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

Ryfn My life’s been falling apart for a long time
  • replies: 2

I’m not sure what I want to achieve here, but I guess with anonymity I can write honestly about what’s happening to me. After almost 8 years of battling my worsening mental state, I’ve finally found the courage to tell some of my friends but I’m not ... View more

I’m not sure what I want to achieve here, but I guess with anonymity I can write honestly about what’s happening to me. After almost 8 years of battling my worsening mental state, I’ve finally found the courage to tell some of my friends but I’m not ready to tell them the full extent of it because I don’t want them to have to carry this darkness in their lives too. I used to feel invincible: in my dream degree (medicine), successful athletically, and capable of talking to anybody about anything, and more importantly willing and able to help anyone I cared about with anything. I can honestly say I was living my best life: a life of ego approaching zero where I gave everything to the people I cared about. But after the person I considered my only true friend, and the person I wanted to spend my life with - chose a path of actions that made me experience hurt more than I’ve ever experienced in my life, something in my brain snapped and it’s felt like I’ve been cut off from the ability to use it properly ever since. It wasn’t a gradual creep, it was like a switch. I dropped out of medicine to do Commerce, since it was less rigorous and I could attempt to balance my shifting moods with my workload. My whole personality changed, my new insecurities would flare up at any little trigger and my ordinarily sharp memory has deteriorated to the point I can’t hold a conversation or recall recent events. Although somewhat ironically, I constantly wake up at 3am on work nights to nightmares of events that have upset me and am unable to get back to sleep. I’ve intermittently sought professional help, tried all sorts of self medicating, meditation etc. but nothing’s helped me so far. It think the saddest thing is I have no longer have any will to live. I’d never act on this, I don’t have the strength, and I care too much about my family and friends. But it’s getting harder and harder to keep my life together, and people are more aware of the cracks than ever. It’s just exhausting, and immensely painful to keep going without any drive or passion fueling me.

Loula Bipolar and Pregancy
  • replies: 6

Random question. Im at an age and stage in my life where my husband and I are having the baby talk. Im really scared about let alone that I've got PCOS and Endo which will make it harder for me to get pregnant or keep my child. I've had a loss a few ... View more

Random question. Im at an age and stage in my life where my husband and I are having the baby talk. Im really scared about let alone that I've got PCOS and Endo which will make it harder for me to get pregnant or keep my child. I've had a loss a few years ago. But now with my bipolar I'm so scared. Like really scared. I'm scared I'm going to lose it while pregs, I'm scared I'm going to freak out and stress out after having the baby im scared I'm not going to be able to the be best I know I can be. I'm scared I'm going to screw up my child. Im scared if I have a loss or can't conceive I'm going to lose it. Has anyone on here with bipolar have a family and been through this journey. If you don't mind letting me know what it's like that would be great pleas

247Confused A common issue.
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, This is my very first post not only on Beyond Blue but on any type of mental health forum. I'm going to try keep this as short as possible so please bear with me. I am asking for any suggestions, tips or even reading materials. I am a st... View more

Hi Everyone, This is my very first post not only on Beyond Blue but on any type of mental health forum. I'm going to try keep this as short as possible so please bear with me. I am asking for any suggestions, tips or even reading materials. I am a straight 20yo male and have dealt with a lot of anxiety my entire life. I have always been very shy and not so much as an outgoing person. I've particularly dealt with a lot of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) throughout my teenage years although I was never diagnosed with it, it was very clear to me that I was suffering from the disorder. I'm glad to say that it is almost non-existent in my life, however in certain situations I do get a bit edgy. I have never in my life tried to reach out for help until now and I kind of see it like I should tackle this on my own. I know it's heavily encouraged to seek help with this sort of thing but I really want this to be the first step towards creating a more fulfilling life for myself. Not only that, but the entire world could tell me get assistance and I know I would still struggle to do so. I really don't like talking about it with anyone, even my closest friends. Again, I know it's perfectly fine to but I really want to do this my way. At this current stage of my life, I am incredibly confused and frustrated with myself. I feel almost desensitized to life's pleasures and I find it difficult to look forward to certain things or gain the motivation to do the things I want to do to benefit myself. I am not sure if I'm suffering from depression but I do get very down on myself quite often. I work and study (online) part time. I hate university, I can't stand it and it's definitely not for me. The only reason I started it was because I felt like I had very little self-worth at the time, and I still do. I like to think of myself as independent and I really enjoy business and would be interested in tackling this by myself. I am very very very self conscious about the way I look, from every piece of clothing to the hairs on my head, again this is something I have always dealt with. To be honest it's a mixture of all these things and I'm afraid that if I don't start to work on it (like I should have many years ago) that I would forever be on a downhill roller coaster. Furthermore, surprisingly enough I'm not too bad with women, it boosts my confidence quite a bit so I guess I'm not completely in the dark. Thank you so much for reading this, any tips would help a lot.

Meggy123 Feeling low
  • replies: 2

I've been feeling very low. I often can't get out of bed or do household jobs. I live alone, and work in quite a public profession. I'm too scared to speak to my friends or family or to ask for help. I'm not really sure what to do.

I've been feeling very low. I often can't get out of bed or do household jobs. I live alone, and work in quite a public profession. I'm too scared to speak to my friends or family or to ask for help. I'm not really sure what to do.

Kanetica Wanting to feel less alone in this desperate darkness
  • replies: 5

Hi, sèeking some advice on how to connect and grab a hand in the chaos. I have friends who are really close; family, but things have turned messy tonight, and im not sure how best to ask for a friend.

Hi, sèeking some advice on how to connect and grab a hand in the chaos. I have friends who are really close; family, but things have turned messy tonight, and im not sure how best to ask for a friend.

Lila19 Needing help :-)
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’m new & this is my first post. Ive recently been struggling with what I think is severe depression. I’m a 38yr old executive and in this last year my career has really taken off and I have spent a lot of time in the work space. I’m also a mum t... View more

Hi, I’m new & this is my first post. Ive recently been struggling with what I think is severe depression. I’m a 38yr old executive and in this last year my career has really taken off and I have spent a lot of time in the work space. I’m also a mum trying to juggle 2 beautiful girls in school and an MBA. So many wonderful things have happened to me in this last 12 months that I can’t complain, but I am struggling with the juggle of being all things to all people. My husband works but definitely puts all his faith in me to be the main provider as he has never been motivated and I always have been - in addition to that he is about to lose his job. It’s an insane amount of pressure and I find myself trying to balance a full time career and not disappoint anyone....and try and do everything well at home where I am always disappointing everyone. For the past 6 weeks I have not been functioning very well. I can’t sleep and I’m up till all hours. I have no desire to do anything. I don’t want to go out.... brushing my hair is a serious effort. I don’t want to see anyone. I feel like I am in a coma and I can’t get out of it. This morning I literally sat in a chair for an hour and just stared at nothing - it’s not like me. I’m a bubbly happy person who is normally trying to make others feel good but I’m tired of always being there for others at the expense of myself. I’m feeling really scared because I feel so lonely and have no one to talk to. My husband doesn’t seem to understand and for the most part just just seems to ignore me when I seem off. Our sex life has disappeared and my husband felt the need to joke about it with our friends recently which told me that he is not happy. Everything is falling apart and I feel worried that soon my job is also going to fall apart because it is so hard to lead and manage a big team when I feel like crying every minute of the day. There is no room for error or for weakness. I run a charity as well and I feel like I am always doing things for others but no one is ever doing anything to help me. I don’t know what to do.

AnneEll PRE EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have to go for a pre-employment medical next week which includes a drug test. I'd like to keep the fact I take medication private if possible. Would this show up in the drug test? I'm kind of worried that if I disclose it it may mean I won't ge... View more

Hi. I have to go for a pre-employment medical next week which includes a drug test. I'd like to keep the fact I take medication private if possible. Would this show up in the drug test? I'm kind of worried that if I disclose it it may mean I won't get the job but if I don't and it is identified in my sample I'll have to tell the truth and it will come out that I lied. Please help? Any thoughts?

Leon_ Depressed due to jobless
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, my name is Leon and am just graduated from university December last year. I felt so proud and happy from this and so is my family. I feel so alive. From that time, I tried to find a job here in Melbourne, but I can't get any luck with that, ... View more

Hi guys, my name is Leon and am just graduated from university December last year. I felt so proud and happy from this and so is my family. I feel so alive. From that time, I tried to find a job here in Melbourne, but I can't get any luck with that, mostly because none of them accepts non-citizen or permanent residence. I feel depressed due to this, because I felt like my family really wanted me to be able to succeed here. Am I exaggerate anything? I know I could just go back to my home country and find a job there. But I'm so afraid that I disappoint everyone that have put such high hope to me. I feel like a failure all the time these past few weeks, and I thought that this forum could help me communicate with people out there other than my family, because I am afraid that I will worry my family and friends if I told them how depressed I am. I thought about suicide multiple times, however I believe that is not an option and will never be. I hope this forum could help me talk about these problems so I could get back on my feet and keep looking for jobs, hopefully finding one.

ghostpersonanon Depression and romantic relationships?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am a person struggling with depression. I have had it for almost a year and lost many close relationships because of it. Ironically, I am in a very serious romantic relationship. It seems even though the relationship is very healthy, I... View more

Hi everyone, I am a person struggling with depression. I have had it for almost a year and lost many close relationships because of it. Ironically, I am in a very serious romantic relationship. It seems even though the relationship is very healthy, I still struggle with trust and my own insecurities -that gets in the way. I am afraid of being alone, and I don't want to lose this close relationship that I have, especially since I have lost a lot of close friends. I am not sure if I should maintain it, or if it is healthy to leave the relationship and get better before pursuing another one.

Lostconfused Depression and work
  • replies: 4

I have untreated (mostly undiagnosed) depression for years but it has never impacted my ability at work. Actually I am so skilled at masking it no one in a work place from my past would actually have the slightest idea. My current workplace has been ... View more

I have untreated (mostly undiagnosed) depression for years but it has never impacted my ability at work. Actually I am so skilled at masking it no one in a work place from my past would actually have the slightest idea. My current workplace has been bad for my mental health. I have felt myself sinking more and more over the past few months. There has been a lot of focus on me compared to co-workers and I get why there would have been at the start and I also realise that some of the focus these days is more to do with I have somewhat (sometimes) impressed people there with my ability so they are looking and talking about future potential. None the less, the focus on me has lead to changes in me that I don’t like. Doubting my knowledge, doubting my ability which is sending me all over the place. I will add I had quite a bit going on in my life in the last 6 months of last year. recently I realised just how far I had fallen virtually at the hands of work and all the chatter about me by senior staff. I wasn’t prepared to fall lower (I feel so low already i am not sure if lower is even possible, although logically I know it is) so I actually resigned and am currently in my notice period. It was a super hard decision as I actually really like the work and the potential to grow in the long term but my low no longer just affects how I feel at work it is impacting every element of my life so it seemed like what I needed to do. now as I wait out my notice period I keep wondering how much of all of this is the black dog speaking and how much was it what I really needed. I felt low before but now I feel like there is a huge gaping hole in me. Is the hole and doubt about what I did being right actually correct or if it the fear of the unknown - no job, no prospects, no idea how to sell myself felling this way. how do you know when quitting is the right solution and when it is just the black dog dragging you through the mud? If it is actually just the black dog, should you even attempt to get your job back? If you should, how do you even tell them about it? Telling them may make things worse as it will get me even more attention and probably more chatter, I just really like my job and hate quitting but my mental health is making it seem impossible. Thanks

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