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

Earth Girl I get bullied by retail assistants
  • replies: 3

A lot of people who work in stores at the shopping center went to my school and I got (and still get) bullied a lot by a lot of people I went to school with - even when they are at work. This has been going on since I started high school. For example... View more

A lot of people who work in stores at the shopping center went to my school and I got (and still get) bullied a lot by a lot of people I went to school with - even when they are at work. This has been going on since I started high school. For example a guy made a rumor that I was a lesbian and when I was in year 9, I was looking around in a clothing store and the two girls working there were talking about how I was a "lesbian" and were saying "ewe" and covering their faces. This was a long time ago, but I'm still hurt and annoyed about it especially since they were acting like this while at work. Last year in October or November, I was in a different clothing store and one of the retail assistants was talking to her coworker about me and said to her "Every time I see her, I'm like, you suck. She's misogynistic. Like, if she was a man..." and I didn't hear the rest of that, but when I went to the check out to buy something the other coworker (the nice one - I hope she's nice) served me and when she had finished serving me, I walked off, but was still in the store and then the mean coworker said to her "Are you okay?" and the "nice one" laughed lightly and said "yeah" and then the mean one said "I thought to myself, I was going to check up on her, but I like watching her struggle haha" (whatever that means). I don't see how I'm misogynistic. I seem to get called every insult ever by people from school (f*g, wife beater (I've always been single), tr*nny, sl*t, etc). I told my parents what happened and they didn't care and I told them that I wanted to make a complaint about it and my Mum said "Just don't worry about it." My parents tell me that they want me to be happy but don't care that I get bullied. Should/can I still report this? That coworker was being really nasty and unprofessional. I don't know if the other coworker says the same things or if she felt like she just had to go along with what her team member was saying. The "nice one" seems nice and smiles at me when I go in the store so I'm assuming she isn't bullying me as well?

discombobulated_bob Help
  • replies: 3

I’m a youth dealing with depression, and I just want to know if there are any good coping mechanisms or like, ways to distract yourself from the sadness? I’m not really ready to accept myself this way and I really would like to find out if I can feel... View more

I’m a youth dealing with depression, and I just want to know if there are any good coping mechanisms or like, ways to distract yourself from the sadness? I’m not really ready to accept myself this way and I really would like to find out if I can feel just the tiniest bit better.

La-994 28 year old male, confused and helpless
  • replies: 5

Hello fellow members. I should start by saying that writing the following is me at my most vulnerable, and is not something I have even considered doing before. I'm a 28 year old male. Please forgive me if this comes across the wrong way, but if a st... View more

Hello fellow members. I should start by saying that writing the following is me at my most vulnerable, and is not something I have even considered doing before. I'm a 28 year old male. Please forgive me if this comes across the wrong way, but if a stranger were to look at me on paper, they would probably deduce that I am happy and successful. I have worked very hard throughout university and my career, I managed to save up and buy a house, cars, have travelled extensively, I have an established career and a good relationship with my girlfriend of 5 years. Throughout my early 20's I forged ahead with what I thought was an impenetrable strength. An 'I can conquer anything' attitude. I tried to engineer my life and plan extensively so that I would avoid suffering, hurt or uncertainty. Some may read this and think I have nothing to worry about. Indeed, I have tried to tell myself this many times over. And yet, for the past 1.5 years, I have been trying to manage my way through what is by far the hardest period of my life. It started with health-related anxiety, which spiraled into a cycle of anxiety symptoms feeding others, me worrying about those, that causing a loss of sleep, which led to feelings of depression, and so on. At its worst, I would contemplate thoughts of suicide and had no idea what was happening to me, and how I could 'fix' it, like I could solve other problems in my life and at work. More recently, the realities of ageing have hit me like a freight train. I am seeing friends get married, start families, all with a seemingly carefree ease and what feels like unobtainable level of happiness. Good young 'Aussie blokes' following life's path without too much care or concern. I have become extremely worried and confused about my future with my mind spinning relentlessly not knowing if I want children or not, worrying about my parents ageing, and feeling very little confidence or faith in whatever path I choose. My thinking about the future and making sure I 'get it right' has become obsessive. I am barely mentally present at work, I can't sleep properly (wake up with panic attacks throughout the night, getting about 3-4 hours at best), and although my girlfriend is supportive (bless her), I worry about dragging her through my relentless sadness. I am really struggling.

EverythingsOK Egads! I am having a heckin' crisis!
  • replies: 1

I'm a trans guy who has been dealing with depression for a while now. One of the things that's been getting me down lately is my balding. It's hard to watch my hairline recede and see more and more of my scalp every day. I've tried different treatmen... View more

I'm a trans guy who has been dealing with depression for a while now. One of the things that's been getting me down lately is my balding. It's hard to watch my hairline recede and see more and more of my scalp every day. I've tried different treatments, but nothing seems to work. It's hard to feel masculine when my hair is falling out. Another thing that's been weighing on me is my loneliness. Being a trans person can be isolating, especially when you're not able to connect with other people who share your experiences. I don't have a lot of friends who understand what I'm going through, and it's hard to find someone to talk to about the challenges I face as a trans person. On top of all that, I have a prosthetic penis that's always a reminder of the body I wish I had. Sometimes it helps me feel more like myself, but other times it just makes me feel like a fraud. I wish I didn't have to resort to a fake penis to feel comfortable in my own skin. All of these things together have been making my depression worse. It's hard to find joy in life when so much of it feels like a struggle. But I'm trying to stay hopeful and keep moving forward. I know that there are other trans people out there who are dealing with similar challenges, and I hope that someday I'll be able to find a community where I feel like I belong. I freakin' love science!

chloelouise23 Post natal depression and anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have 2 beautiful children. Girls - 8 months/2 years.they are the light in my life and I do and will do everything and anything for them.I have felt like I have experienced post natal depression and anxiety since I had my 8 month old. I was hoping f... View more

I have 2 beautiful children. Girls - 8 months/2 years.they are the light in my life and I do and will do everything and anything for them.I have felt like I have experienced post natal depression and anxiety since I had my 8 month old. I was hoping for a vbac to realise she was in distress and did a poo inside me, me and dad both had Covid. I had to get another emergency C-section. Dad went home and I did it all alone and with no support. I don’t know what words to say but since then I have felt really depressed and felt anxiety and just low. I love my daughter but cannot connect to her how I did with my first daughter. I feel like a horrible mum and I feel very low

GreenEgg Sad
  • replies: 3

I’m feeling really sad, like I’m just a burden and everyone would be better off without me. It’s my birthday and I just want to disappear.

I’m feeling really sad, like I’m just a burden and everyone would be better off without me. It’s my birthday and I just want to disappear.

Caly Too sad
  • replies: 2

Today is really bad. Overwhelming. Not coping well 

Today is really bad. Overwhelming. Not coping well 

DeepBlue1771 Healing support/meetup groups
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any support groups where people going through depression or healing from something can meet up on a regular basis to just share company and provide support to each other? Posting on forums ... View more

Hello everyone, I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any support groups where people going through depression or healing from something can meet up on a regular basis to just share company and provide support to each other? Posting on forums is great but it doesn't replace human face-to-face company, and many people can't afford to attend counselling.

Luckylukyno Sleep Anxiety lead to depression. How do I fix it?
  • replies: 2

For my whole life I have struggled with sleep and it's not until the last year or so where I haven't slept at all. I would sleep for maybe 4 hours ever couple of days for a week and then I would not sleep for 7 to 8 weeks straight, it would then repe... View more

For my whole life I have struggled with sleep and it's not until the last year or so where I haven't slept at all. I would sleep for maybe 4 hours ever couple of days for a week and then I would not sleep for 7 to 8 weeks straight, it would then repeat for the whole year. It is not a choice, it's anxiety. I don't know what to do and im terrified that i wont be able to sleep again. The fear engrosses me. I feel like this is what's caused my depression. I never want to do anything, yet I feel so lonely, i feel it in my stomach. Another factor that's possible caused my depression is alienation from my family and friends...to anyone who has been through a similar experience, i understand, you are not alone and it is important that we help each other through hard times.