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

mocha delight Heartbroken
  • replies: 3

Just got some news not long ago that the grandma I’m closest to is showing signs both my grandfathers showed/acted like 2 days before they passed away since yesterday so if that’s the case she might not be with us by the weekend. So I’m feeling kind ... View more

Just got some news not long ago that the grandma I’m closest to is showing signs both my grandfathers showed/acted like 2 days before they passed away since yesterday so if that’s the case she might not be with us by the weekend. So I’m feeling kind of down and I’m don’t know how I’ll cope if I lose my grandma as even if she lived 1 1/2 hours away as I was growing up I was very close with her and would go to see her quite often or it felt like it was most weekends. All I want and have done so far is when I’m very upset is turning to food and anything fattening which is my coping mechanism

Lulu78 Medication problems
  • replies: 2

Hi ALl ive been medicated for the last 5 years for major depressive disorder, never had much luck in finding one that works for me. My latest cocktail consists of 2 meds one which was added more recently and has caused me to gain 7kg, my weight has a... View more

Hi ALl ive been medicated for the last 5 years for major depressive disorder, never had much luck in finding one that works for me. My latest cocktail consists of 2 meds one which was added more recently and has caused me to gain 7kg, my weight has always played a massive role in my mental health, ive had body image issues from as a young girl and my life has revolved around on trying to always be skinnier than i was last week, i know this may silly to som but it has always played a big role on determining my state of mind and happiness sadly ... i cant stay on this medication any longer as the fear of continuing to keep gaining weight scares the living hell out of me. Anyone had any experience with this? Im seeing my gp Monday so was going to mention it but would luv to hear anyones thoughts. thank u all kindly

new_beginning My kids deserve better
  • replies: 12

I hate weekends. When families are out enjoying time with their family and friends, experiencing life. My kids and i are at home, they on their tablets watching some mind numbing thing while their childhoods drift away. I cant give them the life they... View more

I hate weekends. When families are out enjoying time with their family and friends, experiencing life. My kids and i are at home, they on their tablets watching some mind numbing thing while their childhoods drift away. I cant give them the life they deserve. Theres only so many times you can take them to the playground before it gets boring. I just want them to beable to look back on their childhoods with fond memories and so far all they have is mum who is basically forever crying and a dad who is never about. i cant even find a job to try and improve our financial situation. Just knock back after knock back and reiterating the fact im not good enough for anyone despite me really wanting to make anything work. I just want out of this entire situation.

inapoloriodpicture i cant cope with school
  • replies: 4

so i’ve just started year 11- like, JUST started. it’s my third week back and i already feel like i’m drowning. i cant go one day without completely breaking down because i just can’t deal with it. i used to love school, but now i just feel so nervou... View more

so i’ve just started year 11- like, JUST started. it’s my third week back and i already feel like i’m drowning. i cant go one day without completely breaking down because i just can’t deal with it. i used to love school, but now i just feel so nervous there and i don’t have anyone that i can talk to. i feel alone around people i used to be close with, and i have no friends now because i just keep isolating myself. i haven’t been to a councillor because i can’t bring it upon myself to speak up when i’m struggling and ask for help. i was suspended last year because the school didn’t think i was in the right headspace to come back until i had seen a psychiatrist, but i only ever went to a doctor who referred me to someone- who i never went to. i’m just in a really bad place, i’ve already missed three days of school and will probably skip more. i don’t know what to do anymore, i already have so much homework but all i can do when i get home is sleep, cry, stare into nothing then wonder where all the time went. when i try to do homework i procrastinate- then get into trouble for not doing homework. i’ve lost all interest, even in the subjects that i was so keen to do. i constantly wish that i moved schools and beat myself up for not knowing how to ask for help. everything just feels so difficult and i don’t know how i’m going to get through two more years of this.

Caro1107 Struggling
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I recently moved to Australia from NZ and am finding it really hard here. I’m stressed about money, angry and tired all the time. I cry if anything at all goes wrong in my day. This is not normal behaviour for me. I’m struggling to get into a... View more

Hi All, I recently moved to Australia from NZ and am finding it really hard here. I’m stressed about money, angry and tired all the time. I cry if anything at all goes wrong in my day. This is not normal behaviour for me. I’m struggling to get into a good exercise and eating routine. anyone in the same boat?

SilverLight Really struggling
  • replies: 2

Over the last 5 months Ive been through absolute hell. I found out on the 8th of October that I had fallen pregnant with a very much wanted and planned baby. A week later I had a bleed along with high fevers that we were told there was a hematoma (tu... View more

Over the last 5 months Ive been through absolute hell. I found out on the 8th of October that I had fallen pregnant with a very much wanted and planned baby. A week later I had a bleed along with high fevers that we were told there was a hematoma (tumour/clot) next to the baby. Three days later I was in emergency surgery for appendicitis. It then turned out my appendix was full of cancer. I had to have a major bowel reconstruction surgery while 12 weeks pregnant. After my operation my lower body shut down and I went into the shock and was uncontrollably vomitting to the point the hospital couldn't help me. On top of all of this I have Hypermesis Gravidarum. Im so freaking depressed and I am struggling to continue wanting this baby. I try to tell me family that there are so many days that I can't get off the couch and they just tell me to pull myself together and get on with it. I've got a toddler to care for as well and most days I barely have the energy to take proper care of him never mind the whole house and hubby too. It's no bloody wonder so many people just give up I've got a psychology appointment tomorrow with my birthing hospital and I'm so bloody desperate for it to help

lifeisbutadream Worried about my ex-boyfriend
  • replies: 7

Hi guys, About 2 months ago my ex and I broke up. At the time, he said that his mental health was not in the best shape and he needed time to work on himself. He suffers from clinical depression, at the time of the end of our relationship he was very... View more

Hi guys, About 2 months ago my ex and I broke up. At the time, he said that his mental health was not in the best shape and he needed time to work on himself. He suffers from clinical depression, at the time of the end of our relationship he was very closed off and wasn't really talking to me about what was going on. The main driver of our breakup was this and long distance. I don't know if he was taking his medication. The breakup has been immensely hard on me, and my own mental health has been struggling too. Since the breakup, I tried to reach out to him a few times but he ignored or left me on read for everything I said, so I figured it would be best if I stopped. He hasn't said anything to me since the breakup, the last time I tried to speak to him was 2 weeks ago. I noticed today that he has deleted his Facebook, I'm a bit worried that he could be going through something and feeling alone/ struggling, especially given the context of our last conversation, I don't know what I can do to help seeing as he's made it clear (through his silence) that he probably doesn't want anything to do with me, but I feel awful about the prospect of him suffering through something alone and feeling like noone cares for him. What can I do if I'm worried about him? I don't want my presence in his life to upset him anymore, and I don't know if my own mental health could cope with another rejection right now. Maybe he deleted his FB for a totally unrelated reason but I just have a bad feeling. Thank you for reading

Lunexy I'm fearful of death and its taken over my life...
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm new here. I wasn't sure whether to post this in the anxiety or depression section because I'm not sure what to think of what I'm going through. Ive been struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts since 2013 when I was in highschoo... View more

Hi I'm new here. I wasn't sure whether to post this in the anxiety or depression section because I'm not sure what to think of what I'm going through. Ive been struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts since 2013 when I was in highschool. Back tjen it was health anxiety that was quite bad but I got through it. I'm a 21 year old girl now. I would have issues coming and going with my mental health since I graduated high school in 2016 but I could cope with everything. But at the start ot this year I relapsed hard with anxiety and depression. Now for the past week seemingly out of nowhere I've just sunken to what feels like the lowest point Ive ever been at. I'm not sure what triggered this thought pattern but for nearly a week now (feels like an eternity) I can't stop obsessing over death. I keep playing over and over in my head the fact that I will die one day and theres nothing I can do about it. Its the thought of me no longer existing which is really getting me panicking and also the worst depression I have ever felt. I feel like this is just who I am now. I can't imagine breaking this cycle and stopping thinking about my own mortality.. my brain turns everything into my eventual death. I'm at the point where I've basically lost all motivation to do anything. All I want to do is sit and cry all day because I'm going to die one day. I feel nausea constantly and I've lost most of my motivation to even take care of myself. Is there a way out of this? How do I stop fearing and being depressed over my eventual demise? As far as I'm aware I dont have any diseases currently that will shorten my lifespan but this doesnt ease my mind at all...

Jwp I need a hobby!
  • replies: 3

Hi guys. First time poster, long time sufferer of depression and anxiety (10 years). I find myself lost. I'm about to turn 38 and due to injuries and a body that it aging at a very fast rate, I no longer have the ability to do the things I love. So, ... View more

Hi guys. First time poster, long time sufferer of depression and anxiety (10 years). I find myself lost. I'm about to turn 38 and due to injuries and a body that it aging at a very fast rate, I no longer have the ability to do the things I love. So, I've lost my "escape" or my "happy place" I have played rugby league my whole life, finally gave it away at 36. That was winter sorted. For summer, it was water skiing/wakeboarding. My wife and I recently packed up our lives and moved from Canberra to Toowoomba, so not knowing anyone up here and the costs of owning a ski boat, we sold the boat 12 months ago. Due to shortage of money, I have found it very difficult to find "something to do". My wife owns 2 horses, so she has her happy place. I enjoy camping, but it's not something I'm able to do all the time (work some Saturdays, chores at home, lack of money). Getting old sucks! My question is to people that have played/enjoyed sport their whole lives, what did you do when the sport stopped??? I've tried photography. Which I enjoy, but it's not overly fun/exciting. I used to be good at going out and meeting people, but my anxiety has put a stop to that. Any help/feedback/suggestions woukd be very much appreciated!!

goldilocks WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN?
  • replies: 20

He's got an intervention order against me but says to me: "I have always liked you but I have kept it from you." Why is he playing games with me?

He's got an intervention order against me but says to me: "I have always liked you but I have kept it from you." Why is he playing games with me?