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
Categories
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 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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Fiatlux I can't stop crying
  • replies: 2

I can't stop crying at the moment. The depression has been awful over the winter months but now I feel even worse and cry about everything. I feel so overwhelmed. I am moving all my belongings from my escape apartment back to my old house, where I li... View more

I can't stop crying at the moment. The depression has been awful over the winter months but now I feel even worse and cry about everything. I feel so overwhelmed. I am moving all my belongings from my escape apartment back to my old house, where I live with a son and my pretty awful husband. I have spent the past 2 weekends packing up and moving boxes back to the house. It's exhausting. (my eldest son will move into my apartment so I will leave behind all the furniture and white goods) I moved to the apartment just over 3 years ago to escape an abusive husband and it's depressing that I am moving back to that again. Our marriage is just a marriage of convenience. I stayed and suffered for the 'sake of the children' who have all grown up with this illusion of a happy family. The 'husband' does not change. He controls his anger most of the time, but the 'marriage' is dead. I have absolutely no Love for him at all. The entire situation is sickening and pathetic. It makes me cry all the time. Thank you for listening.

navybeanie planning to quit work but worried about my reputation
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for a few years ago, and I'll admit that I haven't taken the time to really address it. Covid happened during the last two years of my specialist training, which did not help things. Truth... View more

Hi everyone, I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for a few years ago, and I'll admit that I haven't taken the time to really address it. Covid happened during the last two years of my specialist training, which did not help things. Truth be told, I was struggling at the start of 2020 already, but I hung on for another two years. I definitely burnt out many times, and even now I feel like I still haven't had a chance to breathe. I started a new job a few weeks, just two days a week but this has been adding to my stress and anxiety. The workplace would be great for the right person, but I feel like I'm not in the right mindset to be working right now. I'm 90% sure that I will quit today but I'm not sure if I can do it - I'm very worried that my reputation will be tarnished in a fairly small world of professionals. I just don't know what's the right thing to do, but I feel like I need to put myself first even if it does mean that word will spread that I didn't last a month at this work place. Thank you for taking to the time to read this. I usually don't write about my feelings.

Trying_Optimist Help with fiancé leaving as they need to work through childhood trauma
  • replies: 11

Hi, after reading a lot of posts here, I thought I’d join and reach out myself. My partner and I (39 and 34) have been together for 8 yrs, engaged for 3. We have lived together for 7.5 yrs, moved countries multiple times, supported each other through... View more

Hi, after reading a lot of posts here, I thought I’d join and reach out myself. My partner and I (39 and 34) have been together for 8 yrs, engaged for 3. We have lived together for 7.5 yrs, moved countries multiple times, supported each other through career training/exams, family deaths etc.In the middle of May he told me that ‘things weren’t great’ which caught me out of the blue. He proceeded to tell me he felt suffocated, pressured to propose at the time and that he wasn’t attracted to me anymore. In his words however, he called this a speed bump.We both started our own counselling (my self-esteem plummeted with weight gain and I was jealous of new friends he had made at a new job), and he said he had to work on figuring out who he was as he felt lost. We attended one couples counselling together where we said we both wanted to try. At the end of June he requested 5 days alone to have space to think (at our parting he hugged and kissed me, said I love you and that we were going to work on this). On reuniting he told me it was over. No trying/counselling/nothing. I was distraught. I asked why, and he said that he has to deal with ‘big stuff’, didn’t want my support, and didn’t love me anymore. I asked for a trial separation to have time to process, which he agreed to, but then 3 days later said no. We have remained living together for the past 3 months (we don’t have friends/family here). There have been some very ugly moments from both of us, but then some incredibly sad conversations where he looks shattered and talks about wanting the ground to open and swallow him up. He has continued to confide in me regarding work and worries about sickness in his family. I have reason to believe that the ‘big stuff’ is to do with his childhood and after a few comments this week, suspect there was abuse at a significant level. I am moving out on Sunday, without anything being sorted house/possessions wise. I'm so sad. I feel so deeply for the pain he must be going through, but I'm also hurt about how quickly he threw us away, and didn't want to let me help him.I suppose my questions are:1) should I let him know that I didn't realise that there was something so significant in his past and that it doesn't change my love for him? That I’ll always be on his team, his support through thick and thin?2) am I stupid to think that there is a way back for us?

Oct Depressed Mood and needing some advice to get through it
  • replies: 2

Hello BB,My mood has become very depressed due to some family issues ( I say depressed mood as I am not diagnosed, and it had only begun fairly receny). For some additional information, these family issues don't involve me directly, but stuff is happ... View more

Hello BB,My mood has become very depressed due to some family issues ( I say depressed mood as I am not diagnosed, and it had only begun fairly receny). For some additional information, these family issues don't involve me directly, but stuff is happening with other family members. We are close knit and love each other dearly, so it made me stress out so badly from worry and not being able to help them when life gives them the sh*t end of the stick. The uncertainty of how it may turn out in the future is the main culprit. I ended up crying the whole night. Woke up the next day feeling better, but noticed that I had absolutely zero appetite, nausea, a continuous bad feeling in my stomach, needing to lie down or nap as much as possible, zero motivation, difficulty focusing (when reading manga/comics) and little enjoyment from my usual day to day pass times. Also, extra emotionally sensitive. The last time I had these same feelings and physical experiences was with my first break up - had a hard time getting out of bed for months, taking care of myself and being functional (work, school, social) was an absolute chore. I was fortunate the feelings didn't reoccur for a long time, until now. Do you guys have any simple tips or advice to share to help get through this a bit easier?Maybe something I can try doing to get myself out of bed easier, or some easy foods/snacks to eat through out the day that won't come up as easily? Vomited out a couple of my meals and very little appetite. I'm seeing a psychologist for separate, anxiety issues, so I can ask them for help with this at my next appointment, but I would like to hear from people who have had same or similar experiences - what are some little things that may have helped you (in hindsight or currently)?

TRS91 Post natal depression
  • replies: 5

I have a 7 month old son. I hate him. I wish I never had him. I tried for 18 months to conceive him and I had the most amazing pregnancy. then he came. And it’s been a nightmare ever since. I feel so guilty for the way I feel about him. I don’t know ... View more

I have a 7 month old son. I hate him. I wish I never had him. I tried for 18 months to conceive him and I had the most amazing pregnancy. then he came. And it’s been a nightmare ever since. I feel so guilty for the way I feel about him. I don’t know why I got this horrible baby. I wish everything was different.

Zaba Being enough
  • replies: 2

I think often about the saying ‘you are enough’ and wonder what it takes to actually believe it. When I was growing up I had a brother 13 years older than me who was a violent paranoid schizophrenic. I carry a lot of resentment towards my parents and... View more

I think often about the saying ‘you are enough’ and wonder what it takes to actually believe it. When I was growing up I had a brother 13 years older than me who was a violent paranoid schizophrenic. I carry a lot of resentment towards my parents and older siblings for being neglected, ignored and dismissed during that time. Where they ‘coped’ by leaving home, drinking and drugs, from a young age I was usually left alone with him or unable to stir my parents if anything happened. I’ve blocked out much of my memories before I was 15/16. Because of this I struggle with how I see myself. No matter what I’ve achieved in life, with my career and own family, there’s always a voice that says I’m not worthy of love or respect. It’s the foundation for my depression and anxiety but I just didn’t know how to change something so old and ingrained.

HackedOff Almost back to where I started
  • replies: 14

Hi, it's me again. For the past few weeks I have been trying to make sense of why I tried to kill myself and the lack of help I receive. I have tried to make contact with various places and nothing. No one seems to understand that I need my reasons f... View more

Hi, it's me again. For the past few weeks I have been trying to make sense of why I tried to kill myself and the lack of help I receive. I have tried to make contact with various places and nothing. No one seems to understand that I need my reasons for my suicide attempt resolved so it can be closed and I can move on. People are telling me too forget the past and move on - why should I? Just to make their lives easier. I feel that I am going back to that very depressed state again. Why can't I get the proper help I require - not a one size fits all strategy that is the only thing available, not being fobbed off or labelled a trouble maker. I hate my life. I hate walking around thinking the world hates me and I hate everyone else. Gee Whiz ☹

AndrewR1 Over the Pain & Constant Struggle
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm not sure where to start,but I've been trying so hard with employment travelling around ruffing it, constantly getting screwed over or lied to ,plus suffer with anxiety disorder and depression. Just over the constant struggle, I'm losing hope &... View more

Hi I'm not sure where to start,but I've been trying so hard with employment travelling around ruffing it, constantly getting screwed over or lied to ,plus suffer with anxiety disorder and depression. Just over the constant struggle, I'm losing hope & trust in general, I dunno why I bother, my soul is drained ,actually fealt suicidal today. My parents don't understand & don't have circle of friends anymore. Over my life & uncertain future.

KAW-22 Anxiety & Depression
  • replies: 1

I love my life and my job so much but I seem to be struggling alot lately to even get out of bed to go.I feel like I have a panic attack just at the thought of leaving the house all of a sudden.

I love my life and my job so much but I seem to be struggling alot lately to even get out of bed to go.I feel like I have a panic attack just at the thought of leaving the house all of a sudden.

RM89 Job loss and pregnancy
  • replies: 1

Hello, This past week I lost my job, fired for misconduct. I believe it’s been a total misunderstanding and fighting it. I’ve been there for 10 years and put everything in it. I loved my role and I feel like I’ve lost who I am. My income, all of my h... View more

Hello, This past week I lost my job, fired for misconduct. I believe it’s been a total misunderstanding and fighting it. I’ve been there for 10 years and put everything in it. I loved my role and I feel like I’ve lost who I am. My income, all of my hard work, I’ve just put so much of myself into the place. Worse thing is, I’m 10 weeks pregnant. I’ve barely been eating or sleeping and cry all day. I have 2 other children and a supportive husband but I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. I’ve lost all stability, future maternity leave etc. I feel so broken and lost, I can’t function. What do I do?