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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It comes and goes

replies: 9

Hi. My first post. I suffered terribly some years ago, in the aftermath of whistleblowing. Yep, it took me all the way to nearly 'the end'. But, I fought it over several years, went to law school and created a new life for myself. BUT, it's like herpes simplex...it just lurks below the skin, waiting for a time of weakness. Like now, for me. Strange thing is...I have spent the past 10 years helping others, to show that it is possible to 'start again', as I have. Every now and then I feel it coming, but at least I know what it is, what to expect, how to manage it. I have never reached out before, never. Don't know why, but I felt a need to join the Forums tonight, and to post. There is a reason for everything, I believe. No doubt I will emerge whether it be in a few days or a week or two, but I'll get there. Still, it is a horrible collection of feelings, and really, it is difficult to share. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi to fellow warriors. I hate the onset, but it's good when it goes back into it's insidious dark corner. People wish they could go back and live their lives again, differently. Well, I did that. I started day one of my new life going to law school. it is never too late. Cheers...take control of it, before it takes control of you!

Hello Guys and Girls

replies: 3

Hello everyone, I am new to Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue has an astonishing website. I hope all goes well. Welcome everyone.

No Friends/Social Life and Never Been In A Relationship

replies: 8

Hello everyone, I’m new to the beyond blue forum and would like to share my story. I’m 27 years old and haven’t had friends since high school and have never had a boyfriend even though I did date once at the age of 19. I’ve found myself really wanting to make friends but my anxiety and depression were really horrible at the time and still is. At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with depression due to being severely bullied and humiliated in high school. I saw a psychologist who believed that I was faking my depression because I was well-spoken and in her opinion too intelligent to be depressed. I started to believe that she was right and I felt very discouraged. Even though my mum was supportive and told me to try again. I couldn’t face being told that again. I started studying and working over the next 5 years. I studied at TAFE and got my year 11-12 equivalents. I started to work at a fast food restaurant and left after a year to be a house keeper at a resort. My family and I then moved again and I started a new job at a fast food restaurant because I was living in a small town with limited resources.Then when I was 21, I was diagnosed with anxiety after having a panic attack at work and I have been struggling with it and depression ever since. I had to quit my job because we were moving for the third time to Perth. When we got to Perth I decided to see another psychologist who didn’t believe that I had severe anxiety and thought that meditation would cure it. I did take anti-depressants at 16 for 6 months and anti-anxiety medication at 21 to present. Fast forward to now and I’m 27 and haven’t had a job in 6 years. I have no friends/social life outside of my family and have never had a boyfriend. Since the virus and isolation has happened.It has made me realise that I haven’t done that much with my life and that I have been existing not living. So with the extra money from the government (because finances was a factor in my not being able to see better psychologist) I am now seeing a psychiatrist that believes that I have depression and anxiety and has given me a diagnosis of a panic disorder. It feels so good even after one session to have him believe me. I know it will be a long road from here on out but I’m really optimistic that things will change because slowly they already are. I know when the virus is over that I’ll get back into sports and other hobbies I used to enjoy and will make new friends and who knows maybe start dating again.

Introducing...me

replies: 2

Hiya! Where to start....I'm in my early 40's I am Autistic and have the double whammy of also been diagnosed with CPTSD with a good dose of General Anxiety Disorder. Where one thing finishes and another starts is anyones guess. A lot of my symptoms overlap. I am not a people person, people terrify me for so many different reasons, its a very long list. Needless to say this pandemic and subsequent lockdown has been blissfully peaceful. In saying that, I do like to stay connected to the outside world and have the occasional conversation. I have never had a lot of success with therapy, I have stumbled my way through creating my own coping strategies, some have worked and some have failed and some found me spiraling out of control. But here I am ready to pass on any little tid bits of wisdom I have stored away. I am not great at starting conversations or small talk, but mention dogs and I will talk all day. One of the things I love about having an Assistance Dog is they are a great ice breaker. Anyway, its well past 2am so that's enough for now.

Can't cope

replies: 4

Hi Everyone, Not really sure where to start with all this, so I guess roughly from the beginning would be easiest. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety from about 16/17 years old. I'll be 30 next month. I've been on nearly every medication a doctor could prescribe and spoken with psychologists and psychiatrists over the years but nothing has helped. I'm slowly getting worse as the years go by, I end up having to stay away from life by hiding in bed for most of the day and night. I've tried to hold jobs but each time I end up leaving quicker and quicker because I can't handle interaction with strangers anymore. I've not been in work for over a year this time before starting another job last week. All I do is panic all day and can't focus on work, every fibre of my being is screaming at me to run away and hide back in my room. I can only hold out for so long without the little voices in my head screaming at me to just end it. I've been fighting that voice for years but it's getting harder to do so, like getting repeatedly hit lightly in the same spot it slowly hurts more and more. I tell myself I should probably check in to a hospital, but the last time I did that I felt like I was in prison and I couldn't handle the other patients there. If I leave this job I then have to somehow explain to Centrelink/Job Centre why I left a paying job, I'd be willing to bet they'd just cut off any support for me. I hate feeling like a leech, accepting help from my partner, family and friends just makes me feel worse. I don't know where to go from here. So as the title tread says, I can't cope with life anymore. Getting out of bed is hard enough as it is, let alone trying to function like everyone else. I feel like I'm out of options.

seeking help to save a life!

replies: 3

Hi I am a mum with Indian background seeking help for my 24 years old nephew who lives in India. I want to join this community as a supporting person for my family back in India. This person is very close to me like my own son and his condition is af... View more

Morale support assistance.

replies: 7

I have been unfortunately been scammed by dodgy car mechanic which is now affecting my wellbeing. I never had any issue with my health before. Just a little bit of morale support can hopefully assist and get through this issue.

Hi. First post.

replies: 2

Hi. I feel a bit uncomfortable 'talking' about this, but since it is anonymous I will give it a try. I'm 52 and struggle with severe depression. Part of me feels ashamed. I have two degrees and have worked as an academic and a lawyer. I dropped out of a Ph.D when things got too hard, moved to the country with my ex and my marriage failed. My mum died early this year and my son moved to his dad's and I am now unemployed and always worry about money. I could only get casual academic jobs when I returned to Melbourne but in this environment that has dried up. Lately I lack the confidence to apply for jobs. Recently I have been trying to draw a line in the sand and focus on looking towards new possibilities and self-care, but I seem to struggle with myself. Some days I just can't get out of bed, yet the other day I woke up feeing almost normal - this hasn't happened for months and months. Yet today I feel flat again, still in PJ's. I'm starting to accept that this is a mental health condition that I have to live with, but hope that things will feel brighter. My mind is relatively clear, but I have always been fairly high functioning yet I do about 1/100th of what I used to do now. Even doing the washing is difficult. I am very grateful for a lot of support - NDSI carer person comes once a week, and I have gym once a week, but I don't do what I should for self care. Perhaps people have tips or suggestions. Thanks for listening. GlussTea.

Mumma needs help with teenager

replies: 3

my daughter has a friend that has sever mental issues and is treating to kill her self nearlly everyday. The school is evolved and almost got to the point where they were not going to let her back in but they need to be showing that they are following guidelines, which I understand. Anyway my 14 yr old daughter is severely impacted by all this but can't see anything else except a fantastic friendship. We have to tried to stop the friendship but it's not working and now my daughter is depressed and is just starting to harm herself. The school has tried to keep them sperated but can't. Everything that happens here at home, my daughter is running back and telling her friend. I have no idea what to do.

How do you start that conversation?

replies: 3

I'm Gemma. A 22 year old community service worker. Earlier this year, our community was impacted by the bushfires. -And now of course COVID. Work has been particularly challenging this year with the community suffering from huge losses and also having my own personal stressors. -Unwell family members, relationship struggles, ect... I'm often feeling fine, particularly if I'm busy. But when I'm not feeling fine, I have some very negative thought patterns. Often, my relationship with my partner and friends suffers for it. I think that they don't care care about me and while I don't tell them how I'm feeling, I do feel negatively towards them and occasionally start an argument. Before work this morning, I cried, felt sick and like I had a weight on my chest stopping me from breathing properly. Something so minor had started this the day before. I barely dragged myself to work, I thought of calling in sick several times, but my colleagues are usually great listeners and I thought I could do with the distraction. Unfortunately, a couple of people from our organisation are taking sick leave at the moment due to mental health. A third one, as of today. So now I feel like a burden to my employers if I tell them I'm not coping. I also haven't told my partner or family because they all have their own problems to deal with. So I'm feeling alone today. I think I'll speak to a counsellor, but I don't know how to start the conversation?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

It comes and goes replies: 9

Hello Guys and Girls replies: 3

No Friends/Social Life and Never Been In A Relationship replies: 8

Introducing...me replies: 2

Can't cope replies: 4

seeking help to save a life! replies: 3

Morale support assistance. replies: 7

Hi. First post. replies: 2

Mumma needs help with teenager replies: 3

How do you start that conversation? replies: 3