Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Puddles1974 Lost partner suddenly to cancer
  • replies: 2

I recently lost my partner suddenly to cancer. Multiple Myeloma. He was diagnosed July 2022. He was given 10-15 years to live. 7 months later he passed away. So unexpected and sudden. We weren't told it was aggressive or found in his blood until Dece... View more

I recently lost my partner suddenly to cancer. Multiple Myeloma. He was diagnosed July 2022. He was given 10-15 years to live. 7 months later he passed away. So unexpected and sudden. We weren't told it was aggressive or found in his blood until December. He did stem cell transplant, that failed. Tried another form of chemo. That too failed. Then did high pace chemo. He got pneumonia in hospital and passed away. Not coping at all. Depression has kicked in quite bad. I've suffered anxiety for the last few years but his death has really broken me.

mads675769879 suicide bully
  • replies: 2

so I'm in grade 11 I'm struggling with a couple things i been bullied my whole life because of my parents because they were druggies and they abused me and my siblings a lot so i moved to sa because my dad got locked up and and we were put in dcp and... View more

so I'm in grade 11 I'm struggling with a couple things i been bullied my whole life because of my parents because they were druggies and they abused me and my siblings a lot so i moved to sa because my dad got locked up and and we were put in dcp and the only way my mum could get us back if we move sa and started living with my aunty in 2020 when covid just started and my mum stuffed it up and hurt me and my brothers so my aunty kicked out and my mum asked me and my sibling if we want to go with her she took my 3 youngers siblings with 3 years later im at school in year 11 im really struggling because im getting bullied real bad i got rumors spread about today i was yelling at a teacher and i addencty told i feel like a want to kill my self and im scared that they will tell my aunty and she put me in mental hospital lately so i started to yell at these girls that were bullying me and lately i been self harming really bad i really need help but i cant talk to my aunty because she will call me a attention seeker

Rya2345 DSP
  • replies: 4

I got my divorce in 2019. I was a homemaker all my life. It was an unhealthy relationship. Ever since my divorce I have been trying to either study or stay into a job which I'm unable to. I get severely depressed and I live on my own. I have been on ... View more

I got my divorce in 2019. I was a homemaker all my life. It was an unhealthy relationship. Ever since my divorce I have been trying to either study or stay into a job which I'm unable to. I get severely depressed and I live on my own. I have been on the jobseeker. I get overwhelmed easily and currently on antidepressants. I have been given a 3 months medical exemption for the mutual obligations.I was wondering if I will be eligible for DSP.I don't have the energy to write more or even describe in details

renu Deperssion, anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello I’m Renu i have some mental health issue i need help with this. thanks

Hello I’m Renu i have some mental health issue i need help with this. thanks

H-c I don’t know what to feel or do anymore
  • replies: 4

Well, I’m back once again. I thought after seeking professional help I’d feel better, feel whole once again but I’m back. Back to square one. I thought I’d only be diagnosed with one condition which I have learned to accept but then I got diagnosed w... View more

Well, I’m back once again. I thought after seeking professional help I’d feel better, feel whole once again but I’m back. Back to square one. I thought I’d only be diagnosed with one condition which I have learned to accept but then I got diagnosed with three. OCD, GAD and Major depressive

annoy I just want to let it all go
  • replies: 1

I am a 23 year woman and first-generation immigrant. My parents and sister depend on my success, yet I am so undeserving of the place I am in. I wish I was never born in the first place, or that someone who is more capable was in my stead. I wish to ... View more

I am a 23 year woman and first-generation immigrant. My parents and sister depend on my success, yet I am so undeserving of the place I am in. I wish I was never born in the first place, or that someone who is more capable was in my stead. I wish to let it all go. But I can’t. I can’t do that to my parents. Never. I tell my friends of my issue, yet no matter what advice they give me, I can’t get better. It just feels so hopeless and pointless. Yet time is ticking and I’m losing opportunities because of the way I am. Why am I like this. I can’t live yet I can’t die. I am stuck in my own body.

DallasG People think I'm lazy and it's messing with me pretty bad.
  • replies: 3

I've been in therapy for 6 going on 7 years now, it's been with a psychologist and it's basic talk therapy and I will say it has helped me to a degree but it's only gotten me so far, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and moderate to severe soc... View more

I've been in therapy for 6 going on 7 years now, it's been with a psychologist and it's basic talk therapy and I will say it has helped me to a degree but it's only gotten me so far, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and moderate to severe social anxiety, I've mostly gotten over the anxiety, I still have bouts of pretty bad anxiety but I've learned to get through them, the depression has stuck though, no matter what I've tried it only works for a little while and then it creeps back in, I feel like I have no control over it, I am medicated for it, each day, as far as I know it is one of the most effective AD's. Lately the depression is just really bad, I have lost interest in pretty much everything, I'm currently unemployed so there's that, I have no IRL friends anymore, my one and only friend fobbed me off and is blaming me for it as well as everything else wrong with him, I'm angry at him, at others, I have slept most days the last month unless I have to be somewhere which isn't very often, if I do get up I sit/lie on the couch watching YouTube or streaming something to keep my attention from leading me back to bed, I'm exhausted both mentally and physically and and I just don't care about anything, I don't want a relationship or family, I can't make friends, I'm 43 this year and my mum and dad will be gone soon, my sister is in another country with her family, I will soon have no one, and while that scares me to a degree I look forward to it, I can stop pretending I'm fine, that I want a "normal" life, someone said once it's called apanthropy, I looked it up and it suits me to a tee, I know my thoughts are all over the place, another reason I find it so hard to explain myself to others, I know I'm abnormal, I don't mind being that. But when people say I'm just lazy and to just stop being depressed and do something I get so mad, like they just don't get and I hope they never feel anything close to what I do each day, I feel most people wouldn't be able to cope as well as I think I have without doing something drastic, yeah I've only been there once in my life and I know it's not the answer. Some or all of this won't make sense to many, I just had to get it out I guess.

Cat0101 help - neighbour dog non-stop parking 24/7
  • replies: 1

I am a super patience person, and love planting in my little backyard. 1. the new moved in neighbour is the owner since Jan 20232. she brings along a young female golden retriever3. at the beginning, she tried to calm down her dog. 4. her job is far ... View more

I am a super patience person, and love planting in my little backyard. 1. the new moved in neighbour is the owner since Jan 20232. she brings along a young female golden retriever3. at the beginning, she tried to calm down her dog. 4. her job is far and cannot back home every days5. the poor dog is home alone, but just a tiny noise (e.g. keys, closing door, walking in the tiny court yard, ...) the dog will bark non-stop. Even though double glassed door still can hear it.6. sometime I can hear the dog is exhausted from barking, after a rest, if some sounds come again, the dog bark again7. this is not kind to the dog and the life of the dog is not good8. my husband suffer it a lots, because he stay home most of the time9. our relationship get worse and argue one time more worse than one time10. now i felt depressed by busy job, bad tempered husband, non-stop barking dog, ....11. 5 months passed, my little backyard like a terrible forest. Because i cannot stay outside with barking noise. Even though I cannot bloom out the leaves. We did talk with that owner few times and recently the house sold after a month. The owner carry on to work and not stay home. Dog is longer time by herself. Situation is getting worser. Please help to suggest me how i could report it and make it stop?

-Tee- Stay at home mums and mental load
  • replies: 1

First time reaching out here.. not sure what I actually want to achieve, but I'm hoping writing things out may relieve some tension.I'm a full time at home mum of 3 who like many other, I'm sure, does NOT stop. I have a high needs family, with little... View more

First time reaching out here.. not sure what I actually want to achieve, but I'm hoping writing things out may relieve some tension.I'm a full time at home mum of 3 who like many other, I'm sure, does NOT stop. I have a high needs family, with little family support and a lack of friendships I feel I can be open with. I'm home a lot on my own and whilst I'm happy to hold the fort, mental load is often draining, there's always something to remember, something to do or someone to attend too. In the past I've been very closed off and often hid my feelings, but these days I try my best to be open and have clear communication. It feels good to say what I'm thinking and whilst I feel heard, I don't feel like I'm understood. I can be pretty clear with saying I'm cracking, exhausted and need time alone to recharge, but the rest of the households feelings and needs seem to trump my own. I've tried putting myself first, but then I find I'm left with more pieces of the puzzle to pick up when I return, so I feel like it's a never ending battle. Most days I feel like a ship sailing in the night. I know I'm not alone out there, does anyone have suggestions of how to make life that little bit easier? Having appointments and therapy is not an option, because getting away from the house or having more than 5 minutes without little people in tow is too hard.

Sum_mer20 Thoughts from me
  • replies: 1

Hello to whomever is reading this, right now it’s 8:01pm and I’ve decided to just right things down. I’m struggling with my mental health and I think I’ve begun to admit to myself that I am not okay. I am my biggest enemy and I feel so pathetic and w... View more

Hello to whomever is reading this, right now it’s 8:01pm and I’ve decided to just right things down. I’m struggling with my mental health and I think I’ve begun to admit to myself that I am not okay. I am my biggest enemy and I feel so pathetic and worthless. My family thinks I have a full time job when in fact I’m hiding under my bed, it’s been going on for 4months now and I keep lying to them whenever they ask me how work is going. I feel so stressed and angry at myself for being useless. Like I have no excuse but I’m always applying for jobs and I never hear anything. My other problem, is that I’m pretending everything is okay when it’s not. I’m so sad and anxious about everything. The only place that makes me feel good is the gym but that’s only for a little bit and then I go home and I feel so crap about myself. Also, being a black women itself is hard because I feel like I have to prove myself and work harder than anyone else but for what! You know I tried to make myself feel better emotionally and mentally but at the end of the day there is this big rock on my shoulder that keeps dragging me down. I want to be proud of myself and be genuinely happy but why is it so hard? I’m desperate for a job, I’m desperate to love myself and I’m desperate to know that someone is proud of me. Don’t get me wrong my family is amazing especially my big sister because she’s always there for me but knowing that I’m lying to them 24/7 makes me feel sick. I am posting this because I don’t have anyone to talk to and I just want someone to understand.