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
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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.

Chris_B Are you looking to support someone else with depression? PLEASE READ before posting
  • replies: 0

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and f... View more

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition It's full of threads from people who have family members and friends going through anxiety, depression or other related conditions. Have a read through the threads there, and feel free to take part in the discussions. Below are also some helpful beyondblue resources you might want to look through first as well: Supporting someone Have the conversation

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

Sunflower23 September blues
  • replies: 2

Coming into september I have been feeling low about my upcoming birthday, along with uni assignment stress and trying to balance other personal stressors. I feel like I have been in 'survival mode' for so long. Some days when I don't have a commitmen... View more

Coming into september I have been feeling low about my upcoming birthday, along with uni assignment stress and trying to balance other personal stressors. I feel like I have been in 'survival mode' for so long. Some days when I don't have a commitment, its hard to get out of bed and get motivated to work on my assignments. The other day I saw someone from the past which triggered some pain and loss emotions, unexpectedly. At this stage, I'm trying to take each day at a time and I'm hoping that these feelings will pass and that joy is around the corner.

Guest_1282 Losing interest
  • replies: 1

I feel like this is one about losing interest, given Ive just watched the last quarter of a classic AFL final- GWS vs St Kilda. Anyway I thought it was a great game but just feel like interest in the footy. Which as a local sport that i've always fou... View more

I feel like this is one about losing interest, given Ive just watched the last quarter of a classic AFL final- GWS vs St Kilda. Anyway I thought it was a great game but just feel like interest in the footy. Which as a local sport that i've always found respect and appreciation for here in Aus- even since last playing in 2008, which is 15 years ago. Anyway given that just seems to be at the biggest low for me since maybe like 2016/2017 the interest in it. And to be honest it covers all areas of my life and Im starting to get worried, dont know if I can push forward with this trying to keep interest in things for much longer. Just doesnt seem to be there and I dont seem to be enjoying things as much. However hard i try like no matter how nerdy/jock like in terms of being sports based- could be gaming, sports, music or anything eihter end of the interests. Or anything somewhere sort of in the middle but they are just few and far between. Anyway felt like this was appropriate to put in the depression category, medium I guess you'd call it of the forums, as it is about losing interest in things. That found interest in not only like just for last year, last season or the last couple of years for sport. But probably as recent as like from earlier this year, anyway just couldnt let that one slide

Oldbrew13 What's the point?
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone. I just wanted to share some feelings & thoughts that have me trapped in a dark mood at the moment. Brief background: I'm in my 50s. My husband of 20 years left me out of the blue a few years ago for a girl half his age. I'm with someone ... View more

Hi everyone. I just wanted to share some feelings & thoughts that have me trapped in a dark mood at the moment. Brief background: I'm in my 50s. My husband of 20 years left me out of the blue a few years ago for a girl half his age. I'm with someone else now who is wonderful. But I'm not happy. I feel like I've been cheated of life. The 20 years were not happy ones and now I am struggling to rebuild. I feel like there's no purpose in life. I just go to work, come home, sleep, rinse & repeat. My partner is retired and we don't have money to travel or have a social life. He doesn't understand why I'm not happy without those things and thinks I'm putting too much emphasis on money. But then my ex has everything - he's living it up, travelling, socialising, enjoying life. I walked away with nothing (not by choice) and I feel cheated. I devoted my life to raising children and running a house while working full-time and now I feel like it was all for nothing. Where's my reward for going without and giving so much of myself to everyone else? Why am I being punished when I did nothing wrong? It all seems so pointless and I feel like I'm just existing until it's time to die. Anyway thanks for listening to me vent. Hope you're all doing ok today

G_S My first post. Depression
  • replies: 20

I wanted to try this. I’m seeing a psychologist atm but that’s only every 3 weeks or so. I feel awful a lot of the time and just really want to share that with others because I have to put on a brave face all the time. Only a couple of people know I ... View more

I wanted to try this. I’m seeing a psychologist atm but that’s only every 3 weeks or so. I feel awful a lot of the time and just really want to share that with others because I have to put on a brave face all the time. Only a couple of people know I struggle with depression sometimes and poor emotional regulation, and I don’t want to overload them with how negative I feel all the time. They are really supportive and I do share with them but it’s not fair on them if I’m always negative. Giving this forum a try…

SadHumanwithaCat I can't cope with it
  • replies: 3

Hi. Depression and anxiety has ruled my life for over a decade, but I still can't control my emotions enough to live a normal life. I quit my job, I can't make myself do my assessments for my studies. I just can't push through. Everyone thinks I'm la... View more

Hi. Depression and anxiety has ruled my life for over a decade, but I still can't control my emotions enough to live a normal life. I quit my job, I can't make myself do my assessments for my studies. I just can't push through. Everyone thinks I'm lazy but I feel so overwhelmed. Any advice would be great.

Living57 Depression and long covid
  • replies: 3

I'm fed up with trying. I got covid in March and have not gotten over it. My doctor has done blood work, ECG, Xray of heart and lungs, CT scan of heart. Im still coughing, so exhausted and doing the simplest things tires me. It was noticed on the xra... View more

I'm fed up with trying. I got covid in March and have not gotten over it. My doctor has done blood work, ECG, Xray of heart and lungs, CT scan of heart. Im still coughing, so exhausted and doing the simplest things tires me. It was noticed on the xray that I have fluid on my lungs and heart, so she followed it with the CT scan. My heart beat drops as low as 39 and up to 143bpm. She rang the cardio and he squeezed me in quickly. He did tests and has said it has been caused by covid. I had chest xrays earlier in the year and there was nothing wrong. He wants to do more tests to make sure he's missing nothing before he discusses problems and treatments. He did state i have Long Covid and has referred me to the clinic.Well since then I have spiralled into a black place with my depression and my anxiety has peaked to an all time high.I'm struggling every day with over thinking and imagining the worse, I get anxious when I feel my heart pounding, and the anxiety builds up, depression gets me down lower and lower. I put on my 'all is good with my world' face for family and friends, thats becoming automatic for me but once they've gone or I've left, I'm a blubbering mess. It doesn't help when I have friends on both sides of the vaccination debate, who are also armchair experts on what I should or shouldn't do.I feel like I want to lock myself away from everyone and the world and just curl up in a ball. I guess I just needed somewhere to vent, sorry

Guest_1282 Feeling like giving into impulses and just give up on getting better
  • replies: 5

Fighting an uphill battle here folks, just feel like will never get better. Just absolutely futile and hopeless, feel like will never get anywhere. And feel like things are hopeless, anyway just gone. Can't keep trying to feel better, nothing is ever... View more

Fighting an uphill battle here folks, just feel like will never get better. Just absolutely futile and hopeless, feel like will never get anywhere. And feel like things are hopeless, anyway just gone. Can't keep trying to feel better, nothing is ever good enough. Just cynical fools out there who don't care

mjs123 Fristrated
  • replies: 4

I am having issues coping with my workload. I am getting angry very quickly as I am sick of having to revisit issues at work due to internal issues. I have stopped listening to music in the car and I dislike music playing in places like McDonalds tha... View more

I am having issues coping with my workload. I am getting angry very quickly as I am sick of having to revisit issues at work due to internal issues. I have stopped listening to music in the car and I dislike music playing in places like McDonalds that did not use to frustrate me. I’m loosing interest in my work. I have a good relationship with my wife and family. I think I may just need a break away from work or do these signs mean something more?

AnimalLover2 Animallover2
  • replies: 9

Hello, hope someone gets to read this ……. Everyone at beyond blue has been incredibly helpful in helping me to get to the right place. I hope I am logged in properly. I’ve had a few weeks just hiding out in my bedroom and sleeping at every opportunit... View more

Hello, hope someone gets to read this ……. Everyone at beyond blue has been incredibly helpful in helping me to get to the right place. I hope I am logged in properly. I’ve had a few weeks just hiding out in my bedroom and sleeping at every opportunity. Started caring for my mother over a decade ago (she is in her nineties, confusion, short term memory loss, anger and aggression).I nursed my beloved step- dad until he passed 2 years ago. I am also a full time “nana” to my daughters children due to circumstances . The stress of finding people to “fill in” for me when I am not myself is enormous and I do feel terribly guilty letting everyone down. I always use a “virus” excuse rather than worry my family. My mother gets very angry with me as she does not like “outside help” from strangers. Diagnosed with “carers burnout” again. I’ve always hidden the depression but my grown up children know really, just not the extent of it. I’m sleeping at least 12/14 hours a day at present (with medication) just to escape the world. I know this is wrong, but the only time I feel peaceful is when I’m asleep. Does anyone else do this when life just gets too hard? I promised my dad and mother I would never put them in a nursing home, but now feel like I’ve lost at least 12 years of my life . My mother has always had a “personality disorder” which can make her very abusive towards me and others often. I should have gotten tougher by now but finding it still affects me right to the core of my soul. I used to have many hobbies, go out with friends, and be bubbly but lost all enthusiasm for anything now. Thank you for listening, I’m sure there must be lots of people much worse off than me and even feel guilty whinging on this site. Thank you…… Animallover2

Gob Depression rant
  • replies: 3

Just needed to rant Id like to say I have quite alot of knowledge and awareness for mental health and depression for others ,but when it comes to myself i feel like I dont know anything im so unsure if its real or if these periods of extreme lowness ... View more

Just needed to rant Id like to say I have quite alot of knowledge and awareness for mental health and depression for others ,but when it comes to myself i feel like I dont know anything im so unsure if its real or if these periods of extreme lowness are just mood swings ? If my thoughts of ending it are to be taken seriously because they are frequent but I can say I would never do that to my family I just couldn't I think the people pleaser in me is a bit of a blessing there hahahha.they come and go I really hate this feeling of confusion with myself ,I am working through this but the more I do more issues I didnt see appear and just as im making my way through something 4 other things are added. I feel like im just a bit of a mess rn with the combination of my young age and trying to figure out who I am in my life mixed with my other issues it is just a whirlpool of garbage that I HAVE to deal with .I guess the real test of life is to see if I am strong enough to keep going even if im on the ground I just have to keep moving. I just want to be normal .I just want this to stop . But I do see that this road of recovery is unbelievably hard .and if I keep telling myself I can't end it then all I can do is continue to ride this horrific Rollercoaster until it ends