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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Introduction post

replies: 5

Hello, I'm threeeighteen. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since childhood, currently 28. I'm a long term NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) and my current goal is to end that. My hobbies tend to be on the nerdier side, stuff like: anime/manga, videogames, history and the sort. I'm also a beekeeper and do that with my granddad, I do all the heavy lifting for him. I'm thinking of starting a cert II in kitchen operations to get a foot in the door to an eventual chef apprenticeship, I know it's meant to be a stressful career but I'm running out of things I can possibly do and I feel like my brain has atrophied too much to go down the uni path at this point. I'm not really sure what to add for an introduction and I feel like I'm rambling. I mostly just want a friendly place to chat and I feel like beyond blue fits that while also being understanding. Nice to meet you all.

New Here!

replies: 7

Hi there, not sure if I’m posting in the right place, but here to hear stories from people who are experiencing similar challenges I guess! Lockdown has been super hard, struggling with severe anxiety and loss of motivation to do daily activities. Ho... View more

Vent

replies: 2

First time posting here. Generally, I am the strong one, the positive one, the Pollyanna if you wish. Each time there is another disappointment, another issue, I am the one finding the silver lining. Yes, we are in lockdown again, but we are better off than many others. We live in the best country in the world, everything which is being done is in our best interests ... After yesterday's announcement, the tears have come often. The disappointment of planned activities being cancelled because of lockdown has made me more upset than it should. Far worse, however, is the cumulative effect these restrictions are having on our young people. My grandchildren are suffering. It breaks my heart to know that one (aged 15) is giving up. He is not logging on to online learning, can't get out of bed, can't see any point in study. One (aged 14) asked her mother when she would be able to resume face-to-face schooling (her mental health is already compromised so she is considered to be at risk) as she was finally 'ready' to try again to face the world, only to learn of these latest restrictions. She returned to her room & her bed. This, & far worse, is happening in many, many families. I don't know what the solution might be, have no suggestions. I am just feeling hopeless.

New to here

replies: 10

Hi Everybody! This is my first post. I've never reached out to any support group, but now I feel that my mind is deteriorating. I mean everyday it feels as if things are just getting more difficult. I feel so alone and tired, with no end in sight. Th... View more

How can I help my adult son ?

replies: 20

Hi everyone , I’m desperate and new . I have an adult son that suffers terrible anxiety & now depression, his life has turned into a train wreck. He sleeps all day & stays up all night , drinking & smoking, never sees the sun . He’s put on so much weight & looks pasty . the sad thing is he refuses to see this as a problem and just tells me to leave him alone , I’ve had multiple conversations with him . He will not seek help or acknowledge that there is anything wrong . His friends , sister & parents are all very concerned , his girlfriend of 10 years left him because she can’t see any future ( which is sad but I understand her reasons ) this is not new behaviour but lockdown has certainly made it worse . Should I do tough love ? Should I take the door off his room ? I’m scared to leave him the way he is , I can’t convince him to come outside for fresh air let alone come to the doctor with me . Any advice?

Can I live with anxiety?

replies: 4

Hiya, I guess you could say I've been dealing with anxiety since my first major episode in 2015. I seemed to be fine until Covid and lockdowns. I had my first major attack in 5 years following Melbourne's first major lockdown in 2020. It crippled me. Fastword to now and I have been seeing a therapist since February as things were quite bad. Some days are better than others. I'm currently struggling with the physical effects of my anxiety and starting to feel that this will never go away. Reaching out to say hello, hear your stories and hopefully gain some insight on management of anxiety. Thanks and much love.

Doing it tough

replies: 5

Hi All, I have just signed up and this is my first post. To be honest my main reason to sign up was to give I guess for lack of a better term, an uptick to so many posts that I have read on the forum. So many amazing people on here, like they have peered into my windows and know me. Makes me feel less alone. This is the beginning of my journey, I have finally come to terms that i do struggle with anxiety and depression which is strange because I have always tried to be a provider and protector for my wife and family, a fortress if you will with no fear I thought but, I do now acknowledge that I cant run and hide from the things that have formed me any longer. Long story short, I know I have so much to be grateful for, an amazing wife,I don't know where she gets the strength, and in material things, they however don't make me loathe myself any less and it makes me wonder why somebody like my amazing wife would bother with me. Many thanks.

Countryhousebound

replies: 3

Not sure about this but I need to try find help I can't seem to get our of this depressed mood I'm in I've been like this for months the only thing that seems to help is drugs or alcohol

I'm new here

replies: 38

Hi I'm new here and was recommended to join the forums. I dont know where to start. I'm in my mid 30s, still single, and recently Ive felt so depressed that I can't do anything. Friday just felt like the worst day ever and I haven't been any better since. Its like a whole bomb was dropped on me. My account was overdrawn, I keep getting rejected, people take advantage of me. I feel like there is no way out of this. I felt this way last year and though I could deal with it but it just keeps coming back. I tried making plans and changing but it just keeps failing. Ive had the worst bad luck

Feeling so alone

replies: 8

Hi I’m in my 40s, 3 kids and married. I have no diagnosis but I feel like I’ve come to a fork in the road and I need to face this or it’ll ruin me. I seem to swing from feeling super elated and so happy with life to just pure darkness. Right now I’m in the darkness. I’m also a nurse and I am totally drained. I’m so sick of listening to everyone’s else’s issues. The world right now just doesn’t seem to be a place I want to be in. I don’t find any joy on anything. I dread waking each day. I’ve tried to talk to my husband who ends up making it about him and tells me all I do is complain. I feel so alone and so down. I feel ashamed to feel like this. I’m usually the social one, the bubbly person. People don’t know the real me. And yet the ones who I try and be vulnerable with just disregard me. feeling so lost and alone

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Introduction post replies: 5

New Here! replies: 7

Vent replies: 2

New to here replies: 10

How can I help my adult son ? replies: 20

Can I live with anxiety? replies: 4

Doing it tough replies: 5

Countryhousebound replies: 3

I'm new here replies: 38

Feeling so alone replies: 8