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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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Elizabeth CP Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed
  • replies: 33

When I'm very tired or stressed whether due to MH issues or just other circumstances I struggle to do anything. The problem with this is that I then have too much time for negative thoughts which feed into my depression & anxiety creating a vicious c... View more

When I'm very tired or stressed whether due to MH issues or just other circumstances I struggle to do anything. The problem with this is that I then have too much time for negative thoughts which feed into my depression & anxiety creating a vicious circle. I would like to generate a list of things which can be done when short of physical or mental energy which distract me from the negative thoughts and leave me feeling better rather than worse. I would love it if others can share ideas to help each other. What works in one situation won't work in another My ideas Read a book Suduko Sort or label photos Drive to a nice location and focus on pleasant surroundings phone a friend or relative have a shower sit beside a lake or river with feet in the water

EJB LOOKING FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to beyond blue and this is my first time posting. Over the past few months I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression due to severe stress and trauma over the past year or two. I am lucky enough to have a great GP and have been see... View more

Hi, I'm new to beyond blue and this is my first time posting. Over the past few months I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression due to severe stress and trauma over the past year or two. I am lucky enough to have a great GP and have been seeing a psychologist for the past month. I have been on antidepressants for just over two weeks now and I didn't have a great start to them, I had severe side effects and became even more depressed and just over a week ago put myself in hospital as I felt like giving up and started to have suicidal thoughts. A week later I have definitely made improvements and have promised my amazing, supporting partner I wont give up fighting. BUT I just wake up crying everyday day, feeling anxious and stressed all the time. I feel like I cant be alone and need my partner around all the time I have been doing meditation and breathing techniques everyday. I'm scared of leaving the house, going back to work (own my business), socialising etc. I guess I'm just after some support and guidance that it will get better, get easier and I will be able to do these things again without fear. I hear this from the medical support I get but I think hearing it from others who have experienced or are going through the same thing would make it feel more believable. I'm open to any advice.

Soy_asi Do I go back on antidepressants or is this just life
  • replies: 9

hello, i am feeling like my life is in a roller coaster at the moment and cant stop. I am not sleeping properly as I wake myself during the night or early morning and My brain goes on overdrive and can not go back to sleep. Then Im tired the next day... View more

hello, i am feeling like my life is in a roller coaster at the moment and cant stop. I am not sleeping properly as I wake myself during the night or early morning and My brain goes on overdrive and can not go back to sleep. Then Im tired the next day and unhappy. There has been a number of things of late that is brought me here today. I am getting anxious, depressed and feel hopeless at times and emotional. I have felt like this once before when i found out I was pregnant with my third child. That just pushed me too far and I was diagnosed with pre natal depression and was prescribed antidepressants. These I took for 8 years. 8 long years when I felt I no longer needed them as I was a busy mum of 3 and the ugly feelings were no longer there. Against medical advice I attempted to wean myself off a few times during those 8 years until finally being successful about 16 months ago. I must say I did not look back and did not feel the need to get back on them. This has all been fine until 2-3 months ago and I dont really understand why. For some reason it has suddenly dawned on me that my children are turning into teengaers and I am just a stay home mum, overweight and unhappy. It all started when I began declattering all my children’s clothes and toys and this put me in such a state that I had to stop as I couldnt deal with the emotions. I found myself feeling really sad that they were no longer babies. This also led to me thinking that I now have all this spare time and whilst Ive managed to keep myself busy volunteering at school and running my kids to and fro. I don’t really have a job and That I should really be working like everyone else. To top all this off, in my good intentions of keeping myself occupied and distracted we have gone and sold our home. Whilst it should be an exciting time of planning and give me a new goal in my life. It has actually done the opposite. I am scared, anxious and panicky about what we have done. It really is stressing me out and i have a lump in my heart. I don’t know what is the answer. I cant shake myself off and get on with it. Do I just battle through this. Do I need to go back on medication. Is that the answer that will make all my problems go away? I really don’t know. I just wish my life was like a year ago contented and settled.

Guest_342 NYE
  • replies: 24

Is anyone else spending nye alone at home this year? Being in Melbourne, and the news of yesterday and today, I lost any desire to celebrate. I'm ok, and will be ok, but feeling pretty flat and worn out from a really tough, isolating and anxiety-indu... View more

Is anyone else spending nye alone at home this year? Being in Melbourne, and the news of yesterday and today, I lost any desire to celebrate. I'm ok, and will be ok, but feeling pretty flat and worn out from a really tough, isolating and anxiety-inducing year. Tomorrow is not the fresh start we all hope for in other years. how is everyone else coping or spending nye?

Jessbph Mental Illness Podcasts - Suggestions, thoughts and recommendations.
  • replies: 14

My Mum Says My Memoir Is A Lie - Rosie Waterland Podcast. Anyone listened to it? Thoughts? This podcast was an absolute emotional rollercoaster and hit some very heavy topics. Has anyone listened to it and have any thoughts? How did everything land f... View more

My Mum Says My Memoir Is A Lie - Rosie Waterland Podcast. Anyone listened to it? Thoughts? This podcast was an absolute emotional rollercoaster and hit some very heavy topics. Has anyone listened to it and have any thoughts? How did everything land for you? I thought about it for days on end. Would love to hear anyone else's opinions or any other podcast recommendations.

blondguy Facebook...The Good or the Bad...Your Say!
  • replies: 332

Hi Everybody Without a doubt Facebook is one of the best social media sites. I have been on FB for a long time and found it invaluable yet very stressful at times whilst having anxiety and/or depression or even just checking it every day. Your views ... View more

Hi Everybody Without a doubt Facebook is one of the best social media sites. I have been on FB for a long time and found it invaluable yet very stressful at times whilst having anxiety and/or depression or even just checking it every day. Your views on FB, its impact on your mental health, well being, whether good or not so good are more than welcome. Thankyou for reading my thread topic! my kind thoughts Paul

Sophie_M Support for Aussie Farmers and Rural Communities
  • replies: 5

Droughts can affect families not just financially, but physically, mentally and emotionally. We understand there are many of you feeling isolated right now more than ever. Please use this as a safe and respectful space to seek support from each other... View more

Droughts can affect families not just financially, but physically, mentally and emotionally. We understand there are many of you feeling isolated right now more than ever. Please use this as a safe and respectful space to seek support from each other and share your journeys. The beyondblue website has information on how to support yourself and others, as well as information about the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. This includes: Looking after yourself after a disaster Taking care of yourself after retrenchment or financial loss Information about depression and anxiety Checklist to understand whether you might be experiencing anxiety or depression Types of professionals you can visit to seek support for your mental health beyondblue is here for all those affected by droughts and would encourage anyone who may be in distress to contact our Support Service on 1300 22 4636 or online via https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

anon143 *Trigger Warning* (bodyweight) Looking for weight loss encouragement/support 😊
  • replies: 3

I am heavily over weight, extremely unfit & according to my BMI I am obese (yikes, even saying that really makes me feel ashamed). My journey will not be easy, or quick, I understand that and I accept that. Ideally I want to lose at least 25 kg befor... View more

I am heavily over weight, extremely unfit & according to my BMI I am obese (yikes, even saying that really makes me feel ashamed). My journey will not be easy, or quick, I understand that and I accept that. Ideally I want to lose at least 25 kg before I will consider myself happy but I also don’t want it to become a habit that I obsess over & relapse again like I have in the past if I have an off day which will turn into an off week & then every excuse will come up until I stop all together. What are some things that keep you motivated to staying healthy? I admit today I had a very good day, I stuck with my dance workout even though my knees are becoming sore but I made sure not to overdo it. I had to compromise on my walk today and instead of walking up our big hill I decided to walk 4ks around a local park. I ended up meeting all my activity goals on my Apple Watch & I ate relatively healthy and in moderation. I’ve made the choice not to cut out certain foods & have tried my best to substitute for healthier/low calorie foods. I’ve also started trying to weigh and count calories as it’s something I’ve struggled with and it wasn’t as hard as I made out before, so I’m very happy with that. My motivation so far is to improve how I feel, to really boost my self esteem. I also want to feel good and look good on the outside as I’ve barely looked at myself in the mirror for the last 8 months. I also do it for my son, who needs his Mum My main point is I am doing it for me and not for my abusive ex husband. So hopefully this will last longer than last years blow out and I actually achieve my goals and maintain a healthy weight appropriately.

Katyonthehamsterwheel Challenging the V Day feels...
  • replies: 10

Today has me feeling a bit ick, and maybe others do too. So I thought maybe we could share something that we love or feel passionate about For me, it's the beach. I bloody love it! I like to draw in the sand and watch it get washed away, like a clean... View more

Today has me feeling a bit ick, and maybe others do too. So I thought maybe we could share something that we love or feel passionate about For me, it's the beach. I bloody love it! I like to draw in the sand and watch it get washed away, like a clean slate. I like to drown my thoughts out below the surface. I love the water when it's angry and crashing like thunder. I love it when it's clear and still and aquamarine. And I even adore the hot sand, when you have to dance over it trying not to burn your feet, but you're laughing at yourself all the while.

Guest_342 Blinking
  • replies: 5

Hello, Does anyone else have issues with excessive and awkward blinking/winking and/or compulsively popping your ears? I find I do it more in stressful situations - e.g. when concentrating on busy traffic or when talking face to face with someone who... View more

Hello, Does anyone else have issues with excessive and awkward blinking/winking and/or compulsively popping your ears? I find I do it more in stressful situations - e.g. when concentrating on busy traffic or when talking face to face with someone who will notice me doing it. occasionally I do other things like clenching my teeth or clashing my front teeth together. If I don't do it, it feels uncomfortable. What has worked for you to reduce or stop it?