Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Rainbow1234 Post Partum Blues
  • replies: 3

I had a baby 12 weeks ago and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. The first few weeks when i got home from the hospital I was crying multiple times a day, sometimes for no reason and other times because the baby was always crying. I have go... View more

I had a baby 12 weeks ago and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. The first few weeks when i got home from the hospital I was crying multiple times a day, sometimes for no reason and other times because the baby was always crying. I have gotten better with managing my new life but I still find myself crying from time to time, missing my old life and finding time to myself. When I do, I feel anxious about my baby and I also don’t find pleasure in the things I used to do before. I don’t feel as organised as I once was, I feel lonely, I am always exhausted and I miss having productive days (work wise). Sometimes I just want to switch off but I just can’t and I often feel trapped or in a rut. My partner has been amazing through it all and is hands on but I try not to load him with too much as he works full time. I love my baby very much but still can’t fully adjust to the lifestyle change, I knew it was coming but thought I’d adapt better but that hasn’t happened. I am not sure what to do really- any tips or similar experiences?

Mikhaela teacher mayhem
  • replies: 1

i had this teacher and like i would have her every friday, she would be the grumpiest old grouch of a ksdy, maming fun if me and the little to no thread of friends i had. she would say stuff like "stop tapping your pen on your desk" to this kid who i... View more

i had this teacher and like i would have her every friday, she would be the grumpiest old grouch of a ksdy, maming fun if me and the little to no thread of friends i had. she would say stuff like "stop tapping your pen on your desk" to this kid who i know has trouble keeping still, he has a bad reputation but she specifically targeted the kids with ADHD or autism. so yeah, and one day it's just too much to handle.she tells me off for nit having 'thick enough' lines. she said "mikhaela, those lines are not thick enough" and under my breath i said "ok well i'll just go fix it for the one hundredth time i guess" and she had the audacity to say "mikhaela don't be rude i didn't do anything no need to be cranky" it kind of led me to be crying, and grace at this point was still my friend, she came to comfort me and like i needed a rub on the back and a kind voice telling me that i was alright. and grace got in trouble for comforting me. and i went to the bathroom tears streaking down my face my face all pink and puffy my glasses all fogged up. and we walked a lap of the oval (grace and i) and we had to walk opposite directions cus we were talking to each other.there was this other time when grace and i refused to go to class for like half an hour and like we didn't get to do art and she and i were c;elebrating. there was this other time when i had an appointment with my medicine-chooserer or whatever they're called, and i had a full on breakdown i was that scared and sad, my dad had to go in and explain why i was not ccoming to school today and explained to them about mrs KAIN she refused to come to parent teacher interviewsshe wouldn't speak to my parents when they tried to contact hershe wouldn't like even listen to their complaints

Angie Struggling
  • replies: 1

I suffer from Fibromyalgia and depression daily. But the last month has been the worst it’s ever been and I feel so lonely and scared. I can’t pin point why though.My husband works daily and I miss him like crazy. We don’t have children, which probab... View more

I suffer from Fibromyalgia and depression daily. But the last month has been the worst it’s ever been and I feel so lonely and scared. I can’t pin point why though.My husband works daily and I miss him like crazy. We don’t have children, which probably contributes to my depression. we have 2 dogs, 1 is very barky and hard to control, but the other is a sweetheart who try’s to be with me all the time. Im a loner and I cry a lot.

seshgremlin dont know whats wrong and feel a little dumb
  • replies: 5

basically i have a lot in my life that im thankful to have but i have no idea why i feel so down. i have two loving healthy parents, i go to college at a good uni, i have really good job prospects, but i just feel horrible. i dont want to get out of ... View more

basically i have a lot in my life that im thankful to have but i have no idea why i feel so down. i have two loving healthy parents, i go to college at a good uni, i have really good job prospects, but i just feel horrible. i dont want to get out of bed, i dont want to talk to anyone, my friends piss me off, and i cannot bring myself to do even the tiniest bit of work unless i have some medication. it feels like everything takes so much effort and i have to 'put it on' because no one wants to be around the bummy depressed bloke. i just want to rot in bed and live through those micro dreams you get when you wake up and go back to bed really quickly. it's not as bad as last semester when i would sleep for 20-24 hours on average and i lost 6kg because i was skipping meals because i didnt want to get up or talk to people, but i feel constantly unmotivated like whats-the-point kinda feeling. which is not good because i really need to lock in for internships but i dont want to prepare. i have 'friends' that i talk to at college but because i couldn't really interact much w them at the start of the year because i wasnt 18 now im like out of the loop and i cant see myself getting back in and it just feels like im the last resort like the last choice to hang out w kinda thing. and idk if thats the reason but i remember not being 18 was really really bad for my health at the start of the year which is a bit silly but it is what it is i guess. and its really annoying because i know i have the potential to do really well at uni but because i dont want to do anything i wont. i mean we're 4 weeks into the semester and i havent started two subjects. and idk if its depression or anxiety or adhd or a mix of a few things because theres like symptoms for all of them but i wanna go to a gp or psychiatrist to get it checked out but the issue is im so unmotivated that i cant even make the effort to go to it. i mean its an hour tram ride away and i cant be bothered walking for a minute to get food so low chances. and idk if its a bit of existential stuff as well because icl life seems really bland and grey and i dont see the point of going on like this. its not like i wanna kill myself but i dont really want to live either. idk why im writing this i just feel really stupid for feeling so bad when i know theres so many people who would trade lives with me in an instant and im not ungrateful or anything just really confused. maybe im trying to see if anyone else feels this way

Woz11 Depression
  • replies: 1

I can’t seem to get out of bed.. and I’m not sure how to fix this.. my workplace is being abhorrent!

I can’t seem to get out of bed.. and I’m not sure how to fix this.. my workplace is being abhorrent!

#worriedsick Depressed spouse and lack of sex
  • replies: 1

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
  • replies: 1

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
  • replies: 2

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
  • replies: 1

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
  • replies: 1

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