Support
Support

Depression

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

Start a conversation

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 conversation

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 conversation

Guest7765 Is it even worth living if you have a learning disorder?
  • replies: 4

I'm living proof its not. Never had a really full time job. Kicked out of school in year 9 because I was too dumb. Got physically and sexually assaulted as a kid by other kids. Get denied from every job because they secretly discriminate, though I do... View more

I'm living proof its not. Never had a really full time job. Kicked out of school in year 9 because I was too dumb. Got physically and sexually assaulted as a kid by other kids. Get denied from every job because they secretly discriminate, though I don't blame them why hire someone who has a disorder over someone who is normal? Everyone thinks you're retarded. Like honestly whats the point in living with a learning disorder? Even worse I heard dating sites such as tinder had in the past banned people with disabilities. Whats worse is you grow up thinking you can be whatever you want, only that was never a realistic thing. Had a girlfriend in highschool who dumped me because she thought I was too dopey though she said I was cool at the same time. Then you get to your 20's and the anxiety/depression starts but what I really worry about is the disorder itself. Its like a bad song playing in my head. Just obsess over it all day every day for the past 15+ years. No one cares about people with learning disorders and those that seem they do just pretend they do.

laurexon HOSPITAL ADMISSION HELP
  • replies: 2

I’ve been struggling for weeks and have been avoiding hospital at all costs but with my depression and bpd getting harder and harder to manage I need 24/7 monitored support. 2 years ago I had an admission that started in a PAPU Ward, now due to COVID... View more

I’ve been struggling for weeks and have been avoiding hospital at all costs but with my depression and bpd getting harder and harder to manage I need 24/7 monitored support. 2 years ago I had an admission that started in a PAPU Ward, now due to COVID-19 I’m feeling overwhelmed on how to start the process of a short stay. I have no family due to my mum being in Queensland and myself located in Melbourne, my best friend has been my ‘caretaker/support’ the past few weeks but we both believe I need to be in a more safe and secure environment getting treatment from professionals.

D Walsh Bouts of depression and having flashbacks
  • replies: 4

Hi, Whenever I find myself back in a funk of depression I seem to dream and constantly think back to other times when I have felt horrible - in particular uni exams. During exam block I used to get extremely anxious and depressed. I always came out o... View more

Hi, Whenever I find myself back in a funk of depression I seem to dream and constantly think back to other times when I have felt horrible - in particular uni exams. During exam block I used to get extremely anxious and depressed. I always came out of it once they were over but it happened every semester. I don’t generally know what causes my depression and anxiety but when it does it hits hard and I just seem to keep going through the same cycles. I have a specialist and taking meds but I don’t seem to be keeping the black dog at bay. I don’t really know why I am posting this but I guess I am wondering if anyone else gets these types of flashbacks?? thanks for your time

Diddle28 Postpartum Rage
  • replies: 2

Hello, I have postpartum depression and rage. I have been taking medication and am talking with my doctor about this but my partner knows all of this and he even has the rage too but when ever I have an angry episode he gets angry with me and tells m... View more

Hello, I have postpartum depression and rage. I have been taking medication and am talking with my doctor about this but my partner knows all of this and he even has the rage too but when ever I have an angry episode he gets angry with me and tells me to get over my mood. When he is mad I help him calm down. I dont know what to do, I feel so unsupported and alone. Does anyone have this rage? What do you? Thanks for any help!

Infinity1199 Missing my Support network
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, So I'm proud to this year I finally took my Psychologist's advice and tried dating/having fun with guys instead of stepping too far into the future, and man it felt good just to let go of all the expectations I had and just have fun with som... View more

Hi guys, So I'm proud to this year I finally took my Psychologist's advice and tried dating/having fun with guys instead of stepping too far into the future, and man it felt good just to let go of all the expectations I had and just have fun with someone. And after months of looking for someone to get to know and trust, I found someone really special with everything I'm looking for. He is my perfect guy, he's incredibly intelligent, funny, charming and flirty and he's actually open about his sexuality. But, with the COVID-19 Pandemic he's currently in NSW working at a ski-field in order to keep busy until he can come back to Victoria. But lately, he's been more and more occupied with his time and when we talk he's either too tired or heading out to another shift. I'm trying to be the really supportive partner who's happy to be there when he's ready but I've had a bit of a fall into that dark hole after a pretty long run. I'm worried he's pulling away from me because he's no longer interested, even though he tells me he loves me every single day. But, the worst thing I'm worried about is my own mental health. This year I decided I felt ready and confident to stop taking my antidepressants with my BF helping me engage in a new alternative health program but now I'm scared I'll have another severe episode. Do you have any tips to manage a long-term relationship or for new alternative techniques?

Unknown76 I need help but don't want to talk to anybody
  • replies: 19

I feel empty, like there is nothing in life anymore. I go to work at a place i hate with a passion and then go home and sleep all the time. Yeah i know i have to talk to a profession or anybody but i over that, enough I don't want to do that and if t... View more

I feel empty, like there is nothing in life anymore. I go to work at a place i hate with a passion and then go home and sleep all the time. Yeah i know i have to talk to a profession or anybody but i over that, enough I don't want to do that and if thats what somebody is going tomtell me to do then this is no help. I can't breath anymore, medication not working nothing is working.

PastelStorm Need advice on what to say
  • replies: 7

I’m having a rough time not being able to see my family. We are all grieving over the death of my uncle (my dad’s younger brother) I’ve never seen my dad so depressed in his life. My mum texted me, she is away for a while taking care of my grandma. S... View more

I’m having a rough time not being able to see my family. We are all grieving over the death of my uncle (my dad’s younger brother) I’ve never seen my dad so depressed in his life. My mum texted me, she is away for a while taking care of my grandma. She told me dads not coping too well and asked me to call my dad and try cheer him up. I had a long think about what I should actually say to him. But I had no idea... I called him anyway in hopes that the words would just come but I burst into tears the moment he answered. I wish I could help him and talk to him without crying. What do you do or say in situations like this?

Montanna_1997 Anxiety and depression ruining my life
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I suffer with severe anxiety and depression and I have fallen back into the darkness. I’m trying so so hard to pull myself out but it’s just exhausting. I am constantly having panic attacks before going to work which is leading to me not... View more

Hi everyone, I suffer with severe anxiety and depression and I have fallen back into the darkness. I’m trying so so hard to pull myself out but it’s just exhausting. I am constantly having panic attacks before going to work which is leading to me not being able to work On Wednesday, I thought it was finally time to end it all as I was just sick of everything. I ended up ringing my community mental health and got a appointment with someone there. I got there and was asked questions about my life for what could trigger this... I feel so guilty because my life is awesome... my family, partner, home life is great. But I still feel sad. The man I spoke to ended up telling me that my life seems like it’s perfect from his point of view so I don’t have a lot to be sad about when I think about it. I was left feeling so guilty and upset about being sad in the first place... why do I deserve to be sad when I don’t have anything to put the blame on

Aaron2018 Depression mixed with epilepsy and ptsd
  • replies: 2

I have been struggling with depression and ptsd since i left the army and lost my massive support base i had while i was in. It was made worse in 2013 when my partner at the time decided she no longer wanted me because I was no longer army and didn’t... View more

I have been struggling with depression and ptsd since i left the army and lost my massive support base i had while i was in. It was made worse in 2013 when my partner at the time decided she no longer wanted me because I was no longer army and didn’t have the nice income flowing in. This sent me into an out of control spiral that was made worse by my parents and family treating me like crap because they seen her as the best i could get and my mates always getting drunk and high which caused me to try to commit suicide. And since then i have suffered from nightmares and bad days where my mind gets stuck in a loop of my mistakes and completely messes me up and is putting a major strain on the relationship i now have wirh my wife of two years as my past keeps rearing its ugly head when i either get too stressed or the insomnia takes over as it has tonight and no matter what I try i just cannot switch off the mechanisms that is my brain and memories from the past that make me feel like total crap within myself. It is worse that i don’t really have anyone else to talk to as we cant afford to see a counselling person and alot of my issues stem back to the army. It just makes life hard especially when all i want to do is sleep and curl up with my wife but my head gets so messed up that i dont get the satisfaction of having a decent sleep ever.

Yelah90 Corona prison.
  • replies: 5

Hi i have no professional help. As i thought i found a new counsellor So i told my psychologist. I would like to try my counsellor. I've had 5 or 6 sessions The last session I had with my counsellor, I asked if she could come along and support me at ... View more

Hi i have no professional help. As i thought i found a new counsellor So i told my psychologist. I would like to try my counsellor. I've had 5 or 6 sessions The last session I had with my counsellor, I asked if she could come along and support me at my drs appointment Anyways we get there and there was a mucked up. The nurse was laughing at the situation which made me feel embarrassed so i kinda went back into my shell, no eye contacts. We get home my counsellor and I were chatting g then she said I acted like a 6 or 7 years old. I found that really hurtful. And plus I had someone over and they heard it too. Which made me feel really low. Now due to being stage 4 lockdoen. I feel like my house and my head are becoming prisons. With no escape. I tried to tell someone and they said oh well don't feel sorry for yourself. Feels like I'm just digging the hole deeper. And with no professional help now. I don't know what to do..

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map