Depression

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

FAQ

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

Forums guidelines

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

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

Johnnnnn Feel so bad about having no girlfriend
  • replies: 4

I am already 24 this year and still got no girlfriend, meanwhile, many of my friends have their girlfriends and even some of them are gonna get married soon. Not only I feel I am left far behind by them but I also feel myself is much worse than other... View more

I am already 24 this year and still got no girlfriend, meanwhile, many of my friends have their girlfriends and even some of them are gonna get married soon. Not only I feel I am left far behind by them but I also feel myself is much worse than others since I couldn’t have a girlfriend.i feel like I am a loser, no girls ever liked me, no one wants to have relationship with me, feel bloody depressed

OllieA_TransKid I feel as if I can't go on anymore!...
  • replies: 2

I try and put on a happy face, hiding that I might have severe depression, but it's never enough for people! My mother claims I only care about myself, but I actually put people before my own needs! If my friends are sad, I'll cheer them up before ev... View more

I try and put on a happy face, hiding that I might have severe depression, but it's never enough for people! My mother claims I only care about myself, but I actually put people before my own needs! If my friends are sad, I'll cheer them up before even THINKING about myself! I hate when my friends joke about mental illness, knowing I'm not really doing well right now, the only people who actually care is my bf and my 2 bsf. I can't look at myself the same way I used to. I can't look at my parents without knowing they will yell at me for every little thing I do.

CMTK Scared to admit I might have postpartum depression
  • replies: 4

One month ago I gave birth to our first child. Instantly I fell in love with her and despite a challenging post birth recovery my first week wasn’t too bad. However, as the weeks have gone on it’s gotten harder. Being a first time mum the sleep depri... View more

One month ago I gave birth to our first child. Instantly I fell in love with her and despite a challenging post birth recovery my first week wasn’t too bad. However, as the weeks have gone on it’s gotten harder. Being a first time mum the sleep deprivation, breastfeeding challenges and navigating being a parent has been difficult to say the least. I constantly feel like an imposter and the anxiety is exhausting. My biggest issue is not wanting to admit I might have postpartum depression. My wife expressed her concern about me getting it during pregnancy. And sure enough I think she was right, but I don’t want to admit it. I’m crying secretly to myself all day, I feel constant anxiety and I’m starting to feel disconnected from our baby. Her concern came from my history of anxiety and depression. First time mums constantly talk about not feeling themselves but for me it’s worse. It’s that all too familiar feeling of anxiety and depression that scares me into feeling like this is what it’s always going to be like for me. And that I won’t get what I hoped for in this new journey with our child.

Gingerbluee Living with partner with depression, cPTSD, and addiction
  • replies: 1

Hello I am reaching out because it has been really hard for me to live with my partner. I am thinking of quiting after supporting him for 2 years through a lot of darkness, his suicidal ideation, job changes, financial issues, addiction, civil court,... View more

Hello I am reaching out because it has been really hard for me to live with my partner. I am thinking of quiting after supporting him for 2 years through a lot of darkness, his suicidal ideation, job changes, financial issues, addiction, civil court, mood swings. Lately we have been having a lot of fights and even after we talked it out, I feel like I am the only person making effort to rekindle the intimacy, while he just use depression as his reason for not able to provide any affection. On reflection, I have been living in hypervigilance, e.g make sure what I watch on Netflix does not trigger his trauma and spiral him into depression; or when we go get grocery I am worried if he's going to snap at others. He has taken his medication and seek therapy but I dont know how long I should support him while putting my mental health at risk. One day I woke up feeling great then dragged down by his low mood. Yesterday we had another argument and he told me "you do realise this is going to put me into another crash right". Please give me advice on what I should do.

Guest_94608298 Feeling so depressed
  • replies: 1

I was sexually assaulted last year and as a result fell pregnant. I was going through a lot of stressors at the time including possibly being homeless with 4 young kids as a Single Mum, financial stress and also without a car. I ended up being talked... View more

I was sexually assaulted last year and as a result fell pregnant. I was going through a lot of stressors at the time including possibly being homeless with 4 young kids as a Single Mum, financial stress and also without a car. I ended up being talked out of an abortion by a close friend and my GP whom both appeared to be very pro-life. I have regretted not having an abortion and my mental health deterioated throughout the pregnancy. I than got to the point i i could no longer look after myself or my children. Every day i have struggled with night terrors, anxiety, panic attacks and depression and had to be on medication. Ive had to give up my independency with my kids and move in with family for help. Im due to give birth next week and am extremely anxious. I am giving the baby up for adoption but i wish i wasnt going through any of this and still regret not having gone through with the abortion. Im so depressed and miserable pretty much every day. I dont know how to get through this. Nothing in me wants to go through labour or childbirth but theres no other way forward. I feel so much regret for where I am today.

rebecca2012 depression
  • replies: 1

idk what to doive been put on meds and its not workingmy head is so flooded with thoughtsi cant distract myselfim struggling with S.H tooanyone got suggestions..?...please.

idk what to doive been put on meds and its not workingmy head is so flooded with thoughtsi cant distract myselfim struggling with S.H tooanyone got suggestions..?...please.

Mr K Losing my grasp on perspective.
  • replies: 4

Some days are better than others but at the moment I feel like my life is slowly slipping out of my control and I'm just feeling utterly overwhelmed and isolated from support. I feel like all my close friends are out of contact, my remaining family m... View more

Some days are better than others but at the moment I feel like my life is slowly slipping out of my control and I'm just feeling utterly overwhelmed and isolated from support. I feel like all my close friends are out of contact, my remaining family my elderly father lives on the other side of the world, my last relationship ended last year and I'm afraid to speak to anyone at work in case the facade falls and they see me as a wreck. As a single dad, i struggle at the best of times to find time for myself let alone time to speak to anyone about this. I feel like my work is starting to really suffer because of my state and I feel overwhelmed trying to put it right and restore confidence. I don't want to end my life and I can't afford to not work but I wish I could just reset things somehow and start again. I don't know how much longer I can last in this constant state of survival. I feel like I'm running out of options and I don't know what else I can do.

naralle Depression sucks
  • replies: 1

I'm really getting sick of my depression. I'm on medication and they do help. I do have my good days but when my depression kicks right in I can barely function. It's really frustrating I want to scream

I'm really getting sick of my depression. I'm on medication and they do help. I do have my good days but when my depression kicks right in I can barely function. It's really frustrating I want to scream

KatnissPrimrose Ever feel you have no control?
  • replies: 4

We are at our boss' disposal.We are at our landlord's/real estate's disposal.We HAVE to pay tax and GST.We HAVE to vote.We HAVE to all the social 'norms'.We can lose it all in a second if we don't comply.

We are at our boss' disposal.We are at our landlord's/real estate's disposal.We HAVE to pay tax and GST.We HAVE to vote.We HAVE to all the social 'norms'.We can lose it all in a second if we don't comply.

Guest_74403194 Struggling to find joy
  • replies: 2

I recently went on holiday to Japan and loved it so much I didn’t want to leave. But I had to, and I’ve come back to the city I’m living in with my boyfriend (for his job), which I never really liked. But I now feel so much distain for this place and... View more

I recently went on holiday to Japan and loved it so much I didn’t want to leave. But I had to, and I’ve come back to the city I’m living in with my boyfriend (for his job), which I never really liked. But I now feel so much distain for this place and I’m struggling to find joy in anything. I’m not excited about anything, I feel lost, I’m uninspired, I don’t know what I want, I don’t know what will make me happy again. I’m going between just ok days and awful, hating life days. I’m usually a really happy person but I have gone through low patches like this before, it happens every couple of years and I can never pin point why or how to pull myself out of it. I feel like I’m drowning and I don’t know how to swim back up to the surface. I don’t have any “close” friends here, and I have adhd so I find organising things really hard. I don’t know how to spark joy in my life again. Does anyone have any suggestions for pulling myself out of this low?