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Sophie_M Money stress? You are not alone!
  • replies: 2

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we al... View more

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we all seem to be experiencing a greater amount of stress surrounding money than we have in the past. And it’s impacting our ability to show up fully for the things we love. It’s not uncommon for us to experience shame and fear around expressing our financial challenges; it can be hard and somewhat taboo to openly discuss money matters. However, we believe this conversation is incredibly important and beneficial to have. Like all challenges, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, so let’s help each other out. Of course, discussions about the economy and how to manage our money during inflation are a much larger (and frustrating!) conversation… but what we would really love to know is what your personal experience around money is. Are you feeling the pinch too? How is added financial pressure impacting your wellbeing? When was the last time things felt even slightly easier? And if you have struggled with money in the past but come out the other side, what suggestions do you have for others who might still be finding their feet? This is an opportunity to share openly and honestly about your experience in a judgement-free space. There are no wrong answers, and we encourage you to share all the things that you might be finding hard to express in your every day life. Looking forward to your answers! Abundant hugs from yours truly, Sophie M.

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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Guest_128 Dyslexia and learning disabilities
  • replies: 16

Hi, I would like to hear what other people have to say about Dyslexia and learning disabilities? I am 45yr old,was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 38,stayed in hospital for 8 weeks, and I was put on medication for ADHD when I was 42. 6mths... View more

Hi, I would like to hear what other people have to say about Dyslexia and learning disabilities? I am 45yr old,was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 38,stayed in hospital for 8 weeks, and I was put on medication for ADHD when I was 42. 6mths ago I discovered I have discovered that I am Dyslexic and or learning disabilities.(undiagnosed by professionals) I don't know a huge lot about and find I am going around in circles. What I'm struggling with is what to do about it, where to go for advice, is it common with mental health, other people's stories, This is all new to me any advice would be great Later

Airies Feeling ok and the tide has turned
  • replies: 68

A year ago I was a mess and for 8 months I was in a dark dark place. Numerous hospital visits, medications, supportive family and lifestyle choices and I'm feeling ok.Being bipolar type 1 I tend to do things to extremes. I'm starting to string a numb... View more

A year ago I was a mess and for 8 months I was in a dark dark place. Numerous hospital visits, medications, supportive family and lifestyle choices and I'm feeling ok.Being bipolar type 1 I tend to do things to extremes. I'm starting to string a number of good days together... I'm starting DBT in a few weeks which will test me somewhat. I'm putting one foot in front of another, not making any huge decisions and part of me is thinking I could be lulling myself into a false sense of security...I'm expecting a fall... I don't want to go where I was.. I don't know whether I could survive another bad episode.. It was scary and I was over it. I continue to have nightmares at night.. I sleep in some sort f medicated bliss but I have my moments. cheers Len

highlysensitivepersonhsp Overcoming depression, what worked for me.
  • replies: 2

One of the feelings that keeps you stuck in depression is feeling overwhelmed. Everything is just too much. You've got so much on your mind. Especially thoughts about what you should be doing with your life...a job, a partner, a house, a family, etc.... View more

One of the feelings that keeps you stuck in depression is feeling overwhelmed. Everything is just too much. You've got so much on your mind. Especially thoughts about what you should be doing with your life...a job, a partner, a house, a family, etc. One of the ways I learned to combat feeling overwhelmed was to shrink my domain. This is a process that goes on in your head. A process of pruning your thoughts and sharpening your focus to concentrate on getting through each task you set for yourself. You might sit around in your pyjamas feeling lost and swamped by life and this saps your self confidence, your ability to cope. But by taking on one task at a time you slowly rebuild your sense of self by having achieved small accomplishments like preparing a meal, tending to your grooming by showering and wearing clean clothes, paying a bill, etc. You have to think small so you can slowly master your domain in terms that are manageable, that are within your ability at the time. Gradually you build confidence and ability to cope. You eventually find that you can run your life and cope with challenges. All this takes patience and time. Maybe even years. The road to recovery is slow. Give yourself credit for each success. Don't diminish it with thoughts about what you ought to be doing. Do what you can, one step at a time. Sandra.

Fiasco GAPS diet - heard of it? Tried it? Thoughts?
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I've recently started reading about Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It's intriguing. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the diet, and whether it had any effect on your mental health? Fi

Hi all, I've recently started reading about Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It's intriguing. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the diet, and whether it had any effect on your mental health? Fi

Banjoman My Wellbeing Course Journey.
  • replies: 43

Hello Everyone, Some of you may know I have been struggling, with no luck, to find a bulk billing psychologist in my area. The other week some helpful members from this very forum suggest I try getting in contact with the MindSopt Clinic -- a free se... View more

Hello Everyone, Some of you may know I have been struggling, with no luck, to find a bulk billing psychologist in my area. The other week some helpful members from this very forum suggest I try getting in contact with the MindSopt Clinic -- a free service for Australian adults who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. After completing an online test on the MindSpot website I received a phone call from a psychologist who talked about my results, asked me further questions, and offered me a place in an online course for people with depression, low mood, and anxiety. This week I enrolled and started The Wellbeing Course online. The course aims to provide information and teach skills for managing symptoms and keeping our emotional well-being within the healthy range. I would like to share my journey through this week by week course, mainly regarding what I am learning. I hope that some of the information I share may be helpful, interesting, to some of you or even inspire a conversation. Sharing will also, I believe, help me install the lessons I am learning. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will try my best to answer.

HamSolo01 working and finding jobs
  • replies: 13

Hey been on this thread for a while but decided to start up a new post about work and jobs and what works for each person. I think mental illness has the potential to hold you back from employment (certainly something that has happened to me). I'm on... View more

Hey been on this thread for a while but decided to start up a new post about work and jobs and what works for each person. I think mental illness has the potential to hold you back from employment (certainly something that has happened to me). I'm on the mend and I'm just wondering what it is people do for work. How'd you get to where you are now? What worked and didn't work? etc. Thanks

startingnew life after hospital
  • replies: 3

Hi guys ive just spent the last week in hospital in the MH ward. Im having trouble finding my feet and adjusting back to life outside the ward Can anyone give me some tips?

Hi guys ive just spent the last week in hospital in the MH ward. Im having trouble finding my feet and adjusting back to life outside the ward Can anyone give me some tips?

MarkJT What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?
  • replies: 86

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges. I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around... View more

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges. I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around and picks her, she has already won - what a brilliant achievement that was. What is your biggest achievement? Mine is overcoming PTSD and functioning quite well but the mental health conditions aside, I would have to say completing my first marathon. A pure punishment of the mind and body and I completed this in the early days of my recovery when i was quite wounded and struggling. To be able to push myself to complete it gave me a massive burst of confidence that I can overcome the PTSD beast and get on with life. Mark

The_Possum The Power of Prayer
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I know it's a strange topic to raise and per the 2016 Census the most popular religion is in fact.. No religion! But for those that do have a religion, regardless of what that may be, I'm curious if when you are struggling do you fine you... View more

Hi everyone I know it's a strange topic to raise and per the 2016 Census the most popular religion is in fact.. No religion! But for those that do have a religion, regardless of what that may be, I'm curious if when you are struggling do you fine yourself turning away from your faith? Or more strongly towards your faith? My belief structure is both Catholic and Buddhist (yes I know, strange mix but it works for me). I found that last year when I was deeply in the throws of bipolar depression I turned away from my faith and sought solace in other things such as photography and bush walking. Once my condition became more stable I turned back to my faith and now although I'm in another bipolar depression it's controlled and more manageable and I find myself praying and meditating quite regular. This not only provides solace but I find myself stronger and with greater courage. This of course may be placebo, but the fact remains it is having a positive impact. I'd love to know others thoughts and if so, who and what your prayers consist of. Peace x

white knight Successfully overcoming challenges
  • replies: 8

Have you ever paid off a car, a boat or a washing machine? Did you cellabrate? Well I might be unusual but just after the half way point, thats when I celebrated. This was on the basis that I owned more of my car than the finance company. I had equit... View more

Have you ever paid off a car, a boat or a washing machine? Did you cellabrate? Well I might be unusual but just after the half way point, thats when I celebrated. This was on the basis that I owned more of my car than the finance company. I had equity. If I had to sell the car after I paid off the finance company I'd have money left over. Overall, have I succeeded?. I think so. So here on this forum challenges like seeking self esteem, curing anxiety and depression and becoming 'normal'. It seems there is this determination to fully overcome ones mental illness, a personal quest that is expected even demanded...by ourselves. Talk about putting pressure on our lives! I put it to you. That a depressed individual that spent a long period of time out of the workforce finally finds employment, is successful and more successful if such s job was maintained . The fact that the depression remains as a continual challenge is a given. If the sufferer doesnt acknowledge successful steps unless they are complete steps i.e to rid their lives of depression as in this example, then success, accomplishment, might not ever be felt. That can only hinder your progress. Regular pats on the back, token personal rewards and self praise is essential from ourselves. Indeed it is of greater importance than from others because we cannot always depend on others 24/7...but we ourselves are always there. If we treat others remarks of praise as a rubber stamp of our own internal comments and relish in them, value them, then we'll feel successful. If we only rely on others and not ourselves to acknowledge our slow steps of improvement we could be seriously delaying progress bevause rarely does praise from others feel like it is enough, its never enough because we are damaged. Challenging yourself takes courage. Praising and rewarding yourself takes practice and habit forming attitude change. "I got out of bed, I succeeded" "Well I've had my shower and now I have to go back to bed...well, see if I can do an hour of gardening tomorrow...I'm successful today in what I accomplished." Success is a frame of mind. To identify success as being a thousand snippets of qualification rather than one giant hurdle to overcome. Overcoming that hurdle is unrealistic, then do yourself a favour and recognise that small completions of success is great. Then treating yourself to a chocolate and coffee will be frequent as success will be...often. Tony WK