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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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smallwolf Not quite a journal
  • replies: 39

One of the things I write in replies is about maintaining a journal of sorts. It is not quite a journal though because the contents. Each day I start with -three things to look forward to -three positives and positive qualities shown -one pleasure, a... View more

One of the things I write in replies is about maintaining a journal of sorts. It is not quite a journal though because the contents. Each day I start with -three things to look forward to -three positives and positive qualities shown -one pleasure, accomplishment and gratitude The thing about this journal is that the smallest things are valid. For example, brushing teeth, showering, making breakfast, drinking coffee or hot chocolate. Starting off can be hard. But after a while it becomes easier. I still have problems some days. On these days phrases like "the small things" can still have a positive vibe. And this journal does not take long to write either. Over the next days, I will write my real entries here. If you want to add yours here, please do. Something like this practiced each day eventually should rewire our brains to think more positively. Best thing is that it is cheap. All you need is pen and paper and yourself. The fun starts tomorrow.

Fallen_apart How to start again?
  • replies: 33

How do you find some direction and purpose in life after it all crumbles? Had a decent life up till a couple of years ago, mid 30s, job, Mrs, home etc about to get married have kids etc. Kept my anxiety and depression under control for the most part ... View more

How do you find some direction and purpose in life after it all crumbles? Had a decent life up till a couple of years ago, mid 30s, job, Mrs, home etc about to get married have kids etc. Kept my anxiety and depression under control for the most part without a Doctor. Hurt my back, lost my job, career, my grip on my mental health, my fiancé and future and feels like pretty much my entire identity, and it all seemed to escalate with each different class of meds my doctor tried over two years. I am stuck in a cycle of depression and anxiety and a crippling loneliness that prevents me even thinking of anything that I could want/hope/dream/plan/think/do/enjoy. Everything I worked towards was stripped away and I can't even daydream about any sort of future beyond this. Its almost a year on my own and I can't see a way forwards. A lot of people laugh I know I should have it relatively easy- single guy, no kids, still got a house so far, don't drink or do crack. But iv lost my purpose and identity. How do I find that again when I don't even know what it is?

Deams Self Medication
  • replies: 3

Hi guys. This is my first time here. I'm middle aged and had depression throughout my life. Somehow I've raised two beautiful young adults and we have an amazing relationship. However, the constant self doubt and hatred is always present. I have alwa... View more

Hi guys. This is my first time here. I'm middle aged and had depression throughout my life. Somehow I've raised two beautiful young adults and we have an amazing relationship. However, the constant self doubt and hatred is always present. I have always sought comfort in alcohol and am thoroughly sick and tired of and hate it. And yet I keep drinking every night. The anxiety and loneliness is exhausting so I drink to alleviate. Does anyone have any tips for getting through the 'arsenic hour'? Thanks

Bella001 Hello, im abit embarrassed but maybe someone can help?
  • replies: 9

Hello Im pretty embarrassed and nervous to be asking but im hoping some of you lovely ladies might be willing to share abit of advice in regards to some womens health issues and how it affects/affected your mental health? Im feeling rather overwhelme... View more

Hello Im pretty embarrassed and nervous to be asking but im hoping some of you lovely ladies might be willing to share abit of advice in regards to some womens health issues and how it affects/affected your mental health? Im feeling rather overwhelmed and alone at the moment, so im hoping you guys will have some patience with me while i try to explain what is happening. i was going to write the post now but i cant really explain it properly, in the meantime it would be nice to meet some of you...

the_flash Advice for High Functioning Depression and Relationships
  • replies: 7

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under, but I decided this one anyway. Firstly, I'd just like to say that last time I was here, I found it very comforting to talk to everyone, and it really did help. I feel like I have managed to stay on top of... View more

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under, but I decided this one anyway. Firstly, I'd just like to say that last time I was here, I found it very comforting to talk to everyone, and it really did help. I feel like I have managed to stay on top of my live for these last couple of months. I'm doing well in school (term 3, year 10) and have enjoyed doing things a lot more then I have in a long time. I have seen the darker side of mental health and do feel like it has made me a more resilient person. The are two questions/ideas I wanted to discuss: How to cope with change in relationships, and how to have "reasonable" standards in a relationship. The first talking about mostly teachers, the second talking about personal relationships. When I say change, I am personally talking about when I leave high school. I have very close relationships with some of my teacher and I respect them and they respect me. Over the years, I feel I have become closer to some of them (in a completely non-sexual way). I feel like I can always ask them questions and they'll always listen. Honestly speaking, I probably have more teacher-friends then classmate-friends. (Do I sound pathetic yet?) I just feel like I am going to find it difficult to have them leave my life when I finish high school and relapse. I think I just need some way to mentally prepare myself for the end of school. The second question was referring to me having intimate relationships with a significant other. I would like to say that I don't plan on being in a relationship soon and would rather focus on school, but I still need to change my standards otherwise there is a very high chance I am going to be alone for the rest of my life. I have fulfillment now, but eventually this will most likely change. I have had two relationships in the past, and I have learned from them, but, at the same time, increased my standards by a stupid amount. I don't find myself attracted to any real people (TV show characters don't count, right?). I am pan(sexual) and have accepted myself, but simply don't know how to lower my standards to the point where I actually want to stay with my partner longer then two months, let alone the rest of my life. As I said, I am not looking for a partner right now, but in the somewhat distant future (maybe during or after university). Any reply is welcome, thanks Kirby P.S. I am 16, and their are about 20 students in my year. I am also the radical stereotype of an introvert, and am christian.

Spearmint Does anyone else find gardening therapeutic?
  • replies: 21

I'm attempting to grow some of my own food as I really like the idea of being self sustainable. Being outside, connecting with nature, watching my plants grow and produce food over time brings about a sense of peace and purpose. Does anyone else find... View more

I'm attempting to grow some of my own food as I really like the idea of being self sustainable. Being outside, connecting with nature, watching my plants grow and produce food over time brings about a sense of peace and purpose. Does anyone else find gardening helps with depression/mental illness? What are you all growing? I'm still a beginner, I spent months watering a plant that turned out to be just a weed haha. I have some capsicums getting nice and fat, also I have planted broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage seeds a couple of weeks ago.

Loula Mental health is a circle
  • replies: 4

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stab... View more

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stable or be well. I have Bipolar and I’m coming to realise it will always control me. That I will never ever beat it. I will learn to live with it but I will never control it. As much medication I take as many sessions I have with my psychiatrist I still can wake up sick tomorrow and it sucks. And I’m really hating it as I’m a control freak! Dose anyone get to the point that they get tired on being on the circle? I hate getting ill and having to fight my way out. Like the fight is not the struggle I’ve come out of pure black times before I can do it agin but why do I want to fight jut to get better for a few months to stay on the circle. Just why can’t it go away like a cold. I hate that this is for life. I hate having to wake up every day planing every moment out so I don’t get triggered, that’s not living. I just want to get of the circle and I don’t know breath. Sorry lots of thoughts.

Gypsy_1 My Exercise Routine
  • replies: 4

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extre... View more

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extremely anxious..it takes a lot of energy at times to make myself go because I know it's good for me mentally to mix & to socialise.. Thank you very much..Gypsy 1

Gypsy_1 My Staying Well Routine!!
  • replies: 5

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find ... View more

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find it to be very liberating & validating..I do lots of homework with my psychologist..I have learned so much from attending those appointments..thanks Gypsy 1

Guest_032 Getting to the end of my tether
  • replies: 5

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, don... View more

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, done meditation, yoga, deep breathing, resting etc... so I really don’t think I’m going to get back to sleep. Plus I’m on iPad with the night time mode on, so trying to limit the blue light. Plus I need some form of support. It's hard. I do fantasise about not being here anymore. But more in the way of not having these things on my shoulders anymore. There's no way I could actually go through with anything. At the moment I'm just so exhausted that it would feel amazing to go to sleep and never wake up. But in saying that. I want to - my kids, my boyfriend, my family, my friends. I have so many reasons to be here, and so many things that make me ‘happy’. I just feel that my anxiety and depression at the moment is robbing me of my joy. It’s taking the good out of my life and my feelings. I just want what I'm dealing with at the moment to stop. In a way being told by one of my psychologists that she feels things are related to stress makes me feel good. Means that hopefully if I can manage the stress and how I relate to it, deal with it etc. Then I might be able to get on top of all of this. Because it's all encompassing. I don't feel like a person. I just feel like I'm existing. Not even existing. Just there. I feel like positive emotions are out of reach. And when I do get them on the rare occasion, I feel too exhausted and frazzled to enjoy them. Think I do really need to sort out a bit of a bare minimum. Most of my 'self care' has been using food to work through my feelings. Even now. Chocolate plays a big part. Helps to numb. Numb is almost positive, because it’s not so negative. I just feel like I'm in a ditch. In a pool that I can't get out of. It's exhausting to stay down here. My head doesn't seem to know what to do anymore. Especially being so sleep deprived. I find it so frustrating in a way. I’m usually a high achiever. Yet at the moment, sometimes having a shower is too much. I still try and put on that happy face at work so that I can get through the day. But even that’s starting to crack.