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

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 chats on this Forum having 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

939 Lost
  • replies: 3

Since the break up with my first girlfriend I've been very depressed. She broke up with me. At the start of July. And now it's almoat December . For the last few months since the break up I've isolated myself from people. I stopped working..and haven... View more

Since the break up with my first girlfriend I've been very depressed. She broke up with me. At the start of July. And now it's almoat December . For the last few months since the break up I've isolated myself from people. I stopped working..and haven't worked since June of this year. Someone who was supposed to be my friend lied to me about her still being friends with my ex. And my ex-friend and my ex are both bi-sexual. My ex-friend asked numerous times to make out with my ex while I was with her. I said no each time and was upset about it. Now I keep thinking they have hooked up becauae they have been friends the whole time . My ex girlfriend made comments at my size down there..and they were really hurtful comments..and were made behind my back. since all that happened I've been in hospital because I wasn't eating or showering and just stayed in bed all day. My family contacted the hospital about me and I was in there for a few days. I'm on medication now..I'm seeing a pychologist...but I still stay at home all the time and I still am isolating myself..I don't know what to do. It's been months now..and I can't keep feeling like this and going on like this. And all my thoughts about my ex and my ex-friend won't stop...

Notmyself Feeling Bad
  • replies: 1

Being away from home and my dogs makes me feel crazy. This week I am not coping, I feel like I'm stuck in a well screaming for help. I just wanted to talk to someone, general conversation, to feel wanted and respected, cared about. I just wanted my b... View more

Being away from home and my dogs makes me feel crazy. This week I am not coping, I feel like I'm stuck in a well screaming for help. I just wanted to talk to someone, general conversation, to feel wanted and respected, cared about. I just wanted my boyfriend to call me and to want to listen or talk to me. He's the only person I wanted to talk to at the time. But he was always to busy, and I realize now its not because he doesn't care or doesn't want to, its just that hes had a lot on too. But me being me couldnt be normal and control my emotions and instead have splurted everything out, ruined a surprise I had for him by telling him out of anger. Made him not want to speak to me at all, and left me feeling soooooo angry and sad. BUT........ I feel like he should try to understand more, he works away also and get very depressed when hes gone and I always make sure I am there for him, even when hes losing it. And I feel like he provokes me to push and push me coz he knows I will hate my self for days and be miserable while hes out and he knows I will then worry and make my self sick over it. In general I feel like im so lost, I know im not a bad person I know I shouldnt let things get tome, but I cant control it, I cant seem to stop the CRAZYNESS going on in my head. I just want some relief. Home in 6 days though... surley I can keep it together. The days go slower and slower. LP

KeshiaB It's all getting too much…
  • replies: 7

Since I was 14 I have battled with depression. It seems to be mostly seasonal and most of the time I have been able to live quite successfully despite at times feeling completely flat. At the worst times I have had temporary relief with medication an... View more

Since I was 14 I have battled with depression. It seems to be mostly seasonal and most of the time I have been able to live quite successfully despite at times feeling completely flat. At the worst times I have had temporary relief with medication and counselling. In January 2012 I left my home country and moved to Australia. After a few months of severe homesickness I finally felt good about what I'd achieved. I have a great job, a nice little house that I rent, an amazing partner of five years and I'm finally starting to make friends, though I'm still finding it hard to open up too much or let myself get close with anyone in particular. My partner has been my rock since moving here and our relationship has grown immensely in the last two years. At the start of this year I experienced panic attacks for the first time. The attacks came primarily at night, I would find my mind flooded with thoughts of a world riddled with war, famine, destroyed natural environment, disease, drought and poverty. All I could think about was how and when I would lose everything I have worked so hard for, how my partner might drop dead and leave me alone in a strange place, how my whole family would die all at once or how I might lose control of my mind completely and end up in a padded cell. My thoughts were of nothing specific in the long term, any scenario that could come to mind would and I found myself unable to sleep, breath or keep myself together. With the help of a psychologist I learned relaxation techniques and soon I was without panic attacks. A couple of months back I was feeling good. I was about to start taking dance lessons with friends, we were all looking forward to having a laugh and meeting new people. Halfway through the class the familiar feeling came back, my chest tightened, my vision blurred, I couldn't breath properly and I felt like I would collapse. I ran outside and was found later on in tears by my partner and friends. The next week another attack hit before class, so I never went back. Since then, any scenario out of my normal routine has caused the same reaction. I cannot even go on my friends boat, and I was partly raised on the water! Now I am worn out. I have difficulty concentrating at work, I am constantly tired, I have no motivation to exercise when before all this I was well on my way to being able to run for half an hour non stop for the first time in my life. I feel I have little control over my thoughts and I am scared to make the most basic decisions. I cannot trust my own judgements anymore and I forget things easily. Depression is once again taking over and I fear I don't have what it takes to beat both depression and anxiety. My biggest worry is that even if I do get better it will again only be for a short time. I am seeing a psychologist who is again taking me through CBT training (for the third time in my life) but none of it seems to stick. I can feel myself getting worse day by day and I don't know what to do about it, or if I am capable of doing anything about it! I am tired of fighting, it's all getting too much, I just want peace.

shawnzhang Depression to find out a way of life
  • replies: 2

What we are? A group that lost direction. a direction of forward attitude for happy life. it is so a deep doubt in our body and mental ,that we cannot easily realize it . everyday，we talk and fight with ourselves. Never peaceful. since we do not agre... View more

What we are? A group that lost direction. a direction of forward attitude for happy life. it is so a deep doubt in our body and mental ,that we cannot easily realize it . everyday，we talk and fight with ourselves. Never peaceful. since we do not agree with ourself, we depreciate ourself. No value ,not necessary to forward , no right to have happiness. Note all these above are not as simple as it looks like,that is why we are engaged with this task for years. a task to reestablish the consistency of ourself, to find a way to live , a direction for happiness. our mind struggle for this purpose, depression when inactive or anxiety when active. What a disaster! but this the way undergoing, we have to summon up courage. With the help of other. I don't see it is disease. but a work. A internal work to find the values and mechanism for the life and world, Not like others, they seems working more externally. At last , it could turn out to be a miserable childhood, a big mental impact. Whatever , god assigned it to us. because he think we are stronger than others to have such kind of sufferring to cherish the life, to understand the miracle of the world. to let us develop a new and better of ourself. It is not superior than others. but a way to get along with others ,the world. Which we will enjoy with all our heart.

Dennis38 Might be in a little trouble
  • replies: 5

Ok been having an odd sort of month and on the fence here, first off I wake up fine and the day goes ok for me but then I start to get this knot in my gut, start to get anxious and very moody with out being able to see or even know what the trigger i... View more

Ok been having an odd sort of month and on the fence here, first off I wake up fine and the day goes ok for me but then I start to get this knot in my gut, start to get anxious and very moody with out being able to see or even know what the trigger is. Normaly I know my triggers and how to avoid them but this past month has been really weird. Been very teary and I hate crying but some times I cant stop myself (comes from being a man the hating to cry thing) and really just feeling odd, especialy this whole anxious crap and there is no reason I can see. I am thinking about going back to counciling but then for a few days I am right as rain, I live in pain 24/7 so kind of use to that but this crappy weather here on the coast in NSW has been pushing the pain higher then I care for, and its doing the same to my wife. We had a great anniversier (5 years as of Friday) and today I hurt a bit more then normal (stupid weather) but emotionally I am pretty stable not sure what to do to be honest. Don't know if I want to ride this out or start to call around to see how much an appointment or four is going to cost me ( you need to find the right person to talk to, just going to the first person in the yellow pages is never a good idea).

cetch So confused
  • replies: 4

Hi.well I'm new to this forum and I would appreciate advice.I have been suffering on and off from depression in the last three I have a job as a teacher and enjoyed it. however I always found it stressful and really pushed myself. since I have been h... View more

Hi.well I'm new to this forum and I would appreciate advice.I have been suffering on and off from depression in the last three I have a job as a teacher and enjoyed it. however I always found it stressful and really pushed myself. since I have been hospitalised with depression I feel my life is falling apart.i allowed my job to consume me and got so stressed out.three months ago I ended up in hospital.i feel like quitting job as I have no desire for it.im just so scared.dont know what other job I could be good at?has anyone changed careers due to depression?i would greatly appreciate advice.

lizziep2468 everything is to overwhelming
  • replies: 2

So i am 16 and have started year 12. everything is getting so hard, i have diagnosed major depression and social anxiety and deliberate self harm. everything is so overwhelming and i dont know how i can continue to keep this up, not only my work but ... View more

So i am 16 and have started year 12. everything is getting so hard, i have diagnosed major depression and social anxiety and deliberate self harm. everything is so overwhelming and i dont know how i can continue to keep this up, not only my work but also constantly trying to be okay for my friends. im trying to work so hard and i just want to break down okay and sleep and never wake up, i dont know everything is so frustrating and i dont know how im feeling but i just can't

ShariLea New member
  • replies: 6

I've just joined the forums today. It's a really bad day.

I've just joined the forums today. It's a really bad day.

Stephen123 16 year history still battling
  • replies: 10

Hi, I feel like i really need some support and advice. I have been hospitalised 4 times over 16 year period. I have been to numerous doctors and psychiatrists. My gp is brilliant but over the years I,ve had numerous diagnoses. Major depression, anxie... View more

Hi, I feel like i really need some support and advice. I have been hospitalised 4 times over 16 year period. I have been to numerous doctors and psychiatrists. My gp is brilliant but over the years I,ve had numerous diagnoses. Major depression, anxiety, chronic PTSD, scizo affective disorder, schizophrenia. Anyway whatever it is I have it has caused me to be medically retired from an 18 year career and sacked from 2 jobs in the last 2 years. The thing is I am feeling the most balanced I have ever felt, my meds are good, my psychiatrist and gp are brilliant. I have just enjoyed a 6 month semester at tafe where the environment was incredibly positive and confidence building. I intend to go back next year and fully retrain but for now I find myself with nothing to do over the holiday break. I mean there is plenty to do around the house but I,m finding that the old black dog is starting to creep back in and negative thoughts and actions are taking over. I have a loving wife and three beautiful children but I hate the way my illness drags me down and makes me just sit on the couch with my head in my hands with my cogs turning with negative thoughts. I crave happiness and the ability to interact with my wonderful children but instead I just sit here feeling sorry for myself. I wish I could just haul myself out of this sad state and become a positive interactive person but I feel like the illness consumes my life. As I,ve said I,ve got all the bases covered good gp, good psychiatrist even the best clinical psychologist in sydney. The thing is I have always worked and now I,m sitting here doing nothing with apathy setting in. Please if anyone has any suggestions on what I should do to drag myself out of the dumps I would really appreciate it. We do have some holidays booked for Christmas /new year which I,m really looking forward to, but what to do until then? Also my illness prevents me from taking a stressful job. Is there employers out there that support people with mental illness? Do stress free jobs exist? I just hope I,m not destined for a life without employment, I would DEFFINATELY go crazy! By the way good to see so many people posting on this wonderful forum, I think together we can all break down the stigma of mental illness.