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

Belladonna123 Lost and confused with a hint of doubt
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’m newso I’m 19 and still getting used to the whole being an adult thing. I keep second guessing myself on what I want to do and what I should which everyone says is normal, but I don’t want to waste my life away not knowing what to do. Everyone... View more

Hi, I’m newso I’m 19 and still getting used to the whole being an adult thing. I keep second guessing myself on what I want to do and what I should which everyone says is normal, but I don’t want to waste my life away not knowing what to do. Everyone says I’m so capable and can do anything I put my mind to but sometimes I feel like that’s just something they say because they think they have to. I want to have a plan, even if I can’t stick to it, it would be nice have a goal in mind. But I have no idea what I even want out of life. If anyone has any life advice I’d appreciate it. Love Belladonna

Gob Depression rant
  • replies: 1

Im so confused and frustrated with myself at the moment. When I reflect and see what my social life is I just feel like I'm just the biggest jerk to ever live ,a real pain of a person.im just so shitty and selfish to everyone and I really hate myself... View more

Im so confused and frustrated with myself at the moment. When I reflect and see what my social life is I just feel like I'm just the biggest jerk to ever live ,a real pain of a person.im just so shitty and selfish to everyone and I really hate myself for it ,im just struggling to hold on to life and when I see how I treat the ones I love because of what I'm going through I just can't believe myself .but im trying im not making excuses I know I need to do better and not loose myself to this be better for others my family and friends bit I also feel so tired and I just have nothing.i have nothing to give them and im in a shit mood a lot and I feel awful I put them through that and I worry how they can still love me.do they ? Things have been said and im trying but it just inst enough .its like people what me to be better and I want to be better have good healthy relationships and win this but im trying to run with a broken leg .I just feel im drowning in constant self hatred and seeing the second side of me who is so ugly and awful and I dont understand what I see .I want to but it really is like there's another person there ,is that just the depression? I don't know.though I have realized I have to take what I think with a grain of salt I know my mind is not my friend. Then I feel its hard for me to see what is real at the moment .its hard to convince myself that I can cut myself some slack .can't I? I've moved forward somedays and others I'm so so close .so close .this is just exhausting I just want to scream and destroy everything.

burnsey_ Mr B
  • replies: 3

Suggestions to help with depression which I am experiencing at the moment

Suggestions to help with depression which I am experiencing at the moment

Steves87 Feeling lost and mood low
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Thank you for reading if you read this. So lately I’ve had a lot going on with life. It seems life had just dealt my partner and I bad thing after bad thing. We had to move from our place then our doggo got really sick we had to spend 10k he ... View more

Hi all, Thank you for reading if you read this. So lately I’ve had a lot going on with life. It seems life had just dealt my partner and I bad thing after bad thing. We had to move from our place then our doggo got really sick we had to spend 10k he was worth it but the stress of how we were going to find funds to treat him and then borrowing money not knowing if he would survive, to top this off I also have to attend court over being charged with an incident in which I defended myself. Unfortunately I’m the one being charged. So more stress of needing to find money for a lawyer then all this happening whilst moving and then last week I lost my job to top it off. Some background I have adhd was re diagnosed last year and the journey of discovery of knowing I’m neurodiverse doesn’t come without it’s caveats. I have been prescribed the most popular medication and the psychiatrist I was seeing I thought was going to get me on the right path but it’s just been an uphill battle I finally landed my first full time IT role in March and now I’m back to square one. Trying to see a psych is difficult I need to get my meds right I have anger issues and can come across like I’m an angry person but I’m not this is the issue with adhd. I have also been told to get a diagnosis for autism as well as bpd. According to my parents I was diagnosed in the early 90’s I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety since 14 been medication for 22 years never really had luck with psychologists. I’ve struggled with lots of things and not knowing why until my amazing fiancé picked up on a lot of the things I do as she is a teacher and she was convinced I had adhd and sure enough I do. I’m impulsive don’t think before I act it goes on. I had to pull it together to be strong for my partner with everything going on but I just feel empty inside like I’m not a good person I’ve let her down I lost my job I just feel worthless I feel like not being here anymore. I have fears she will leave me like she isn’t happy I feel our situation is a far cry from when we got together almost four years ago it has this sense of darkness like I’m just a massive failure and I’m this 36 year battling with mental Illness and a disability yet I have to fight so hard to function in this world where we are shunned I have to hide my pain no one truly knows what it’s like. Honestly finding things that made me happy don’t anymore or at the moment. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

Ivygirl Feeling lost and hopeless
  • replies: 1

Thank you for reading this if you are. For past few months life has been super stressful. I feel I am cursed with bad things happening back to back. In Feb I had electricity outage in my rental where I had to find accomdation overnight with no pay. M... View more

Thank you for reading this if you are. For past few months life has been super stressful. I feel I am cursed with bad things happening back to back. In Feb I had electricity outage in my rental where I had to find accomdation overnight with no pay. March got served 6 notice to vacate and April my grandfather suffered with stroke. I had appendicitis surgery last month and I have been passed for promotion for job I was already working on. I feel job promotion was my last straw. I hate my workplace but because of my current visa situation I can’t move for few months. It is so bad now that I had panic attack at work. I feel I am causing trouble to everyone who loves me and started isolating myself.Any advice would help

odium Why can’t i cry?
  • replies: 2

I haven’t cried in just over a year and the last time i did was during a funeral. I feel like every time i feel like crying there is no tears that come out and i just cannot cry. i want to know what is wrong with me?

I haven’t cried in just over a year and the last time i did was during a funeral. I feel like every time i feel like crying there is no tears that come out and i just cannot cry. i want to know what is wrong with me?

Yonnie Depression
  • replies: 1

I'm unsure what to do to help myself. I've been battling depression and anxiety for over 20 years. I fluctuate. I have good periods, and I have bad periods. I'm on a truck load of medication, and for the most part has kept me functioning. 3 months ag... View more

I'm unsure what to do to help myself. I've been battling depression and anxiety for over 20 years. I fluctuate. I have good periods, and I have bad periods. I'm on a truck load of medication, and for the most part has kept me functioning. 3 months ago we had a family incident which caused a flare up in my depression. I tried to do all the right things, I made sure I got up and got dressed, I had showers, I went for walks etc. Nothing helped. I spent 5 weeks in a psych hospital having TMS. I felt good for one week. Now I've been home for two weeks and I can feel myself sliding backwards. I have no motivation to do anything. I just want to sleep. I can't concentrate or make decisions. I'm eating to much. I have panic attacks when I try leaving the house. I feel scared. I don't know how to get myself out of this situation. My psych is overseas for the next three weeks, and I'm due for my next TMS top up in 4 weeks. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Needing_peace How to break a low?
  • replies: 2

I've had severe depression for 14 years and constantly have cycles of really dark lows.I have no motivation and feel so numb that I can't break the cycle.Can anyone give suggestions as to what helps them get back on track?I have no coping mechanisms ... View more

I've had severe depression for 14 years and constantly have cycles of really dark lows.I have no motivation and feel so numb that I can't break the cycle.Can anyone give suggestions as to what helps them get back on track?I have no coping mechanisms when it comes to dealing with stress and I immediately crumble.I'm so drained and tired of fighting this disease.I'm feeling so scared, it's like my mind and body is giving up.Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Zack_63 Partner issues
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone this is the first time I’ve had the courage to open up on a forum like this. I’m depressed and anxious about my partner’s spending on Afterpay. I am the sole wage earner in the family. For many years my partner has spent a lot on credit c... View more

Hi everyone this is the first time I’ve had the courage to open up on a forum like this. I’m depressed and anxious about my partner’s spending on Afterpay. I am the sole wage earner in the family. For many years my partner has spent a lot on credit cards. I paid the cards off and got spending under control but now she is racking large amounts on Afterpay around $1,000 a month. It’s making me depressed and I feel that I’m just being used as a cash cow. She hasn’t worked for 17 years and I have had to pay all the bills and the mortgage. I can’t sleep, have no energy and feel it’s all hopeless as she won’t change and I’ll just have to keep working forever to pay her bills. I’m 60 and can’t keep working forever. I’ve tried to get her to see it as an addiction and for her to get help but she doesn’t want any. I feel like breaking up with her but I’ll just lose everything in a property settlement. So what do I do? I’m just over it and it’s making me very depressed, sad and anxious. I think I’ll have to just take antidepressants and try and live my life just paying for her spending habits.

Belladonna123 Confronting a bad father
  • replies: 4

Hi, so I have a terrible dad. He and my mum divorced when I was 4. I won’t go into every terrible thing he did but he basically gave me, my mum and all my sibling trauma. I’ve been pretending that I don’t know about all the awful things he did and pr... View more

Hi, so I have a terrible dad. He and my mum divorced when I was 4. I won’t go into every terrible thing he did but he basically gave me, my mum and all my sibling trauma. I’ve been pretending that I don’t know about all the awful things he did and pretending I still love him, but I don’t know how much I can keep doing it. I would tell him how I feel but the thing is he still sends us money and I’m afraid if I cut ties with him, he’ll stop the money which will negatively affect not just me, but also my little brother. Everyone says there’s no point in yelling at him because he’ll never change. I know that and it’s not about him changing, it’s about me getting this burden off my shoulders. To anyone out there who’s had to deal with an abusive parent or family member, please give me thoughts. I’ve been in therapy for over 10 years because of this man but I’m scared of what might happen if I burn that bridge. Will I regret it?