Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

New here and looking to share experiences

replies: 2

Hi All, I am nearly 30 and am looking forward getting out of my 20s, too much social pressure and expectations for young people. Have struggled most of my life with depression, panic and anxiety. I have always dealt with my emotions and have wanted to succeed at looking after myself by speaking to a therapist. Everything still gets on top of me sometimes and it is SO EXHAUSTING! Now I am in a fantastic job where mental health is a top priority and I feel guilty about expresssing myself even though they encourage it.. Does anyone else get tired of thinking? When will I be able to switch off? Holidays can't come soon enough for Melbourne this year.

Newbie

replies: 8

Hi, I'm Julie and new here, not really sure what else but this just seemed like a supportive space to share some thoughts and maybe recieve advice:)

Feeling worried - all the time

replies: 2

Hi everyone. I've never done this thing before but I am feeling so anxious most of the time it's now bringing me down. I'd like to discuss my fears and anxieties and see whether there is anyone else feeling like I do and if so how they deal with it. View more

Erida

replies: 2

Hello Everyone, Thank you for allowing me to join you. For some year I have been dealing with the effects of my daughter in laws Anxiety. Recently our relationship has hit rock bottom. I am hoping that by being part of these forums I will gain some i... View more

Hm,

replies: 3

I’m me. I’m not going to intro or detail because i might not be me for long enough to any of that to matter, due to domestic violence. Thanks.

Too old and ugly to be loved

replies: 6

I'm approaching 60 and have been single for 6 years. I recently started online dating, not a good idea for someone like me who has low self esteem and a long history of depression. Whilst I'm trying so hard to not take the rejections personally, I still do. I'm taking a break from the online scene, but the damaging emotional effects are still with me. I feel empty, alone, depressed, ugly and just completely worthless. I just don't know what to do now. I want to have a male friend but I'm just not good enough. I'm hoping just writing my thoughts down might give me some clarity.

Just saying Hi

replies: 2

Hello everyone. Deed here. At age 57, after a lifetime of fighting anxiety or depression, I seem to really be fighting a losing battle with anxiety, currently. The stupid part is, most things in life are good! I have experienced divorce, my choice and losing my mum in the ladt 5 years. It is mostly work related. I love my job, but, after being offered permanent part time in one location, which was fantadtic, due to covid, Ive been put in a situation of being moved around between various locations and I'm not coping with that very well. Basically, my head feels like it is going to explode lately. For some reason, I can't seem to relax my mind. Yes, I'm on medication. Have been on and off for 30 years. I just hoped my mind would treat me more kindly by this age, but it seems to be getting worse. Anyway, that's me! Wishing you all the very best for your weekends.

Now it's at it's worst, perhaps it'll start getting better

replies: 4

Hello, I've been lurking here for awhile, grateful the what has been shared, now I feel the time has come to introduce myself. Simply put, I don't know if I'm crazy, or if the person I live with is. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have done the whole psychiatry and meds thing. I really did make some massive progress (yoga, yoga, yoga!..I promise it's a life saver), and am really proud of myself. I kept pushing through the desire to hide under the doona, and have kept the crucial stuff rolling, but gee whizz if an enormous bushfire didn't land on my back doorstep destroying my rebuilt zen(ish), sending my man and myself into an existential crisis for the past 12 months...not to mention a plague to keep all of us plugged into global existential fears. As far as I'm concerned these are troubling times for all and my mind goes round and round upon the mousewheel of this. Poor, exhausted mind. The panic attacks where I must remember to breathe...the counting of breath as though my life depends upon it, perhaps it does. The pacing. The doubling over in sheer emotional pain. Rocking back and forth in self-soothing, I remember not to do this in front of my depressed man, I feel as though we are severely mirroring each other, if he see's me rocking then I must be mad one. See how silly all this is? I know it. There is an ancoring in the knowledge, but still, the mouse wheel in the corner... Today I saw two butterfilies mating upon my doorstep, I did not see two at first, so bent down because the glorious coloured mass was so still, I thought it to be dead. Then I realised there were two, locked irrevocably in the rythym of life. A defiant splash of colour, impervious to my primate chitterings. I apologised to them, this was indeed something sacred. I felt very blessed. So feeling thus blessed, I am ready to introduce myself, hoping something in this resonates positively for someone else. I am feeling hope, although my domestic life is in shatters and I'm sleeping on the couch. Two entwined butterfiles gave me this, and for all my convoluted tortured human thoughts, for a moment I touched without question, why I keep getting up each morning, ready to make a fist of things. I hope you will allow me to send you all a message of love and hope.

Constantly struggling

replies: 1

I am having a bad couple of weeks. I am so tired of life being hard. On the surface it isn’t. Objectively my life is good. But the negativity in my head and lack of energy in my body and the pain I feel always catches up with me. I do all the “right things”. Have invested in good friendships. Involved myself in communities. Take medication. Have seen an excellent counsellor. But whatever I do it is temporary. I take 2 steps forward and 3 back. Currently panicking about going to work tomorrow. I have had some time off being physically ill and it has sent me into a bad headspace. Anxiety is overwhelming and I have been crying ok and off all day. I’m just tired.

Feeling anxious and bad in job

replies: 3

Hi. I am feeling quite anxious and hope that sharing will help me to analyse and cope. I have a small child and happy(ish) marriage, now five yrs in. We're full time employed, quite fortunate these days. I think I've always had anxiety, or at least, suffered in some way. The ad on TV where the man is being talked down by his inner dialogue made me realise that always happens to me, but i didn't realise it could be anxiety. I thought it happens to everyone. i recently transferred departments to take up a job with a boss who said I'd be transferred permanently, but its only temporary. I was told id be working on project X, but I'm not. Im being told now that the paperwork to make it a permanent move will be finalised soon but i still have the uncertainty of if it will be approved. I'm feeling a bit trapped, and like people haven't been following through with what they said they will do. I didn't seek out the transfer, or offer, but i could have refused.. The old area i left made me feel suffocated at the end of each day and i felt belittled at the way some people talked to me and each other. The new job does help me feel mentally healthier. I was miserable in old job, but don't feel miserable in current job. Thats partly why i said yes to chance to leave. i am dealing with alot of uncertainty which makes me anxious. Im not good at speaking up for myself, and others are speaking for me without understanding the full picture. I have been on the verge of emotions and tears the past few days and haven't been able to get to sleep. I'm worried about losing pay, or job, and feel silly for taking risks when I could have stayed even though that wouldn't have been great for my mental health (maybe it wasn't the worst idea to leave that Environment). And the older i get, the more i feel like i cant put on a mask for the work day.... Mostly i feel scared at any prospect i can't provide for child

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New here and looking to share experiences replies: 2

Newbie replies: 8

Feeling worried - all the time replies: 2

Erida replies: 2

Hm, replies: 3

Too old and ugly to be loved replies: 6

Just saying Hi replies: 2

Now it's at it's worst, perhaps it'll start getting better replies: 4

Constantly struggling replies: 1

Feeling anxious and bad in job replies: 3