Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

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

Start a discussion

FAQ

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

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

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

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

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: 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

Start a discussion

Elephant86 Possibilities for work life balence
  • replies: 0

It is important to work and earn an income so you can support yourself and your family to make a better life for yourself but sometime we work so hard at the detrement to our health and wellbeing . I will talk about what are some ways you can look af... View more

It is important to work and earn an income so you can support yourself and your family to make a better life for yourself but sometime we work so hard at the detrement to our health and wellbeing . I will talk about what are some ways you can look after yourself so you can have a wonderful long lived career so you don't run yourself under ground to early in your career. when you think about it what do you really want out of life do you want to be over worked at the detrement to your health or do you want to strike a balence between your health and your work you can still work to your potential at work without destroying your health. We are programed to think that if I work and make a million dolars I will be happy and content. I beleive that you need to work to earn a living. I think you need to work to help your family and support the community. I think it is important to put family first and be there at your childs soccer game or your daughters dance resital. It is important to not let work consume your every waking moment. You must find ways to stay healthy and fit and strong for example finding and starting your exercise regimealways pick and exercise that fits in woth work and family commitments and make time to look after yourself so you can look after your family and live a long prosperous life so you are able to be there at your daughter or sons wedding to celebrate life and not to let lifes difficulties destroy you. I will share a personal experience to explain why it is important to have work life balence. Last year I had a bipolar episode and the doctor told me you are doing to many things at once you need to pick a few things and do it well you are more likely to be successful at a few things. There is the fable about the fox and the rabbit The fox decided well I will do six things and worked on them but didn't get anything right. Then there was the rabbit who said I want to grow a vegie patch so he toiled and focused on being a farmer and focused of his vegie patch and by spring he sold all his vegtables and was able to feed his family through the winter. There is a principle by Malcolm gladwell that states if you pick one thing and do it for 10 000 hour you will eventually become and expert. If you pick 5 things you will run out of time and you will be spread to thin and probably get sick like I did. This is the lesson I wish to pass on to you to hopfully make a difference There is the buddism law of eqinimity also known as balence to bring harmony

marc25 My problem
  • replies: 5

It’s been difficult time for many many years now, and I’m still trying to change myself. When I was very young I use to go to my uncle house. He has 4 step daughter that age between middle teen and their middle 20s, which i became very close with. I’... View more

It’s been difficult time for many many years now, and I’m still trying to change myself. When I was very young I use to go to my uncle house. He has 4 step daughter that age between middle teen and their middle 20s, which i became very close with. I’m innocent and very friendly back then and I like adventure, l love everyone. I don’t like to stay home because my mum was very strict, and being a child you always want to play or do anything outside . So I would sneak home to go out and play outside, even though the consequences would be harsh for me. I would play with my friends and always seek adventure and have fun. I’d stay with my uncle house and my cousins would spoil me with lollies and food and I love it. My aunt work full time and my uncle works overseas so I had my cousin all the time. I can not give the details here, but I had been molested at a very young age by those people I trust. I had a lot of bad experience because of my nature of being kind and friendly person at the very young age. And because of my bad experience, I’m so broken inside, I tried to be active go to church and everything but it’s seems it doesn’t work. Ad to this my porn addiction which I really hate so bad. I need help but I don’t believe someone will help me, I’m so sad and depressed. I don’t know how to fix myself and I scared to talk about this. Please help me

Sofreakinsad I’m too young to be this sad
  • replies: 1

Hi, So the last few years have been really awful. Cutting to the chase, I was held hostage and fell pregnant with my abusers baby. I lost my job and my house at the same time, and lockdowns were happening every five minutes in Victoria so there was n... View more

Hi, So the last few years have been really awful. Cutting to the chase, I was held hostage and fell pregnant with my abusers baby. I lost my job and my house at the same time, and lockdowns were happening every five minutes in Victoria so there was no way to really look for work in my field. I had to move back home with my abusive family and since then, everything has been hard. Every day is a challenge. I find myself hoping that I can just die peacefully in my sleep to avoid suffering another day. Then the guilt sets in because I have a 2 year old son who depends on me. I’m his only lifeline, so the pressure to make it is overwhelming. Living here has depleted my mental health lower than I could ever have imagined. When I say my family is abusive, I’m talking psychologically and emotionally. It’s the typical dysfunctional, ‘narcissistic’ hellhole that perhaps some are familiar with. The constant put downs, the constant scapegoating, the name calling, backstabbing, manipulation, it is all just so much. I’ve dealt with this my entire life and it just keeps getting worse. When I gave birth to my son, my own ‘mother’ called CPS on me because she wanted the attention on her and the baby would be taking that away. I’m so f****** angry at her, and the whole family for shrugging it off and being so unsupportive. They gaslighted me despite knowing what she did. That event, along with some other deplorable things I can’t include in 2500 characters, was enough to send me into serious PPD which I obviously have not recovered from. I have to try and grey rock her all the time just to keep her from amping up her harassment of me. I’m studying, I’m looking for work and a home for my son. I’m medicated, I’ve spoken to mental health professionals. I exercise, eat well, nothing helps. I’m also currently being dragged through the family court after the police filed an IVO against my ex for stalking me and he wants payback. The thought of co-parenting with him makes me sick, even though I have documented extensive evidence of his abuse. I’m 26 years old. I should be starting a career, I should be living independently. I should be happy. I guess I just needed to vent because that suffocating feeling is getting too much. And there’s not a person alive who I can physically speak with who offers any love, support or understanding. Apologies if you read this and it was all over the place. Tonight has been rather emotional.

Richju Post natal depression
  • replies: 2

My second child was born two years after his older brother. I had expected older brother to be potty trained by then, but he wasn't. Two lots of nappies was a lot of work for a young mother with no help. Added to this, my elder child was insanely jea... View more

My second child was born two years after his older brother. I had expected older brother to be potty trained by then, but he wasn't. Two lots of nappies was a lot of work for a young mother with no help. Added to this, my elder child was insanely jealous of his brother to the point where I feared leaving them alone in the same room.Lack of money and a total inability to accept any help from friends because 'I must do it by myself' led to severe depression and severe strain on my marriage.I felt like nothing and lost interest in everything, even my children. Looking back, my inability to accept help was a major problem. I was so very hard on myself that I made it hard for others to support me. I ended up seeing a psychiatrist, who told me not to worry so much!Antidepressants did not work for me, making me even more tired and compounding my feelings of inadequacy.I spent a considerable amount of time going over past hurts but, although my life had not been easy, I came to realise that we cannot undo our past but we can learn to be resilient from going through those experiences.Although my experience of depression was difficult, I learnt so much. My last episode was ten years ago. I meditate, I keep busy, socialise and exercise regularly. But, most of all, I gain satisfaction through supporting others to overcome their depression.

Ruby01 Everyday struggles
  • replies: 1

Over the years I have had many struggles in life with friends and family. I used to always live on the edge also, no fear with anything and would almost try everything no matter of the consequences. I always knew I was being destructive but had no co... View more

Over the years I have had many struggles in life with friends and family. I used to always live on the edge also, no fear with anything and would almost try everything no matter of the consequences. I always knew I was being destructive but had no control over my actions. Sometimes I go through phases where I think everyone is out to hurt me in some way. I have big trust issues and mostly am always fearful of being hurt. Before I get hurt I seem to lash out at that person first and make myself to be the bad person. I am a happy person normally I’m life, have recently felt I can control my manic stages but the lack of trust and lashing out at people who I care about is becoming a problem. I would do anything to help anyone and then get sad because people can’t reciprocate. I have problems of letting things go. I stew on them for days and put myself through so much pain. Try and work out different scenarios of how that could of gone better or what I could have said bwttwr to defend myself. My chest hurts most of the time and I am constantly fighting with my anxiety. I have been off Al my medication for over a year now and I think I can start to see a pattern of my issues. I don’t want to go back on medication I want to strengthen my mind to make better choices. I was diagnosed with Bipolar II some years ago. This may be the case but I always feel I have more PTSD from things that he loaned to me when I was in my teens. Does anybody else feel this way ? And how do you beat handle similar situations.

Myer How to help my son who has been under depression
  • replies: 2

My son moved out about a year and half ago. He came home to collect his belongings and stayed for about 10 minutes a year ago. He almost never spoke or texted me over the last one and half years. He read my text message in about a week after I sent h... View more

My son moved out about a year and half ago. He came home to collect his belongings and stayed for about 10 minutes a year ago. He almost never spoke or texted me over the last one and half years. He read my text message in about a week after I sent him until 2 months ago when he came back to collect his last piece of stuff. We had a good chat for about an hour. He told me a lot about his daily life. I got a feeling he was OK. He didn't have a job as he hadn't found one that he really liked. I was happily listening and wished him to find a job that he really liked one day. I invited him over to have lunch with his grandma on her birthday in Oct. He said OK. I was so glad he was OK. Last week a hospital called me and told me he was in hospital. Police sent him to the hospital as he tried to harm himself. I got there. He had his eyes closed, wouldn't look at me or talk. Hospital discharged him next day. I wanted to take him to my place. He wanted to go to his place. I took him to his place. He said he couldn't sleep at hospital and was very tired on the way to his place. I thought he was going to have a sleep. He turned on his computer and started something after he had a shower instead of sleeping after we got his place. I tried to have a conversation with him. He got his eyes closed and wouldn't talk. I must be saying wrong thing. I thought it was time for me to leave. I sent him a few messages to tell him how sorry I was for what had happened to him, how much I loved him, and I was willing to help him whenever he needed after I got home. He didn't read my messages until 5 days later and didn’t reply to me. I called him next day and asked him if I could visit him and have a lunch with him in a few days. He said "No". I really don't know what to do or say to make him feel better or help him to get better. I offered him an overseas trip with me, or I would pay a trip for him to wherever he wanted to visit. I thought that might help him a bit. He said ‘No’. Can anyone please give me some ideas what I can do to help him? He seems refuses any of my help. Thank you all.

POM86 Treatment to depression and ADHD
  • replies: 2

Hi,Due to complex PTSD that I didn't treat before, I've been struggling to treat my depression. I already have a psychiatrist for about 3 years who has been trying to help me with medication, but my depression is drowning me and he doesn't know how t... View more

Hi,Due to complex PTSD that I didn't treat before, I've been struggling to treat my depression. I already have a psychiatrist for about 3 years who has been trying to help me with medication, but my depression is drowning me and he doesn't know how to help me, as we've already tried lots of different meds and treatments. The case is that he's specialist in ADHD treatment and I was wondering if I should look for another psychiatrist specialist in depression and keep both doctors? My GP said that because I have a long and complex mental health issues and I'm taking lots of prescribed meds, she doesn't feel confident to change my treatment, once a psychiatrist would be more suitable to my case. I've tried different meds and therapy for quite a while, but I'm still struggling with the depression that is destroying my life. What you guys think about it? Any suggestions to help?

olderandwiser Can't get out of bed
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Thanks so much for sharing your difficult thoughts and feelings here. I haven't engaged with this forum for some years, but am looking for support today. I seem to be in a recurrence of pretty deadening depression, and have been feeling extre... View more

Hi all, Thanks so much for sharing your difficult thoughts and feelings here. I haven't engaged with this forum for some years, but am looking for support today. I seem to be in a recurrence of pretty deadening depression, and have been feeling extremely low and unmotivated for a number of weeks,finding it really lonely. Not sleeping until early hours of the morming, then finding it almost impossible to get out of bed until late afternoon. I recently quit my job, am 54 years old tomorrow, and feel like my life has no meaning or direction. Really hard to connect with people, or do the things that will make me feel better. Feels like no life.

josh88 I'm impacting everyone around me
  • replies: 3

I feel like such a burden on everyone at the moment. My partner is tired of my depression and constant low mood. All of our family and friends constantly ask her if I am ok, which is embarrassing for her. She understands that mental health is a probl... View more

I feel like such a burden on everyone at the moment. My partner is tired of my depression and constant low mood. All of our family and friends constantly ask her if I am ok, which is embarrassing for her. She understands that mental health is a problem that can't be solved quickly, but she is tired of the outward impacts on her, including low mood, negativity, and irritability. I'm already getting help from a psychologist, which is a very slow approach to tackling my mental health issues, but how can I hide the way that I feel, and should I hide it? My partner tells me that I seem disinterested when people talk to me in social situations, which I can't seem to help or control, and that I often make people feel uncomfortable, which I also don't even know that I'm doing. I'm really stuck and don't know what I should do to show genuine change and limit my impact on other people. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ontarioguy35 My Story - Depression/Anxiety
  • replies: 23

Where to begin. I’ve struggled with depression for around fifteen years. It’s been a struggle to say the least. I was abused emotional/verbal/psychological by my mother. As a visible minority in non multi-cultural small town, I’ve also experienced hi... View more

Where to begin. I’ve struggled with depression for around fifteen years. It’s been a struggle to say the least. I was abused emotional/verbal/psychological by my mother. As a visible minority in non multi-cultural small town, I’ve also experienced high levels of racism. When I was younger (late teens/early twenties) something inside of me knew that I couldn’t start my life until my family issues were resolved. I swallowed my pride and starting seeing a counsellor – one of many to this day. At that age, I was very ashamed of not only the change I was feeling internally, but I was also very ashamed of the dysfunction that was occurring at home. My counsellor naturally suggested that I ask the family member who abused me to join, but unfortunately she was unwilling to acknowledge the truth behind what was going on, at that point in her life. This made me not only feel rejected, but it communicated the opposite of what was preached at home (being accountable and resolving our issues). I started having suicidal thoughts and would play-out vivid fantasies of ending my life. As the thoughts of suicide got worse, I ended up sharing with my parents. I knew I needed emotional support, but it was something they we're unwilling to give at that time in their life - I believe they were in denial about the effects of their abuse. I remember crying for so long, I felt like I completely drained myself of both my tears and emotions. I struggled with violence, promiscuity, drugs, and alcohol throughout my twenties. I’ve tried many things (prescriptions, psychiatry, counselling, anger management); I’ve wanted nothing less than to lead a normal life. I used to get so upset with myself, because I felt like I was unable to control my emotions and just 'get over everything' (I’d randomly break-out in tears; and often felt emotionally fragile and weak around dominant personalities). I was constantly getting bullied/targeted at work (I suffer from extreme anxiety, which makes me come across as either weird or snooty). I ended-up losing two jobs in a row and decided to take a year off and just write/focus on getting better. Within the last year I've rededicated my life to the Lord. I've decided to fight the spirit behind depression and started opening-up about this illness. My dream has always been to write a novel, so I've decided to write a story about the struggles of depression. I've started my journey of facing down the issues behind my emotional scars.