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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

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

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randomxx Would really appreciate peoples thoughts on a housing situation !
  • replies: 65

Hi to all.lt's an unbelievable time in life to find myself stuck in this position, just don't know how to look at it, or what to do about with it, if l can anything at all. Problem is, at almost 60, yeah l've mixed up details in other threads just a ... View more

Hi to all.lt's an unbelievable time in life to find myself stuck in this position, just don't know how to look at it, or what to do about with it, if l can anything at all. Problem is, at almost 60, yeah l've mixed up details in other threads just a bit concerned some l know may also be here and haven't wanted any connection here that l might know, butttt, yep.Thing is l didn't get anything out of my last house, the people l went into the property with as it was a big place, went broke.Well , sort of lucky although maybe a curse , not sure anymore but l do still have a 1ac country property, 18yrs now, from back when l was married.l can't work anymore for mh reasons but if l took care l can survive until l can get the pension- living at the 1ac place- it only has a small over nighter atm but l could extend and it'd come up quite nice . Problem is, it's in a ting town, 30mins to the main town which is a really nice place and there's also a couple of tiny ones in between before that main buttttt, out where this place is, is tiny and out on it's own .l always planned selling it about now but problems are now that for 1, even if it did sell, it's just a cheap little country block it'd only be a good deposit on something closer in- but circumstances now that'd mean a new mortgage and l'd have to keep working too, don't think l could stomach either of those especially the stress in trying to make it happen.2nd thing highly possible it doesn't even sell anyway. l know l'm lucky to at least have it and all , with the housing crisis and so many in worser positions , l just never dreamed l'd be living on it though and honestly, just don't know but it looks like l might be forced to.l grew up in the city and have lived in some of the nicest places in the country but to have to settle on this place out there now- look the property itself is a really cute block and in a nice little back street- if l could put it on a truck to somewhere else it'd be really nice - but this town. rx

EmbarrassedEmu Morbidly obese and need help
  • replies: 2

I’m 162 cm and my starting weight was 104.7 kg. I started my weight loss journey on 1 jan 2026 but to be honest I’ve only been seriously doing it for the past 1.5 weeks. My BMI has me sitting at the top end of morbidly obese and it makes me so embarr... View more

I’m 162 cm and my starting weight was 104.7 kg. I started my weight loss journey on 1 jan 2026 but to be honest I’ve only been seriously doing it for the past 1.5 weeks. My BMI has me sitting at the top end of morbidly obese and it makes me so embarrassed and sad to know this. I’ve tried doing some research online about how to do this weight loss journey. I’ve significantly increased my protein intake, reduced carbs and fats. I’m also trying to do a calorie deficit but don’t know how to work out what I should be aiming for when it comes to calories a day. This morning I weighed myself and scales showed 102.2 - so I’ve lost 2.5 kilos in a 1.5 weeks. I’ve read you should stick to 0.5-1 kg a week. This is going to sound stupid but I’m concerned I’m losing it too quickly and will end up with a lot of loss skin at the end (I know I will have loose skin and it scares me so trying to limit it). I’ve been morbidly obese for over 10 years and I just decided I wanted to be around for my kid for a long time to come. I’m 52 years old. I want to eventually get to 70kg but my first aim is 95kg (figure if I set small goals they will be more motivation on my end). My questions are: 1. ⁠is losing 2 kg a week too much?2. ⁠how to I calculate a correct calorie goal?3. ⁠I have significantly increased my protein intake (by a lot), how do I know if I’m getting enough to help with weight loss?4. ⁠I have a knee issue whereby I cannot bend or straighten the knee much so it limits my exercise options. I try walking but can’t do a lot because the calf hurts a lot because of the way I walk. What other options can I do to help with weight loss? I’m embarrassed at myself and the weigh I look in the mirror. I avoid relationships, and I’ve come here online because I am too embarrassed and scared to speak to my GP. I’m scared that if I do lose a significant amount of weight that people will notice and I don’t want them to notice (I don’t like attention). Please help this chick out

cadyxoxo I don't know what to do
  • replies: 2

I'm currently in my last year of school, and i should be happy as everything's going well, but I can't be its like nothing I do makes me feel happy anymore, apart from small times with my family, as sometimes I can't even be bothered to leave my room... View more

I'm currently in my last year of school, and i should be happy as everything's going well, but I can't be its like nothing I do makes me feel happy anymore, apart from small times with my family, as sometimes I can't even be bothered to leave my room to talk to them, even though it makes me happy. I struggle with simple needs, and its really getting annoying as i have all these plans i wanna do but when they come around, I'm not able to. And the truth is i have no reason to be unhappy i have a loving family alot of friends, and I'm in a relationship with someone who loves me, but it's hard to keep these relationships up. I don't know what to do, I can't reach out to them as they have worried over me since year six and now they believe i am better but im not, i really dont know what to do, i feel kinda pathetic being one here lol. If I tell them, they’ll probably send me back to therapy with the same family friend. They trust her completely, talk about how much she helped me, and I don’t know how to explain that she didn't i acted like she did so i could get out of it and i'm starting to regret it but she truly made me uncomfortable back then i didn't i could talk to my parents about this and i feel like i still cant. Sorry, any advice will be helpful sorry for venting lol.

indigo22 Following the breadcrumbs to improve mental health
  • replies: 209

Hi everyone, The last few months have been somewhat confusing as I have discovered more about my mental / physical health and how it has all been connected. I had not put the pieces together, I am not sure why, it seems so obvious now. I have dealt w... View more

Hi everyone, The last few months have been somewhat confusing as I have discovered more about my mental / physical health and how it has all been connected. I had not put the pieces together, I am not sure why, it seems so obvious now. I have dealt with Dysthymia since about 12 and Major Depression since about 14 but was not diagnosed until my 40s and had no idea that had been the problem all along. I knew I wasn't like everyone else but thought I was just born that way. Back then mental health was not a subject that was openly discussed and the signs mostly went unrecognised and untreated. I had about 10 years of talk therapy with a social worker that helped immensely. I have had a sensitive digestive system for a good portion of my life, not so much that I sought treatment, just things like indigestion with certain foods, bloating and the like. I suppose I thought everyone had those types of issues. I have also had nervous system reactions over the past 15 years, like involuntary shaking in certain situations, that I had put down to getting older and being less resilient having been through a lot of difficult challenges. I have been seeing a psychotherapist who also does somatic work (turns out you were right mmmekitty, I did need some more help). The first session of somatic work, in this case EFT (tapping), brought up a deep and long standing belief that I did not deserve to be helped. The emotions were buried so deep that I was not even aware of them. After that session things went haywire physically for a few days and took some weeks to start to settle. Being the type of person who needs to have an understanding of what is happening and why, I have been reading many books on the symptoms I have had. That is when I began to join the dots about how interconnected by mental and physical health actually were. It has required a lot of processing on my part, and an acknowledgement of what I have been consciously unaware of, but it has been necessary to finding a way forward. This will be an ongoing journey as new symptoms show up that need to be looked at. I know now that there is a lot of unreleased trauma in my body that is a contributing factor in not healing mentally or physically and I know now what needs to be done to improve. There is only so much that the medical profession can do, I believe the rest of the responsibility lies with us in digging deeper to find the causes and the answers. In many ways, that in itself becomes empowering. Take care all.indigo

Nitz Social anxiety stops me exercising
  • replies: 9

I can’t begin to go exercise. I’m obese and in my 50’s but can’t stand being by myself because it exacerbates self consciousness (people are staring and judging me because I’m fat single, old, and female).what might I do? Any advice getting past this... View more

I can’t begin to go exercise. I’m obese and in my 50’s but can’t stand being by myself because it exacerbates self consciousness (people are staring and judging me because I’m fat single, old, and female).what might I do? Any advice getting past this road block would be welcome (Ialso have long term Depression, no longer suicidal thanks to meds)…..

Tiger28 Bipolar 2 struggle
  • replies: 4

Hi, this is the first time I am posting. I had been officially diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder a month ago. I'm looking for people with similar diagnosis. I'm on mood stablising medication and anti depression tablets too. But i am stuck, not much m... View more

Hi, this is the first time I am posting. I had been officially diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder a month ago. I'm looking for people with similar diagnosis. I'm on mood stablising medication and anti depression tablets too. But i am stuck, not much motivation to do my regular things. I feel so lost. I wanted to meet people who feel the same as me.

audiology Lost
  • replies: 2

Hey all! Figured I'd give the whole 'opening up' thing a go and see how it makes me feel. Anyway I feel completely and unequivocally lost in life. I am 39 y/o, no partner, no kids, no assets, and what feels like no prospects. I've dealt with Major De... View more

Hey all! Figured I'd give the whole 'opening up' thing a go and see how it makes me feel. Anyway I feel completely and unequivocally lost in life. I am 39 y/o, no partner, no kids, no assets, and what feels like no prospects. I've dealt with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder and GAD for the past 15 years - ever since I came down with a horrible case of chronic fatigue syndrome which stemmed from a bout of Ross River Fever. It truly feels like everything has been on a constant slide downhill ever since then. I was unable to work for a couple years upon first contracting it and since then it has impacted me one more time where I was off work for another 3 years - thankfully after each 'attack' I've bounced back enough to resume some form of full time or part time work. I've got an associates degree in psychology and work in the field as a mental health professional - only have about $60k in my super though unfortunately due to all the years I've missed off work while sick. I guess what I'm most depressed about atm is my future? I've already accepted that I'll never be a homeowner - certainly not in the absolute shitshow of our current market created by greedy corporate investors and corrup government. I currently live at home with my mum (as a matter of circumstance - I moved home initially a few years ago to help take care of my father as he was diagnosed with cancer and has since passed) so having a place to live atm is no issue - but when my mum inevitably passes in the next few years as well and my siblings choose to sell the property I will be without a place to live. Thankfully I'll receive 1/3rd of the proceeds - the town I live in though unfortunately is an example of the worst of the current housing crisis though and very rarely has any available rental properties - let alone affordable ones. Should I just invest in a fully decked out campervan with all the amenities I'd need to live? I've seen many posters in this forum openly discuss this very option before which is kind of what has caused the idea to pop into my head as of late. Anyway sorry for ranting and raving, just not sure of where else to turn atm.

Jjjppp My entire life is wasted
  • replies: 1

I feel that my entire life has been wasted. I did not experience my youth at all. Now I am 30 and I see no reason to pursue anything ever again. I never moved out of home, I have never had a real job, I have never had the bravery to have passion for ... View more

I feel that my entire life has been wasted. I did not experience my youth at all. Now I am 30 and I see no reason to pursue anything ever again. I never moved out of home, I have never had a real job, I have never had the bravery to have passion for anything, I have never had any joy in socialising and I have never been in a relationship. It is not just that I feel it is difficult to move forward. I think it is completely meaningless. The loss of my youth passing me by without being present is so devastating. I feel i can never be whole. I beleive I can never come to terms with the loss and feel content. I will always look at myself as the pathetic loser who did not participate in my 20s. I do not know how to ever find meaning in my life now that it is gone. It occupies every moment of thought for me. I naively cling to wanting some recompense for the lost time. I just want some meaning to come from something that feels so meaningless. I don't know what to do to ever feel like I can have value.

Crib001 Needing life advice and help
  • replies: 14

I’m in my mid 20s and I basically I consider myself a failure at life. I’m constantly struggling and failing at Uni, and have considered dropping out to get a full time job because assignments and essays just cause me nothing but tiring headaches, bu... View more

I’m in my mid 20s and I basically I consider myself a failure at life. I’m constantly struggling and failing at Uni, and have considered dropping out to get a full time job because assignments and essays just cause me nothing but tiring headaches, but I also struggle to do anything on my own and have low motivation and low self esteem. I don’t think I’m able to succeed in a full time work environment cause even now I’m struggling with keeping up with my casual job. Speaking with multiple counsellors, they all say that it’s very likely that I have ADHD combined with Autism and that having peformed screener tests that conclude their beliefs, I should get a proper diagnosis in order to get better help from there. Problem is that I know how much they cost, and my account is stagnant right now, so I’ve been putting that off even though I know I shouldn’t. And lastly, I’m someone who is deeply afraid of driving, after having my learners renewed for years, I am deathly afraid to go and get my full licence because I know my limitations. I get easily distracted, drift off, and I know that can have life or death consequences when on the toad. So yeah, that’s my current situation and my life so far, it’s pretty pathetic. I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed by my failures, and I’m pretty sure my parents have given up on trying to help me at this point. If anyone has any advice or recommendations, that would be helpful.

LC80 Withdrawal after a serious hospitalization
  • replies: 2

Midway through 2025 I was flown to Sydney to ne admitted to hospital with a rare and deadly serious bacterial infection of my windpipe. The short story is during early treatment I went into respiratory arrest, and near death transferred to ICU after ... View more

Midway through 2025 I was flown to Sydney to ne admitted to hospital with a rare and deadly serious bacterial infection of my windpipe. The short story is during early treatment I went into respiratory arrest, and near death transferred to ICU after intubation. I was sedated for a week and the tube was removed. Due to the rarity of my condition I was kept in isolation in the main during my three and a half month stay. My ongoing treatment as an outpatient will last a total of 12 months of antibiotic treatment, not including the IV treatment I was given in hospital. I have to return to Sydney from my county town every three months for follow up blood tests and a clinic visit for more medication. Since returning home full time I have become more withdrawn, to the point that I avoid going out if possible. Where I was very involved in community radio all I do now is one two hour shift on air a week. I wouldn't call myself depressed, although I have suffered bouts in the past. Life is different because of the after effects of the infection and the damage caused to my trachea after the stent that kept it open was removed. The possibility of tracheal collapse plays on my mind sometimes, if I am having a low energy day. That is a regular occurrence and an ongoing after effect. My friends and wife, although they mean well, don't understand what I went through mentally. They saw the physical side of my hospital stay and it was very difficult for them, particularly my stay in ICU. "That's in the past now" is what I have been told, however mentally it's not.