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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I'm new here

replies: 3

I'm 16 and I just wanted to know if I am able to go to the doctors by myself to check if my symptoms for anxiety or depression are real. I am asking this because my parent never take me to see a gp even after I tell them about how I feel.

Sort of new!

replies: 8

Hi everyone, Just wanted to introduce myself - my name is Julia and I'm 29. I've joined the forums because my long term partner has severe depression and anxiety (and will not get professional help) and I have myself fallen into a depression or crisis over the past year as well (and am putting off getting help because I know my partner is uncomfortable with it - he is convinced they will tell me to leave him). I love him but I am starting to hit mental walls with our relationship and am not sure how to navigate my life and future anymore. I don't have anyone in real life to talk to about this. My own parents are abroad and I don't want to worry them - his parents are wonderful but of course their first priority is their son's happiness, I get that. I have one close friend and I don't want to talk to her about it because I don't want to pit her against him if I end up staying with him in the future. I had one friend at work I used to talk to about this and he moved abroad last year so I feel really alone in my thoughts. I used to be so content and life and the future used to be such a clear, exciting thing to me. Now I feel like my mind is split in half... one half wants to stay with the love of my life and find back the contentness I used to feel with him - the other half wants to run and not look back and be an adventurer again on my own. These two halves are equally strong and after over a year of letting them 'have at it' in my head I have gotten no further whatsoever. I'm hoping here through talking to others - about their situations and mine - I can learn more about what's really going on with me. Thank you for being here. This is truly the only place I feel I can safely go. Julia

can you be depressed but you eat normally

replies: 2

I eat like a normal person, can I be depressed?

Hello and trying to navigate this website

replies: 7

Hello everyone. Im new, & just trying to work out how to navigate my way through this website. Im looking for support for people who are married to alcoholics. This level of honesty is very new and confronting for me. Im 62 years old. I am marrued to my second husband. My previous husband cheated & left 8 years ago after 30 years of marriage. We had an incident last week where my husband swore he would never drink again, & you guessed it, tonight is the night. My husband has some significant mental heath cincerns but refuses any treatment of any description. He has a full on trauma background, wont take meds & wont see any psychologists. What supports are available? I work in a management position and am currently on leave, but im not sure gow im going to cope with the pressure when i go back with all of this going on. Whats/who's out there?

No matter how hard I try...

replies: 5

hi all i suffer from extreme loneliness, anxiety and Ptsd. Every day is a struggle for me but the nights are the worst. I have had a lot of people betray me and left me heartbroken, so my social circle and my trust in people are very little. I find myself crying myself to sleep every night, is there anyone here who experience the same issues, what strategy’s do u use and is anyone looking for each others shoulder to lean upon like me?

I’m 31 Years old and have BiPolar

replies: 2

This is my third time ended up in mental hospital just shortly last year before the Christmas holidays 2020. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my late 20s I think 28. I currently live in a unit trying to socialise with the residents and do social activities. I have no friends but family and I have I never had a girlfriend. I play guitar, yoga and do art. I just want to be around like minded individuals I want friends and a girlfriend but I’m afraid with the mental illness. Also it’s been a while since I last work landscaping and cert 3,4 in business admin and diploma in business, now I want to look for something meaningful like a nursery, florist, charity or look after poor animals. At the same time I have to learn to drive I tried in the past but I can’t think properly on some days but I will try.

Work and depression - Support and guidance needed

replies: 10

Hi everyone, I am 32, female and feel like I have been on a roller coaster of depression and anxiety since my teens. Been to numerous doctors and psychologists, I may have finally found the people I feel comfortable with but they cannot help me change overnight. Work has always been an issue for me as I call in sick often. I am lucky to have even retained a job for the last 9 years however it is high pressure and I cannot deal with it anymore. I am terrified but I feel like it may be best for me to possibly resign so I can focus on myself. Has anyone been here before?

Really struggling

replies: 4

Hi, i have had anxiety for a while now since a breakdown i had 6 months ago. Ive been really struggling lately, the last few days especially. I really miss my grandson and havnt been able to see him since my daughter in law left the marriage to my son. She wont let us see him, hes my only grandchild and he starts school this year. I am so heartbroken. Some days i feel ok some like today i arent doing so great. I dont work because i have a chronic illness and i try to distract myself as much as i can. Ive just moved and went to see my doctor to start getting counselling but because of covid it is at least a 4 month wait. I feel like i will have this forever. This is the hardest thing ive been through

New and needing help!

replies: 8

Hi, this is my first post and I'm really hoping someone can offer some advice on what I'm going through. I have always been a worrier however in the last month my anxiety has been gradually getting worse until about 2 weeks ago when I started having constant anxiety all day, every day. Pain in the chest, internal tremors, constant nausea, mind constantly going in loops worrying about all the bad things that could happen and absolutely no appetite which has lead to losing 3kg in that time, I've also had a panic attack. I have been to the doctor and he has given me something for those times when I feel really heightened. I am also going to see a psychologist and my first session is this Saturday. The thing is, since the really long anxiety episode started, I've been feeling extremely depressed. I cry daily and feel totally overwhelmed. It's effecting my work, my relationship (although my partner has been very supportive). I also have children and at the moment have managed to hide this from them; this is the only thing I feel I am doing right at the moment! Has anyone else experienced a severe anxiety episode triggering depression? I should also say that I was using alcohol, not a huge amount, but most nights and I now see that was me just trying to cope. I have quit drinking and feel like that was the best decision. Getting through each day is becoming more difficult. My doctor talked to me about medication however I have been reluctant, but due to my level of depression at the moment I feel like just running back to the doctor and getting it just so I can feel even slightly better. Thank you for reading and any comments are appreciated.

An Introduction to Hope

replies: 7

Hi all, So as part of registering a new BB profile they suggest posting a welcome. Honestly I would prefer to lurk for a while but I supposed this is better for me anyway. I don't expect this to be read or noticed and that doesn't bother me. I am happy to contribute to the internet aether, as it were. Let's see about me, I am a wife and mum, I have 3 small kids and I suffer from depression. I have for some time, many years before becoming a parent and have only recently started being serious about getting help for it. I do see a therapist (highly recommend to anyone) and even though I have only gone a few times I have already noticed a remarkable difference in my mindset. Even if that mindset flutters in and out as it pleases. I am perhaps only here because my husband has been concerned over some thoughts I have had recently and he wanted me seek help immediately instead of waiting for my next appointment. I see his point but also I know myself and know my intrusive thoughts and do not plan to entertain them. Nevertheless my oldest is old enough now to understand more and I wish to be better off to affect him as little as possible. I am a sad, boring person most of the time but have my moments of wit and fun. I hope to be more me this year and less sad and boring.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

I'm new here replies: 3

Sort of new! replies: 8

can you be depressed but you eat normally replies: 2

Hello and trying to navigate this website replies: 7

No matter how hard I try... replies: 5

I’m 31 Years old and have BiPolar replies: 2

Work and depression - Support and guidance needed replies: 10

Really struggling replies: 4

New and needing help! replies: 8

An Introduction to Hope replies: 7