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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

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GreenEgg Sad
  • replies: 3

I’m feeling really sad, like I’m just a burden and everyone would be better off without me. It’s my birthday and I just want to disappear.

I’m feeling really sad, like I’m just a burden and everyone would be better off without me. It’s my birthday and I just want to disappear.

Caly Too sad
  • replies: 2

Today is really bad. Overwhelming. Not coping well 

Today is really bad. Overwhelming. Not coping well 

DeepBlue1771 Healing support/meetup groups
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any support groups where people going through depression or healing from something can meet up on a regular basis to just share company and provide support to each other? Posting on forums ... View more

Hello everyone, I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any support groups where people going through depression or healing from something can meet up on a regular basis to just share company and provide support to each other? Posting on forums is great but it doesn't replace human face-to-face company, and many people can't afford to attend counselling.

Luckylukyno Sleep Anxiety lead to depression. How do I fix it?
  • replies: 2

For my whole life I have struggled with sleep and it's not until the last year or so where I haven't slept at all. I would sleep for maybe 4 hours ever couple of days for a week and then I would not sleep for 7 to 8 weeks straight, it would then repe... View more

For my whole life I have struggled with sleep and it's not until the last year or so where I haven't slept at all. I would sleep for maybe 4 hours ever couple of days for a week and then I would not sleep for 7 to 8 weeks straight, it would then repeat for the whole year. It is not a choice, it's anxiety. I don't know what to do and im terrified that i wont be able to sleep again. The fear engrosses me. I feel like this is what's caused my depression. I never want to do anything, yet I feel so lonely, i feel it in my stomach. Another factor that's possible caused my depression is alienation from my family and friends...to anyone who has been through a similar experience, i understand, you are not alone and it is important that we help each other through hard times.

TheUndertaker Struggling for many years
  • replies: 3

Looking to share and discuss my depression. Overload of expectations (probably not real, just in my head) and being isolated working from home causes me to struggle and progressively shutdown. The problem is I need the income and security. The challe... View more

Looking to share and discuss my depression. Overload of expectations (probably not real, just in my head) and being isolated working from home causes me to struggle and progressively shutdown. The problem is I need the income and security. The challenge is to get out of bed, motivate myself and regain confidence because of a crippling and irrational fear of failure. Have taken anti-depressants and mood stabilisers for 10 years, do they work. Definitely, just expect too much from them. I am hoping to chat and read other people’s challenges it will bring me back to reality

Lillifee Denial
  • replies: 2

Hi,I've got a chronically ill child. The situation has sent me spiralling down into a place I could have never imagined.Now, almost 3 weeks into medication, I can feel something is shifting, and it scares me. Part of me wants to stay under water, whe... View more

Hi,I've got a chronically ill child. The situation has sent me spiralling down into a place I could have never imagined.Now, almost 3 weeks into medication, I can feel something is shifting, and it scares me. Part of me wants to stay under water, where the feelings are muffled and I don't have to face it.NOT referring to suic here. Just merely wondering how to improve, if I kinda mentally refuse to....

prayingandhopeful Anxiety spiralling out of control
  • replies: 4

I had my youngest child 10 and a half months ago, suffered a bit of baby blues and anxiety with him. Just as I felt like I was on the cusp of coming out of it then BAM.. pregnant again, 8 months post partum. I instantly knew I would not be able to ha... View more

I had my youngest child 10 and a half months ago, suffered a bit of baby blues and anxiety with him. Just as I felt like I was on the cusp of coming out of it then BAM.. pregnant again, 8 months post partum. I instantly knew I would not be able to handle another baby as I already have 4 children so I had a surgical termination and had mirena inserted at the same time. During the time between me finding out about the pregnancy to having the procedure done, I beat myself up internally about it, negative self talk, guilt etc.. then after it was done, I felt.. NOTHING.. for about two weeks. I guess I tried to block all my emotions out to try and protect myself from the guilt I feel about the termination.Since then I’ve noticed my mental health deteriorate quite rapidly and dramatically. I started noticing really low moods, not wanting to do anything, anxiety over just about everything, don’t wanna leave the house, feeling overwhelmed over the smallest of tasks, my hair is falling out, found out my eldest was being bullied and was paralysed with fear for him! I’m simply just functioning to keep my kids alive and nothing else really.. everything else is too hard.So I saw my GP today, and let it all out to her but I felt like I wasn’t being heard. The response I got was “yeah you have anxiety and depression but being a mum comes with stress, so see a psychologist, learn better ways to cope with stress and pick up a hobbie” (long story short). She completely ruled out medication for me as well.I feel like I’m spiralling down a deep dark hole of anxiety and depression. I have good moments of course, but I’m a shell of the person I once was and I’m struggling.I can’t afford the psychologist fees even with the Medicare rebate after doing some research this afternoon on drs orders, and I’m more anxious than I was before.I don’t know what to do and I guess I’m reaching out to you guys for other options?

cookiesandcream No motivation to do anything
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I saw my GP today finally, I'm addressing that I am depressed. I mean, I can go to work ok, and I'm thankful to have work, and I do talk to my work friends, albeit I'm sometimes anxious, I can't make conversation first, I mull over what to sa... View more

Hi all, I saw my GP today finally, I'm addressing that I am depressed. I mean, I can go to work ok, and I'm thankful to have work, and I do talk to my work friends, albeit I'm sometimes anxious, I can't make conversation first, I mull over what to say and I quite often think I must sound boring. I'm depressed with my life, I keep pulling out of my Uni degree because I don't feel 'good' or 'smart' enough. I have completed 1 year of uni, but I now feel stuck, and feel like I'm useless and can't do it, and so then I pull out, to only then berate myself that 'why can't I just do it like other people, what is wrong with me'? I feel stupid and worthless and dumb. My life has been hectic. We (my husband and I) have been bankrupt twice, we now live with my mum, I have a job that I can no longer progress in, because I can't move forward with my study. At the moment, I feel so unmotivated to do anything other than go to work, I can't get motivated to go to the gym (I have a membership that I don't use enough) and then I berate myself for being lazy and scared that I'll get fat I'm scared to take medication but possibly I need it to help me. Why can't I just be happy with my life?? I'm so hard on myself that I should be more, I should be doing more with my life and then I just call myself dumb that I'm incapable of succeeding. Any words of wisdom to help me get over this hurdle and just enjoy my life and be grateful for where I' am in my life, I may never finish my degree, but I don't know if I'll EVER BE HAPPY WITH THIS.

CB81 Managing depression at work
  • replies: 1

I’ve had depression most of my life. My meds now are pretty good but I recently started a new job and I’m struggling with constant anxiety. I’ve been given good feedback but I just find the pace and constant Teams pinging and multi tasking so drainin... View more

I’ve had depression most of my life. My meds now are pretty good but I recently started a new job and I’m struggling with constant anxiety. I’ve been given good feedback but I just find the pace and constant Teams pinging and multi tasking so draining. Working from home helps. How do I control my emotions and stress at work? Office life just seems so draining and demoralising.