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Sophie_M Sleep and Mental Health
  • replies: 0

Many of us have struggled with bouts of troubled sleep, and needless to say, these periods of nocturnal restlessness can be utterly overwhelming and exhausting. Sleeplessness can filter into every aspect of our lives: our ability to be present, remem... View more

Many of us have struggled with bouts of troubled sleep, and needless to say, these periods of nocturnal restlessness can be utterly overwhelming and exhausting. Sleeplessness can filter into every aspect of our lives: our ability to be present, remember things, regulate our emotions, or to feel excited and energised… it can change the way we think and feel in such a significant and impactful way. Whether it’s due to big life changes, global pandemics, financial or work stressors, health concerns (like menopause), how much ‘you’ time you have, or even unprocessed emotions you weren’t aware were there – so many things can impact how you sleep. All of this goes to show that not only do your daily habits, routines, and experiences play a huge role in maintaining healthy sleep cycles, but so does your mental health. And frustratingly enough, your sleep also impacts and informs your mental health and daily habits. Like most things, it’s a very easy cycle to fall into. So, it’s imperative that we are gentle and compassionate with ourselves on our journey to understanding what is making us so hypervigilant and unable to rest in the first place. Studies show that journaling or mindfulness practices throughout the day, healthy food, movement, sunshine, connection with loved ones, and support from health professionals can help us to feel more grounded and able to rest. But we are curious… what has worked for you? When do you notice that your sleep is most affected vs. when you get the best rest? And is there a way you could practice regulating your nervous system more throughout the day to help promote better sleep at night? We would love to hear your thoughts! Let us know if you have any questions and be sure to check out our page on ‘Sleep and Mental Health’ for more guidance and insight into a more supported and restful night’s sleep: Sleep and mental health - Beyond Blue - Beyond Blue Looking forward to hearing from you! Kind regards, 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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JessF Would you forget?
  • replies: 10

Last night i was watching an old episode of the X Files, where one of the main characters ends up having his memory erased and dumped in a small town in Mexico. His son had been killed years before, and the only flashes of memory that came back to hi... View more

Last night i was watching an old episode of the X Files, where one of the main characters ends up having his memory erased and dumped in a small town in Mexico. His son had been killed years before, and the only flashes of memory that came back to him were that he had a son. When his memories came back to him by the end of the episode, it was like reliving it again and he was devastated. But then he confronted the man who had erased his memories. The man asked him, "Do you really think your'e better now that you remember your life? Why would you want to have back all that pain?" And the character answered "Because it's MINE." This has set my wheels spinning more than I thought it would. It seems sort of obvious that it would be great to pusha button and erase horrible memories, especially those people who have suffered horrible abuse etc. But doesn't what happen to us define who we are and the path we take in life? I remember seeing another documentary about a man who compeltely lost his memory one day, and his wife ended up leaving him even though they'd been together for years, because he literally wasn't the man she'd married. His persoanlity was different, because it had been shaped by all the things that had happened to him, including all the years they spent together. So I'm torn. What do you think? Would erasing memories fix our depression? And would we lose something else in the process?

Stormgirl2012 Hungry and getting fatter 😢
  • replies: 3

Hi all. I've been told that it's part and parcel of antidepressants to gain weight. Since I've been taking them (about 3 months) I want to eat constantly even thought I'm not hungry. I'm unmotivated and rarely go to the gym any more. I know I've gain... View more

Hi all. I've been told that it's part and parcel of antidepressants to gain weight. Since I've been taking them (about 3 months) I want to eat constantly even thought I'm not hungry. I'm unmotivated and rarely go to the gym any more. I know I've gained weight as my jeans are all really quite uncomfortable. Is anyone else going through this. Has anyone BEEN through this and beaten it?? I'd love to know how to beat it as I'm getting even more depressed about it and I'm at a stage where I wish I could get really sick so I'll lose weight. I try to eat mainly fruits and vegetables all day but the yucky stuff like chips and lollies are creeping in. It's disgusting. When I eat, I really gobble my food down - it's almost like a full on binge. I've been on antidepressants before and came off them for that reason. I'm at a point where I want to come off the meds again for the same thing. A could of friends have suggested I go back to my GP to get a prescription for weight loss drugs. I don't think he'll give it to me as to most people I don't look fat and my BMI is in the top end overweight range although some of it is muscle as I used to work out quite hard until all this. I think about my weight so much that it consumes me. What are everyone else's experiences - male or female.

Tommie How about a few uplifting and supportive threads?
  • replies: 3

Lets hear the stories from those battling their way through recovery. What obstacles have or are you facing? How do they make you feel? Give yourself a moment, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Open your eyes and look at your surroundings and n... View more

Lets hear the stories from those battling their way through recovery. What obstacles have or are you facing? How do they make you feel? Give yourself a moment, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Open your eyes and look at your surroundings and nothing more. Slow down and live. You can get better. You are not alone. This is why we come here. Reset yourselves, and start again. Learn how we all work differently and individually. Listen to your mind and body and ask yourself what you can do to recover. To smile. To be happy. Find your strengths. Dont concentrate on HOW the issues are affecting you. Think HOW can I do this for ME? I myself struggle daily, but Im not giving up. Im standing up and I'm fighting. For my life and my happiness. I am a man trapped inside of a females body. I am a lesbian. I have a family and carried our beautiful daughter. I have been diagnosed with BPD, depression, anxiety, post-natal and a few more. I cannot remember the last 12 months of my life. Our daughter is 5 months old. I have run away and abandoned my family a few times now. Out of fear. But I am more than this, and I deserve more. I love my fiancé, and I love our daughter. I plan to have more children with my partner. I plan many things with her. I plan many things for us. I plan for myself. Im not walking out again, this is MY life. This is YOUR life. Live YOUR life.

Jo3 Home from hospital
  • replies: 10

To all my dear friends I came home this afternoon from being in hospital for 10 days. I wish it was longer but unfortunately I have to go back to work on Monday because of finance stress. I know, you're all probably saying - "Jo you should have staye... View more

To all my dear friends I came home this afternoon from being in hospital for 10 days. I wish it was longer but unfortunately I have to go back to work on Monday because of finance stress. I know, you're all probably saying - "Jo you should have stayed longer" - I really wish I could have but there was no other way. I have had a good break from the family, lots of time to myself reflecting back at the day's therapy sessions, psych session and just talking to the other patients. I met some amazing people who all have their own struggles, but we were all there for each other either laughing together or crying together or even just giving someone a hug. This morning was hard for me because I had to say goodbye to these people; I had two anxiety attacks one this morning and another at lunchtime. But I ended up seeing my psych and got a call from my therapist who both gave me support and encouragement to keep going, giving me strength because they know that I can do it. As much as this sounds horrible - I really did enjoy my break, it was time away for me and me only; no one else. I didn't have cook, didn't have to organise my day because that was taken care of. So back home now, I need to focus on taking slow steps to getting back into the swing of things; I will take this weekend slow, ease my way back into work and hopefully be fine. My boss has been very supportive and he knows the situation; it's just the other staff that will be questioning me on Monday. I hope everyone is doing okay, I will try to get to reply to some over the weekend. Jo xxx

Loz43 4 days in a row
  • replies: 3

I have had 4 really good days in a row, a great thing for me

I have had 4 really good days in a row, a great thing for me

hugomax So what does recovery really look like?
  • replies: 7

I had major depression in 2006. Thought I had it beat, but my memory and cognitive function have never returned to anything like they were before. The doctor has said I need to go on a higher dose for an extended period of time. Which I have just sta... View more

I had major depression in 2006. Thought I had it beat, but my memory and cognitive function have never returned to anything like they were before. The doctor has said I need to go on a higher dose for an extended period of time. Which I have just started. He has assured me it will make a longer lasting change that will bring back my brains functionality. I function today although I am less confident in my own actions which is impacting my life. But I am planning for a new future which is quite exciting. My expectation is that after 6-9 months of enduring these drugs and the side effects I will stop taking them and my brain will return to a state somewhat close to where I was before my depression. I expect not to have to take them again unless I feel myself slipping back into depression. Am I being a little naive? What should I be expecting after this period? Should I expect to be on these drugs for longer than 9 months? I consider myself mild to moderate depressed. Also during this time I intend to go back to college to study. It does worry me as I am unsure if my brain will be able to cope. Will these drugs stabilize me making study better or will I find it harder to concentrate and retain information. Thanks for the insight.

white knight DO YOU RAMBLE ON? A talker of mental illness all the time?
  • replies: 4

My mother was, I believe BPD. But she talked over and over again about things. Relatives would be driven mad over the same things repeated. Now, I'm 58yo with depression, dysthymia anxiety and bipolar 2. I have awareness that I am similar although no... View more

My mother was, I believe BPD. But she talked over and over again about things. Relatives would be driven mad over the same things repeated. Now, I'm 58yo with depression, dysthymia anxiety and bipolar 2. I have awareness that I am similar although not as bad, as my mother in my ramblings. The subject matter goes in stages. 25 years ago my topic of rambling was my workplace and its political challenges, 10 years ago family matters and recently mental health has been my topic I'm driving others crazy about. I'm preoccupied with my behaviour not unlike low self esteem. I am angry with the world full of many that have a MI of some kind but they not seek help for it (denial). I try to work things out for myself like what illness is causing my mood today, my anger or my confusion, my need to escape from society etc. Why I'm not happy all the time and make justification for such thoughts. EG every aspect of my life in the last 3 years has improved out of sight- remarried and happily, financial security, physical health, family, friends etc etc. All good. So why cant I be more stable in mood. Mood stabilisers have had a dramatic effect but am on the highest dosage. It becomes and issue when I want to talk to others about MI. My wife, who has depression, doesnt want to be involved with my Beyond Blue posts. Fair enough I say. I post regularly...nearly everyday because I know my experiences and knowledge helps people out there. Sooner or later though, my mouth opens about it or mental illness in general not only to my wife but to all around me.....it results in various reactions often I get ignored, the subject is changed or a few just say "give it a rest". It would be interesting if anyone has knowledge as to why people like me and my mother "talk the legs off a chair". The end result is- when told I'm talking too much, is to retreat in my cave, a mental "hole" where I speak little and am extremely upset. It often lasts a day or so.

Loz43 A good day
  • replies: 1

I had a good day today, very productive, well more productive than my usual days haha. I put music on and did some chores that hadn't been done for a while and I read my book. Ofcourse not everything got done but that's ok. Baby steps and one day at ... View more

I had a good day today, very productive, well more productive than my usual days haha. I put music on and did some chores that hadn't been done for a while and I read my book. Ofcourse not everything got done but that's ok. Baby steps and one day at a time first really good day I have had in a while.

white knight WHAT'S YOUR DEFENCE? against your vulnerability
  • replies: 6

I speak as one of the most sensitive people on earth, no exaggeration. Hence- I fall into a bad place often, too often. Abrupt people, nasty, inconsiderate, spiteful...you get the picture. Some people can say a few words and these words linger in my ... View more

I speak as one of the most sensitive people on earth, no exaggeration. Hence- I fall into a bad place often, too often. Abrupt people, nasty, inconsiderate, spiteful...you get the picture. Some people can say a few words and these words linger in my hurt for days. Recently after I stabilised on mood stabilisers and AD's I decided to embark on facing my feelings and being proactive about them. At 58yo I've been with these issues a long time. So, in order from a few months ago are the strategies I've tried- 1/ When I bump into people I know at shopping centres I limit chat time for each individual for a couple of minutes This allows you to just cover the general topics without you falling into mentioning you're not well or his issues that could add to your stress. 2/ Limit social media friends. Less friends less abuse less upset means more happier times. 3/ Stay clear of people with a proven nasty streak. Narcissistic people are everywhere. Identify them and eliminate them from conversation. Avoiding? Yep!! Unless they prove otherwise, they never change. Pwer is a lust some seek all the time...not at my expense. 4/ Beware the spouse of the abrasive ones. Some spouses take on board their wife/husband's fights. 5/ Clubs are a problem for the likes of me. I will never be in a committee nor the inner circle. But it doesnt mean you cant participate with passion. I elected to be the BBQ cook. You meet people briefly as they collect their sausages, enough time to ask them their name again but not long enough to get upset by them. 6/ As soon as I was able to retire I did. Less work contacts. Have these measures helped- absolutely. But it is still a learning curve. What are some of the things you do in order to protect yourself. ? PS I'm not critical towards these "nasties" in society. They have a right to act how they choose. I identify with MY issues and respond accordingly. Their issues are for them to combat.

RJD discussion with a beyondblue worker
  • replies: 6

Has anyone chatted with someone from beyondblue and still felt awful? Struggling with my feelings at the moment and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Has anyone chatted with someone from beyondblue and still felt awful? Struggling with my feelings at the moment and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.