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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

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EmiJ How to stop being a walking embarrassment to myself
  • replies: 1

I am a 33 year-old female who has rarely ever managed to hold down a job since I was 25. I even went back to study and did really well at my studies but when it came to putting it into practice in a position I have never managed to be the same as I w... View more

I am a 33 year-old female who has rarely ever managed to hold down a job since I was 25. I even went back to study and did really well at my studies but when it came to putting it into practice in a position I have never managed to be the same as I was as a student.yes I had a less desirable childhood to the point where sometimes I wasn’t even bathed properly and it was obvious in school etc. I could go on but it would take too long just one minor example however both of my siblings have turned out quite well and hold down full-time position.it’s always either my health my anxiety or sometimes I just can’t even be bothered putting in the effort any more. That’s how many positions I have gone through in the last eight years.when I do try, I can never keep up or be the personality they need etc.I live in share accommodation that causes my OCD great stress there is nothing I can do about this.I have achieved nothing in the last eight years except gain weight

alisa_ how to get help for unknown childhood trauma?
  • replies: 1

i've had the feeling that i was sexually abused as a child for about 4 years now. I have a couple of visions/fragmented memories that i feel like may be from the moment that something happened to me but i don't know if they are or not or if anything ... View more

i've had the feeling that i was sexually abused as a child for about 4 years now. I have a couple of visions/fragmented memories that i feel like may be from the moment that something happened to me but i don't know if they are or not or if anything even happened to me at all. over the years i've done research and a lot of my symptoms seem to correlate with victims of childhood sexual abuse. for reference, i've been diagnosed with depression (and anorexia in the past, i still struggle with my eating disorder, but less so and i'm at a healthier weight now), i have some issues with substance abuse, and i've been suspected of having ocd by my past psychologist that i stopped seeing. i've also attempted many times. these thoughts have been destroying my mind for years now and i'm starting to get desperate to know the truth. i just need closure.

Guest_62481691 Suicidal Thoughts
  • replies: 2

I've been experiencing severe suicidal thoughts ever since a few months ago. My life the past 6 months has been nothing but bed rotting and playing some video games, i dont go to school anymore, I quit my job 2 months ago. My life has been downhill e... View more

I've been experiencing severe suicidal thoughts ever since a few months ago. My life the past 6 months has been nothing but bed rotting and playing some video games, i dont go to school anymore, I quit my job 2 months ago. My life has been downhill ever since the start of 2025, my online "friends" make alot of fat jokes towards me no matter what I say (I'm not that fat. Ive been losing alot of weight but it's been harder with everybody criticising my every move) I told them about my SA and they took it and started joking about it because I'm a male being sa'd by a woman, this happened when I was around 10. Life has sucked ever since I was 5 if anything, my childhood was "not like others" - school counsellor. My parents broke up when I was young and I was very in-between during it, bouncing around house to house. Always getting yelled at/hit. I flinch every time my dad tries to joke around with me. You know how much that hurts?. Sorry if im talking or writing too much. I really needed to say something to someone, even if it's a post in a group.

windywillow Feeling blue and sad
  • replies: 1

Hey,I just needed to get off my chest how sad and blue i've been feeling. I've been dealing with depression for a long time and social anxiety. Life has been feeling very aimless and purposeless chronically. Financial stress is waning, working doesn'... View more

Hey,I just needed to get off my chest how sad and blue i've been feeling. I've been dealing with depression for a long time and social anxiety. Life has been feeling very aimless and purposeless chronically. Financial stress is waning, working doesn't feel particularly inspiring, I feel like a failure when it comes to romantic relationships, I have no family.. I guess i'm feeling very isolated and lonely. I didn't do so well on an assessment I was working on.. but that's okay I guess. Grateful for a lot of other things going on but that emptiness sucks sometimes Here for some words of support... Things feel so lacklustre

TitanFlys Frustrated
  • replies: 4

I'm feeling very frustrated with my depression and anxiety at the moment. I've done so much therapy and really sick of it and don't want to do it anymore because I would rather put that time into working on myself to heal from previous hurt/trauma et... View more

I'm feeling very frustrated with my depression and anxiety at the moment. I've done so much therapy and really sick of it and don't want to do it anymore because I would rather put that time into working on myself to heal from previous hurt/trauma etc. I'm on an antidepressant which I don't think is doing much. I seem to be just stuck in the same swinging pattern of burning out, falling in a heap, getting back up and repeating again however this time I'm stuck in the low longer than usual. I'm supposed to be working on building my support network and friendships, but I feel like I really have no clue how to make friends. I have lost a lot of self-confidence and feel socially awkward however I can put myself out there in a professional capacity but not personally. I find this really strange. Not really sure where to go from here.

Jane Failed again
  • replies: 5

I am over my life It’s one failure after another I think I try hard but I never succeed why are people like me born it’s just pain and disappointment i work hard but get nowhere other people in my situation would have achieved something I’ve done not... View more

I am over my life It’s one failure after another I think I try hard but I never succeed why are people like me born it’s just pain and disappointment i work hard but get nowhere other people in my situation would have achieved something I’ve done nothing if I didn’t have to care for a relative I would be happy dead

Reya Trying to will myself to seek help but feeling like I'm just being dramatic
  • replies: 1

Since I was about 12 years old I have felt like I have undiagnosed Depression and Anxiety, and of recent years I suspect ADD to some degree as I have started to learn more about the disorder. But try as I might I have never been able to bring myself ... View more

Since I was about 12 years old I have felt like I have undiagnosed Depression and Anxiety, and of recent years I suspect ADD to some degree as I have started to learn more about the disorder. But try as I might I have never been able to bring myself to seek a diagnosis as I have always been a very introspective and hyper-critical person who can identify the root and cause of most of my issues, so I have white-knuckled it for years. I feel like I know exactly what got me to this state when it flares up the worst, as it is almost always a result of poor choices on my behalf, or just plain bad luck. I was severely bullied all through Primary and High School, to a horrendous extent both in person and Online in High School in particular. Part of it came at a result of my own poor choices, but regarding events that took place Outside of school and did not involve any students there. The things I went through sound like a Teen movie when I recall them to friends. As I grew older, I would fall into despair as relationships ended, my creative endeavours failed, and now I have come to a point where I have given up on all my dreams as nothing ever works out. I am a very creative person but I feel like in this modern age of AI and over-saturation of online content, I have no chance in h*ll of making it doing anything I love. And so I've packed it all in and reluctantly tried to come to grips with reality that I may have to work a mundane, dull 9-5 and have to learn to be okay with it. I never had any interests outside of creative hobbies and so I have nothing to fall back on. And I live in a constant state of anger, resentment towards creators online or artists - fully aware it's my own jealousy, and hatred for captilism. I have never believed humans were meant to just be stuck in jobs they hate and then retire and die. IT deeply upsets me. So all this to say, it's hard for me to bring myself to seek a diagnosis, as I feel like I am just reluctant to grow up and get with the program so to speak. That if I got the h*ck over my "immature mindset" I wouldn't break down and cry every time I'm faced with responsibilities and the pressures of adult life. Maybe I am the problem, and maybe I'm Not mentally ill, but have just convinced myself I am all these years...

mchops Depressed from being unemployed. Feeling stuck.
  • replies: 3

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search and honestly pretty low about where I’m at. I was fired just over a month ago for being a “cultural misfit.” Since then, I’ve been applying nonstop and getting interviews for marketing roles (I’ve got 3... View more

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search and honestly pretty low about where I’m at. I was fired just over a month ago for being a “cultural misfit.” Since then, I’ve been applying nonstop and getting interviews for marketing roles (I’ve got 3.5 years’ experience), but after my last job where I did the work of two or three people I’m completely burnt out and don’t want to go back to that industry. I’ve got over two years of admin experience too, but not much luck there either. It’s frustrating that most roles, whether marketing or admin, pay around $70k but expect so much. Some interviews go nowhere, and others I’ve turned down due to toxic culture. I feel like I’ve done everything right. I got my degree, worked hard and still ended up with burnout, instability, and it’s challenging my mental health. I don’t even like waking up early anymore because I don’t want to face reality. I stay up late because it doesn’t really matter to me what happens tomorrow. I’m tired all the time and can’t seem to break out of this cycle. I don’t have huge expenses and JobSeeker covers my rent, but I just want something stable - something where I don’t feel exploited. I want to give up and isolate myself. I’m also so tired of people asking how the job search is going. I’m not really sure what to do anymore. Any advice would mean a lot. and thank you if you’ve read this far.

Guest_43234280 Health Issue
  • replies: 2

Hello, I’m 25 and have sciatic pain in my right leg. It limits my ability to do long walks, drive, do stairs and engage in my relationships. I feel so depleted and ashamed of it most of the time. I get upset that I’m only 25 and living with this. It’... View more

Hello, I’m 25 and have sciatic pain in my right leg. It limits my ability to do long walks, drive, do stairs and engage in my relationships. I feel so depleted and ashamed of it most of the time. I get upset that I’m only 25 and living with this. It’s been since January this year and got progressively worse. I was okay at first but the amount of anxiety, fear and crying has increased a lot. I wonder if anyone has also experienced something like this. I feel very alone and feel I need to hide my condition best I can. But the pain is really unbearable some days. I love doing nice things for people to but feel I need to ask people for help instead. I feel pretty worthless

Guest_14569722 Ms
  • replies: 1

I don’t know what I’m going through to be honest, all I know is I feel left behind or left out. Seems like my life is not moving forward it stays . I’m getting tired of this . I don’t know what to do . I mean I know what to do but it’s not working .

I don’t know what I’m going through to be honest, all I know is I feel left behind or left out. Seems like my life is not moving forward it stays . I’m getting tired of this . I don’t know what to do . I mean I know what to do but it’s not working .