Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
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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

Sum_mer20 Thoughts from me
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Hello to whomever is reading this, right now it’s 8:01pm and I’ve decided to just right things down. I’m struggling with my mental health and I think I’ve begun to admit to myself that I am not okay. I am my biggest enemy and I feel so pathetic and w... View more

Hello to whomever is reading this, right now it’s 8:01pm and I’ve decided to just right things down. I’m struggling with my mental health and I think I’ve begun to admit to myself that I am not okay. I am my biggest enemy and I feel so pathetic and worthless. My family thinks I have a full time job when in fact I’m hiding under my bed, it’s been going on for 4months now and I keep lying to them whenever they ask me how work is going. I feel so stressed and angry at myself for being useless. Like I have no excuse but I’m always applying for jobs and I never hear anything. My other problem, is that I’m pretending everything is okay when it’s not. I’m so sad and anxious about everything. The only place that makes me feel good is the gym but that’s only for a little bit and then I go home and I feel so crap about myself. Also, being a black women itself is hard because I feel like I have to prove myself and work harder than anyone else but for what! You know I tried to make myself feel better emotionally and mentally but at the end of the day there is this big rock on my shoulder that keeps dragging me down. I want to be proud of myself and be genuinely happy but why is it so hard? I’m desperate for a job, I’m desperate to love myself and I’m desperate to know that someone is proud of me. Don’t get me wrong my family is amazing especially my big sister because she’s always there for me but knowing that I’m lying to them 24/7 makes me feel sick. I am posting this because I don’t have anyone to talk to and I just want someone to understand.

nobody288282828829292992911 :(
  • replies: 1

i just dont know anymore … everythings horrible

i just dont know anymore … everythings horrible

benadams201 SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 2

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

Giggyy my therapist is moving away
  • replies: 5

I only just really started being able to be more open with my therapist, it's taken me a long time but I started feeling like I can talk more about what's REALLY bothering me. and I really like talking to him, it helps a lot, I have literally no one ... View more

I only just really started being able to be more open with my therapist, it's taken me a long time but I started feeling like I can talk more about what's REALLY bothering me. and I really like talking to him, it helps a lot, I have literally no one else to talk to about this stuff. I have friends but no matter how much I want to, I can't talk to them about what upsets me or anything, I don't know why - I'm absurdly closed off, and I go mute when I get upset. I'm scared now cause he's moving away, he said video calls are an option but I wouldn't have any privacy during sessions (I still live with family). I went so long just bottling everything up and fermenting in my misery and now just when I start to feel better it gets taken away. I feel like I've gotten too attached to this professional who probably doesn't really care, but I have no one else who even pretends to care, it means a lot to me - I know I'm going go back to feeling lonely and empty without at least someone to talk to

Not_Batman Lost at the bottom again
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Hi all. back again, and not going so well. I hope it is temporary because i really hate the stupid feeling of depression. first week back at work this week, and it has been really tough. I have projects coming out my ears, 1 new staff which i wasn't ... View more

Hi all. back again, and not going so well. I hope it is temporary because i really hate the stupid feeling of depression. first week back at work this week, and it has been really tough. I have projects coming out my ears, 1 new staff which i wasn't ready for and have no direction for, and doubting my abilities.I look at all of the things i need to do at work and get overwhelmed. i try to focus on 1 thing and still get overwhelmed. Ive spoken to lifeline a couple of times this week to help me through the panicy times. Ive tried to do my meditations, breathing and grounding techniques, but to little effect, i guess because my mind is still consumed with worry and thoughts and fear. My OCD is telling me i need to get everything done perfectly, my anxiety is telling me all of these what if's, and my depression is telling me whats the point. so, for the last 4 nights, im getting to sleep at night easy, but wake at 4am, and cant get back to sleep. Then i’m tired for the whole day. by lunch time i feel better, more awake, but still not my chipper self.I went from having 5 weeks of holidays having an amazing time getting things done at home and feeling really good, to then walk in to work and fall to pieces. i spoke to my boss about some things, and they suggested to not let it get to me, just do what i can do, and escalate if things are not working out, but that didnt give me a while lot of comfort. I soldiered on this afternoon though, and after putting myself through a lot of anguish, i managed to get one of the important things on the job list almost complete.i’m holding on to the hope that it will get better, because I know i have been here before, and i know i have clawed my way out. Wish me luck. Not Batman

Conjor88 Depression without knowing it
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Theres alot been happening with me lately I think I need to see a doctor I haven't been able cope with myself I've been easy to snap at little things and go absolutely crazy when the kids don't listen or do something I don't like I just go mental, I ... View more

Theres alot been happening with me lately I think I need to see a doctor I haven't been able cope with myself I've been easy to snap at little things and go absolutely crazy when the kids don't listen or do something I don't like I just go mental, I try to hold myself back by just crying it out and breathing in and out. By the end of the day i feel so drain out and I think about things that I shouldn't be thinking about. I think im depressed without knowing it.

Doodel Weight loss surgery, depression and alcohol
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I had my first baby at 18, second at 21.Divorced their father after five years due to his Drug addiction.Met my now husband in 2004, we have a blended family, two boys, two girls. My husband has a much closer relationship with my daughters than I do ... View more

I had my first baby at 18, second at 21.Divorced their father after five years due to his Drug addiction.Met my now husband in 2004, we have a blended family, two boys, two girls. My husband has a much closer relationship with my daughters than I do with his sons.I have always been obese but never really let it get to me.I had my first weight loss surgery in 2011, things didn’t go as planned, ended up having more in 2018.I lost my father in law in 2018, my father in 2019 and mother in law in 2021. I don’t think I’ve been able to mourn any of them as it was up to me to organise everything. We are still going through the process with my mother in laws estate, it’s been nearly two years.I’ve always been the one to knuckle down and get stuff done.I’ve never been a big drinker, was always the deso Dave on nights out.For the past couple of years I have been drinking spirits.It came to the point where I was drunk nearly every afternoon, then I passed out and hit my head earning a night in hospital.I spoke to a psychologist a few times but don’t think she was the right fit for me.I don’t drink everyday but when I do it’s nearly the whole bottle and it’s in secret.I have no motivation, no enthusiasm for anything.After reading many other forum posts I’m wondering if depression has reared its ugly head?I’m just wanting to know if there’s anyone else out there dealing with these kinds of issues

dubrovnik Fed up, depressed & not happy
  • replies: 7

Hello I have posted on here before, I am having difficulties with family members accusing me of being selfish for hiring a nurse to look after my mother.I am sick and tired of being called selfish etc, my sister has turned mutual friends and family m... View more

Hello I have posted on here before, I am having difficulties with family members accusing me of being selfish for hiring a nurse to look after my mother.I am sick and tired of being called selfish etc, my sister has turned mutual friends and family members against me, it got to the stage where I burst into tears in a shopping centre. I have told my sister off for turning people against me, I feelso helpless and alone.I usually put on a good front but right now I can’t do it. I am working from home now as I can’t face people looking at me and asking questions.I know it sounds like I feel sorry for myself. I have been through a lot with former friends who backstabbed me & former partners. I broke up from my ex partner a few years ago, which makes it hard. I have put up very high walls, I have trust issues. I am not the type of person to tell my friends everything, I am a private person. I don’t know what to do.Thank you

nat1563 No one to lean on
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I’m 40 years old and I’m just not happy in my life , I have a husband and 3 children but I feel like I’m just existing, my husband works hard and helps at home but if we are not intimate on his request he won’t talk to me for days or weeks , even whe... View more

I’m 40 years old and I’m just not happy in my life , I have a husband and 3 children but I feel like I’m just existing, my husband works hard and helps at home but if we are not intimate on his request he won’t talk to me for days or weeks , even when that’s not the case he barely says hello or goodbye to me when he leaves or comes home from work .my kids are horrible to me , I know as teens they are going through their own things but they literally never speak nicely to me unless they want something, I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells day in and out , I can’t speak without being called names or yelled at . I only have 1 friend, she is great but has a busy life of her own with 2 teens and 2 babies , i feel she is the only one I can talk to but I feel like such a burden to her , she has so much on her plate she doesn’t need to deal with my problems..I just don’t know what to do anymore, I can’t remember the last time I was actually happy ! I hate my life and wish I could just walk away but I love my kids and husband and could never do that to them , but how do I live in the constant sad state I’m in . feeling lonely stupid and ignored

random_guy1 Getting it off my chest
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I’ve been sat here for like 5 minutes not knowing how to start or what to say. It’s 2 am, sry if the grammars not right I dropped out, anyway about 2 years ago something flipped in me I shut everyone out including my 2 friends now 1 probably not for ... View more

I’ve been sat here for like 5 minutes not knowing how to start or what to say. It’s 2 am, sry if the grammars not right I dropped out, anyway about 2 years ago something flipped in me I shut everyone out including my 2 friends now 1 probably not for long though, idk if I’m depressed but I feel like I shouldn’t be alive plus I don’t see my future being sun shine and rainbows. We found out my brother had made plans to take his own life, that was a couple months ago but he seems to be doing better, he has a new gf he also started going to the gym. I feel like I’m the reason he felt the way he felt so better me then him, I’m not really giving up yet cause I don’t want to make my family sad, my mum went through way to much pain when she was younger I don’t want to add to it. My parents weren’t the best parents but I don’t blame them they weren’t ready for kids they said it them selves, I don’t make eye contact with anyone because I’m scared they see me for me a piece of human scum, im a coward I made stupid deal with my self halfway through last year that if things didn’t get better I would do it, didn’t obviously. I’m emotionally numb the thought of showing my emotions to anyone including family or friends just seems impossible, this website’s pretty cool though