topic ❤ Introducing myself❤ in Welcome and orientation

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 06:30:28 GMT

Hi😊 my name is Julie and I am 41 and live on the Central Coast NSW.

I have suffered depression for some time now and what makes it even harder is having anxiety along with it....some days I'm fine and then one day I'll wake up and feel so sad and gloomy for no apparent reason 😔 I hate feeling this way because I have no answers for it as to why it happens unexpectedly. ...I also sufferfrom emotional abuse too which hurts so badly 😔

A lot of so called friends and family claim to say they're here for support but when you need them they're nowhere to be found 😢 so I pretty much have no one else to rely on to talk to when I'm feeling lost and sad...hence why I've turned to here to find people who are willing to be my friend and chat, and I will be more than happy to offer my support and friendship back😊

Thank you ❤

❤ Introducing myself❤

geoff — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:25:08 GMT

hello Julie, welcome and pleased that you've joined the site but very sorry for what's been happening with you.
Unfortunately what does happen is that people who we called friends just disappear, they don't know how to help you or know what to say, they may at first, but then get bogged down, that's why they leave.
Depression at times doesn't have any answers, it's what causes it, if that makes sense, so it would be great to hear back from you. Geoff.

❤ Introducing myself❤

blondguy — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 19:38:32 GMT

Hi Mardi

Great to talk with you again and thankyou for the help you provided on the other thread too 🙂

You have come to the right place and good on you for having the courage to post too! Just so you know who you are talking to (out of respect) I have had anxiety followed by depression for many years. The good news is anxiety does reduce in severity over time with counseling 🙂

Geoff has posted above and has a clear understanding where anxiety/depression is concerned

There are many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you Mardi

It would be great if you could stick around. There are no experts here....just people like us that can help others using are own experience as support for people that are doing it hard. If you feel that you can help others you are more than welcome to do so.....(only if and when you wish of course)

You are not alone here and thankyou for being a part of the forum family. Im Paul and its good to meet you Mardi

My kind thoughts

Paul

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_3712 — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 20:04:35 GMT

Hi Mardi

Wecome !

Im glad you've introduced yourself and thanks for sharing your story.

I would like to invite you to visit The Circle thread in Staying Well

Just a group of us hang out usually around a fire ( getting a bit warm for that )'and just hang out and support each other

Food drinks dancing stories workout equipment - it's all there to enjoy

pop in and say hi . Lots of characters there you will get to know . Maybe read first couple of posts and you will get the drift

All the best and hope to see you in the Circle

🌞🐟🦋🌙🌈⛱🚴🏋️🏄🏿🍷🍺

❤ Introducing myself❤

Cassa — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 21:43:38 GMT

Hi, everyone,

new to the site😘 I think I have been experiencing depression, PTSD most of my life. Due to sexual abuse, bullying at school and at work. Seeing my father and brother killed in a MVA. Very bad marriage breakup when I was pregnant with my last child and experiencing postnatal depression. I am on medication and have professional support. I have also been able to study and gain a degree in social work and have worked in aged care for 25 years. Now when I feel I am being treated badly I go into defence and self protection mode😳 Then a relapse into depression and I have to work hard to get back to my coping self. I find this process so tiring and feel down that this relapse has occurred again😩.

❤ Introducing myself❤

Cassa — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 21:56:10 GMT

Hi Mardi I have just joined the forum, as I feel the same. I do have loved ones around me but when I have a relapse they say they are there for you, but when you want some support they seem to back off. Lucky I have a loving husband but at times i feel for him because just wants to help but feels so helpless. So I am hoping that this forum will give me safe place to talk and to provide support too. As I am a survivor and been through heaps and always get back to a happy place. ❤️ Cassa

❤ Introducing myself❤

Cassa — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:01:24 GMT

Hi Geoff thank you for very insightful thoughts, I hope we have many chats along the way👏🏻

❤ Introducing myself❤

geoff — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:06:55 GMT

hi Cassa, I'm also very sorry for what has been going on for you, that's why your thread should be put on the forum by itself, otherwise it will get lost and people won't be able to see it.
You can do this by clicking 'All Posts' where you will see 'Start a New Thread.'
I hope this helps you. Geoff.

❤ Introducing myself❤

Doolhof — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:13:01 GMT

Hi Mardi,

Welcome to the community here. Once you feel more comfortable with this forum, you might like to have a look around and post on other threads when you are ready. Like Stressless mentioned, there are some very friendly threads where you can drop by for a "chat" with friends in a virtual setting.

Mardi and Cassa, in the information section on this site, there is a heading "SUPPORTING SOMEONE" . If you have a read through this, you will find ways and options for people to understand how best they can support you and also how you can look after yourself.

At a recent psychologist appointment "Jim" as I call him, explained that some people just have no idea how to support people suffering from mental health issues. I know there have been times when I have not known what to say to people who are suffering from what ever ailment they have.

It is tough when you wake up feeling really depressed and all you have done is wake up! That is something I am still trying to figure out! Thankfully I have learnt different ways to hopefully get myself out of that rut of feeling and thinking depression is all I will get for the day.

Have a read of some of the info here and see if it is beneficial to you both.

Hopefully you will both find the time you spend on this forum helpful, comforting and you will find a sense of acceptance.

Cheers, from Dools

❤ Introducing myself❤

White_Rose — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:39:48 GMT

Hello Julie

Welcome to the forum. The good thing about this place is you don't need to explain yourself. We have all had one or other mental health problem and while everyone is different there are enough similarities to understand. So feel free to vent as much as you like.

Now if we knew the cause of depression and how to treat it it what a breakthrough that would be. Mind you, a lot of people would be out of a job. In my opinion depression always causes some anxiety but I think you mean anxiety as a separate illness. It's very hard. Do you have treatment from a professional person? I hope so and that you believe you are getting well and feel comfortable with this.

As you say, family and friends seem to push us away and it is usually because they don't understand this horrible illness. It often seems they think of it as the 'flu or some other illness which will go away in a while. There is absolutely no understand of the pain and distress it causes because they have not experienced it. I suggest you browse the site for information. Look under The Facts drop down list at the top of the page and explore from there.

It may also help with a better understanding. Most of the material you can download yourself but you need to order the booklets. These are sent to you free of charge. There are several publications for family and friends which you can leave strategically lying around.

Where is your emotional abuse coming from? Is it one person or more and can you get away from this abuse? If you are receiving counselling are you talking about this also?

If you would like to join in other conversations please feel free. It's always good to support each other.

Mary

❤ Introducing myself❤

Cassa — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:56:03 GMT

Hi, everyone,
new to the site😘 I think I have been experiencing depression, PTSD most of my life. Due to sexual abuse, bullying at school and at work. Seeing my father and brother killed in a MVA. Very bad marriage breakup when I was pregnant with my last child and experiencing postnatal depression. I am on medication and have professional support. I have also been able to study and gain a degree in social work and have worked in aged care for 25 years. Now when I feel I am being treated badly I go into defence and self protection mode😳 Then a relapse into depression and I have to work hard to get back to my coping self. I find this process so tiring and feel down that this relapse has occurred again😩.Cassa

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:11:43 GMT

Hi😊 I'll definitely visit the Circle😊 thank you for the invite

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:12:58 GMT

Hi Geoff😊 thank you so much for the kind words and support 😊 means a lot to me.

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:17:34 GMT

Hi Paul😊😊😊😊

Thank you so much for.your very kind words. ...you have made me feel welcome and needed and wanted which is something I haven't felt in a while 😢

I'm Julie 😊😊 (Mardi is just my profile name😄) and I'm 41. I try my best to smile every day but some days are harder than others...I look in the mirror and some days hate what I see and it gets me down....

Thank you so much again for putting a smile on my face😊

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:18:45 GMT

Thank you 😊😊😊😊

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_3712 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:50:53 GMT

Hi Cassa, with a big wave to Mardi

Love your avatar BTW - awesome !

Glad you guys are here on the forums- you both mentioned something about family / friends backing off when you need them most. This has been my experience also but over time I have come to realize this mostly due to ignorance of MI and they just feel inadequate to help.

This is where the forums are a great support because we do get it. We've all been there and we just want to support you in whatever way you need.

Hope you feel comfortable to share when you are ready if not just hang about at the Circle or BB café and just relax

Cheers

Stressless

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 11:30:06 GMT

Hi😊

Thank you for sharing your story. ..that can be hard to do❤❤❤❤

It means a lot to me that you have taken the time to post on my post.....I'm here for you if you need to chat/support😊

❤ Introducing myself❤

Guest_341 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 11:31:21 GMT

Thank you 😊😊😊😊