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: 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

StephenP12 Struggling with some proper strong mood swings
  • replies: 1

Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distra... View more

Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distractions in terms of music/podcasts even for example, just in general. Sometimes can push through it in fact kind of often, but not at the moment

MissNobody992024 I can’t do this anymore
  • replies: 4

You know how much it sucks when people say they know how you feel and they clearly don’t? I’m 25 and I’ve struggled with mental health all my life, I’ve tried everything and I still can’t get a job, I’m living with my alcoholic mother who makes every... View more

You know how much it sucks when people say they know how you feel and they clearly don’t? I’m 25 and I’ve struggled with mental health all my life, I’ve tried everything and I still can’t get a job, I’m living with my alcoholic mother who makes everything about her and I have nobody. I’ve had people constantly tell me that they are here for me but when it really matters they don’t care. I want nothing more to move out but to do that I need a job and even if I get one my mother has the maturity and responsibility of a 6 year old constantly smoking and drinking and considers me lazy no matter what I do. For the longest time I’ve felt like I’m not supposed to make it and I don’t know maybe I’m just not worth it but despite that I’ve done nothing but fight for everything but recently I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t want to fight anymore.

JJ1981 A LIFE WELL...WORN!
  • replies: 5

Hi ladies and gentlemen. I am in a very interesting (sad, sick, confusing, whatever you want to call it) situation regarding my mental health. I'm 42 year old male who had done so much to try to better his own life, but I have woefully not achieved t... View more

Hi ladies and gentlemen. I am in a very interesting (sad, sick, confusing, whatever you want to call it) situation regarding my mental health. I'm 42 year old male who had done so much to try to better his own life, but I have woefully not achieved the milestones expected of a successful (or at least, normal) man. In fact, my life circumstances are so complicated that I have to write a lot more than 2,500 words to fully describe it. I have been getting excellent mental health treatment, but still felt really worn down about life but, gladly, not in a position of even contemplating THAT fatal act. The circumstances were so complicated and horrendous for me that most people would have not been that resilient, if they went through the same life I had. Probably, the only things that stopped things from getting even worse were a stable, decent immediate family (of which I came from), me not having permanent disability and me not being sexually abused. I will only scratch the surface of the issues that have been dragging me down...Me and my family have always worked to try to make a better and more stable life for ourselves. Yet, I felt that our journey has been made 100 times harder than everyone else who put in the same effort, dedication and sacrifice. I think this is because of many people (in at least two Australian states) having problems with me and/or my family. Problems ranging from me having an Italian Catholic father and an Australian Protestant mother, to me growing up in one of my old city's poorest suburbs. From me being 1 out of 1-2 high achieving males in Year 12 to me dealing with the effects of elitism in higher education, work and society. And, boy, Australia does have a big elitism problem. From my late father's criminal history (and criminal reputation) to Italian Australians confusing me on how to actually act like a good enough Italian to blend in with them! From having both sides of my family treating me and my immediate family with the grossest of contempt, to me not being able to get proper help with anything from socialising to getting funding to me finding a partner. Even within my healthcare career, so many employers, coworkers, patients, social workers and the big decision makers have disregarded the contribution that I have made to my work and to their community so much and so often, that I have been burnt out to the point where I would never work regularly in my old job again. See...complicated. Need to make sense of all above. Thanks

Captain T Im not coping
  • replies: 403

Hi all. I just need to get this out somewhere. I am in a very dark place. I feel as though someone is sitting on my chest and have so much emotional pain yet feel numb at the same time. Im alone and lonely. I hate myself and who I am. I am so tired o... View more

Hi all. I just need to get this out somewhere. I am in a very dark place. I feel as though someone is sitting on my chest and have so much emotional pain yet feel numb at the same time. Im alone and lonely. I hate myself and who I am. I am so tired of fighting to get well and when I go to bed I pray to not wake up. I can’t keep going on like this. I need to get better

Guest_9871 52 years old and going nowhere
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am new here and thought I needed to talk with someone as I am feeling extremely lost. I am 52, separated for 4 years, just lost my new partner yesterday as she is too busy for me. I am not struggling financially but cannot seem to save or get a... View more

Hi, I am new here and thought I needed to talk with someone as I am feeling extremely lost. I am 52, separated for 4 years, just lost my new partner yesterday as she is too busy for me. I am not struggling financially but cannot seem to save or get anywhere in life. Had a house but lost after separation. Now only renting and no lifht at end of tunnel to buy another one. Currently have no interest in anything and I feel like a total failure in life. Not sure what to do.

Toby_Girl4 Feeling Alone
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I have always struggled with Severe Depression and I am not coping at the moment. Taken time off work just feeling alone coz I feel it's all in my head and others are worse then me so why am I depressed

Hi there, I have always struggled with Severe Depression and I am not coping at the moment. Taken time off work just feeling alone coz I feel it's all in my head and others are worse then me so why am I depressed

Furby263 Depression
  • replies: 2

I’m 50 and I have been struggling with severe depression, and right now I’m really struggling with it. I have mobility issues as well due to arthritis and find getting out and about very difficult, especially with public transport. My social circle i... View more

I’m 50 and I have been struggling with severe depression, and right now I’m really struggling with it. I have mobility issues as well due to arthritis and find getting out and about very difficult, especially with public transport. My social circle is very small and right now the isolation is really. I don’t know how to cope with it and any suggestions would be good. I don’t see any joy in life right now and I don’t know how to counteract it.

TheKingOfHearts I need help
  • replies: 3

Right now I am really struggling.I wasn't gonna make a post but I am over it.I am in such a dark place that I can't do anything.Can't even sleep anymore.I have been sending emails to my doctor and she's replied to me outside of hours.I have talked to... View more

Right now I am really struggling.I wasn't gonna make a post but I am over it.I am in such a dark place that I can't do anything.Can't even sleep anymore.I have been sending emails to my doctor and she's replied to me outside of hours.I have talked to my case manager on the phone and to my mother.We're getting me some more meds so I have enough energy to get therapy.But I'm so defeated, so worn down and broken.I've been drinking more energy drinks and spending my money impulsively.I even had a sip of alcohol the other night and took money out of my savings account to pay for something random.When I had the alcohol I fell right to sleep.All I want is to get a job, have enough money to fix my living situation, to move across the country to a small apartment. I don't need a house or a duplex even just a bedsitter with a bed, a TV and a computer would be fine.Once upon a time I wanted more I wanted a big mansion and of course it'd be great.But now my values have changed.I want to be able to focus enough to read a book, watch a movie and play a game.And I want to be in a safe place of my own with my own style.I have a gothic and modern style.My mother loves bo ho, african, hamptons stuff and I hate stuff like that.And I really want faster internet and a better computer but I don't have enough money for that.I need alot of help.I hear voices and their so bad lately and I'm so depressed.I keep coming to beyond blue to talk about it all because I don't know what else to do.Now I'm telling my whole family about it on Facebook.I want to be an RN btw so I can help people I'd love to work in general practice however because things are so bad I'd probably become an EN asap.And just so you know I'm not living in a violent house or a broken home or anything I just can't stand this town I crave city life.But I feel so lifeless and emotionless even.My voices have become so violent.I can't stand it I'm just so sick of it.

AzzaFromAdelaide I like living but I don't trust myself
  • replies: 1

Hey allI'm trying to figure out why my mind goes to this worried and dark space. It's like I don't trust myself. I don't want to die, but I have this fear that I'll instantly jump over the balcony edge or jump Infront of a train. I cannot have hotels... View more

Hey allI'm trying to figure out why my mind goes to this worried and dark space. It's like I don't trust myself. I don't want to die, but I have this fear that I'll instantly jump over the balcony edge or jump Infront of a train. I cannot have hotels with balconies or visit train stations because I have so much anxiety. Like I said I don't want to end my life, I'm happy for the most part, but I have this huge fear that I won't think of the consequences before it's too late. Is there a name for this Illness is it just generic anxiety? Thanks for reading Aaron