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

Stilloutthere Hopelessness and Anhedonia
  • replies: 1

Hello all I will preface this by saying that I am safe, and have no plans to harm myself. I have had a tumultuous last 3 months or so. Work has been terrible, and relationships inside of the environment have devolved to a point where my so called tea... View more

Hello all I will preface this by saying that I am safe, and have no plans to harm myself. I have had a tumultuous last 3 months or so. Work has been terrible, and relationships inside of the environment have devolved to a point where my so called team mates have attempted to set me up to be at the head of non compliant safety incidents (I am an engineer). Thankfully I have my immediate managers support, but honestly every time I engage with work I am either sitting blankly and unengaged or reverting to an anxious fight/flight state. I work from home, which at least allows for breakdowns and tears when everything becomes too much, but these can be set off by the smallest things now. The work environment no longer feels safe, and I am having great difficulty pulling myself out of the "humanity is disgusting, greed inspired, selfish" misanthropic attitude and even intellectually engaging with the idea that "not everyone is bad", despite all the proof otherwise. I find myself frequently having thoughts that I am so disillusioned with the human species as a whole that I no longer want to be a part of it. While these thoughts do not take the form of suicide, there is definitely a death ideation, or desire to no longer be.I have many mental health routines that have been in place for a very long time. I have suffered from depression on and off for over 30 years now, and for the last 10 years or so have managed through mindfulness, a consistent meditation routine, and exercise. I am glad to say that I am managing to continue with my meditation and exercise at the moment, even though it does not appear to be assisting in any way. I have always had trouble feeling joy/happiness, and stopped aiming for that a long time ago and reoriented to "contentment", as I can at least be content even in the midst of sadness and despair. Lately I have experienced difficulty even imagining that I could be content I lost my best friend and fur baby companion (dog - Jacko) at the start of November, and then his brother Banjo (cat) less than a week later. Between work stress and grief I feel like I have been almost on autopilot for the last 3 months, unable to feel anything other than despair/unhappiness. I have battled since a teenager for good mental health, through addiction, suicidal thoughts, and thought I had made great progress. I have thought of self blame for letting work stress get me to this point. I have booked in an appointment with a therapist and my GP in the next week.

sugarplum1999 I feel lonely!
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. How do people deal with loneliness? I am not from Australia and I suffer depression and anxiety. Last year I moved in with my boyfriend but we had to move to a different houses after 9 months due to some issues we had. He is an alcoholic... View more

Hi everyone. How do people deal with loneliness? I am not from Australia and I suffer depression and anxiety. Last year I moved in with my boyfriend but we had to move to a different houses after 9 months due to some issues we had. He is an alcoholic and lost his job and he got injured at the time so he had to move with his parents because he couldn’t afford rent with me. Now, that we don’t live together I feel so lonely even though we talk over the phone everyday sometimes, but I feel lonely and pretty sad, can’t cope with depression on my own, I was thinking to go to a psychologist but I can’t afford it as I don’t have Medicare. I was wondering if someone could give me some tips and advices on how to cope with these issues. Thank you in advice!

Lonely_Ship Depression and anxiety for years, and struggle to trust most people since 2021.
  • replies: 5

As title says I've struggled with depression and anxiety for over a decade. I'm a 28 year old male so I've probably already lost most sympathy there. Everything seems so hard and exhausting and I keep trying to make positive steps in life, particular... View more

As title says I've struggled with depression and anxiety for over a decade. I'm a 28 year old male so I've probably already lost most sympathy there. Everything seems so hard and exhausting and I keep trying to make positive steps in life, particularly trying to be social and physically active but I struggle so hard to trust anyone beyond my immediate circle, even people I used to be very close but haven't seen in ages I feel closed off and apart from. Like shit said likely off-handedly or on social media will stick with me for months and cause tears. I see so much stuff that make me think large parts of society would hate me and struggle to cope with it.I feel like I cannot stop thinking about these things despite how much I want to be just relaxed and immersed in something else. Speaking of things to be immersed in, I find hobbies, games, and media to be immersed so difficult to find that I have not already played or watched. Everything seemed to have something which is a modern day reference or thing which brings me back to hat I'm trying to escape.I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel useless and used up of my energy and productivity.

startingnew Struggling alot right now
  • replies: 11

Hi everyonei havent been in here in quite some time now but i am struggling alot. My mental health conditions are worsening and having several chronic pain and other health conditions everything is so hard. i feel so alone and isolated. the only peop... View more

Hi everyonei havent been in here in quite some time now but i am struggling alot. My mental health conditions are worsening and having several chronic pain and other health conditions everything is so hard. i feel so alone and isolated. the only people i speak to are those that need something or those that i have to support otherwise im just alone and have no one.

idkanonymousig09 I'm not sure if there is something going on with me
  • replies: 1

Recently, i have been having mental breakdowns randomly, but specifically at night alone in my bedroom. it is school holidays for me and my groupchat with my friend group has been blowing up. they have been making plans to hang out over the break, no... View more

Recently, i have been having mental breakdowns randomly, but specifically at night alone in my bedroom. it is school holidays for me and my groupchat with my friend group has been blowing up. they have been making plans to hang out over the break, normally i would go with the plans but lately i would rather stay at home instead. not even telling anyone that im not going, not messaging anyone at all. every time i hear a notification, i mostly ignore it. i dont mean to ignore my friends, but something inside me is wanting to, school is coming back soon and im afraid to face them again, and have them possibly question where ive been, why im not responding or hanging out. every time i think about this, leads me to tears and me wanting to throw my phone across the room. idek anymore........

jenny059 Lost and alone at 60
  • replies: 1

Hi new hereim divorced and renting I’m 60i have no means to get my own home I don’t have anything after divorce and very little superannuation my ex now has an inheritance and living very well my son just built a beautiful home with his wife and kids... View more

Hi new hereim divorced and renting I’m 60i have no means to get my own home I don’t have anything after divorce and very little superannuation my ex now has an inheritance and living very well my son just built a beautiful home with his wife and kids I’m happy for himmy brother just bought a brand new home around the corner from him financially very stableIt breaks my heart I’m in this position after losing the family home and only having my last pay cheque when it was sold. My ex used our mortgage as his atm so nothing left there.How do I find happiness and feel secure now. I live pay cheque to pay cheque I get so down and worry when I have to retire thank you

Succulent Queen Confidentiality and Crisis Line Experiences
  • replies: 2

Hi All,Would anyone be willing to share their experiences in talking with crisis helpline support? Maybe that very well known one that isn't Beyond Blue? I recently had an experience with a particular helpline that left me questioning confidentiality... View more

Hi All,Would anyone be willing to share their experiences in talking with crisis helpline support? Maybe that very well known one that isn't Beyond Blue? I recently had an experience with a particular helpline that left me questioning confidentiality.The operator knew which town I worked in without me telling her. I have called this number once a week in the lead up to Xmas as well as these last three weeks throughout January. I have named the town in at least one of these phone calls but not today, however the volunteer operator did name it. Her explanation was a staggered and vague few words about the computer telling her I was in Victoria. She could not tell me where she got the town's name from and referred me to the FAQ section of the helpline website to give feedback. At the time of the call I was in Melbourne which is 160k's away from that town so the computer could not have detected me as being in that town. Now... here's a point of truth to consider, the state of your mental health does not equate to a measure of your intellect. To equate mental health with what is normally assumed to be a limited intellect is a form of stigma. Stigma at work associated with mental health is part of the reason I rang the number and not something I wanted to experience from a helpline.The point of this post isn't to tear a service down or overstate it's worth. Its about sharing experiences as fairly and honestly as possible. I am grateful to be in the first world where I can call a non-judgemental stranger for free and talk about anything, now, I don't think I use that number again.What are your thoughts on confidentiality? Confidentiality can only be interpreted a single way in my view unless transparent variables are added to broaden its meaning which wasn't the case.First and foremost this post is about confidentiality. Confidentiality of any type that relates to mental health, mostly helplines.Confidentiality underlines the integrity of any health service. Confidentiality when maintained gives you confidence. In many personal relationships, confidentiality can also be described as trust. When you entrust sensitive information to a service you expect it to be upheld. This part of the benefit in calling a helpline. What are your experiences with confidentiality that is related to your mental health information verbal/documented/formal/informal - doesn't matter. Thanks

mcc Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am 26 years old and have been dealing with Bipolar Disorder for over 2 years now. I havent been in a depressive low like this probably since I was diagnosed. I have been doing everything right too like taking my meds and stayed off the alcohol ... View more

Hi, I am 26 years old and have been dealing with Bipolar Disorder for over 2 years now. I havent been in a depressive low like this probably since I was diagnosed. I have been doing everything right too like taking my meds and stayed off the alcohol but I am just not finding any hope and feels like I am never going to make it out. I have in the past and its what I am holding on to but its just a repeat cycle of up down up down and its getting the better of me. I struggle to get out and bed and leave my room. I put on a brave face when i do and rarely get asked if anything is wrong which is good because they dont know but also gives you this feeling of "they dont care". I am just not in a good way at all and just wondering if anyone has any tips or anything for keeping my mind busy and not having bad thoughts racing over and over? or tips to fall asleep because I am averaging about 3-4 hours maximum a night and that makes it tough too. This might not make much sense but I am typing this coming from not being in a good way right now. Absolutely any help at all would be amazing.Thank you.

Vannnnn Supporting my partner with depresion
  • replies: 3

HiWhen I first met my partner everything was perfect the last 6 months he has had depression. I battled mental health myself about 2.5 years ago and some days I still suffer I’m still on medication from it. I still do counselling etc. This was from a... View more

HiWhen I first met my partner everything was perfect the last 6 months he has had depression. I battled mental health myself about 2.5 years ago and some days I still suffer I’m still on medication from it. I still do counselling etc. This was from a bad break up after 7 years and I pulled through. However my recent partner now works fifo as well as I work fifo. We cross over only every 5 weeks. When we are together everything is amazinghowever when he goes to work it is the complete opposite. He doesn’t want to speak to me, a lot of things I say trigger him even though it is just a normal conversation, he just wants to be left alone, he doesn’t want help he only wants to do it himself. He’s lost and when I ask what can I do for you in this moment his response is I don’t know. It makes it difficult for me to navigate when he doesn’t have any answers or want any support or help. Im putting more into the relationship then he is as obviously his mind his else where. He always tells me about he thinks about being on his own because it’s easier as he doesn’t have to worry about anyone else but himself or the pressure a relationship puts onto him. I’m at a cross roads and he knows I am here for him and support him. When he asks for space I respect it and he can go days without speaking even though we already do the 5 weeks apart. I’m at a crossroads. I feel like I’m loosing myself when all I want to do is make it easy for him

Katso Self loathing
  • replies: 7

I try to be happy but always compare myself - my looks my life with others. I have to get dressed virtually in dark- hate the way I look and menopause has only increased this with weight gain- I’m at the stage where I don’t want to go out- feel so lo... View more

I try to be happy but always compare myself - my looks my life with others. I have to get dressed virtually in dark- hate the way I look and menopause has only increased this with weight gain- I’m at the stage where I don’t want to go out- feel so lonely and always feel like everything I say is wrong so I stay at home which makes me kind of better - but then of course more lonely - I don’t want a counsellor to ask me to picture a leaf floating down a stream etc - it won’t help me - does anyone have good success with anything I’ve also found anti depressants not working so well