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

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…..

goldilocks Just Feeling Depressed.
  • replies: 2

I am feeling depressed. An extended relative of mine blocked me on FB, because according to them, I cause drama in the family. I know for an absolute fact that this is not true. You know what is true though? The fact that I stand up for myself when m... View more

I am feeling depressed. An extended relative of mine blocked me on FB, because according to them, I cause drama in the family. I know for an absolute fact that this is not true. You know what is true though? The fact that I stand up for myself when my safety and rights are being taken advantage of. This particular individual refuses to accept my follow request on another form of social media, probably for the aforementioned reason. They hate me, I just know it. They are all about supporting people of the same gender, yet won't support me. I just don't need them. I don't want to write a letter to them or text them either, asking why they seem to think that I 'cause drama' in the family. I'm upset. I tried speaking with another relative about this, but they just dismissed how I felt.

Awatea MHCP
  • replies: 3

Hello My brother suggers from depression, alcolhol misuse and he has just been diagnosed with MS which is drastically affecting work and health, He asked his Dr for a mental helath Care PLan but his Dr refused and said he could not get a MHCP as he w... View more

Hello My brother suggers from depression, alcolhol misuse and he has just been diagnosed with MS which is drastically affecting work and health, He asked his Dr for a mental helath Care PLan but his Dr refused and said he could not get a MHCP as he worked but he would refer him. This does not seem right.Donna

goldilocks Mum
  • replies: 16

I am 24, and I really, really, really wish I had a mother figure in my life. This sounds rough, but I really don't care about my biological mother anymore, because she treats me so poorly now. Her niceness when I was growing up was all a facade. She'... View more

I am 24, and I really, really, really wish I had a mother figure in my life. This sounds rough, but I really don't care about my biological mother anymore, because she treats me so poorly now. Her niceness when I was growing up was all a facade. She's been diagnosed with PTSD and refuses to seek help for it. She often gambles on the pokies and drinks cartons of beer, usually starting on a Thursday night and well into the weekend. Her excuse? 'I was like this before I had you,' and 'I've worked for 8/9 hours today.' Mum started treating me differently when I came out to her as being attracted to an older, single man with a child of his own (who is considerably younger than me.) I recall exactly how I felt when telling her for the first time. I was incredibly anxious, sitting on the my bedroom floor at 19 years of age, with a bucket because I thought I was going to be sick I was that anxious. I expected the worst and that was exactly what I got - mum completely dismissing my feelings for this man. She still to this day dismisses them, five years down the track, and still to this day refuses to talk about him. Nobody in my family wants me to discuss him ever again. I want an emotional available mother, one that will sit with me and listen to me talk about my feelings and give me big hugs. I know it sounds cheesy but this is how I feel. I am a very loving person with a lot to give to people. I am not sure what else to write?

Shelley3000 Depression
  • replies: 7

I have depression and anxiety for the most part I am ok, but lately I am going through depression and I also have housing issues which I don't have any support for. I am still dealing with trauma and the lockdowns we have had for the past 3 yrs. Furt... View more

I have depression and anxiety for the most part I am ok, but lately I am going through depression and I also have housing issues which I don't have any support for. I am still dealing with trauma and the lockdowns we have had for the past 3 yrs. Furthermore, I see a psychologist, but It's once a month if that. I am so isolated that I am not sure if I can go on.

Bibbetyboo Nowhere woman
  • replies: 6

I am heading towards my 40th birthday. I have a 2 year old and can't get him into daycare within 40 minutes of home for at least another year unless a place pops up. He was in but the centre suddenly shut leaving us stranded with little hope for a pl... View more

I am heading towards my 40th birthday. I have a 2 year old and can't get him into daycare within 40 minutes of home for at least another year unless a place pops up. He was in but the centre suddenly shut leaving us stranded with little hope for a placement until he's 4.My ex partner and I have irreconcilable differences. I have been trying to work with him as a co-parent for the last 10 months but he's extremely disorganised and often manipulative and unreliable. He attempts advances on me constantly and other woman but when i push back he stonewalls us both and becomes very difficult. Without daycare I am unable to work or study and there are jobs everywhere looking for anyone i feel so strangulated and voiceless.Family is 45 minutes away I have no car and I am currently choking myself financially to save $400 a fn to get a car, also with no license and even a car is going to be difficult to manage.Employment services said that I am buggered and the chance of me finding work are little.I have no hope while the television blurts constantly about how many jobs there are and I have no steps possible in which to get one. Even if his father took him and I worked full time it would be at a loss to the family financially and i would never see him.I try every single day to just focus and be with my son, but the feeling of no future never goes away.Ive never in my life had anyone say I would be a good anything, not even my own mother who told me I couldn't even be a waitress. I have talents, I like to cook and grow things but I cant be a chef because of the hours and cant be a waitress anymore because of the low pay and hours. Work from home is my best option, but how with a 2 yr old and no help?I'm going to be on the pension forever because there is no way out and I have no idea how I will support my son as his father is older and wont live to see his 20th birthday. I have no inheritance and my family are cold. Obviously I have made some dud decisions in life but I never felt I knew why I was here and never had a dream to be this or that or have this husband or whatever, I have never wanted anything not a ring or the latest iphone or car or a house.. none of that was inspiring, and I am just not wired to compete.Everyone else clicked somewhere and I never did or wil