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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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Louise__ Homeless and hopeless
  • replies: 1

I have no idea what to do. The journey is too long to write it all and the crux of it is that I’ve lost all of my family and friends, my relationship, and my home, I have no money, and I don’t know what to do. I got a hotel for tonight instead of sle... View more

I have no idea what to do. The journey is too long to write it all and the crux of it is that I’ve lost all of my family and friends, my relationship, and my home, I have no money, and I don’t know what to do. I got a hotel for tonight instead of sleeping in my car, but I haven’t been able to leave the bed since I checked in. I can’t eat, and every time I sleep I wake up with electric bolts of anxiety through my body. I feel sick constantly. i feel like a weak human who isn’t able to find my place in the world. I don’t even understand who I am. I’m a 30 year old woman, I moved to Australia from the UK for a better life. How I was treated as a kid means there’s so many layers and I’ve felt empty my entire life. I found someone and fell in love and I ruined it. I hate feeling sorry for myself and I hate that I cannot physically move from this bed. I hate that I’ve hurt people around me by trying to do what I thought was right, because I’m always wrong. am I stupid, or just so messed up from childhood that I’ll never be able to function as a normal human being? Why do I never feel good enough? And why don’t I look after myself and my body when I feel low? I’m fully aware that not eating for days or moving my body, or doing anything at all is so unhealthy for me and my body feels like it’s deteriorating. But I’m stuck in this paralysis where I can’t make any decisions or look after myself. The heaviness of everything is too much. I just want to feel better. I just want to know what my next step is when I wake up tomorrow and find myself back in my car with nowhere to go and no one to talk to. In terms of health: I’m losing my sight. next week I’ll find out the results of my brain MRI. Maybe it’ll be nothing, or maybe it’ll be a tumour, or MS. I have nerve degeneration behind my eyes and I’ve lost 6% of my vision. I’m worried, but worse, I’m going to be going alone. I'm in so much emotional pain and feel like I’m completely frozen and not able to make decisions. I can go and find a house share, I work part time so I can afford a room somewhere. But I have no idea on the location and I’m scared of starting again. I just want life to be easy. I want to be loved and feel connection and not constantly feel so alone.

BethD Medication withdrawal or reduction
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I just wanted to know if anyone has gone through mediation withdrawal or reduction and coped with the side effects.

Hi all, I just wanted to know if anyone has gone through mediation withdrawal or reduction and coped with the side effects.

Rusty Burning out
  • replies: 1

Although good things are happening in my life, I’m just getting so tired of going through the whole effort. I feel like I have burnt out. I just have no one to help me through these tough times. Im not really sure how to slow down or be kind to mysel... View more

Although good things are happening in my life, I’m just getting so tired of going through the whole effort. I feel like I have burnt out. I just have no one to help me through these tough times. Im not really sure how to slow down or be kind to myself. I’m unable to find any groups of interest in my community and the groups I volunteer with are great fun but I just can’t seem to connect with people. I’m just so emotional worn out l.

Guest_63852277 It's killing me
  • replies: 2

I've lived alone for most of my life I'm now 45. People weren't ment to live this way. I've struggled with depression for around 20 years.My last job I was bullied to the point I was barley functioning. Anxiety in the workplace is hell never knowing ... View more

I've lived alone for most of my life I'm now 45. People weren't ment to live this way. I've struggled with depression for around 20 years.My last job I was bullied to the point I was barley functioning. Anxiety in the workplace is hell never knowing if your going to be verbally abused at any time. Tiptoeing on eggshells. To make things worse I recently fractured my foot which was horrible, struggling to get around and living alone was a nightmare. On the service I appear fine but its a fake persona. To everyone I appear ok but on the inside I'm dieing. Anxiety attacks coming more frequently and I don't think my meds are working. I had to quit my job because I couldn't take it anymore and now am struggling with next to no money, bills gathering and no job. I'm still trying to find work, every interview I've had is an anxiety session, my confidence is gone. During the interviews I constantly hear the put downs that were said to me in my previous job and I struggle horribly. I've recently had to sell some of my personal possessions just to get by. I now barely sleep, feel like failure and spend days in bed. I desperately need help and don't know where to turn. I'm in a nightmare and just want out!!!!

KikiLesnik Depression and isolation
  • replies: 1

I was hospitalized 2 times for depression and it lasted for months and no one even visited. I'm the loneliest creature in the world.

I was hospitalized 2 times for depression and it lasted for months and no one even visited. I'm the loneliest creature in the world.

Guest_12460052 I don't know how to get through this
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am currently an overseas student studying masters and my depression got worse this couple of months. I have a hurdle exams which is very practical tomorrow and another two hurdles that is coming next we. I am struggling these exams even when I ... View more

Hi, I am currently an overseas student studying masters and my depression got worse this couple of months. I have a hurdle exams which is very practical tomorrow and another two hurdles that is coming next we. I am struggling these exams even when I am well but now I barely have any energy just to get out of my bed. At the same time, I have muscle spasms around my body and I have been seeking help but no doctors know what is going on.... Also I am struggling with insomnia too. I don't know how I am get through this by myself alone in abroad.

miss_mel87 Still struggling no matter how hard I try
  • replies: 1

I don’t know what to do anymore. I am so depressed. Nothing brings me joy, I feel flat and listless and apathetic all the time, I am extremely unmotivated to do anything, I don’t even want to talk to anyone. I recently discharged myself from a privat... View more

I don’t know what to do anymore. I am so depressed. Nothing brings me joy, I feel flat and listless and apathetic all the time, I am extremely unmotivated to do anything, I don’t even want to talk to anyone. I recently discharged myself from a private mental health hospital where I was undergoing ECT treatment and I got about halfway through the full course and decided I wasnt going to get any better than I was so would discharge myself and go home to my family. But now I feel just as bad as before I went in in the first place. I don’t know if I should readmit and finish the course of ECT or just try to figure things out at home. My husband says my low mood and lack of interest in anything is obvious, despite me trying to cover it up and pretend I’m fine. How do you pretend, day in day out, that you’re fine when really you feel dead inside and wish you’d get hit by a bus?

Rusty Working on my loneliness
  • replies: 5

Although things seem to be getting better I’m still trying to shrug of feelings of extreme loneliness and being able to make decent connections with people.It gets quite depressing at times and sometimes I wonder what I’m doing wrong. Not that I have... View more

Although things seem to be getting better I’m still trying to shrug of feelings of extreme loneliness and being able to make decent connections with people.It gets quite depressing at times and sometimes I wonder what I’m doing wrong. Not that I have thoughts of suicide I do wonder if it’s worth putting the effort in.

Plzwhy Breakup
  • replies: 5

Hello, currently going through a breakup after 19yrs and 3 kids. Its been the hardest time of my life. Any advice or help trying to get through this would be appreciated. Currently just a mess & not in a great place. Im trying my hardest to stay stro... View more

Hello, currently going through a breakup after 19yrs and 3 kids. Its been the hardest time of my life. Any advice or help trying to get through this would be appreciated. Currently just a mess & not in a great place. Im trying my hardest to stay strong for the kids but much easier said than. Just struggling

Guest_61635449 What was your outcome?
  • replies: 1

Good evening x25yr relationship with my husband and 20 years married with 17 and 18 -year-old teen boys. High functioning corporate husband who will refuse professional help so this is not an option. For 2 years he has been going a bit downhill with ... View more

Good evening x25yr relationship with my husband and 20 years married with 17 and 18 -year-old teen boys. High functioning corporate husband who will refuse professional help so this is not an option. For 2 years he has been going a bit downhill with depression with the last 12 months being the hardest. December 2025 he started to spend more nights away from home, zero contact and I retaliated, thinking the worst, lots of questions, texts etc. all the things I shouldn't have done. But I have learned, studied and now understand how his head feels. For the last 4 months he stays closer to work, easy commute because he lost his license because of reckless driving (another symptom). I understand this and he comes back here once per week. It's hard, I am managing, I miss him but I know he needs peace.He has been my best friend, the kindest soul but he is really stuck and the best I can do is text him, " good morning, I hope you have an amazing day" etc. It's hard getting no replies and the last time he phoned me was over a month ago and before that would have been a couple of months. I'm getting used to it but I miss his voice,his touch, He's compliments and his company. I am 12mths perimenopause so it's perfect timing but I have brushed it aside and have to cop it. I don't get angry, I just get sad. Recently I have been dreaming and thinking about what it would be like to start dating and having attention from other men that could give me more than what I'm getting now. But then I snap out of it and think that I could never do that to my husband. All I'm doing is protecting him and making sure I don't hurt him. He's starting to say things like, " if we ever moved on from each other, would I always be welcome to come over and be a part of your lives etc?. Of course I say yes, but now I've realized he just needs validation that I'm not going to abandon him. I never will, I'll never ask you anything for me because he has given me the best 25 years of my life. I think what I am asking, without professional help, are there any couples that have or can come out of this the same as what it used to be, or better. I'm constantly reading the bad side, the unsuccessful stories, women who walk away who don't understand....But I really want to read some good stories just to pick me up a little bit. He trains hard at the gym, he manages to work everyday In a management corporate role, highly intelligent but I know he is masking when he comes here.Thank you

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