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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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Overwhelmed

replies: 2

Hello, I’m struggling at the moment. It feels like I never seem to catch a break. Just when I get anxiety under control and get back up to fight another day something major goes wrong or another big expense pops up. There’s never enough hours in the day, even when I have the time I’m physically and mentally exhausted so don’t achieve much. I get very little help and hate asking anyway. I often wonder what the point is.

Left on the side of the road

replies: 1

I have Bipolar disorder, with borderline personality disorder, I also have a chronic pain disorder Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. These conditions have caused complex depression as they all come with there own depression. For any of you that have had any experience with the above you will know of the mood shifts, aggression etc. I was married 17 years, up until July last year with two teenage kids. To be honest I had been looking for a way out for the past two years due to varying reasons, though I had no where to go, with no money to get there. My ex wife being the income earner. My ex had been constantly telling me that my moods etc were becoming to hard to live with, I was becoming to toxic. Just before July we sold a property we owned in Victoria, I found my way out. We agreed to split as friends. I bought a place outright/no mortgage. Ex found a place for her and the kids. At first I was welcome to come and go visit her and kids, everything thing was ok. I was all set to spend Christmas with her and the kids. Then the bomb shell was dropped that our 14 year old daughter had been self harming, and does not like me etc due to my moods etc before I left. Ex was pissed with me but came around. As of a week ago the only person talking to me is my 15 year old son, I’m no longer welcome at there house except to pick him up and go hang out somewhere. I’m no longer welcome for Christmas Day. I’m taking my son out Christmas Eve. My ex says we have nothing to discuss and refuses to talk to me. Usual MO for her. Has her say then I have no recourse. This all happened over night, I have no idea as to why! On top of all that this is the first Christmas Day that I will be alone, all alone. I had a major falling out with my blood family two years ago, and I have no family or friends here where I live now. So the the car pulled over and left me by the side of the road without saying why? I have sat going around and around on it. I don’t know how to feel, how to think, I have no one to talk to just to get things off my chest. I have things to say. Though no one to listen. No point of recourse.

Every Day.

replies: 1

What is happiness? What is most important to me? Freedom. Freedom to work if I choose. Freedom to sleep in or wake up early. Freedom to travel or stay at home. Freedom to associate with anyone or avoid everyone. What delivers this freedom? A fully owned home and $2M AUD. With that you can live off $60k income with no housing costs and appreciating underlying assets to keep up with inflation. Then there is no stress. I don't have to worry about working to survive. I can work at my leisure. Then there is no stress. If I fail at my work then it doesn't matter. I can still live off my passive income. I was on the way to $1M by the time I was 30 but I stuffed it all up. Now i'm continuing to waste my time. So why waste my life slaving away. Every day. Every day. Never happy. Nothing changes. Always calculating the minutes until 5:00pm every day. every day. Nothing changes, saving every penny. It's like climbing a mountain with never ending faux peaks. Every minute outside my room it's like my chest is tightened up. I'm tensed the whole time. Once I get home and am alone I can finally breath again. It's not as though I don't know what I should do to become "successful" or live a "normal life". I'm not stupid. Stop drinking so much. Exercise. Eat healthy. Go back to work. Work hard. Every Day. Every Day. Go out and socialize... The problem is. It's like you're asking a fish to fly. It can't fathom it, nor does it have the inclination to do so. I don't know how to be the person who wants to succeed every day. Every day. If I had this inalienable drive that other people seem to have. Then this would be easy. I have the aptitude. I have the education/experience. I could work for 30 years. Get married have children. Live a happy life. There is nothing physically in between me and that reality other than time. The problem lies in the intangible. I cannot fathom being the person who can do all of that. The mere thought of spending a day working towards that makes me want to give up and cry... It's all too much. Then it's every day. every day. How can an undisciplined person teach themselves discipline. How can they even have the drive to do so.

Anhodenia

replies: 2

I was diagnosed with severe depression in 2001 but believed I was only moderately depressed. In fact, as the years rolled by I felt I was suppressed rather than depressed. I then learned about anhodenia and believe that it fits the bill perfectly. Before I heard about it, I knew I had no positive feelings. Plenty of negative feelings but no happiness, joy, excitement, pleasure, fun, love, etc etc. The one negative feeling missing is grief. I guess one has to feel love to feel grief but the lack of grief still baffles me. Luckily, I have two reasons to get up every morning. Maggie and Mollie are my two West Highland White Terrier dogs. One positive feeling [or experience] that goes up and down is motivation. When it is up I manage to do tasks over and above what is necessary to just survive. My motivation is reasonable at present and I'm getting long overdue work done on my motor home in which the three of us live. Many say I am living the dream - on the road in a comfortable motorhome - and it could be true, but I sure wish I could get some joy out of it.

Newbie seeking advice and/or anyone’s similar experiences

replies: 1

Hi guys, —Possible Trigger warning— I have been suffering from anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, intrusive thoughts and chronic fear for 8 years. End of last year till now it has gotten worse, I’ve already given yoga, CBT, anti depressants , breathing techniques, therapy and dietary changes yet still not seeing change. To put things into perspective of what actually happens on a daily basis, I would wake up feeling on edge, walk to work and still feel slightly on edge, the thought of being anxious lingers in my mind Until it requires full dedication to what ever I need to do however it comes back in small waves and triggers my mind into a fearful state along with the intrusive thoughts (how long will this last, I’m afraid that I will lose control and escape quickly wether I die or not) Same goes for heights, being on an airplane, being a passenger in a car on a freeway/motorway- these all have the same outcomes, I need to escape I don’t feel safe and I may or may not jump out. I recently have gotten married so one would assume I’d be ecstatic, which I was . Closing in on the next few hours till the ceremony I felt real bad with “fight or flight”. Anyone else having the same or any advice?. The medication I was on was one type of SSRI. I tried ea different SSRI and the 2nd dose I had out my mind into 70% suicidal thoughts.

Why I feel like this

replies: 1

I'm having troubles with a kinda new relationship. I'm scared he will just turn around and it's over. I didn't have anxiety untill after my last relationship ended. Since then I've been having problems with anxiety attacks. only thing that seems to settle me is having plans with him or watching YouTube. I'm trying to find other things but I just seem to not be able to find anything. Why do I feel like this about this guy

Gutted

replies: 5

After 40 + years my husband just did not come home last week.I messaged to see when he would be home & after a short while received a message to say he has ended the marriage,quit job & I was not to contact him.Sure enough he has blocked me.I am devastated...Now II find out from daughter that he wanted to go 15 years ago & was waiting for me to die.Is this a monster?? I am shattered.He has told family that He will never be found & will never have any contact with me.I was supposed to die!! So alone & kids do not want any part of it so of no help & I do not have any other family.Can't eat or sleep

Newbie

replies: 5

Hi all, New to this site but have had issues a few years ago with Anxiety, Stress and dealing with work based issues. It was believed t be a follow on from my wife having a 6 year battle with Breast Cancer (which she won) but I didn`t accept that I needed assistance to also deal with the process from the initial stages of diagnosis. I was on meds for close to 2 years then dropped off. Different career the past 3.5 years which has been hectic in a very poorly managed environment (which is widely perceived across the large workforce, not just my opinion). Numerous people have resigned and some are currently on Stress Leave indefinitely and or seeking compensation. Anyway, I`ve been feeling the pinch for 4 months now, not sleeping, stressing, blowing up occasionally and dealing with issues the best I can. Sought Doctors advice 2 weeks ago and am now back on meds and just started on Saturday with some tablets to help me sleep. Doc says this would be an expected 6 week process to see any full benefits of the medication. She also believes it would be a clear Workers Comp case but we both agree to stay out of that if possible for obvious reasons. Approached my Managers again this morning about possibly resigning immediately as a talk with HR didn't give me much of a supported feeling 2 weeks ago, they sent me home for the week to think things over, seek assistance and make a decision.... They are offering to help if they can but I prefer my own path if possible. They have Employee Assistance Program etc and I think I`ll give someone there a call tomorrow... I`m not a great "Talker" so thought here might be a start.... Thanks for reading if you got this far through it . Cheers

Mcs systemic effects organs and brain.

replies: 1

Chemical poisoning at work ,has put me through every specialist to try diagnose me. I've been misdiagnosed .only till I met a nurse with similar symptoms did she put me onto right experience doctors and clinical psychologist who deals with brain injury due to chemical seeping to brain .as there is no blood brain barrier. It's taken me many years of endless doctors to stabilise me .my condition is chronic and disabling .I'm looking for support group of similar people with mcs. Life is based on avoidance of many irritants .you become homebound due unknown of what will happen when you go to shopping centre or train or sudden change weather.e.g. thunderstorms asthma..organ damage .adenomas and many other damage that I can't remember have to refer to diary calender and family ....I will forget that I wrote this .unless I have constant reminder

Hi

replies: 2

Hi, Im Em, and im here to learn more about my disability, Borderline personality disorder. I hope everyone is doing well.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Overwhelmed replies: 2

Left on the side of the road replies: 1

Every Day. replies: 1

Anhodenia replies: 2

Newbie seeking advice and/or anyone’s similar experiences replies: 1

Why I feel like this replies: 1

Gutted replies: 5

Newbie replies: 5

Mcs systemic effects organs and brain. replies: 1

Hi replies: 2