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

Furby263 Depression
  • replies: 2

I’m 50 and I have been struggling with severe depression, and right now I’m really struggling with it. I have mobility issues as well due to arthritis and find getting out and about very difficult, especially with public transport. My social circle i... View more

I’m 50 and I have been struggling with severe depression, and right now I’m really struggling with it. I have mobility issues as well due to arthritis and find getting out and about very difficult, especially with public transport. My social circle is very small and right now the isolation is really. I don’t know how to cope with it and any suggestions would be good. I don’t see any joy in life right now and I don’t know how to counteract it.

TheKingOfHearts I need help
  • replies: 3

Right now I am really struggling.I wasn't gonna make a post but I am over it.I am in such a dark place that I can't do anything.Can't even sleep anymore.I have been sending emails to my doctor and she's replied to me outside of hours.I have talked to... View more

Right now I am really struggling.I wasn't gonna make a post but I am over it.I am in such a dark place that I can't do anything.Can't even sleep anymore.I have been sending emails to my doctor and she's replied to me outside of hours.I have talked to my case manager on the phone and to my mother.We're getting me some more meds so I have enough energy to get therapy.But I'm so defeated, so worn down and broken.I've been drinking more energy drinks and spending my money impulsively.I even had a sip of alcohol the other night and took money out of my savings account to pay for something random.When I had the alcohol I fell right to sleep.All I want is to get a job, have enough money to fix my living situation, to move across the country to a small apartment. I don't need a house or a duplex even just a bedsitter with a bed, a TV and a computer would be fine.Once upon a time I wanted more I wanted a big mansion and of course it'd be great.But now my values have changed.I want to be able to focus enough to read a book, watch a movie and play a game.And I want to be in a safe place of my own with my own style.I have a gothic and modern style.My mother loves bo ho, african, hamptons stuff and I hate stuff like that.And I really want faster internet and a better computer but I don't have enough money for that.I need alot of help.I hear voices and their so bad lately and I'm so depressed.I keep coming to beyond blue to talk about it all because I don't know what else to do.Now I'm telling my whole family about it on Facebook.I want to be an RN btw so I can help people I'd love to work in general practice however because things are so bad I'd probably become an EN asap.And just so you know I'm not living in a violent house or a broken home or anything I just can't stand this town I crave city life.But I feel so lifeless and emotionless even.My voices have become so violent.I can't stand it I'm just so sick of it.

AzzaFromAdelaide I like living but I don't trust myself
  • replies: 1

Hey allI'm trying to figure out why my mind goes to this worried and dark space. It's like I don't trust myself. I don't want to die, but I have this fear that I'll instantly jump over the balcony edge or jump Infront of a train. I cannot have hotels... View more

Hey allI'm trying to figure out why my mind goes to this worried and dark space. It's like I don't trust myself. I don't want to die, but I have this fear that I'll instantly jump over the balcony edge or jump Infront of a train. I cannot have hotels with balconies or visit train stations because I have so much anxiety. Like I said I don't want to end my life, I'm happy for the most part, but I have this huge fear that I won't think of the consequences before it's too late. Is there a name for this Illness is it just generic anxiety? Thanks for reading Aaron

Daniel_83 Health and Job related issues
  • replies: 2

Hi all Have you ever felt like once you hit your forties, all your dreams quietly slip away into the night, and life is just utterly meaningless. I feel like my life is a constant cycle of health anxieties (I am a diabetic) job anxieties, and relatio... View more

Hi all Have you ever felt like once you hit your forties, all your dreams quietly slip away into the night, and life is just utterly meaningless. I feel like my life is a constant cycle of health anxieties (I am a diabetic) job anxieties, and relationship problems. I haven't felt happy for a long time, and I keep reminiscing the yesteryears. Felt like my 20s were the happiest days, and there's no turning back time. There's nothing to look forward to anymore. It just feels like life is an eternal slog. Thanks for reading.

Samsta12341 I'm stuck
  • replies: 4

I don't know how to word this but im struggling with everyday life. I can't do anything right. Which has made my depression worse I think. Has anyone else been there and what ways did you help yourself to get out of it? I have been taking care of my ... View more

I don't know how to word this but im struggling with everyday life. I can't do anything right. Which has made my depression worse I think. Has anyone else been there and what ways did you help yourself to get out of it? I have been taking care of my mum and her issues for the past several months. My marriage is abit rocky at time and feels like there is no direction as a couple unless I do the directing. I love my job but it's hard some days to go and do it. I have very little time to myself. I'm glued to my phone when i do have time and I can't stop thinking about all the little mistakes I have made during the week. I'm struggling with it all. I'm only 33 and I just don't know what to do anymore. A part of me just want to give up. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

white knight Bouncing back- how do you do it?
  • replies: 21

Most of us here dont live stable lives in terms of our mental health. Ups and downs can come from many sources, the most common one is depression, be it the illness itself as an origin or other health issues that lead to it. Whatever the reason we fa... View more

Most of us here dont live stable lives in terms of our mental health. Ups and downs can come from many sources, the most common one is depression, be it the illness itself as an origin or other health issues that lead to it. Whatever the reason we fall and many of us fall heavily. We get tired of this dropping into the abyss because that feeling generates a "oh no, not again" feeling and along that path is the dreaded almost unrealistic thought of not being able to crawl out of it. Of course we do and within a few days, months, years for some we respond and recover. While we are on this high we feel we wont drop again and of course we do and that cycle seems to never end. That's the sad part- it never ends. Positive thinking, something I've believed in for 50 years now actually has very little impact during the down times, in fact you could be adding to your depression trying to motivate yourself and fail to do so. So, I wait until I get those tingles that cause me to smile a little and I know its time to motivate, go for longer walks and smell the roses. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/depression/depression-and-the-timing-of-motivation/td-p/149708 But everyone's different, what works for one might not for another. Hence I need your help. What tactics work for you that bring you out of a bout of depression? Or what helps delay your mood if you can feel it coming on? Do you rush to do the food shopping because you are falling into that cycle so you dont have to shop when you are depressed? What is your control methods to help you battle this terrible illness of depression? TonyWK

asleep-aardvark Feeling lonely and defective
  • replies: 2

My moods are really changing rapidly at the moment, from being really angry to sad and anxious. I’ve been feeling really angry with doctors and the medical industry generally, though I know it’s not really their fault. I’ve been feeling so low for so... View more

My moods are really changing rapidly at the moment, from being really angry to sad and anxious. I’ve been feeling really angry with doctors and the medical industry generally, though I know it’s not really their fault. I’ve been feeling so low for so long but when I go to my gp they’ll run some bloods and occasionally say my iron and b12 are low but otherwise normal and that’s it. But I’ve just realised I have premature ovarian failure, plus some autoimmune conditions, and that I’ve had results that weren’t really normal but were just dismissed. Because it’s known that I have anxiety and depression I feel like everything is just dismissed as that and people don’t listen to me. And I feel even more lonely, like I knew all long that I was destined to be alone and this is just to be expected. Ive never even had a relationship with someone. I feel like this pathetic thing not even properly human

Madie_Madz Feeling empty and less motivated
  • replies: 1

Last year i was diagnosed with depression, i thought i was going through was "Normal". As the year went on i started to go down hill, my mood went down even more and at the same time i was feeling Empty/numb. I'd feel a small amount of emotion then i... View more

Last year i was diagnosed with depression, i thought i was going through was "Normal". As the year went on i started to go down hill, my mood went down even more and at the same time i was feeling Empty/numb. I'd feel a small amount of emotion then it would just vanish leaving me feeling dull, along with that i've lost the motivation to do anything, i bearly go outside, i'm getting sick more often, i am withdrawing from my friends. I am seeking help but i am not sure if its working, i am taking medication but i still feel the same as when i started taking these meds, i am just so confused. What can i do to feel more uh motivated and less numb?

Creek24 Anger and inability to feel happiness
  • replies: 2

Hi! Just wanting some advise on how to change behaviour for feelings of unhappiness when I have nothing to be unhappy about and feeling like I have an inability to feel happiness. Progressively getting worse, even though I can function perfectly well... View more

Hi! Just wanting some advise on how to change behaviour for feelings of unhappiness when I have nothing to be unhappy about and feeling like I have an inability to feel happiness. Progressively getting worse, even though I can function perfectly well in my job and career. Desperately wanting to change but can’t

Arifa De
  • replies: 2

Hi , I’m really feeling like crying but can’t cry, have a very grifing and feeling sad ,

Hi , I’m really feeling like crying but can’t cry, have a very grifing and feeling sad ,