Immediate support
Immediate support

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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: 1

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

Start a discussion

123cats It’s hit me from nowhere
  • replies: 11

Hi AllFirst time posting. Having a bad time at the moment. I have had major depression 25 years ago and have been on medication all these years ... during those years I’ve had some small blips here and there and a couple of bad times with anxiety tha... View more

Hi AllFirst time posting. Having a bad time at the moment. I have had major depression 25 years ago and have been on medication all these years ... during those years I’ve had some small blips here and there and a couple of bad times with anxiety that were eventually rectified with a med increase. Anyhow a couple of weeks ago I had two days out of the blue of quite profound depression and then it lifted but the last 3 days it’s back ... it’s come on quickly and not mildly but pretty bad with intrusive thoughts, waves of anxiety and this terrible feeling of wanting to cry but can’t ifykwim ... it’s awful and distressing. I’ve dropped everything (I work for myself) and pretty much just pushed through getting the basics covered. I’m so scared as havnt felt like this bad for years. I have no idea why this is happening ... maybe the medication is pooping out . All I can think to do is just try and get through the weekend and call my Psych on Monday and try and get an appointment (usually takes weeks to get in) I just really needed to share what’s going on with me to someone somewhere and this is where I landed.

Thermo Need to get some burdens off my chest
  • replies: 5

Hi to anyone who reads this. This is my first time using any support websites, so I’m a little unsure of what I should do. I just don’t feel like I have any other options at this point. It’s been about a year and a half since I got out of a toxic rel... View more

Hi to anyone who reads this. This is my first time using any support websites, so I’m a little unsure of what I should do. I just don’t feel like I have any other options at this point. It’s been about a year and a half since I got out of a toxic relationship, I was essentially blackmailed into it. Long story short I’ve not had much experience with women or relationships, so I was taken completely by surprise when someone from my friend group confessed a romantic interest in me, though it wasn’t mutual, after trying to let them down gently they began to threaten to harm themselves. After talking to someone who I used to believe was my best friend about it they said it was my fault for not accepting. I felt I had no choice and agreed to try going out with her. In the end I spent over half a year of them insulting me or ignoring me after falsely claiming I had been disloyal, then threatening to end their own life “because of me” I didn’t know what to do. I’m still relatively young and inexperienced so I was terrified by the idea that I could be held responsible for someone’s life and death. I now realise this was not the case and what I was lead to believe. Ultimately I broke up with them after spending months to build up the courage. Since we were in the same friend group I was gradually phased out, after she claimed I had dumped them for no reason. Most of the people in our group knew how she treated me and threatened me but still ignored me and insulted me until I decided it would be better to be left alone. To this day I’ve never had the chance to tell my side of the story, because I know it’s a small town and my few friends I’ve made in the past couple of years might feel pressured to choose sides, and I don’t want that for anyone. I just wish it felt like any of my problems were heard, or that there was someone out there who cared about the way these things impact me. It feels selfish of me to even write this on the internet. No matter what I do I can’t help but feel my situation isn’t as bad as other people’s, it feels like all I’m asking for is people’s pity because that what I grew used to being told anytime I would ask for help. From my mother, and from people I thought of as my closest friends, for years. I feel like even though I’m nearly able to physically move away from all of this it will continue to haunt me for years to come. As a young man, I fear that I’ll spend the rest of my life feeling isolated just like I do now.

newnoz Aging and mental illness challenge
  • replies: 15

Dear Beyond Blue I tried doing the online survey but the problem I have wasn't included. My problem is there is no room made for old people. We have many reasons to be miserable and especially men don't have a clue after they stop working. A lot of u... View more

Dear Beyond Blue I tried doing the online survey but the problem I have wasn't included. My problem is there is no room made for old people. We have many reasons to be miserable and especially men don't have a clue after they stop working. A lot of us have other disabilities. Age means that some of my dreams will never come true and the ones I am still fighting for, seem more and more unlikely. A lot of us are not rich or even comfortable economically. A lifetime of trying and failing due to mental illness and in my case other factors can be a sore spot one doesn't know how to address. Therapists also have very little understanding of age and psychological factors. Will you put up forums for those who are not young? Being young was horrible in so many ways. Being old isn't good either because there is the finish line and it is quite final.

britishtvfan tayla (robthomaslover)'s thread.
  • replies: 39

i wasn't sure where to put this. i did have a thread but i won't want to look back on it & participate in it anymore as some of the things on it were triggering for me. i just made this thread, hoping to find people to talk to, of any age, gender, et... View more

i wasn't sure where to put this. i did have a thread but i won't want to look back on it & participate in it anymore as some of the things on it were triggering for me. i just made this thread, hoping to find people to talk to, of any age, gender, etc. since i'm lonely & depressed. the only help i get is a psychiatrist once a month & i had to pay this time because of the stupid telehealth company lying to me, & i'm still waiting to get money back on medicare from it. so yeah, i guess this thread is just to try to socialise with others. i don't really know the purpose of it.

Just_tryingtobe Inability to maintain adult friendships
  • replies: 9

Hi,Hoping to share my situation and to seek advice on how to cope with the loss friendship/inability to maintain friendships as an adult.I grew up in a family where mental health wasn’t discussed. If you were upset about something you were being sill... View more

Hi,Hoping to share my situation and to seek advice on how to cope with the loss friendship/inability to maintain friendships as an adult.I grew up in a family where mental health wasn’t discussed. If you were upset about something you were being silly or dramatic. I’ve always been incredibly shy, to the point of it being crippling as a child / teenager. Struggled with the ability to engage with people especially at the start of a friendship. I always cling to those I feel comfortable around which results in them pushing me away as being too much.My inner critic is extreme, especially in times of stress. I don’t find I can cope if something negative happens in a relationship. I try to fix things things, but and put the blame on myself. My way of “fixing” things just results in pushing the person away further. I then get to the point where I completely shut down and shut off. I cut them out of my life. I question constantly if I have misread the situation, I’m called cold/ungrateful/difficult. In my late 20s/early 30s I went to a psychologist for the first time and was diagnosed with clinical depression, general anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. There were things I learnt from this that have changed my life for the better but now at the age of 40 I feel in times of crisis I still can’t cope.My inner critic ramps up and cripples me - no one likes you, you are worthless, you are unloved, you are an idiot, stupid, no one would even care if you died. Despite having CBT techniques, when the thoughts are this bad I can’t talk that negative voice down.The thoughts race through my head like a whirlwind and I end up feeling emotionally exhausted.Even as I type that voice is saying - you’re immature, grow up, stop being stupid.Please help.. I am at a loss with how to deal with this and scared to go back to a professional as I feel silly.

t..c I don't know what to do
  • replies: 4

So, I've had a rough couple years, a lot of shit has happened to me. But this year has been really good, I started studying as a nurse, got a new job in aged care, got a big promotion in cadets (basically army for kids if you don't know). Everything ... View more

So, I've had a rough couple years, a lot of shit has happened to me. But this year has been really good, I started studying as a nurse, got a new job in aged care, got a big promotion in cadets (basically army for kids if you don't know). Everything is going amazing. But I'm really struggling lately, so many friends have gotten into the actual Army and are leaving soon or have left (one of them being my best friend). I haven't been keeping up with uni assignments and I just have not been motivated what so ever. I get snappy really easily too. I don't want to go to my doctor because I want to be in the Army and they are very strict when it comes to mental health problems and I already have a history. I already know the answer but I don't want it to be. I have no intent to end my life or anything like that but I just feel so low and wanna sleep all the time, I have no energy to do the things I love and I don't want to do them either. I know I probably should go speak to someone about what to do but the army is all I've ever wanted I don't want to jeopardise my chances any more. (I have actually already been deemed medically unfit once due to past mental health problems from 5+ years ago by the Army (Jan this year) but I am aloud to reapply in a year (Jan next year) and medically I can have as many attempts as I want but the wait time gets longer).

Bluett All too Much
  • replies: 4

Hi, So don't even know where to start really other than it's just all got too much. I used to be able to control all this but the last 6 months have really just taken their toll. It's too much all at once. There is just so much and my brain body and ... View more

Hi, So don't even know where to start really other than it's just all got too much. I used to be able to control all this but the last 6 months have really just taken their toll. It's too much all at once. There is just so much and my brain body and soul is not coping. I just want to feel better to feel normal again, happy, myself but I just cant find my way back. I feel like i am getting sucked in deeper. I have been to my doctor and waiting on a therapist, i talk to my family but nothing changes I am just treated differently like i am going to shatter in front of them, i don't want pity I want some help, some understanding to not feel like i am a burden or weak or pathetic, yes pathetic thats how i feel, i feel like a shit parent, wife, employee and human. The hate i have for myself is relentless and so so loud. I am not me and so want to be again.

HackedOff Shut Out
  • replies: 6

I am a 45 year old man with Autism and Explosive Outburst disorder. I have no friends and no family, living a 'hermit existence'. I thought this suited me up until recently when I noticed on social media and the like that people were getting out and ... View more

I am a 45 year old man with Autism and Explosive Outburst disorder. I have no friends and no family, living a 'hermit existence'. I thought this suited me up until recently when I noticed on social media and the like that people were getting out and enjoying themselves and wondered 'why not me?' I have been told by people I met that I am polite and friendly and they can't understand why I am alone. I hate crowds, I hate groups of people, I just need one person, one, someone who is mentally strong and can listen to my problems and would be a tower of strength for me. I thought that I had one skill, I could keep house and all the rest of it, even though I can't drive. I tried many dating apps, I feel completely on my face with all of them. I rather stupidly tried to start a friendship with someone on Instagram, I thought someone like her would be ideal. Of course, disaster stuck, she wouldn't have a bar of me. Then I realised what I had done, I attempted to kill myself. Given events that followed, I'm angry I didn't succeed. My GP was of little comfort only offering the Local Mental Health Branch, who are very rude having observed them at close hand. The Psychologist I went to see didn't want to talk about why I tried to kill myself just went on about things I had no interest in doing. I tried various other places, they either weren't able to help or didn't return my calls/emails etc. I wrote to a major paper in my city explaining my plight. What makes me sick is the fact they stand on The Sermon on the Mount and pontificate that they care about mental health when it is only a facade. Lack of any real help and being ignored, does anybody else have these problems?

white knight Depression? Why wait?
  • replies: 18

It has you in its grip. Why wait? Why wait until you decide?Why wait to be happy?Why wait for dawn before you feel?You can enjoy a flower before the bee arrivesYour depression isn't yoursWhy wait to own it?It's a back pack It will stayWhy wait to rel... View more

It has you in its grip. Why wait? Why wait until you decide?Why wait to be happy?Why wait for dawn before you feel?You can enjoy a flower before the bee arrivesYour depression isn't yoursWhy wait to own it?It's a back pack It will stayWhy wait to release itWhen you cantIt ain't going anywhere It can stayWhy wait to acknowledge There's more in life to focus onEvery body has a freckleWhy wait?Let your love of yourself catch upTo jump on your backTo squeeze the lifeOut of that back packIt robs you of your smile if you waitWait, why wait?Let that tear fallSmiles and tearsWhy wait to embrace? You no longer waitTo run into the sunlightBut waitNo... don't wait...

queenbella feeling lost
  • replies: 6

hey guysfirst time poster, basically ive been dealing with pretty bad depression the past few months, over the years ive dealt with depressive episodes but they have only lasted a few weeks at most, initially i thought this was the same and thought i... View more

hey guysfirst time poster, basically ive been dealing with pretty bad depression the past few months, over the years ive dealt with depressive episodes but they have only lasted a few weeks at most, initially i thought this was the same and thought it would pass, however im so out of my depthive spoke to my psychologist who is trying to help, he sent a letter to my GP and a referral to the mental health team at my local hosipital, i was basically told by both that my life isnt that bad so they werent going to do anything with my medication, and try not to talk to my boyfriend about this because it makes me a burden.ive been trying absolute everything to try to help, nothing seems to work more than 10 mins or so, ive tried going to the emergency room in the past, however absolutely nothing was done because my suicide attempt wasnt "severe enough" to cause concern.i feel completely alone and no body seems to give a damn, im in the country which makes it harder.