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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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alcott What are 4 major causes of depression?
  • replies: 4

Depression is not a condition that has one specific cause. It can happen for many different reasons and have many triggers. Usually, depression doesn't work quickly or suddenly. The four major causes of depression are: Family history. ... Illness and... View more

Depression is not a condition that has one specific cause. It can happen for many different reasons and have many triggers. Usually, depression doesn't work quickly or suddenly. The four major causes of depression are: Family history. ... Illness and health issues. ... Medication, drugs, and alcohol. ... Personality.

Lil_fitz Nervousness 24/7
  • replies: 4

I have been struggling with anxiety since my father passed and even moreso recently as PND after my son was born. I have anxiety feelings like I’m extremely nervous 24/7. My highs are really high and my lows are low. I just want to find a happy mediu... View more

I have been struggling with anxiety since my father passed and even moreso recently as PND after my son was born. I have anxiety feelings like I’m extremely nervous 24/7. My highs are really high and my lows are low. I just want to find a happy medium I am so over feeling like this ALL of the time I have been seeing a therapist every 3-4 weeks and he is reluctant to give me anything to try that may even out my moods. I have made an appt with my GP for next week. I guess my question is does anyone else constantly feel like this and what meds have helped? And do they take a while to work or does it kinda just happen? Thank you

contrarymary I thought I was getting better with my anxiety then it's, wham it's back
  • replies: 10

I have been postng since 2016 about my stress and anxiety. I think every pain is serious eg a headache is a brain tumour I have been feeling well Since May when i was so stressed and anxious I ended up in emergency had every test but nothing found. T... View more

I have been postng since 2016 about my stress and anxiety. I think every pain is serious eg a headache is a brain tumour I have been feeling well Since May when i was so stressed and anxious I ended up in emergency had every test but nothing found. Tonight I have been pacing the floor, trying to read or watch something I do not off but only for minutes. I have been like this for hours I have tried mindfulness and meditation but cannot get the hang of it II only sleep a few hours a night and if I wake up at say 1am it will take me hours to get back to sleep. I just can't relax

Madelyn_ Looking for a specialised psych
  • replies: 2

Hi BB community, First time poster here! I'm wondering if anyone knows of psych (preferably in Melbourne but also open to virtual sessions) who specialises in panic disorders/ palpitations/ being hyper aware of your heart beat? Appreciate any suggest... View more

Hi BB community, First time poster here! I'm wondering if anyone knows of psych (preferably in Melbourne but also open to virtual sessions) who specialises in panic disorders/ palpitations/ being hyper aware of your heart beat? Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

PsychedelicFur For those who suffer with BDD
  • replies: 16

Hello there, Hope you are all doing ok. I want to start a thread for those who suffer from Body Dysmorphia, otherwise known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I’m struggling. It’s utterly debilitating. For those who suffer from BDD then you will understand... View more

Hello there, Hope you are all doing ok. I want to start a thread for those who suffer from Body Dysmorphia, otherwise known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I’m struggling. It’s utterly debilitating. For those who suffer from BDD then you will understand when I say sometimes you just don’t feel ‘right’. Like when you are out at someone’s house or at the shops.. you need to just hurry home because you feel uncomfortable. I have a sense of agoraphobia. I feel very uncomfortable when I have to leave the house. I don’t go to the shops much anymore because I am worried people will pass me and think “WOW! She is the most ugliest woman I have ever seen in my entire existence.” Does anyone else deal with this? I walked to the Post Office last week and I felt massively uncomfortable as cars drove passed me. I felt like everyone was judging me and looking at me and thinking I’m just atrocious looking. I’m scared of leaving the house for public transportation and going to university. I feel disgusting all of the time.

Gem17 Atypical anorexia
  • replies: 4

I've had challenges with food and eating for most of my life. The past 5 years have seen that intensify into what has now been diagnosed as an eating disorder - atypical anorexia, something I had never even heard of before. I think I have been in den... View more

I've had challenges with food and eating for most of my life. The past 5 years have seen that intensify into what has now been diagnosed as an eating disorder - atypical anorexia, something I had never even heard of before. I think I have been in denial for a long time about how bad things had become due to my BMI. It doesn't make me sick enough to deserve help because it's still too high. I'm at the point now where there are glimpses of my rational self, the one who knows I am slowly killing myself by reducing my calories, abusing laxatives and over exercising. But the louder part of, the far less rational part, knows that I need to continue doing these things because I haven't yet reached my goals. I am torn between continuing to try and get help and giving in and just continuing the way I'm going. The anxiety caused by talking about this with my gp, being weighed, monitoring my bloods etc seems to be making things worse, making me need to control my intake further. Am I ready for help? Can I do the things I need to do to get better? Am I even unwell? I just don't know...

Budgiebird Anxiety and Pet regret
  • replies: 6

Hi, I recently adopted a seven year old cat hoping it would help ease my severe anxiety. I have a wonderful nine year old dog that I love dearly but I also love cats and had a cat many years ago who was such a joy to me and really helped calm my frag... View more

Hi, I recently adopted a seven year old cat hoping it would help ease my severe anxiety. I have a wonderful nine year old dog that I love dearly but I also love cats and had a cat many years ago who was such a joy to me and really helped calm my fragile nerves so thought it would be a good idea to give a shelter cat a home. I’m starting to wonder though if I’ve done the right thing. It’s only been a few weeks I guess but this cat is nothing like my previous one who was a real lap cat. This one is friendly but very independent and I don’t feel that love for her I had hoped for and my anxiety is worse than before with the responsibility of caring for her and hoping she will get along with the dog and trying to find that bond I desperately want. The rescue shelter were great at the time I adopted her and said it’s ok if it doesn’t work out as they can rehome her but I would feel terrible if I sent her back to the shelter. Maybe I just need to give it more time ??

Not_Batman OCD focus help
  • replies: 6

Hi all. Im trying to rein in my OCD, which seems to be getting a little out of control. Just want to find out if anyone has any strategies or advice on dealing with it. to start i have the O part, not the C part. Often My thoughts go fast, which i fi... View more

Hi all. Im trying to rein in my OCD, which seems to be getting a little out of control. Just want to find out if anyone has any strategies or advice on dealing with it. to start i have the O part, not the C part. Often My thoughts go fast, which i find good for coming up with ideas and solutions to things but, its very tiring, and that voice in my head also speaks louder and with more of a dark side. So i have that to contend with too. When it comes to activities, once i get onto something, i become obsessed until i have an outcome that im happy with, though sometimes its hard to move on until the outcome is near perfect. Sometimes it makes me get super excited kind of to a manic point, that's not so much the problem. the problem is, i dont have OCD when it comes to the important things such as work tasks or daily personal life tasks. If only i had the same enthusiasm. I know that if i had more of the energy then my workload would become less of a burden. how can i channel the energy into the important things. Not_Batman

demonblaster Working Through Addictions
  • replies: 28

Hi everyone ☺ Welcome aboard...hold on Being creatures of habit makes addictions mighty to break as many would know. Good news is we do have it in us to beat the brutes. There are so many different types which usually have a major negative impact on ... View more

Hi everyone ☺ Welcome aboard...hold on Being creatures of habit makes addictions mighty to break as many would know. Good news is we do have it in us to beat the brutes. There are so many different types which usually have a major negative impact on our lives affecting and hurting those around us creating more anxiety and depression. I've so far managed to break some including smoking. I've given up full time still have the odd one or packet but won't ever take it up full time again! Compulsive gambling. 21 yr habit. After 10 + yrs of abstinence had occasional devastating relapses which have been in mania. This will NEVER be an ongoing problem again! The compulsions not any longer there thank goods. So far.. • To break a habit we need to create a new one. Preferably not another addiction A new habit forms with persistence. By not indulging. Nothing easy tho either is the addictions consequences...but doable. Baby steps is one way Cold turkey's effective for many but puts tremendous extra stress on. Most people I've spoken with have been successful. I think addictions are a way of blocking pain by finding a safe place. Survival. Gambling gave me a bubble of security. I'd zone out.The excitement was phenomenal but devastating consequences. Financial insecurity's no ones pleasure. We adapt...too well. I built a near unbreakable wall where pain depression guilt sorrow didn't enter my thoughts for the most. An average person would have suffered deep depression and been suicidal. Not a good life. If only we could use that srength with Mental health (MH). Thing is survival our strongest tool...it's in us. Learning to redirect it towards recovery. Our reasons to give up build our strength. Belief too that in most cases it'll improve our lives. Reinforce reasons constantly. I'm going to write my reasons down and have them in sight and on my bedside table to read repeatedly. As well be thinking why I want to give up A lifetime habit I'm embarking on.Weight loss. I know I CAN and WILL. I want to feel good again about myself. A thought is I'll do this like I did with smoking. The craves go each time and there's many. They reduce in time. Already worked. Resisted about um... let's see...50 craves yesterday. Feeling better already! Good luck everyone. Support. We got this. The powers in us!

GTH Dealing with Daughter's Anxiety - won't take prescribed Medication
  • replies: 3

My 24 daughter has always suffered from a high level of anxiety and appears really effecting her ability to deal with many things in her life at present. Obviously with Covid already adding another dimension to everyone's lives, it is becoming a chal... View more

My 24 daughter has always suffered from a high level of anxiety and appears really effecting her ability to deal with many things in her life at present. Obviously with Covid already adding another dimension to everyone's lives, it is becoming a challenge for her to deal with trying to get a job after she has completed her Uni Studies at the end of 2020. She is also very conscious of germs or the threat of germs around her and is very concerned about being physically ill a lot of the time or worried about getting sick. She has been prescribed with some anxiety medication as a trial to see what effect it may have but basically refuses to even try because "she doesn't want the stigma of being medicated" for some reason - again i don't know why but this what she has said. My wife and i have encouraged her to try the medication but again she point blank refuses. Her struggles to find employment after many rejected applications is getting her down (totally understandable) but again with her anxiety in facing interview panels and to keep on applying in the face of reject is putting a real strain on our relationship with her. There has been many shouting matches over the last year between her and myself/wife and we always want the best for her but at times she just appears to not want to try to do things. Really getting quite concerned about how her anxiety is effecting all our lives in the house hold and wanted to see what advice to encourage her to at least try the prescribed medication - even when she has discussions with doctors, it has been difficult for her to express her true feelings and again, she is very self conscious about this year. She is normally a bright bubbly person around her friends and her sister/boyfriend but really struggles when she needs to talk to people she doesn't know in her attempts to land a job. I know it appears that i am being very judge mental and lack the understanding of what she is going through but i don't know what else to do at the moment and obviously want the best for her. Any advice would be most welcome.....