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

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 chats on this Forum having 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

All discussions

Start a discussion

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.

TheTimidWildOne Spiralling
  • replies: 5

Hello I think I've struggled with depression, anxiety and eating disorders for many years. Right now I feel completely worthless. I hate being me. I feel like I don't want to be here anymore. The only thing keeping me going is my kids because they ne... View more

Hello I think I've struggled with depression, anxiety and eating disorders for many years. Right now I feel completely worthless. I hate being me. I feel like I don't want to be here anymore. The only thing keeping me going is my kids because they need me. But I also find being a Mum overwhelming. My husband hates these moods and gets angry with me when I'm like this. Which makes it even worse. I'm struggling to eat and sleep well. I just want it all to stop. But I don't want my kids to lose their Mum. I really don't know why I'm posting this here. I'm sorry!I am just so stuck and lonely right now.

Mystruggles Depression, feeling numb
  • replies: 3

Sometimes my depression hits me out of nowhere. I can start to feel less numb (content but never happy) and then the smallest of triggers will just spiral me to the point where I just feel so empty and numb. I just wish I could feel something other t... View more

Sometimes my depression hits me out of nowhere. I can start to feel less numb (content but never happy) and then the smallest of triggers will just spiral me to the point where I just feel so empty and numb. I just wish I could feel something other than numbness and anger. I wish I could smile, or laugh. When last have I had a belly laugh? silly question... but its been years. I can be such an extrovert and times and the next moment I'm just numb and completely reserved. I find it so hard to maintain romantic relationships because sometimes I just feel numb. I have no connection, no interest (even though I do) I find it so hard to get out of the bed in the morning and do anything. It almost feels like extreme laziness but I just have no energy. Ive suffered from depression for 15 years, no medication helps, I've tried so much but I can't feel.

Wicks Trying to find the drive to help myself.
  • replies: 6

Hi, 28 year old male, I've been grappling with depression for years but in 2020 I finally suffered a full mental breakdown and completely fell off the rails, my Anxiety and Depression spiked and I completely shutdown.I've been seeing my doctor who ha... View more

Hi, 28 year old male, I've been grappling with depression for years but in 2020 I finally suffered a full mental breakdown and completely fell off the rails, my Anxiety and Depression spiked and I completely shutdown.I've been seeing my doctor who has been supportive, spoken with friends and visited 2 different Psychologists to try and fix myself and yet I find myself sitting in my room, wanting to go outside, wanting to see my friends, wanting to lose weight and eat healthier and start my journey of fixing myself and yet...I don't.I can't pin down an exact reason why, speaking with my Psych and GP, family and friends I know I have the support and the tools I need but I just don't end up doing anything to try and help myself.Lately I've been getting frustrated at myself because it almost feels like I'm not at the wheel, I know I should socialize and yet I actively mute my chats and hide from my friends, who I know want to support me any way they can, I know I should do something creative that I enjoy like painting or playing video games and yet I'll stay in bed all day or just stare at my desk top, it just goes on and on.I need structure but I struggle to commit, I make plans and then ignore them or cancel them, I need my friends and yet for some reason I push them away, I sometimes feel that I don't want myself to feel better, that I don't deserve to be happy and I just don't see a point to trying to fix it anymore.I'm really not sure where I'm going with this post or what I want out of it, it's all just kind of coming out onto the page at this point, but I guess, do other people feel this way? Where you know what you have to do and you just don't do it?

Ellibee Lonely, depressed and isolated.
  • replies: 5

I am in my 70s, divorced, one married daughter living overseas, my other daughter died 15 years ago and I took over raising my granddaughter who was four at the time but is now 19. I made some friends through my granddaughter when she was little, but... View more

I am in my 70s, divorced, one married daughter living overseas, my other daughter died 15 years ago and I took over raising my granddaughter who was four at the time but is now 19. I made some friends through my granddaughter when she was little, but have no contact with them now. I have no generic childhood friends because I am from a different country, and no friends my own age because my focus had been on meeting younger mum’s through my granddaughter. My overseas daughter showed little interest in her niece (my granddaughter) and always seemed to resent the time and money I spent raising her. I felt very hurt and sad for my granddaughter that she did not have her aunt’s support. My husband decided to spend his retirement in Thailand because he did not want to be burdened with a four year old granddaughter, so he up and left and subsequently died of an illness in Thailand. For years I have grieved the loss of my family but tried to keep strong for my granddaughter and proud to say she is a now a second year uni law student.I recently had to change rental accommodation and am now caught up in the rental crisis of having to pay inflated rent for a roof over my head. Granddaughter makes a contribution. So money worries on top of everything else. My overseas daughter gave me no support apart from telling to to approach charities for my needs and now she has ghosted me completely, which means I have lost contact and news about my grandson. I am feeling quite bereft. I know she thinks I have brought it all on myself by giving up my comfortable life and retirement to raise my granddaughter and has said in the past that she fully understands her father’s choice not to stick around. Am I wrong in thinking that family should stick by family, and that a four year old family member in need of love and protection should be supported? Or is this the price I am paying for letting my heart rule my head? PS Granddaughter’s father not in the picture.

Beaser Post Fathers Day Sadness. Lonelines and Struggling
  • replies: 14

Hi to everyone and best wishes. I have found myself feeling very sad and lonely after Fathers Day. Im a 56 year old man but i still miss my Father and find these days so hard. Im not a Father myself so i guess its loneliness as well. I split with my ... View more

Hi to everyone and best wishes. I have found myself feeling very sad and lonely after Fathers Day. Im a 56 year old man but i still miss my Father and find these days so hard. Im not a Father myself so i guess its loneliness as well. I split with my girlfriend in Aprill and i just have this constant feeling that i need to contact her. I havent done so for ten days but i just so want to. All my friends tell me not to but i just feel so lonely after the weekend and feel the need to reach out. I have posted regularly this year so i hope thats ok.. I was wondering if anyone has any similar feelings or advice.. My best wishes to all Beaser.

Sasquatchion Depression - The new "normal"
  • replies: 3

G'day all, I have posted to these forums a few times back in 2021, but things started to get better for me and I learnt all sorts of different strategies so my lurking on the forums gradually waned away. However, recently, I have been struggling with... View more

G'day all, I have posted to these forums a few times back in 2021, but things started to get better for me and I learnt all sorts of different strategies so my lurking on the forums gradually waned away. However, recently, I have been struggling with the weight of my gradual recovery from depression and suicidal thoughts. My family, friends and partner have all noticed changes in my demeanor but they are just a façade. I struggle with suicidal thoughts on a nearly weekly basis and while sometimes my management strategies work, sometimes they do not and I begin to spiral. I want to be better. To be "normal" or how I was before my mental health struggles began three years ago, I want to stop my family and partner from worrying. I want a brain that doesn't house a demon inside of it that is constantly battering at the cage I am desperately trying to keep it sealed inside. What I am trying to say is; I do not know how to come to terms with my new version of "normal". Is this really how I am going to have to live the rest of my life? A struggle of continual ups and downs, battling against my own mind? I want to be free. No reliance on medicine or the need to adhere to a rigorous schedule to keep my mind so busy that it does not have the energy to fight back against me. I want to be carefree and relaxed. Has anyone else experienced thoughts like these? How did you accept your new version of normal? I do not think I am ready to say goodbye to the person I was before. I want him back. I want to be me again and I can't deal with the thought that I never will be again. Cheers,Sasquatchion

Ryan2021 Sharing feelings
  • replies: 1

I don't really know if this is the right area to post this or not. Just having some real thoughts about life the last few days. Has been an odd few years, I am so over vaccine status, segregating people about medical choice, case numbers. Just over i... View more

I don't really know if this is the right area to post this or not. Just having some real thoughts about life the last few days. Has been an odd few years, I am so over vaccine status, segregating people about medical choice, case numbers. Just over it all. Personally about 2 months ago my long distance relationship ended, I was heavily invested in it emotionally and was working my ass off to try and reunite us. I was told she was cheating but I still don't know what the truth is. We are still talking a bit and have sort of become friends. I recently tested positive to covid, fought it and have now been given 6 months exemption so I can work and travel without needing to take the vaccine. I have done a lot in my 36 years of life. I have travelled many places and had some great times, memories and experiences. I bought a house and sold it, I bought my own car and I paid it all off. I wanted to race gokarts and I did that this year. I always dreamed of having a beautiful girlfriend and never thought I would have one. But I got one. I have done everything in my life I wanted to do. I am happy and I am content with what I have achieved. Only thing I haven't done is get married but I don't know if I can love again and it seems so far away. I think I am emotionally scarred. I just recently started dating again. The girls were great, but I didn't have any feeling there, it just felt like friends and there was no chance of progression. I had planned to return to my home state after living away for 10 years it was time to return to my family. If the current rules mean I can't work unless I get vaccinated, I will have nothing to do than just stay home. I would be a burden on my family and know that my parents will be constantly in my ear telling me to take the vaccine that I don't want. I feel like I am stuck in that sense because I was returning to be with them. So my next plan is to get out of Australia I don't Iike what my country has become with these mandates and the way people are being treated. Normal people being called extremists because they don't want to follow the government's agenda. Parents who care for their children's future, all different religions, age groups. I am working hard now saving up to go away for 3-6 months. I hope to live in another country, where it is cheap, not have to work, eat amazing food. Then I feel like my life is done. I feel like I have accomplished all I want to do and have nothing more to give.

white knight Mental challenges
  • replies: 2

We are indeed challenged. We have ups and downs, while "up" we dont think the "downs" will return and visa versa. We've spoken a lot about acceptance our biggest challenge https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/acceptance-is-this-our-bigges... View more

We are indeed challenged. We have ups and downs, while "up" we dont think the "downs" will return and visa versa. We've spoken a lot about acceptance our biggest challenge https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/acceptance-is-this-our-biggest-challenge/td-p/147694 however, the correct approach to that challenge depends on many factors. Know your demon He knows you cant control him, he knows you are reactive and try to extinguish him with rage... exactly what not to do. When rageful or angry we lose logic, no different when having a domestic argument when emotions are high.Time your response to the challenge. Our depression or difficulties often stand in the way of any possible progress. Look at them like waves on a beach, huge wave stop you so wait until the swell drops. The reason waiting doesnt feel natural is that it means we have lost control of our mind.Return to your doctor. With the reduction of bulk billing locations it isnt easy for many suffering hardship, do what you need to do and not underestimate the importance of that 1:1 chat and treatment professional medical staff provide.We plan our lives yes? Shopping, savings etc... we should get into the routine of planning our challenges as long as those plans are rubbery in terms of when to face them. Flexibility is your friend. Surrendering is not an option. Slip into the finer things in life. Take those daily walks, watch the birds, the flowers and smile at those walking by... appreciate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpfuMFsBgNkAll is ok. Let those tears fall, cradle your loved ones, talk to those that have the capacity to help and those that know what you are going through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3aFh7OJMNAImagination and fulfilment. That's where hobbies and interests come in, activities that occupy a damaged mind is a major diversion to our bad thoughts. Faith. Long term our body, mind and acceptance gets better, it matures. You'll time your rebound and smell the roses.TonyWK

Stepup Nightmares again
  • replies: 2

Hi Folks, I have been having severe nightmares for a decade or so. That's not to say I didn't have them before that but they have well and truly faded away. I'm a 64 year old male who has a long history with major depression but I thought it had gone... View more

Hi Folks, I have been having severe nightmares for a decade or so. That's not to say I didn't have them before that but they have well and truly faded away. I'm a 64 year old male who has a long history with major depression but I thought it had gone away for a while, oh well, I guess it never really goes away completely. Anyway the nightmares seem to be about being trapped or lost. Up until 5 years ago I was having nightmares about being trapped in a past marriage to someone whom I despised, then it was about being trapped in work environs and being unable to move forward or back. Last nights episode was about being lost and unable to find my way out and going around in circles. It was a relief to wake up this morning to realise it was only another dream but I was distressed none the less. Now I have a cuppa and have calmed down to my usually calm demeanor but I would surely like to find a reason for the nightmares because and better still, ways to avoid them. Regards G