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

Jebecabob L.O.S.T
  • replies: 15

I don't know who I am anymore or where I belong, it is only until you get to this point where you truly realise that the world is a big place and you in comparison are very small. I have gotten good at faking smiles and conversation and pretend I hav... View more

I don't know who I am anymore or where I belong, it is only until you get to this point where you truly realise that the world is a big place and you in comparison are very small. I have gotten good at faking smiles and conversation and pretend I have so much life in me, where all I can truly feel (behind closed doors) is the life drain from me, sounds more intense when you write it down, don't get me wrong it isn't like I walk around sad all the times, there are times where I actual feel like I am there, present and happy, this may last a whole day or it could be hours... I don't have anyone to talk to, I have tried so hard, but I feel like I am constantly letting people down including myself. I think this is the first time I have said this in a way where I now become instantly vulnerable, I never let myself get to that stage, always having walls up and only letting certain people see the real, deep me... But here we are... These words have been said and now I am weightless for the first time, maybe I don't need to change or find who I am, maybe if I keep letting my wall down slowly I might just find my way back to who I used to be.

krs04 Unsure if I need help
  • replies: 3

This is my first time posting anything like this - I just am feeling lower each day / week / month / year. Each year I think "this is it" and something good will happen. It doesn't. I feel like more things keep happening to me. I sometimes feel like ... View more

This is my first time posting anything like this - I just am feeling lower each day / week / month / year. Each year I think "this is it" and something good will happen. It doesn't. I feel like more things keep happening to me. I sometimes feel like I am just a lazy whinger, but other times I think that should one more thing happen, I won't be able to cope. I live in a constant angry, bitter state, I hear the news on TV and just think this world sucks. My life hasn't been a hard one, but I have gone through a LOT in my 35 years and I'm angry that others don't haven't gone through what I have, yet they have everything I long for. I KNOW there are people going through WAY worse than I am, I shouldn't complain, I have a roof over my head, and food in my belly and a son I love. But I can't stop hating my life. In a nutshell - my father died when I was 5 - I was bullied to the point of contemplating suicide in grade 8. They bashed me, spread rumours, and told me I was "ugly, worthless, and nobody would ever want to be with me or marry me" - we were homeless for 6 months after a con man took everything my mother had - I suffered anorexia for 2 years - I failed uni due to extreme anxiety - I suffered from a major health condition at 27 - Cushing's Disease, leading to 2 brain surgeries & 6 weeks of radiation - I know have a life-long medical condition requiring medication. I've had 2 miscarriages - My partner of 4 years broke up with me a week before my 30th birthday (after I thought he was going to propose) saying he was still not sure I was the "the one"- we got back together 4 months later only for him to leave me again - I then found out I was pregnant & had a child - we tried to make it work but he abused me emotionally, continually breaking promises and getting drunk - now unable to have more children - partner is back with his married ex-girlfriend who I always felt like he was waiting to come back to him, which is why I was never "the one" for him. I constantly am in tears, I feel so worthless. I now overeat and use food as comfort, which, with my medical stuff, keeps me piling on weight. I feel ugly, worthless, and should I ever meet another man, I cannot give him children of his own. All I ever wanted was a family, I see my friends with their husbands - they haven't gone through what I have. I really feel like I can't take any more - but question is this depression or just a big case of the "feel sorry for myself". I don't know what to do.

Bullitt Careful What You Wish For
  • replies: 2

Hi! I am 33 & single. I own my own house. I own and operate a commercial cleaning business with my best friend. I love music, video games, 4wding and comedy. I love playing with my niece. I earn good money and life isn't too bad. I have reached an ag... View more

Hi! I am 33 & single. I own my own house. I own and operate a commercial cleaning business with my best friend. I love music, video games, 4wding and comedy. I love playing with my niece. I earn good money and life isn't too bad. I have reached an age where I can finally do whatever I want with no-one to stop me! I can finally get my bike license! I can finally plan out and write the album I have been envisioning for years! I can spend the night relaxing and playing games! Sounds pretty sweet huh? I can't do any of these things, and I couldn't be more miserable. What frustrates me the most is that I'm not an idiot. I KNOW I am capable of doing the things I want to do but I can't make myself start! It's like I'm that scared of hard work or the possibility of failure that it is easier to just not try. If it stays on the list of things I know I COULD do if I WANTED to I haven’t failed! Why don't I do it? Why don't I care? I'm not complaining I really want to know why I hold myself back. It's like I just don't care, but at the same time I am guilty as hell for not caring. All I want is to be left alone, and now I'm 33 and my life feels like an all you can eat buffet of hollow shit. I can sit around and do nothing as much as I want! And no-one can stop me! But that's the problem. Whenever I am at home, I wish I was out seeing friends, family, or trying something new. But if I am not home, I just wish I was home and start doing the maths in my head to figure out how long until I am home. When I get home, smoke some weed, and watch YouTube or tv repeats of a show I have seen literally hundreds of times and am bored out of my mind! I can't even commit to watching a good movie I haven't seen as that would take 2 whole hours! What a waste of time! I'll just spend that time watching MASH repeats instead. How ridiculous. It feels like I'm missing out on something. Wasn't I supposed to be married with kids by now? Wasn't I supposed to have done the 'become an adult' thing I have been waiting for since I finished high school? I think I need help to snap out of this rut. I have tried many times to do it myself, and for a week or two it's great! Then it all turns back into shit. I need help to get through week 3 & 4. To get to week 20. To realise one day that I have no idea how long ago I lost count of how many weeks since I sorted out my life. I don’t know why I posted this. I don't feel sad, I just wish I cared more. Does this post even make sense to anyone?

4321 Struggling
  • replies: 6

Hello, I'm really struggling with finding motivation. Today I have a day off, the weather is great, I live opposite the beach and I still don't feel like doing anything or seeing anyone. I have been diagnosed with depression and few years ago and am ... View more

Hello, I'm really struggling with finding motivation. Today I have a day off, the weather is great, I live opposite the beach and I still don't feel like doing anything or seeing anyone. I have been diagnosed with depression and few years ago and am still taking medication. I just don't understand why I am not getting better.

budzy922 Need a new start. Don't no where to start.
  • replies: 1

Starting to lose the screws, Haven't done anything for three months been stuck in my house. Some days i think its Friday when its Thursday. Its like i am living under a rock. I've put the doctor off at least 10 times i no i need help as i think i hav... View more

Starting to lose the screws, Haven't done anything for three months been stuck in my house. Some days i think its Friday when its Thursday. Its like i am living under a rock. I've put the doctor off at least 10 times i no i need help as i think i have bpd or something similar . I think its time to pack up and move to another city as i am trying to quit marijuana but cant kick the habit aside with betting all my cash witch became a new addiction after winning big a couple of times now i just go to far . besides from that is it gonna be worse to try and move i don't no. Just wondering if anyone has been in this position.

Sharny Feeling a surge of desperation....
  • replies: 4

Hello, I wanted to say prior to writing that I feel hesitant in joining up again because sometimes I'm not equipped at handing out advice or guidance to others and so I feel when I post that I could look like the post blurt lady that does not care ab... View more

Hello, I wanted to say prior to writing that I feel hesitant in joining up again because sometimes I'm not equipped at handing out advice or guidance to others and so I feel when I post that I could look like the post blurt lady that does not care about anyone else!! I can tell you I do, but rather I am thinking of how my reply might affect the other person to their posts particularly since I feel mental illness is a personal journey affecting people very differently and there is no one size fits all answer to lots of it. That's how I've found my journey, trials, peaks, troughs and self testing different therapies etc. Sometimes I feel even though I've had a long history of illness that I'm hesitant in giving advice so would like to just let the person know I am listening and care! I've been off the forum for a month now due to my own decline. This past week has seen a cognitive shift in my brain leaving me a bit shaky. I've had morbid thoughts again and have not taken care of any of my own therapy apart from herbal remedies for 3 weeks. It has impacted me greatly. I've eaten wrong, been going to bed at 1am and then up at 5:30am, my meditation has been twice weekly instead of every day. Last week my son heard me saying to myself I'm not worthy, he asked me why am I so hard on myself? At the moment I'm trying hard to stock up again on healthy food, yoga, meditation and exercise before I slid down the hill. Recently I was awarded recognition for a family fete I organised for which the school made $10,000. My contribution again toward being a decent human being. After all the years of trying to show my children how functional I am, I've realised finally my brain can't cope and I've put my own family on dicey ground. My son told me I don't need to prove anything, he is older now and I can't hide stressors from him. I'm angry at myself because I can't keep up. I've let everything slide to become what? A volunteer with passion. I'm angry that I can't get the courage to tell people I'm resigning next year because I suffer Bipolar and can't do it. I received compliments for my efforts but those people don't know my inner battle. I hate the way I'm 'planning' my exit speech already instead of just being able to tell them. I mean just for the sake of my family the community can't be told of my mental illness. It's like torture. Sorry for the destructive ramble. Sharny.

spunkyturtle How are you? What are you up to?
  • replies: 7

I just thought I'd do a relaxed post and ask how you're coping with depression and what things you're trying at the moment. I just finished ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy, a 12 week course, one day a week. It's been interesting. I kinda realise ... View more

I just thought I'd do a relaxed post and ask how you're coping with depression and what things you're trying at the moment. I just finished ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy, a 12 week course, one day a week. It's been interesting. I kinda realise I can live with depression and anxiety and still live a fulfilling life. Now I'm like, oh uh what do I want to do!?!? As my Dr said I lack direction. I guess that's my next goal. How about you?

Hopefullseeking Feeling disappointed and down
  • replies: 3

I have been seeing a shrink for many years and have been medicated for the last few years for major depression/dysthymia/anxiety, ptsd, etc. For the last two years I have also been seeing a psychologist and have come a long way. I am on two types of ... View more

I have been seeing a shrink for many years and have been medicated for the last few years for major depression/dysthymia/anxiety, ptsd, etc. For the last two years I have also been seeing a psychologist and have come a long way. I am on two types of anti-depressants, we tried to reduce one of them earlier on in the year but I didn't cope to well so they were upped to the origianal dose agian. This time we have tried to reduce the other ant-D and a bit slower but still with negative results. I am feeling like a failure, I am so much better than I was a couple of years ago so thought I could cope with the reduction but no it doesn't seem to be working. I go down hill with my depression and my coping abilities suffer too. I don't want to be on meds as they do affect my liver but I can't seem to cope without them. Any feed back will be appreciated. Anne

Airies Preassure to work
  • replies: 7

Just been on the phone: 30 minutes of questioning re depression symptoms and the last year.to cut a long story short claim paperwork for inability to work.Repeated the same questions as previously. How do you begin to describe how depression has impa... View more

Just been on the phone: 30 minutes of questioning re depression symptoms and the last year.to cut a long story short claim paperwork for inability to work.Repeated the same questions as previously. How do you begin to describe how depression has impacted on you?thoughts of suicide?attemps? How worthless at times you feel? And then planting the seed that you are young enough to work? 53 and then wanting someone to touch base with you in that regard. i spent 25 years working in Justice Department totally burnt out and then returned in casual capacity and the wheels well and truly fell off last year.Only now am I beginning to return to some sort of normality. But only at a fraction of my former self. I don't need the triggers, prompts to return to work. If I could I would. A couple of driving trips to Melbourne stressed me out. Ended up going to bed @ 5:30 last night taking extra meds so I bombed out and 15 hours later stuffed.Every day is just a battle. I can only do a few things before it starts to take its toll mentally and physically. Sorry about the rant. As always blow things out of proportion. cheers Len

always_blue new here can't function on meds....
  • replies: 5

hi my name is simon I'm 53 yrs old and bipolar.i have over theyears had 20 or so episodes none of which were good.now I'm stable on a drug usually for schitzoprenia.whilst being stable is good the side effects aren't. I'm currently in a depressed sta... View more

hi my name is simon I'm 53 yrs old and bipolar.i have over theyears had 20 or so episodes none of which were good.now I'm stable on a drug usually for schitzoprenia.whilst being stable is good the side effects aren't. I'm currently in a depressed state.i can't get out of bed to face the day.. I'm flatline with no desire physical mental sexual.. there is nothing.i spend my days killing time wondering what to do next, with o desire to do anything.I'm currently seeking help went to my gp looking for a psychiatrist earliest appointment 2 years can you believe it.im desperate and at a loss as to how to turn all this around.not even walking the dogs seems an option i just can't be bothered ,anyone else suffer the same? my life is a big fat 0. nothing am suicidal but would never do it i don't have the courage.hope to hear from someone?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