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

KG_1975 Home from Hospital
  • replies: 7

I recently had a 4 week stay in a mental health unit in hospital for depression and anxiety. They were super supportive and I feel like I learnt lots to help me, but since I got back home I don’t know where I fit into the family and have zero motivat... View more

I recently had a 4 week stay in a mental health unit in hospital for depression and anxiety. They were super supportive and I feel like I learnt lots to help me, but since I got back home I don’t know where I fit into the family and have zero motivation. I don’t want to go back to my old habits of doing everything myself, but can’t find motivation to do anything. How do I readjust to being at home?

dwade3 Just hanging onto myself
  • replies: 4

For the last 2 years i have been dealing with some persistent depression, feeling so alone , worthless But lately things just can't seem to stop going wrong. And it's just pushing me further and further down. And each time I have to somehow claw my w... View more

For the last 2 years i have been dealing with some persistent depression, feeling so alone , worthless But lately things just can't seem to stop going wrong. And it's just pushing me further and further down. And each time I have to somehow claw my way out of all these thoughts and feelings. Only for them to be triggered again and again. And I'm just so exhausted of feeling this way. Initially self harming or suicidal thoughts didn't really happen in my head. But the longer I felt this way, the more these thoughts seem viable and frequent. Idk what to do anymore. But Id like some help

JDuncs dealing with depression for the past 5 years
  • replies: 6

hey guys, im 23 years old and i have been struggling with depression for the past 5 years, which has started to increase dramatically after covid. My early life consisted of a broken family and parents being divorced, the loss of my mother at the age... View more

hey guys, im 23 years old and i have been struggling with depression for the past 5 years, which has started to increase dramatically after covid. My early life consisted of a broken family and parents being divorced, the loss of my mother at the age of 10, to then having to live with my father who was a pedophile for the next 4 years and witnessed everything that he caused not only to himself but to the family too until he was finally taken to jail. Being 14-15 years old you dont really know or understand how to cope with and comprehend all of this so it was kinda pushed to the back of my mind never to be thought about, until 5 years ago when i finished year 12, a massive change in everyones life i'd say. In saying that massive changes for me dont go really well, taking a bad turn i starting smoking a lot of weed to cover up all my pain all the up until now where i am here seeking for any guidance or support.

Jane_024 Feeling lost
  • replies: 2

I’m a Nurse in a busy ED and a single mum to 2. I’m lost. I’ve struggled with anxiety (Not formally diagnosed) for years. I saw my GP years ago who agreed we trail an antidepressant, and see a psychologist. I trialed them briefly with no affect. I st... View more

I’m a Nurse in a busy ED and a single mum to 2. I’m lost. I’ve struggled with anxiety (Not formally diagnosed) for years. I saw my GP years ago who agreed we trail an antidepressant, and see a psychologist. I trialed them briefly with no affect. I strangled to check in routinely with a psychologist as I’m time poor, with work and kids I couldn’t find the time to meet with her when appointments were available, eventually our sessions tapered off a result of this. Years have passed, I have ups and downs. I feel the last year I’ve ‘fallen off the horse’. Ironically I tried to put myself first for once, health wise, lost 40kg, as a result have suffered in many other ways. I’ve been involved in a situationship which has also played into how I am now. I’m a nurse and carry guilt like ‘I should know better’, people often say “but you have great insight” if I disclose I’m feeling down, which is dismissive but also plays on my mind. Being a ‘respected professional’ somehow means ‘I should be insightful enough to not experience anxiety or depression’. I feel I’ve lost motivation in finding support as a result of this and having no time for me. I feel I’m sad a lot with no family and minimal friends. I want and need support but feel I’ll be considered not well enough for work or my children.

Jaybird77 Not sure what to do
  • replies: 5

Hello I feel I’m becoming numb to living. I can’t even say at least my childhood was great because it started off with the first man in my life that was suppose to love me enough to not take away my childhood . He was meant to be the protector of it ... View more

Hello I feel I’m becoming numb to living. I can’t even say at least my childhood was great because it started off with the first man in my life that was suppose to love me enough to not take away my childhood . He was meant to be the protector of it happening but instead was the beast who inappropriately abused me , followed by an uncle and family friend. I question myself stil at age 48 and a mother to 8 , why did they all pick me. Did I do something that encouraged it. I was just a baby still and didn’t deserve it. But why so many men and why me. It still sickens me today. Then again I faced it again by a adult who was suppose to be my friend when I was 14 years old; in front of a room full of boys, all of whom did nothing to help me. I couldn’t tell anyone this happend to me , I never even told anyone what had happened by my father , uncle and family friend. I couldn’t tell my mother because she would of blamed me like she did my sister when she told her this same uncle sexually abused her, my mothers brother to be exact. So I learnt early not to share anything with my toxic mother. I pushed that experience down deep with the others and left it there. The only person I felt loved by was my only brother. He understood what I went though with our mother. But on my birthday a few years ago I was watching the news and saw a man had been murdered and it was my brother. He was murdered on my birthday. I haven’t celebrated a birthday since and never will. I am still grieving for him as he was the only family I had. A year after his death my son in law was murdered and left my daughter to raise two little babies so I had to put all of my grief back down into the place I leave all my traumas and hell and help my daughter get through her grief and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I don’t feel I got to grieve for my brother properly. I just don’t know where to go. I’ve never had any kind of therapy and I don’t even know how to get it or if it wil even help me. I’m so mentally messed up. I just don’t know where to go

crystloak Feeling really down for no particular reason
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I just need to connect. I have been feeling really depressed for the past 3 weeks in the lat week i feel like I've a hit a low low. At times I feel angry but mostly I just feel like I don't want to be around anyone because I've my low moo... View more

Hi everyone I just need to connect. I have been feeling really depressed for the past 3 weeks in the lat week i feel like I've a hit a low low. At times I feel angry but mostly I just feel like I don't want to be around anyone because I've my low mood and lack of spark .To be honest I feel like I will infect them with darkness . I've had Anxiety and depression in the past more anxiety and had a ptsd diagnosis 10 yrs but I've been fine for the past few years . This time it's surprised me how quickly I've slid down the dark slide . I have struggled with this time of the year xmas for the past 20 years . I honestly feel like I just don't want to burden anyone anymore and I know I dint want to feel this way . I like functioning . At the moment I'm struggling to even care if I shower eat or get out of bed. Art keeps me going .I have a husband and grandkids but struggle to feel part of their lives. I think I just need to voice this somewhere that others understand.

asianaussie Considering leaving home and cutting ties due to a toxic and controlling family.
  • replies: 1

Although I'm 25, I'm still living at home with my family, due to financial reasons. Although they have supported me through living and study, I feel they have never emotionally cared for me. Or respected my boundaries. Both my parents and sister. I f... View more

Although I'm 25, I'm still living at home with my family, due to financial reasons. Although they have supported me through living and study, I feel they have never emotionally cared for me. Or respected my boundaries. Both my parents and sister. I feel like everything I say and/or do, I am judged and told to 'do this, do that'. From disapproving my dating choices to my religion (I follow New Age). I always find some of my possessions moved around and bank/tax records taken out, then being scolded for 'why I spent too much money, I need to be careful'. My journals have also been taken out and read, often critical entries about them, and they angrily confront me about it. Everything I bought, from food to clothes to spa treatments, have been checked for how much money I spent.With my family, I have never felt truly loved or supported. My mental health problems get dismissed as 'lazy excuses', and everytime I've tried to talk about a positive experience, they mostly ignore it or even squash it down with 'but what about when you...' insert bad thing I said or did. It's like I have to step on eggshells. They also argue, yell and talk negatively. Living with them has made me feel so hopeless about myself. My patience is fleeting, I find myself constantly anxious, and literally feel sick coming back home. My health has also suffered too, I barely sleep because the bedroom door keeps getting opened and people walk in. I've gained weight and find myself in crying bouts, I've felt constipated, I've had panic attacks at work and jealous towards those with loving families. I came back from a trip with my friends just this afternoon, and the first thing they did was question me about slacking off Christmas shifts. I lost it and said everything, what I truly wanted to say and how I felt about them shunning me. They got defensive and pointed that I was the toxic person, I was the one who didn't help or thank them what they had done for me. To 'get a grip, I'm an adult now.' I am a mess right now. I have considered leaving but find myself financially stuck. Renting is quite expensive, and I know there'll be many responsibilities that come with this. I'm currently a Uni student, and been considering doing a 1 year lease at least. But my weekly income is usually $700 to $900, and most costs are $300 to $500, plus the other expenses. I would please like any suggestions or any advice.

Crybabyyxx Why do I feel so useless
  • replies: 1

My mother is a bad person and she makes me feel like I’m stupid. She makes me feel like everything’s gone wrong because of me and she constantly tells me how much I over eat even though I’m a growing person. I try and try to make her happy but she al... View more

My mother is a bad person and she makes me feel like I’m stupid. She makes me feel like everything’s gone wrong because of me and she constantly tells me how much I over eat even though I’m a growing person. I try and try to make her happy but she always gets mad at me and says I’m better off sitting there, being useless. She doesn’t know how sad I am and I just lost my best friend. She told me it didn’t matter and that SHE only had 2-3 friends when she was my age. I need help, please help me

alexis123 I’ve never felt so alone
  • replies: 1

I’ve been completely swallowed by my depression and anxiety. Haven’t seen friends in about 9 months, wallowing in my bed, I sleep, eat go to bed, my once social life crumbling between my hands. Scared to go out and let down my friends, pushing all my... View more

I’ve been completely swallowed by my depression and anxiety. Haven’t seen friends in about 9 months, wallowing in my bed, I sleep, eat go to bed, my once social life crumbling between my hands. Scared to go out and let down my friends, pushing all my friends and family away so if i ever were to disappear they wouldn’t be as affected it’d be easier for them. Found comfort in my depression, i’m so used to being sad that i don’t know how to be happy, an endless cycle of the same day over and over. I’ve wasted an whole year of being anxious and sad, constantly alone with my thoughts 24/7 with no one to talk to, i feel lonely, so damn lonely, i wish the pandemic never happened i’ve become so comfortable at home. I hate my body i hate my face i hate myself. I wish someone loved me.

Rodolfo Depress and tired
  • replies: 9

Hi, 45 years old and have depression with PTSD. I recently been diagnosed but always had a feeling there was something wrong.last four weeks it has been really hard to the point I don’t want to live anymore as I feel I am a burden to my love ones!!15... View more

Hi, 45 years old and have depression with PTSD. I recently been diagnosed but always had a feeling there was something wrong.last four weeks it has been really hard to the point I don’t want to live anymore as I feel I am a burden to my love ones!!15 years ago I went through a roughly patch in my life and depression got me feeling like everything was my fault and tried to kills myself.Now I started to feel the same, voices in my head and thoughts keep bombarding my head!!Feeling lonely and sad…..