Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 10

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Beyond Blue Forums who: have the time, skills and empathy to support other members regularly; help to welcome new members; are actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community. Our Community Champions are regular contributors to many conversations across the forums. They are a consistent and friendly voice that have committed to sharing their experience and expertise with this community. They are not health care professionals or clinicians. Like you, they have an experience with a mental health challenge or diagnosis – either for themselves or someone they care for. This forum is for people who understand what it feels like and have a lived and living experience of mental health challenges. Our Community Champions help everyone feel comfortable and confident by demonstrating what excellent peer support is all about. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! This incredible team are excited to introduce themselves below, and we are sure you’ll see them around the forums in conversations important to you.

HELP..Am I posting in the right section?

replies: 10

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried that they are posting "the wrong thing". 1.A good title makes the difference Just like a headline in a newspaper, when scanning the dozens of threads to click into, it’s only natural that people will choose the ones that resonate with them most. A title that entices the reader, or asks a question, is likely to get a better result than something non-descriptive like “Depression” or “I don't know what to do”. If you think you’re not good at choosing titles, leave it till last. Spend time writing your post, then perhaps choose a sentence from what you’ve written as the title. 2.Join in threads that have already been posted We all have our own unique stories, but part of the reason for joining a forum like this one is because you know that you will have a lot in common with others who are posting. Before starting a new thread, have a look through the current topics being discussed and see if there’s a conversation you can join in with. It can be quite common to have a handful of very similar threads happening at any one time, with members seemingly unaware that there are others right there who are going through the same thing. Talking to other members on their threads is a great way of getting yourself known so that when you post a thread of your own, people may respond quicker because they recognize your name. 3.Choose the most appropriate section for your post Many people browse the forums looking for stories specifically to do with pregnancy and parenting, employment, grief, loss, separation etc. Going straight for the “Depression” section may seem like the easiest option, but this section is often the busiest, so your post is more likely to get lost among the threads. Making good use of the different forum sections not only helps keep the forum relevant, but you’re more likely to find others who are going through the same experiences as you. Also, if you're wanting to discuss issues of trauma, abuse, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it's really important you post in the designated section to avoid triggering others who may not wish to read about these topics. Mostly..just come and chat, we are here for you. Our amazing wizards in the background will see your message ends up in the right spot. Sarah

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Hello, First post here.

replies: 3

Hello, I am a 45 year old male, never spoken with anyone about this before but i have gotten to a point where i just can't hold it in anymore and need some help. I have had depression since being in high school. I never found it easy to make friends when i was young, now if i try to make friends i always seem to try and find a way to kind of push them out of my life. I have had the rare occasions where i have contemplated suicide just to get that easy out, but could never bring myself to hurt the ones who love me. Just sick of feeling so worthless and defeated. Sick of taking one step forward and getting pushed two steps back. Sick of constant restless nights with no sleep. Sick of the crying and trying to hide it from people so they don't ask questions.

Anxiety

replies: 4

Hi, I’ve suffered on and off from anxiety over my life and in recent years it has been really difficult. I am seeing a therapist to help me deal with it. The most scary part is when Iget these strange thoughts/ feelings come over me they leave me feeling very strange. Words can’t always describe them and it leaves me thinking that I have something seriously wrong with me. It’s really scary. I’m hoping that all they are is anxiety but wondering if anyone else has this.

Looking for friends 18-21

replies: 1

Hello my name is Jeremy, I have been struggling with social anxiety and depression. Im trying to reach out and find people to speak too and form relationships with people. I enjoy gaming, forming friendships and speaking to others.

Can't think properly

replies: 4

Hi everyone,Not sure exactly how these forums work, but here goes.I've had persistent low mood and difficulties with life in general for over 5 years, however I'm now noticing mentally I'm getting slower and slower, struggling to get through the day and come up with any kind of coherent thoughts or ideas that aren't purely negative. I am struggling very much to remember and recall information, and my already poor social ability has gotten even worse, to the point I can't even talk to my best friends or mother without not being sure of what to say (as in i cant think of anything to say). Like my head is literally empty, unless it's to do with me whining about myself. I really don't know what to do, and the only good psych I was seeing is booked out until the end of the year Has anyone had similar issues and pushed past? Just feels like my brain has been put in a blender or is under the effects of sedatives or something. Would really appreciate any advice.

Intro post

replies: 3

Hi!!! New member here and wanted to introduce myself Call me BearShe/herI am proudly AutisticI am a Christian but if you identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community I amd 100% ok with it and will not enforce my views or beliefs on you I'm in high schoolI play violin and guitar and sing a lot Things that worry me include:School grades. (They are the worst.)People IRLFriendshipsBody image I love reading, it's an obsession. My favourite books include Gone With the Wind, The Lord of the Rings, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the Sherlock Holmes books, Percy Jackson and Jurassic Park. My favourite musicians include Taylor Swift, Guy Sebastian, Ed Sheeran, Lindsey Stirling and Relaxing Piano covers. I also really love composers like John Williams, Howard Shore, Rob Lane and Hans Zimmer.

Bit of a intro post!!

replies: 3

Trigger Warning!!! Mention of poor mental health, exercise and dieting. Hi all, i really dont know how to start this, it feels a little weird. But i think this will be a good tool for me. Im not too sure the extent of things i can post in this welcome and orientation forum. So ill just give a bit of general info about me and my struggles and what i hope to find in these forums. I was diagnosed with MDD at 14-15 years old. Im now 18. I have a few health conditions, diabetes type 2 and hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed at 13 or something. When I’m experiencing low moods, i tend to isolate and just sleep and rot in bed. Its always been like this. At school, i would go for a few weeks and do really good and get so much work done and then i would just dissapear off the face of the earth (well, what it wouldve seemed to my teachers) and isolate myself for a few weeks. Its almost like im not made for this world, i cant function properly. I cant just keep a steady pace of whatever im doing - used to be school, now its tafe courses or a healthy lifestyle or maintaining good relationships with people in my life. I’ll do everything really good and put my all in and then i burn out and need to just rest. Im either all in or not at all. It is so tiring and has cost me so many friendships. Anyway, in December last year i had a hospital scare and it just opened my eyes. And then, at the start of this year, i started doing really well. Id go for 5km walks every day, in a calorie deficit, losing weight, reading self development books, taking time for myself and checking in with how i was really feeling. And then things went wrong in one part of my life so naturally I had to destroy every other good thing i was doing for myself. Im so sick of this vicious cycle. I want to start doing better again. I need to book a drs appointment to discuss mental health help but i have so much medical trauma and my recent hospital scare has really topped it off.

Relationship Confusion

replies: 3

I've been seeing the same man for 22 years. We lived together for 4 years and have had separate homes since then. He can be very kind and caring & tells me he loves me as I do him. My problem is he has to be in control of almost everything, not in an arrogant way, it's just him, I feel it's a personality disorder. I try to be patient & accept that this is him. At the moment, we are not seeing each other as we argued; I thought we were just discussing an event that was happening in town. He was getting angry as my views weren't the same as his, to which I commented a couple of times why are you getting angry, then to be told I didn't know anything about it & I was an idiot. I just calmly left the situation. Two nights later similar thing where he starting yelling he didn't care about the people I was talking about &neveryone can get lost, Now I was upset. I should have stated earlier he snaps & talks to me like like he is a headmaster or sergeant

Parenting, study, depression, anxiety and feeling low - not sure actually...

replies: 2

Hello,This is my first time on a forum of any kind. I have only seen a psychologist and therapist once in my life when I was involved in an accedent when I was 19. I am now a 47 year old mom. I have suffered depression twice before, once when I was 19 (the accident was the tip of the iceburg). Back then no one talked about it and I didn't even tell my parents how I was thinking or feeling. I got depression again in my late 20's/early 30's but it was spoken about more then and I prescribed anti-depressants and exercised more which helped. Now I don't know what I am going through and I am questioning myself. I have twin daughters who are in Y6 and I love them to bits, I honestly think if it wasn't for them I would not be here. A few years ago I had career change and work as a special needs education assistant which I love, but I always felt I wanted to do more and decided to go to uni for the first time to study teaching. My husband was nearing the end of his degree and has always been very supportive of me, as I am of him. I also wanted to be a good role model to my children and show them not to make the same 'mistakes' I did, in not going to uni after school. My husband travels a lot for work, and I have no family suppport here, I also feel that since moving here (its been 9 years) I have not made any close friends I can talk too. I feel that I am 25 years behind now in my career. I struggle with one particular subject, Maths, and have just failed my 2nd year unit of it, for the second time. I am now questioning whether I am good enough and should I carry on. I also feel a wave of emotions as my body begins to change. I feel I am not only letting myself down, but my family. Friends and colleagues know I am studying however I am incrediby embarrassed and disappointed with myself. I have lots of questions, I am I just not good enough as what I want to do, should I just give up now before wasting any more money, what will others think of me? I will contact the uni today and see what my options are. But I feel I am at a crossroads in my career. I need to be there for my children as they are going to be going a difficult time in their lives as they finish primary school and start high school, with their frienship group changes amongst other things. I know what I want to achieve but am I aiming too high at this time in my life? I keep thinking others have it FAR worse than me and they get through it. Why can't I? Am I just feeling sorry for myself or is it more

Am I depressed?

replies: 2

I consider myself a high functioning individual, but lately I find myself not wanting to connect as much with people because I feel exhausted from my job which I feel is very demanding.My friends say that I'm distant, that I don't connect as much anymore and that I'm using work as a cop out for maintaining relationships.Currently I try to give as much energy as I can to my family (Wife and 3 Kids) but I feel a lot of pressure to give them my time and attention and often don't feel like I have time for my friends. I often feel contradicted in my mind, the pressure of friendships, the pressure of family and the pressure of work and feel like I'm just letting everyone down. To put it simply it feels too overwhelming to balance all 3 so I start eliminating and as a result i get very defensive of my decisions. Someone mentioned to me that I may have a form of depression despite being in a high performing job but struggling to maintain my relationships and my personal insecurities. I suppose I am confused, struggling to find a way to manage it all and give myself coping mechanisms to handle my space.

Hello. New member

replies: 4

Female, late 60's. I feel like I'm in the wrong setting as I know there are many people worse off with real issues.Yet each day, I feel overwhelmed and lethargic with very low resilience. Everything is an effort!Going to bed, trying to fall asleep, getting up the next day wishing that I didn't have to. Having a shower then getting dressed is a chore.My husband has chronic health issues but gets by okay with medications. Yet with his recent bronchitis then a relapse into something else, a cold without the cold symptoms?, I felt angry, guilty, sorry that he was ill, angry, as here we go again, guilty for being angry, worried that he was getting worse, then guilty again for feeling "over it" when he's not well. Both of us suffering from cabin fever as we couldn't leave the house, so angry again for feeling trapped, repeat cycle. I'm sure that I will be sent to hell, yet feel as though I am already there. Scared for the future as we are getting older and more frail, more so him. We are having some renovations done also. Recently the roof was restored though the tradesman left a mess, so instead of the job being finished, we had to call him back which is prolonging the agony. The husband didn't help with a change to the job without telling me, so that caused a problem. Now I have to be the bad guy with the tradesman, a position I usually seem to be in, whilst husband is the good guy. The other night I just left home for hours 'for a walk' as I couldn't bear to be in the house. I am not at all comfortable or effective as the bad guy. I wish I could just not wake up and it would all be over. Next are the painters. I want to cancel them as the stress is overwhelming, yet the house really needs TLC. I need to be brave. We need to put up fences on two sides, one with a DFFH property as the neighbours can be abusive, and at the rear as the residents living behind us across the back lane are also abusive! They even scared off potential buyers when our place was for sale, and the buyers were on our property! So again feeling trapped as we couldn't sell for a reasonable price. I know we are lucky to have a place to live, food to eat. Yet I feel anxious for want of a better word. Scared to go into my own backyard. No privacy. I can't relax. I'm not scared of the neighbours as such, more scared that I will retaliate ineffectively causing more stress to myself, though I propose to take a vow of silence, other than a nod as a greeting.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

HELP..Am I posting in the right section? replies: 10

Hello, First post here. replies: 3

Anxiety replies: 4

Looking for friends 18-21 replies: 1

Can't think properly replies: 4

Intro post replies: 3

Bit of a intro post!! replies: 3

Relationship Confusion replies: 3

Parenting, study, depression, anxiety and feeling low - not sure actually... replies: 2

Am I depressed? replies: 2

Hello. New member replies: 4