Depression

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

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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
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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?
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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
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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

Plantsandthings Culture Shock & Depression
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Hi everyone, I don't want to feel angry or constantly upset with people, but I feel this nagging sense of loneliness even when I'm surrounded by people. Sometimes it turns into anger or irritability because I just don't understand people. I don't und... View more

Hi everyone, I don't want to feel angry or constantly upset with people, but I feel this nagging sense of loneliness even when I'm surrounded by people. Sometimes it turns into anger or irritability because I just don't understand people. I don't understand how the people around me think and function. I lived overseas for most of my upbringing and I have struggled since moving here though my parents are originally from Australia. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience either as a third culture kid or just with culture shock in general? I often feel like everyone hates me, though I know this isn't a very logical way of thinking and that it's probably brought on by my depression. But I also don't know how to stop feeling this way - the more I try to rationalise other reasons for peoples behaviour I reach an impasse, where I fundamentally don't understand other people's logic. People here can be so inconsiderate, and self absorbed! I feel like I always care about the people around me, but very few people care about me. I would love advice or just someone to talk to about these feelings. I've looked at these forums for a while but never posted before, but right now I just feel so low all the time and I'm not even sure why.

cathyxd7 loneliness and depression
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hi, this is sort of my first time here. im in year 12, I struggle with anxiety and depression. I am now finishing high school online because I couldn't handle regular school due to intense depression and suicidal thoughts. I am alone almost all of th... View more

hi, this is sort of my first time here. im in year 12, I struggle with anxiety and depression. I am now finishing high school online because I couldn't handle regular school due to intense depression and suicidal thoughts. I am alone almost all of the time now, which has worsened my depression. I constantly feel trapped in negative spirals that I just can't escape from no matter what self care methods I try. I just feel so disconnected from everyone and everything. I moved cities last year and don't have any friends here, so there's no-one to really check up on me or keep me rooted in reality. I feel so insane, like being around people or trying to make new friends would just be an impossible task. I also struggle with severe social anxiety. I just feel so trapped in my brain like things will never change. So I guess I'm asking for advice or just wanting to feel less alone in this. -cat

Blushx severely depressed but I need to get my life together, how do I drop out?
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hi everyone, my name is solivan, I'm 17 (18 in 2 months) and this is my first time here I have a lot wrong with me but it's not really relevant to the issue I need help with, and I didn't come here to try discuss it but I am going to preface that for... View more

hi everyone, my name is solivan, I'm 17 (18 in 2 months) and this is my first time here I have a lot wrong with me but it's not really relevant to the issue I need help with, and I didn't come here to try discuss it but I am going to preface that for years ive just been plagued with challenges like my depression, anxiety, adhd, eating disorder, and bpd. Also yes I'm diagnosed, but that was over a ago and I'm no longer seeing a professional. so my life has just completely spiraled to shit, I only saw a professional for 3 months and it was because I had a suicide attempt, but unfortunately my GP and psych both ghosted me when I came out of hospital after a second attempt. my parents refuse to acknowledge my issues which is just great, and I'm in my final year of highschool (12) but I stopped attending just over a month ago because I can't handle it. Not just the workload? but my mental health in general has just completely sucked the life out of me It's only 3 months until graduation but theres no way that I'll be able to complete all the overdue work and actually pass, I don't have the motivation and not being medicated for my adhd makes it worse. I'm so close to fixing all this shit, but I need to drop out. legally I'm able to, since I'm 17, and my parents have agreed but I don't know how to do it because they're making me do it by myself. my mum refuses to talk to the school because she's just embarrassed at my failure, so what do I do? do I need to call my school and ask them for forms to sign something?? I don't want to talk with a counselor because I know I'm not changing my mind?? how do I figure this out myself?? god I just feel worse trying to find out what to do, i wish I could just google it but i literally have no idea and begging for help here is my last resort. For the past week my parents are getting frustrated and angry with me because they don't want to get emails about my absences, like wow thanks that totally makes me feel better about myself and I guess I feel like they're making it about themselves, while I'm the one who feels like shit about not knowing what to do? even I don't have a choice but to figure this out on my own sorry for rambling? idk i feel so much pressure since its so unnecessarily hard for me to handle this one simple thing that would finally help me get my life together so if anyone can help me figure out how to officially do this i would actually cry from gratefulness

naralle My Depression is still controlling me
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Hi everyone, its been a while since I've been here. Nothing hasn't really changed I don't think anyway. In my opinion winter is bad for me mentally and physically. I'm talking to a psychologist about my anxiety and how she is helping me a great deal,... View more

Hi everyone, its been a while since I've been here. Nothing hasn't really changed I don't think anyway. In my opinion winter is bad for me mentally and physically. I'm talking to a psychologist about my anxiety and how she is helping me a great deal, and I know there are ways to fight this never ending battle of Depression. I'm on my highest does of medication but I feel I need to talk to a councilor about it. I don't know what else to do. I'm sleeping odd hours and not the proper straight 8 hours. I know that I'm not the only person in the world who isn't coping but I just wanted to say something. Oh this Covid-19 isn't helping at all. Thank you for your time xx

Rupes79 Coping with mood swings
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Hi All, I’m wondering what advice you can offer for someone suffering mood swings. I think it is all depression related. Some days are great and some days are terrible and some days have a mixture of great and terrible. I can’t seem to string more th... View more

Hi All, I’m wondering what advice you can offer for someone suffering mood swings. I think it is all depression related. Some days are great and some days are terrible and some days have a mixture of great and terrible. I can’t seem to string more than a couple of good days together before I come crashing down. My thoughts vary wildly. This is unusual for me, it’s not how I normally am as a person. I usually have quite an even temperament. Im coming to the end of my current script of my antidepressants and I’m seriously considering discontinuing. I think they worked to start with, which might have been a placebo effect, but several months in I feel I am back to where I started with a heap of unwanted side effects. Thanks for listening.

HinBris22 Dear Diary - I'm Back on the Bipolar Express
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Hi - I'm not really looking for support or a response. I just don't want to bother my loved ones, so here I am. I'm back on the bi-polar express, not looking after myself properly be it cleaning my teeth, showering regularly, cooking, or cleaning or ... View more

Hi - I'm not really looking for support or a response. I just don't want to bother my loved ones, so here I am. I'm back on the bi-polar express, not looking after myself properly be it cleaning my teeth, showering regularly, cooking, or cleaning or there lack of. I'm unproductive at work and I'm not a pleasant person to be around right now. It's easier to stay away from everyone... it's not you it's me. I feel like I'm letting everyone down, have had bouts of rage (not physical or in the presence of others), which I haven't experienced for about a decade. I seemed to have missed the high this time but now I'm teary, lower than low and flat. Yes, the old distressing thoughts has raised its ugly head too. Each time I tell myself never again, I'm not going through this again - yet here I am. I have a fantastic Psychiatrist and I'm changing meds slowly... which is very likely why I'm here right now but HOLY COW I can't express how much mental illness sucks. It's so very cruel and confusing each.and.every.time. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk x

Emlm My black dog is exhausting
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Hi, so I’m pretty much at my wits end, probably why I’ve ended up back here because I feel like I can’t tell my family. It’s like the “here we go again”. i feel like I have done everything I can with this bout. I’m on the highest dosage of my meds th... View more

Hi, so I’m pretty much at my wits end, probably why I’ve ended up back here because I feel like I can’t tell my family. It’s like the “here we go again”. i feel like I have done everything I can with this bout. I’m on the highest dosage of my meds that even the pharmacist is shocked (I work in pharmacy) I have been looking into clinical trials because that’s the point I’m at. Even had the DNA testing for pharmacology. my husband, I love him, but he has anger issues. He supported me and both kids when I ended up having a 3 month stint in hospital mental health unit. But I feel like I’m walking on eggshells when he’s home (work away and is home weekends) I have spoken to him about his temper but I don’t think he sees it the same way. He breaks things when he’s mad and I retreat into myself. Sometimes I flee with my dog (black Labrador who I absolutely love as my “black dog dog”. He’s very old fashioned and is dead set against hitting a woman and has old school values. Kids can’t have elbows on the table ect. Durning my recovery from hospital back in 2019 I learnt to let go and address the bigger issues, even his mum backs me with that. My son who is now 16 amd daughter 14 are both arguing constantly. As soon as I finished work it starts. I just don’t no what to do anymore. I’ve gone from a 64kg kinda confident In myself to just under 100kg since hospital from all the different meds and the latest dosage increase… I don’t no who I am anymore. What I see in the mirror isn’t me. I am at the point where I want to stop taking my meds but I no it’ll end in self harm but I’m getting to the stage where I don’t care. I have only confined in one friend regarding my husband because everyone love him and so happy that I have him. Is it me and my black dog that are making me feel exhausted from depression or is it life. The life I have created for myself and wearing my mask. I feel like he doesn’t respect me, but is that just the depression. I’m exhausted. This is extremely exhausting and I just want to be me again. I no I need help but I don’t no what from anymore.

Idonthaveanicname Depression and anxiety - clear as mud
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Hi, so it's obvious to me that I'm not well. But I don't have any close mates or friends that I feel comfortable talking to about it. Acquaintances more than anything. I feel like a terrible person most of the time, constantly anger with everything, ... View more

Hi, so it's obvious to me that I'm not well. But I don't have any close mates or friends that I feel comfortable talking to about it. Acquaintances more than anything. I feel like a terrible person most of the time, constantly anger with everything, almost full blown rage. I feel like I'm going to explode. This morning I dropped my child off at school in tears because I went off about how long it took the to get ready for school - which in turn has lead me to tears for the first time in I don't know how long. My wife seems to think poking fun at me is a sport, and I haven't worked in months. Work is out there, I just can't get off my bum and outside to do it. I'm hopeful that spilling a few things into the nether regions of the world wide web might make me somehow feel better. To be clear, I don't have any suicidal thoughts, more just how useless I am, and why the heck can't I snap out of it

Wharp3 How to manage my depression as well as my partners?
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Hi. I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. So my partner and I have both being suffering from anxiety/depression for well over a decade now. Most recently, my partner has found out she has to have surgery/procedure and met with an anesthetist to... View more

Hi. I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. So my partner and I have both being suffering from anxiety/depression for well over a decade now. Most recently, my partner has found out she has to have surgery/procedure and met with an anesthetist today. While the surgery is minor and not life-threatening, my partner is very afraid as they are overweight so the risks of complications are higher under general anesthetic. This has made my partner and I both anxious and terrified, and now we are just numb. I am doing everything I can to snap out of this for my partner's sake so I can be strong for them and help them find the positive. But at this very stage, I feel absolutely lost and cannot snap out of the "what if things go wrong" thoughts racing in my mind. It's to the point where I am making them more miserable than the thought of the procedure itself. The procedure/surgery is minor and only takes 20-30 mins, and I know I'm probably blowing up this situation more than it is. I know deep down in my "sensible self" that they will be fine. I'm just so scared of losing my partner. I don't know what to do, how to think, what to say for both our sales. What can I do? How can I snap out of this and be there for my partner?

BabySteps What can you Tell me?
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I don't like how modern society Is very paganistic, and material, fake and superficial, but I understand loving quality and materialism too I don't like the feeling of everyone being condescending and undermining, and superior and arrogantly Intellig... View more

I don't like how modern society Is very paganistic, and material, fake and superficial, but I understand loving quality and materialism too I don't like the feeling of everyone being condescending and undermining, and superior and arrogantly Intelligent I don't like my "Millennial Generation", making you feel that your under Intelligent or Insane, for not wanting to go to University, when It's not for everyone, and when you have NO Interest, unless It was Nutrition or Psychology, but your supposed to be following what you WANT TO DO, and not what society condition's to do, otherwise you won't follow your own Interpersonal best happiness I don't like the feeling of everyone being sensitive and condensed In "Politic's" and Left Wing people hating Right Wing Traditionalist's, and seeing all Right Wing people as Far Right Wing TOXIC's through stigma I don't feel connected to my generation, because I don't hate every modernized musician, but I find their nothing and absolute amature next to prior generational muso's, they lack originality, and their more for the principle's, It's more for the rewards, money, and boast and attention, not as much for the music and the passion In comparison, I found all genre's and each artist was out standing as something different or to a equal deserving reason for admiration. I find everyone today Is a similarity and their all either copies, or not refreshing ( to me ) I find, I am absolutely not telling anyone what to do, or how to live, think or be, But I find more In America and globally, the LGBQT Is normalized, but when your retrospectively Interested In only Heterosexual people, because that's what you have always been, and always only will be, For me being first for the Bible, wanting to be that reflection, and feeling It's a fleet pursue and devotion outside the United State's, but being greatful for our country not having American excessive problem's, that most other countries, couldn't digest or would want I can see Australia, changing for the worst, since 2012, It has become more for global warming, and LGBQT, and mass Immigration and Paganism, and now It's all about Black Live's, and Women, and It's all so sensitive and straining, and how the LAW System biastly favour's women as ALWAYS Innocent I find everyone far more opinionated and Intrusive, and Insecure and self comparing I see were getting so many more food's, and that the Nutrition will change and eventually be like the U.S.A., and the Government will too