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

Ausdog Depression, anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia
  • replies: 26

I have no interest in anything, I find no joy in life anymore. I am tired and am not sure this existence is what I want. I don't know who I am, who am I and who are the drugs trying to make me become. I despise more than I care, I feel nothing but an... View more

I have no interest in anything, I find no joy in life anymore. I am tired and am not sure this existence is what I want. I don't know who I am, who am I and who are the drugs trying to make me become. I despise more than I care, I feel nothing but anger and hate, at everyone and especially myself. I smile I'm public so I am left alone, no one knows the depth of my dark well I live in. Guess typing this helps.

Sunflower23 Grieving and changes
  • replies: 6

I’m feeling overwhelmed by the changes that have occurred in my life recently; going through a challenging breakup. Living in the house my partner and I shared doesn’t feel like home anymore. Feeling alone and frozen, unable to plan ahead or get my t... View more

I’m feeling overwhelmed by the changes that have occurred in my life recently; going through a challenging breakup. Living in the house my partner and I shared doesn’t feel like home anymore. Feeling alone and frozen, unable to plan ahead or get my thoughts in order.

Echtis Immense anhedonia
  • replies: 3

My depression has wavered in severity since 2014. Recently, the anhedonia has made it very hard to do anything at all. I cannot enjoy anything at all, and I am trapped inside because of what the outside world means to me. I finally self-harmed again ... View more

My depression has wavered in severity since 2014. Recently, the anhedonia has made it very hard to do anything at all. I cannot enjoy anything at all, and I am trapped inside because of what the outside world means to me. I finally self-harmed again after years just to feel something other than sadness and anxiety. Obviously I know it will get better eventually. This is just me saying it to the void because there is no one else to say it to in real life: I am not doing okay, and I do not deserve how people treat me.

kimmy_25 Alone
  • replies: 3

Hi my uncle passed away yest and I feel so lost 

Hi my uncle passed away yest and I feel so lost 

S_ Am I becoming an abuser?
  • replies: 3

I have recently ended my marriage ( 6 weeks ago). I was in an emotional abusive relationship for 5 years. Gaslighting, stonewalling to avoid accountability for his actions. He also cheated on me, sent sexts to other women and nudes. I am currently wo... View more

I have recently ended my marriage ( 6 weeks ago). I was in an emotional abusive relationship for 5 years. Gaslighting, stonewalling to avoid accountability for his actions. He also cheated on me, sent sexts to other women and nudes. I am currently working with a psychologist and have been medicated. I am slowly working on a trauma bond and co dependency issues as well. I’m afraid that I’m becoming the abuser and don’t know if how I’m reacting is normal. I will call him and go off at him for things that he has done/ said. It’s like an overwhelming urge that I can’t stop and try desperately not too. I don’t love this person anymore I hate them. I have major trouble with trying to stop myself from knowing about his life and if he is suffering. I want him to suffer. I want his life to go to crap. I don’t know how to stop from telling him he is a piece of crap and saying horrible things to him. I understand that anger is a normal emotion but i don’t feel bad when I say these things to him and I’m am terrified that I’m becoming the abuser. Am I?

kimmy_25 Alone
  • replies: 1

Hi my uncle passed away last night. I feel so alone and down I feel like the drs shrug U off

Hi my uncle passed away last night. I feel so alone and down I feel like the drs shrug U off

Creative_Displayname Help at home: partners depressed
  • replies: 1

For a while now my wife has been depressed. I have seen a pattern, it is always external sources that depress her “I am at home all the time and I just want to do more I feel stuck” but when she is out of the house too much for work etc “I just want ... View more

For a while now my wife has been depressed. I have seen a pattern, it is always external sources that depress her “I am at home all the time and I just want to do more I feel stuck” but when she is out of the house too much for work etc “I just want to be home I miss my kids I don’t get to do X”. It’s like this with a lot. The biggest things that are getting me are that even though she will acknowledge what I do around the house, it’s will be rebutted with “but I just wish that you would do this…” I work from home and I do a fair bit. But my job is demanding, I manage projects for government clients it’s a six figure job. I work hard, I do school runs and swimming lessons. Clean the house when I can and look after the kids when they are sick so she can work or go to appointments or get out of the house. It destroys me to hear how she wants to be able to relax but can’t because she always needs to work around the house. As if what I do isn’t enough. I’ll get the conversation that she’s ok doing laundry and dishes but wishes I would remember to do it more Or that what I do isn’t the right and I prioritise wrong or how I did it was wrong. I am trying and I am coming off the back of a multiple year struggle with anxiety and depression due in part to losing my job in the Army because of various injuries. I’m trying and we seem to go around I circles. She takes an antidepresant but hasn’t seen a psych more than a handful of times and from what she has shared they always seem to point out my indiscretions and that I am an issue rather than her opening up about trauma in her life and what or why she feels certain ways. As if she only goes to complain about me. That’s probably not the case but I only know of what I hear. we have had providers for various things in the past like couples counselling that seemed to side with her and even call me abusive yet neglect to deal with her triggers and responses it’s always how I could do better. I struggle to find friends or people to chat to about this because if she finds out I vent to them she uses that against me as I have embarrassed her and I can’t be trusted or that I shouldn’t do that because it’s so inherently wrong and I should know not to talk about her. It manifests in very controlling ways for a lot of aspects of our lives. can someone help me or let me know I’m not the problem or that I might be?

codycolvin1725 How do I deal with guilt?
  • replies: 6

I wasn't sure how to title this but it's not wrong, hopefully this is the right place for this. For a few months now (roughly like 3-4 months, maybe longer) I have been dealing with a lot of guilt, self hatred and anxiety/depression. A couple months ... View more

I wasn't sure how to title this but it's not wrong, hopefully this is the right place for this. For a few months now (roughly like 3-4 months, maybe longer) I have been dealing with a lot of guilt, self hatred and anxiety/depression. A couple months back my girlfriend and I broke up, and I feel terribly guilty about everything. Our relationship was very rocky, and while I loved her a lot, there were a lot of times where I wasn't a very good boyfriend, and often made her feel terrible. She had asked me to get help earlier, and I wish I had listened earlier, but I was too stubborn and I wanted to fix my problems myself. Eventually, she decided to leave after a lot of thinking, and she told me that she couldn't move past the things that had happened in our relationship, and while I respect that decision and I wish her all the best, I can't help but miss her dearly, and wish that things turned out differently. I know this was my doing, and now I just feel so awful about everything. Ever since having more free-time and doing not much, I've had a lot of time to think and reflect and I feel that no matter how much I change, I'll never be forgiven for the things I have done and I'm afraid of that. I loved her a lot, and now that she's gone I just can't help but reflect on everything I put her through, and what I wasn't capable of providing to her. It's been eating away at me for the past while, and It's been getting me down a lot, no matter how much I distract myself. So my question is; How do I deal with this guilt? How can I move past my mistakes and become a better person? I plan to see someone in the coming months so I can improve myself mentally, but I just want some advice on how I can deal with this feeling better.

Coco18-8 Really struggling
  • replies: 1

There’s a pit in my stomach while I’m sitting here staring outside my window because it’s the only thing that will stop me from crying. I feel so alone and sad and can’t help but think when will this go away. I have felt this way before, it lasted fo... View more

There’s a pit in my stomach while I’m sitting here staring outside my window because it’s the only thing that will stop me from crying. I feel so alone and sad and can’t help but think when will this go away. I have felt this way before, it lasted for 4 months. I do not want to wait for 4 months to come because those months were the hardest months of my life. I am depressed and alone with no support from family and my friends are to busy living their own lives with their relationships and lives. My boyfriend is in the army which is hard. I’m struggling with everything.

john5425 I’m not sure if I have depression or not?
  • replies: 2

I am a healthy 29 year old male, with a good job and a wife.lately I have been finding myself feeling lost with little purpose. I use to always love any free time I could get to work on my cars or work around the house, but lately I have no drive to ... View more

I am a healthy 29 year old male, with a good job and a wife.lately I have been finding myself feeling lost with little purpose. I use to always love any free time I could get to work on my cars or work around the house, but lately I have no drive to do anything at all. I sometimes find myself opening up Netflix then just staring at the screen because I don’t even want to watch something.I spend hours scrolling through Facebook not even enjoying what I’m looking at.I’m not always sad, most of the time I am happy but I’m finding now I am starting to feel sad and lost for 1-2 weeks at a time.I have good friends but I don’t even feel like making plans.For the first time in my life I’m dreading a long weekend coming up because I don’t feel like doing anything at all, and I am scared that I will just sit around and feel worthless all weekend. I don’t feel comfortable talking to my wife about it, which makes me feel worse.I have seen sever depression first hand and this isn’t that, but I’m not sure why i am feeling so down lately