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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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
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Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

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.

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

Pringa Confused and exhausted
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don’t really know how to explain how I’ve been feeling lately. I just feel completely lost. Every day I feel like I lose another little piece of myself, and sometimes I don’t even recognise who I am anymore. Most of the time I either feel sad, angry,... View more

don’t really know how to explain how I’ve been feeling lately. I just feel completely lost. Every day I feel like I lose another little piece of myself, and sometimes I don’t even recognise who I am anymore. Most of the time I either feel sad, angry, overwhelmed or completely numb. I still have moments where I’m genuinely happy and laugh and feel normal, but they never seem to last. Underneath everything there’s this constant heaviness and exhaustion. I feel like I’m existing rather than actually living. Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up, or that somehow I could disappear without having to do anything myself. I don’t have a plan to physically hurt myself, and weirdly that sometimes makes me feel like a fraud like maybe I’m not actually struggling enough to deserve help. I also can’t say any of this to anyone my dad doesn’t understand, I’m estranged to my sisters I don’t want to be a bummer to my friends and I couldn’t add another worry to my mum

M-aggie Chronic Depression
  • replies: 14

I dont want to be alive anymore, im tired. Everyday Im trying to convince myself life is good and worth living but it's a constant struggle. Im having bad dreams more often and I have trouble falling asleep. I often think that I'm a bad person, that ... View more

I dont want to be alive anymore, im tired. Everyday Im trying to convince myself life is good and worth living but it's a constant struggle. Im having bad dreams more often and I have trouble falling asleep. I often think that I'm a bad person, that I'm rude and dumb. I want so badly to contribute something to society but I dont think I ever will, Im not special, I don't have talents.

DepressedNoEnd Current Struggles
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Posted this earlier as a reply but adding as a main post as only got one response and any other advice would be good. What I find hard is the constant interactions and criticism, really not good....sorry to bother.... Sounds pathetic, but I am just a... View more

Posted this earlier as a reply but adding as a main post as only got one response and any other advice would be good. What I find hard is the constant interactions and criticism, really not good....sorry to bother.... Sounds pathetic, but I am just absolutely sick of family life, I am sure I would be much happier on my own. Wife and 3 children all close in age, eldest is 11. Boys constantly argue, daughter okay but my wife and I are also fed up of each other as well, just a constant constant continuous grind. Earn money, spent before I get it, until next pay day, I work two jobs. Alot of pressure is financial pressure but not all of it, getting abuse from boys, if not one its the other, constant I hate you etc, wont read, do school work, be obedient, leave me alone….. They do plenty of clubs etc. Its horrible, work is a relief, people treat you like normal there. Come home and I just cant stand it, I want this that and the other... Mid 40s renting, just seems like no end, been on anti depressants 5 years, used to be happy and very fit doing running 40-60km a week or so, now just eat and have 25kg plus to lose. I think its the children that I just dont like, we got on fine more or less without children. Just wish I woulndnt wake up some days, got to be realistic, ideally our/my own house with an annex would be great and we could both get some time away but in small place renting and the constant noise drives be batty so I have a noise cancelling headset as work from home a bit and means dont hear the children. I realise I must sound selfish as my wife calls me every single day, but its completely miserable, every day. I absolutely hate family life, not saying we dont have any some good times but its the constant grind and wining about everything that gets me down, had a few days away with work a while back, really enjoyed it not seeing them, read some books, ate better and went to some classes in local gym. I am trying to turn it around and just joined a gym as have a lot of weight to lose and got to start somewhere but sometimes I wish they would just leave me alone and I didnt have a family. I know I should be grateful for a family etc but its just pushing me to my limits. Dont know how to turn this around…any help much appreciated, thank you for your time in reading…..

ZoeT_feet Down again
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I have too many problems and I get so down I can’t sleep or do anything constructive. I stay up all night wondering if I should move in with my sister 六 or stay close to my daughter. I took my meds late again today. I can’t pay my bills, I have a ver... View more

I have too many problems and I get so down I can’t sleep or do anything constructive. I stay up all night wondering if I should move in with my sister 🧑 or stay close to my daughter. I took my meds late again today. I can’t pay my bills, I have a very obnoxious family member trying to make my life hell and people keep trying to break into my house.

Random1 Family issues
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Hi, I don’t really know what to say but I just need to offload a bit off my mind. I’m in another depressive episode that’s been going on for a while I find it hard to get out of bed and get outside, the things that used to be easy aren’t anymore. I k... View more

Hi, I don’t really know what to say but I just need to offload a bit off my mind. I’m in another depressive episode that’s been going on for a while I find it hard to get out of bed and get outside, the things that used to be easy aren’t anymore. I keep procrastinating and avoiding school work. It just feels like I can’t do anything, my family hates me and does nothing but insult me. My step dad won’t stop yelling at me and cursing me out, it feels like I’m trapped and no one cares, he calls me the most horrible names and turns everyone even my own family against me, not long ago he cornered me into a wall and I tried to push him away because he was raising his hand like he was going to hit me but he switched the story and everyone blames me, he has been in this cycle and calling me a manipulator since I was a kid, but he tells my little brothers all these disgusting things about me, sometimes I just listen in and cry because he treats them so much better than he has ever treated me and it sucks because he’s been with my since I was four and my mother does nothing about it. I just feel like I can’t do life anymore it’s just to much, I’m distancing myself from everyone and I don’t know what to do anymore.

Emotions26 Do not feed the monster
  • replies: 153

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one perso... View more

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one person I think today I am resonating with several posts in different areas but cannot remember where they are I am literally lost within this website as well as within myself I am working very hard at keeping the dreaded "D" at bay which I have battled with too many times.I have had this since young apparentlyI have had large gaps of time where I am mostly symptom free I think The monster is the dreaded "d"It is also a relative whom I have had to relinquish her hold over me.I have only learnt about this stuff recently so struggle talking about it. So I think of do not feed the monster as in do not think of her. Or do not feel guilty or upset or worry or a thousand other things Also do not feed the dreaded "d" as it lurks waiting I will not find this piece again

Guest_95566092 Too many problems!
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1) I'm 31 Years Old! In regards to my Socio-Economics, & with Working.- I've never had a Payed Job, or any Payed Working History.- Not just Full Time, but even Casual, or Part Time.- I've never wanted Entry Job's like.- Sales- Hospitality- Factory- R... View more

1) I'm 31 Years Old! In regards to my Socio-Economics, & with Working.- I've never had a Payed Job, or any Payed Working History.- Not just Full Time, but even Casual, or Part Time.- I've never wanted Entry Job's like.- Sales- Hospitality- Factory- Retail- I've never wanted TAFE, Manual Labour, Construction, Apprenticeships, Diploma's- There's not even any Certificates that I'd want to do, even. - I'm also not a University, Self Motivated, Study Personality. I don't have eligibility, regardless. I only have a Year 11 VCE, & A Year 12 in Foundation Graduation, without a VCE & ATAR. I've never liked Academia. 2) My driving is not Regular. Even though I have a Licence, & a Vehicle. It's not optimal, the way everyone else is driving on the roads. I lack development, with my driving. 3) I'm tragically, wrongly Misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia, too. It's caused me 5 Hospital Admissions, since. 2012, 2014, 2015, 2021, & even in, 2026. It's a very COMPLICATED, where the whole thing is misguided, & my mistakes became the misconfusion, for my notions on reality, were more subjectively, decided against my own argument of sanity. 4) I have Pre Diabetes, & Cholecystectomy. My Gallbladder has been removed. 5) I need to fix 2-3 lower teeth. I have Gingivitis-Gum-Recessions, on my bottom teeth. I need a skin graft surgeries. 6) I'm also considered a Virgin incel, now that I'm 31 Years Old. I've never had any relationships, with the opposite sex, whether that's platonic, or with sensual intimacy.

scarlett-04 why am i getting upset over nothing or small things
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i’m 22 and over the past few weeks. I’ve just been feeling more and more sad. I started a new job recently and yesterday I had a full on crying moment and couldn’t stop it only a few weeks before I was on the phone crying to my boyfriend about the sa... View more

i’m 22 and over the past few weeks. I’ve just been feeling more and more sad. I started a new job recently and yesterday I had a full on crying moment and couldn’t stop it only a few weeks before I was on the phone crying to my boyfriend about the same thing it was about nothing. I just couldn’t stop crying and I can’t stop now. I haven’t felt this way before. I don’t know why I’m feeling this. Maybe it’s the anxiety of a new job or something else but yesterday was too much. I felt bad asking for help cause I hate doing it and I felt bad for asking my boyfriend to come over even though he was busy. I felt guilty and I still do and I just wanna see him and I just want my parents I don’t want to do anything. My new job isn’t even that hard on me. I just feel like I’m doing nothing and I don’t want to do anything. I don’t feel motivated to go to the gym. Go out. All I wanna do is lie in bed just stay there. I keep a record of how many times I’ve cried over the year and even though it’s 5 August I’ve already cried 18 times and yesterday with two of the worst times and I can’t tell you why I think it was just anxiety and change and losing a friend waking up earlier than I’m so used to and then having to drive 30 minutes and I don’t start work for an hour after that. I feel useless and I feel tired and I don’t wanna do anything. I know I have a support system but I hate asking for it. I hate crying in front of my parents and my boyfriend and my friends. I hate being so easily emotional but I can’t help it. It’s who I am so I can’t change that I’ve tried, but I can’t. It’s too hard does anyone else feel this way. i feel like i am the only one some day

Chocolate59 So tired of trying
  • replies: 6

I've been there for everyone that I can & now my health is failing there's nobody there for me. So helpless. I'm a smoker so basically a lepur - judged for my addiction rather than who or what I am. So sad

I've been there for everyone that I can & now my health is failing there's nobody there for me. So helpless. I'm a smoker so basically a lepur - judged for my addiction rather than who or what I am. So sad

Guest_40067888 Feeling low
  • replies: 1

I’ve been on medication for about 10 years. I’ve recently had a change in the dosage of medication with in the last two weeks. I feel terrible. Don’t even think about thoughts any more just feels bad I don’t know if it’s the medicine

I’ve been on medication for about 10 years. I’ve recently had a change in the dosage of medication with in the last two weeks. I feel terrible. Don’t even think about thoughts any more just feels bad I don’t know if it’s the medicine