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
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

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.

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

winterrose I can't seem to stop crying & I don't know why?
  • replies: 1

I keep crying for no reason, it's been getting worse this past week, I'm crying for about 10 minute intervals every couple of hours. I can't stop, I just get this overwhelming feeling and just burst into tears, even looking at my own reflection I bur... View more

I keep crying for no reason, it's been getting worse this past week, I'm crying for about 10 minute intervals every couple of hours. I can't stop, I just get this overwhelming feeling and just burst into tears, even looking at my own reflection I burst into tears. Yesterday I had those heartache feelings while I was crying. Today I have a headache and I've had stomach pains. I don't want to say anything to anyone in real life in case they just laugh at me, or think I'm attention seeking or stupid. I don't really know what to do...

bonbon Just started meds . Very anxious, depressed, crying all the time.
  • replies: 5

Never posted before. But really need to talk to someone . Have been diagnosed with depression and ocd. Have been seeing a physhologist for a couple of weeks . The Doc and physch have both reccommended Medication. I have agonised over taken it as I am... View more

Never posted before. But really need to talk to someone . Have been diagnosed with depression and ocd. Have been seeing a physhologist for a couple of weeks . The Doc and physch have both reccommended Medication. I have agonised over taken it as I am still giving my 2yo a bedtime breastfeed ( trying to wean him but to stressful right now ) I took meds first time last night and was terrible , got no sleep and woke up a wreck. Uncontrollable crying , very anxious and couldn't function . Was lucky my partner had the day of work . As I was incapable of looking after my son. Im so scared and dont know how to cope , atleast yesterday I could function . Scared how the meds have made me react . I have a 2yo to think about and its not fair on him to see me like this , he keeps hugging me and giving me kisses which is just breaking my heart. Pleaee tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel

Dennis38 Thoughts on Depression
  • replies: 3

I think I have come to a startling revelation about myself, or I should say that I have come to a final conclusion. I honestly think that once you are hit with a depression such as the one that I, and many others, have gone though we're some what bro... View more

I think I have come to a startling revelation about myself, or I should say that I have come to a final conclusion. I honestly think that once you are hit with a depression such as the one that I, and many others, have gone though we're some what broken the rest of our lives. We manage and we live with depression but we never truly get "better" its kind of like a recovering drug addict or recovering alcoholic. I have several friends that are recovering drug or alcohoics and they... have all said the same thing, we are clean, we are better, yet one little slip, one taste and we will be off the wagon and maybe for good. Its always a battle with yourself and temptation, depression is kind of the same thing. To be brutally honest I think that depression is actually a little harder, I can not begin to imagine the will power that it takes a recovering drug or alcholoic to stay on the wagon, but both the recovering drug addicts and recovering alcohoilics have a great support system. There are meetings like AA and other such things, and when these people be come clean people praise them for being clean and sober for how ever long they have managed it. But yet when it comes to depression people (and those that suffer from this disease) lay to hard of a judgement on people. Those that suffer from depression are the worst ones when it comes to judging ourselves (I am including myself in this). There is still this major stigma about being depressed as if some how its "wrong" or people will look on the outside and say "Well what reason do they have?" Honestly its easier to stay depressed then to try to fix what is wrong with in yourself, or at the very least its a hell of a lot easier to just say "I am depressed and worthless, so why bother trying?" Depression still has its claws in me, I have my good days, then I have some really bad days, and I still have some major issues that I am not sure if I have the strength to stand up and change or at least work around, such asI am scared to try something new to improve myself because I am waiting for something to come along and rip it out of my grasp like what has happened a lot in the past, either through my own fault or through someone else's fault. Despite the fear and anxiety I am still moving forward, trying to start my own business, and trying to help others where and when I can, half a step only but its still moving forward!

white knight Depression and Physical restrictions
  • replies: 3

As an extension of my other thread "Depression and excercise" I thought I'd mention this topic of physical restrictions or injury. It's been on my mind since 3 years ago when I broke my lower leg and was wheel chair bound for 8 weeks. The first 4 wee... View more

As an extension of my other thread "Depression and excercise" I thought I'd mention this topic of physical restrictions or injury. It's been on my mind since 3 years ago when I broke my lower leg and was wheel chair bound for 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks was so painful I didnt have the mental idol time to be depressed and I had to worry about my business running. Then it set in as well as impatience to get on two feet again. The trouble is my physical health is a balancing act. DVT both legs, gout that just wont go away, old back injury (well who hasnt got one?), etc. I have to admit however that I always seem to have the drive to put these things aside in my daily life....well most times anyway. I suppose I really believe that I am more fortunate than some, lucky to walk, lucky to do most things. But I also admit that at times it gets me down and seems to trigger depression. But that isnt conclusive. My depression comes and goes in short bursts now that I'm stable on the correct medication making it difficult to isolate if it is a trigger or not. This is where I need your opinions. How effected is your depression from physical issues? Did you have the depression before or after your physical restrictions came about? Thanks Tony

cam01234 what next?
  • replies: 2

I'm a 39 year old man. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. The anxiety came first: In 1991 while a year nine student I began to get panic attacks. These were horrific and I kept them secret. I was too ashamed to mention them to parents. As m... View more

I'm a 39 year old man. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. The anxiety came first: In 1991 while a year nine student I began to get panic attacks. These were horrific and I kept them secret. I was too ashamed to mention them to parents. As my psychiatrist and I look back on that period, we are sure I was suffering depression also - but a bit later than anxiety, and perhaps in response to it. I've tried everything for my condition: I'm currently taking high doses of two anti-depressants and two anti-pyschotics (although I have never had psychosis) and a mood stabiliser. I filled out the little form on the beyond blue website to assess my mental state - K10?. It was 34, and the instructions on the screen seemed to suggest that I should immediately rush myself to hospital. But today is just a normal day like any other for the past decade or so I don't work; subsisting instead on a DSP. I live at home with my parents. STILL. I am absolutely starved of companionship. Has anyone had ECT? That is my next plan, albeit that I have some misgivings. Any advice about how to pull oneself back from the brink would be welcome. (Actually though, just getting this down on paper has helped a little.)

white knight Depression and physical excercise
  • replies: 3

I knew I was going to have a bad day today. It was how I woke up. I dont have a "cant get out of bed depression" rather and troubled tormented sad type with dysthymia. Often its poetry writing time. My wife went to have lunch with her mother. So I wa... View more

I knew I was going to have a bad day today. It was how I woke up. I dont have a "cant get out of bed depression" rather and troubled tormented sad type with dysthymia. Often its poetry writing time. My wife went to have lunch with her mother. So I was left to sort myself out. My wife has previously given me a task of digging up a patch of ground at the rear yard to improve our vegie garden area. So into it I went. Half way done and I was exhausted physically but mentally felt better. Then when it was fully dug up I was done. Arms were cramping. Got a cold drink and sat there admiring my work. I then realised my depression was gone. My wife arrived home none the wiser. I felt I also achieved in that I didnt do the ritual- talk to her about it. This was indeed a day of achievement. Do you have this "remedy" I know physically excercise can assist those with ADHD but I didnt think it help as much for depression...

Keep_Smiling Feeling disconnected and overwhelmed
  • replies: 3

I'm a first time user/poster to BB. I've been recently diagnosed with MTHFR genetic abnormality which has explained a whole lot of my past/present emotional tendencies and the issues within my family (alcoholic parents). In the world of MTHFR it mean... View more

I'm a first time user/poster to BB. I've been recently diagnosed with MTHFR genetic abnormality which has explained a whole lot of my past/present emotional tendencies and the issues within my family (alcoholic parents). In the world of MTHFR it means I under methylate which can cause anxiety, depression etc. etc. I had my first bout of depression and anxiety after I ended a long term relationship in my early 20's, lost family and friends over that and it was very hard few years...but came out of that depression with some lingering anxiety and minor social phobia issues. I am an overachiever and so always striving for better so with this I have held very demanding professional positions and always pushing myself to get over my anxieties etc. Since my MTHFR diagnosis earlier this year (found after I did not recover well from the stress of 3 surgeries in the past 2 years) it has been so hard and overwhelming with all of the trying to find the right practitioner who actually knows about molecular biochemical pathways and nutrigenomics, doing the research to understand it etc as it's a relatively new field. I am on multiple nutritional supplements and feel a bit overwhelmed with this as it's taking months to fine tune it and I just feel like it makes me concentrate on illness rather than wellness! Last few weeks have been really hard and I am starting to feel that real disconnect I felt when I was depressed...I don't feel like anyone really knows me (or cares). I have many friends and acquaintances but no-one I can really talk to about the "emotional" me and I don't feel like my Husband or Son even know me, I just can't talk to them in depth about how I feel. I try to be the strong one who holds it all together for everyone. I'm now looking at other people and berating myself with "why can't I be like that, why can't I just get over these issues , why am I constrained by my anxieties...". Why do I feel so disconnected from everyone and how do I get back on track?

Dazman Just don't get it.
  • replies: 7

I have been on the way down for a few days now. I couldn't get up this morning so I am home. I sent a message to a friend and told them why. The reply - you only feel like crap because you let yourself get down.

I have been on the way down for a few days now. I couldn't get up this morning so I am home. I sent a message to a friend and told them why. The reply - you only feel like crap because you let yourself get down.

Blue_girl New to forum - waking up with anxiety and depression
  • replies: 5

I have suffered from anxiety and depression since I had my second child 15 years ago. Since then, I have been on different medications to help with chronic insomnia, but other than bad days every now and then, I have been coping pretty well. I've had... View more

I have suffered from anxiety and depression since I had my second child 15 years ago. Since then, I have been on different medications to help with chronic insomnia, but other than bad days every now and then, I have been coping pretty well. I've had some kind of melt down this past week and have barely been able to function. Mornings are the worst, panic, nausea, foggy head etc. I have been off work all week but need to get back to work this week. Feeling very anxious about how I am going to function while I feel so bad? Any suggestions to help with these awful mornings?

NDR Stairway to Heaven
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I am an early 30's male who has had Anxiety, OCD and Depression for 14 years. I thought i'd post on here, because its amazing how you feel so alone, but yet there are so many who are in similar circumstances to myself. I remember finish... View more

Hey everyone, I am an early 30's male who has had Anxiety, OCD and Depression for 14 years. I thought i'd post on here, because its amazing how you feel so alone, but yet there are so many who are in similar circumstances to myself. I remember finishing VCE and very soon after that the house of cards came falling down ever so slowly. I remember this horrible, awful feeling of anxiety coming over me and it just never went away. Still hasnt today.I never told anyone about this. Not for 9 months. I just thought it was normal, but I knew I couldnt go on anymore. I tried a psychiatrist who put me on medication, but I was too erractic to bother taking it or see him, so my condition stayed like this for 3 more years. I just faked being happy and tried my best to please everyone, because pleasing myself was not an option as I didnt know what made me happy or where all this inner demons came from. I then found alcohol and drugs!! For the next 5 years I drank to oblivion, took drugs, partied for days on end because I hated reality so much back then. My family and friends were worried sick but I behaved for a few weeks to ge then the cycle started again. The penny dropped after writing off two cars and narrowly avoiding jail time that I should get help. Haha, well not so funny but I did have some fun going out over the years. yeah, great times!! Since 2010, I have been seeing a doctor and am taking medication, kicked drugs, drinking and smoking and have made small inroads on my mental state. I still get horrid panic attacks, uncertainty and the OCD is over-whelming, but over the last 5 years I feel im somewhat better if that makes sense. Things were going well up until February this year. I'd held down a job for 5 years, but I quit earlier this year because I thought I was ready for a change. Bad move!! I miss that place so much and I can't go back. I had great hours, good friends and although the pay wasnt so good, it was the job I always longed for! 5 years then one day your gone. Been unemployed since. 8 months. That's what anxiety and OCD will do. Runs you into the ground. Affects everything, including decision making. Think about suicide all the time, no good huh?On the outside, im actually a fit, good looking guy with a great personality. I actually love laughing!! When my body allows me too. I know alot of people would be shocked if they knew what i've been through/still go through. Should pat myself on the back hey?Be cool.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.