Our Stories
Here you will find stories by people from all walks of life who live with depression.
Sharing our stories helps all Australians living with depression – both personally or through a family member or friend – to better understand:
- the illness that is depression
- the impact it has on us and our lives and on our families and friends
- what works (and doesn’t!) for us and the people we care about
Reading others’ stories can also help to overcome the stigma we feel towards having depression ourselves. The most important message in our stories is…
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
We have now included a special section for Our Stories of Recovery & Hope
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Ages up to 20
Ages up to 20 yo
The following are stories from people like us who were aged up to 20 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
17 Years Old
Melly Female, 17 yo (701 words)
Nate Male, 17 yo (1,401 words)
Ibis Female, 17 yo (1,509 words)
Lucy Female, 17 yo (585 words)
Jess Female, 17 yo (617 words)
Leon: Male, 17 yo (945 words)
Huck Male, 17 yo (1,073 words)
Erzulie Female, 17 yo (1,858 words)
18 Years Old
“JJ” Female, 18 yo (1,358 words)
Kat Female, 18 yo (288 words)
Stumpy Male, 18 yo (479 words)
Melancholy Male, 18 yo (607 words)
Melancholy – 1 year later Male, 19 yo (445 words)
Anthony Male, 18 yo (439 words)
“Dash” Female, 18 yo (453 words)
Dash – 2 years later Female, 20 yo (294words)
19 Years Old
Leah Female, 19 yo (492 words)
Suzi Female, 19 yo (182 words)
Alya Female, 19 yo (1,443 words)
Lauz Female, 19 yo (535 words)
Colsey Male, 19 yo (699 words)
Sarah Female, 19 yo (521 words)
Leila Female, 19 yo (773 words)
Jaime Female, 19 yo (202 words)
Jonathon Male, 19 yo (385 words)
20 Years Old
Coping Female, 20 yo (548 words)
“Sunshine Girl” Female, 20 yo (1,776 words)
Sarah Female, 20 yo (818 words)
“Lulu” Female, 20 yo (216 words)
“Black Day” Male, 20yo (605 words)
Liz Female, 20 yo (329 words)
Meaglee Female, 20 yo (793 words)
“Lillygirl” Female, 20 yo (1,024 words)
“CD” Female, 20 yo (770 words)
Jason Male, 20 yo (277 words)
Laura Female. 20 yo (332 words)
Nate Male. 20 yo (815 words)
Cheryl Female, 20 yo (335)
Trish Female, 20 yo (839)
Tara Female, 20 yo (561 words)
“Don” Female, 20 yo (1069 words)
Lauren Female, 20 yo (1069 words)
Janey Female, 20 yo (409 words)
Age 21 - 25
Age 21-25
The following are stories from people like us who were 21 – 25 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
21 Years Old
Nigel Male, 21 yo (421 words)
“Capa“ Male, 21 yo (340 words)
“Lana“ Female, 21 yo (641 words)
“Gemini“ Male, 21 yo (1,083 words)
“Elle“ Female, 21 yo (1,757 words)
“Get It Right“ Male, 21 yo (1,677 words)
“Hollowflowers“ Female, 21 yo (2,306 words)
Justin Male, 21 yo (1,093 words)
Lisa Female, 21 yo (1,181 words)
“Batti“ Female, 21 yo (823 words)
Jennifer Female, 21 yo (713 words)
“Kylz“ Female, 21 yo (837 words)
Emma Female, 21 yo (438 words)
“Em“ Female, 21 yo (938 words)
“Sunnystar“ Male, 21 yo (577 words)
“Brookie“ Male, 21 yo (494 words)
“Unsure In Decatur“ Female, 21 yo (649 words)
Nettie Female, 21 yo (352 words)
“On Top Of It All“ Male, 21 yo (1,597 words)
Chris Female, 21 yo (1,436 words)
Sharyn Female, 21 yo (629 words)
Maya Female, 21 yo (1,057 words)
22 Years Old
Casey Female 22 yo (871 words)
Laura Female 22 yo (844 words)
Rebecca Female 22 yo (403 words)
“ADVAYTA” Female 22 yo (669 words)
“Shanti” Female 22 yo (1,742 words)
“Sela” Female 22 yo (2,258 words)
“Bella” Female 22 yo (460 words)
“Tynian” Part 1 Female 22 yo (5,917 words)
“Tynian” Part 2 Female 22 yo (4,844 words)
“Tynian” Part 3 Female 22 yo (6238 words)
“DMR” Female, 22 yo (522 words)
Jeff Male, 22 yo (1,110 words)
23 Years Old
Linda – Unemployment Related Depression Female, 23 yo (277 words)
Candice Female, 23 yo (3,930 words)
Jarrod Male, 23 yo (336 words)
Megan Female, 23 yo (697 words)
“Starrinite” Female, 23 yo (498 words)
“Phobia” Female, 23 yo (605 words)
“Lana” Female, 23 yo (1,441 words)
“Chocolate” Female, 23 yo (486 words)
“Rosie” Female, 23 yo (1,223 words)
Ellen Female, 23 yo (537 words)
Chris Male, 23 yo (1, 210 words)
Amanda Female, 23 yo (334 words)
“Lotus80” Female, 23 yo (1,795 words)
Hollie Female, 23 yo (2,240 words)
Tommy Male, 23 yo (745 words)
“Bones” Male, 23 yo (3,948 words)
“SusieQ” Female, 23 yo (292 words)
“Kreig” Male, 23 yo (1,385 words)
“Jay” Female, 23 yo (728 words)
“Mishka” Female, 23 yo (1,063 words)
Kathy Female, 23 yo (444 words)
24 Years Old
“Krysteanaah” Female, 24 yo (389 words)
“Waterviolet” Female, 24 yo (359 words)
Kristy Female, 24 yo (979 words)
Sharon Female, 24 yo (426 words)
Michael Male, 24 yo (466 words)
Nat Female, 24 yo (1,160 words)
Lisa Female, 24 yo (275 words)
25 Years Old
“Muddypaws” Female, 25 yo (340 words)
Adriana Female, 25 yo (1,416 words)
Belinda Female, 25 yo (885 words)
“Mel” Female, 25 yo (553 words)
Jacqui Female, 25 yo (2,546 words)
Josie Female, 25 yo (213 words)
Benny Male, 25 yo (655 words)
“Dakota” Female, 25 yo (825 words)
Andrew Male, 25 yo (607 words)
“MadNotBad” Female, 25 yo (959 words)
“Crystal” Female, 25 yo, Aspiring Writer (457 words)
“Venus” Female, 25 yo (1,957 words)
Frank Male, 25 yo (1,302 words)
“Demelza” Female, 25 yo (230 words)
Lucy Female, 25 yo, Registered Nurse (503 words)
“Fairydust” Female, 25 yo (634 words)
Sally Female, 25 yo (943 words)
Laurie Female, 25 yo (1,075 words)
Bridget Female, 25 yo (1,039 words)
“Sphinx” Male, 25 yo (1,622 words)
Tim Male, 25 yo (282 words)
“T” Male, 25 yo (1,047 words)
Age 26 - 30
Age 26-30
The following are stories from people like us who were 26 – 30 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
26 Years Old
“Iseult” Female, 26 yo (1,441 words)
Wade Male, 26 yo (269 words)
Sandi Female, 26 yo (727 words)
Abby Female, 26 yo (460 words)
“Tia-Maria” Female, 26 yo (1,150 words)
“Sans” Female, 26 yo (351 words)
Alli Female, 26 yo (526 words)
Natalie Female, 26 yo (311 words)
27 Years Old
Daniel Male, 27yo (873 words)
“QuietRock” Female, 27yo (1,421 words) Her partner has depression.
Caroline Female, 27 yo (639 words)
Drew Female, 27 yo (889 words)
“Lain” Female, 27 yo (334 words)
Tiffany Female, 27 yo (676 words)
Lisa Female, 27 yo (513 words)
“Col” Female, 27 yo (462 words)
“Hope” Female, 27 yo (504 words)
Madeline Female, 27 yo (700 words)
Stephan Male, 27 yo (508 words)
Karen Female, 27 yo (656 words)
Andree Female, 27 yo (279 words)
Sam Female, 27 yo (1,653 words)
“B” Female, 27 yo (301 words)
“DJ” Female, 27 yo (445 words)
Leah Female, 27 yo (570 words)
Roy Male, 27 yo (2,154 words)
Ange Female, 27 yo (585 words)
Kim Female, 27 yo (454 words)
“Sacredrose” Female, 27 yo (352 words)
28 Years Old
Kathryn Female 28 yo (1026 words)
“Timeline” Female, 28 yo (975 words) “…a masters student, a human rights activist and a recovered depressed.”
Emz Female, 28 yo (366 words)
Dani Female, 28yo “An ordinary day of darkness” (694 Words)
Ruby Female, 28 yo (2,199 words)
Mike Male, 28 yo (2,221 words)
“Meadeate” Female, 28 yo (740 words)
Lyn Female, 28 yo (182 words)
“AT” Female, 28 yo (836 words)
Mike D Male, 28 yo (381 words)
“Hermit” Female, 28 yo (4,560 words)
29 Years Old
Who Is Rose Female, 29yo (533 words)
Lisa Female, 29 yo (280 words)
“Mitti” Female, 29 yo (497 words)
Lulal Female, 29 yo (798 words)
Fiona Female, 29 yo (564 words)
“Madhattermouse” Female, 29 yo (721 words)
Krissy Female, 29 yo (875 words)
Suzanne Female, 29 yo (314 words)
Sherri Female, 29 yo (631 words)
Sharlene Female, 29 yo (188 words)
Jennie Female, 29 yo (421 words) Post natal depression
Jase Male 29 yo (830 words)
“Aqua” Female, 29 yo (373 words)
Paul Male, 29 yo (226 words)
Leanne Female, 29 yo (867 words)
Jackie Female, 29 yo (627 words)
Ben Male, 29 yo (3,372 words)
Sian Female, 29 yo Research Psychologist (495 words)
Joanne Female, 29 yo (424 words)
30 Years Old
David Male, 30yo (225 words) May 2006
Pat Female, 30 yo (1,000 words)
“Sadnstuff” Female, 30 yo (1,201 words)
“Luc” Male, 30 yo (1,076 words)
Ben Male, 30 yo (1,020 words)
“Survivor” Female, 30 yo (778 words)
Kim Female, 30 yo (1,075 words) Family – Lost her sister to depression.
Naara Female, 30 yo (1,289 words)
“Labbyl” Male, 30 yo (1,320 words) With 6 mth update
Lynda Female, 30 yo (2,035 words)
“Nighthawk” Male, 30 yo (448 words)
Age 31 - 35
Age 31-35
The following are stories from people like us who were 31 – 35 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
31 Years Old
Jodie Female, 31 yo (765 words)
Dave Male, 31 yo (384 words)
Ara Female, 31 yo (2,323 words)
Kim Female, 31 yo (365 words)
Mia Female, 31 yo (602 words)
Anabelle Female, 31 yo (592 words)
Paul Male, 31 yo (907 words)
Leah Female, 31 yo (237 words)
Alex Male, 31 yo (1,224 words)
Kass Female, 31 yo (212 words)
Cassandra Female, 31 yo (303 words)
Fernando Male, 31 yo (309 words)
Lisa Female, 31 yo How Postnatal Depression affected me and my family (1,732 words)
“Angel” Female, 31 yo (462 words)
“Ara” Female, 31 yo (1450 words)
Kate Female, 31 yo (521 words)
“Cactusgirl” Female, 31 yo (646 words)
“AJ” Female, 31 yo (1,165 words)
Sam Female, 31 yo (1,809 words) Includes 1 mnth update (149 words)
32 Years Old
‘Nightfairy‘ Female, 32 yo (1479 words) – An inspirational story to give us all hope!
Kerry Female, 32 yo (927 words)
“Wooyung_Sea” Female, 32 yo (686 words)
Mily Female, 32 yo (340 words)
Ellen Female, 32 yo (407 words)
Debbie Female, 32 yo (445 words)
“Hope” Female, 32 yo (736 words)
“Pablo” Male, 32 yo (280 words)
“KB“: Female (765 words) Includes 4mth and 2yr updates (total 1,851 words)
“Jazzy Kelly” Male, 32 yo (881 words)
“Blackdogon” Male, 32 yo (1,249 words)
Cheyenne Female, 32 yo (952 words)
“Imp” Female, 32 yo (817 words)
Lisa Female, 32 yo (360 words)
Ronnie Female, 32 yo (143 words)
Karina Female, 32 yo (836 words)
33 Years Old
Matthew Male, 33yo (3,789 Words)
Matthew has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, social phobia and uni-polar disorder, and shares his challenges with noise sensitivity.
“Dawny” Female, 33 yo (1,886 words)
“Maz” Female, 33 yo (2,796 words)
Michael P Male, 33 yo (361 words)
Essie Female, 33 yo (364 words)
Michelle Female, 33 yo (484 words)
Luke Male, 33 yo (602 words) Includes 6 week update (376 words)
Dave Male, 33 yo (483 words)
Ann Female, 33 yo (623 words)
Jenny Female, 33 yo (630 words)
Scarlett Female, 33 yo (1,092 words)
Janima Female, 33 yo (736 words)
“Kelpiegirl” Female, 33 yo (1,803 words)
“J.J” Female, 33 yo (964 words)
“Bubbles” Female, 33 yo (1,857 words)
Lisa Female, 33 yo (273 words)
Andrew Male, 33 yo, Personal Attendent Carer (8,359 words)
34 Years Old
Marief Female, 34 yo (846 words)
Valerie Female, 34 yo (820 words)
“Slim” Female, 34 yo (533 words)
Dean Male, 34 yo (683 words)
“Bluelily” Female, 34 yo (508 words)
“Helga” Female, 34 yo (1,125 words)
Jimmy Male, 34 yo (401 words)
“Savannah” Female, 34 yo (1,363 words)
“Sad Eyes” Female, 34 yo (1,363 words)
Lucretia Female, 34 yo (2,453 words)
35 Years Old
Neshama Female, 35 yo (914 words)
Anastasia Female, 35 yo (1,034 words)
Jane Female, 35 yo (1,287 words)
“Survivor” Female, 35 yo (308 words)
Joanne Female, 35 yo (557 words)
Scott Male, 35 yo (941 words)
Helen Female, 35 yo (1,315 words)
Jade Female, 30 – 35 yo (296 words)
Annie Female, 35 yo (570 words)
Age 36 - 40
Age 36-40
The following are stories from people like us who were 36 – 40 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Helen Female, 40yo (433 words)
– has depression and PTSD due to workplace issues.
Janet Female, 38yo (487 words)
Sonia Female, 38 yo (2413 words)
Andrew Male, 38 yo (351 words)
“Will500” Male, 39 yo (1,149 words)
Trish Female, 39 yo (889 words)
“Star” Female, 37 yo (1,326 words)
“Mechook” Female, 36 yo (770 words)
“Mum” Female, 36 yo (449 words)
“Bella” Female, 39 yo (264 words)
Arty Male, 40 yo (251 words)
“Pod” Male, 38 yo Web Developer (1,280 words)
Liani Female, 36 yo (506 words)
Catherine Female, 40 yo (686 words)
Veronica Female, 40 yo (804 words)
Kara Female, 40 yo (859 words)
Shaz Female, 37 yo (1,270 words)
“Twice” Female, 40 yo (1,661 words) Includes 6 mth update (44 words)
“Bodhi” Male, 40 yo (1,412 words)
Marie-Paule Female, 40 yo (231 words)
“JayJen” Female, 40 yo (5,423 words)
“Paddington Bear” Male, 36 yo (461 words)
“T“ Male, 37 yo (375 words) Includes 18 mth update (396 words)
Sylvia Female, 38 yo, (563 words)
“Pochamoonshine” Female, 39 yo (4,033 words)
Jenny Female, 39 yo (635 words)
Sophie Female, 40 yo (511 words)
Jannifer Female, 36 yo (887 words)
“Lost Soul” Female, 40 yo (841 words)
Miss C Edwards Female, 36 yo (359 words)
Brett Male, 37 yo (1,372 words)
“Angel” Female, 40 yo (231 words)
“Redshift” Male, 36 yo (694 words)
“Nudy666” Female, 37 yo, (2,377 words)
Irene Female, 40 yo (387 words)
“Fallen Angel” Female, 40 yo (450 words)
“Tam” Female, 39 yo (586 words)
Shaun Russell Male, 40 yo (339 words)
Gina Female, 36 yo (353 words)
“Kap” Female, 36 yo, Law (2,169 words)
“Caz” Female, 36 yo (2,453 words)
“M” Female, 37 yo, Writer (2,400 words)
“Tigerlady” (Sharon) Female, 37 yo, (3,257 words)
“Kez” Female, 39 yo (470 words)
Age 41 - 45
Age 41-45
The following are stories from people like us who were 41 – 45 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Billy Male, 43 yo (731 words)
Annie Female, 41 yo (1,370 words)
“Hunter 2be” Female, 41 yo (399 words)
Alan Male, 42 yo (442 words)
Evelyn Female, 43 yo (1,255 words)
Kevin Male, 44 yo (969 words)
Jorhan Female, 42 yo (252 words)
Wendy Female, 44 yo (1,842 words)
Russell Male, 45 yo (946 words)
“Geli” Female, 42 yo (334 words)
DaveG Male, 42 yo (1,579 words)
Ron Male, 43 yo (1,140 words)
“Doogs61” Male, 42 yo (641 words)
“Dazedaisy” Female, 43 yo (444 words)
Maree Female, 45 yo (740 words)
Amy Female, 45 yo (605 words)
Sara Female, 44 yo (386 words)
“Merrywood” Female, 43 yo (532 words)
“Mother Of 3” Female, 43 yo (426 words)
“Rustymama” Female, 42 yo (364 words)
“Glider” Female, Professional Writer, 42 yo (2,466 words)
Geoff Male, 42 yo (679 words)
“Sapphire” Female, 43 yo (438 words)
“Sambo” Female, 43 yo (1,062 words)
“Tao Woman” Female, 41 yo (1,232 words)
“Dingo” Male, 45 yo (1,874 words)
Tom Male, 44 yo (458 words)
“Motley” Female, 41 yo (630 words)
Jen (Jenny) Female, 43 yo (1,884 words)
FC Female, 43 yo (1,010 words)
“Bojo” Male, 44 yo (375 words)
“Fred 100” Male, 41 yo (278 words)
“KS” Female, 45 yo (511 words)
Garry Male, 43 yo (447 words)
Saffy Female, 42 yo (1,397 words)
Lee Female, 42 yo (887 words) Includes a 2 month update
Les Male, 45 yo (299 words)
Age 46 - 50
Age 46-50
The following are stories from people like us who were 46 – 50 years old at the time.
Use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading each story.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Socksy Female, 49 yo (576 Words)
“Good1” Female, 48 yo (1,182 words)
Rosalie Female, 50 yo (1375 words)
“Purrsona” Female, 47 yo (1,653 words)
Karen Female, 48 yo (693 words)
Paul Male, 48 yo (1,335 words)
Jenny Female, 50 yo (590 words)
“Grace_88” Female, 49 yo (377 words)
“Jack” Female, 46 yo (168 words)
“Abangel” Female, 49 yo (1,397 words)
“Rusty” Male, 50 yo (397 words)
Valerie Female, 50 yo (692 words)
“Whitey” Male, 50 yo (494 words)
Afaf Nabulsi Female, 48 yo (1,212 words)
“Sassinax” Female, 49 yo (754 words)
Don Male, 50 yo (450 words)
Louise Female, 49 yo (267 words)
“Possom” Female, 49 yo (1,149 words)
Jane Female, 50 yo (273 words)
“Cookie” Female, 49 yo (403 words)
Mary-Claire Female, 48 yo (1,037 words)
Lee Male, 48 yo (708 words)
Shellee Female, 46 yo (393 words)
“Banjo” Male, 46 yo (759 words)
“MJR” Male, 50 yo (1,264 words)
Age 51 - 55
Age 51-55
The following are stories from people like us who were aged 46 to 50 years at the time.
Please use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading any of these stories.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Linnieb Female, 52 yo (150 words)
Michael Male, 54 yo (608 words)
“Dawn Copthelot” Female, 54 yo (2,921 words)
“Pixie” Female, 55 yo (563 words)
“Buttercup” Female, 51 yo (481 words)
Polly Female, 54 yo (627 words)
Lynne Female, 54 yo (202 words)
Wayne Male, 55 yo (310 words)
“Cracker” Female, 55 yo (308 words)
“Scorpio” Female, 54 yo (760 words)
“Freelivin” (Bill) Male, 55 yo (3,666 words)
“Cactus” Female, 54 yo (769 words)
Frances Female, 54 yo (1,406 words)
“Chas” Female, 53 yo (365 words)
“Poddy” Male, 51 yo (2,303 words)
Graham Male, 52 yo (632 words) Includes 1 mth update (391 words)
“Survivor” Female, 55 yo (1,106 words)
“Cry-Baby” Female, 51 yo (1,436 words)
Ken Male, 51 yo (2,058 words)
Ann Female, 51 yo (591 words)
Annie G Female, 54 yo (685 words)
“Misty Mirror” Male, 55 yo (1,064 words)
“Pix” Female, 52 yo (461 words) Includes 7mth update (735 words)
“Moonlight“: Female, 54 yo (699 words) Includes 2 additional pieces by Moonlight!
Age 56 +
Age 56+
The following are stories from people like us who were aged 56 years or older at the time.
Please use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading any of these stories.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
“Beowulf” Male, 56 yo (595 words)
Keith Male, 56 yo (2,004 words)
Nigel Male, 56 yo (2,189 words) Nigel wrote this piece as a discussion of the sources of his depression, however it also gives something of his story, so we have included a link to it here.
Rhonda Female, 56 yo (460 words)
Alan Male, 57 yo (558 words)
Judy Female, 57 yo (216 words)
Peter Male, 57 yo (1,191 words)
Esther Female, 59 yo (310 words)
“Hope Regained” Female, 60 yo (301 words)
“Bron” Female, 61 yo (395 words)
Family Depression – Elizabeth’s Story Female, 61 yo (527 words)
Peter Male, 61 yo (686 words)
Joan Female, 63 yo (1,042 words)
Londoner Female, 64 yo (2,304 words)
“A Letter To My Daughter” Male, 63 yo (1,726 words)
“Never Been Better” Female, 68 yo (257 words) Bipolar Disorder
“Lowline” Male, 80 yo (855 words)
Age not given
No Age Given
The following are stories from people like us who didn’t indicate their age.
Please use your ‘back’ button to return to this page when you finish reading any of these stories.
Please send us your story to share with others here.
Seema Female (853 words)
Sanjina Female (183 words)
“Traveller” Female (318 words)
Mary-Rose Female (641 words)
Fiona Female (262 words)
“Goodgirl” Female (1,583 words)
“KS” Female (2,605 words)
Laura Female (173 words)
Kate Female (192 words)
Jude Female (277 words)
“Ziggy Baitz” Female (765 words)
Jen Female (566 words)
Chloe’s Book Female This is in 10 parts.
(This booklet was written by Lisa after she suffered the loss of her baby.)
“Big Black Hole” Female (598 words)
“Rotta” Female (2,943 words) 28th July 2001
Su Cruickshank Female (255 words)
“Shiraz” Female (950 words)
“Shy_Mem” Male (769 words)
Nicole Female(682 words)
“Pegasus” Female
Stories of recovery and hope