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

gibby3794 Does anyone else start feeling better as life gets that bit better and then all of a sudden start feeling like crap again?
  • replies: 3

Some of you may know i have had depression and anxiety for a few years now (sorry i havent been on am working full time and always busy so havent had time ) i had been feeling pretty good as stated above i now have a full time job (finally) and own a... View more

Some of you may know i have had depression and anxiety for a few years now (sorry i havent been on am working full time and always busy so havent had time ) i had been feeling pretty good as stated above i now have a full time job (finally) and own a decent car (old and cheap but roadworthy and mechanically good), have over $1k in the bank and i have paid off or am smashing through my debts (massive event for me) and am now in the process of trying to get a house with a few friends and have been feeling great until about a week ago i said "things are finally starting to look up for us all" and ever since then i have been feeling really depressed and have anxiety... i was just wondering if anyone else starts feeling better as life gets that bit better and then all of a sudden starts feeling like crap again? It seems like when things start going right for once i get scared which sounds stupid (and i do think it is stupid but unfortunately its just how i react )

Hopefullseeking Rollercoaster going down
  • replies: 2

I have been feeling not to bad, prehaps on the well side, scary I know. Last week I felt myself slipping again and have not recovered. Two days after I felt myself starting to slide I began a reduction in meds, again, but this time a lot slower and t... View more

I have been feeling not to bad, prehaps on the well side, scary I know. Last week I felt myself slipping again and have not recovered. Two days after I felt myself starting to slide I began a reduction in meds, again, but this time a lot slower and the other anti-D. I am eating more and feeling lazy again, I did make myself go to the movies using public transport, (car died) and saw the new Ghostbusters, it was good. I thought i was on the up and up and because I was feeling good I thought I had turned that corner, but no. Is this my life now, and rollercoaster ride. If it is I hope the rollercoaster stays up and leveling out heaps more than going down. Thanks for listening. Anne

Pelayn Mt friend is my trigger!
  • replies: 5

Hi. My best friend, the only person i have opened up to about my depression besides my husband, also triggers my maladaptive behavior. I been diagnosed with Emotional Depravation schema. This means i feel very insecure in relationships. I developed a... View more

Hi. My best friend, the only person i have opened up to about my depression besides my husband, also triggers my maladaptive behavior. I been diagnosed with Emotional Depravation schema. This means i feel very insecure in relationships. I developed a bond with a playgroup friend and we became close. Because this friend and i were close i opened up to her and she helped support me over the last 3 years. But because we were close i got very hurt when she spent time with other friends or was wasn't available to catch up. So many times I've thought i have to remove myself from her or I'm not going to move forward. But i don't think i can. She is aware of these issues. My therapist hasn't suggested removing myself. Any thoughts or experiences to help me decide what to do? Julie

AkienA Stuck
  • replies: 9

I'm not sure if I am even posting in the right form i can't even explan what's wrong, I am all stuck up inside my head. Everything has become almost pointless and there is little joy in life.

I'm not sure if I am even posting in the right form i can't even explan what's wrong, I am all stuck up inside my head. Everything has become almost pointless and there is little joy in life.

marlina what to do when you feel , there no strength left?
  • replies: 3

Hello, I am new to the forum. I decided to get in touch with people that are experiencing similar struggles.... I have been having depression for long time - on and off. Recently my depression went worse due to significant changes in my life, like ca... View more

Hello, I am new to the forum. I decided to get in touch with people that are experiencing similar struggles.... I have been having depression for long time - on and off. Recently my depression went worse due to significant changes in my life, like career change and decision to go back to University. It has taken one semester, to loose all my stress coping mechanisms and loose control of life. About 3 months ago i went back on AD and more recent i started to see the therapist for mindfulness lessons. I was trying to have talk therapy but with my levels of a stress, my psychiatrist recommended to self-soothing technics first. I was very difficult for me to talk about the past and trigger anxiety attacks - to the stage of vomiting after sessions. At the moment, I am facing a challenge of finding a job in a new career - which is a public health. I am also going to volunteer for a cancer support organisation. Step by step I am following the little goals i have set up. I know it is not impossible, but the fear and self-doubts are stronger than me. I am really scared.. 3 months agoI could smile, I exercised every day and i was loving it. Then one night, when my second semester started, and the pressure increased, I got an anxiety attack - and turned my life upside down. I can not cope since then, medication not seems to help, and every day seems like a battle, with my own thoughts and fears. I am really tired and out of the ideas what to do next... I know it all takes time - i Just wanted to share it with you here xxx

pillow Hating feeling like this, !
  • replies: 3

Thanks for reading,,I'm not quite sure where to start or what to write. I don't know much recently, how I'm feeling , what I want, the only thing I think I know, is that I just want to go some place on my own. But I don't know what id do when I get t... View more

Thanks for reading,,I'm not quite sure where to start or what to write. I don't know much recently, how I'm feeling , what I want, the only thing I think I know, is that I just want to go some place on my own. But I don't know what id do when I get there though. I have no interest in people I avoid them, I don't like meeting new people I don't know why I just instantly don't like them, takes time for me to like them, my husband says I'm stuck up, maybe he's right, although I'm very shy and awkward with people i don't know well, maybe this just comes across the wrong way. Ive recently just had this uneasy feeling, i know i don't feel happy,, but i don't know what is wrong with me, I feel down, but I don't know why, I have to put on a face to people so I dont seem like a total bitch. I just feel like I have no time for peoples dramas I just don't care about much anymore. I don't think Ive cried so much before, I cant seem to control it, I feel bad for my husband I know he's trying with me but I just don't feel anything at the moment. I know I'm disappointing him, Im scared he will have enough of my moodiness and disinterest and give up on me. I feel like a burden. I think to myself just snap out of it and stop been a miserable bitch but its so hard. I think I need to talk to someone, but I don't know who, id be too embarrassed going to a doctor or anyone, I don't want to take happy pills, I want to figure out how to make this right I just don't know how. Im not sure why I'm writing this, maybe just getting it out there will relieve some of this feeling.

A_V What is Wrong With Me
  • replies: 5

I have a no reason to feel so low, on the surface a great husband, a great job a great place to live but I feel so blah with life. Its so boring, working such long hours from 7am to 5 or 6 at night, no real break then on weekends doing noting because... View more

I have a no reason to feel so low, on the surface a great husband, a great job a great place to live but I feel so blah with life. Its so boring, working such long hours from 7am to 5 or 6 at night, no real break then on weekends doing noting because I can't be bothered or were trying to save money so feel guilty for spending anything. I just want to sleep all the time, I don't want to go out anywhere but when I force myself its not too bad, as long as a few drinks are consumed. I just want to lie in bed all day and sleep. Sleep, I can't get enough, I sleep 8 hours a night and wake up exhausted. Plus Ive put on a lot of weight which just makes me feel like a failure. I know I need to 'snap out of it' and just exercise and grow up and eat better but I have no motivation. I have no motivation to get what I want. Im so tired of always trying and getting nowhere, work is full on then saving money, not going on holidays because we're saving Im over it. I should be at work but said I'd be late, I can't face it I feel anxious going in. I like my job I just feel that what if Im not smart enough for it. I study and work full time and get motivated for like a week then just fall back into my un-motivated blah state. From the outside what have I got to be sad about, am i just a spoilt child who is sad because I don't have what I want or my savings account isn't big enough, or not skinny enough. I don't know I just want to go back to bed and cry and sleep and its not fair on my husband to feel like this. I am on medication for slight anxiety but lately these feelings of blah and boredom with life have been larger and its harder to just get on with it.

Nathan_drake Unsure and I guess afraid of the answers I will get
  • replies: 5

I have from a early age though I'm not quite " normal " im not making light of it , I just think it helps me deal with it. I find myself having months of endless energy and zest for life & then I hit this moment we're for a few 2/3 months I feel , de... View more

I have from a early age though I'm not quite " normal " im not making light of it , I just think it helps me deal with it. I find myself having months of endless energy and zest for life & then I hit this moment we're for a few 2/3 months I feel , deflated, anxious, annoyed, happy , crying on my own I try to get over it by drinking and socialising , and when I was younger it definitely got " me through".Iam now feeling the low as I never have before and I decide to join this community and seek some ideas and thoughts. I find my behaviour in reflection , can be terrible with drinking, I don't feel like going into that ,but I am sure you all get the picture.I work for organisation who seems to want to help and do the right thing , but I am still afraid of the stigma of seeing one of their health care practitioners, loss of job , competitiveness for promotion Etc. I am great at my job when I'm "away" but now with recent promotion ,I am desk bound I feel so heavy and sick and weighed down . its makes me feel thirsty and bloated and I feel like crying all the time , I know my mother suffered very badly with depression , so I guess I am unsure if it's connected. im always the funny guy at work , the fit one, the guys you can count on for a laugh , so I guess doing / writing this has taken some doing Ppl when I am on top , I'm out of this world , I have a great energy and I want to be in everything and doing everything, but when this ,Black Dog comes around , I'm a shell of myself, a recluse , a drinker , unable to enjoy my love of movies and music , and ppl i sleep around , become just another person , who I actually really dislike ,and I guess the Hardest thing is I go to work and but on a show the " I'm always great show " I hope this makes sense to someone , because it does to me , and I'm 38 now and I want to get it under control ! Lamy thoughts of general feedback would be appreciated

Hopefulalien Overwhelmed and lost
  • replies: 7

This is all quite overwhelming, and I'm not even sure where to start... I'm constantly meditating, listening to guided talks,reading positive gratitude filled quotes and exercising however I continue to feel completely useless, unloved, not important... View more

This is all quite overwhelming, and I'm not even sure where to start... I'm constantly meditating, listening to guided talks,reading positive gratitude filled quotes and exercising however I continue to feel completely useless, unloved, not important. I feel like an absolute alien. I've moved interstate in the last 12 months and am living with my partner of 2 years and I constantly have this waive of crushing feelings come over me, I'm just not good enough. I observe every action of my partner, the way he doesn't kiss me or touch me, or call me or tell me that I'm beautiful or that he loves him... And it eats me, it consumes me, I constantly feel like I'm not important, I'm a horrible person for wanting affection, intimacy and love. I constantly feel like I'm just not good enough. And then I come home to spend time with family and again I feel like I don't belong here. I feel like I don't do enough for them, I have nothing in common with my family anymore, I don't fit in here and I try to make an effort. But I feel dismissed. I don't even know where or how to start to work through this..

hope4joy how to trust that I'll cope?
  • replies: 4

I'm feeling scared. I've noticed how depression has wiped out so much of my self confidence. I've been a bit tired the last couple of days and am worrying about whether another bout of depression will start again soon... I've just come out of six mon... View more

I'm feeling scared. I've noticed how depression has wiped out so much of my self confidence. I've been a bit tired the last couple of days and am worrying about whether another bout of depression will start again soon... I've just come out of six months or so of a difficult low period. I'm about to fly overseas in less than three weeks - for student exchange through my university - and I'm so fearful about whether this is the right decision or not. I've been approved to go for a year. It feels so difficult to leave everything that is familiar - home, house-mate's cat, car, uni, work and the few friends that I have in my city. And everyone I talk to is so excited for me, its hard to air my worry and fear. I have lived overseas before and travelled a lot, but I lack so much confidence in myself these days and feel so much less strong. I think going is worth the risk, well I hope so... but how can I trust that I'll cope? How do you get your confidence back when you've finally accepted that you have life-long mental illness?

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