Staying well

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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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Jo3 Staying well today
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I've written some pretty traumatic and distressing posts (under depression) over the past week. It's brought me right down into that deep dark tangled web. But today is another day, I am home from work for next 2 days, so my plan to stay... View more

Hi everyone, I've written some pretty traumatic and distressing posts (under depression) over the past week. It's brought me right down into that deep dark tangled web. But today is another day, I am home from work for next 2 days, so my plan to staying well will be: 1. taking dog for walk down the beach 2. going for a skin mole check (necessary) 3. catching up with a friend for coffee 4. swim down the beach this afternoon 5. just sit and listen to relaxation music on my phone Sometimes I need to just sit and do nothing. Even though my house is messy, adult kids everywhere, chores to do - I REALLY DON'T CARE. I don't care if hubby comes home and says - oh shoes here, shoes there, shoes everywhere!! I REALLY DON'T CARE. Today and tomorrow is going to be my time. Time for me to do whatever and if the family crack it - well bad luck. Hope everyone can have a staying well plan and enjoy your day. Take care everyone Jo

amamas Mental Health support at Uni
  • replies: 0

Hi I just wanted to post in case anyone is having problems studying due to their mental illness. I'm studying an online unit through Uni and due to my illness have lots of days where I can't study. I recently contacted the disability support team and... View more

Hi I just wanted to post in case anyone is having problems studying due to their mental illness. I'm studying an online unit through Uni and due to my illness have lots of days where I can't study. I recently contacted the disability support team and they were wonderful! I can't say enough good things about them. They thought of needs I may have that I didn't even consider myself. Registering has taken so much stress out of my studies. They set up a plan for me that is in place now if I ever need further support. Right down to little details like - my brain works better in the morning so I now will only ever have morning exams. I highly recommend accessing this service if you're studying. Cheers Amamas

Stephen123 Some days are diamonds
  • replies: 8

Why is it some days I feel like I,m right on top of the old black dog and other days I can feel the little bugger nipping at my heels again. I just don,t have the energy nor the drive to do anything today. There are a thousand things I could be doing... View more

Why is it some days I feel like I,m right on top of the old black dog and other days I can feel the little bugger nipping at my heels again. I just don,t have the energy nor the drive to do anything today. There are a thousand things I could be doing but I just can,t do them. 20 years! I,ve had enough of this, I don,t mean I want to end it all or anything. I,ve just had enough of this numb feeling. I crave to be happy joyful, interactive with the kids. Sometimes all I do is lie here in self misery unable to get up. Depression, where did you come from? Why do you take evil form? Alcohol, pokies. Why have you dragged me down for 20 years? Will I ever beat you? Why are you known by so many labels? Why won,t you leave me alone ? so that I can live a normal healthy productive life! You creep into my heart and soul and twist an evil blade. Damn you depression, damn you to hell where you belong. I am beating you, I will defeat you one day and I will lead a positive productive life. You have me today depression but not for long, the kids come home soon and you,ll be banished to the cupboard under the stairs again. You might pop your head out tomorrow but I might not be here, I might be in the garden or at the beach where you can,t find me. sorry for rambling I just needed to vent.

MaryG Making Progress
  • replies: 2

I have posted here a few times and really benefited from knowing that there are other people out there who will listen and sometimes respond if they think they can help by either giving me some advice or just sharing their own experiences. I've also ... View more

I have posted here a few times and really benefited from knowing that there are other people out there who will listen and sometimes respond if they think they can help by either giving me some advice or just sharing their own experiences. I've also found it hugely beneficial to listen and attempt to help others. In the last week I feel like I have really turned a corner and I am feeling really quite good for the first time in a long time. I wanted to share some of this positive feeling and maybe help some of you understand that maybe there is a way to move forward and out of the hole and stop yourself from falling back in. If you don't know or can't remember my story; after probably many years of depression (untreated except for self medication with alcohol) and then a significant downwards spiral in the last three years, I am now taking an SNRI, seeing a psychologist weekly, and I have given up alcohol completely. I have an extremely supportive and loving husband, and he and my amazing GP have been instrumental in helping me to get the help I need. Through my psych visits I have begun to understand a lot about myself and how I have learnt to deal with life since childhood by blocking and actually not dealing with anything and hoping that problems will go away. Then I typically feel guilty that I haven’t dealt with a problem and that although I want to deal with it and tell myself I should, I worry that I will say or do the wrong thing and end up never saying or doing anything. This compounds I guess and makes me feel useless and stupid and weak. I am a perfectionist particularly in my work and my fear of failure is also a big factor. I am very slowly now finding that I can identify some of the triggers that set me off into the self hatred, self doubt, fear, anxiety and depression. In fact I had my first experience of this the other evening and I experienced such an epiphany. Wow! I thought...I need to let this go. I thought is this a problem I can or am willing to do anything about? No...well move on. And I did. I'm 48 years old and it's time to understand what I can and can’t do and accept that there are some things that I don’t need to beat myself up over. This is me, in this body right now. (thanks mindfulness) It’s early days, but this one experience has left me with such a different outlook on my life. Yesterday a work colleague made a comment to me that I heard as “you’re useless and the job you do isn't as important as mine” He didn't actually say that, but in my self critical head it’s what I heard. I thought I need to let this go. I returned to my desk and I took a few minutes to look at some photos of my family and an artwork I have been working on and thought about all the things I am really very good at and I let it go. Having said all that I woke this morning feeling quite tired and anxious and it isn't obvious to me why this is. I have been feeling so engaged and happy this last week. My psych says that there is a big neuro-biological side to all this and it takes a while to “rewire” the brain. It’s not just all thoughts, a lot is chemical especially because of the alcohol abuse. Again I guess I need to accept this and not beat myself up for failing to be well all the time. Easy to intellectualise, not so easy to do. So anyway that’s how I am today still struggling a little, but feeling that there is definitely hope and it’s worth fighting for a better life. Mary

helpinghand Books and Other Resources
  • replies: 1

I'm looking for a biography of an anxiety sufferer that talks about how they overcame or managed their anxiety. Preferably a biography of a well-known person that can easily be identified with. My partner is an anxiety sufferer and would like a biogr... View more

I'm looking for a biography of an anxiety sufferer that talks about how they overcame or managed their anxiety. Preferably a biography of a well-known person that can easily be identified with. My partner is an anxiety sufferer and would like a biography that might inspire her. Appreciate any advice you might have a good book. Thank you.

Stephen123 Brief psychotic disorder
  • replies: 4

I believe this is my label. I,m just wondering if there are any other brief psychotics out there. Yes I,ve had numerous nervous breakdowns, yes I,ve been sure I was Jesus Christ, but it would seem I get to experience insanity only briefly. Oh and not... View more

I believe this is my label. I,m just wondering if there are any other brief psychotics out there. Yes I,ve had numerous nervous breakdowns, yes I,ve been sure I was Jesus Christ, but it would seem I get to experience insanity only briefly. Oh and not to mention all the other fun stuff, paranoid delusions, major depression, PTSD, and apparently mild schizophrenia. About the only thing I am missing are the voices. But I do have that little voice in my head that constantly talks to me telling me I,m hopeless or there is someone out to take the mickey out of me. It,s nowhere near as strong as it used to be. 16 years it,s been and I,m still heart scared of it. Where was that place I went too? The place beyond hell for infinity! why is that figure 8 so significant? Do other people go there? How did I get back? I just hope I never go there again, even if it is only briefly. Brief psychosis, it didn't,t feel very brief to me!

giggles I would like to share my experience with depression
  • replies: 0

Hello to anyone that has chosen to read this I get what alot of people write about on this site. I have not experienced all of what is written. What I would like to share is not going to be agreed with by all and that is fine I really can not possibl... View more

Hello to anyone that has chosen to read this I get what alot of people write about on this site. I have not experienced all of what is written. What I would like to share is not going to be agreed with by all and that is fine I really can not possibly expect everyone to agree with my experience because it is just that MINE.However if there is someone there that will seek the correct help for them and they in turn find their place then I am happy and I realize I may never know who you are or even meet you but that is just fine. This is my truth to my life that I can honestly say that I wish all could see and learn what I have over the last few years. All I am asking is for those that have this time on their hands because of the depression controlling their lives in a negative way that they seek the help of the spiritual realm. I am not suggesting which one because that really is up to the individual. Certain people have suggested that I am very spiritual but I just looked at them and wondered what they were on. For those that have been seriously hurt by the spiritual people it is simply time for you to find the one that is for you. the one you understand, the one you connect with, the one that helps you bring back your confidence to control those inner feelings because at the end of the day that is what I have personally learnt to deal with and I am living it.No one did it for me as no one can do it for you. Simple. No Psychologist or Doctor offered me any assistance with what I needed so that just added to my length of time being depressed.They had pills of course but that just cost me more and I was worried about finances as it was so that does not help. Because I am still here everyday I reckon then I am meant to be. That is how I see spirit working and helping. Everything now good and bad is meant to be. I have had a new born baby come into our lives and what he has it absolutely horrid but you know what he is going to be loved and cared for like he is suppose to be. In the past I would have been blown away with this event but because I have done the work of the spiritual nature I can honestly say it is real as real as those pills covering my truths. Since I love to researching things it has opened doors that I would not normally open and in that I have found concrete answers on how to deal with people, situations and I no longer worry like I use to about things that I have absoulute no control over. A very small example is if I am angry at someone of something I am getting alot quicker at finding out why I am angry at them and can release it alot quicker than I use too and then be in the depressive condition which of course distracts you from living. Now I am not perfect and would never ever claim to be however I do not feel like I need to be either because I am human first which just means I will make mistakes trip over something and do it again. The human and spiritual are very very closely linked to me and it is so easy to get confused as to which one we are in but it is possible to improve your skills in some way. Before I have ended up writting a book for this post which I am not interested in doing because there is a cyber space out there for all to read at their own leisure and if you are meant to meet someone to help you search then so be it. I would never ever rely on anyone ever again for my spiritual growth but that is me what I have now are people I can call on to toss things over with and that in itself can be the difference between life and death. I have always wanted to say when I hear people say they need to stop suicide that it is not actually possible to actually know when someone is going to do that. No one knew what I was thinking when I wanted to die and when they did the help definitely did not help at all.However this is not a criticism because I know everyone is doing their best as well so it comes back to my personal timing of when I was ready to start really honestly working on myself. I have health issues that can take me any time it likes but still I am here enjoying every minute in fact alot of the time they would cause anyone to get depressed with the management of it on an everyday scale. Hope this get published All the best all who get to read it cause thats all I can ever do for anyone. Giggles

non_semper_erit_aestas Alcohol substitute
  • replies: 7

I have been on medication for Depression and Anxiety for several years now and am currently undergoing a drug change which has resulted in me being hospitalized due to the withdrawal process not going well.Yesterday i was given a leave pass to the lo... View more

I have been on medication for Depression and Anxiety for several years now and am currently undergoing a drug change which has resulted in me being hospitalized due to the withdrawal process not going well.Yesterday i was given a leave pass to the local shopping center to pick up a couple of items, I had my purchases and was feeling great. I was due back at hospital at 5pm. At 8pm I returned with a blood Alcohol reading of 0.09.I have no idea why i started to drink as I had not been experiencing cravings for Alcohol ( i have used alcohol in the past as a relaxant ) I would be interested to hear from people who maybe able to offer some advise as to what drink when in a social situation or just want a cool drink after mowing the lawn.Are there options out other than Water.

KJ Disclosing your illness to Employers
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Hello my name is Kerri and this is my first post on the site. I would like to ask if people disclose their illness to their employer or a prospective employer? I was diagnosed with PTSD and Depression just over 10 months ago and did not work for that... View more

Hello my name is Kerri and this is my first post on the site. I would like to ask if people disclose their illness to their employer or a prospective employer? I was diagnosed with PTSD and Depression just over 10 months ago and did not work for that period of time. I have worked all my life and to suddenly have to try and explain why there is a gap on my résumé feels wrong not to tell the truth but am worried about employers reactions. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. KJ

lucy66 How did you find unique ways of coping DURING depression? -A young woman's personal narrative
  • replies: 0

As a Media/ Communications student, I have always been told to write about 'what I know'. Sadly for me, that has been depression but I'd like to know how others found unique ways of getting through daily tasks and surviving depression. I wrote this P... View more

As a Media/ Communications student, I have always been told to write about 'what I know'. Sadly for me, that has been depression but I'd like to know how others found unique ways of getting through daily tasks and surviving depression. I wrote this Personal Narrative for a journalism class , however, I hope that others can find similarities and reassurance within it... A Sleepless Prison Experiencing true, euphoric joy for the first time in years, I feel like a prisoner. Ignoring the shred of razor wire, deafening howl of alarms and searchlights harsh glare I make my escape into the ‘real’ world. A world where my senses are awakened and my mind indulges guiltlessly in the joy of living. Leaving behind my jailer, I revel in the smell of dusty horses and leather, the silken softness of cats fur and dew-soaked mornings spent wrapped in a blanket on the veranda, gazing out over the farm with steaming coffee warming my fingertips. I live my life as a fugitive, trading in a new currency of smiles and rationality I am rewarded two-fold by the lit up gaze and benevolent grins I receive in return. All the while I remain wary of my captor, lurking in my minds shadows, waiting for me to slip and fall. My jailor, the one that has pursued me, the one that has haunted me has a name, yet no body, a motive but no soul. My tormentor is depression. Some people think that depression numbs the mind, makes the rhythm of life flow in slow motion, but my life became punctuated by constant thought. Although I didn’t wear an orange jumpsuit, my mind was a cell and I occupied my time there marking my faults like chalk strokes on the wall and peering through the bars. I attempted to read the consciousness of others and procure what they thought of me. How they judged. Constantly seeking the purpose in everything, I found value in nothing. Unless something was a means to an end, I found it pointless –fun was the first thing to go, overtaken by a lethargic desire to simply ‘exist’ in a world that was no longer mine but devoid of control. Like breaking stones in the prison yard, everyday tasks chiseled away at my resolve and even minor criticisms shattered my will like a sledgehammer. Sleep became an elusive prize, a battle won only by exhaustion. Each toss and turn made morning an occasion greeted by relief followed shortly after by the realization of another day ahead. I awoke like a dog, exited by the return of his owner, only to watch him walk away. I remember climbing out my bedroom window night after night, tip-toeing my way down the path through a maze of pots and rogue tree limbs and hazily pushing my weary body through the wires of the back fence. A low whinny acknowledged my presence as I slid in my headphones and shuffled into position on my horses broad back. Falling off was nothing compared to the pain of being trapped in my razor-wired mind so there I sat, the repetitive pulse of the music drowning out my thoughts with only the moon to gaze down on us. He became my sole confidante, never judging, never telling, only bobbing his head occasionally to pick at the grass or shaking his mane as if to shake me out of my turmoil. Climbing back into bed, the seconds turned to hours, the fluorescent glow of my alarm clock mocking me as each minute flicked by as a rearrangement of green bars on blackened screen. Such had become my life –minutes past marking out tasks endured and taking precedence over joys to come. I trudged on, trapped in the dreary monotony of daily life. An empty shell, sucked dry of the colour and vibrancy it once contained only to be replaced by the harsh purple shadows beneath my eyes and grey cloud looming overhead. Coffee became as valuable to me as liquid gold, a faithful mainstay allowing me to function just well enough to divert suspicion that all was not well in my world. I had become a master of falsified emotions, going through the motions of social niceties. In a caffeinated daze, I would nod when prompted, mutter hurried responses to queries and on occasion, force my lips into a submissive smile. My eyes gave me away. No amount of concealer or coats of mascara could erase the shadows beneath them or weary glaze, even so, meeting the gaze of another proved my most difficult obstacle. I felt like a nocturnal creature, emerging against my will from the safety of darkness to a place where every glance was a threat and the sunlight blinded me with its painful whiteness. Feigned enthusiasm and an overt eagerness to please became my weapons of choice against these perceived threats. I may have been the only inmate in the enclosure of my mind, yet everyone and everything, my jailor warned me, were out to kill. Superior to me in intelligence, looks and vivacity, my friends and family became to me like a panel of judges. They sat condemning my faults as the jurors watched on, my teachers, peers and neighbors amongst them. Like acid burning away at my skin, the pain of scrutiny, real or perceived, became a burden too heavy for my aching limbs to support. Exhausted, I finally submitted to the probing questions of a doctor, tears tumbling down my cheeks where constant streams had formed well-worn furrows, their salty warmth a strange comfort. Medicated, my world seemed suddenly calm. My pain was numbed and my captor anesthetised but not destroyed. I started going to the gym, setting free my body on the treadmill with my irrational fears behind me as motivation –setting free my mind –albeit temporarily. Eventually, I ridded my self of the tablets that had obscured my view of the world, smothering me like a protective mother, too afraid to let her child experience the world’s pains, yet preventing them from experiencing it at all. I started to talk. As if learning to speak again –to connect with another on a level that transcended the weather, homework or superficiality –topics I had once deemed safe. I called friends for enjoyment, to share in dreams, desires, daily highlights in place of the cold drone of complaints and mental ailments. Most important of all, I evicted my captor from his post in my consciousness, changing the locks, one walk, one heartfelt discussion and one act of self-belief at a time. Sunshine is no longer a taunting contrast to the darkness that once shrouded my outlook, its warm rays permeate my skin, imparting their uplifting vigor as they radiate to my core.