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

Al-i-w-ie depression
  • replies: 2

i think i have depression my family has even said i look depressed i just feel off i have never been like this but i think i have it i know i might sound weird but yeah

i think i have depression my family has even said i look depressed i just feel off i have never been like this but i think i have it i know i might sound weird but yeah

Lilly18 Zero hope
  • replies: 7

Resorting to alcohol because I’m so numb and depressed. The last few months I have hardly left my bed everything is too hard. Really feeling like a hopeless, helpless idiot. I can’t look at myself. Came on here for some reason, desperation maybe

Resorting to alcohol because I’m so numb and depressed. The last few months I have hardly left my bed everything is too hard. Really feeling like a hopeless, helpless idiot. I can’t look at myself. Came on here for some reason, desperation maybe

23_56 carer burnout
  • replies: 4

I'm a carer of a 13 year old severely autistic kid. I'm beginning to realise I may be suffering from burnout or depression or both, I don't know.I feel trapped, that I have no life and I don't honestly remember the last time i was truely happy.I'm no... View more

I'm a carer of a 13 year old severely autistic kid. I'm beginning to realise I may be suffering from burnout or depression or both, I don't know.I feel trapped, that I have no life and I don't honestly remember the last time i was truely happy.I'm not suicidal. I'm not sure where to start to sort myself out. I suppose going to the doctor would be the first thing. Guess i actually know, just needed to "say" it out loud.

Alel How do you accept your life?
  • replies: 3

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression 2 months ago. I am taking medication and seeing a psychiatrist. But I also know that I'll go through these types of depressive and anxious epidosed for the rest of my life. How do I accept that I'll ... View more

I got diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression 2 months ago. I am taking medication and seeing a psychiatrist. But I also know that I'll go through these types of depressive and anxious epidosed for the rest of my life. How do I accept that I'll have multiple relapses for the rest of my life? That itll always be there and I just need to live with it? How?

AnimalLover2 Depression
  • replies: 15

Hello, it’s been a while since I last posted, just too flat to even talk to anyone. I keep going to bed at every opportunity again. Still caring for my elderly mother and grandchildren but underneath all I can think about is when I can go back to my ... View more

Hello, it’s been a while since I last posted, just too flat to even talk to anyone. I keep going to bed at every opportunity again. Still caring for my elderly mother and grandchildren but underneath all I can think about is when I can go back to my room. On days off I stay in bed all day, no enthusiasm to even take a shower etc. does anyone else out there ever feel the same way?

Giggyy persistent depression is killing me
  • replies: 9

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I alway... View more

I have been depressed for almost a full decade now and im under 20 years old, I have some ok days but it never lasts. I've been suicidal since i was 12, so I've lost most of what should have been some of the happiest teenage years of my life. I always end up feeling empty and exhausted all the time. I cant keep up with my studying and my living space is a total mess. I feel like my only friends are slipping away from me because I am so hopeless and it annoys them to see me looking so miserable all the time, they try to cheer me up but i am beyond help and i can see them getting irritated. they dont talk to me much anymore and they are all i have left. I am so tired and I feel like my life is already over and Im just waiting for the end, I just want to feel happy because I truly dont seem to remember what its like

Ms-B My world is falling apart
  • replies: 11

Hi I am new here. I have major depressive disorder amongst many other mental health issues and have been suffering on and off for most of my adult life. I am 40 now. I do understand the root of the majority of my mh issues are from complex trauma. I ... View more

Hi I am new here. I have major depressive disorder amongst many other mental health issues and have been suffering on and off for most of my adult life. I am 40 now. I do understand the root of the majority of my mh issues are from complex trauma. I have been through some horrific things, not sure how I survived to be honest. Logically I know that things can get better because I worked really hard on my mh in my 20s and as a result I got better. But I had a lot of significant things happen a few years ago and my life has fallen apart again, this time much much worse than before. i live in a very dark world. My head is constantly switched on and does not stop. It is relentless. It feels like torture the things that I have to try and manage on a daily basis. I think that is enough. thanks for reading

Rose2021 I am feeling a bit sad
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so w... View more

Hi everyone, I am safe and I am feeling a bit sad and I am having not good thoughts and I am debating if I should call my local hospital or call someone else tomorrow? I won’t do anything. I just want to get help. As my mental health isn’t doing so well. It is hard having autism, ADHD, epilepsy, intellectual disability and depression. I want to be happy for once. I wish I didn’t have Autism, ADHD & Depression.

Loveanimals Empty and Hollow
  • replies: 5

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing... View more

I am in a bad place. I have been for a very long time. I am so empty, bored, unmotivated. I have gained heaps of weight. I drink, smoke, eat too much....I feel hollow all the time and nothing makes me feel better . Other than housework I have nothing in life. No social life, no partner, no job. No hobbies....nothing other than food and alcohol. I either don't drink then eat all day, or I don't eat then drink all day. I have tried so many hundreds of times to stop this vicious circle! I feel there is another side of me that absolutely takes over and I have no control over any of it. I try to go for a walk or read a book; try to do something other than sit around waiting for bedtime as that is all I look forward to. I have applied for numerous jobs and nothing has come of any of it. It is obvious that I am severely depressed. However, I have seen so many doctors and psychiatrists/psychologists and all any of them have done is prescribe medication. Which has never worked. I fear I am so damaged by my past and indeed my current situation that nothing will ever help me. I know that it is up to me to change this...but the 'bad' side of me says 'oh well you hate life anyway so who cares if you die from cancer/heart attack whatever'. I have a very dysfunctional relationship with my 'family' so I only see them when I absolutely have to. I have posted here about those issues. I guess it is just my pathway in life and I have to somehow overcome it. I do struggle constantly with this. I just do not know what to do anymore. I have honestly tried everything to no avail. I am so sorry if anyone reading this understands! As it is an awful way to exist. However....I wish someone could help me. Thanks for reading.

Alel Uncomfortable with my feelings
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I ... View more

I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. I've been taking medication although I am now changing to a different one. The medication helped me feel much better. The uncontrollable crying and panic attacks went away. But I still had those anxious and depressive thoughts or mild symptoms. I find myself feeling very uncomfortable if I am not happy or distracting myself on my phone. Just that, if I'm not happy all the time or just feeling okay still feels shitty, then there must be something so wrong with me and I can't imagine myself not feeling slightly sad and anxious for the rest of my life. I know it's not true because even people without anxiety and depression can't be happy 24 7 and have those okay days. But I feel like whenever I do, i get scared that its going to stay that way or it's going to get worse. And that there is no such thing as feeling better for me or a better version of me. I can't tell whether my thoughts/feelings are true or because of anxiety and depression.

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