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

Malen The costs of being sick is getting too much to bare
  • replies: 1

Along with a number MH issues I have a range of GH issues. On on numerous amounts of medication. I have regular GP visits and specialist appointments for severe chronic pain. I've had 4 procedures this year. Also have seen a Psychiatrist with review ... View more

Along with a number MH issues I have a range of GH issues. On on numerous amounts of medication. I have regular GP visits and specialist appointments for severe chronic pain. I've had 4 procedures this year. Also have seen a Psychiatrist with review to see a Psychologist. Officially I work fulltime, but Im on reduced hours due to ulnar nerve entrapment, though just at the moment im on income protection. When Im working Im off a fair bit for doctors appointments. My pain medication can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 60 days in effectiveness. Im off for specialists a bit either for appointments or procedures, now there will be more specialist with the addition of psychologist and psychiatrist. Procedures take up at least a day, sometimes a day or two for recovery. Of course there is time off for the actual illness, some days the pain was more than I can cope with and be at work as well. So you have time off, which ticks my parents off, they think I take too much time off while not understanding my pain level. Im normally on reduced hours due to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, Im currently on Income Protection. I had a spinal procedure which fixed one problem and highlighted another, which is more painful than the first. Dad asked when I was going back to work (there is more than just the spinal stuff). I dont know how I am going to handle work with the pain. I dont earn heaps, Im on good money for the hours I do but not the hours to make good money. Somehow I have to afford life and all my medical costs. Medications etc. My parents seem to believe that I should just be able to afford this. They dont get the amount of money all this cost.

Stef91 Depression, lack of motivation
  • replies: 1

Hi, I've been soffering from depression and anxiety for the past 6 years and recently increased my meds. I'm struggling financially and I just found this job in a restaurant which pay good money, I've been in hospitality for 18 years now and I don't ... View more

Hi, I've been soffering from depression and anxiety for the past 6 years and recently increased my meds. I'm struggling financially and I just found this job in a restaurant which pay good money, I've been in hospitality for 18 years now and I don't like it anymore but other jobs pay less. I tried to study but with no money is hard so I had to postpone, I can't find motivation in doing anything cause I have no money to pay for anything and I also don't feel like doing anything. I can't follow plans I make with myself, I have zero willpower. Sometimes I wake up motivated and do things for a day or two like going out or exercise or call a friend but it never last long. What shall I do? I love self development books so I'm happy to get any good names too, but mostly I hope to find someone that overcome what I'm going through right now.

AnotherRandomUser Sick and tired of being sick and tired
  • replies: 8

I have a chronic illness that is slowly getting worse. I went from being able to hold a small part time job, to being completely housebound. I'm in constant pain, and I'm severely ill.Thanks to several uncaring governments, any support I used to get ... View more

I have a chronic illness that is slowly getting worse. I went from being able to hold a small part time job, to being completely housebound. I'm in constant pain, and I'm severely ill.Thanks to several uncaring governments, any support I used to get has been cut. I cant get the NDIS, I cant get one-on-one care, I cant even afford regular doctor visits. I dont have supportive family, and I dont have any offline friends. So I am completely on my own. When I get really sick, when Im having constant seizures, when I cant get food for myself... I suffer. Theres no one to help and I live in constant fear that I might die collapsed on the floor one day alone. And please dont ask me to keep trying to find supports, I have and am, I'm telling you theres none. NDIS wouldnt help despite having 3 specialists saying I needed it, I can only win if I take them to court, Im too ill. And yes I applied several times. Cant afford to do so again anyway, no money left.So now if Im too weak to do something, I go without, and theres no one I can call. Sometimes Im too sick to even get to a doctor by myself, so I lay in bed alone praying I will recover somehow. I used to have a social worker to help, but the funding was cut. And worse is because Im so broke and so alone, I feel angry and depressed because I feel that Im never going to be able to live my life. I'm 32 and never been kissed, never had a relationship, havent had offline friends for over 5 years, havent traveled, have done basically nothing in life. I feel worthless. And I fear the future, like what happens when I eventually cant pay my rent? What if I have to move, how am I gunna do it by myself? What if I end up homeless, will that kill me? Im so afraid. I feel like the whole world has abandoned me and left me to die. I dont want to die, I want to live. I just wish I got the damn chance! I wish someone would help. But our government dont care, and theres no services who will help. I dont know what to do, my mental and physical health keep getting worse and I just feel horrible fear every day. I just dont want to struggle anymore. Why is it like this? Australia is supposed to be a rich country, but theres nothing for people like me.

QueenOfBadIdeas I want to get better but I can't do it alone
  • replies: 2

I'm at a point in my depression that I'm starting to have some self-worth, and know that I am capable of things... but the way I exist in society crumbles all those thoughts.I'm not really alone, I have some friends -- but it's all superficial. I hav... View more

I'm at a point in my depression that I'm starting to have some self-worth, and know that I am capable of things... but the way I exist in society crumbles all those thoughts.I'm not really alone, I have some friends -- but it's all superficial. I have no one I can actually trust, who I know I could share secrets with and who would care. When I try to reach out for help people tell me to stop bringing them down. They don't see or celebrate my successes -- I've never been given flowers or taken out for dinner. Most people have no idea what I actually do for work or in my spare time -- no one is interested. People only seem to be interested in me when they want something from me.I don't want people to say to try another group, that there's people out there that's 'your people'... I have tried absolutely everything. Uni students, people passionate about the same things I am, people who share my identity... no matter where I go, people always treat me the same. Whenever I go to events with friends with the intention of making new friends it's always the same -- my friends get a million compliments, at most I get 'there's lipstick on your teeth'.I have no idea what's wrong with me. I feel like an alien. I know my social skills aren't the best (thanks to ADHD undiagnosed I was an adult + childhood trauma), but I try as I see other people trying. Nothing... ever... works.I'd love to believe that the world is a better place, and I believe most people are good. I wish I could be a person who has the kind of energy that everyone loves. Or, at least, the kind of energy that at least one person loves.

Eevier How do you get help without money?
  • replies: 7

Diagnosed with ADHD, severe depression, moderate anxiety. I'm unemployed, seeing a psychologist, after 5 visits I feel I've got nowhere really except advised I should break tasks down and figured out that I'm scared to 'hope'. I'm still so sad, every... View more

Diagnosed with ADHD, severe depression, moderate anxiety. I'm unemployed, seeing a psychologist, after 5 visits I feel I've got nowhere really except advised I should break tasks down and figured out that I'm scared to 'hope'. I'm still so sad, every single day. Money is seriously tight, unemployed but can't get Centrelink at this stage (long story). I have a few Medicare covered visits left but don't think it's enough. What happens after that? If you have no money you are left to deal with misery on your own? How do you get help without money?

Samii1 Anxiety/Depression from Chronic Illness
  • replies: 3

Hi…I’m new here. I suffer from an extensive chronic illness which I’ve had for a very long time. I can’t work and I don’t go far from home…I have really bad social anxiety. I’m just not coping I live in the outback so access to medical treatment is i... View more

Hi…I’m new here. I suffer from an extensive chronic illness which I’ve had for a very long time. I can’t work and I don’t go far from home…I have really bad social anxiety. I’m just not coping I live in the outback so access to medical treatment is impossible. I find it so hard trying to reach out for help/support and I’m finding everything is just to hard in life. My family and partner don’t understand what I am going through with my anxiety and depression and I’ve tried talking to them but I get nowhere…why is everything in life so hard! Thanks

Cranswick Disabilty pension and part time job
  • replies: 6

l have been on the DSP for 12 years, my main disabilty in depression and anxiety and some general health problems. People on the DSP are allowed to work and still keep the DSP as long as its under 30 hours a week. l would like to try to find a job pe... View more

l have been on the DSP for 12 years, my main disabilty in depression and anxiety and some general health problems. People on the DSP are allowed to work and still keep the DSP as long as its under 30 hours a week. l would like to try to find a job perhaps 10 hours a week which would make my life better, but l have a fear if l either find a job or join the DES to look for a job my DSP could be reviewed or reassessed and would have to go through the stress of the review process and the risk losing my DSP and moved onto jobseekser then not being able to afford to pay the rent and bills which if that happened would seriously harm my mental health. l would need help to find a job so l would need to sign up with the DES or jobnetwrokds but l read on the internet the the DES jobnetworks are not very helpful or useful. Could anyone whose been on the DSP and looked or found work please give me some advice

Malen Depression - the beast arises
  • replies: 1

Depression is horrible, that doesnt sound bad enough but its horrible, its a beast that sucks all positive emotions from you. It sucks all positive outlook draining anything positive from life. It leaves an overwhelming hopelessness, a darkness that ... View more

Depression is horrible, that doesnt sound bad enough but its horrible, its a beast that sucks all positive emotions from you. It sucks all positive outlook draining anything positive from life. It leaves an overwhelming hopelessness, a darkness that seems never ending. Thats how I feel at the moment, I feel like my life is bleak. Im on as much pain medication that I can handle yet Im still in pain. I cant live anything that resembles a normal life. Just driving to an appointment wears me out for the day, let alone helping around the house or working. I need a hair cut and that will have to be a morning thing or someone will have to take me because of the pain meds. That will be all I can do for the day, it will cause me too much pain. Just writing these posts I need to shut my eyes and have a break time to time because I get too tired. I keep having to talk to random people about my mental health issues, people I dont know, I dont know their story or their motives and here I am telling them all about my inner thoughts and feelings. 1/2 the time I have to explain why I want a female to talk to, which shouldnt be a question Im asked Since the diagnosis of Complex PTSD my mind has been on my childhood, its been hard, remembering things that happened. Realising why I am the way I am. Realising how little I trust my family and with good reason. My tablet is completely locked down, it might look open but to open an app you need my finger print. I dont feel I can manage much more of this, the emptiness I feel, the hollowness, like Im an emptied egg shell that just the slightest pressure will cause it to break. Im so sick of feeling fragile, alone, shrouded in darkness. I feel like there is a monster following me everywhere I go, just ready to attack and absorb anything that resembles joy and a second monster that just turns every situation to sh*t or a sh*t situation worse. Depression is a horrible beast, you can only hope to survive it with as many limbs, toes and fingers in tact at the end as is possible. Worse still is you survive it and you are waiting for the beast to rise again, its just waiting to attack once more.

M_down When will my depression lift its been over 3 weeks
  • replies: 10

Hi, i feel soo bad. This is the 3rd time I get depression first 2 times were 10 years apart and I really didn't know much about depression. Ladg eposiode before this I've was 3 years ago. I was put on medication and started to feel better in 2 weeks.... View more

Hi, i feel soo bad. This is the 3rd time I get depression first 2 times were 10 years apart and I really didn't know much about depression. Ladg eposiode before this I've was 3 years ago. I was put on medication and started to feel better in 2 weeks. I'm so scared I will live my life like this. I have 2 daughters and a loving husband . Work wise I have some challenges and want to quit my business which I started a year ago and go back to my career. I have a problem of doubting everything including my dr assurance I will get better but it takes time. Anyone here who had depression lift and how long did it take and how u start to feel better. I can't remember how I got better the last time. Is it one day you wake up and feel better or a gradual thing. I'm desperate to feel better soon. Each day I wake up hoping I'm back to normal and get so disappointed when i''m not. I'm so testy and scared of not getting better

Annie147 I’m new here
  • replies: 12

Hello everyone, I don’t know what I’m doing so I hope I’m on the right page . I suffer from depression due to a work place injury. I have a great dr , a pain management specialist, a surgeon and a psychologist.I feel like I am losing control over eve... View more

Hello everyone, I don’t know what I’m doing so I hope I’m on the right page . I suffer from depression due to a work place injury. I have a great dr , a pain management specialist, a surgeon and a psychologist.I feel like I am losing control over every aspect of my life and I definitely aren’t the same person I was 5 years ago and due to very high doses of medication I’m fairly sedated most of the time . I have lost interest in everything. I’m hoping someone can give me some tips thanks for taking the time to even read this