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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond... View more

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond Blue is hosting a special free webinar for our tradie community on Tuesday 12 August at 4.30pm which you can register for here. We know that Tradies can face unique stressors, with a culture of toughness and difficult job demands that can impact personal time and self-care. It can also be tough for partners and family members who aren’t sure how to support someone in a trade who may be showing signs that their mental health isn’t at its best. If you’re unsure where to start your conversation this is the space for you. Whether you want to share your own experiences, ask questions, or simply connect with others who understand what you're going through, you're in the right place. If you're seeking additional support, here are some resources: Hope Assistance Local Tradies: Home This Is A Conversation Starter: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter Mates in Construction: MATES - Industry Based Suicide Prevention - MATES Don’t forget - our counsellors are always here for you on 1300 22 46 36. We’ll also use this space to post some of the questions and answers from the webinar discussion. Feel free to dive in and keep the conversation going. Thank you again for joining us — we’re glad you’re here.

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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Michelle34 Long term anxiety and depression how do you deal?
  • replies: 5

For those of you that suffer this long term how do you manage? I have had panic attacks and bouts of depression since I was eight. Over the month or so anxiety, but most of all depression is seeping into my life. I've been crying for no reason, tryin... View more

For those of you that suffer this long term how do you manage? I have had panic attacks and bouts of depression since I was eight. Over the month or so anxiety, but most of all depression is seeping into my life. I've been crying for no reason, trying not to burst into tears at work and trying to keep my Mum hat on when I feel so tired and despondent all the time. It's like I am dragging myself through mud. I'm forgetting things and my body just aches. When I just feel like I'm finally through a period of severe anxiety or depression ( I was having severe anxiety attacks every few hours 18months ago) it seems to raise it's ugly head again. I've enrolled in a course to further my career but it's just making me feel anxious and I want to back out because I'm afraid it will turn into full blown panic. I feel such a huge expectation from people, why aren't I working more? why do I flake out so much.... I don't know how to find my balance. I really want the periods of when I feel normal to last. I want to achieve things that shouldn't be that hard. I feel like I've missed out on so much because I can't keep it together for any period of time and it's really really fricken frustrating.

Meghan74 Stressed
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight... View more

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight pulling me down. I feel alright at home, but as soon as I go out the door I feel a bit uncomfortable. When I’m out in public with friends, or with family I feel fine. It’s just when I’m by myself I feel vulnerable. As someone who has never felt self conscious, why do I feel like this now? Please let me know if you guys have any tips or suggestions! I just want to be feel good again:(

carer1 why bother
  • replies: 3

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for hel... View more

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for help and the government tells you your issues are not permanent and are medical so you dont qualify. even though you cant function day to day like others do. you've done the best you can to care for others. now you need care and there is none. I learned what a fraud the mental health and disability systems are.

JAGmum Hi-polar Acceptance after 2 years of denial=Peace
  • replies: 1

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best... View more

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best friend. I’ve been championing my cause by putting my egoic agenda aside and just listening to the experts in their fields. It’s been the most peaceful stage of this rocky journey. And my pottery has taken on a whole new level!

Lonewog89 Push over
  • replies: 6

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble... View more

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble and comply even if it disadvantages me. Chris

Eternal_Happiness f.lux Blue Light Filter for Computers/Laptops
  • replies: 1

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the comput... View more

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the computer screen longer without worrying. There is even app for your phone so that it doesn't cause panic attacks. It's free and safe. Available on the microsoft store too

startingnew Self care Ideas
  • replies: 9

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away

Kahlilli My pet is made it worse not better
  • replies: 4

About five years ago my mother had this wonderful idea that a pet would help me with my condition. She nagged at me until I bought a dog. Looking back I should have just told her no and leave me alone. Ever since I got that dog the stress in my life ... View more

About five years ago my mother had this wonderful idea that a pet would help me with my condition. She nagged at me until I bought a dog. Looking back I should have just told her no and leave me alone. Ever since I got that dog the stress in my life has rocketed. I worry constantly that it has enough water, that it has had enough to eat, that it has had enough exercise. On top of this it barks every evening whenever it hears a sound. I will be reading a book or on the computer and hear bark bark bark bark all the time, which our neighbours already says annoys them. I tell it off and then a few minutes later it just starts up again. My blood pressure has gone though the roof and now I need to take tablets for that as well. Yesterday was particularly bad, in the morning I got up and looked at my herbs in my pot and thought to myself, even though the dog has ripped them up 4 times so far they have bounced back and are doing ok, then the dog ripped them up again that evening and I just lost it. I threw something in the kitchen sink and made a dent and the sink costs around $400. I'm so tired of catering to a dumb animal, that's how I see this dog: a burden that I hate and can't get rid of until it dies. When I take it for walks it runs off after kangaroos and I've nearly lost it three times. All this stress I just don't need. Also it barks sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes up to four times and I am a light sleeper and have insomnia. Sometimes I just sit and cry thinking about how much harder life is now that I have a dog and how one stupid mistake cost me so much. So dogs might be good for some people or for mentally ill people that don't have to look after them but for me it made my life a living hell.

Over_and_Over How to keep going
  • replies: 4

I’d like to know how to function, how to fill in your days when most of society treat you as worthless and you have no family. Your friends think you should take a tablet, but they don’t get it....problems don’t disappear by swallowing a pill. Lonlin... View more

I’d like to know how to function, how to fill in your days when most of society treat you as worthless and you have no family. Your friends think you should take a tablet, but they don’t get it....problems don’t disappear by swallowing a pill. Lonliness and feeling worthwhile, I exercise early in the morning when no one can see. My days are long and dark, and what for? Only to do the same thing over and over,

Keziah Dealing with negative self-thoughts and anxiety due to being a non-driver in a car-centric society
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I don't have a formal diagnosis, but tend to get anxiety symptoms and struggle with self worth when life is not going well. At the moment I am in the middle of diversifying my career. However it has brought up a lot of anxieties and stigma I ... View more

Hi all, I don't have a formal diagnosis, but tend to get anxiety symptoms and struggle with self worth when life is not going well. At the moment I am in the middle of diversifying my career. However it has brought up a lot of anxieties and stigma I feel about being a non-driver. A lot of jobs require a license, but although I learnt to drive I have very poor spatial skills and discovered from online tests that I cannot make a cognitive map in my head, meaning I get lost easily even in familiar areas. Some people with this condition can drive, but I find that this condition plus anxiety about having an accident makes it impossible to drive safely. I get really confused about which lanes to use at intersections and also fail to see oncoming traffic in my peripheral vision at roundabouts among other things. However most people where I live do drive and think I could drive if I just tried harder or did x, y or z. They don't understand why it is so hard for me and have even accused me of being lazy or not believing in myself enough. My mum has the same problem with driving and one of my brothers prefers not to drive so I know it is a genetic condition, not a personal fault. This doesn't stop me falling into a spiral of self-loathing about not driving or anxiety about finding work in my new field (even though I already have public-transport accessible work one day week in this field). It would be so much easier to get more work with a license and I become self-critical about my inadequacy, even though I would never judge anyone else for being unable to drive for whatever reason. Any tips for dealing with others' attitudes without judging myself? In the past I just focused on the positives such as the money I save, reading on public transport, being environmentally friendly and the benefits of mixing with diverse people. But lately when people tell me I could never do this or that job without a license - despite having all the other required skills and temperament - and ask how someone otherwise so intelligent can't find their way around easily enough to drive I start feeling really down about the situation and it also makes me more anxious. This has the knock on affect or making it hard to look for jobs because I get an anxiety attack just looking for jobs that don't need a license. Please just advice for anxious, self-judging non-drivers. Telling me I could drive if I just did x, y or z will just make me more anxious!