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
Categories
Start a discussion

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 discussion

Horndog So lonely, friends please?
  • replies: 2

So we’re Ari and we are a young adult with autism and depression and a dissociated identity (multiple senses of self). We have currently been in hospital for a few months to recover from an attempted suicide, and we want friends like us.Anybody like ... View more

So we’re Ari and we are a young adult with autism and depression and a dissociated identity (multiple senses of self). We have currently been in hospital for a few months to recover from an attempted suicide, and we want friends like us.Anybody like us? We like drawing, basketball, badminton, playgrounds, horses and farm animals, cartoons, nature and biology, psychology and consciousness, writing music. Parts of us are learning how ok it is to be autistic, rather than feel bad about who we are. Parts of us don’t feel safe in this world and around other humans yet, not even others our own age, only online. We stayed mute at school, so this whole friendship thing is new, and parts feel very sad we missed out on playing with friends. Part of us feels very mentally ill, but other parts feel stable and well. Not to mention the broken foot. Anybody out there? (Sorry for the negativity, parts of us are very excited).

Jess33 No-one is listening
  • replies: 4

I have bipolar and in the midst of a severe depressive episode. I have been asking for help for over a month, screaming it for the past 2 week. No-one is listening. I saw my GP who did a slight med adjustment but wont change them with out a psych (wh... View more

I have bipolar and in the midst of a severe depressive episode. I have been asking for help for over a month, screaming it for the past 2 week. No-one is listening. I saw my GP who did a slight med adjustment but wont change them with out a psych (which i understand), I have called private psychiatrists but theyre not taking new pts. I called triage multiple times with no answer so I left a msg with my name and number, never recieve a call back. I said 'no' when friends have asked if im ok but its brushed over. I have cancelled family xmas saying I cant handle it. NOONE has checked in, not once! There is one thing and one thing alone that is keeping me putting one foot in front of the other. My kids! Im scared that Im getting to the point where thats not even enough. The negative thoughts are getting stronger. I feel like im failing everyone and everything. Im past the point of crying, im just empty now. I dont know how else to ask for help.

unicornpopcorn Breakup
  • replies: 1

My boyfriend wants to breakup and I am feeling depressed about it

My boyfriend wants to breakup and I am feeling depressed about it

Jubba Cancer + depression
  • replies: 3

Hi, bugger I’m not sure what to say! I guess it’s this my ex when she found out that my cancer was getting worse left the very next day cleaning out the bank accounts cancelling the RSPCA insurance and his Vet Pay for my dog who needs surgery on his ... View more

Hi, bugger I’m not sure what to say! I guess it’s this my ex when she found out that my cancer was getting worse left the very next day cleaning out the bank accounts cancelling the RSPCA insurance and his Vet Pay for my dog who needs surgery on his hind leg I suppose this might sound trivial to most people and it might well be it might be me that’s looking at this the wrong way but she cleaned out the banks and moved to America so I have no chance of getting any of it back ever again so being left without any warning just one day everything is gone and good riddance to her! my situation is dire I can’t get a medical clearance to go back work because of the cancer plus before she left she gave me a good dose of the worst flu I’ve ever had the flu turned into pneumonia then to pleurisy then to shingles I have a collapsed left lung and only 40% capacity left in my right lung and on top of this I had 2 strokes possibly 3 strokes and that was in the first month after her leaving me in a pile of dung but I’m happy she’s gone at least I’ll die in peace or maybe this is will get a lot worse I could fall over pass out and get eaten alive by ants!…and with all that going on I have very little money left to pay the rent and other bills I have no friends or family and I don’t really want any but some advise might be helpful, see I don’t take drugs I don’t drink and because of this fact I’m not considered for any urgent help or any support as I’ve had none except for the doctor screwing up on trying to remove a cancer from my left cheek on my face not my butt anyway it’s now spreading over my face and into my left eye and on top of this I can’t afford the surgery to help my dog this part really sucks and hurts me a lot to the point I can’t find a solution to the problems they have overwhelmed me in every way so everyone on this site I guess I know how you all feel maybe not all but a small amount of you nice people that are also suffering and with that, that’s all I’ve got to say. PS I can’t even talk to a councillor or a psychiatrist cause I might mention the word medical euthanasia then they call the cops and I get shoved into ambulance and dragged of to some place unknown this has happened countless times over and over again then they let me go with all the same problems but worse cause all my neighbours think I’m crazy thanks to the cops and ambos this last part might be true but still it’s not helpful it’s very damaging to one’s self esteem that has already been crushed by circumstances.maybe this is how lambs feel when being surrounded by wolves!Kind RegardsJubba

Resal move into brand new house and depressed
  • replies: 5

After building for almost 3 years we just moved into our brand new house. Instead of being excited or happy, my depression and anxiety has gone into overdrive. I haven't been able to function for the past few days. For the past 9 months we have lived... View more

After building for almost 3 years we just moved into our brand new house. Instead of being excited or happy, my depression and anxiety has gone into overdrive. I haven't been able to function for the past few days. For the past 9 months we have lived with my wifes mother after having sold our previous home. Although living with my mother inlaw was at times chalanging, not to mention we have three daughters in tow, her home has always felt like a sanctuary. Although I know we had to move into our new house, the feelings, emotions and this darkness is just overwelmimg. I feel like such a total failure and fraud to my wife and kids. What should be an exciting happy time has become nothing but. I'm left alone because my wife doesn't the kids to be around my misery and I totally understand that. I really think they would do a lot better if I just wasn't around any more. This darkness has been in my life for so long and this new house home was meant to be the answer to a better life, but that doesn't seem to be how it will go.

dubrovnik Hopeless and lost
  • replies: 8

Helloi am a middle aged woman who is feeling lost, hopeless and depressed.Firstly I want to thank everyone who read my earlier posts some time ago.my sister has been putting me down and making me feel low, I am usually a positive person and I put on ... View more

Helloi am a middle aged woman who is feeling lost, hopeless and depressed.Firstly I want to thank everyone who read my earlier posts some time ago.my sister has been putting me down and making me feel low, I am usually a positive person and I put on a front even when I am feeling down but at the moment I am struggling, haven’t felt this low in a very long time.This started when I decided to employ a nurse to help look after my mother who has dementia the nurse has been helping care for my mother the last several months and it’s going well, my sister has called me selfish because I wanted help with looking after my mother, I told her that we all have a responsibility to help with looking after our mother. She has been saying hurtful things to me like you are boring & no wonder you aren’t in a relationship. ( I have had bad experiences in relationships, which is why I prefer to be single, I have lost trust and I have put up a lot of walls)i told her off, she has turned other family members and mutual friends against meI enjoy my work and do well but right now I don’t know what to do, I am feeling hopeless and lost.

eloop Depression or sadness
  • replies: 6

Sometime we think we are depressed we might just be sad say we have a chronic illness that limits us going out and participate in life fully I know there is clinical depression but we might just be sad sometimes and sharing our sadness with someone o... View more

Sometime we think we are depressed we might just be sad say we have a chronic illness that limits us going out and participate in life fully I know there is clinical depression but we might just be sad sometimes and sharing our sadness with someone or on the forum might help we are not alone in our sadness

Mushiness3886 ADHD & Depression / Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I was diagnosed with ADHD almost 12 months ago at the age of 44. It was quite overwhelming to learn of this at such an age. Knowing that I could have improved my mindset earlier on in life and not failed so much as a child/teen if this condit... View more

Hi all, I was diagnosed with ADHD almost 12 months ago at the age of 44. It was quite overwhelming to learn of this at such an age. Knowing that I could have improved my mindset earlier on in life and not failed so much as a child/teen if this condition was picked up at an early age. I have been prescribed medication for it and have been taking anti-depressant medication for many years. for mild depression and anxiety. Is anyone in the same position as I am and if so, how are you coping? Best regards

indigo22 Fragmented
  • replies: 106

Hi everyone,Today I need to get some feedback from the community. This is a pretty heavy conversation so I hope it doesn't trigger anyone. Most days I am stable with my depression but I feel I am just going through the motions a lot of the time. I st... View more

Hi everyone,Today I need to get some feedback from the community. This is a pretty heavy conversation so I hope it doesn't trigger anyone. Most days I am stable with my depression but I feel I am just going through the motions a lot of the time. I still can't seem to manage the day to day stuff and I don't seem to care. I have been isolating for many years so when covid hit, it didn't change anything for me personally. I am more comfortable with animals than humans, that is not because I am anti social, I just think I have been hurt too often by humans.I feel like with every loss, every betrayal, every negative experience, I lost a piece of myself and now there are so many pieces missing that I sometimes wonder if the little that is left is worth the effort. Can anyone relate to this feeling?I have always been a sensitive creative person and sang for most of my life along with crafts, making jewellery, in fact I have tried my hand at a great many creative things. But I lost interest in all the things that used to light me up when I went into a state of chronic depression about 12 years ago and haven't been able to get the spark back. I miss that person but I don't know how to find her. All feedback will be greatly appreciated.indigo22

Angel65 Trying to work when you have mental health issues.
  • replies: 7

I come from a domestic violence background and have suffered from depression, anxiety, Complex PTSD and recently burnout. I have no energy or motivation and I have to keep working and have this constant pressure to keep pushing. If I don’t work I wil... View more

I come from a domestic violence background and have suffered from depression, anxiety, Complex PTSD and recently burnout. I have no energy or motivation and I have to keep working and have this constant pressure to keep pushing. If I don’t work I will end up homeless and have no car which will only make my life even more stressful. I don’t see the point in being here anymore have no friends not because I can’t make them but I have trust issues so I isolate. Everything takes massive effort and I feel no joy just numb and want to roll up into the fetal position. I think it’s accumulation of years of trying to manage my mental health and I’ve lost the ability to cope. I’m so tired I’ve tried medication and it makes no difference for me and just makes it worse as the side effects were so bad. I have lost hope of ever feeling human again.