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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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Beetle14 Helping a Loved one with Bipolar
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone,I am struggling at the moment and feel I am walking a very lonely journey as my long-term partner falls into a Bipolar episode, and I feel unable to help him.I am not sure what I can do for him. I think he is aware that he is changing. He... View more

Hi everyone,I am struggling at the moment and feel I am walking a very lonely journey as my long-term partner falls into a Bipolar episode, and I feel unable to help him.I am not sure what I can do for him. I think he is aware that he is changing. He is much more irritable, and doing things that are very out of character for him, but more than anything he is withdrawing away from me, being very absent, and I am finding that very hard. We live together but he is at work / the gym a lot at the moment, or spending 2 hours on his own at a shop instead of coming home (and not notifying me, where as he has always rung me in the past if he was going somewhere after work). He is avoiding people that 'he may hurt' (His own words) by not going to social events too. He has a lot of trouble at work at the moment, which is triggering him, along with some episodes from my very mentally unwell episode a week ago, where she screamed in her face. She is living with her Dad at the moment.He is not medicated, hasn't been for a few years now and has been managing his life very well up until now, . Happy, peaceful and content most days. The medicaitons made him very sick, including a few that the doctors even told him he couldn't have due to blood toxisity levels, so he went down the root of meditation, mindfulness, therapy, etc.. And he did really well for himself. I met him at a time in my life where I had hit rock bottom mentally (I have PTSD from former domestic violence, combined with anxiety and ADHD). He pulled me out of that hole, helping me a huge amount at a time. I feel like it is my turn to give back. But I am really struggling and it is also impacting both my mental and physical health.My main issue is I can't seem to talk to him about anything. If I try to bring up I am worried, or that I have noticed his behaviour changing, and should he be going back to therapy to get help, he just snaps at me. And with my PTSD I can't cope with that. He is not nearly as bad as my x ever was, but it's the triggers in me. I try to give him space but then I feel like I am losing him altogether. He has become so absent, almost a prisoner of his mind.I miss him and I am worried as I do not know what to do if he gets worse. He seems to be in a depressive / hypomanic combination at the moment, what if he goes full manic? I have never seen this in him, only heard about it from stories from him and his mother. How do I manage that?Thank you for your help.

cyanessence Overstimulation
  • replies: 7

About two weeks ago, I had a realisation that I very likely have ADHD. In an instant, my world made perfect sense and my long-lasting depression just vanished. I felt like I could finally start fighting the right battle. Since then, I've been a littl... View more

About two weeks ago, I had a realisation that I very likely have ADHD. In an instant, my world made perfect sense and my long-lasting depression just vanished. I felt like I could finally start fighting the right battle. Since then, I've been a little overwhelmed. I'm suddenly different and I don't recognise myself. My mind has been racing with new ideas and I feel constantly overstimulated. I couldn't sleep last night or three nights ago, and I've been struggling to eat. I'm concerned that these new challenges will get the best of me and lead me back to depression. How do I shut my mind off? I just want to sleep.

not_doin_well just a vent
  • replies: 1

im just sick of it. My dad took away my phone again. It's 8:30, I self harmed at like, 7:00. he doesnt know. He doesn't need to or he'll come back and take away everything else. I was listening to music and I got distracted, I was in bed and I starte... View more

im just sick of it. My dad took away my phone again. It's 8:30, I self harmed at like, 7:00. he doesnt know. He doesn't need to or he'll come back and take away everything else. I was listening to music and I got distracted, I was in bed and I started reading something on my phone. I was "supposed" to be reading a book for school but it's not that important. anyway, dad came in, saw me not reading and looking at my phone, took it away. won't tell me how long its gone for. he doesnt even bloody know, "hasn't decided". he wants to take me and my younger brother to the bush to get wood tmrw.why am i in such a bad mood. i want to self harm but mum will check my body tmrw. i dont wanna get caught. i already feel crap.i just want a little bit of control over something. my phone. my body. my eating. anything-my body. my eating. my phone. you know i've been getting body conscious lately? I'm buying bigger and bigger clothes to hide my stupid bloated body. i haven't been active lately but i have no motivation to do it in silence. im 15 turning 16. do i not have the freedom to watch series or read books i like on my phone?No. nonoononononnonono im being too spoilt. i don't deserve it. its my fault for not using my phone for the right things. i shouldve read the book. yeah. o my god.its because i self harmed right? stop or ill do it again. please stop caring what i do with my phone dad. dont you trust me? i dont have any social media. i just watch bl. or kpop stuff. when you're at work. thats not bad right? you think im not bad right? ill figure myself out.this is a dumb spiral. its over a phone. why do you care so much? its the only thing i partially control. he didn't even see what i was doing on it. its my fault though. i cant breathe normally. im sorry. I just need to write it down.

Guest_10120 Staying well during pregnancy and after a successful IVF treatment
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm here again after a successful IVF treatment last month that I had already shared with you all. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/how-to-cope-with-anxiety-while-undergoing-ivf-treatment/td-p/607574 Such a big thanks for supp... View more

Hi everyone, I'm here again after a successful IVF treatment last month that I had already shared with you all. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/how-to-cope-with-anxiety-while-undergoing-ivf-treatment/td-p/607574 Such a big thanks for supporting and encouraging me that time. Now, I'm here to get some diet plans and healthy foods for my baby's and my own health. If someone really has such a healthy and nutritious diet plan, then let me know. I'm really thankful to you and really appreciate any help.

Guest_29236324 my son has committed armed robbery and awaiting trial - how do i help him and me cope
  • replies: 2

my estranged son (early 20's) has been charged with armed robbery he will come to trial in 6-12 months how do i help both him get through this and also look after myself so i can be strong for himhe doesn't live at home but lives alone and i'm very w... View more

my estranged son (early 20's) has been charged with armed robbery he will come to trial in 6-12 months how do i help both him get through this and also look after myself so i can be strong for himhe doesn't live at home but lives alone and i'm very worried about him

Guest_1055 Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise
  • replies: 4393

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can ... View more

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life. OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time. So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really...... I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

Optical1 Taking so long to get better
  • replies: 2

Had a better day yesterday. Then woke up today feeling depressed. Ahhh!!!!So annoying. It's so unpredictable. Have suffered for years but this time it's worse....lasting so much longer.Just when I think it might be improving, I go backwards. Have goo... View more

Had a better day yesterday. Then woke up today feeling depressed. Ahhh!!!!So annoying. It's so unpredictable. Have suffered for years but this time it's worse....lasting so much longer.Just when I think it might be improving, I go backwards. Have good doctors and psychologists. Have spent time in hospital. Lots of treatment. The latest one has been for a month now so still early days / adjusting doses etc.Just finding it hard right now.Thanks for the opportunity to vent.

Guest_46762265 i
  • replies: 1

Hi I been like this most of mine teenage life I feel like I'm bad son I never do anything right always selffish everything I do always crumble I'm sick of it just want to give up with life. I really want to go but feel guilty cos of mum I'm so lost. ... View more

Hi I been like this most of mine teenage life I feel like I'm bad son I never do anything right always selffish everything I do always crumble I'm sick of it just want to give up with life. I really want to go but feel guilty cos of mum I'm so lost. I really hate when the world say they care but no 1 there for you it my first time expression like this. The true is wat matter end up No Matter

resistor Seeking tips to learn how to journal for mental health
  • replies: 7

Hi there! I'm really, really bad at identifying my emotions. I want to improve on this and feel learning to journal is a good way to start. So, how does one journal one's feelings? I have read so many articles online about tips; they all give practic... View more

Hi there! I'm really, really bad at identifying my emotions. I want to improve on this and feel learning to journal is a good way to start. So, how does one journal one's feelings? I have read so many articles online about tips; they all give practical advice - quiet location, regular times, relaxed mindset, writing prompts, etc ... none however explain how to read deeper into feelings beyond "happy" or "sad". That is the magic trick I'm looking for. I know when I'm upset or depressed; I need to learn to teach myself to identify why I'm feeling the way I do. Does that make sense? Please share your tips!

Whatsinaname Mental Health and AI
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm sure more people than I have travelled down this road more than me, but I have just recently had a chat with an AI bot about my stress/anxiety due to some work stuff. It was genuinely helpful, which did surprise me. Wasn't anything ground... View more

Hi all, I'm sure more people than I have travelled down this road more than me, but I have just recently had a chat with an AI bot about my stress/anxiety due to some work stuff. It was genuinely helpful, which did surprise me. Wasn't anything ground breaking, but my social network is quite small so it was good to bounce ideas and emotions off something that was able to respond in kind. So, if anyone is desperate enough for a chat, like me, give AI a go. But be careful to not give any personal info because who knows where they store your data really.