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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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vip My funny moods
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone I was missing from these forums for a while totally got carried away with facebook which I closed and will never reopen again as I was writing maybe things I shouldn't have that's ok I made a big mistake I have learnt from it. I have been... View more

Hi everyone I was missing from these forums for a while totally got carried away with facebook which I closed and will never reopen again as I was writing maybe things I shouldn't have that's ok I made a big mistake I have learnt from it. I have been off my medication for 6 months due to some bad side effects I was having like drops to the floor, memory loss so under strict supervision from my psych and gp im having a go being off all this. How am I doing well I have a borderline personality disorder so many many different personalities coming out wow and I have anxiety and depression but I am go well I would say nearly 80% well ill get there . I train vigourously at my local gym 5 days a week sometimes 6 I volunteer im helping my hubby at the moment with his business all these things just temp until I get get in that work force and maybe work in fashion my 2nd passion in life. I would say I have had all this from age 7 and I turn 40 soon so yes a long battle but im getting stonger im learning to battle my demons and manage all this so I want to give all the rest of you beautiful people on this forum that there is hope and you can overcome all this . Yes its a long long journey and honestly one that will probably last a lifetime but that's what makes us all unique special people. We all have a gift that when we overcome this cruel disease we are able to help others young and old. So that's my spill would love to hear from others who are recovering and what they have done to recover just for some inspiration that's all. take care to you all xx

CAG Words - more powerful than you realise
  • replies: 7

Its 4am, another cant sleep moment so I get up and try to do something productive .. so here I am. Friday the 13th... must remember to hug my black cat, stand under a ladder, break a mirror and all that stuff .. Anyway on to productive... I am instin... View more

Its 4am, another cant sleep moment so I get up and try to do something productive .. so here I am. Friday the 13th... must remember to hug my black cat, stand under a ladder, break a mirror and all that stuff .. Anyway on to productive... I am instinctively altruistic. It is not a bad thing at all, however I seemed to have missed the part in the operating guide where it said to put myself first, not last. I have fixed that now as in a large part the part I missed put me where I am now. I like to inspire others as part of that helping quality I have and if what I share does help someone then that would be awesome. Words - can hurt,help and inspire - its how you interpret them. I love quotes. I have them stuck up everywhere so I see them all the time and they help me a great deal to keep positive and motivated. Some examples Depression - Do Everything Positively Reach Extend Stay Strong Ignore Others Negativity Fear - Forget Everything and Run or Face Everything and Rise Face your problems, don't Facebook them Focus - Fear Often Causes Unnecessary Sadness What other people think of you is REALLY none of your business On the back of my front door is It is just a big piece of wood. Stop worrying about what might go wrong. Take a deep breath, open me because on the other side you could find something to go right The first step to getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are Winners are not people who never fail but people that never quit Music is expression with powerful words. It can and will change your mood. Some extracts of lyrics Delta Goodrem - Believe Again Have you ever stared into the rain Thought the clouds would never disappear Have you ever screamed out into the dark Thinking no one else could hear Have you ever spun out of control Like you never saw the road ahead Have you ever just kept looking back Ever closer to the edge I believe the impossible is possible to overcome D:Ream - Things can only get better I sometimes lose myself in me I lose track of time And I can't see the woods for the trees You set 'em alight, burning the bridges as you go I'm too weak to fight you I got my personal health to deal with Things can only get better Can only get better Sleepy again now, I hope this might help, if it does you don't need to tell me, that is not my intent. I will just keep on fighting and make it happen.. There will be an answer.. let it be Keep going, don't stop. don't quit. Believe in you.

Wombat_Divine Getting the right diagnosis
  • replies: 2

What has worked for me? Getting the right diagnosis for starters and this was only possible with regular therapy. I am in the living in the USA for several years with my family. My husband has health insurance included in his work package. I have acc... View more

What has worked for me? Getting the right diagnosis for starters and this was only possible with regular therapy. I am in the living in the USA for several years with my family. My husband has health insurance included in his work package. I have access to monthly psychiatrist visits and weekly psychologist visits, all for minimal cost. So far I have been here for 12 months and my recovery is going well and I believe I have received a correct diagnosis after many, many years. I don't think I would have received a correct diagnosis in Australia (at least not for a very long time), not because of mental health professionals' lack of skill, but because access to mental health care is in Australia is expensive so I couldn't afford intense therapy. In Australia, I'd visit my psychiatrist every 3 months, paying a gap of approx $65. That wasn't too bad. However, to see a psychologist on a regular basis was beyond my means. I would get a mental health plan every year which would entitle me to 6 visits with a psych. I could also get a little rebate with my health insurance provider in after I had used up my mental health plan, but it was quite minimal. So seeing a psychologist on a weekly basis, for a long period of time, was not possible as the psych I was seeing in Australia charges over $150 an hr. Had it not been for the intense therapy I have received over the last 12 months in the USA, I don't think I would have made such big strides towards recovery. I am not saying the USA system is better. Far from it. I am currently in a beneficial situation where I get healthcare almost for free. However when I return to Australia, I go back to paying my own health insurance with minimal mental health coverage. I am concerned that my mental health will go downhill. Anyway, I choose not to ruminate about this too much. Cheers,Wombat Divine

Gertie Seeking Advice on Recovery
  • replies: 3

I have just read the post by MrsCam and can really relate to this. Well done to her for seeking recovery. I always beat myself up about not having anything to be depressed about. I must keep reinforcing that it is an illness and not a weakness - as m... View more

I have just read the post by MrsCam and can really relate to this. Well done to her for seeking recovery. I always beat myself up about not having anything to be depressed about. I must keep reinforcing that it is an illness and not a weakness - as my doc keeps saying. Although I am feeling better due to medication for the last 7 months, I still get quite black days. Is this "normal"? Will there be a time when the black days disappear? At the moment there are probably 2 weeks when I can "look the world in the eye" and that is followed by a week of just wanting to hide etc. I cannot pinpoint any cause for the downturn in mood, there doesn't appear to be any cause. I would be interested to hear if this type of thing happens to others and how do you handle it. Thanks

Emm068 giving up drinking
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I have suffered depression for some years and are on medication. Although unfortunately I drink way too much and last night realised that I must give up. I just cried and cried because I know how hard this will be and I dont have any wil... View more

Hi everyone, I have suffered depression for some years and are on medication. Although unfortunately I drink way too much and last night realised that I must give up. I just cried and cried because I know how hard this will be and I dont have any willpower and I need to find strength that I just dont know if I can find at the moment...Does anyone have suggestions that may help me on the road to recovery and happiness again? Thanks in advanceEmm

CAG The first step ... always the hardest. A different approach
  • replies: 1

I have been battling severe depression for over a year now. I know that the most important part of recovery is to want to change, embrace the change but most importantly to initiate the change. Nobody can do this for you.I have tried lots of differen... View more

I have been battling severe depression for over a year now. I know that the most important part of recovery is to want to change, embrace the change but most importantly to initiate the change. Nobody can do this for you.I have tried lots of different things but with all the things that go with this condition (lack of sleep, anxiety, etc) it seems the harder I try the more I retreat. I feel guilty if I stay in bed and force myself to get up and do something... a lot of times I don't succeed. I feel good when I achieve things. Failure does not exist in my head and I look at it as say 80% successful.I live alone in Brisbane and many "friends" have abandoned me, except 2 that stick like glue and check on me daily. I am in no way concerned about those others and I've jettisoned them as excess baggage I don't need.. it is much easier to fly that way. As they say true friends are the ones right there doing it rather than those asking what can I do. My focus is solely on the critical path of recovery. I research extensively and challenge things when I need to. I recall after my first session with a psychologist who said go on an SNRI AD. I asked how he worked that out in 45 minutes as I do not believe shoving a pill in my mouth is the first option... and from experience it has led to a whole bunch of other medical issues to battle as well.CBT is a common tool for treatment. You generally have some idea about you and what the problems are. I am not critical of it but I do not feel like psychology 101 textbook pathways help. Everyone is different and when empathy is shown it builds trust. Advice is what we humans seek when we probably know the answer but don't want to confront it.This is not a negative post, it is my experience. What I think will help me the most is to find a friend in the same boat so that we can row it forward faster together encouraging and supporting each other. If you don't try you will not succeed and also if you don't ask the question an answer will never arrive. I am incredibly determined. This will not beat me and I wont quit. If this concept works for you please get in touch.I am single, 48, gay (irrelevant), intelligent,logical and loads of common sense.If this post creates some inspiration for you that makes me really happy. Altruism is a gift but I have learnt now to focus it on myself first, not last.Smile... despite what you think sometimes.. you do not own all of the problems in the world

Stephy Experiences of seeking help
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, I am new to the discussion board and just wanted to know what your experiences are of seeking help (ie.good/bad) and what you have done to recover from depression/anxiety/bipolar/mental illness? What kind of therapy and strategies do you us... View more

Hey guys, I am new to the discussion board and just wanted to know what your experiences are of seeking help (ie.good/bad) and what you have done to recover from depression/anxiety/bipolar/mental illness? What kind of therapy and strategies do you use in times of stress? I'm starting to see a psychologist and want to know other people's experiences on this forum and what has/hasn't worked. Thanks! Hope to hear a response

les writing helps
  • replies: 4

i have had depression for a long time but after a marriage break up 20 years ago the depression really peaked. i was eventually hospitlised. it was then one sunny morning while leaning against a colum in the hospital , thinking i have only got 20 cen... View more

i have had depression for a long time but after a marriage break up 20 years ago the depression really peaked. i was eventually hospitlised. it was then one sunny morning while leaning against a colum in the hospital , thinking i have only got 20 cents in my pocket and yet previous i ran a business and turned over a quarter of a million dollars per year. strange but i started to laugh and thought i have to write about this. so off i go i asked the nurse for an A4 sheet and a pencil. that was the start of my writing and boy did i give the pencil some work.. this would lead to me publishing a book in 2008 and having my photo in the paper in the north and south of western australia. even if you start writing about your life and dont want to publish give it to your grand kids or someone close so they would know your feelings and what you got up to in your life .? a lot of comedians and famous singers have suffered depression. cheers . les

sophy how can you tell if you're relapsing?
  • replies: 10

Hi, I'm new to this forum (or any online forum for that matter) but would really love to connect with other people who have gone through similar things. I'm in recovery from depression/anxiety and most of the time feel like I'm doing ok. But sometime... View more

Hi, I'm new to this forum (or any online forum for that matter) but would really love to connect with other people who have gone through similar things. I'm in recovery from depression/anxiety and most of the time feel like I'm doing ok. But sometimes, like today, it feels as if the world is crashing in again and that I just can't cope. I get really worried that this means I'm relapsing and will end up in an institution again. Is this common? And how can you tell the difference between a relapse and just a shitty day? Would love to hear from anyone even if you haven't been able to answer this question yourself. x sophy

ReneeJ What next? (new to online forums)
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. I have depression and anxiety and have been taking medication for a little over a month. I feel like my anxiety has really started to settle, but my depression not so much. I am fighting with my boyfriend all the time and am finding it d... View more

Hi everyone. I have depression and anxiety and have been taking medication for a little over a month. I feel like my anxiety has really started to settle, but my depression not so much. I am fighting with my boyfriend all the time and am finding it difficult to feel happy. It almost feels like I have lost the ability. Along with medication I have changed my diet to a much healthier one, I also take short walks to relieve tension and stress. Could anyone else suggest other things I could do? I am taking my negative feelings out (unintentionally) on my boyfriend and it's putting a huge strain on our relationship. I really want to feel happy and a little more carefree again. Please help.