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
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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?
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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
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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

#worriedsick Depressed spouse and lack of sex
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Hi ,My husband is depressed and refuses to seek help. I would like some advice from people as this has been an ongoing on and off issue for a few years now. When we first got together and also after our first child our sex life was amazing he was als... View more

Hi ,My husband is depressed and refuses to seek help. I would like some advice from people as this has been an ongoing on and off issue for a few years now. When we first got together and also after our first child our sex life was amazing he was also very affectionate. Now fast forward we don’t have sex, there is no affection and he refuses to communicate so we can resolve our issues. If I approach for sex im am shot down and made to feel bad like it’s all I think about. And affection is always instigated by me and he gets angry like I force that too. Im a generally happy person and do pretty much everything for him and the kids. I try to schedule alone time but he would rather be with the kids. Which is fine until he is keeping them up late like he is avoiding me. He just seems angry with me ALL the time. At the moment I feel sad, rejected, unloved and my self esteem has plummeted to an all time low. How do I approach the subject without starting an argument. How do I express how I feel without offending him. I miss the connection so bad. Thanks in advance for any replies

maddy hey lovely people
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hey guys I just want to say that you guys are worth it and if any tells you otherwise they are wrong and if you are currently really sad one way that helped me was to breath in and out then tell myself im good enough and you might have a really bad d... View more

hey guys I just want to say that you guys are worth it and if any tells you otherwise they are wrong and if you are currently really sad one way that helped me was to breath in and out then tell myself im good enough and you might have a really bad day but that is ok we are all not perfect we are only human but when you feel like you are not good enough i want you to remember that your only human and you are like sunshine lighting up everyone's day even if you think you are ruining it you are all beautiful and i you are worth it - you guys are kind caring and amazing people luv you guys - from Maddy

Guest_96306584 Lack of motivation
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Hi so I am a uni student and recently while I was doing some study I came to the realisation of how ridiculous low my motivation levels are and just overall how even small tasks take ages for me to build enough motivation to do. I use to suffer sever... View more

Hi so I am a uni student and recently while I was doing some study I came to the realisation of how ridiculous low my motivation levels are and just overall how even small tasks take ages for me to build enough motivation to do. I use to suffer severe depression and it’s now no longer depression but even 2 years after I still have never been able to regain the motivation levels I once use to have. I essentially had a dream to go pro as an athlete, I had the talent and dedication to make it a reality but I just wasn’t physically gifted enough height wise which in year 10 after hearing my growth plates had closed and my dream was over was beyond soul crushing. As a result I felt into severe depression and gradually I got better enough to where 3 years later today I don’t have severe depression let alone mild depression anymore but I still suffer from ridiculously low motivation levels. And by the way no I don’t want to and never have accepted depression medication so with that in mind I am curious what I can do

Grace-99 Bullying
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Hi, I have been getting bullied since I was 8 I'm now 16 and it is really hard to cope with. These two girls have been bullying me since I was 8 I've moved to 5 different schools and they still manage to find which school I go to. I have moved to 5 s... View more

Hi, I have been getting bullied since I was 8 I'm now 16 and it is really hard to cope with. These two girls have been bullying me since I was 8 I've moved to 5 different schools and they still manage to find which school I go to. I have moved to 5 schools in 1 and a half years. I have no friends it's very hard I've tried to stand up for myself but ended up bullied more If anyone has advice please reply back

Lward Moving to Qld again
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I moved to Qld in 2023 with my 16 year old daughter who has a complex disability.Apart from being near my best friends it didn’t work out and I only lasted a year, mainly being that my ex didn’t join me there which eventuated to us breaking up and I ... View more

I moved to Qld in 2023 with my 16 year old daughter who has a complex disability.Apart from being near my best friends it didn’t work out and I only lasted a year, mainly being that my ex didn’t join me there which eventuated to us breaking up and I missed my parents and sister, so I moved back to NSW. 6 months in and I just want to move back to Brisbane again. my daughter had better options of care and support there, the job I’m in currently is highly stressful and I just cannot find my happiness. I don’t want to keep doing these things though for me to just give up again, I don’t want to put my daughter through that. I just don’t know what to do

Aussie.Girl Feels like my life is falling apart again...
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I'm not sure what I'm hoping to accomplish by posting here. I guess I just need some reassurance and support. I don't really want to go into detail, but a lot has happened recently and I'm beginning to realise I am not coping as well as I thought I w... View more

I'm not sure what I'm hoping to accomplish by posting here. I guess I just need some reassurance and support. I don't really want to go into detail, but a lot has happened recently and I'm beginning to realise I am not coping as well as I thought I was. Now, the most recent issue is that I have injured my right hand (likely some kind of RSI or tendon injury) and everyone seems to think I'm being a bit dramatic over it and worrying whether I should be going to work in a few days time. Realistically this is a small problem compared with everything else but it feels like the straw that broke the camels back. It's a bit swollen and stiff but not really painful etc so I will keep a splint on it over the weekend and see a dr on Mon if it's not improving. I just feel useless. I was kind of distracting myself from everything by at least being productive or doing something enjoyable like playing games etc But now trying not to use/overexert my dominant hand means I can't really do anything and so I just end up sitting worrying about everything. I have watched two movies already today and would love to do something else, but I can't write/draw I shouldn't be playing games which require a controller, I shouldn't be trying to lift things or brush the dogs... The list goes on. Any advice? I just feel really defeated and overwhelmed with everything.

Helpadad Depression and Alcohol
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Hi All,Its been now another year since my last post. .My wife is still in denial, despite still drinking in secret and hiding wine bottles in random places. She is still angry with the world and blames everybody but herself for the state she is in. H... View more

Hi All,Its been now another year since my last post. .My wife is still in denial, despite still drinking in secret and hiding wine bottles in random places. She is still angry with the world and blames everybody but herself for the state she is in. Her anger goes from 0-100 in seconds, and I do my best to protect the kids from it but feel I am failing. She won't get help, to get nothing is wrong. If I leave, it would destroy my kids.We built such a good life together, but she is never happy. I have prayed for light at the end of the tunnel but feel there is none. The words that come out of her mouth when she gets angry, it is hurtful. I believe she has BPD, because if all the different sides she has. She can be so kind and a beautiful mother, but then becomes the worse. Not sure what to do next, just wanted to say it out loud. Thanks for listening .

maddy hey guys
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im following up with my last post i know how hard it can be and all someone need is someone that I is there for them and just so you know im here for you guys and btw ypu are worth it and no one can tell you otherwu=ise you all are beautifl people View more

im following up with my last post i know how hard it can be and all someone need is someone that I is there for them and just so you know im here for you guys and btw ypu are worth it and no one can tell you otherwu=ise you all are beautifl people

NQR__ Feeling alone
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How to take the step in getting professional help? I know I need to, and have needed to for a long time. However I feel like I am too emotional to even begin to talk to someone. I imagine that conversation, the things I would need to verbalise and I ... View more

How to take the step in getting professional help? I know I need to, and have needed to for a long time. However I feel like I am too emotional to even begin to talk to someone. I imagine that conversation, the things I would need to verbalise and I am a mess just thinking about doing that. The things I feel are too much. but I live every day feeling like I’m an apple, healthy looking on the outside but rotting on the inside where no one can see. I don’t remember what it feels like to not live constantly in my head, anticipating conversations and what people think of me, being in a continuous state of justification, people pleasing…over analysing. It never stops. I fantasise when driving on the highway about what it would be like to pull down hard on the steering wheel and flip my car. I feel like I’m going crazy and I’m losing myself. A moment of normal conversation on the phone to being in tears seconds after hanging up. And I don’t even know why. I want to make sense of it and I want it all to stop. But how, when it feels to much to face?

Guest_77866763 DEPRESSION WORSENING
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I have Bipolar & Borderline Personality Disorder for 35 years & had drug addiction for 40 years. I’m on many medications. I’ve taken multiple overdoses in my life with over 120 Public Psychiatric Admissions which makes me aggressive - I hate Psych Un... View more

I have Bipolar & Borderline Personality Disorder for 35 years & had drug addiction for 40 years. I’m on many medications. I’ve taken multiple overdoses in my life with over 120 Public Psychiatric Admissions which makes me aggressive - I hate Psych Units. I had to quit Cannabis fully 6 months ago due to developing ’Hyperemesis’. Although I’m on medication I still get manic & depressive periods that usually pass after a few weeks. Although I’m a loner with no friends, I’ve been feeling very lonely. I’ve been stable for 4 years but 2 months ago developed depression without a trigger, which is just getting worse. Apart from feeling down & unmotivated, I feel irritable with headaches & tension. Last week I took too much medication and went to Mental Health Services yesterday for help. They rang my daughter today & told her about the overdose, they had no right to divulge my private & confidential information to her especially when I told them I didn’t want her to know. I was so angry I rang them & abused them & threatened to punch the person in the face if I found out who told her & then I hung up on them. I wouldn’t do this in reality but regret yelling the threat at them & hanging up because I really do need their services to avoid ending up in hospital again. I don’t know what to do to get out of this state I’m in.