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

CourtneyJ Feeling really bad about my body
  • replies: 5

Hi all, 31 female GAD, SAD and depression sufferer here. Currently medicated and in therapy. Just need to tell someone how I'm feeling right now. I have a best friend who is wonderful. She understands my anxiety and she's my trusted confidant. She's ... View more

Hi all, 31 female GAD, SAD and depression sufferer here. Currently medicated and in therapy. Just need to tell someone how I'm feeling right now. I have a best friend who is wonderful. She understands my anxiety and she's my trusted confidant. She's also gorgeous and tiny (men love her). I'm a size 18 introvert who have always had problems with my body image. I've never felt beautiful or attractive (and I certainly don't inspire attention in the opposite sex). Today was my best friend's birthday party. A group of her friends (most that I've met previously) and there was swimming and eating and drinking. With my SAD and introverted tendencies being around a big group of people was always going to be challenging. What I didn't expect is how crap I'd feel about my body. Everyone at the party was skinnier and prettier than I was. There was this very attractive guy that I wanted to flirt with but knew he would never be interested in a woman like me. I didn't swim because I'm not confident wearing a bathing suit. Now I've come home after the party and I just feel like crap. I either want to binge eat or go on a starvation diet to try and resolve this anxiety and negative thoughts. Now I know that I can't immediately react and that I need to step back and thinking things through from a more positive perspective. But for right now I feel ugly, fat and unattractive and I think the world thinks of me that way too.

Stardust535 How do you deal with lack of motivation
  • replies: 2

I've got 3 assignments and an essay coming up this week, and every day I roll out of bed feeling like it's pointless and a waste of energy. Any ideas to how I can get the motivation to get up every day, and even attempt to do school work? (This is my... View more

I've got 3 assignments and an essay coming up this week, and every day I roll out of bed feeling like it's pointless and a waste of energy. Any ideas to how I can get the motivation to get up every day, and even attempt to do school work? (This is my first time using this site so, if I'm somehow doing something wrong, please let me know.)

Pebblez Black Dog's SHADOW
  • replies: 1

GREETINGS! I'm a wife and a mum of two daughters (14&11), each with their own disorders, married to my husband for 22 years. I'm posting to raise awareness of a shadow I've journeyed with in my husband, in the hope that if you relate to my story, can... View more

GREETINGS! I'm a wife and a mum of two daughters (14&11), each with their own disorders, married to my husband for 22 years. I'm posting to raise awareness of a shadow I've journeyed with in my husband, in the hope that if you relate to my story, can gain understanding and be encouraged along the path that you tread. Some of you may have seen the shadow too, but it seems it is not yet widely known. As I look back to pre-marriage times, these TRAITS have been consistent in my husband: very highly strung emotionally, sleep problems, consistently presenting fast mood swings over irrational reasons, always pessimistic, negative, fearful, insecure and plagued with socially based issues. A personality that is perpetually inconsistent, hard to understand and every 2-3 years, a complete emotional shut out would occur for 5 days (no more than 7). I've always known with my husbands adolescent environment there'd be a crash of some kind and that there was something not quite right, but as it is so common, I only became aware when a major depression episode MDD occurred. Within him there's been 5 yrs of MDD and a personality&faith change (they're the big ones) and with me pain, loneliness, being unloved, research and repetitive explanations have been said. After a 6yr total, he's back to pre-MDD in way, but I am still faced with "I'm normal, there's nothing wrong, I don't need help, I don't need to change!" and a conscious ignorance, avoidance and resistance towards issues that are obvious. I was constantly perplexed as to why, until during my research I came across what I've dubbed as the Black Dog's shadow! DYSTHYMIA (pronounced dis-THIE-me-uh), is a chronic (long lasting), milder form of depression which now falls under the umbrella of Persistent Depressive Disorder (DSM-5). I found that Medical research state, that due to the chronic and subtle nature of PDD symptoms, sufferers believe that the depression is part of their character. PDD with MDD is difficult to treat, as sufferers accept the heightened major symptoms as an extension to who they are, which is beyond their control. When the episode has ended, however, they would return to their previous state of chronic, low-level depression. This is why myself, family, friends, co-workers/employers and circumstances external to my husband, are perceived by him as the CAUSE (not trigger) of his negative feelings. For him, there is no reason to change or seek help and yes, I'm still waiting for the penny to drop.

MissMilly Bipolar partner always ending relationship
  • replies: 4

Hi, ive resorted to a forum because i dont really have anyone else to talk to about this. I have been with my partner on and off for 2 years now, everytime its off its his decision. Its like a routine every couple of months. It usually begins with hi... View more

Hi, ive resorted to a forum because i dont really have anyone else to talk to about this. I have been with my partner on and off for 2 years now, everytime its off its his decision. Its like a routine every couple of months. It usually begins with him not replying to my messages for weeks at a time, when i ask him if he wants to end things i usually only get an 'i dont know what i want' 'relationships make me stressed', 'seeing anyone all the time makes me stressed', he never actually ends it unless i kind of demand an answer which makes me think he knows he is likely going to want to be with me when he is not 'stressed' anymore, so he is just trying to wait out the stressed period until he feels up for a relationship again. I'm just not exactly sure how to deal with it, i have my own anxiety issues which causes me to panic myself when this happens. He doesnt take medication (he thinks it makes him feel worse or feel nothing at all) and he doesnt get any profession help. He immerses himself in his work because if he isnt working he says it gives him too much time to think which he doesnt like. He is the most amazing partner and when he is feeling well he always wants to talk and see me and when he isnt feeling well he is never mean about it, he is just very vacant and only says things like 'i dont know whats wrong, i cant explain it, im sorry'. And then when he is well again he is so positive and sure about us. One day he will be telling me how happy he is to have me and then suddenly i wont hear from him for weeks or months. I dont believe im putting any pressure on the relationship when were together, everytime its progressed its been because he wanted it to. I guess i am just looking for an explanation as to what may be going through his head when this is happening because he is unable to tell me. And i dont know what im supposed to do. I have never had a relationship so perfect when he is well, this is the only thing interfering with our relationship. He also doesnt like himself very much and thinks he is a bad boyfriend despite me assuring him he isnt

clarydawn New Mum - feeling overwhelmed, stressed and miserable
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’m seeking some support and advice - I’m a first time mum with a 9 week old baby and have been feeling very overwhelmed, stressed and anxious lately. The sleep deprivation that comes with new parenthood has been a hard adjustment and I find myse... View more

Hi, I’m seeking some support and advice - I’m a first time mum with a 9 week old baby and have been feeling very overwhelmed, stressed and anxious lately. The sleep deprivation that comes with new parenthood has been a hard adjustment and I find myself feeling anxious every afternoon fearing how unsettled my baby will become that night. I’ve become frustrated and angry at my baby when I’ve been unable to settle her and most nights I lock myself in the toilet crying while my baby cries in the cot. My partner helps out when he can, but he works at 5am everyday so I usually combat the night time periods alone while he sleeps. He also has also just been diagnosed with depression, so I feel guilty for expecting more from him. In addition, we have just moved into a new house which has caused a lot of stress and pressure on the both of us and is taking a lot of adjustment. Most days I feel so tired and overwhelmed that I just sit in lonely silence in the new home holding my crying baby. I feel like I’m struggling to get through each day and don’t know what to do.

goblues YOU CAN DO IT: Recovery from major depression
  • replies: 17

When I had major depression I wanted to learn from people who had experienced it and recovered. I am such a person and I write this in case it will give you hope.Let me start by telling you how sick I was before describing my current life and aspects... View more

When I had major depression I wanted to learn from people who had experienced it and recovered. I am such a person and I write this in case it will give you hope.Let me start by telling you how sick I was before describing my current life and aspects of my journey.When I was 26, my life was derailed my major depression. I had been a hard working and ambitious professional with a high paying job and a bright future. Depression surfaced after personal and professional disappointments and loomed as insomnia, loss of appetite and disinterest in life. Ultimately, I was so depressed I was unable to cope at work and eventually found myself in a mental health facility. During this time, I experienced psychosis, mania (that has resulted in me being diagnosed/labeled as bipolar although the mania lasted 24 hours) and OCD in spite of being medicated. Back then holistic help for a mentally unwell person like me was hard to find. I was out of work for about 6 months and when I got back to work, I realized that the work was unrewarding and that depression had stigmatized me.Today, 30 years later I can report on having a rewarding and fulfilling life. I have a very loving wife and two wonderful children. I enjoy my work very much, believe that I do a good job and am paid quite well. I am a fundamentally different person to the one I was 30 years ago and am proud of my achievements and ability to withstand adversity. Depression caused me to develop a value system that evolves around the notions of contribution and appreciation.It has not been easy. During these 30 years, I have had times of severe emotional, social and professional distress. I have had acute OCD symptoms that have been successfully treated with CBT. I have taken medication all these years. I drink too much. Each day I manage myself to ensure that my emotional situation is balanced and does not adversely impact my colleagues or loved ones. Because I have a genetic predisposition, my children are also predisposed -- that is a sad reality.When I was very sick, I felt anxious and neurotic and wondered whether I had a future. Your Doctor will tell you that he knows that you will recover and he is right. If you have any questions or want me to expand on anything, I can. If I can do it, you can too!

fred2018 Anyone have a parent with Bipolar Type 2?
  • replies: 5

I am interested to know the mood disorders amongst offspring of parents with( Bipolar Type 2) as I am looking to hear of some of their journeys, I understand people can't list specific medication but whatever other information would be interesting an... View more

I am interested to know the mood disorders amongst offspring of parents with( Bipolar Type 2) as I am looking to hear of some of their journeys, I understand people can't list specific medication but whatever other information would be interesting and useful for me know. Cheers

Confusedaboutlife cheated on by fiancee
  • replies: 7

Christmas eve, last year, i heard my fiancee taking photos in the bathroom after her shower. After i confronted her about about it, she lied to me saying it was just of her face. I immediately started to freak out as prior to this she had put a lock ... View more

Christmas eve, last year, i heard my fiancee taking photos in the bathroom after her shower. After i confronted her about about it, she lied to me saying it was just of her face. I immediately started to freak out as prior to this she had put a lock on her phone, something she had never done in the whole 9 years of being together. After questioning her further she reluctantly told me she had been sending explicit photos to someone she met online. I spent the next couple of weeks in an emotional instability. The world continued on without me, as i spent every night crying and staring into the dark, wondering why. I made her block the person on all social media and thought that would be the end of it. She told me she would never speak to him again. She lied. Later that week I noticed she unblocked him. After further questioning she told me it was more than just photos between them. For about a month she had been having a relationship with him. She told me she only unblocked him to tell him that i found out about what they were doing. The images of what they had done poisoned my mind and haunt me still to this day. I asked her to tell me what they did and said specifically as it couldn't have been worse than what i was imagining. It was. She told this person shes never met that she loved him and that that when their relationships broke down they would finally be together. It turns out he also had a partner on which he was cheating on. I didn't think it fair for his girlfriend to go on not knowing so I told her of his betrayal. She didn't want to believe me until I provided evidence. I had none and told her to question him about it. His response was evidence enough for her. Now since finding out the whole truth about what my fiancee had done, I'm frightened ill never feel the same again. I've thought about it everyday since and sometimes the depression hits me so hard i just brake down wherever i am. I feel so alone in my own relationship its hard to keep a healthy facade in public. I don't want to leave the relationship, neither does she. She tells me she never stopped loving me and that she doesn't know why she did it. I want to work on things with her. I just need to know, can couples have a healthy, lasting relationship after something like this and will my depression ever disappear?

qfskies18 Not sure if I’m just in a slump
  • replies: 1

Hey all. I’ve been struggling lately with just feeling a bit flat and unmotivated. This comes and goes every so often as the months go on, but mostly when I’m tired and have a lot going on. I don’t necessarily feel depressed, and I don’t know if this... View more

Hey all. I’ve been struggling lately with just feeling a bit flat and unmotivated. This comes and goes every so often as the months go on, but mostly when I’m tired and have a lot going on. I don’t necessarily feel depressed, and I don’t know if this is a stupid thing to say, but I really don’t want to be depressed and the thought of depression makes me feel frightened and anxious. Not entirely sure why. But anyway... I don’t feel overly sad or anything, my biggest thing right now is that when I think of the future, I feel a bit overwhelmed and like I just don’t have the energy for it. I’m 22 and have pretty big goals for the future, so am I just maybe overwhelmed knowing all the work that has to go into them? I just feel quite unmotivated and a tad down lately. I have just had surgery on my shoulder and so I’ve had a month off work and am only just getting my normal routine back now but I’m still unable to partake in my regular physical activities like gymnastics and dancing just yet. Do you think what I’m feeling is situational, anxiety over the future, or should I see a GP for a mental health check? Thanks guys. Don’t know if I’ve put this in the right place or answered my own questions, but it’s just my first post.

JD12 Can't beat depression
  • replies: 6

I have been fighting depression and anxiety for about 10 years now. I have tried several medications been to multiple psychologists / psychiatrists but nothing seems to help. I feel as if im in the worst place I have ever been. I have been with my pa... View more

I have been fighting depression and anxiety for about 10 years now. I have tried several medications been to multiple psychologists / psychiatrists but nothing seems to help. I feel as if im in the worst place I have ever been. I have been with my partner for 10 years and been married for 3 years. We have 2 young children together (3yo and 1yo). About 8 years ago I almost called our relationship off but we stayed together. Over the years I feel as if we have drifted apart and don't feel as if we love each other any more. We don't argue or fight and she is a good person / mother to our kids. We have no time to spend together (due to work and 2 young kids) and my motivation to do anything social is non existent. I feel if she asks me to go somewhere or do something together or with friends that I have to say yes. Then when we are there all I want to do is go home. I just don't think that I can give her what she needs / wants and give her the life that she deserves. I feel trapped in a marriage but don't want to split up because of the kids. Plus I'm worried that if we did split up that I would end up regretting it down the track. I have few of my own friends, no hobbies or interests so I have nothing much to look forward to. My motivation to see my friends or find a hobby is at an all time low. I am living ground hog day, get up, go to work, come home, deal with kids (nappies dinner bath bed) then go to bed myself as im tired after work and have to get up tomorrow and do it all again. I have problems with self doubt / self esteem, feel guilty about lots of things, have trouble saying no to people and am not great at communication. I struggle to put my thoughts and feelings into words when speaking to anyone (my wife, my family, my friends). I have no one to vent to and even if I did am more likely to keep things to myself. After a while it really weighs you down. Basically I'm going down hill fast and think it can only end in self destruction. I have tried so long to beat this but now think that I can't win. I don't want to be a burden on my wife and think she would be better off without me / doesn't deserve me. I don't know what to do.