Staying well

Support each other to stay well, from mindfulness, sleep, diet and exercise to reducing drug and alcohol use and coping with difficult emotions.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

JMarch15 Trying to make better changes in my life but surrounded by judgement still need some guidance
  • replies: 2

my current issue was longer but wouldn’t all fit… for my first BB post. Ive got to the point where I needed to make changes in my life I’m cigarette free for over a year cut back completely on drinking and had developed a drug habit so have cut that ... View more

my current issue was longer but wouldn’t all fit… for my first BB post. Ive got to the point where I needed to make changes in my life I’m cigarette free for over a year cut back completely on drinking and had developed a drug habit so have cut that off aswell but mostly after being on anti depressants since I was 18 and I’m almost 34 they wearnt helping me they were just numbing me to my problems and made me more lazy. Have spent the last 6-8 weeks correctly coming off them as my GP would do whenever I had to change anti depressants every couple of years because I thought they had stopped working so we would try a different brand, trial and error with all anti d’s. And my plan I’ve put together is to go back to a psychologist and rather than continuing to take anti depressants work threw my problems and demons Asap. My main problem now is that I’m stuck in this hole where all I feel is that I’m being judged by the people around me, feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells around my father mainly because once my parents found out about my blood disorder Haemophilia they shelved me as not likely to accomplish anything but we also do have no communication skills between us, and as for the friends I see often I feel like they sit back and judge me for still being on painkillers despite doing my best to cut back and stay off all the other addictive things alcohol, ciggys, drugs etc alcohol being my Achilles heel I guess I’m just looking for advice as to why I keep feeling there’s no one supporting me and only judging me I’m doing my best one day at a time to create a more positive outlook on life but being stuck in a small isolated community and getting nothing but negative comments form those around me has got me to this point of really struggling mentally and psychologically that I get angry at myself and start doubting what I’m doing to try better my life there’s just no positive reinforcement not even from my father the one person I thought knowing what I’m trying to do to better my life would be full of positives to help keep me going but nothing still the same negatively. As soon as my GP returns from leave at the end of the month I’ll be getting a mental health plan and psychologist as I just feel so alone, worthless and useless at the moment and need good guidance and also thought I’d give this a go.

Guest_00092208 Can't sleep
  • replies: 4

Not quite midnight yet. Though I am going into 48hrs plus awake. Having some physical/psychological issues which ate plaguing my ability to relax. Anyone else awake?

Not quite midnight yet. Though I am going into 48hrs plus awake. Having some physical/psychological issues which ate plaguing my ability to relax. Anyone else awake?

frazzled25 Isolated socially/geographical @ 50 yr old married woman
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I live in the Central West of Qld in an isolated area. Only have husband to talk to, and have zero friends. Children have grown & have their own lives. Feeling lonely, have been hurt by so called friends in the past. Not really sure it's wort... View more

Hi all, I live in the Central West of Qld in an isolated area. Only have husband to talk to, and have zero friends. Children have grown & have their own lives. Feeling lonely, have been hurt by so called friends in the past. Not really sure it's worth the time in all honesty. But I've always searched for that one true friend, maybe there is no such thing anymore

suseone Social Media and using it for better mental health not worse
  • replies: 3

Hi This is my first time posting and thought this would be a great forum to hear from either parents/carers or younger people around how social media is impacting them? I have two teenage daughters but as a parent we know social media is here to stay... View more

Hi This is my first time posting and thought this would be a great forum to hear from either parents/carers or younger people around how social media is impacting them? I have two teenage daughters but as a parent we know social media is here to stay and will only become more prevalent and a bigger part of their lives. So what I am wondering, is how can we use these platforms to help our kids in their mental health wellness rather than try and remove all together and is that even possible? Love to hear other peoples thoughts and challenges?

Amz Daily tips to get through the day
  • replies: 3

My life is hectic between working full-time, running a home with no support, 5 kids, 2 adult ones at home with me that I still do everything for, recently diagnosed 6yr old with type 1 diabetes, taking kids to sports, the only time I get a break is w... View more

My life is hectic between working full-time, running a home with no support, 5 kids, 2 adult ones at home with me that I still do everything for, recently diagnosed 6yr old with type 1 diabetes, taking kids to sports, the only time I get a break is when I'm sleeping, or self sabotaging myself due to not being able to handle the busy demands on life

TristanA Adhd assessment
  • replies: 1

Hi all. Having a bad night tonight. After working hard to get things together required for my adhd assessment I found out I failed the drug test .. Am I stuck not gaining access to the medication that I feel I need to try due to one positive test?

Hi all. Having a bad night tonight. After working hard to get things together required for my adhd assessment I found out I failed the drug test .. Am I stuck not gaining access to the medication that I feel I need to try due to one positive test?

ypla How do you answer 'How's your day?' if you're having a bad day?
  • replies: 7

Today I went to my safe place after working from home because I wasn't feeling well. Walked for an hour to reach my safe place which also has a nice gelato shop. I walked in and I immediately saw this beautiful gelato server and she asked how my day ... View more

Today I went to my safe place after working from home because I wasn't feeling well. Walked for an hour to reach my safe place which also has a nice gelato shop. I walked in and I immediately saw this beautiful gelato server and she asked how my day was. Not really knowing how to answer and still trying to make social interaction I said it was fine, I've been walking for exercise. But I wasn't really fine, I didn't talk to anyone all day except this person and I kind of wanted to let her know that I was so glad she asked how my day was but I didn't want to send out negative energy with the status of my mental health. How would you go about this? Should I let her or for that matter anyone know that I feel great when people ask how I'm doing? What will they think of me? Is it creepy? Thank you

Guest_20020238 I just want to appreciate life and be happy
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone,This is my first time posting but my depression I think has been there for a very long time. Over the last few years life in general has just been a pressure cooker and I seem to not be coping as well as usual. I have good days and I a... View more

Hello everyone,This is my first time posting but my depression I think has been there for a very long time. Over the last few years life in general has just been a pressure cooker and I seem to not be coping as well as usual. I have good days and I am always happy on the outside when at work or with family. There is always that other side of me though that is just not happy although I talk to myself and wonder why I am not happy as there is not anything in particular that I should be sad about. Some days I cannot cope with what to buy for dinner, or have a shower. I do complete the tasks but I have to work hard to put a smile on my face. Sometimes, actually most times I have a tight knot in my stomach and could cry so easily. I am short tempered with everyone including by beautiful 14 year old son, which really makes we feel guilty. We have the typical problem where he is on the computer too much and school is suffering. My husband takes his side (probably rightly so to a point as he does not understand or recognise I need help as well) and then my husband and I end up rowing. Anyway, normally I deal with the day to day okay, just not at the moment. I am thinking of going away for a few days to be with friends to give me and my boys a break. Not sure if that is the right way to go? I would appreciate some thoughts and help on that one. Thanks for listening. It has taken me a long time to contact BB.

quirkywords Talking to your inner critic, can it be tamed?
  • replies: 828

Do you have an inner critic ? Have you ever tried to talk to your inner critic. This is what happened when I tried. In my Be yourself thread people asked about how I interviewed my inner critic. So here it is. This is adapted from a writing exercise ... View more

Do you have an inner critic ? Have you ever tried to talk to your inner critic. This is what happened when I tried. In my Be yourself thread people asked about how I interviewed my inner critic. So here it is. This is adapted from a writing exercise to interview your inner critic about one's writing. As my inner critic has an opinion all aspects of my life I decided to broaden the scope of the interview. Me: I welcome (well I don't really) this opportunity to find out why you always need to have an opinion that is always negative about me and my life. IC: I thought this was going to be a friendly interchange of ideas but there you go with your anger and hostile remarks. I do not see myself as negative but as helping you, because you do need help. I am here to help you why can't you see that? Me: So when I am trying to sleep and you tell me about all my mistakes, embarrassing moments, how does that help me? IC: I thought while you are in bed you would have time to consider some of your past behaviours. This I feel will only help you to improve. Me: If you are so helpful why do I feel so worthless, so sad, so ignorant when you are around? Do you really know how low I can feel when you are constantly telling me all my faults? IC: You make yourself feel that way- I am merely pointing out the truth. It is not my problem that you are so weak. Me: Maybe this was a bad idea you are never going to listen to me or understand me. IC: Have you ever thought that maybe you shouldn't listen to me if I upset you so much. Me How can I ignore you when you are so loud at times. IC: See this is what I mean you are so weak. You have the power to ignore me, to silence me but all you do is whinge and complain. Me: I am ending this interview. Enough is enough. What would you say to your inner critic and what do you want to hear from your inner critic? Maybe you can have a go at interviewing your inner critic. Quirky