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

BM111 Failing at life
  • replies: 5

Hi, Im not too sure what Im trying to achieve by posting on here. Ive never spoken about my feelings to anyone but I just feel today, I need to do. Ive always felt pretty flat throughout life but have always just ‘’got on with it’. Ive tried to keep ... View more

Hi, Im not too sure what Im trying to achieve by posting on here. Ive never spoken about my feelings to anyone but I just feel today, I need to do. Ive always felt pretty flat throughout life but have always just ‘’got on with it’. Ive tried to keep busy in life. Im educated, I work full time and I try to do things which I enjoy. As time goes on I’m realizing that not much gives me enjoyment anymore (if ever it did). Ive always tried to put on a happy face but I just feel so tired of pretending.Im 34 now and the older I get the harder things feel for me. Life just feels like its passing me by. I feel like Im not living, just existing. I feel so incredibly lonely and worry that this is how I will always feel. I have a couple of friends here and there and I always try and organise catch-ups, but being my age, most of my friends have families and are always busy. I’m no one’s priority. A big issue for me is my romantic life. Ive never had a boyfriend which makes me feel so embarrassed that I avoid talking about it or even lie. There have been a few guys here and there over the years but nothing has ever turned serious. I used to think maybe I was just unlucky in love but now Im pretty sure that the problem is me. I dont think I’m incredibly ugly, but I am a quiet person which most men don’t seem to like. Ive tried dating over the years, but always seem to get rejected in one way or another. Rejection is hard for everyone, but for me its such a deeply hurtful thing. Clearly I mustn’t be good enough. These days I find Im torn between wanting to spend time with friends and avoiding it altogether. I cant help but feel so jealous of other peoples lives and relationships. I get that you cant see problems people might have but I think these people are so lucky for having something good, even if only for a short period of time. People always say having a partner isn’t everything, but for me its pretty important. I think its a pretty reasonable thing to want in life. The older I get the more stressed and upset I become because I feel like an absolute failure of life. It doesn’t help when I get constantly asked when am I going to find a boyfriend. It makes me feel even more worthless and I struggle to hold back the tears. Life is pretty shit when you have no one to share it with. Sometimes I have great experiences or see beautiful things but what’s the point if Im the only one seeing it. Im just sick of feeling this way all the time but really cant see things changing

roseose I've never felt more alone
  • replies: 3

I don't know if it's the isolation, or just my head, but I have never felt so alone in my life, and it's not fair. I should be happy, I've come so far from negative things in my life, and I'm still just so sad. I feel like I don't have anybody to tal... View more

I don't know if it's the isolation, or just my head, but I have never felt so alone in my life, and it's not fair. I should be happy, I've come so far from negative things in my life, and I'm still just so sad. I feel like I don't have anybody to talk to beside my boyfriend, and even though he's happy to help me, I feel like I'm just dragging him down and he doesn't understand, and I've stopped bothering with trying to ask him for help. He always says that his friends are my friends too, but I'm never invited into the conversations, nor have I been invited anywhere with them in the past unless by my boyfriend. Once when I tried to ask, I was sort of just told that "oh... you can come if you really want to, i guess", which just made me feel more unwelcome. I feel like I'm just a person who happens to be there, like a side character in a movie or something, and this hasn't been making mental health feel any better. I feel unwanted. I have nobody to talk to, and I feel like my mental health is just getting worse and worse. I can't even be bothered to make myself breakfast anymore, or brush my teeth some days. I just feel so alone, and I don't know what to do.

Tech_succulent Some starting advice
  • replies: 2

I’ve been sort of slightly depressed for some time but coping ok but all of a sudden the last month has been severely depressed. Sought help from my GP who has started me on medication and speaking to my employer counsellor once a fortnight. The last... View more

I’ve been sort of slightly depressed for some time but coping ok but all of a sudden the last month has been severely depressed. Sought help from my GP who has started me on medication and speaking to my employer counsellor once a fortnight. The last couple of days however I’ve been having some strange feelings don’t really know how to describe but it’s like a don’t know who I am anymore. I feel that down I just feeling like crying. I’ve also been very fidgety and what has been a very slight head tremor through my life has just got really bad and noticeable. I don’t speak to my counsellor for another week but want to see advice if people have felt they don’t know themselves. My medication has only started 4 days ago now also.

Stuckinthis New and struggling
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’m new to this forum, so please forgive me if I’m breaking any etiquette. I’m a female student in my twenties with depression and anxiety. I have some pretty serious avoidant tendencies and insomnia. This along with genes has given me a tendency... View more

Hi, I’m new to this forum, so please forgive me if I’m breaking any etiquette. I’m a female student in my twenties with depression and anxiety. I have some pretty serious avoidant tendencies and insomnia. This along with genes has given me a tendency towards addiction. If something blocks out my brain and helps me sleep I get hooked. It’s legal stuff and my latest has been the booze. Obviously with what’s going on anxiety levels are high and it’s gotten pretty bad and is causing a lot of tension with family. I don’t know how to talk to them frankly and have a lot of deadlines coming for coursework. There’s been a big blow-up tonight about it all and I’m terrified of stopping and facing the insomnia I have had in the past. It’s my first night sober in weeks and I have an essay due soon. I know my first stop should be the GP but with all this going on it’s up in the air, and our appointments are so short when I get new scripts. I feel nauseated with guilt and shame. I’m on a TCA as SSRIs were unhelpful, and I’ve been thinking about what would happen if I took a few more off and on for weeks. Whenever I feel that way I reach for a bottle to make it stop. I feel like if I tell my friends or family they’d send me somewhere. I guess I don’t really want to be me anymore. I’m going to try and sleep now, I’ve taken some drowsy antihistamine and I hope it works.

Indoor_jungle_builder Rollercoaster of Depression/Anxiety
  • replies: 6

Hey Everyone, I have read many of your posts and am impressed with the level of bravery, compassion and honesty being shared. I feel like i have found the right place. During Covid-19 life, things obviously exacerbate, but I have had a history of dep... View more

Hey Everyone, I have read many of your posts and am impressed with the level of bravery, compassion and honesty being shared. I feel like i have found the right place. During Covid-19 life, things obviously exacerbate, but I have had a history of depression and anxiety however have not had the best luck with councelors / psychologists and have never been formally diagnosed. I am a stubborn person I guess and feel I have the emotional maturity to "handle" it all and try not to burden my loved ones with my pain and struggle... sometimes this can't be helped. I'm wondering if most women here would agree that hormonal fluctuations can also impact/heighten certain moments of low mental health, and I feel myself in the midst of this. I avoid medications of all types when necessary, and try to turn to health, wellbeing, diet and self care the most. This post is asking for guidance. My personal life has many ups and downs, complications, children (newly step son and daughter) and my new role as a step parent( which I love while super intimidating and stressful at times), my partner who is very supportive is going through an ugly divorce ( been stung out for years), loss of my job recently, financial pressures etc. We all have things in our lives and I get that. But when the ugly dark head rears, I feel all of the things I try to manage with these things become bigger, uglier, and harder to handle. When I speak about them to my partner they are scenarios I have made bigger in my head based on genuine fears I have. It feel like they can get out of control. I usually have a huge emotional outbursts of crying and overwhelming fear/anxiety and need to express them, then I shut down and need time for myself to recover. Otherwise it's general apathy and faking happy, with a few good times in between. This puts pressure on my partner. I try so hard to control it. I try to spread these issues out and speak up when they bother me rather than bury them. But I almost feel out of control when it gets bad. I feel misunderstood, very alone and overly sensitive. It impacts and overwhelms my sense of self worth, thinking patterns, daily routine ( I lye in bed all day sometimes), and generally feel "off the band wagon". Please, it would be good to hear from people who actually understand what this feels like. The daily struggle of keeping yourself on track and trying not to be too hard on yourself. Thank you for listening. x

jxav95 Anger overload
  • replies: 8

I am going through a constant struggle with my anger and I don't know what to do anymore. When I get angry I let the anger over take my body, every feeling and every action. I'm scared I'm going to hurt someone I love and care about or lose my fiance... View more

I am going through a constant struggle with my anger and I don't know what to do anymore. When I get angry I let the anger over take my body, every feeling and every action. I'm scared I'm going to hurt someone I love and care about or lose my fiance.

Ezegeeze A misunderstood persons hope in good
  • replies: 1

Actions do not accumulate effort through change. Change is only truly determined through the spontaneity and emotional reaction to communicate. Physical action has time to bide and counter or agree with the opposition's or affiliates defense. Change ... View more

Actions do not accumulate effort through change. Change is only truly determined through the spontaneity and emotional reaction to communicate. Physical action has time to bide and counter or agree with the opposition's or affiliates defense. Change or maintenance of opinion physically is abundant with the advantages of time and adverse thought. Selfish instinct is a modern survival technique that governs people today more than the valuable instinct to nourish ourselves to adequately survive. Spontaneous communication incites and induces pain. Pain is momentary but fear of failure is eternal

Speechless Help changing my perspective
  • replies: 1

I’m a 38 yr old female with a history of low self esteem due to battling severe social phobia and agoraphobia and sexual mental abuse in my teens and 20s. I’ve had a lot of challenges over the years that has made huge gaps in my past where milestones... View more

I’m a 38 yr old female with a history of low self esteem due to battling severe social phobia and agoraphobia and sexual mental abuse in my teens and 20s. I’ve had a lot of challenges over the years that has made huge gaps in my past where milestones should have been. My teens and 20s were emotionally and physically rough coping with mental illness that I didn’t get to grow like my peers did. Ive always been a decade or even more behind. Ive learnt that being busy meant I didn’t think about these things. At 34 I got my first job. Severe social phobia prevented that in my past. But everything changed for the better when that happened. I gained my best self and self taught myself the importance of self identity and self care and communication. I also learnt there were many people in similar or different boats to me - that I was okay and didn’t need to be so hard on myself. They were big lessons going from excluding myself from society to being social in a work environment and actually letting people get to know me. I even got a boyfriend out of it. But that was 5 years ago and since then everything went downhill again. I lost my job 2 years ago as they had to downturn. My partner has severe schizophrenia and so many problems with him that it has been very hard for me to cope. Over the last 4 years I went from my best to my worst with adrenal fatigue from this relationship. It’s not abusive it’s just having to cope with his delusions and ups/downs, drug issues, money issues not being able to plan issues, hygiene issues, depression , psychosis and issues not being able to realise these issues and their toll on others. Hes been a big love hate in my mind. Basically I’m his best friend really. But due to coved 19, he sleeps day and night now. It’s hard to get much interaction, but I do go for walks with him that really help.But unless someone is there to encourage him to do anything but sleep, he’ll just sleep or clean his room, not really anything else. He has issues with concentration even a movie or tv show. He is my 1 contact really. The last year I’d been volunteering and that helped my social phobia and depression at bay but now since coved 19 and relying more on him to talk to it’s been hard. His depression can wear onto me. At the same time I’m having grief thinking about my baby body clock and the dream of finding a man and having a child and think I’m too late. My cousin is expecting and it’s quite painful for me. I want to build my life again. My

Sophie_S BREAKING POINT
  • replies: 1

All I want to do is cry and cry and cry. I’m not happy with my life, don’t get me wrong I love my kids so much but I’m not seeing a point in being alive.. shouldn’t your kids give you hope and strength. I’m at the lowest point in my life and I feel s... View more

All I want to do is cry and cry and cry. I’m not happy with my life, don’t get me wrong I love my kids so much but I’m not seeing a point in being alive.. shouldn’t your kids give you hope and strength. I’m at the lowest point in my life and I feel so nonexistent. I feel like nothing is EVER going to get better. I’ve fought this as hard as I can but I’m tired.

Kirika_M First time taking antidepressants
  • replies: 8

Hello/ good afternoon, I don't know if I'm just paranoid or that its normal to feel like that and Im confused. Its my first time using antidepressants that i was prescribed to on Friday because he says I might have mild depression. My psychiatrist sa... View more

Hello/ good afternoon, I don't know if I'm just paranoid or that its normal to feel like that and Im confused. Its my first time using antidepressants that i was prescribed to on Friday because he says I might have mild depression. My psychiatrist says to start me off with a very low dosage and this is my 4th day of taking it but I read that effects will start within a few weeks. Nothing happened until last night when I was having a headache and my stomach suddenly felt so tense but I had nothing to be nervous for at that time but I couldn't calm down at all, overtime it subsided bit out of sudden it will just come back again. And again, it might have been paranoia but I don't know if I'm just overthinking things. I'm just really worried that no one will believe me for repeating the same thing if I keep saying that I feel too anxious to do easy tasks or I can't explain why I can't do anything.

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