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

Glenn I have no one to talk to
  • replies: 2

All I want to do is make friends and also find a partner. I am so down and lonely and feel like something is wrong with me. I feel like there is something wrong with me but I don't know what.

All I want to do is make friends and also find a partner. I am so down and lonely and feel like something is wrong with me. I feel like there is something wrong with me but I don't know what.

Nissan9 Struggling with life
  • replies: 3

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to... View more

Hi all recently I left my job of 4 years as felt it was time for change and job I took turned out to be horrible therefore mutually parted ways. Since I landed a job and was meant to start a week later then got told the job had been pulled so back to square one. I have never struggled to get a job in my field it's normally easy as but given the time of year the market is slow and i feel like i am getting nowhere really very minimal call backs. Being home so much definately putting a stress on myrelationship to the point where I just feel like im nothing but a hindrance more then anything. Plus side is been great spending time with my little one who's 4 months old. Wife is also on maternity leave and her pay is not enough for us to survive so been using some of our savings and I just been uber driving to get by and that's not much. I guess I am venting more then anything i just feel like their is no light at the end of the tunnel and by time their is I would of just self destructed and ruined everything around me. I feel a pressure so bad to find a job and Il be honest I just don't know how to manage the situation at the moment and the stress around it. Thanks for listening

AceCowboy I [33M] have never dated, had a relationship, and no friends. I feel there is no hope for me
  • replies: 7

Hi. I’m writing this at 4am, as I get a lot of restless nights thinking about this. As the title suggests, I’m very lonely. Without getting into everything, I’ll try to put down everything I can. Growing up, I had a very abusive mother, who would alw... View more

Hi. I’m writing this at 4am, as I get a lot of restless nights thinking about this. As the title suggests, I’m very lonely. Without getting into everything, I’ll try to put down everything I can. Growing up, I had a very abusive mother, who would always make fun of me and tell me I was a mistake. One of her “jokes” was that I was a chubby kid in high school, so she used to put one of her bras on my bed and say since I’m so fat, I might need one. The abuse even came from her extended family, with my grandma telling me all the time how worthless I am and nobody will ever like me. My family members have even shunned me over something my grandma told them. My grandma had even brought up my cousin (who had committed suicide) and told me she wished it was me instead of him. Even my brothers have been no help. I would ask them advise on talking to women, and I would either get ignored or insulted. Their only “advise” was to get drunk and have sex with a drunk girl. My oldest brother would mirror my mother at times, calling me a “fa**ot” I’ve never had a date, let alone a relationship. I had tried to talk to women, but a lot of encounters I’ve had, the woman would tell me to F*ck off or make fun of my weight. I’m not obese or anything. I do have a little bit of a belly, but I do workout frequently. I’ve tried dating apps, but never got any matches I have tried sporting activities to help me meet people. Like pro wrestling and ice hockey. Each time though, the same thing happened. I would make friends, and then they turn on me. With wrestling, I was given the nickname “muffin top” because of my physique and was bullied a lot. In ice hockey, I voiced an opinion that my team should encourage teamwork rather than yell how much we sucked. I was promptly kicked off my team, had false rumours spread about me and started receiving death threats. My older brother, who also plays in the same league, did nothing to help.Because of my past experiences, I have major trust issues and I’m afraid of people. I want to move past all that, talk to people, and have a happy life. But I’m scared if I talk to people, I’m just going to cop the same abuse. And the older I get, the more I feel hopeless. Like nothing will change and how pathetic I must be to not have a partner by now

Guest_73347223 I feel like I have no purpose
  • replies: 2

Hi I am sorry to write this way because I feel like I am being ungrateful but I just don't know what is wrong with me. I have realised for a long time I have had this pervasive thought of noone would care if I wasn't here any more. I think this thoug... View more

Hi I am sorry to write this way because I feel like I am being ungrateful but I just don't know what is wrong with me. I have realised for a long time I have had this pervasive thought of noone would care if I wasn't here any more. I think this thought was really drilled down when I was my grandma's primary carer for 6 months. She had unfortunately developed dementia and came to live with me and my parents. My parents struggled to cope with this situation and so I did most of her care, every day. It was challenging but also rewarding because my grandma is such a beautiful woman and it was my privilige to look after her. But that whole time I just felt so alone. I felt like my family didn't care about me, my siblings never rang to see how we were. They only really criticized from afar . My dad was in denial that my nan had dementia and he said some pretty cruel things to me when I was caring for her. He told me it would be easier if I wasn't here and he said that I was only looking after my nan for my own validation and I was being selfish. My mum threatened to leave or k*ll herself if my nan wasn't put in a home. I just wanted to do what was best I was only 19 and was trying the best I could to care for my lovely nan. I know I did a good job but now I just feel empty. I feel like I don't really have anyone and feel like my family still don't care. I am trying to keep going as am doing medicine at uni and really trying because I want to help people. That is all I want to do. But I just am feeling lost. I have struggled with self h*rm before and have really wanted to not be here anymore. But I don't really know what to do now.ELS

BlueEternity Leaving Australia!
  • replies: 6

Depression cured! Leave australia! Under 30's have a read. So a few months ago we went to a home open. My wife and I really loved the place. It was a TINY tiny cottage on about 300m2 with no backyard and 2 rooms. Barely enough space for a couple. We ... View more

Depression cured! Leave australia! Under 30's have a read. So a few months ago we went to a home open. My wife and I really loved the place. It was a TINY tiny cottage on about 300m2 with no backyard and 2 rooms. Barely enough space for a couple. We really loved it even though it was probably worth half what they wanted.We put in an offer. 700k. Which was extreme. We had saved just over 200k over the years. It was 10x our income.We were told later the place was sold to a couple in their 60's then about 2 weeks later we got a call from the agent saying 'I'm pleased to announce the house is for rent would you like to put an application in' That night was horrible. For 3 hours my wife sat on the couch crying. Watching TV crying. Reading a book tears rolling down her face. It was because we knew we would never have a chance at 'living in australia' despite being 4th generation Australians. We didn't talk the whole night.In bed we lay in the dark for about an hour. Then my wife finally spoke'I HATE Australia...'That was it till the next morning. My wife never swears and is always syper postive. Im the opposite. After a couple of weeks we discussed how why where etc of owning a home and raising a family in australia. The prospect of our kids living in a dog box. US having 40k uni debts our kids having 100k debts. How we have the lowest populatiom density in the world but somehow the highest land prices. How morally wrong it was that those who didn't have to pay anything for land and education can now extort us into being slaves for them. The more we thought about it the more we realized we both hate Australia and it was the cause of all our depression. Fast forward 6 months and we have successfully gotten jobs overseas and move in 3 months. Ok pay but 1/4 the housing cost and 100x the variety. But with our saving we are buying a house out right and we're not even 30. 4x the size of what we could ever dream of owning in Australia.I would suggest to anyone who's depressed have a good look at your life. Throw away your comfort blanket and realize Australia is a paradise, for anyone over 40. For the rest of us opportunity and lifestyle await all you have to do is walk out the door.

ashi Death is scary, but also comforting
  • replies: 1

Just to be clear here, I'm not suicidal, I may have thought about it, but it's not something I want to do at all. I have been a bit more emotional than usual more a few months; I used to just have times where I would sit down, think about everything,... View more

Just to be clear here, I'm not suicidal, I may have thought about it, but it's not something I want to do at all. I have been a bit more emotional than usual more a few months; I used to just have times where I would sit down, think about everything, and be sad, but I never really cried. Now I cry at least twice per week, my record was 7 days per week, how awesome. Okay, I cry, I cried and then just told myself it'll be okay, well, that's just really lying to myself but who knows? But occasionally, I just immediately smile after crying, and I myself am surprised when I feel the corners of my lips turn up and grin. When I think back on it, I realized every one of those times I was thinking about death. I don't want to die, I don't want to feel like my time is ticking down and I don't have enough time to reach my goals or even make one. But death is peace of mind, you don't have to worry about anything, it's a fresh new start and an eternal ending, whatever I do in this life, it doesn't matter, because I'd die eventually one way or another. I only live once, I should enjoy everything I can. I laugh at that thought, I'm already practically dead, inside at least, I'm a rotting bird, I've got wings, but they're just disappearing like the rest of me. I'm an empty shell walking around, I used to be something, winning certificates and medals, helping others, being kind, contributing to something I thought would be home to me and everyone I love; I can't help but wonder to myself, if death exists, what's the point? I give and take, but I wouldn't see the end result of what I've helped build. People always say "Nobody ever truly dies" because apparently memories of them still exist, but what happens after those people die? And even if the memories still exist, the person is dead, gone, they wouldn't care or even know what the rest of the world will look like, they have no tomorrow, yesterday, or a present. I would prefer to be dead, I wouldn't like to die, but I'd like to be dead, I suppose. But back to the crying bit (I get off topic so many times, oops), so I smile when I think about death, well isn't that just depressing? If I like the sound of death, why aren't I dead already? ... Because I'm human, it's only natural for me to go on hoping, hoping that everything will be okay, hoping that I'll have a future which I can enjoy, that some miracle magic will happen, solve my problems, and let me be happy; I hate hoping. I want to see a tomorrow come, I want to see my new friends laugh, I want to talk silly with my old friends, I want to see a possible future, just a tiny opening to a wonderland. Even so, tomorrows are scary, I have school, I have to go work, I have to wake up, I have to suffer the nagging of everyone, I have to see this horrible society grow bigger (horrible is an overstatement, but when you feel like a lost cause, it's not that far off). All of those little negative things ruin my want for a tomorrow, but I'll just keep hoping. Work my way through this maze and then realized what I just went through could have been solved simply by letting myself go. I think I forgot the rest of what I was about to type but all well. Bye and thank you for reading this paragraph of uh, sadness? I don't know. But have a nice day and take care people! "To paradise and our dreams! Even if we don't see them come true."-some random thought of mine

Chrystal Single mum
  • replies: 2

I’m a single mum of a beautiful 12 year-old autistic girl and a seven month old boy. I’ve just had surgery and I’m just in so much pain and so lonely all the time I wanna ask someone to just hold me but I can’t because I’ve gotta be the strong one. I... View more

I’m a single mum of a beautiful 12 year-old autistic girl and a seven month old boy. I’ve just had surgery and I’m just in so much pain and so lonely all the time I wanna ask someone to just hold me but I can’t because I’ve gotta be the strong one. I’ve got a pretend I’m not in pain or lonely so it doesn’t distress my daughter and only time I can acknowledge my feelings of pain and loneliness is when everyone is asleep. I don’t have any close family or friends that I can call, all I want is someone to pat my head and tell me it will all be ok. To let me cry and let me be weak without being criticised for it i’m kinda hoping by putting my thoughts and feelings down it might help me feel that little bit better if you have stayed with me for this long thank you for listening and hope you have a wonderful night

AsherFreeman Mental health
  • replies: 1

Hey there my name is Asher freeman, I have adhd and I have been suffering from very negative thoughts and I have been struggling for a while now I contacted a lifeline last night because I was scared of what I would do.

Hey there my name is Asher freeman, I have adhd and I have been suffering from very negative thoughts and I have been struggling for a while now I contacted a lifeline last night because I was scared of what I would do.

human_garbage42 I don't know anymore
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm new and can't spell very well, so ever since maybe 2 years ago I've been super depressed and just haven't been able to dig my self out. Here's the big problem, I can't tell if its me or my dad who's unreasonable I think its my dad but maybe it... View more

Hi I'm new and can't spell very well, so ever since maybe 2 years ago I've been super depressed and just haven't been able to dig my self out. Here's the big problem, I can't tell if its me or my dad who's unreasonable I think its my dad but maybe its me idk. if I feel terrible and when I don't feel like I can go to school (school a BIG problem for me) he will take everything that make me feel safe. now that's not say he don't have reasons I do play way to much xbox but ever since "the situation" I've been getting worse and he hasn't been coping well... I want to hurt my self to show him that it's serious but then I think he will just take it all away. I don't know what to do. AND BEFORE YOU TELL ME TO GO TO A THERAPIST... I tried ok none of them worked at all.

Guest_10049 Re- what a mess of a situation
  • replies: 3

Yeah just an absolute mess of a situation. Gone and thrown about like as many kitchen sinks, can use whatever analogy there. But yeah just thrown everything at getting better. And it does feel like life is getting away from me- if have tried to go wi... View more

Yeah just an absolute mess of a situation. Gone and thrown about like as many kitchen sinks, can use whatever analogy there. But yeah just thrown everything at getting better. And it does feel like life is getting away from me- if have tried to go with, if have I feel like just gone with. Cos other people "wish to see it" unfortunately- shown in every single, like every single area of my life. That I don't need them involved, don't want them involved. Be it certain professionals, be it just baseless and pointless people trying to and failing at "sorting out my life". Will just be something always have done myself- with limited help, cos the help does nothing. In my own unit, living here- out and about actually fairly regularly. When energy is there- so with that said, and having gone on a chat here. And started to think against it- to come to the forum, and having more and more people "shut me down". One of them crossing the mind as make this post- something had to give