Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

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

Start a discussion

FAQ

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

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

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

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

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

Start a discussion

Efb1234 Reaching out... I'm lost.
  • replies: 7

Hi, I really dont know if this is the place or whether this is the right thing to do but I dont know who I can talk to. Back story - I was diagnosed in 2013 with depression. Went on a mental health plan and seeked counseling with antidepressants over... View more

Hi, I really dont know if this is the place or whether this is the right thing to do but I dont know who I can talk to. Back story - I was diagnosed in 2013 with depression. Went on a mental health plan and seeked counseling with antidepressants over 6 months and felt that I was on the mend and I came off them myself which I know wasn't the right thing to do however, I seemed to have really had my head screwed on. A lot has happened in the time, new relationship, new job, moved to a new area. However just over 12 months ago(3ish years after I stopped antidepressants and counseling), I quit my job with the support of my fiance as I was unhappy, over worked and it was affecting our relationship. I was crying every night, tired, moody and always arguing. I thought leaving work would help change the situation however, I believe it was the beginning of where i am at today... numb. I cant find joy in anything, I struggle to get myself moving, I'm always worried about doing the wrong thing or upsetting someone. I dont keep anyone close or talk to anyone about how I feel. What's worse about this time is I still spoke to my mother and my friends about how I felt, but I cant stand to be that open with them anymore. I feel all over the place and I feel I cant ask for help because I've already done that... and I feel like I wont be taken seriously. I really dont know if anyone else has been in a similar situation or not but it would be nice to hear some advice on what you have done or think I should do. I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense. xx

demonblaster Acronym meanings
  • replies: 74

I know there's a few that I don't know but ask what they are so assuming others too may not know GAD ? Learnt recently that BPD = Bipolar Disorder can be confused with BPD= Borderline Personality disorder so the poster puts PD= personality disorder (... View more

I know there's a few that I don't know but ask what they are so assuming others too may not know GAD ? Learnt recently that BPD = Bipolar Disorder can be confused with BPD= Borderline Personality disorder so the poster puts PD= personality disorder (good thinking)

Michael2 Wake up call
  • replies: 5

Hi all. this is mick. so I’ve been going through life like a roller coaster ( like most) and enjoyed the ups and been through the dark deep tunnels. I’ve recently turned 30 last year - after spending my twenties on what felt like a constant uphill. I... View more

Hi all. this is mick. so I’ve been going through life like a roller coaster ( like most) and enjoyed the ups and been through the dark deep tunnels. I’ve recently turned 30 last year - after spending my twenties on what felt like a constant uphill. I seriously became self Centered beyond belief and missed so much time (quality and wisely spent) time with important people in mylife, resulting in many episodes, etc etc as you can and may imagine - I feel sober from my self reflective war zone today like I can’t describe I feel I have instead of being the centre of the iniverse have ( after some tremendous recent downers - visit to hospital suicidal to name one from thehelp and escorted by my mum there who put the hammer down to get me there. So today I find myself alone in my home, realising there’s so much to live for - being kind and discovering more about the people who tre at me right ( also parting ways finally with a handful that blinded my heart)or better said, I looked to and called upon as one would stare at the sun. ( negative, bad, all that stuff as the labels may be used u know......) anyways opting to open my heart up again. Mabe find more positive people to have in my life like I’m lonely nights like this - i thought I’d sha re for someone out out there that may connect. I believe in all the hardships in life and battles love always wins! Like someone wise once said if we turn to love - Everyone wins.

Lov3 Feeling super grim
  • replies: 20

Hi everyone, I’m a bit nervous posting but keeping things in is what has got me here. (Sorry this is going to be a bit of a long one) It started a good decade ago when I left school and unfortunately messed things up for myself due to drug use. I had... View more

Hi everyone, I’m a bit nervous posting but keeping things in is what has got me here. (Sorry this is going to be a bit of a long one) It started a good decade ago when I left school and unfortunately messed things up for myself due to drug use. I had a perfect life and lost so much in a short period of time and found after that I have always been scared of things falling apart. This has given me anxiety and made me live in a bit of a box. I spent my time working hard and piecing a stable life together. Over the years the anxiety grew, I lost my dad unexpectedly; but I continued pushing through. Last year was my 10th year in my job and I had set myself up, built a house etc and felt I was in such a great place, yet I felt so sad still always. I decided to stop being stubborn and see a dr. I started an anti depressant which helped so much. I decided to treat myself and go overseas, on my own, and I did it! I was so proud of myself and had the best time. When I returned, things at work got really bad for me and my family were in a bad place and I just felt very overwhelmed (my dr also changed my medication because of night sweats and I don’t feel it is working the same) I keep everything in, I knew I would pop. I went to a family wedding, I didn’t want to drink and was not going to drink but I drank I don’t know what happened but I ‘popped’ no one will tell me what happened except that it was bad. My boyfriend barely looks or speaks to me. I feel sick and so sad and so embarrassed and so disappointed in myself. I’m 32 and I’m a mess! I feel like I can’t face anyone ever again. How could I let this happen when I put all my energy into keeping it together! My number one priority is everyone around me being happy and have I said horrible things to them? Awww what have I done...I don’t even want to know now.

Kairos Advice?
  • replies: 5

I’m only 13, but feel like I am suffering through some sort of depression. I have researched the symptoms, and can relate, but when I tried to tell my parents they said that I am too young to be thinking like this. I have been recommended to tell a s... View more

I’m only 13, but feel like I am suffering through some sort of depression. I have researched the symptoms, and can relate, but when I tried to tell my parents they said that I am too young to be thinking like this. I have been recommended to tell a school health officer or counsellor, but am too afraid to speak out, even to close friends. I have attempted some online depression tests which say that I have moderate depression, but I don’t speak out because I am afraid that I am just over-exaggerating and I really don’t have depression, and making a big fuss for nothing. What should I do?

meat LHave lost years to depression but hide this with lies.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm sorry for how ugly this post is going to be. I've made my account minutes ago and know you're meant to follow some guidelines but I honestly need some help as soon as possible and just want to ensure I actually do this post. I'm male, 21 and ... View more

Hi, I'm sorry for how ugly this post is going to be. I've made my account minutes ago and know you're meant to follow some guidelines but I honestly need some help as soon as possible and just want to ensure I actually do this post. I'm male, 21 and have had mental health issues for a while now. Recently, I met a girl who's now my girlfriend. I want to do this for her, I want to have my shit together and be strong so I can support her. so I've recently come to accept I'm suffering from depression. I haven't made any progress in uni for 2 years despite lying to family and friends about it. My parents have been giving me a generous allowance for about 4 years now despite us not being the most wealthy and I've done nothing to get a job in that time. I'm not even justifying the allowance because I'm not getting anywhere with uni. I also don't have my drivers license yet either. These things aren't due to lack of ability or intellect, I just don't do anything all the time. I only seem to move when I'm going to socialise and even then I don't always feel up to it. apart from that I spend a lot of time doing nothing, sleeping a lot, pacing a lot, daydreaming. I do nothing all the time. my work ethic is non existent at this point despite me doing so well in high school I've completely stuffed everything with uni. so now I'm in a position where I'm always making excuses about not having my license, always lying about not making money and being behind on uni. I even don't tell people about my allowance. I lie about so much. now I just feel like shit for everybody I've lied to, i love my fam it and friends but none of them would forgive me for this kindness of thing. I just feel like my life has already gone down as a stuff up i just want some idea of where to start j

Lilac1 So down, so lost
  • replies: 2

I don’t really know where to start, I wouldn’t say I’m at my worst because there’s definitely been worse times but I just feel so down and lost. Ive been trying, trying so hard to stay positive, do things that make me happy and trying to put myself f... View more

I don’t really know where to start, I wouldn’t say I’m at my worst because there’s definitely been worse times but I just feel so down and lost. Ive been trying, trying so hard to stay positive, do things that make me happy and trying to put myself first. It helps for a bit but then when I’m alone at night I know I’m not truly happy. Doing things I love brings me temporary happiness, all I want is to be happy with myself but I don’t know if I ever will be. I don’t have a job, I don’t study it makes me feel like a big failure but I just can’t find anything that’s for me and my anxiety doesn’t help that. I have no friends, maybe some acquaintances but people seem to always leave. I know my anxiety might be the reason but it shouldn’t make them leave. Feeling alone is one of the worst feelings, not feeling good enough. I have to pretend I’m happy to make them happy but as soon as I can’t pretend anymore they are gone or hurt me. Boyfriend doesn’t understand, I’ve tried and trying for me is hard because it’s so extremely personal and it’s like he doesn’t care. He says he does but like right now it’s his birthday next week and all he cares about is sexual things. When I’ve told him how I feel about myself, I know I shouldn’t stay because he deserves better but I’m too scared to make someone feel pain because I know how it feels. I love my family above anything else, I’ve lost a lot of them but that’s made me realise how important family is, I feel like such a disappointment to them. I should have a job, growing, moving out but I’m not. I can’t express how I feel to them because I’ve worried them enough, seeing the pain I caused them is too much. I never want to do that again. I think too negatively about myself, I know I do. I love too much, care too much and try to make others happy before myself. I feel like I just need that one person who understands, I want to be understood. I know people say doctors help but to me they never have, I don’t want medication I don’t need. I understand and have nothing against it but for me personally this is a part of me and I’m not going to numb it, I’m going to beat it. I don’t trust them from past experiences. Thank you in advance, I really appreciate it. I just want happiness, with my life and most importantly within myself. I just don’t know how.

Tgirll What helps with automatic intrusive negative thoughts?
  • replies: 11

Hi all I have trouble with automatic thoughts constantly flooding my brain and they're usually hard to deal with and get me down. Sometimes I don't let them get me down but I'm going through a patch where it's hard to do that. My psychologist asked m... View more

Hi all I have trouble with automatic thoughts constantly flooding my brain and they're usually hard to deal with and get me down. Sometimes I don't let them get me down but I'm going through a patch where it's hard to do that. My psychologist asked me to think of ways that help me with those thoughts and what makes them better. But I can't think of much. Can you please share some ideas? Thank you

bigstar Initial bipolar symptoms?
  • replies: 1

So after a protracted battle with mental illness, at the age of 30 I got on anti depressants (about 6 weeks ago). I've been feeling actually really like my old self and have been so excited to not be depressed that I've been taking on a lot of missio... View more

So after a protracted battle with mental illness, at the age of 30 I got on anti depressants (about 6 weeks ago). I've been feeling actually really like my old self and have been so excited to not be depressed that I've been taking on a lot of missions--I'm back working again and I'm in two bands who have been recording and keeping very busy because I thought my life was very near over a few months ago. The way I explained it to my psychologist was like being told that you were going to die in a few days and then by some miracle you survive and all of a sudden you have this life ahead of you. The depression convinced me that there was no hope and I believed it. But I recovered and I thought it was a miracle. So I hit the ground running and started to make the most of everyday. And this is how I felt when the medication started working--I was so sick for so long that I started making up for lost time and just making the most of my life. The depression was there but it was in the background and no longer controlling me. Yesterday though, after a tough week with what I'll call 'real-world' issues, I noticed I was feeling a bit on the manic side again and slightly anxious about it. My sleep was very weird the past few nights too, where my body was kind of sleeping but my mind was racing and thinking random things constantly. Pretty peculiar. This morning I was sufficiently fatigued to warrant me not going into work and I've spent the entire day watching netflix and doing nothing. Prior to this my sleep has been fantastic and I've been prescribed medication which I've been taking every night to help me get to bed. Anyways, last night I saw my psychologist who suggested that I might be developing, or I might have bipolar but its still early days yet. He suggested this because of the way I described my sleep, my elated mood the past few weeks and how I was telling him I was starting to feel mildly manic. This really worried me as it made me feel like the past 2 or 3 weeks of happiness and motivation was a delusion as a result of an organic illness rather than the result of me making some life changes and doing positive things such as getting on medication and the like. Anyways, so he has made me pretty anxious by suggesting that. I have made mania before a major depressive episode which was a few months ago, but not sure what to make of it all right now and I'm kind of worried about the future. How are things like bipolar diagnosed anyway?