New to the forum! Not sure what I'm doing

[Solosombra]

Hello beyond blue community! I'm kiamau, pronounced " key R mo' I'm not sure what I'm really doing here besides the fact that not talking about my issues is really starting to get to me after 14 years and this seems like an easier transition in to talking openly I guess?

I've never had a support system really and I'm not sure what to expect or what's expected of me but I guess theres a first for everything and I'm hoping BB can help and maybe I can help someone else too even if its just a ear to lend you!

Stay safe guys/gals

[Guest_2350]

Hi Kiamau,

welcome to the forum. This is a great start to get some information or just have a chat to fellow sufferers. The people here are really great and helpful.

I am not really sure what you're looking for, so I can just invite you to ask questions or you can also call the helpline here, they can give you guidance for professional support.

I've been on this forum a while now and it helped me find people who can understand and who can sometimes just help me understand better what is happening to me. I have a lot of trauma to go through and it's been a bumpy ride since I started. Like you I just ignored it as long as I could.

Hope to hear again from you soon.

Take good care of yourself, Yggy

[Solosombra]

Hi yggy thank you for the reply and the welcome to the forum..

To be honest I don't know what I'm looking for either I thought it was someone to listen to me but I feel like that's selfish as I don't really have much to offer back in return other then my own story and a sympathetic ear?

I'm glad to hear joining bb has helped you it gives me hope that maybe this was a good choice after all!

Hope you are well and best wishes.

[Guest_5218]

Welcome Kiamau. Good on you for taking the 'plunge' and joining us on the BB Forums. I see that the lovely Yggy has already welcomed you as well.

Of course you are under no obligation to disclose anything more than what you are completely comfortable in doing. So please dont feel pressured to do so. But keep in mind that the Forum is closely monitored and it is a very secure site where you can safely express yourself. In time I hope you will feel comfortable in doing so.

Like you, I also suffered severe trauma in my life just on 20 years ago. I never spoke to anybody about it until last year when I finally accepted that I needed treatment for my symptoms, and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD. In the past year I have undergone a number of therapies (CBT, Exposure Therapy and EMDR) each with some benefit.

But possibly the most benefit I have had has been from being able to open up emotionally to the good people here on the Forums. I have very limited support network as well, much of which is by choice, but still a fact. So I do not talk to anybody else outside of these forums. Except of course to my psych and only recently my GP.

It was at the suggestion of my psych that I joined these forums in the first place, as she suggested that it would be of great benefit to open up and discuss my issues with others. And given that I am not comfortable with vocal communication, then this is the next best option.

You will find that the people here are very sensitive and caring in their responses. Nobody is judged here. It is an extremely supportive environment of like-minded people, each with our own mental health issues. We are not experts by any means, but we do all have personal experience, and are happy to relate tips and advice which may benefit others.

If you are happy to help others, then start looking under the different categories of the Forums and start replying to any of the existing threads that you have an interest in, or feel yourself in a position to offer advice or support. Or if you have anything more specific to discuss, then just start a new thread. Or continue on with this one if you wish to give us more details which would likely result in additional responses.

I wish you well too Kiamau, and I do hope to hear further from you. Or start to see you around the other threads.

All the best to you,

Sherie xx

[Solosombra]

Hello Sherie and thank you for the welcome... Yes yggy started of the warm welcomes thank you yggy 🙂

Yes I've noticed how closely the site is monitored it does make me feel more compelled to share as I too have issues with expressing my less then charming past with people face to face.

Also thank you for sharing I too have recently only just told my mother and psych what happened to me as a boy 14 years ago and I feel like I need to keep going with this I really do.

but being raised in a culture and family where its not very "manly" to talk about these things is making me a little stand offish.

Im more then happy to help others if I can thanks for the advice sherie I hope to hear from or see you around too on other threads.

Best wishes kiamau

[Guest_5218]

Okay Kiamau, I understand that. It must be very difficult with the cultural issues you probably face, along with the ongoing results of whatever happened to you as a young boy.

Dont feel you have to spit it all out here and now. I'd suggest you start slowly, probably by browsing some of the other threads that are relevant to yourself. Then start replying to some of the other posts. This will help you to gain confidence in the 'system'. Then when you feel ready, you can either come back here and post more information, or else start a new thread.

I often respond to the Trauma threads, which is where you have posted. So I expect I'll run into you somewhere there. I look forward to it.

Have a good evening Kiamau, and its a pleasure to have met you.

Sherie xx