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

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?

Rae2944 Chronic illness and working full time
  • replies: 1

So I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around 6 weeks ago and I also work full time as a third year hairdresser apprentice (I just went into my third year this week so I have a year to go). Ever since I was diagnosed I have been reall... View more

So I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around 6 weeks ago and I also work full time as a third year hairdresser apprentice (I just went into my third year this week so I have a year to go). Ever since I was diagnosed I have been really emotional and mentally it’s been hard but not in a way where I’m angry I have diabetes, I’m just finding it hard to focus on my health and well-being while working full time. Although now I have been making time to go to the gym after work but if I go to the gym after work by the time I get home I have no other spare time left to do anything else that relaxes my anxiety. Some light say cut back in work but that adds time into my apprenticeship which I don’t want to do as I just want to finish so then I can cut back. I’m not keen on just quitting as I’ve just worked for two years in this apprenticeship and don’t want it to all go to waste even though I’m thinking about doing something else after I finish. I’m not sure what to do. I’m feeling very confused and emotionally unstable as this whole diabetes thing is a lot to take in and accept especially when I’m exercising

Joe_the_Innocent27 Am I doomed guys?
  • replies: 2

I am 28 and now I've been treated for longer then a decade for not having Schizophrenia because I was destructive and made regretful suicidal behavior three times over three years and I'm on involuntary treatment against my wishes, I can't have secon... View more

I am 28 and now I've been treated for longer then a decade for not having Schizophrenia because I was destructive and made regretful suicidal behavior three times over three years and I'm on involuntary treatment against my wishes, I can't have second opinions, tribunals or change psychiatrist's in my situation their convinced I'm suffering from Schizophrenia when I'm not actually I am pre diabetic meaning I have suffering with my dietary satisfaction and eating I am without a gallbladder meaning I'm more likely to gain weight because I can't process fats as well I was bullied greatly in high school and treated without respect and kindness for a few years after high school by school kids too, even though this all ended seven years ago the memories are with me still I'm behind with my driving independence but almost together and I'm fortunate their not discriminating me from driving freedoms due to my mental health drama I have no direction for any suitable entry jobs or personality for study and confidence to follow creativity because I live with a father that makes me with reduced emotional, social and psychological confidence, I sometimes question wither I want to sing or rap music but then other times I feel I don't and times I feel maybe it's confidence it's complicated

m1yalomiu Pressure from parents being oversea and getting older
  • replies: 1

I have a lot of pressure being the single child in my family, and I’m oversea. Parents are blaming me every time I called them, saying they have no one to look after them. And they divorced when I was around 10 years old too. What can I do? I hate li... View more

I have a lot of pressure being the single child in my family, and I’m oversea. Parents are blaming me every time I called them, saying they have no one to look after them. And they divorced when I was around 10 years old too. What can I do? I hate living in this world.

Mickfor Impending bad thoughts
  • replies: 5

I know most people go through these thoughts once and a while but I have never felt like this before, constant thoughts of impending doom

I know most people go through these thoughts once and a while but I have never felt like this before, constant thoughts of impending doom

Fathiyma I felt like I was dead inside but I was alive
  • replies: 7

When my son was 8 months old I had a Mental break down I just stopped believing I was Mental capable to do anything I question everything even common things I was like I shower wrong everything I do was wrong, I stopped eating and sleeping I was worr... View more

When my son was 8 months old I had a Mental break down I just stopped believing I was Mental capable to do anything I question everything even common things I was like I shower wrong everything I do was wrong, I stopped eating and sleeping I was worried my son had iron problems I just believe it in my head, eventually my son got older then it affected him as a toddler he got sick too he wouldnt sleep and lost weight, no one really new I reached out to the doctor but they wouldn't help. I honestly felt dead, some how I wanted to go out but I wasn't mentally stable but I took my son playground we would turn up late, messy dressed, I suffered from postnatal depression, as he got older it affected him in his age he was so behind the child health nurses referred him to child development and he had have Autism test I tried explaining what was going on but they insisted that it's still Autism. Now my son is 9 years old and only 3 years ago I got better with no help but when I had a 3rd child I finally went to a Mother and baby unit for Mental help but it didn't help me at all.Eventually my kids got older and I went to adult Mental health unit the only thing that helped was they give so much food big portions and desert because I suffered postnatal depression I was so weak I wouldn't eat, if I didnt start eating no one knew not even doctors I was barely surviving my stomach I would get intense pain I used just drink water and coffee no food it felt like I was in labour pain and I would vomit so much.I eventually had surgery the doctors thought it was from my belly button from birth. After the surgery I only got better because I started eating. After being in Mental Health unit for Adults I had time for myself no children eventually I helped my self no medication no Mental health unit helped me I got better because I started doing things for me and life begun again inside of me. Just small things painting my nails, wearing make up on my face, wanting to look nice in my clothing. Taking my children on outings. Mental Illiness takes a long time go away but at one point I said my self I just have get used to it because it doesn't always go away it's like a disability. I hope this story helps everyone with there journey, Dreams do come true.

Puddles1974 Lost partner suddenly to cancer/eating disorder/control
  • replies: 3

I did post a while ago. I lost my partner to cancer earlier this year and now I find my eating disorder has come back as I cant control anything else in my life nor can I control the fact he left this earthly plane so suddenly. I've suffered an eatin... View more

I did post a while ago. I lost my partner to cancer earlier this year and now I find my eating disorder has come back as I cant control anything else in my life nor can I control the fact he left this earthly plane so suddenly. I've suffered an eating disorder for years (diagnosed) and now I feel I'm falling into that same path again. Its the one thing I can control. Its his NV birthday Wednesday and I'm feeling so sad as he should still be here.

kam_d What is depression?
  • replies: 3

Could you explain what depression is because I feel like ive been really sad and just miserable. So I dont know if I have depression or im just going though a hard time in life. Thank you.

Could you explain what depression is because I feel like ive been really sad and just miserable. So I dont know if I have depression or im just going though a hard time in life. Thank you.

Madi2007 I don't understand what's happening
  • replies: 2

I have been struggling a lot with my mental health since the start of February and it took me until Easter to even find the courage to tell my best friend what I was going through because I didn't know how she was going to react let alone the rest of... View more

I have been struggling a lot with my mental health since the start of February and it took me until Easter to even find the courage to tell my best friend what I was going through because I didn't know how she was going to react let alone the rest of the group. Since I told my best friend she has been by my side through everything even if I’ve been getting really annoying talking about my problems. Once we got back to school in term 2 she tried to convince me in every way possible to tell someone and get help from someone. After a little while of me being at my worst and trying to be ok around everyone I gave up on everything and knew that I had to do something to help myself. So since i've been struggling i've now seen a school counsellor to get help and even though I struggled to get there I think i've started to see a change but not all the time just every now and then i'll feel so much happier and happier than i've been in so long. My birthday was in March and what kept me going after I started struggling was looking forward to seeing my friends for my birthday and because I was struggling so much at the time I made my birthday into this big party with my closest friends just so that I had something to look forward to. I don't know whats going on with me and I don't know if its depression or that i'm just going through a rough patch in life. All my symptoms are pointing to depression but even though I don't know what I have i'm trying my hardest to be ok around everyone even tho i'm not and i'm glad i've told a few people, its really take some weight off my shoulders. I know I haven't said much about how I feel in this but at least i've given a little bit of information and maybe someone will be able to give some tips just off what i've written so far. I will write more in depth once I find the guts to share how I feel. Thank you!

LucyK18 struggling with my MH
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone,I feel like I’ve been struggling with my MH for a few years with lots of setbacks and disappointments and now I feel like I have completely changed. Is this a MH issue?Moods are up and down. Always feeling overwhelmed and like I have no ... View more

Hey everyone,I feel like I’ve been struggling with my MH for a few years with lots of setbacks and disappointments and now I feel like I have completely changed. Is this a MH issue?Moods are up and down. Always feeling overwhelmed and like I have no time. Exhausted and tired. Feeling bored, unsatisfied in life, like it’s being wasted. Lonely. Unmotivated, hard to concentrate and way less active and social. Even hard to socialise. I feel like I’m a downer and much harder to be social when in a group. Sometimes I get overlooked because I’ve become more introverted.I used to be outgoing and carefree and socialising was easy and I was always happy and energetic.some things that have happened since 2018- Moving home from living abroad- Dad died, battling cancer (we are a close family)- New career trained and studied etc and then had to go back to old career I hated due to injury- Covid, stressful with a lot of lost work and no income- Really struggling with being home and a lot less active during Covid - extremely stressful job back to community service, hate it.- Another stressful injury- Going nowhere. Everyone around me settling down marrying and having kids.- New career finally out of CS- New car but then was filled with safety faults, a lemon. Three month struggle to get my money back, through fair trading etc etc- Another big injury with 6 months recovery- Feeling like I’m a drag now and losing my carefree, confident, outgoing personality I still have great friends and family but I’m just not me anymore would love some feedback on what to do and what it sounds like.Thanks