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
  • 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

Scared Motive check
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Im not doing well.My meds are not working and Im at times worried i am going out of my mind. I pathetically check beyond blue forums all day waiting for a notification. Anything to stop the madness in my head.I was replying to a serious post and then... View more

Im not doing well.My meds are not working and Im at times worried i am going out of my mind. I pathetically check beyond blue forums all day waiting for a notification. Anything to stop the madness in my head.I was replying to a serious post and then deleted it because I felt Im using their pain as a way to stop my own. I suddenly felt dirty when I thought of the Authors post and the seriousness of what they are going thru. I realised I had nothing new to add to help this particular person so I deleted and made a new post.Posts on here are not written for my distraction but for serious input to which I had none. Thats how I feel. I dont know how to get betterIm glad there is some decency left in me because there isnt much else.

Gj-1974 Not coping
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Hi l am really struggling today everything is getting on top of me financially under pressure hardly eating lack of work housing uncertainty no family talk to etc

Hi l am really struggling today everything is getting on top of me financially under pressure hardly eating lack of work housing uncertainty no family talk to etc

Tamrby alone
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not really sure where to put this. I just feel bad for burdening others with my problems and I struggle with asking for help because my struggles don't feel bad enough even though people I am close with says it is. In some ways I do not want to get b... View more

not really sure where to put this. I just feel bad for burdening others with my problems and I struggle with asking for help because my struggles don't feel bad enough even though people I am close with says it is. In some ways I do not want to get better just something else I have failed, is that weird?

LollieHS Lost and Lonely Mum
  • replies: 5

I'm certain people look at my life and think how lucky I must be. They see a vibrant, intelligent, happy and very friendly young woman and mother but the truth is I have never felt so sad and so lonely. It's hard wearing a mask everyday and not havin... View more

I'm certain people look at my life and think how lucky I must be. They see a vibrant, intelligent, happy and very friendly young woman and mother but the truth is I have never felt so sad and so lonely. It's hard wearing a mask everyday and not having any support to share how I'm really feeling. I am a Mum of 2 year old twins who are the light of my life, they bring me the only joy in my life. I often feel guilty for relying on their existence and presence to make me happy and realise that needs to change. Having twins is a lot of work and whilst I manage really well, the only support I have is of my partner. We don't have family near by that we can call upon regularly. I've hardly had anytime away from them in 2 years and going to the supermarket is my only form of 'me time'. I'm exhausted all the time, I work 3 days a week in a job I absolutely hate, I have no real work relationships with colleagues and feel very alone at work too. I have 1 friend who is a life long friend but now also a long distance friend and we just don't have that emotional connection which I really need. I have tried so many times to make friends and put myself out there and I'm constantly let down, people not responding, or taking weeks at a time or my effort just isn't reciprocated. I don't understand why I have no friends and this has been a life long problem. I'm also having major issues in my relationship, my partner works full-time and does help with the twins but that is about the extent of it. We are having to move soon and he has done nothing to help prepare the house for sale and just complains when I get external assistance such as a gardener (which we can afford). Last week I opened up to him whilst I was at work as I was having a really hard day and trying not to cry at work. He never even asked me if I was ok or anything when I got home, it was like that never happened. I let him know I was disappointed he didn't check in on me and allow me to talk about it and he still hasn't checked in on me. This is only adding to my feelings of loneliness. I guess the only common denominator in this equation is myself...so maybe I am the problem. I have also been having some really intrusive thoughts about past traumas and things flooding my memory from when I was a child that I have never spoken about to anyone. Maybe I have a lot of underlying unresolved traumas. I know I have problems with emotional eating.

TigerTheDog asking for help
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I'm struggling with self hate and depression and want to talk to a professional about ithow do i get the courage to talk to parents about thisi don't know why its so scary but it is what are some strategies i could try

I'm struggling with self hate and depression and want to talk to a professional about ithow do i get the courage to talk to parents about thisi don't know why its so scary but it is what are some strategies i could try

Riri Cross roads
  • replies: 4

I'm feeling a little stuck. I have moved to the country away from all I no. Im still traveling home weekly to do everyday things like go to the shops, docs, and place like that gives me a sense of comfort, and mainly for having more options on servic... View more

I'm feeling a little stuck. I have moved to the country away from all I no. Im still traveling home weekly to do everyday things like go to the shops, docs, and place like that gives me a sense of comfort, and mainly for having more options on services, but then I drive back and it feels like I'm returning to jail as there is not much to do. I don't feel safe walking in secluded areas so I rarely leave the house. I don't have anyone I talk to as my family have disowned me and my husband only likes to talk about ' positive things' and does not want to be brought down as his struggling enough with his own mental health. I have never had lots of friends, maybe one or two. But for more then a few months now I been going solo and getting stuck in my own head. I also have not got a job out of the home ATM so I suppose " ideal mind is the devils playground" . I'm studying part time which is just to keep me current in my qualification although it's not a profession I'm keen to go back to. I'm riddle with fear and anxiety that comes with risk taking or change that is not chosen or supported by others. I'm not getting any sort of approval or support from anyone,( been an 80s raised baby I seek it like air). I suppose I just feel lonely, but I don't want to burden others with my thoughts and have learnt that people don't want to hear them and I'm a private person anyway. I only speak with my counselor maybe once a month. I'm not sure where to start. I feel like a 'kept wife' away from all i know, but I'm aware that it's all about perspective and I have been trying to change my mine around things like living away from all I know. What makes it worse is that my husband reminds me daily that "I'm negative and his sick of me putting a negative spin on everything" as it feels very hurtful to him. I have asked him to stop reminding me as it's not helpful and what would be helpful is if he would quietly stand by my side and let me do what i need to do to bring myself out of the rutt. I feel like I don't get a second to breathe sometimes....I'm tempted to run back to what and play the part that my estranged family want me to,I live the scripted life and be excepted by all those who have turned on me. But I no I have made a commitment and need to " put both feet in " in order to really give it a shot. I'm just scared and feel pathetic and my self esteem feels shot.

maddy hey guys
  • replies: 11

I just wanna say don't give up even when it is really really hard because even though in the moment you feel like this will never get better it will so keep trying you are good enough

I just wanna say don't give up even when it is really really hard because even though in the moment you feel like this will never get better it will so keep trying you are good enough

Scared Medication
  • replies: 3

Has anyone with depression ever noticed improvement after only a few days of increasing meds.I have never noticed any improvement ever but last couple days not as severly depressed as before.I always have read other peoples stories of how meds improv... View more

Has anyone with depression ever noticed improvement after only a few days of increasing meds.I have never noticed any improvement ever but last couple days not as severly depressed as before.I always have read other peoples stories of how meds improved their outlook.Could this finally be my time to be one of the people who respond to meds.I hope so i have suffered so much for too longI want and need to feel selfish that its my turn to feel better

Phoenix99 Depression
  • replies: 6

Hii have been struggling to get anything done for the past 14 months. I am not seeing any improvement even though I have been in therapy and have tried different medications which I have a bad reaction to all of them. I am not interested in anything ... View more

Hii have been struggling to get anything done for the past 14 months. I am not seeing any improvement even though I have been in therapy and have tried different medications which I have a bad reaction to all of them. I am not interested in anything in life at all. I can’t think of a reason to be here at all! Actually I have no idea why I’m still here. I am so numb it hurts. Nothing stimulates me not even my phone or anything. Actually I do feel emotions inside but I just look blank on the outside. I just can’t express them. I don’t know what is going on. I want to scream out for help but I feel like I am trapped in my brain.

maddy hey guys
  • replies: 2

I haven't posted for a little bit but I just want to say thank you guys for your support you guys are such lovely people and you guys are so amazing luv y'all

I haven't posted for a little bit but I just want to say thank you guys for your support you guys are such lovely people and you guys are so amazing luv y'all