Staying well

Can these forums cause depression?

replies: 8

Hi everybody, - It's me Having defeated depression, I joined this web site to promulgate the good news and manifest what worked for me in achieving that victory, I have regrettably come to a conclusion of paramount importance, which must be conveyed ... View more

Hi everybody, - It's me Having defeated depression, I joined this web site to promulgate the good news and manifest what worked for me in achieving that victory, I have regrettably come to a conclusion of paramount importance, which must be conveyed to you all.Although many of the postings, are enlightening, and must be enormously beneficial to members one way or another, I see a very clear and distinct downside to it all. That downside may in fact, completely negate the benefits which these forums must offer to many.Depression is a serious matter, and in so many cases promulgated through these forums, the stories are heartbreaking, distressing beyond comprehension, and by association, downright depressing.What kind of country, indeed society, are we living in, that permits such misery to manifest itself across a nation, and in all probability, global spectrum ? I feel confident it was not the intention of this website to drive people into a state of depression, but I take this opportunity to caution you all, I feel, that could be happening to some persons "out there".I submit, no decent normal human being could fail to be saddened and severely distressed in reading some, indeed too many, of these threads.Unless you are “hard and thick skinned”, armoured plated against human emotion, then you should seriously consider staying away from these forums, as I feel the risks of the onset of depression may be unacceptably high.It seems to me, in laymans terms, depression is "infectious", spread widely through the pages of these forums.I now ask, are these forums becoming as much a part of the problem, as their potential to contribute to solution ?There is no doubt that some stories are saddening, beyond the limits of normal human acceptance, and may contribute to the onset ofsuicidal thoughts in some persons, through despair at the knowledge of the sufferings of others within our society, particularly young persons. There goes, a tragedy of unprecedented proportion.That’s what I feel.That’s why I submit this posting, as it would be grossly irresponsible not to.Prior to joining these forums I had some knowledge of mental illness, but no comprehension of its extent within our so called “society”. Bye Sea-n-sky.

Happy Story Time

replies: 3

Hi everyone, It is time for a bit of light heartedness. Any one can join in. The aim is to add to the story that has been written below with one or two lines, less if you like. This may become a bit disjointed as we go along, due to the delay in the ... View more

Hi everyone, It is time for a bit of light heartedness. Any one can join in. The aim is to add to the story that has been written below with one or two lines, less if you like. This may become a bit disjointed as we go along, due to the delay in the posts being read and shown on the screen. We will see how it goes. This is the start of the story: "Once upon a time, on an island off the coast of Africa, a child wearing a pink hat with a fake flower on it found a boat. In that boat was........... So now someone else writes that bit and adds to it. If you can be funny without being rude, then please add your humour. You are not to write anything negative or offensive. This is just a bit of fun to lighten up the mood. It will be interesting to see if it takes off or if it sinks! From Mrs. Dools

forced right handed

replies: 5

My story is that all my life, I was born into a Chinese family as leftie and have been forced to use my right hand since a kid and have had to basically live up to the expectations of a society, which in my opinion has always been pretty critical of ... View more

My story is that all my life, I was born into a Chinese family as leftie and have been forced to use my right hand since a kid and have had to basically live up to the expectations of a society, which in my opinion has always been pretty critical of me. I've managed to cope over the years, but I feel that I'm really just conforming rather than being the individual I was born to be. Do others here feel the same way? If so, how could we make Australian society more understanding and empathetic rather than what I have experienced as condascending and cold.

6 tips for helping the mind - when things don't sink in

replies: 0

I've had this problem all my life and as I read many others threads and posts here I see that the problem is common- at least on here. Insight of your own behaviour is a real plus with mental illness. Seeing yourself from the "outside" just like othe... View more

I've had this problem all my life and as I read many others threads and posts here I see that the problem is common- at least on here. Insight of your own behaviour is a real plus with mental illness. Seeing yourself from the "outside" just like others see you and your behaviour is one of the ways you can change your actions and reactions. But what if you know there is a change needed and you cannot do anything about it? It can be excruciating. I accept everyone is different but here are ideas for you to think about to assist your mind to make changes. - writing it down. I fell into this idea in desperation. eg I have an air compressor in my shed. Everytime I switched it on I forgot to switch it off after suing my nail gun. In the middle of the night...off it would go and my wife gave me the usual elbow to turn it off. Out I'd go in sub zero temps to turn it off. One day I made up a large sign "TURN OFF COMPRESSOR" and stuck it to my shed door. Funny that. I've never looked at that sign but have always remembered to turn it off. It was the action of writing the sign that made it stick in my mind. I then realised the effectiveness of writing it down.Take a notebook with you to psych appointments and write things down as you chat. -Phone reminders. The modern day revelation. Learn how to use your alarms and notebook in your phone. -Take a breath and step back. Visitors coming for a BBQ?. You are told that your mania exposes more when you get worked up on some topics but although you are aware of it, you find it hard to relax. Take hints from your partner and as well regularly step back from conversations and just listen. Over time this will become normal for you. -Keep things simple eg mnemonics, point form,prioritise.You might have a list of 5 things you are wanting to change about yourself. Prioritise them and keep the details simple eg say my issues are -not being punctual, not allowing others to finish their sentence before I interrupt, getting emotional at social gatherings. Prioritising could be- PASPunk. If I can remember PASPunk as a word then it will allow me to break it down (this is suing mnemonics) P for punctuality, AS for allowing others to finish sentences and Punk for punctuality. -Self encouragement/reassurance/positive thinking. Study positive thinking techniques -Reading and re-reading.Go over paragraphs over and over again if you want it to stick in your mind There are many reasons why sufferers of MI cannot progress. Hope this help you

being that its mental health week....

replies: 1

have been seeing all over the internet tis week that it is mental health week and it got me thinking I havent been on bb for a while. a quick update on what is happening with me... quit my job back in august which was a big relief for me though at ti... View more

have been seeing all over the internet tis week that it is mental health week and it got me thinking I havent been on bb for a while. a quick update on what is happening with me... quit my job back in august which was a big relief for me though at times over the past 6 weeks i have struggled with feelings of anger, both at myself for the way I handled some things, and at my former boss for the things that were said... I have a new job now at the supermarket. I work 4 hrs a day, 4 or 5 days a week, mainly bringing in the trolleys and also sometimes doing registers or stocking shelves. Its a pretty cruisy gig and while the pay is less than my last job I think for the time being it is a good fit for me. I have also become a sales consultant for a company called YAYME! which sells personalised childrens products. have had a few orders already and after our upcoming holiday(10 night south pacific cruise, Im so excited!!) I will start doing some parties so that should boost the commission a bit. Mostly feeling pretty good. still have some low days but nothing as bad as I used to. On sunday will be 3 months since I was discharged from Perth Clinic. I still have regular counselling sessions which I enjoy as it gives me an opportunity to say absolutely anything without any concern if the other person is going to get upset with me. hope everyone in BB land is doing ok also

living a life of denial

replies: 3

If someone is to live a life where they did not "make any mistakes", suffer any hardship or endure any challenge, would I be correct in saying that person is either one of the following? a) Living a life of isolation (hermit) b) Refusing to be honest... View more

If someone is to live a life where they did not "make any mistakes", suffer any hardship or endure any challenge, would I be correct in saying that person is either one of the following? a) Living a life of isolation (hermit) b) Refusing to be honest or forthcoming about their problems (denial)

Finding joy when times are dark

replies: 15

Hi everyone, I'm interested in hearing about the things people do to cope when times are rough. Not the self-destructive things. I'm pretty sure we're all familiar with those. I'd really like to hear about the "little" things people do to try & bring... View more

Hi everyone, I'm interested in hearing about the things people do to cope when times are rough. Not the self-destructive things. I'm pretty sure we're all familiar with those. I'd really like to hear about the "little" things people do to try & bring a little joy to their lives. Below is a list of some of the things I like to do - mood permitting. Eat cheezels. Dipped in sour cream. With chopsticks. Watch old Jerry Lewis movies. Never fails to crack me up. Volunteer at the local Blue Light Disco. Watching 200 kids runing around & dancing with joy just makes me smile. My face actually hurts the next day. Yell at politicians on the telly. This is excellent for venting one's spleen & always leaves one feeling refreshed. Go to the local shopping centre and just window shop. I like to fantasise about all the nice things I'll be able to buy when I win tattslotto. It also makes me feel less alone if I'm just around other people, even if I don't know them. Bake a cake. Use "Google Translate" to translate song lyrics from English to Japanese & back to English again. Try it - it's a hoot. Eat a cake. Sing along to Hootie & the Blowfish. (Umm, can we keep this one between ourselves?) Make something on the sewing machine. Current project - making pouches out of old woollen blankets for injured wildlife. Have a crack at making my own fudge. Find a spot in the sun and just sit for a while. Regards

Battling reality & my fantasy life

replies: 7

I've had a very active fantasy life since I was a young teenager. I have created a very comfortable & controlled environment. I've noticed very recently that I have this hole in my life that I'd like to have filled in reality but I measure most relat... View more

I've had a very active fantasy life since I was a young teenager. I have created a very comfortable & controlled environment. I've noticed very recently that I have this hole in my life that I'd like to have filled in reality but I measure most relationships against the main characters in my fantasy. So now realising I'm lonely. But why? I have friends & people who care about me. I have this expectation of this dream girl. But I know she is not real. It has stopped me from being satisfied with my friends in reality. I'm.hoping this is making some kind of sense. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

Depression doesn't seem to touch my faith

replies: 5

I find that when my bad thoughts come with depression I sing my favourite hymn that reminds me of my relationship with God. And it helps me to refocus my thoughts... Be still my soul, thy Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain ... View more

I find that when my bad thoughts come with depression I sing my favourite hymn that reminds me of my relationship with God. And it helps me to refocus my thoughts... Be still my soul, thy Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order & provide In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul, thy best & heavenly friend Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

Caring for your 'well' partner

replies: 25

Sounds basic but I hope my comments here dont step on any feelings. The objective is to help and honesty should not be compromised. Severe mental illness can be so debilitating that the sufferer needs 100% care from their partner often at times to th... View more

Sounds basic but I hope my comments here dont step on any feelings. The objective is to help and honesty should not be compromised. Severe mental illness can be so debilitating that the sufferer needs 100% care from their partner often at times to the point whereby the ill can resemble an emotional "sponge". Absorbing every comment their ears come across. Being sensitive to every comment and often they are 100% absorbed within themselves ...to just survive, just to keep living. What effect must this have on their partner? Family and friends not living with the ill have constant respite. They can even distance themselves at will. IF they are not feeling 100% themselves then they can cut contact for a few days and "go shopping" ? They have the choice of space. Not so the partner. I can picture it now. The partner leaves in the morning for work at 7am, trundles through bus and trains to the city to work in a big city office, tolerates all the gossip and infighting there then trundles home again. Finally gets home at 7pm knowing all along his battles for the day are only just beginning. He/she walks in the door, no hug, he/she asks how was your day and is met with glassy eyes and no reply. Finally after making a drink his/her partner finally talks and out comes the same comments about the past that the worker has heard all too often before. It's a sad story and many carers/partners endure this sad sad life. Of course I am not levelling fault here in any way. That is what is sad about it....there is no fault !!. In the case above let us presume you are the one with the depressive illness. What to do to avoid a very unhappy partner that ultimately is caring for you every day? They need care to. They need you. Here are my suggestions (easiest to most difficult) for you to try with all your might, to implement on a regular daily practice: 1/ Greet. If you can walk to the toilet when in need then you can walk to the door to greet your partner. You dont have to talk, just hug. 2/ Ask how was their day? For that one answer focus and listen. 3/ When your partner asks you how you are going be honest and clear. If you are consumed by the past or your hurt that he/she has heard so many times before then a comment like "I went back there again today so am not feeling ok" is better. 4/ Plan a small evening event. eg Ask your partner what TV show they would like to watch Providing as normal a home life as possible can be your greatest gift to your carer helping them to keep caring

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A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members

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