Immediate support
Immediate support

Staying well

Support each other to stay well, from mindfulness, sleep, diet and exercise to reducing drug and alcohol use and coping with difficult emotions.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

Sophie_M Money stress? You are not alone!
  • replies: 4

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Just Sara Over-stimulating the Senses - Addiction to Adrenaline and Beta Endorphins?
  • replies: 127

Hi all; I've been self assessing for a long time now, and have come across an habitual need to stimulate myself with dysfunctional thoughts that prop me up or give a perception I'm not small or insignificant at all; feeling powerful and a winner. On ... View more

Hi all; I've been self assessing for a long time now, and have come across an habitual need to stimulate myself with dysfunctional thoughts that prop me up or give a perception I'm not small or insignificant at all; feeling powerful and a winner. On the flip side, I've also had thoughts that bring me down (too big for my boots) causing a 'normal' feeling of being average or small/insignificant...safe from ridicule or punishment. We've all had those fantasies of kicking the winning goal or standing on a podium with trophy in hand sucking up the acclaim and cheers from the crowd. But what if those fantasies turned into yelling at someone until they were on their knees leaving you feeling pumped and superior? Or maybe getting in between parents to fend off upcoming violence and be the hero? Isolating myself has turned my world inward where I play out the day in my head. This is where I've been living and getting to be on top, or berate myself into submission. The other noticeable factor is the adrenaline or beta endorphin rush I can have from this; undetected until recently due to the normality of 'feeling' this way. Looking for a discussion peep's...your thoughts? Sara

Cornstarch I am not a Nutcase I am a Hipster
  • replies: 55

Corny's health is buckling under an immense weight and she's signing off of the forums. I keep having to peel more and more layers back as my dissociation continues to fragment and terrifying memories resurface. Actually underneath it is quite litera... View more

Corny's health is buckling under an immense weight and she's signing off of the forums. I keep having to peel more and more layers back as my dissociation continues to fragment and terrifying memories resurface. Actually underneath it is quite literally reliving a nightmare. My nervous system was built on quicksand and I was never given a deep reservoir to draw upon. I wish I had because my nature is to help. But there's only so much helping one little Corn-dog can do. I am so frustrated with my ignorance and lack of education right now with regard to dissociation. I suppose we should always be careful what we wish for, but it is a very mis-understood symptom. I don't own a car, I don't own a television, and now I have to restrict my non-work internet use to 45mins a week if that, and stay outside as much as possible. It's official, I am now - a Hipster Heirloom Corn of Sun and Sea.

CJs_mum Too much time?
  • replies: 2

Feeling a bit lost with what to do at home (and in your negative thoughts) all day? Write a plan out to achieve at least one thing each day and try to stick to it. My plan today is to clear out our pantry and tidy my and my daughters "floordrobe" (cl... View more

Feeling a bit lost with what to do at home (and in your negative thoughts) all day? Write a plan out to achieve at least one thing each day and try to stick to it. My plan today is to clear out our pantry and tidy my and my daughters "floordrobe" (clothes that should be in the wardrobe but end up on the floor somehow....hmm). What's your plan today?

Mattmo72 Life in general & trying to find & be the "real" me
  • replies: 5

Hi & thanks for taking the time to read this ! I'll keep this short & to the point. Hoping to elaborate later... I have bee through sooo much & i'm still struggling with just "being me" I am currently working on what i feel to be my spiritual being i... View more

Hi & thanks for taking the time to read this ! I'll keep this short & to the point. Hoping to elaborate later... I have bee through sooo much & i'm still struggling with just "being me" I am currently working on what i feel to be my spiritual being in order to start fresh at life. I would just like to hear from anyone who has or is currently dealing with them self in a holistic way...Mind body & soul & would love to hear anyone's story on what was helpful. I am a christian to the core & beyond. 100% believing in the bible,GOD,JESUS & THE HOLY SPIRIT etc & am currently searching for more peace in my earthly realm for now. I know a pretty broad description of what is most probably an easy answer. I just need good peoples advice to help me along my journey. Thank you again for reading ! Any helpful advice about your experience in this thing called life would be greatly appreciated !

gld Strategies to overcome thing out of our control
  • replies: 2

Hi, Does anyone out there loss the plot when things happen that are out of our control. I feel i seem to escalate the situation. Take for example today, get feeling ok joking around and then something happen. I fall into a heap thinking what if i did... View more

Hi, Does anyone out there loss the plot when things happen that are out of our control. I feel i seem to escalate the situation. Take for example today, get feeling ok joking around and then something happen. I fall into a heap thinking what if i did this, start blaming anything and everything as this is happening i feel my day sinking fast. My better half took car to shops and on the way home had an accident, he is ok and it was out of his control but it was something i feel i could handled differently. It has taken all day to get over and has a big impact on our household so i am working on a different spin to get over it, looking for things that are good about it. He is not injured, the other car he hit did not have anyone in it and the car was a lemon anyway. Anyone got any ideas about ways to get over things that are out of our control to soften those negatives that bring you down or worsen the situation. Looking forward to people input. Gen

white knight Diagnosed? Get ready to work hard
  • replies: 7

We've heard it, we might have said it ourselves..."I'm on medication for that". Its like once we are diagnosed all the work is done, the tablet fixes all. But it doesnt. Then some would think, "I'm attending a psychiatrist...". That's it? Nope. Here ... View more

We've heard it, we might have said it ourselves..."I'm on medication for that". Its like once we are diagnosed all the work is done, the tablet fixes all. But it doesnt. Then some would think, "I'm attending a psychiatrist...". That's it? Nope. Here is a list I've compiled of other things I've chosen to do or compelled to do since my first diagnosis in 2003 Computer program "mood gym" relocation to the country to reduce stress 2nd diagnosis (2009) Diet (home grown vegies) and exercise review Constant review of med dosage Health plan 1, 5 and 10 year plans ridding toxic people from my life Research Group discussions Listening to observers of me Revamp finances Bought a pet Withdrew from committees Wrote short stories/poetry Açcept they'll be down days Ensured 8 hours minimum sleep Spiritual discovery Volunteer work. Helping others boosts confidence/feeling worthwhile All of the above collectively have assisted me in my progress of all diagnosed disorders bipolar2, dysthymia and depression but it wasnt easy at all. I continue to suffer the symptoms at a slowly reduced rate as incidences are reviewed like why outbursts occur, what triggers my depression and what I can do to help my situation. I dwell less on what l cannot do. I came to accept my incapabilities. Eg my poor short term memory. No point being disappointed over such an issue you cannot do anything about. Writing notes and using alarm on my mobile helps though But above all else the one thing that has at all times been my greatest asset...positivity and downloading such positivity into action...the latter as important as the former. Such drive came in 1982 and is detailed in the thread (google) Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue The power of positivity is amazing and the hard work well worth it. Discover yourself, reflect, study, treat your journey as a past time.. Read! Dont forget to love yourself. You are unique, like all humans you'll make mistakes just dont keep making the same ones. Care for your carer as best you can. Work hard and you will suffer a lot less... Tony WK

white knight Motivation.....search and rescue it.
  • replies: 6

I have always had quotes or short stories stuck in my head and pull them out when needed. Perhaps this is why I have bouts of positive thoughts? I've often wondered how I'd be if I didnt have them, life would be so much harder. One quote was from Kat... View more

I have always had quotes or short stories stuck in my head and pull them out when needed. Perhaps this is why I have bouts of positive thoughts? I've often wondered how I'd be if I didnt have them, life would be so much harder. One quote was from Kathy Watt, Australia's gold medalist of the early 1990's. She was asked how did she win that medal. "Well I was taught, to strive to get in the lead with 100% effort, then pull out another 10% so they cant catch you, then just as you are spent- another 10% and another. They cant catch you then." How do you "pull out another 10%" from your very best then another.? Because we are not aware of what our best is. We think we have done our best but there is more inside you than you'd ever think possible. Getting fit? Think you've done your very best at running distance? Well get a personal trainer and see how much more you can do. At 17yo I was unfit and over weight. I joined the RAAF in 1973 and for 3 months I was pushed and pushed. Seriously I thought it was the end of me. After 3 months I ran 30kms with a backpack, holding a rifle and did it in large boots. Amazing. But I had that drill corporal in my ear. The difficulty is motivating yourself.How do you dig up your inner strength to motivate yourself? I can only think of how I do it every now and then. I think of these feats people do that inspire me. Of course with depression sometimes I go a long time before I can put it back into practice. You know what I mean. Recently on TV Australia's gold medalists Ian Thorpe and Matthew Mitcham both separately had TV interviews about their struggles with depression. They both individually had another challenging issue and that was "coming out" over their sexuality. What inspiring young men. They succeeded to motivate themselves beyond imagination. Either of those interviews motivated me. What about you? Whether its just getting out of bed, don your runners,, keeping your social media idle until the end of the day, applying for double the job numbers compared to the previous week, cooking a meal for your partner....you can motivate yourself to do that extra 10% just like Kathy Watt did. Effort, 10% extra effort should be seen as an accomplishment- not the fact that you didnt succeed doing what other people do, only what you were capable of plus 10% and the next day 10% more. Maybe three steps forward and one step back. You would have searched and resuced your inner motivation. And you'll be worthy of a gold medal for effort.

Quiettall Music to help you get by
  • replies: 4

Good morning I was reading through and replying to some postings today, and have a range of different songs playing in the background to help me stay positive and strong. It got me thinking. What song or piece of music do you like to hear to help you... View more

Good morning I was reading through and replying to some postings today, and have a range of different songs playing in the background to help me stay positive and strong. It got me thinking. What song or piece of music do you like to hear to help you feel better, more positive or empowered, when you are anxious, depressed, or under the weather? For me, it is a mix, such as Pharrell Williams (Happy), or John LEnnon (Imagine) or Michael Buble (All of Me). Other days it might be Sara Bareilles (Brave) or Coldplay (A sky full of stars). What is your go-to song or piece of music, or band, or piece of poetry? I look forward to read the postings. It might also add to my growing Youtube clips (with lyrics) collection on my laptop.

saz88 How do people manage at work?
  • replies: 2

I'm starting a new job this week after my previous job wanted to say I was unfit for duty due to accessing too much leave. My new employer only provides the minimum of ten days sick leave per annum and I'm concerned as a sufferer I won't manage, what... View more

I'm starting a new job this week after my previous job wanted to say I was unfit for duty due to accessing too much leave. My new employer only provides the minimum of ten days sick leave per annum and I'm concerned as a sufferer I won't manage, what can I do to make sure my condition stays under control and I can stay well and not use sick leave. Howdy others hold down full time jobs

Steph_12345 Hilarious, embarrasing, and cheerful stories here...
  • replies: 2

I cracked up this morning. Long before I knew I had epilepsy, a primary school class was doing the game where a couple of students had to sit in front of the class; had the blackboard... (Yes, blackboards. I'm that old). behind them with the names of... View more

I cracked up this morning. Long before I knew I had epilepsy, a primary school class was doing the game where a couple of students had to sit in front of the class; had the blackboard... (Yes, blackboards. I'm that old). behind them with the names of famous people/ characters/ etc written. The students had to ask questions to guess the name of who was written behind them. Back then, I kept on laughing and said the names; how they were famous; how the character could (or couldn't) be guessed. Everyone sighed, and the teacher had to re-do names. BUT I didn't realise why the names had to be changed back then. Eventually, I was sent to the back of the class and wasn't involved in the game. I just remembered that day; realised why I 'got in trouble'; and I'm still giggling. It turns out I have gelastic epilepsy. Please share stories about others, to give those (like myself) a temporary break from depression.