoming too much and I am afraid that I will collapse under all this pressure. RELATED THREADS Broke? Oh that rotten feeling Young, unemployed and feeling useless Unemployed and lacking motivation Unemployed, thinking about the future New father, unemployed, on medication

MisterM Don't have friends, feel so alone and desperate
  • replies: 8

Hi All,I am new to this forum.I don't know what to do my life is completely messed up.I am a 30 year old male and have been diagnosed with anxiety and dysthymia after going to see a psychologist late in 2012.I was attending regular sessions up until ... View more

Hi All,I am new to this forum.I don't know what to do my life is completely messed up.I am a 30 year old male and have been diagnosed with anxiety and dysthymia after going to see a psychologist late in 2012.I was attending regular sessions up until early this year as I wasn't getting anywhere and felt my psychologist got fed up with me not doing what he told me to do to improve things. I have one good friend who I've been close to for about 12 years now but we don't see each other as often as we used to due to the busy life he lives (work, pursuing a music career, and long time partner). We catch up maybe once every 2-3 months if that, sometimes longer. However we have regular contact online and he or I will call to have a catch up over the phone.Apart from my good friend, I don't have anyone else and no social life as a result.I have never had many friends throughout my life, in school I wasn't very popular and cool to be with and felt I wasn't really accepted by people I hung out with after high school. From the age of 18-19 to about 25 I had a small number of friends but we just drifted apart and also I cut some out of my life, and feel I have been shunned.I don't know why I have never had a group of friends. I am shy but there are other shy types with friends. I am kind to people and down to earth so I just can't work out why I don't attract friends.I have former friends and people I have met on Facebook, they are pretty much internet friends. I can see how most have gotten married, had kids, are engaged, bought a home. Pretty much everyone is getting on with life and I am stuck and have been stuck going nowhere for years now.I have never had a girlfriend and still live at home with my elderly parents as I could not afford to move into a house I bought 3 years ago.I am renting it out and was hoping to find a higher paying job so I could afford to live in my home but I failed at all attempts. I have suicidal thoughts often, I live in constant terror of being alone. I don' t know what to do, I fear death but also life. I am stuck in a vicious cycle, I am afraid to meet new people or go on dates because of the shame I have of not having friends.A few days ago I got invited by an artist to an art exhibition this week where she will be displaying her artwork. We got in contact after I contacted her on Facebook after seeing an article on her in my local paper.However I can't bring myself to reply to her email to say I will go because I feel like such a loser.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.

Julieeb Does anyone else have dysthymia ?
  • replies: 5

I had a double depression as I have now just realised I've suffered dysthymia for 6years. Always just feel flat for no reason and when good things happen I never get as excited or happy as I should or as others do. It turned into double depression th... View more

I had a double depression as I have now just realised I've suffered dysthymia for 6years. Always just feel flat for no reason and when good things happen I never get as excited or happy as I should or as others do. It turned into double depression three months ago when I had a big episode of depression. I don't hear or see much about dysthymia and wanted to know if anyone else has it or has had it and have they felt anti depressants helped? I am on anti depressants currently trailing a higher dose and go back to my phyc next week to see if it needs increased. Because I have had dysthymia for so long does that mean it takes ages to go away? Any adivce would be appreciated. I have a place in my heart for everyone and anyone suffering depression - it is a real monster! SIMILAR POSTS Dysthymia - I'm newly diagnosed Doctors and dysthymia Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) I came across dysthymia online yesterday and I think it fits Dysthymia and chronic illness

banksmaree realization
  • replies: 8

The pastt week I've finally come to terms with the thought I have depression. I hate myself, am never happy, keep pushing people away, especially the ones who mean the most to me, and never want to do anything anymore. I've been fighting with my boyf... View more

The pastt week I've finally come to terms with the thought I have depression. I hate myself, am never happy, keep pushing people away, especially the ones who mean the most to me, and never want to do anything anymore. I've been fighting with my boyfriend so bad. And it was one of them fights that I realised and finally admitted to myself, and him. I just dont know where to go from here. I just want to get back to the old me

Alastairt having one of my bad days again. flushing my brain onto you guys
  • replies: 4

well another crap week of work is over again . felt like once again i didnt achieve anything like my life is in this kind of spiral that just doesnt end. everyday i think about which song i want played at my funeral as i dont want someone to play som... View more

well another crap week of work is over again . felt like once again i didnt achieve anything like my life is in this kind of spiral that just doesnt end. everyday i think about which song i want played at my funeral as i dont want someone to play something i dont like it would annoy me ( i wonder when we die if we will be at our own funerals in spirit?) . the thing is i hate being sad all the time but if for whatever someone could make me happy and well i really dont know if i would want that either? .everyday i wonder if it will be the last one i have on earth. im to scared of the pain of suicide so it isnt an option for me . i really hate the human race at times though i feel if i was dying in the middle of a busy street people would be to busy to stop and help me and walk right past me. people on this planet really need to learn to spend time with one another rather than watch tv and sit on facebook. at times i actually wonder if im the one with mental health issues ? thanks again alastair