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

boondy is anger depression
  • replies: 6

Hey all.im new here so dont really know wat to say or how. im 39-Ive suffered depression anxiety anger issues for so long only clinically diagnosed 5 years ago.have a few family members with depression lost my uncle n a close mate to suicide.been on ... View more

Hey all.im new here so dont really know wat to say or how. im 39-Ive suffered depression anxiety anger issues for so long only clinically diagnosed 5 years ago.have a few family members with depression lost my uncle n a close mate to suicide.been on dif meds over time 4 dif psyches 3 dif gps.at moment i dont take meds not for last year or so.i dont feel as if meds work. I dont get'depressed''or suicidal thoughts like I have in the past but the anxiety n getting angry at the smallest things n I guess just negative towards so much Is a daily struggle.my girlfriend/daughters mum wants me to get help if not for me for my daughter.but I dont think I need meds N just about given up on shrinks.is there hope?

Jo-Candice Self-worth
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I thought I would share my feelings and day-to-day struggles with others. I'm a mom of 3 children and am happily married. I have a good life and nothing to complain about. All my life I havd battled depression. I've gotten ... View more

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I thought I would share my feelings and day-to-day struggles with others. I'm a mom of 3 children and am happily married. I have a good life and nothing to complain about. All my life I havd battled depression. I've gotten really good at hiding it as I'm worried that people will not like me or think I'm to much work. And if I'm honest I don't think I have anything special to offer the world. I don't excel at anything and I've never had a talent. But to the outside world I project something different and confidence. My self-worth is so low and I worry people will not like me. Today my fear came true. A friend had picked up my depression and knocked me down for it. I felt my mental health was bullied. I am just wondering if anyone else lives in secret with their depression? And what about your self-worth? I am hoping by listening to others will help me relate and help me change the way I feel about myself. Thanks for listening.

missyjane86 Life just getting worse, No one seems the same?
  • replies: 2

Putting it short, I'm a Mum of 4, I have a little boy in my care all the time and 3 girls that are with there dad, Most people would read that and think why hasn't the mum got her girls, Well ive been in battle with my ex for 6 years, it has gone bac... View more

Putting it short, I'm a Mum of 4, I have a little boy in my care all the time and 3 girls that are with there dad, Most people would read that and think why hasn't the mum got her girls, Well ive been in battle with my ex for 6 years, it has gone back to court again, I gave up as he is a liar and controls everything. Every single day I wake up and my chest achs, I need someone to talk to but everyone seems to busy or simply don't understand, Ive tried to salvage what is left with my sons dad but he just can't understand why I'm like this, why am I so upset, we don't have a friendship and we don't get along, I feel like every day all I see is the negatives, growing up has not been easy, and it seems like its not getting any better. Ive come here in hope to meet people I can talk too or vent with, I have major depression and it is the one thing I would change if I could. I want life to be happy, and enjoy my days, instead I seem caught up in the dark circle with no one to share my thoughts with without being told I'm just a negative person, and never happy. life's not meant to be this hard, I'm sure of it.

Sarah J Clinically depressed and struggling
  • replies: 3

I was diagnosed many years ago and have been medicated for severe clinical depression and anxiety attacks. Have been going ok for quite a while now even through losing my husband and raising six kids on my own. It will be four years in September. I m... View more

I was diagnosed many years ago and have been medicated for severe clinical depression and anxiety attacks. Have been going ok for quite a while now even through losing my husband and raising six kids on my own. It will be four years in September. I moved interstate 10 months ago and all was good but just lately I have been feeling really down and not sleeping, but most importantly I find myself separating from my children. I love them so much but can't seem to handle their needing me. Don't get me wrong I plaster a smile on my face and do what needs to be done, but I'm feeling empty and false. I know this will pass but right now I just need someone to know how I'm feeling. I'm feeling desperately alone and lost.

Meeper Life knocks you down sometimes
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety trouble my whole life and I've had depression before and come through it but now it's back too. This year I was really sick for months and it screwed up my hormones. It was right on the start of the uni semester which I ... View more

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety trouble my whole life and I've had depression before and come through it but now it's back too. This year I was really sick for months and it screwed up my hormones. It was right on the start of the uni semester which I was enrolled in two weeks behind everyone else due to an admin delay. I've been behind in that the whole way and I missed too much time at work and struggled to come back. I'm trying so hard to get my health back and my life on track but it feels like I'm getting nowhere. The depression is starting to erode my motivation so I can't see the point in even getting up in the morning. Before I fell down I felt so strong; I'd done so much to build myself up and work through my anxiety. Now I feel like a shadow of my former self and I can't think well enough to get myself out of my hole. My health is so poor but I'm anxious about food and it makes me panic so it's a huge effort to fix. I really suffer in the cold of winter as well because I have such terrible circulation. I'm so short on hours at work and in study that I don't have time to see someone for help. I know I have a lot of good things in my life and a lot to look forward to but I just can't seem to find the step I need to make my breakthrough this time. Each little thing that goes 'wrong' feels like a mountain I can't get past and though I'm still doing some good things I'm really down on myself over the bad things and getting really upset about my uni exam performance. If life would give me a chance to catch up that'd be great but it doesn't wait. So I keep doing what I can and try to stay open to the next day. Writing helps so I really appreciate being able to talk on here.

Misslondon I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved
  • replies: 1

I'm really at a loss of what to do. I'm sick of feeling depressed. I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved. I have family who are very busy and who try to help as much as they can, but I feel as though I'm a nuisance to them. No... View more

I'm really at a loss of what to do. I'm sick of feeling depressed. I feel so undervalued, unappreciated, unmotivated and unloved. I have family who are very busy and who try to help as much as they can, but I feel as though I'm a nuisance to them. Nothing in my life seems to be going the way it should. I'm a single mum who works full time. I feel burnt out and need a change of scenery. I can't move due to my son's father. I'm a mess. How can I make myself feel confident again?

Macrick Middle Aged and Failing uni soon to be twice.
  • replies: 9

Salutations, I'm an international student studying in South Australia. I have repeated and with from one uni. And now, I'm gonna fail this one soon. I'm in an IT course and not very good in programming. Have seek but advice given was limited. I think... View more

Salutations, I'm an international student studying in South Australia. I have repeated and with from one uni. And now, I'm gonna fail this one soon. I'm in an IT course and not very good in programming. Have seek but advice given was limited. I think my depression is relapsing. Made no real friends here since my arrival almost 1 and half years back. I got so frustrated with my course work that I stopped going to campus since last week. The only person that is keeping me sane is my elderly mother whom I called weekly on the phone. I have a history of unable to form relations at any level. Am seriously at a loss and broke down earlier. My issues are much more deep rooted that I do not know how to clean it. I need help, thanks for reading. Adios.

TigerMum Virtual Reality
  • replies: 2

I know its probably been done before but just interested with the advent of movies like The Matrix series and now with the amazing technology in Virtual Reality. Does anyone else feel like they are walking around in some artificially generated scenar... View more

I know its probably been done before but just interested with the advent of movies like The Matrix series and now with the amazing technology in Virtual Reality. Does anyone else feel like they are walking around in some artificially generated scenario and just wish that they could find a way out? Escape the pain and suffering for the real life we are meant to have, pain and symptom free.

JayMic Wanting to change everything to feel something
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I have never done this before... I am more a face to face person but right now this suits. I am a counsellor and I think I am struggling with depression & anxiety. I am 27, female and loosing interest in all I have... this appears to be seaso... View more

Hi all, I have never done this before... I am more a face to face person but right now this suits. I am a counsellor and I think I am struggling with depression & anxiety. I am 27, female and loosing interest in all I have... this appears to be seasonal and usually beings around april and hits home hard at winter. I almost ended my almost 9 year relationship last night...I want to quit my job, move overseas and start a new life - all my attachments done feel good enough - nothing feels good enough. How do i go from Nov last year feeling so in love, happy, content, calm - to now craving feelings in any way i can get them? I am a very emotional personal, I like feeling things - but now I feel numb, and its hard to stand. Its so hard because logically, as someone who spend 6 years studying to be a counsellor i know what's happening - but it doesn't mean i can stop it, or feel less alone in this place. I have cried on and off for small reasons, i feel ive been sick or run down most of the year, i want a completely different life and find my ususal interest boring and stupid, i feel nothing. Everything is a chore. Im bearly sleeping then struggling in the morning, my diet is horrible, i have no drive for anything. When i told my fiancé this - he was so upset, i could see he was crushed - i told him a want a different life, away and i need change - i felt nothing while he was sad...i feel i cried because i knew i should feel sad...but i felt numb, and dying to run. What the hell is wrong with me? Do others feel this sense of numberness and need for change when they have depression? I am so scared i am going to throw away everything ive worked hard for, everything i love, just to feel a rush...it scares me... I know i want to be alive, im not suicidal. I am just flat, numb and lost... Please let me know if anyone has shared similar experiences?

Pounce the motivation switch. how do you control it?
  • replies: 9

I'm normally a highly motivated person. Just last week I was buzzing around, getting things done, excited about life. Now the fog has come back and turned off the motivation switch! It took me an hour to will myself out of bed. It took me another two... View more

I'm normally a highly motivated person. Just last week I was buzzing around, getting things done, excited about life. Now the fog has come back and turned off the motivation switch! It took me an hour to will myself out of bed. It took me another two hours to get dressed. I tried making a list, but it's just overwhelming - I can't prioritise so I end up doing nothing. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I can motivate myself to have a shower! How do you manage this problem?

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