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

cv02 I am ok today
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I've posted here a few times when I've felt depressed and helpless and realised that I only ever post about severe lows and never when I'm ok. So, even though I doubt anyone cares - I am ok today. Will I have an episode in the future? Maybe. ... View more

Hi all, I've posted here a few times when I've felt depressed and helpless and realised that I only ever post about severe lows and never when I'm ok. So, even though I doubt anyone cares - I am ok today. Will I have an episode in the future? Maybe. But not today. Today I feel ok. And to be honest it feels good knowing that there are times when I'm ok.

Kitty88 What to do?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I haven't wrote in a while but I'm struggling, so much has been happening and I've just been trying to keep the brave face but it's hard now.... My health is still crap I've been in and out of hospital all year for my heart and lungs. And now my ... View more

Hi, I haven't wrote in a while but I'm struggling, so much has been happening and I've just been trying to keep the brave face but it's hard now.... My health is still crap I've been in and out of hospital all year for my heart and lungs. And now my 5year old has been told he most likely needs another operation on his kidney! I feel so defeated, I don't want him to suffer or to hate me for making him have it if he needs too! The last few weeks I have drunk myself into a lot of debt over this and alot of things and now I don't know what to do... I have failed as a parent come next week I won't have no money... how could I let myself get to this? I'm a freaking failure! My son deserves better! I don't think I can do this anymore, he deserves way better then me...

Kat555 What if you lack motivation to change ?
  • replies: 2

I am a woman in my 30s and things have going on for a while i know. I have sought help from psychology but I feel all i get often is " do breathing exercises" and " get up and start doing what you love" etc. It's all great in theory but it just doesn... View more

I am a woman in my 30s and things have going on for a while i know. I have sought help from psychology but I feel all i get often is " do breathing exercises" and " get up and start doing what you love" etc. It's all great in theory but it just doesn't work for me, I don't understand why? I feel like its a lack of motivation on an extreme. I am quite isolated as i moved to another country 10 years ago and except for my partner and my child, I feel i have failed to make meaningful friendships or to have a support network, so I have been living in the name of him and our child and now going somewhere alone feels sort of daunting or pointless even though I know, this is needed such as going to some exercise class, to improve my self-confidence. Like i feel that i won't really need anyone else but them but I know he needs his time on the other hand i expect him to be my support in everything and I know it is exhausting for him. I constantly feel like other people out there have their friend's circles and activities they do but i feel like I don't belong. Something is holding me back from going out there and doing things by myself and making myself feel better and I don't understand what it is. I know people say "Just go do it" Well if it was that easy i would have and i feel like i am letting myself down constantly yet can not pinpoint what is holding me back. Its worth mentioning that I am working almost 60 hours a week every week and I constantly struggle with time and exhaustion. Unfortunately, this is also something that I can not change at this point of time due to financial responsibilities. I am also constantly worried that something bad might happen to our child, if I am not there, like no one else would not know how to protect him better. I do not want to take any medication unless its something on the natural side. I constantly miss my home, my family and my country and the support network i had there. Its a mess and I am not sure what to do. I was hoping that there might have been people in similar situations who could share some practical tips. Thank you kindly

pinkkookaburra99 No one believes me?
  • replies: 7

I’m wondering if anything similar has occured for people with high-functioning depression such as myself. None of my family have noticed anything about my illness, despite both my parents having psychology degrees. None of my friends noticed anything... View more

I’m wondering if anything similar has occured for people with high-functioning depression such as myself. None of my family have noticed anything about my illness, despite both my parents having psychology degrees. None of my friends noticed anything either. I had a counsellor at uni, she was lovely, I think she is the only person who believes that I am really struggling right now. She got me to fill out this rubric/checklist thingy and it came out that I was extremely severely anxious, extremely severely stressed and extremely severely depressed. I literally could not have scored any higher. When I gave my GP this form he just said ‘It looks like you were having a bad day’. BAD DAY? SERIOUSLY? This is my life always!! I’d been asking for ages for a mental health care plan, and he only gave me one after my uni counsellor wrote him a letter, and I could tell he was pretty reluctant. I still don’t think he thinks I’m doing that badly. not to mention, when I finally worked up the courage to let my friends know what was going on they were so surprised! And they’d say stuff like ‘you seem fine’ or ‘you’re not that bad right?’ And at this point I just find it ridiculous. How bad do I have to be before people start taking me seriously? How can it be that I struggle with severe depression and anxiety and NO ONE around me believes me? Sorry I know this is a bit of a rant. I just wanna know if I’m the only one this has happened to

Al-i-w-ie depression
  • replies: 2

i think i have depression my family has even said i look depressed i just feel off i have never been like this but i think i have it i know i might sound weird but yeah

i think i have depression my family has even said i look depressed i just feel off i have never been like this but i think i have it i know i might sound weird but yeah

Lilly18 Zero hope
  • replies: 7

Resorting to alcohol because I’m so numb and depressed. The last few months I have hardly left my bed everything is too hard. Really feeling like a hopeless, helpless idiot. I can’t look at myself. Came on here for some reason, desperation maybe

Resorting to alcohol because I’m so numb and depressed. The last few months I have hardly left my bed everything is too hard. Really feeling like a hopeless, helpless idiot. I can’t look at myself. Came on here for some reason, desperation maybe

23_56 carer burnout
  • replies: 4

I'm a carer of a 13 year old severely autistic kid. I'm beginning to realise I may be suffering from burnout or depression or both, I don't know.I feel trapped, that I have no life and I don't honestly remember the last time i was truely happy.I'm no... View more

I'm a carer of a 13 year old severely autistic kid. I'm beginning to realise I may be suffering from burnout or depression or both, I don't know.I feel trapped, that I have no life and I don't honestly remember the last time i was truely happy.I'm not suicidal. I'm not sure where to start to sort myself out. I suppose going to the doctor would be the first thing. Guess i actually know, just needed to "say" it out loud.

Alel How do you accept your life?
  • replies: 3

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression 2 months ago. I am taking medication and seeing a psychiatrist. But I also know that I'll go through these types of depressive and anxious epidosed for the rest of my life. How do I accept that I'll ... View more

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression 2 months ago. I am taking medication and seeing a psychiatrist. But I also know that I'll go through these types of depressive and anxious epidosed for the rest of my life. How do I accept that I'll have multiple relapses for the rest of my life? That itll always be there and I just need to live with it? How?

AnimalLover2 Depression
  • replies: 15

Hello, it’s been a while since I last posted, just too flat to even talk to anyone. I keep going to bed at every opportunity again. Still caring for my elderly mother and grandchildren but underneath all I can think about is when I can go back to my ... View more

Hello, it’s been a while since I last posted, just too flat to even talk to anyone. I keep going to bed at every opportunity again. Still caring for my elderly mother and grandchildren but underneath all I can think about is when I can go back to my room. On days off I stay in bed all day, no enthusiasm to even take a shower etc. does anyone else out there ever feel the same way?

Giggyy persistent depression is killing me
  • replies: 9

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I alway... View more

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I always end up feeling empty and exhausted all the time. I cant keep up with my studying and my living space is a total mess. I feel like my only friends are slipping away from me because I am so hopeless and it annoys them to see me looking so miserable all the time, they try to cheer me up but i am beyond help and i can see them getting irritated. they dont talk to me much anymore and they are all i have left. I am so tired and I feel like my life is already over and Im just waiting for the end, I just want to feel happy because I truly dont seem to remember what its like