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

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

Unsureperson98 What do I do, where do I go from here?
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, new to posting here still but I wanted to reach back out again. I am so stuck and unsure of my life right now. I've always had depression and bad anxiety throughout my life (I'm 27 now) but at the moment it's really affecting me the most... View more

Hi everyone, new to posting here still but I wanted to reach back out again. I am so stuck and unsure of my life right now. I've always had depression and bad anxiety throughout my life (I'm 27 now) but at the moment it's really affecting me the most. I'm in so much pain and unhappiness. I feel sick most of the time, unable to keep food down or feel hungry. I'm throwing up after eating half a meal and can't stomach anything else. I have this constant pain in my chest and nausea in my stomach.I get terrible sleep and can barely keep energy. I've also recently started feeling unhappy in my 7 year relationship. It feels like things have shifted and we arent connected anymore. I'm constantly thinking about where I stand and how my partner feels about me, that he will leave. My needs feel no longer met. We've talked about this and he has assured me it's not how he feels, that everything seems fine as always. I don't feel this in my gut though. I don't know if this is throwing me further into a spiral or if I am just freaking out for nothing. I have no energy and feel so sick that I've been calling out of work because I just don't have the energy or wellbeing to be there and do my job properly. I've started going to a psychologist and am looking forward to that assistance but I just can't beat this excruciating pain I feel all the time. How can I work past it and feel some comfort again? I don't know where to start or what I can do. I just don't want to keep feeling a painful feeling in my chest anymore. I wish I could turn a switch off in my head and it make me feel no more pain. I'm trying so many grounding techniques (walking, deep breaths, sitting in the pain, etc) but nothing helps. Any help?

Guest_13512758 Physical Illness and Mental Health
  • replies: 1

Does anyone else's mental health take a nosedive whenever they get physically ill? I'm asking as I'm currently stuck in bed with what I'm pretty sure is a bad flu, and it's caused my depression to really hit a low point. Obviously it's not the only f... View more

Does anyone else's mental health take a nosedive whenever they get physically ill? I'm asking as I'm currently stuck in bed with what I'm pretty sure is a bad flu, and it's caused my depression to really hit a low point. Obviously it's not the only factor- I'd been feeling emotionally down for a couple of weeks for a variety of reasons, however the last couple of days things have gotten much worse. Usually I'd try to fight it off by staying physically active and spending time around other people, however neither of those are really an option right now for obvious reasons. I also think that part of it is due to general hangups I have around my health. Obviously it's not my fault, these things happen. However I still find myself beating myself up over it, as if catching a common disease is somehow a moral judgement of my personhood. Does anyone else feel the same way, and have any advice to cope with it?

Mummac Worried Mum
  • replies: 2

I am very worried about our 24 yr old son. He lives with us as he just works 5mins down the road. We live in a rural area with basically no other men his age..town is 25mins away again with limited social opportunities. He has no friends just work ac... View more

I am very worried about our 24 yr old son. He lives with us as he just works 5mins down the road. We live in a rural area with basically no other men his age..town is 25mins away again with limited social opportunities. He has no friends just work acquaintances and his 3 siblings and all other family members are at least 3hrs away. Since covid lockdown he goes out only very occasionally..in last 10 months he has lost a lot of weight he is extremely skinny..he struggles to communicate and never smiles like he used to. He goes to the gym 3 times a week. I am not sure how to suggest to him that he might have depression and may need to talk with someone, and as he is basically otherwise healthy he has not been to a doctor in over 6 years and out here no doctors are taking on new patients.. just want to see him happy again but it is almost like he tries hard not to be. I am nearly certain he is not on any drugs and we are a Christian family...any suggestions would be helpful

Rye Confused on where to go
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I'm 20 years old and ever since I was a child I've struggled with a lack of motivation, and depressive thoughts. I'm not diagnosed with depression though I am diagnosed with generalised anxiety and PTSD. Plus I was told I shown symptoms of a ... View more

Hi all, I'm 20 years old and ever since I was a child I've struggled with a lack of motivation, and depressive thoughts. I'm not diagnosed with depression though I am diagnosed with generalised anxiety and PTSD. Plus I was told I shown symptoms of a personality disorder. I recently booked a doctors appointment in hopes that I'll be able to get a referral to a psychiatrist. I saw a psychologist in the past who helped me find ways to manage these feelings, though it feels like nothing I do helps me in the end. I know the methods in which to soothe myself but I can never apply them properly. And if I do, it only temporarily helps me. I'm at a war with my own brain, and I don't know how to stop it. I've never properly seen a psychiatrist, the only time being when I was admitted to hospital. I'd love a job to help get me out of the house, to earn some money and start building my future but my track record shows that i've left all of my jobs in the past for mental health reasons. I also need a job to even be able to afford seeing a psychiatrist which is another whole problem - I'd ask my mum for money, but we already are struggling for money at home.Everyone tells me they admire that I'm taking my time to heal but I DESPISE It. I don't feel like i'm healing and I want to do things that everyone else is doing I just cant. Something feels very lost inside of me.I know by even taking the step to make an appointment is admirable! But what happens when this sudden burst of care for myself and general motivation goes away again. It always has and then I fall back in to bad habits again. It's a really draining cycle of trying to get help, failing and falling back through the cracks.

Zachary_52 Making up for past mistakes
  • replies: 3

Guilt and/or a sense of not doing what I should have done has consumed my conscience for a few years now. I haven’t been present in life since that feeling showed up, it’s difficult to feel good and confident and engage in life when you feel responsi... View more

Guilt and/or a sense of not doing what I should have done has consumed my conscience for a few years now. I haven’t been present in life since that feeling showed up, it’s difficult to feel good and confident and engage in life when you feel responsible for bad things happening. I wish I had been more privy to what that guilt feeling was trying to tell me. I can put some blame on a lack of awareness but I still feel the guilt so I must’ve known I was doing something wrong, I did something against my code and I feel bad for it, I feel bad about the consequences. I wish I had acted on the guilt feeling instead of trying to sidestep it. I can’t change what has happened but maybe I can balance things out in another way. I guess that’s the only option I have.

Nightstand I just feel left behind...
  • replies: 2

I've been feeling like this for the better of 4-3 years now... growing up I really struggled in makeing a lot of long lasting friendships with my peers because of how different I was even then.. I tried to change into more like everyone so I can just... View more

I've been feeling like this for the better of 4-3 years now... growing up I really struggled in makeing a lot of long lasting friendships with my peers because of how different I was even then.. I tried to change into more like everyone so I can just feel accepted.... But now I'm just alone in everything I have to feel.

Earth Girl Everything about me keeps changing
  • replies: 4

I feel like everything about me changes day to day. My appearance changes so sometimes I like the way I look and other days I look bad and this can even change throughout the day and it's not even just me who thinks this because people from school al... View more

I feel like everything about me changes day to day. My appearance changes so sometimes I like the way I look and other days I look bad and this can even change throughout the day and it's not even just me who thinks this because people from school also say my appearance changes a lot and they critique the way I look and say things like "She looks a bit better than she did a few years ago, but not by much." I have something wrong with my voice, so my voice changes a lot (I think it's the tone that changes). I feel like a lot of the time, at home, I probably sound like Daria because I don't get along with my parents, but when I moved out by myself for a few months a couple of years ago, I was able to sound the way I wanted to sound most of the time without being too quiet. I feel best when my voice sounds gentle and "feminine"/girly rather than sounding weird. I also get compliments for my voice when it sounds the way I want it to sound whereas I feel like people think I sound strange when my voice sounds... strange? I don't know why my voice sounded better when I moved out from my parents' house temporarily, but maybe I felt better? Apparently even my personality changes? People from school say they think I have some type of DID. +Sometimes I have self-awareness and other times I don't. Also, sometimes I am straight, and other times I'm bisexual/biromantic/curious. Up until I was about 23 I think, I was predominantly straight. I sometimes thought about other women when I would "you know what", but I had no attraction to them in real life. I would walk past them without any attraction at all. I thought they were cool and all, but yeah, no attraction until one day, I felt bad about it (even though there's nothing wrong with it, it's just "you know what") so I tried to feel romantically attracted to women and then it got a bit weird because I started feeling romantically attracted to tons of people and I had to try to calm the farm a bit. For the most part now, I've gone back to feeling predominantly straight, but I still have moments where I feel romantically attracted to some other women (just a few this time though). I still don't want to have sex with them though even though I still "you know what", but I don't want to do that sort of thing in real life? Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to kiss another woman. I don't know if I would like it or it would just feel, okay? But yeah, everything changes about me a lot and it can be very stressful.

Jarred28 Depressed and confused
  • replies: 2

So I’ve been seeing this girl for a few weeks now that I'm really into and things are going well. The issues are that she has a 5 year old daughter and also does topless waitressing on the weekends. I’m really not sure what I should do cause she’s re... View more

So I’ve been seeing this girl for a few weeks now that I'm really into and things are going well. The issues are that she has a 5 year old daughter and also does topless waitressing on the weekends. I’m really not sure what I should do cause she’s really into me as well. Whenever she cancels plans or prioritises her other job it gets me into a really depressed mood. I’m really not sure what I should do because if it doesn’t work out I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it. I have lots of family stuff going on as well which doesn’t help.

Everfc2500 Intense Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi In so much distress. Specialist said I am in the midst of severe depression. I have never felt so low. This morning I couldn't get out of bed. Please tell me relief is coming soon. I am on double dose of medications now. I have lost interest in ev... View more

Hi In so much distress. Specialist said I am in the midst of severe depression. I have never felt so low. This morning I couldn't get out of bed. Please tell me relief is coming soon. I am on double dose of medications now. I have lost interest in everything. Eating is hard. Its so hard to maintain healthy routine right now. How does one cultivate hope when The low feelings are quite intense.

Louis20 Feeling dread in University
  • replies: 2

I decided to write here mainly to rant and to hopefully get advise on what to do I started university in 2023 to study social work unsure if it was really right for me as I was always terrible at writing assignments and academia was never much of a p... View more

I decided to write here mainly to rant and to hopefully get advise on what to do I started university in 2023 to study social work unsure if it was really right for me as I was always terrible at writing assignments and academia was never much of a passion, though I always wanted to help people so I thought this was a good pathway to follow, I also chose criminology as I have an interest in this field. now I’m 2 and a half years into my 5 year dual degree and I’m just starting classes again this week. Every new semester I feel dread. Like the passion is being sucked away from me through long assignments, long commutes, decent but not outstanding grades, and overall the high and mighty people I study alongside. Not to mention the soon to start placement which I am dreading due to imposter syndrome. Now that I am so far along my degrees I feel trapped behind a mountain of Hex debt in a field I’ve lost all my passion for, wishing I had just done a trade instead. The advice I always hear is have a good self-care regiment, but I exercise, have a social life, I work, my life is good apart from University. People tell me I should take a semester off but that will just leave me further behind and won’t remove the overall issue. I talk to my partner about my issues but it stresses me out even more when confronting them. Like it makes me realise the weight of this burden. Dropping out isn’t an option as I do want to finish, partly because I’m so deep in the hole of debt but because deep down I know this is what I want to do, but the structure of university is just so difficult and stressful. Even writing this now all I can think about is how long the assignments are, how painful placement will be. And how after uni I may not even use my degree in my field of work. I’m half way done and feeling unaccomplished with my life, as I feel life revolves around university even when it’s the first week of holidays. I feel like I’m missing out on life even though I know I’m not. I don’t know what the best course of action is even though I do for most other aspects of my life. Watching other people graduating in just a semester makes me feel even more trapped and I don’t want to watch people start their careers while I’m just starting unpaid placement. But I also think my issues are caused by the social construct of live to work and not work to live. I just want to be free from having to work until I’m too old to work anymore just to be too tired to live. I want to be young I want to explore the world I want to enjoy the company of my friends. I’m just sick of the pressure that uni has placed on me in what is supposed to be the prime of my life. To clarify how I feel. I genuinely enjoy working as it gives me a sense of purpose, I love my life and the people who surround me. But when I have to get in my computer and write 3000 words about a fake person I feel like I’m wasting the prime years of my life. Like I’m not helping anyone or anything. These assignments, these lecture and tutorials they feel empty, like I can just get all this information online, which is literally 95% of how I get the information I need for these assignments. I feel university is just a waste of thousands of dollar and years of my life, just to be told I know how to google sources for information I know through common sense. I’m sorry for such a long rant but I just can’t keep these feelings to myself anymore and typing them out it so much easier and more thorough for me to express than actually speaking without tearing up. So if anyone has advice as to how I can bring back some joy into my university life. I would really appreciate it. Thank you for reading