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Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Optical1 Symptoms despite treatment
  • replies: 2

Hi. I am wondering if it is normal and if others have the same experience. I receive treatment for my mental health and have doctors and therapists involved in my care. Despite everyone's best efforts in treating my mental illness, I still have sympt... View more

Hi. I am wondering if it is normal and if others have the same experience. I receive treatment for my mental health and have doctors and therapists involved in my care. Despite everyone's best efforts in treating my mental illness, I still have symptoms especially depression. So I've been told that mental illness is treatable but it seems ,yes it is but maybe not 100% treatable for everyone. So I'm thinking I'm just going to have to accept that still getting unwell and having "bad" days is what is normal and I'll have to accept these horrible times as part of the deal of having the illness.What do others think?

Sophie_M Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be ... View more

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

Marian Hi. I'm new.
  • replies: 2

I'm Marian. I've never married and am 69 soon to retire from very part-time work. I have no friends or relatives that I see regularly so it's going to be a challenge given my history of anxiety/depression. I shall keep as busy as possible and try out... View more

I'm Marian. I've never married and am 69 soon to retire from very part-time work. I have no friends or relatives that I see regularly so it's going to be a challenge given my history of anxiety/depression. I shall keep as busy as possible and try out some different things. I've never so much as had a boyfriend so it's been a very lonely life which has contributed to my depression. I'm very religious but feel that God is deaf sometimes!!

Guest_39768055 Pain, depression, anger
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm 82, six years ago I had what I was told would be life changing operation and it surely was. I had a right hip replacement, I had postoperative pain in the leg ankle and foot but was told it would pass with physiotherapy which I undertook for ... View more

Hi, I'm 82, six years ago I had what I was told would be life changing operation and it surely was. I had a right hip replacement, I had postoperative pain in the leg ankle and foot but was told it would pass with physiotherapy which I undertook for in hospital for two weeks. Tha pain didn't go way but got worse, the replacement was fine but why the pain? It turns out my sciatic nerve was damaged by a post operative condition called Pryformis Syndrome. To sum up, i have been on pain medication basically every since. I am also on an antidepressant medication as I can become quite depressed. I have been angry at the system that basically abandons you when things go wrong. I have a great GP and Pain Management specialist and had virtually every procedure available to no avail. The side effects of opiods are bad in themselves. Going off them awful and there is no further pain relief. The government is clamping down on opiod prescription. I feel like I'm being painted into a corner.

SoloLeveller new to BB
  • replies: 1

hi to all here, I've known about BB for a really long time but thought I'd sign up tonight and see if this sorta thing helps.I'm a 42 year old guy and I've had depression and PTSD for as long as I can remember. I never thought about joining forums li... View more

hi to all here, I've known about BB for a really long time but thought I'd sign up tonight and see if this sorta thing helps.I'm a 42 year old guy and I've had depression and PTSD for as long as I can remember. I never thought about joining forums like this but that was when I had a few more closer friends to kick back with.my psychologist said something like this might help or lead to new friendships. I'm not convinced to be honest but, here I am. so, hope something can come of this. at this point I'll try anything that may make me feel like there's some reason to keep going.

lisa74 Premimenopause
  • replies: 1

Hi am 50 and have been struggling with perimenopause for years with hot flushes mood swings but the past couple of months my symptoms are worse I cry all the time not sleeping no appetite I feel overwhelmed can’t focus at work it’s really having an i... View more

Hi am 50 and have been struggling with perimenopause for years with hot flushes mood swings but the past couple of months my symptoms are worse I cry all the time not sleeping no appetite I feel overwhelmed can’t focus at work it’s really having an impact on my mental health I exercise journal use oils ect nothing works, I don’t want to take any medication it’s the worst feeling

BurntCrumpet Hi *wave*
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm a 46yo BurntCrumpet girl. Can't shake the depress-mess, always single, struggle to invest in life. Got religion and people who care which literally keeps me alive. Meds help. Psychs haven't so far, but they try. I like encouraging others. I'm... View more

Hi, I'm a 46yo BurntCrumpet girl. Can't shake the depress-mess, always single, struggle to invest in life. Got religion and people who care which literally keeps me alive. Meds help. Psychs haven't so far, but they try. I like encouraging others. I'm hoping to learn how to recieve encouragement from others. Thanks for reading @-》

where_is_real_me? I nearly forgot about this.....
  • replies: 1

I am returning, I think it's been 4 years since my first post, would like to think I took on the advice given to me? I feel stuck, again. 4 years, long story short, I've been trying to survive, push through my life but finally, I got a diagnosis of G... View more

I am returning, I think it's been 4 years since my first post, would like to think I took on the advice given to me? I feel stuck, again. 4 years, long story short, I've been trying to survive, push through my life but finally, I got a diagnosis of GAD and ASD, that's been helpful because I feel like myself but did it take almost five stages of grieving myself to get here, yes! I am proud of myself, my journey wasn't easy but like my username, where's the real me? I am in my late 20's now and after awhile, I'm on the right medication for my anxiety and it works, has it made me feel better, yes! I started at a new job last month, so happy & excited to get back into working. Two weeks ago, I woke up, feeling like I can do this! except that night, I've broken down, crying & I felt so emotional that nothing could help. When to my doctor, next day and I felt like I wasn't taken seriously as before, they said they aren't going to change my medications but can link me with both a psychologist & psychiatrist and I should reach out for help by posting here again, too. I feel down, so emotional that I feel like I might lose my new job as I've can't work in this state, I don't feel like leaving the house but I force it and I pay for it, feeling unwell by it. I've got appointment, tomorrow for an mental health assessment and I hope it goes well. I was fine, then I wasn't, really don't know what has triggered it, this time, especially.

Darryl Messed up
  • replies: 2

Hi . I dont know where to start. but i am messed up and need help. I have been a compulsive liar since i dont know when. I have low self esteem and feel like i am failing. the reason i am here is because i have also not been honest with my wife since... View more

Hi . I dont know where to start. but i am messed up and need help. I have been a compulsive liar since i dont know when. I have low self esteem and feel like i am failing. the reason i am here is because i have also not been honest with my wife since we have been together which is 16 years. I lie to protect myself and others , in doing so i am pushing people away that love me the most. Lately over the last 3 years i have tried to change and will stop and think before i say something so i dont fall back into lying but i always seem to do it. I also have a tendency to play the victim and make it look like she is the problem when i know now it is really me all along. I love her so much and i understand how i have hurt her and dont want to anymore. I have booked an appointment to get help. I just dont know what else i can do . i would like her to trust me again, is that even possible. She has told me she loves me and that alls she wants is for me not to lie . I believe that she does love me otherwise she would have left me awhile ago. i just hope i havent done too much damage so it can be fixed. This is just the start of me owning up to my mistakes, lying being the biggest. any advice would be great. Thanks for reading

arkadeprince Intro + Dealing with guilt
  • replies: 2

Hello there! I'm a 16 year old, ADHD riddled kid who has an affinity for the geeky things in life. I enjoy writing, art, reading, listening to music, etc. To tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure what to write about. I feel like I had nowhere else to... View more

Hello there! I'm a 16 year old, ADHD riddled kid who has an affinity for the geeky things in life. I enjoy writing, art, reading, listening to music, etc. To tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure what to write about. I feel like I had nowhere else to go — I can't get professional help, and relying on my friends to hear me out all the time probably isn't the best idea. I've joined this site for support for my mental health. People of all age ranges, cultures, experiences and whatnot are on here, so I think this will be a good oppurtunity for me to get more grounded advice from a myriad of people. I've been on a self-growth journey, learning to self reflect (a skill I've lacked) and communicate more effectively, but recently it's been extremely hard. I messed up big time with my best friend, and in general, I've been struggling a lot with the people in my life. This is important to me because I've grown up with parents who never communicate effectively. My Dad never apologises and overall we only ever settle things by letting time pass. Recently, I did something that breached the trust between me and my friend. She expressed her feelings towards what our other friend and I did, and the first time, I explained my perspective to her, and we all went back and forth. The second time, about a day after, she reiterated all of it, and my immediate thought was "I know all of that already, why doesn't she get it?" and I got incredibly defensive. I realise that my reactions BOTH TIMES were... ineffective? Unhealthy? Toxic? I'm not really sure. But I know it was wrong. That's not all there is to it, but honestly, I just don't know why I can't cope with the guilt of what I did, which is probably why I acted that way. But what can I do to fix it? Is me even thinking about "fixing it" okay? I'm pretty lost, so advice would be greatly appreciated.