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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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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.

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.

TRS91 Am I an alcoholic
  • replies: 3

I used this forum many years ago when I lost my father to suicide. Having people share and connect to my similar circumstance saved me. here I am years later… married.. kids… I am struggling being sober. I love drinking alone. Drinking by when the ki... View more

I used this forum many years ago when I lost my father to suicide. Having people share and connect to my similar circumstance saved me. here I am years later… married.. kids… I am struggling being sober. I love drinking alone. Drinking by when the kids at asleep. It’s not necessarily social. i just don’t know where to start

Guest_10405 Struggling with Uni
  • replies: 2

This is my first time posting or talking about how I feel at all. But I’m an online psychology student wanting to be a clinical psych but i am struggling so much with my course. I’m getting average scores but it feels like every day there is a new st... View more

This is my first time posting or talking about how I feel at all. But I’m an online psychology student wanting to be a clinical psych but i am struggling so much with my course. I’m getting average scores but it feels like every day there is a new step or score I need to reach to get into honours or masters and I’m far from them all!! I’m dreading uni starting back up in march so much so that it’s effecting my sleep now even though it’s months away. I just feel like I’m too stupid to be getting the scores I need let alone any experience but I’m working and doing uni full time and I can’t drive so I’m stuck at home when I’m not at work and feels like I have no time and no support from people in my course. I have no idea what to do next because my course is making me feel so stressed and depressed and not good enough but I have no idea what else I can do. This is probably really stupid but i just feel so alone and like i have no chance of ever becoming a psychologist even though im putting everything i have into it. I’m just not good enough!

Earth Girl People tell me I'm doing things wrong, but won't explain to me exactly what and how
  • replies: 6

People from school keep indirectly telling me to do better, but they never directly explained to me exactly what it is that I am doing wrong. I want to be a nice person, and I try to be, but it's really hard figuring out what the problem is when peop... View more

People from school keep indirectly telling me to do better, but they never directly explained to me exactly what it is that I am doing wrong. I want to be a nice person, and I try to be, but it's really hard figuring out what the problem is when people are very vague about it. They indirectly tell me... That I'm vain, superficial and socially fake, but don't explain how/what it is that I'm doing that makes me so.That I'm stubborn, but don't explain how.That I'm unforgiving That I only want what's best for meThat I lack warmth and humilityThat I'm materialisticThat I'm pretentiousThat I believe in stereotypes That I'm manipulative (I've looked this word up many times, but still don't get it, but it's definitely something that I wouldn't want to be because apparently, it's sort of like controlling people in a really mean way?) I also don't know how exactly I am doing this though or what it means. That I'm heartless - If you're going to call someone this especially, PLEASE explain what exactly they are doing that makes them this because nobody wants to be like this. That I don't say please and thank you - I use to not do this a lot for a stage when I was a teenager when I was using another forum, but I realized I was being rude and it probably didn't make people feel good even though they were helping me so I started doing it again so I don't see how I am still doing this? There have been times other than when I used that site when it didn't occur to me to say thank you, but it wasn't because I didn't appreciate them. I struggle a lot socially so sometimes I will think "that was nice what that person did for me" and then think "Oh, I probably should have said thank you." I say it when it occurs to me though, because I want people to know that I appreciate what they've done for me. That I don't let others have opinions - again, no examples given.That I'm jealous of others instead of just being envious and using that to get better - I don't know how I'm still acting jealous?That I'm unfriendlySelfishHypocriticalEtc... If you're going to tell someone these things, but don't explain to them how they are doing these things/acting this way, it kind of defeats the purpose. And when I politely ask them if they could please explain how I am only caring about material things or what stereotypes I believe in for example, they just get mad at me. It's really hard to stop doing something wrong when you don't know exactly what it is that you are doing wrong.

Sadman I’m so depressed
  • replies: 2

I’m a 40 year old man with a wife and daughter. I’ve been depressed since I was a teenager and have a lot of anxiety also.a couple months back I had to stop going to my workplace of over 10 years because the workload became overwhelming and on top of... View more

I’m a 40 year old man with a wife and daughter. I’ve been depressed since I was a teenager and have a lot of anxiety also.a couple months back I had to stop going to my workplace of over 10 years because the workload became overwhelming and on top of that i had to work closer with the company director who walked around like a tyrant constantly criticising, abusing and threatening jobs.i made a complaint to HR and logged a claim with work cover due to a psychological injury. (I have worked my whole adult life with depression and anxiety but still managed) my workplace dismissed all my complaints and work cover rejected my claim as nobody backed up my account of events. (This hurt as a number of us were going through the same thing and I saw one of my work mates come into work in tears) I work in a field that doesn’t have a lot of jobs out there. I have no confidence in my ability’s to learn anything new and make enough money to support my family. I’m so miserable and don’t want to be alive anymore. I don’t know what to do because everything feels hopeless and despite my wife being very supportive I feel like a burden to my family. I’ve been seeing a psychologist since I stopped working which helps in some ways but everything still feels so hopeless. I don’t enjoy any of my hobbies, I don’t want to see anyone, I’m not a fun father anymore. I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel and I don’t know what to do. I don’t think anyone can help me

dr4maqueen Feeling Alone and Helpless
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, I've never done something like this before. I don't really know what to say. But I have been struggling with depressed and suicidal thoughts for as long as I can remember. I am 19 and am getting really tired and exhausted by all of this. It... View more

Hey guys, I've never done something like this before. I don't really know what to say. But I have been struggling with depressed and suicidal thoughts for as long as I can remember. I am 19 and am getting really tired and exhausted by all of this. It just never gets better and the thoughts always come back. It gets so bad to the point I can't even get out of bed. It really affects my grades and my relationships as I don't have the energy to go out or even text back. I don't really know what to do anymore. I can't afford things like therapy and I don't know how to open up to people. I've never even told anyone any of my problems, mainly because I don't want to dump so much of my trauma on them, it feels so unfair to do that to someone. I mean how do you even tell your friends you have suicidal thoughts. But idk. I really want to get better, like so bad. All I want is to be happy and to just be normal and be able to get up everyday and to feel happy and want to be alive. I'm currently on uni break right now so I feel so alone too. All my friends are travelling and doing stuff whilst I'm stuck working full time alone. I'm just really struggling to see the point in going on right now but I just want to try one last thing. Because I rly do want to get better, I just don't know how. Sorry abt this crazy vent but idk, idk what I'm supposed to say on this thing. But I thought it would be good to maybe talk to people who think the same way, who would understand what I'm going through.

dubrovnik Dubrovnik
  • replies: 2

HelloI have written on these posts previously, it has been some time since I last wrote on Beyond Blue.Thank you to everyone who read my posts and for all of your support and kindness in the past.Unfortunately both of my parents passed away in 2024. ... View more

HelloI have written on these posts previously, it has been some time since I last wrote on Beyond Blue.Thank you to everyone who read my posts and for all of your support and kindness in the past.Unfortunately both of my parents passed away in 2024. Firstly my mother passed away in June 2024 then a few months later my father passed away in October 2024.They passed away overseas.it was a very hard time.Myself and my siblings were overseas I had to go overseas urgently when Mum was sick but unfortunately didn’t get to say goodbye to her, I was devastated.Previously I had written about the issues I had with my sister, for awhile things were good, we were united as a family during a very hard time.Unfortunately things have not been good lately, we have a very up and down relationship.My sister likes to take over in conversations and it’s very disheartening at times.i have had many arguments with her about that, she said that it’s not her fault that i don’t talk very much’ I said to her ‘it’s very hard to talk when you take over and not let others speak’i bumped into a mutual friend of ours and she even said to me ‘you are a nice person’ thought you were stuck up’. I said to her it’s very hard to talk when people talk over you so that’s why I kept quiet’i am a reserved person but I am very open once I get to know people but I do have severe trust issues and am very guarded due to being hurt and betrayed by former friends and relationships.i feel like I am going around in circles, I have walked out of family events because my sister put me down, yet I am seen as the one with the problem.i don’t know what to do.i am going to start therapy soon.thank you very much for reading this.

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