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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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CMF Something I'd like to share with everyone
  • replies: 5

Hi, I have been actively using the forums for a few weeks now. as I feel a little better I read other threads and try to help others. I have suggested a few things to others but feel I need to share this with as many people as possible who are suffer... View more

Hi, I have been actively using the forums for a few weeks now. as I feel a little better I read other threads and try to help others. I have suggested a few things to others but feel I need to share this with as many people as possible who are suffering anxiety and/or depression. I understand some cases are more sever and require medication so you may need to check with your doctor but for anyone wanting to try a natural therapy I have two things to recommend which work for me. I would love for people to read up and find out more to see if it may work for them. Please note that I do not take any medications for my anxiety/depression. I try and walk regularly but the I use the 2 things below and they seem to help me. I hope they can help others in particluar the first one 1. Inositol - this is a natural 'sugar' found in foods such as cantaloupe and oranges. it can be purchased at health food stores or from "my chemist" It can treat depression and mood swings. The way inositol benefits depression, mood swings and to a lesser extent, bipolar disorder is very promising as well. Research has shown that those with low levels of inositol in their body have a higher chance of suffering any of these mental illnesses. Also, inositol is known to participate in the action of serotonin production in the brain and nerve systems that responds well to mood stabilizers. Put these together and you have a pretty great, natural antidepressant. 2.Dandelion tea The B vitamin family in particular helps stabilize moods and is often recommended to those suffering from depression. Dandelion root is a high source of B complex vitamins.

Marley Feeling Positive
  • replies: 1

I haven't posted in such a long time and I've had some really serious dark moments but I feel like I've come out the other side. I've told my doctor I'm sick of being on different meds as I don't feel they are even helping me. I also suffer 3 auto im... View more

I haven't posted in such a long time and I've had some really serious dark moments but I feel like I've come out the other side. I've told my doctor I'm sick of being on different meds as I don't feel they are even helping me. I also suffer 3 auto immune conditions. Has anyone successfully come off anti depressants and stayed well? I want to try and eliminate most of my medication Id like to hear from some people who are well enough not to take medication now

SourceShield ...Tourette Syndrome...
  • replies: 7

Hi. I wrote a post awhile back extending my hand in help for any folks that may have Autism inc/ HFA and Aspergers. I would like to do the same to day with anyone out here that may have or know someone that lives with Tourette Syndrome - TS. Quite of... View more

Hi. I wrote a post awhile back extending my hand in help for any folks that may have Autism inc/ HFA and Aspergers. I would like to do the same to day with anyone out here that may have or know someone that lives with Tourette Syndrome - TS. Quite often those of us on the spectrum will also have to live with other conditions as well i.e. OCD, ADHD and/or TS. Having an HFA brain, I too have had to live with TS - oddly enough it is the TS that I find most difficult to explain to people because most people have seen the stuff on comedy shows or movies, of people swearing their nut off...some of us are like that, but its just not like that for all, of course. I do have 'sweary' moments! Its like the brain just overloads and you cant control what comes out - I grew up in a home where every second word I heard was a choice 'french' one! My first word was a swear word! At my first day at school I got so confused I just let rip and went completely beserker at the teacher. She thought that I was possessed! But, TS is more so acknowledged by two main factors - 1) Motor tics --- which are repetitive non-rhythmic movements 2) Phonic tics --- what are known as utterances Oddly enough though some of us can develop atypical responses as well - I dont have the tics instead I have what I call... The Claw! The muscles in my had will become tense and my fingers will curl...to look like a claw! But, if you look closer - you would see that I am kinda 'ticking' within that movement as well. And, not all TS sufferers swear which is technically called 'Coprolalia' - but some will just repeat the same word, over and over and over again - which is referred to as 'Palilalia'. For some of us it'll come on when we 'feel' uncomfortable or misunderstood and judged. TBH - there is actually NO same identical case of TS - this is because once the 'nurture' process kicks in, which is just about how things are at home, the TS sufferer will simply display behaviour that befits their environment. i.e. I grew up in a home where swearing happened all the time, every day...so I normalised the swearing. But, in the same respect - some TS sufferers have been known to suffer with Coprolalia - even when there was no swearing at home! Which supports the theory that there is no one size fits all with this syndrome. I feel that I dont need to get too sciency with all this really, but more-so, offer my support to others out here. I am here for you. There is no shame!

Gruffudd World AIDS day
  • replies: 2

I went to the unfolding of the AIDS quilt in my little country town tonight. We don't do this every year now. As sad and hard as it is to remember I think it is worth it. When I first arrived here in the 1990's as a young gay boy from the city it was... View more

I went to the unfolding of the AIDS quilt in my little country town tonight. We don't do this every year now. As sad and hard as it is to remember I think it is worth it. When I first arrived here in the 1990's as a young gay boy from the city it was a real challenge, I met a few others and that made life here possible. We lost about half of the community here through that time and in the next few years, some of them were friends. So I'm dealing with some big feelings, it was a little confronting that as I took part in the unfolding there on the corner was a panel for someone who shared my name. What keeps me well is the change that has happened over the last 20 years and that now we don't have to hide which is what those friends and I used to dream of back then. The change gives me hope.

She_Sings Singing my way forward
  • replies: 1

My journey has about twenty years long. After my daughter was born I started getting anxious, after my son was born I was diagnosed with depression, but the treatment (medication) turned me into a zombie so I gave it up and there was no follow up. I ... View more

My journey has about twenty years long. After my daughter was born I started getting anxious, after my son was born I was diagnosed with depression, but the treatment (medication) turned me into a zombie so I gave it up and there was no follow up. I was just trying to push through. fifteen years later I broke down into a mess one day after are you OK day and listening to a podcast about other people's experiences with depression I realised that I really did need treatment. I couldn't keep on going. So I did the scariest bravest thing ever and went to my dr. I have been having treatment and feeling great for about 5 years. and soon I celebrate with a solo concert, my first in six years, about my journey. Singing, exercise, family, medication, meditation. Monthly dr visits keeping me on track. This work for me. My son has just been diagnosed at 18 and my heart breaks for him. he started treatment on the weekend. I just say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. My concert is called BRAVE! because just admitting I needed help was the bravest thing I have ever done. When I have been really black I don't feel like singing. I do it anyway, because i am a teacher and it is my job, and for me it has helped me come through. So has being honest. Whilst I have met some professional discrimination, which has been enormously discouraging, there is something powerful when someone whispers to you about their anxiety and depression (it is so common) and I an whisper back "me too". When the days of tears arrive (and they still do) or the days of "I am just going to bed this afternoon" (much less often now!) I am kind enough to myself to know that I am looking after me. Self kindness has been a revelation. I may be broken, a little, but that is part of my whole and I accept it. Websites like Beyond Blue helped me get help. Thank you.

SourceShield --->>> Psychopaths&Pathological Liars <<<---
  • replies: 76

Hey, I'm taking a break from my studies for the moment, by sharing what I am studying and researching at the moment. Keen for opinions, and reflections. At the moment we are looking at Pathological Liars. What do you know of this condition? Can you u... View more

Hey, I'm taking a break from my studies for the moment, by sharing what I am studying and researching at the moment. Keen for opinions, and reflections. At the moment we are looking at Pathological Liars. What do you know of this condition? Can you understand how we would see this as a condition? In the past, we have punished "the liar"! And perhaps...rightfully so?!? Who gets to be judge, and jury? And why? Do you understand the anatomy of a lie? Lets discuss. In my home, we learned that telling lies, sometimes kept us safe. Sometimes, telling the truth, still got me a hiding! So telling lies, became a negative-positive phenomena. In other words, lies - the negative, kept us safe - the positive. Have you ever experienced something like this in your life? If the act of telling lies is normalised it can become a condition - a pathological condition! The Cure...well for me anyway! Just start telling the truth...start with oneself, and people that one trusts - Could be many, could be just one trusted friend. My friend, Tricia, once told me that...You Only Need At Least One Friend In This World. And, I believe that too!. More is nice. But trust is the key. The door is ones soul. We are the guardians of the Soul - The Mind, and the home of the Spirit - The Body. Now, Im getting a bit metaphysical...are you into that? I am. But, that can be rather intense for many... ...because it involves looking at the whole picture - The Holistic Self. We consider this to be the TRUE WAY to complete health. Just stop me if this is of no interest to you though... ...I could write about this stuff... ...forever... ...and ever... Amen. What do you know about psychopaths? Did you know that......they only make up 5% of the population... ...but actually contribute to 50% of the crime in this world? Thats why I am doing what I am doing - in terms of my studies and research. Not completely but a big part of it. My research has 4 main branches. I'll discuss that at another time. But - Psychopaths, cost us all a lot of money! Did you know that? But...they are sick. Some say incurable. I am autistic. They say that is incurable. Some autistics are high functional, some are not. Some psychopaths are 'functional', and 'some' are not...at all!!!. We, as a society must address this in a serious way...lets discuss! Or, not...'cause I'm gonna study the stuff anyway. But I enjoy healthy intellectual-debate and conversation. Peace. MuchLove.

Sean1 What is the meaning of Life?
  • replies: 25

This question is something ive pondered often over the last 12 mths. I have just joined this site in trying to seek the answers im looking for. I used to think life was about acquiring material possessions and thus at a young age i strived to succeed... View more

This question is something ive pondered often over the last 12 mths. I have just joined this site in trying to seek the answers im looking for. I used to think life was about acquiring material possessions and thus at a young age i strived to succeed and make my mark on the world. I clearly remember my first job over 100 k a yr...i was 19 yrs old and it was alot of money 15yrs ago. To say i was ecstatic was an understatement. As time went on i strived for more 100 k become 150 then 200 then 250k and yet i still wanted more. It was envitable that i would run and manage my own company and i have never been one afraid to take risks, albeit calculated risks. When i first went out on my own it was exciting times...i thought if i can make 10 000 dollars a week ill be happy but that figure came and long since went. Fast forward to now, i have a very successful multinational company and my own profit dividends are over $100 000 a week and yet i am truly lost. Somehow i can still run this company but what most people dont know is that im an alcoholic with a highlevel cocaine habit. In the last yr its cost me my wife and much more. I have the very expensive cars, the houses the boats, theres nothing i cant really buy and yet i feel so very empty. Nothing seems to matter much anymore, i have no goals, nothing to drive me. Im more miserable now then i have ever been and yet i have so much compared to most. I see the young children in 3rd world countries who have nothing and yet theres a smile on their face and i feel ashamed that i have so much and im so ungrateful. Along the way i became ruthless and greedy and when i look in the mirror i despise the man ive become. I often now contemplate what the meaning of life is...because i feel i no longer want to be part of it. We are born, we live and inevitably one day we die. What is the grand plan for us? Knowing what i know now i would trade all i have to be truly happy and live a meagre existence. I feel i have lost the motivation and the will to live and im not afraid of that, though i know i should be. How can i find the strength to endure and maybe truly understand the true meaning of life, because despite what lots of people may think money does not bring happiness. It gives you choices and that is all.

Chibam Racism
  • replies: 12

Okay, first off, to limit any confusion, I'm white, 3rd generation Australian. Raised Christian, but I'm not a disciple of any major religion. I just read this article about what some muslim women are going through here, in light of currant events, a... View more

Okay, first off, to limit any confusion, I'm white, 3rd generation Australian. Raised Christian, but I'm not a disciple of any major religion. I just read this article about what some muslim women are going through here, in light of currant events, and it's pretty sad. The ones who were interviewed seem to be feeling phsyically threatened, or at the very least shunned by the non-muslim community as a whole and for various reasons, I don't believe it's an overreaction on their part. I wish someone had some good ideas about how to stop the racism. It makes me feel dirty to know that this is such a strong aspect of the community I'm supposed to identify with. But perhaps what disgusts me more is that in some way I can actually relate to it. I was bought up to be racist. From a very young age I remember sometimes hearing my dad rant things like "All (Ethnic Group A) are grubs!" or "Ah, you bloody (Ethnic Group B) ratbag!" while watching the news. My community was virtually all white Christian, especially my classmates. Throughout my school life, I never actually had significant contact with anyone from ethnic groups "A" or "B" to be able to make up my own mind about these people, so basically my whole experience of these other ethnic groups was through the racist rantings I got bombarded with in the privacy of our home. By the time we learned in school about the Nazi holocaust and how terrible a thing racism is, I think the damage might've already been done. I like to believe I'm not at all racist. I know it's absurd to judge someone based on their race, or the behaviour of a handful of members of their community. But deep down, gut reaction-wise, I get uneasy around people from ethnic groups "A" and "B". I try not to let it show - my problem shouldn't become their problem - I never have anything derogatory to say about them. But I just really wish I didn't have this disease. I wish we, as a country didn't have this disease. I wish it wasn't part of who we are. It makes me wonder, is this generally how the story goes? Does all this ridiculous hatred come from a bunch of nonsense ranting people heard as kids? Were we so bombarded with cultural horror stories of vampires and werewolves that now whenever we see someone wearing a funny cape or who is especially hairy we believe their coming to suck our blood? It seems so ridiculous that these hollow statements are causing so much pain.

SourceShield --->>> Homelessness Hacks <<<---
  • replies: 0

Hey Folks, A couple years back now, I experienced homelessness, for a whole year!. I had made some very 'poor' financial decisions. But, I am on track now, soon I will be opening a Creativity Consultancy Company in Melbourne, so my life is all good! ... View more

Hey Folks, A couple years back now, I experienced homelessness, for a whole year!. I had made some very 'poor' financial decisions. But, I am on track now, soon I will be opening a Creativity Consultancy Company in Melbourne, so my life is all good! <- Comparatively speaking of course!. I offer this post for any that may experience homelessness. I'm guessing that most, if not all, are reading from the comfort of a home. But, if youre not, or in the future, if life gets you down and out on the street, just know that I am here - there is no judgement. If you need support, remember this post, and other links - to keep you safe and sane!. ---HACKS--- Basics - Find a place to wash yourself and keep yourself 'fresh'. I lied to the guy at the gym, and got myself free membership, for two weeks - it meant that I could store my bags in the locker for the day, until I needed it at night. I was clean. And, I could exercise, homelessness, gets really boring! There are other places to clean up, take note of these places as you walk around the streets. Listen to other people that are experiencing homelessness, but also use discernment, some places are filthy. Listen out for the 'free food' places - these resources are here, so take advantage of them...take what you must, but no more. There are others that need to eat as well. Keep your wits about you - I wrote everyday. I also had my dog with me, so he always keeps me mindful. But, do something everyday to keep your presence of mind. This is important, too many on the streets, go 'mad' with it all. I totally get it now - it only took me 3 days of sleeping on concrete streets, for me to feel my sanity slipping. I feel that many on the streets cant move beyond this state of homelessness, because they have 'lost it', due to being on the street. Its a vicious cycle. Visit libraries etc, and if they have free internet...use it! I was looking on Gumtree for work, everyday. Day jobs...meant a little more money - that meant freedom! Find a 'spot' to sleep, and keep that as your 'base' to return to. That helps to keep routine in your life, again very important for the homeless. Above all, do not let the shame that you may feel, beat you on this one. If you are on the streets, and dont wanna be there, there is no shame in raising your hands and asking for help. Your feelings are valid too, whether you are homeless or not. There are other hacks, and if there are any questions, I am here for you!

V17 Validation: Excuse, reason - what does it mean?
  • replies: 9

Hello, The word valid or validation, in the context of feeling, is something I've only come across since I've began this journey. I'm finding it difficult to get my head around it. Like for instance, when I act in a manner - say I'm feeling angry - t... View more

Hello, The word valid or validation, in the context of feeling, is something I've only come across since I've began this journey. I'm finding it difficult to get my head around it. Like for instance, when I act in a manner - say I'm feeling angry - that in hindsight, I see as me taking anger out on my son; to be told my feelings are valid confuses me. I mean, what about accountability and repercussions? I'm thinking perhaps by validating my anger because I feel it, doesn't take into consideration the reflection process after I feel it and why I feel it. Does this make sense? Or is this term 'validation' an immediate response and part of a process? I'm feeling confused about it and would welcome and appreciate any thoughts on this. V.