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Sophie_M If you need to talk about Bondi Beach - Our community is here
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Aus... View more

Hi everyone, After the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, we know many people in our community may be feeling shaken, distressed, or unsure how to make sense of what has happened. Religious and political violence has no place is Australia and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy. We wanted to create a space where you can share whatever you’re feeling - whether that’s fear, shock, grief, or anything else that has come up for you. If you need support from others in the community, please feel welcome to post here. Violence and acts of terror can bring feelings of shock, grief, profound sadness, anger and fear. It’s normal to experience these emotions while trying to make sense of distressing events. It may take time for these feelings to ease, but it’s never too early to seek support if you are feeling distressed. Beyond Blue is here for you anytime, by phone on 1300 224 636 or via webchat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor You can also support those around you by being available to them and listening. Thank you for being such an important part of this community, and for the kindness, honesty, and wisdom you continue to share with each other. We remind the community that Beyond Blue is here for all people in Australia, no matter what you believe, how you live or who you worship. Kind regards Sophie M

A_Tech PTSD for Medical and First Responders
  • replies: 276

Hi, Well obviously this my situation. I was hoping to find others here that might have a similar background to chat with, it can be so hard to talk about this stuff with non-med people (and I mean no disrespect, it's just often graffic or upsetting t... View more

Hi, Well obviously this my situation. I was hoping to find others here that might have a similar background to chat with, it can be so hard to talk about this stuff with non-med people (and I mean no disrespect, it's just often graffic or upsetting to others). Im a 40 year old female that has spent the last 10years in the State Trauma Hospital as an Anaesthetic Technician. My PTSD was brought about after years of exposure to shocking traumas, deaths, and no support from management. I would love to hear from anyone that has a similar story, or just wants to chat. Cheers

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Sophie_M Coping with bushfires
  • replies: 145

Beyond Blue would like all individuals accessing our online forums in relation to Australia’s bushfire crisis to know that we are here for them. If you’re feeling worried, we want you to know that it’s okay and you are not alone. The impacts of this ... View more

Beyond Blue would like all individuals accessing our online forums in relation to Australia’s bushfire crisis to know that we are here for them. If you’re feeling worried, we want you to know that it’s okay and you are not alone. The impacts of this crisis will be ongoing and everyone will have different experiences, thoughts, feelings and emotions. Even if you haven't been directly affected by these fires you may still feel sad, overwhelmed, stressed and upset. We hope that you will use this safe, understanding space to talk, share and support one another on a united front. It can be difficult to know what to say in times like these. The forum community have been engaging in discussions that you may find helpful: Are you managing to be ok with all these dreadful bushfires? You may wish to share what you are doing to help cope, or simply to share your experience with others. Beyond Blue has developed a dedicated resource about bushfires and mental health, including practical advice about dealing with the emotional impact of bushfires, information about the signs and symptoms of emotional distress, tips for supporting children and young people, and links to several useful websites. Taking care of yourself: Limit your exposure to social media – it’s okay to have a break and it’s important you make sure you’re not becoming overwhelmed. Speak with our friendly forum community about how you’re feeling Set realistic goals that keep you motivated, but don't take on too much (most people in this situation talk of recovery as a journey not a sprint) Give yourself time Seeking help when you are in a bushfire affected area: Follow the advice of your local state fire services if you are in a bushfire affected area. State fire services: NSW RFS QLD RFS VIC SA TAS NT WA ACT If you require emergency support please contact 000 As a community, let’s help one another through sharing and connecting during this difficult time. This could be by listing links to articles or resources you have found helpful, tips for what is working to help you manage or sharing your thoughts, feelings or experience related to the bushfire crisis. Whatever it may be, we're here.

AngeK PTSD recovery and medication
  • replies: 5

Hi there I’m new to this. I have had PTSD from a work incident for nearly 5 years now. I’ve been in inpatient Psych facilities on and off during that time. For months each time. It’s been really hard. I finally gave in and had ECT treatment, I had th... View more

Hi there I’m new to this. I have had PTSD from a work incident for nearly 5 years now. I’ve been in inpatient Psych facilities on and off during that time. For months each time. It’s been really hard. I finally gave in and had ECT treatment, I had this weekly for 12 months and with a combination of ECT and medication, psychology and psychiatrist support, I now find myself in functional recovery. I’ve moved away with my husband and our youngest daughter and I’ve been able to commence work and sustain it for 3 months now. Im a social worker. my husband and daughter hate medication. Im ashamed to say that I’ve overdosed a few times in the past so my husband controls all of my meds. Still. My husband continues to question the amount that I’m taking because he considers I’m ‘better now’. I have discussed this with my Psychiatrist and Psychologist who have both said that PTSD and medication are both here to stay. Of course my medication will fluctuate but I will be on it for a long time and the reason I am where I am today is medication and support. The biggest issue for me is that my husband and daughters opinions affect me deeply and I feel shame, guilt and humiliation about taking medication on top of the shame and guilt that is generally a part of PTSD. I found this group in the hope that someone else has experienced something similar and may have some advice. It’s making life very difficult. Love Ange x

Midnight01 Another day in the life of me
  • replies: 3

So I got told something quite eye opening the other day by my partner, in the midst of talking about exercise I was told this “If you can’t do 1 push up, how will you hold our children”. Now bare in mind this is almost 2 months after losing our daugh... View more

So I got told something quite eye opening the other day by my partner, in the midst of talking about exercise I was told this “If you can’t do 1 push up, how will you hold our children”. Now bare in mind this is almost 2 months after losing our daughter 4 days after birth. He expresses how sorry he is for ever saying it and I don’t hold it against him because he didn’t mean it the way it came out, but unfortunately it’s playing on my mind today and after going to the shops to get him socks and deodorant, I then took myself to the bottle shop and purchased 2 bottles of Wine. I’ve cried a few times so far today and only eaten porridge at breakfast and just had some watermelon. I feel myself slipping away here and I don’t know what to do. I’ve still yet to go back to work next month and don’t even want to do that. If anyone can give me any useful information that would be helpful.

Sunnyflower12 I'm not coping with my medical trauma TW: Blood, Surgery
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I recently had multiple surgeries for my throat and nose in December. They were pretty regular procedures and relatively low risk. But on NYE I suddenly got a big nosebleed for the first time in my life and had to be rushed to the Emergen... View more

Hi everyone I recently had multiple surgeries for my throat and nose in December. They were pretty regular procedures and relatively low risk. But on NYE I suddenly got a big nosebleed for the first time in my life and had to be rushed to the Emergency Department. The doctors gave me padding to stop the bleed and I was sent home by 11:30pm. I thought it was the end but it wasn't and I ended up having more bleeding episodes, in total 5 (2 minor and 3 major that required me to be hospitalised) in the past month. The most recent episode on the 20th led me to have a surgery to stop the bleeding. The doctors said that I should be ok now and that the worst is over...But I have been feeling anxious at the thought that I'm going to have another major bleeding episode. It's been 9 days since the surgery but I still can't shake off the anxiety or fear I keep feeling. I try not to think about it for too long but it gets extremely heightened when I'm by myself at home. I get worried about everything I do, thinking that any action would trigger a nosebleed. Even though the doctors say they think the bleed wasn't triggered by anything I did, I still can't bring myself to believe them. Can someone please tell me what I can do to cope with these feelings.

Midnight01 How to move forward
  • replies: 3

It has been 6 weeks since my baby passed, I been having a hard time trying to be proactive again. I still haven’t called a funeral home to discuss my daughter’s cremation because I’m still finding it hard to come to terms with the reality that she’s ... View more

It has been 6 weeks since my baby passed, I been having a hard time trying to be proactive again. I still haven’t called a funeral home to discuss my daughter’s cremation because I’m still finding it hard to come to terms with the reality that she’s gone. What can I do to help myself with this grieving process and to bounce back to myself again?

thorneinmyside Trauma and alcoholic impulses triggered by friend
  • replies: 3

Hello. I am a 25 year-old man who very recently stopped drinking alcohol. I was using it as a consequence of being raised by an alcoholic mother, and since confronting that trauma, I've realised that I need to quit. I've gone cold turkey after years ... View more

Hello. I am a 25 year-old man who very recently stopped drinking alcohol. I was using it as a consequence of being raised by an alcoholic mother, and since confronting that trauma, I've realised that I need to quit. I've gone cold turkey after years of depending on alcohol, every single day. I've got an upcoming appointment with my GP, but due to COVID, seeing her is tricky. I can't move the appointment any earlier. I feel very isolated, and the support service I've been referred onto hasn't called me back. I've called a few times to try and talk to someone, but they're always busy. I'm trying really hard not to drink again. It's only been 5 days, but every passing hour feels like hell. I want a drink so badly. One of my friends contacted me, asking if I knew someone who could supply him with drugs. He sent me an emotional message saying he "needed" a substance to get through his own mental health issues, and this made me very angry. He knows I'm newly sober, yet he's triggering me by talking about his own substance use. I told him that I can't help him right now, and don't want to hear about substance use to handle mental health problems, but I'm still angry. I feel like nobody's taking my struggle seriously. I'm feel that I'm all on my own. Now that I'm not drinking, my emotions are heightened, and I'm experiencing everything so intensely. I'm having dreams about my mother's alcohol use. I thought I was over my PTSD, but I'm obviously not. I'd just like to know I'm not alone, and whether you have any advice for a newly-sober man. I'd appreciate support.

Bubs1954 Parentification and enmeshment in families
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I’m new here and have been faced with the issue of parentification and enmeshment in my family. I wonder has anyone else gone through or know about this topic? An article was sent to me by my adult daughter who has withdrawn from the family. ... View more

Hi all, I’m new here and have been faced with the issue of parentification and enmeshment in my family. I wonder has anyone else gone through or know about this topic? An article was sent to me by my adult daughter who has withdrawn from the family. Unfortunately the article was like a mirror to me and A lot of it was true, both for me and my daughter. I have spoken to my GP to find some help to work through this, as I now see that I am broken too. My GP sent me here until I can get some one to one councilling and help. DOES ANYONE ELSE KNOW OF THIS TOPIC either as a survivor or lived experience or just knowing about this thanks Bubbs

_Once_Upon_A_Dime_ I Don't Even Know Who I Am Anymore
  • replies: 28

It's taking me alot to post on here but here we go... My names Nicholas, I'm 24yrs old and suffer from Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I am seeking advice as title states it all, My current situations pretty much like being stuck in a hole, only each and... View more

It's taking me alot to post on here but here we go... My names Nicholas, I'm 24yrs old and suffer from Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I am seeking advice as title states it all, My current situations pretty much like being stuck in a hole, only each and everyday that holes getting deeper and the chances of getting out get slimmer. I am here because I wanna overcome this obstical and face my demons, sadly I don't know how to do so.. Let's cut to the chance and what I'm about to tell you only a close friend who I don't speak to anymore & my father who I haven't heard from since Christmas 2016 know about this. When I was a child around 7-9yrs old (Rough Estimate) I was raped and molested by a neighbor in my street, I was staying over is place with my two older brothers camping out in his back yard, we where sleeping in two separate tents when the assualted had happened and some how managed to keep it a secret from my mum. I don't know how to escape this hole, It's getting deeper by the minute and the light at the end of It's slowly fading to darkness, I'm stuck helplessly at the bottom of this pit like it's me ment to be my grave, I scream for someone to help but no one hears me, slowly losing faith. Nicholas

BoroniaRiv777 Why do I need someone to be with me?
  • replies: 13

Hi all, I was looking to see if someone has some insights on my current situation and how it relates to past experiences. I'm looking to see if others have had similar experiences and can maybe point me in the right direction. I’m not looking for med... View more

Hi all, I was looking to see if someone has some insights on my current situation and how it relates to past experiences. I'm looking to see if others have had similar experiences and can maybe point me in the right direction. I’m not looking for medication as I have been down that road before. I know I have Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder because I experienced various types of trauma as a child. I had anxiety about going to school. Because of this anxiety, my parents decided to take me to school one day and talk with the principal. Long story short, I was abandoned and left in the hands of the principal who was verbally and physically abusive as he dragged me to the classroom. This was his attempt to stop me from being anxious. A few years later at a different school my Dad had to wait outside the classroom for me while I was inside being taught due to my anxiety. There was less anxiety knowing that Dad was outside. I was homeschooled after this and managed to work and study. I have seen countless mental health professionals and have been on various antidepressants due to several setbacks. Fast forward to the present day and it appears that I am facing the "needing someone with me due to overwhelming anxiety" situation again. In late 2019, I experienced my first major panic attack following a run. I took myself to hospital due to a continued fast heart rate post-run. I was later released from hospital with everything checking out as ok with diagnosis being a panic attack. Since then, life has been extremely difficult. Since the panic attack I have not been able to be by myself (except for the rare occasion where I challenged myself). The fear around my heart rate has limited by ability to have a verbal conversation with a mental health professional. Basically, any type of stress triggers panic which triggers the heart rate fear. I believe the fear is a cover for what happened to me as a child. I am still working with a psychologist via email. What I really want to ask is what is the reason for me needing someone to be with me at the moment? Why did I need my Dad to stay outside the classroom that day? What am I afraid of? What I know for sure is that anxiety feelings scare me greatly. Why do I struggle to be ok with intense anxiety feelings? The overriding message when I am in an anxiety provoking situation is that I am going die. I feel like the panic attack has exposed the child traumas hence why I need someone with me. Thank you all.

Sam_mixed_up PTSD
  • replies: 3

I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and it's cruel, my husband of 27 years is a major trigger but he has done nothing wrong, he just doesn't listen he says he does but he isn't hearing what I'm saying, I have moved out of the family home and am ... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and it's cruel, my husband of 27 years is a major trigger but he has done nothing wrong, he just doesn't listen he says he does but he isn't hearing what I'm saying, I have moved out of the family home and am in another state I did not spend Christmas with him and our adult son's as I can't control my emotions and get so angry and call them the most horrible names, yes I swear but these names would make the local drunk shudder, how do I stop doing this, I feel like I'm on a road of self destruction.

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