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

LastChance Wife's possible depression ?!
  • replies: 6

Hi guys,I have the suspicion that my wife has depressions. BUT, she is denying it, down playing it, etc. and not open at all to the idea to look for any kind of professional help. She is a bit of a perfectionist and feels easily pressured. But our ma... View more

Hi guys,I have the suspicion that my wife has depressions. BUT, she is denying it, down playing it, etc. and not open at all to the idea to look for any kind of professional help. She is a bit of a perfectionist and feels easily pressured. But our marriage is deteriorating and I am afraid that if I mention that, it will create even more pressure for her. I already programmed the hotline's phone number into my mobile. Just in case... Any additional ideas would be appreciated. Cheers

ScottakaDean Dealing with Computer and Gaming addiction
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've been struggling for a long time with depression and anxiety, it's recently escalated into using the computer, gaming, and getting lost in the scroll to avoid the negative thoughts and anxiety.I'm not sleeping, until I crash and can no longer... View more

Hi, I've been struggling for a long time with depression and anxiety, it's recently escalated into using the computer, gaming, and getting lost in the scroll to avoid the negative thoughts and anxiety.I'm not sleeping, until I crash and can no longer stay awake, then I'm out for like 12hrs, then up for 30hrs, and repeat.I guess it's not really an addiction thing, but the avoidance and finding distractions from my feelings.I'm in a pretty rough place right now, my job is in jeopardy, my partner had just broken off our relationship, though we still live together until we can find new accommodation. I've got no friends, I've got some healtg problems (apnoea and overweight) and I generally feel pretty worthless.It's a lot, I know, but I want to get better. I think the computer use needs to stop, I lose myself when I go on there, play all night without regard to even trying to get back to bed.I don't really know what I'm asking for here, I'm not sure if I've got what it takes to stop this spiral descent and I'm worried my whole life is coming crumbling down. I just need help, and I'll take anything. -Scott.

Iron where do I start
  • replies: 7

HelloI have had depression for over 7 years nowReally had enoughJust started getting helpI used to be so activeBody-buildingSalsa dancing photographyNow nothingI work in the mines and when I get home I just lay on my bed for 7 dayI really want to get... View more

HelloI have had depression for over 7 years nowReally had enoughJust started getting helpI used to be so activeBody-buildingSalsa dancing photographyNow nothingI work in the mines and when I get home I just lay on my bed for 7 dayI really want to get back to my old selfI have tried so many times doing things but have no interest.What can I do to help me get back to my old self

Notanother30 Feeling low about life
  • replies: 3

Feeling like life has nothing left to offer anymore, where all I find are things holding me back. whether it’s external, or internal based on the severe depression and OCD I experience. These days I feel a hopelessness that lingers into my days, wher... View more

Feeling like life has nothing left to offer anymore, where all I find are things holding me back. whether it’s external, or internal based on the severe depression and OCD I experience. These days I feel a hopelessness that lingers into my days, where nothing excites or gives me anything to feel passionate about. My personality is so that I’m loyal to my responsibilities and I show up for work every day and never stray from where I am in life - which is one of my major problems as I feel stuck. I like routine I like being comfortable, but I’m depressed where I am. I experience social anxiety so it’s extremely difficult for me to really socialise. I work alone so I don’t form friendships etc that way. I don’t feel excited at the idea of joining any adult classes or activities because there’s nothing I care about. I feel frustration and anger with the injustice in the world, even little things like driving in traffic and people being mean.. particularly though when people are taken advantage of or bullied (major empathy because of what I’ve experienced). I feel so alone in the world. I work alone every day and haven’t had a real friendship since HS. My relationship of three years ended so many years ago and I can’t move on still because nobody makes me feel the same way (plus idk about other people but near impossible to get a match on any online dating app). I’m not beautiful I’m a 6 maybe. So that’s always demoralising. I’d love to move abroad but getting a visa is so difficult because I’ve only had unskilled work - so that makes me feel useless and unwanted. I hate that I’m not more intelligent to do anything meaningful career-wise. now I’m 30 I’m comparing myself to everybody, what/where they drive/wear/live and how attractive or sociable they are. I find comfort in staying home and going to work because there’s nobody to compare myself to as much, and going out makes me depressed because I always feel inferior or hate that I see the lives that I don’t have - like having a beautiful gf or wife - I’m so jealous and hating the world for the inequality. Now I know I’ve been on the other end of that and things have made people envious of things in my life. So I get it, to feel confident and maybe want certain things to help yourself feel better like a new car or large house. I just wish I could be happier and not feel so empty and hopeless in the world. I know things could be a lot worse, that I could be suffering from more or have even less hope or prospects for life to be good. And sometimes I’ll feel more appreciative and better about life when things are in perspective. I just feel for the most part that I’m unhappy. I get psych help but it’s never helped me more than the relief I feel for just talking about my issues. I’ll continue talking to counsellors/psychologist but I want change in my life too. My medication numbs my emotion or feelings so I can cope in my day to day life pretty okay usually - but nothing ever changes. And I feel like life has nothing left to offer to make me happy.

amyyyyyy Does anyone relate?
  • replies: 2

Hey guys I have been struggling with depression for a long time now and occasionally I’ll feel happy or I’ll feel better but then I feel scared being happy since it’s not normal anymore and I sabotage my own feelings so that I am sad again. As if I o... View more

Hey guys I have been struggling with depression for a long time now and occasionally I’ll feel happy or I’ll feel better but then I feel scared being happy since it’s not normal anymore and I sabotage my own feelings so that I am sad again. As if I only feel safe being sad because it’s all I know atm. Is this normal??? I want to be happy again but it’s so scary what should I do

L_D_V Cannot control impulses and don't know what to do
  • replies: 1

Hi there, After 10 years of impulse control issues leading to ruined relationships and a tarnished reputation, I am struggling so bad with the person I am. I loathe myself. But I cannot break this cycle. I've joined this forum as I desperately need h... View more

Hi there, After 10 years of impulse control issues leading to ruined relationships and a tarnished reputation, I am struggling so bad with the person I am. I loathe myself. But I cannot break this cycle. I've joined this forum as I desperately need help. When I was younger and single, I used to engage with as many women online as possible. Some nights would see me under the influence with all inhibitions lowered, starting online chats with upwards of 100 different women while pleasuring myself. The the sole intention was to find women who found me attractive and would want to engage sexually with me. 9 times out of 10 though, I would never actually pursue anything more than this online engagement. Once I had finished pleasuring myself, I'd feel disgusting, delete all traces of the conversations and try to go about my life. Unfortunately this led to me engaging with women I shouldn't have been (friends ex-girlfriends, ex-girlfriends friends etc.) as the more high risk it was, the more appealing and thrilling it was, but then the worse I felt after. The way I conduct myself online is the complete opposite as to who I am in person (somewhat shy, very kind and caring and gentleman-like). Nowadays, it is still something I engage in despite having a loving girlfriend I want to be with. It isn't as prominent as how I used to be but it's still a big part of me and I just want to end it. I loathe myself for still doing this. I just want to stop. It's a lot more vicious when under the influence but still something that happens when I'm sober. It's like a have 2 personalities; the destructive personality with no impulse control who has no morals and values... then the other personality that is left to pick up the pieces after the other personality has caused all the damage. I hate this, I am so ashamed of myself and hate that despite being so self-aware, I cannot break this cycle for the life of me. I just want a life where I feel no guilt, I conduct myself in a way that I'm proud of, I'm not always looking over my shoulder to see if my destructive behaviour is catching up to me. Thanks so much for listening to my rant; I'm desperate to be a good person.

marisea278 Emotional abuse through cancer
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m new to this , I was wondering who else has gone through the agony of emotional abuse while dealing with cancer .

Hi I’m new to this , I was wondering who else has gone through the agony of emotional abuse while dealing with cancer .

MISSY1997 drowning
  • replies: 2

i feel like I'm falling deeper into a hole. i am defiantly not the same person i use to be. i don't like this person, but i cant help it now. every day seems to be ground hog day and my thoughts on suicide are becoming more and more overpowering, dri... View more

i feel like I'm falling deeper into a hole. i am defiantly not the same person i use to be. i don't like this person, but i cant help it now. every day seems to be ground hog day and my thoughts on suicide are becoming more and more overpowering, driving to work it's the main thought. i feel blank i feel like life has been sucked right out of me. i am an empty shell. i dont like going out, i dont like seeing people, i don't like or want to do much of anything. i force myself to do all. My GPs are useless and i could talk to them about anything, they are a wait 3 hours 5 min conversation and get out, they do not care in the slightest. Everything cost money to get help. my biggest joy most of the time is thinking what medications i have at home to make me feel like a zombie so i don't have to think, and i drift off to sleep. I am everyone elses support but no one is mine i dont want to be here any more

bril4 i could talk to someone
  • replies: 4

I've had depression for over 3 years now. A few months ago I thought I was finally improving but it didn't last long before it all came back to me. I just want it to stop. I want to feel happy for once. It's my birthday in a few days and I can't help... View more

I've had depression for over 3 years now. A few months ago I thought I was finally improving but it didn't last long before it all came back to me. I just want it to stop. I want to feel happy for once. It's my birthday in a few days and I can't help but feel scared. I don't want to grow older. The more I grow up the more depressed and anxious I seem to become. I have no one to talk to. I have friends and my mum but it's just so hard to talk. My mum wouldn't get it and I would just feel like a burden to my friends. I have tried before with my friends too but they just play it off as a joke like they do with their own problems. Why can't no one understand and just help me? Give me an actual solution to my problems because I don't think I'll ever find one. Nothing works and I'm starting to wonder what the point of it all is. It doesn't help that I've lost my passion for so many things and now I don't know what I want to do with my life anymore. Everything is just too out of reach and without motivation, I just can't see the point in trying. I feel like I'm just living, existing. I do all these fun things and I think they make me happy but even that never lasts long because it's like I'm destined to just feel bad forever.

12_ Feeling lonely and useless
  • replies: 1

today my boss sending me home, cause i made too much mistakes. i feel useless

today my boss sending me home, cause i made too much mistakes. i feel useless