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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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MrsCam 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

AusHam 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)

Stitch 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

missmuppet 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?

missmuppet 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.

white knight 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

AGrace Music that Moves You
  • replies: 4

Hi Guys, One of the forms of therapy that I've tried, with quite a bit of success, is music therapy. So I was wanting to start a thread for what types of music people listen to: To help with Anxiety, To help with Depression, To motivate you, To help ... View more

Hi Guys, One of the forms of therapy that I've tried, with quite a bit of success, is music therapy. So I was wanting to start a thread for what types of music people listen to: To help with Anxiety, To help with Depression, To motivate you, To help you sleep, To distract you from urges or unhelpful thoughts, To help you feel less tense or stressed. So my question is what music moves you? AGrace

grungerock Finding Hope
  • replies: 24

I am an Australian male living and working in Hong Kong. 3 years ago I suffered anxiety disorder with mild depression, treated with medication with some minor therapy for 6 months. I was well for the last 3 years, until recently I had a relapsed beca... View more

I am an Australian male living and working in Hong Kong. 3 years ago I suffered anxiety disorder with mild depression, treated with medication with some minor therapy for 6 months. I was well for the last 3 years, until recently I had a relapsed because of job change - but this time it's more depression but minor anxiety. I was feeling hopeless with this relapse, I went with the same above medication but it didn't work and psychiatrist changes it. The issue is I am dwelling / worry about this sickness, I still haven't accepted and depressive symptoms are more challenging. It's like when things are so great for the last time..then "bam"....it returns. I like to hear from people around how do they cope this when it relapse and staying well. Thanks.

white knight Broke? oh that rotten feeling
  • replies: 13

I'm 58yo. When I was between 17 and 37yo I was always broke. Couldnt save a cent. I now know it was likely due to my mania. My impulsiveness saw me searching car yards for the dream car I didnt need and subsequently the better salesman sold me a car ... View more

I'm 58yo. When I was between 17 and 37yo I was always broke. Couldnt save a cent. I now know it was likely due to my mania. My impulsiveness saw me searching car yards for the dream car I didnt need and subsequently the better salesman sold me a car and the added loan for it. The loans built up and I had a real problem on my hands. I was one of those people though that always paid his bills as soon as they arrived, which left me nothing to spend on transport, social outings or sometimes- food. There were many weeks I'd live on 5 kgms of spuds, cooking chips every night or bubble and squeek. I now look back and see financial management like parenthood. Most of us grow up thinking we know automatically how to manage it. New, young parents, they often dont even read a book about parenthood and they have a child to raise. Thankfully they get support now. Whereas when a 18yo gets a job its purely their upbringing with money management that is their saving grace...or their downfall. Or in some cases like mine, mental incapacity to control impulsiveness. The modern world especially in the city doesnt help. Often couple purchase a homes and repayments are based on their dual incomes, one income goes so does their home. Banks and leading institutions lend money when they shouldnt. 30 years ago you wouldnt get a loan in many cases, now they sign you up. And we consumers cant resist that jet ski or 4WD. There are some smart ideas you can adopt. eg buying a new car? if you are going to own the car long term consider a diesel. We have owned our Hyundai i30 diesel hatch for 6 years and travelled 270,000 kms. After 25,000 kms we saved $30 a tank having repaid the $2500 for a diesel. So we are now ahead around $9,000 and the car will last longer than a petrol car. A friend of ours purchased a 4WD and wont ever take it off road. We can travel 3 times further on one tank. That is one answer. But a financial advisor is the expert we should seek when we slide off the rails. Depression will get much worse when the pressure of debts come home to roost. It is very common. One of my previous professions was debt collection. When the tow truck arrives to tow a car away, the owners can get hostile and upset. I could see that my arrival was the arrival they would always dread. With depression you have erratic days in terms of health. You cant predict the return of those bad days or worse - hospitalsation. Income becomes effected. Give yourself the best chance. Seek help to sort it out

check-in_chick My check in
  • replies: 14

Hello everyone, I am new here and looking for a little daily support to help me to recover and stay well. I have recently been discharged from my second hospital admission in 3 months for depression that led to a suicide attempt. I have spent more ti... View more

Hello everyone, I am new here and looking for a little daily support to help me to recover and stay well. I have recently been discharged from my second hospital admission in 3 months for depression that led to a suicide attempt. I have spent more time in hospital than out in recent months and now that I am out in the real world I find I'm missing my daily check-in and group support. So this is my check in for this morning. I feel a bit teary but with the sort of tears that won't come. I feel tired and sleepy and a little drained. I had a psycho therapy session yesterday and I was surprised at how drained it left me. It wasn't too heavy duty but I felt extremely emotional at times over past incidents that I haven't cried over for a while. Today I have a headache and finding it hard to get started. Despite all of that I feel safe. I don't like how I feel today but I will cope without resorting to self destructive activities. I will try to remain present and take very small steps in my recovery. Thanks for listening and any words of support are most welcome. R