Long-term support over the journey

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BeyondBlue Welcome, read this if it's your first time here !
  • replies: 0

Hey there! This section is where you can find many of the longer conversations that are happening on the Forums. It is a special place for people who have been sharing and supporting each other for years. We know that our mental health can be a journ... View more

Hey there! This section is where you can find many of the longer conversations that are happening on the Forums. It is a special place for people who have been sharing and supporting each other for years. We know that our mental health can be a journey with ups and downs. Take a look through these longer conversations and you can see how supportive, validating and kind this community can be. It can be tricky to join an ongoing conversation but please feel free to contribute. You are the expert in what has worked for you and what you are living with. We want to hear about it, and these wonderful discussions are only ever richer for what you can add. There are a few tips for this section of the Forums that might be helpful Have a good read. These are long and in-depth conversations so before you step in, have a read of a few posts to get a sense of the space. It is not a great spot for New Topics. Replies are very welcome, but if you want to start something fresh try another section of the Forums. Thanks for your understanding, we want to hear what you think of these conversations and look forward to your contributions. Thanks Beyond Blue

All discussions

a_p_s Life
  • replies: 2

Hi. I’ve been feeling emotionally numb for about a week. I’ve lost interest in everything and I don’t feel like myself. I’m overwhelmed by stress from my relationship, work, money, and feeling stuck in life. I’ve had thoughts that life isn’t worth li... View more

Hi. I’ve been feeling emotionally numb for about a week. I’ve lost interest in everything and I don’t feel like myself. I’m overwhelmed by stress from my relationship, work, money, and feeling stuck in life. I’ve had thoughts that life isn’t worth living, but I don’t have a plan or intention to harm myself. I’m overthinking everything and don’t really want to talk to people I know, but I don’t want to keep carrying this alone.

CMF Feeling lost and overwhelmed...what happened?
  • replies: 5548

Wow, this was meant to be 'my' year. A new year, a fresh start, a year to focus on what i want to do and where i am headed but i have hit a brick wall and can't break through. Single mum 3 kids. My little one has more kinder sessions so i have 3 days... View more

Wow, this was meant to be 'my' year. A new year, a fresh start, a year to focus on what i want to do and where i am headed but i have hit a brick wall and can't break through. Single mum 3 kids. My little one has more kinder sessions so i have 3 days with about 4 hours free. With kids at school/kinder, this was my plan and how i wanted to spend my time i was excited/positive up until last weeks: Do a few odd jobs around the house, fix a few things, big clean up; Join a gym, do yoga for relaxation, walk every day - take care of me Do an online course or some short courses so i can think of going back to work next year when she starts school. I could do something i really enjoy, a new career. Maybe do some casual work or start a little business from a hobby How i feel now: Don't know where to start,anxious, guilty for not doing anything with my free time yet How will i juggle 2 teenagers and a preppie and work all on my own next year? If i work next year who will look after the little one on school holidays? I don't want to use school holiday programs when she is in grade prep. The thought makes me sick. Maybe i should sell the house, just get rid of the mortgage and rent and be free ( i have this thought every month around pmt time) but where would i go and would i be renting forever? I feel overwhelmed with mortgage and bills, just like everyone i guess. Am i running away from responsibility, am i lazy? I feel i have to be doing something all the time, feel guilty if i take time out (i was fine first week of kinder, this started second week I feel guilty not working, Scared I'll get in trouble for not doing anything yet and for having free time. The course i wanted is too expensive but i can look at other options. I feel like a lazy mum, bad example to set for my children. I'm anxious and depressed. i look at others with their families and how they are happy and going out and going away because they can afford to. Am i crazy for being like this? Am i a lazy person? I had it all planned out, what happened, why have i now fallen like this? I saw a positive future, upgrade my skills, get out there and be something now i cant see it anymore. I've lost my direction. People have said to give myself time to adjust to having some free time and to take a break and then rethink what i want to do but i'm panicking, like i'm wasting my time and i cant get going. I don't deserve anything i have. Thanks for reading cmf x

Cuz Compulsive liar, coming clean
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Hello,I just confessed a long history of compulsive lying to my partner and family. I feel like I have been building to this day for so many years and it feels somewhat airy to have finally done it. The lies range from trivial to seriouse, for exampl... View more

Hello,I just confessed a long history of compulsive lying to my partner and family. I feel like I have been building to this day for so many years and it feels somewhat airy to have finally done it. The lies range from trivial to seriouse, for example I will lie about what I had for lunch that day for no good reason to exaggerating injuries to gain sympathy/ support. The pain I have caused my partner is immense and taking responsibility on that has been daunting. I think this is the strat of a very long journey for both of us. I am determined to change and become a better person. I am also committed to supporting my Partner in any decision they make from here. The acceptance that they may choose to leave is scary but I understand now how by lying I took that choice away from them. Reading these forums has been so useful in starting to understand the scale of the problem I have. So I thought I would share to hopfuly give one more example to someone who needs it that things can change. I know I am along way from even begin to heal the damage I have caused but I feel hope for the first time in a while. Thanks!

Irishlass Crying and upset
  • replies: 2

My 31-year-old son, who has a partner and a 3-month-old son, is on bond but is going to court and believes he will go to jail. Pleading not guilty, he says he is on a suspended sentence, so he will go to jail. I feel sick and cry when I see him. He h... View more

My 31-year-old son, who has a partner and a 3-month-old son, is on bond but is going to court and believes he will go to jail. Pleading not guilty, he says he is on a suspended sentence, so he will go to jail. I feel sick and cry when I see him. He has to report twice a week, and it breaks my heart. He is pushing away the mother of his child because he believes she deserves better. And he is taking no drugs now but has this hanging over him .

Guest_10343 Managing chronic anxiety in the final stretch of pregnancy.
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I’ve been a quiet reader here on the forums for a while, but as I’m getting close to my due date, I’ve found myself back in the weeds with my anxiety and really wanted to reach out to this supportive community. I've lived with generalize... View more

Hi everyone, I’ve been a quiet reader here on the forums for a while, but as I’m getting close to my due date, I’ve found myself back in the weeds with my anxiety and really wanted to reach out to this supportive community. I've lived with generalized anxiety for most of my adult life, but being in the final stretch of pregnancy has brought up a whole new level of panic and physical exhaustion. The pressure to have everything 'perfect' for when the baby arrives, combined with the lack of sleep, has really been triggering some of my old panic loops. I find myself lying awake worrying about labor, worrying about being a good mum, and just feeling completely overwhelmed by basic daily tasks. I'm trying hard to practice self-care and actively find ways to reduce my daily triggers. One small win I had last week was learning to stop forcing myself through situations that I know will cause a panic spike. I needed to get a medical certificate for some rest days off work, and normally, the thought of driving to a busy medical centre, sitting in a crowded, noisy waiting room, and dealing with the sensory overload would have pushed my anxiety over the edge. Instead of forcing myself to go, I decided to try telehealth to keep things low-stress. I used an online service like Hola Health to get the certificate sorted from my couch. Honestly, just being able to bypass that waiting room trigger and stay in my safe space made such a massive difference to my mental health that day. It taught me that it’s okay to take the 'easier' path sometimes if it protects your peace. I’d love to hear from other mums or parents who have navigated chronic anxiety or depression during late pregnancy. How did you manage to quiet the mind during the final wait?Sending love to everyone else who is currently struggling.

james-i Planning on driving a car with ASD part 2
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Hello,James here (21 years of age)My support person and I are still trying to find an OT and trained professonal to start driving only on private roads at a driving school or some other places Because I still don't have my learner's permit yet Is the... View more

Hello,James here (21 years of age)My support person and I are still trying to find an OT and trained professonal to start driving only on private roads at a driving school or some other places Because I still don't have my learner's permit yet Is there any support for this? Kind regards,James

Miilicent Pmdd Journey
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I guess you could call Pmdd a journey. I'm 54 and have been recently diagnosed with Pmdd and have started Hrt. I have lived with depression/anxiety most of my life and had recently started psychological help with working through that. I've never real... View more

I guess you could call Pmdd a journey. I'm 54 and have been recently diagnosed with Pmdd and have started Hrt. I have lived with depression/anxiety most of my life and had recently started psychological help with working through that. I've never really experienced PMS symptoms, then this hit, oh boy I didn't know what was going on. I live with my husband and 26 year old son who has his own mental health issues. I have a 20 year old daughter who lives away from home but is going overseas for 3 months to work. I'm going to miss her so much as I see her as my shining light. I'm feeling it hard at the moment as I don't have friends to talk to and you have to support yourself between psychology visits, which is hard as sometimes you just don't want to think. Are there any good online support services for pmdd. Or is anyone else going through a similar situation. Thanks for reading.

FaithHopeLove study
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iv just applied 4 study with cert iv peer wrk if i get in feel theres mre of a sense of direction 4 me as i finished 5yrs study 2 yrs ago yet still havnt landed paid employment as a peer iv been volunteering with care line 4+ yrs if i get in2 the cer... View more

iv just applied 4 study with cert iv peer wrk if i get in feel theres mre of a sense of direction 4 me as i finished 5yrs study 2 yrs ago yet still havnt landed paid employment as a peer iv been volunteering with care line 4+ yrs if i get in2 the cert mite b able 2 get credits frm previous study i Pray it wrks out as iv been feeling directionless at times & hav been doin xtra voluntary wrk

FaithHopeLove its my birthday
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its my bday 2day my mum just visited which was nice its sad though also a friend decided 2 take his life this time six years ago i thankfully have healed since then its still sad & still miss him i think as they say time heals wounds he was my inspir... View more

its my bday 2day my mum just visited which was nice its sad though also a friend decided 2 take his life this time six years ago i thankfully have healed since then its still sad & still miss him i think as they say time heals wounds he was my inspiration 4 being vegan he spent much time trying 2 convince me 2b vegan & then i became vegan its difficult at times bt ive stayed vegan seven yrs

Guest_10343 The exhausting guilt of needing a "mental health day" (Burnout relapse)
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone,I’ve been reading the posts in this section for a while, and it brings me a lot of comfort to know I'm not the only one on this rollercoaster. I’ve been managing chronic anxiety and depression for a few years now. For the last six months,... View more

Hi everyone,I’ve been reading the posts in this section for a while, and it brings me a lot of comfort to know I'm not the only one on this rollercoaster. I’ve been managing chronic anxiety and depression for a few years now. For the last six months, I genuinely thought I was doing well. I had a routine, I was managing my triggers, and I felt like I was finally moving forward.But this week, I just hit an absolute brick wall.Yesterday morning I woke up completely paralyzed by anxiety and that heavy, dark fog of depression. The mere thought of getting dressed and going to work made me want to sob. I knew I needed to take a mental health day, but honestly, the "admin" of being sick is sometimes the hardest part. I couldn't even face the thought of getting out of bed to sit in my local GP’s waiting room just to prove I was unwell. I ended up just using Hola Health on my phone to get a quick telehealth medical certificate for work, turned my phone on silent, and slept for most of the day.While I know I physically and mentally needed the rest, today I am just drowning in guilt.I feel like I’ve let my team down, and worse, I feel like I’m failing at my own recovery. I know logically that "recovery is not linear" (as another member so beautifully posted recently), but when you are back in the weeds, it feels like all that progress was a lie.How do you all deal with the guilt of taking time off when you have a relapse? How do you accept that you need a break without your brain telling you that you are just being "lazy" or taking a step backwards?Thank you all for always being such a safe, understanding space. Just typing this out makes the burden feel a tiny bit lighter.Sending strength to anyone else having a rough week.