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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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floydoss sorry if wrong place to post... autism and depression/anxiety
  • replies: 5

like i said sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but i wasnt sure where to put it. i was born with high functioning autism and in the last few years my dr informed me that i have depression and have probably had it in her opinion since i wa... View more

like i said sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but i wasnt sure where to put it. i was born with high functioning autism and in the last few years my dr informed me that i have depression and have probably had it in her opinion since i was a young child, being autistic i struggle with social and emotional situations and have learnt the last few years just how differently my brain thinks and reacts which makes it hard to explain to people what my problems are. i worked for a few years and hated it, i seem to only be happy when im home with my dogs and partner (yes somehow i found someone that cares about me even if i am a social outcast), whenever i leave the house i immediately go down hill mentally, i can barley last half an hour before i get very angry and short tempered and have the urge to rush home, which i am told is a sign of sever anxiety. as you can imagine working 8 hour shifts was horrible and i was near physical/mental collapse by the time it was over, i became very suicidal last year deciding that if this is what life is i would rather not have it... luckily i have people that care about me and tried to help me and convinced me to see a psychiatrist. my psychiatrist told me after many hours of sessions that my depression/anxiety is actually caused by my autism so unlike most people it can never really be cured since there is no cure for autism, so he convinced me to go to centerlink and try to get the disability pension so that i can stay home and have some quality of life, which i tried back in September last year, took months of doing rediculas amounts of paper work with the help of my family and as of yesterday i was rejected. my psychiatrist wants to speak to someone at centerlink because i dont think they understand that my depression is caused by autism, and they seem to think it can be treated and without depression i can work with my autism so they say i can be reskilled. esentially the entire idea of having to work again makes me want to die, ive been home for months and have never enjoyed my life more but everytime i hear from centerlink they ruin my mood up for a good week and this last one has destroyed me. currently waiting for centerlink social worker to hopefully help me appeal. sorry for the long rant i just didnt know who to tell this to and what to do.. im so done at this point

Introvert76 Newbie - stressed and burning out
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’m not sure where to look for help so I thought I would try here. I’m a professional with 20+ years experience. A bit of a sensitive soul and a bit on the intro side but otherwise usually even keeled until the last couple of years. Things have b... View more

Hi, I’m not sure where to look for help so I thought I would try here. I’m a professional with 20+ years experience. A bit of a sensitive soul and a bit on the intro side but otherwise usually even keeled until the last couple of years. Things have been less than happy at home. I’ve been married for 20 years later this year but we’re more like flatmates than a married couple - hubby told me he’s not interested in all that anymore so there’s no affection. He’s controlling of my time - I’m always being asked where I’m going and when I’ll be back. That’s why an online forum caught my eye. I don’t have a big social circle so I’ve been working harder to forget about any nastiness or what have you at home. Then I was assigned to be a contractor in a team where I’m not confident in what I’m doing and working for a client who’s chaotic and loud and in a high-pressure environment. I’m so stressed I can’t sleep properly, I cry almost every day (sometimes I don’t know why) and I don’t have energy to do things I enjoy anymore. My boss noticed I was down and told me to try using the Headspace app for meditation and to be more resilient/ toughen up. I’d like to say that was helpful. Is this somewhere where I can find some help?

Brain_Numb Depression becoming consuming
  • replies: 3

I'm a very self-aware person and consider myself ok however, at present i'm staring into my computer screen at an office i don't feel anything for with people i don't connect with, 3 months into a new but with no direction other than "i'll leave you ... View more

I'm a very self-aware person and consider myself ok however, at present i'm staring into my computer screen at an office i don't feel anything for with people i don't connect with, 3 months into a new but with no direction other than "i'll leave you to your own devices, but i'm always here" by upper management. I'm a middle manager. I have depression. Having arrived at work one day in January 2016 to hear the same voice and whinge about the same thing, i took myself to the pub at 9am to enjoy the early opening hours for shift workers. This increased to near everyday over the span of 2 years. My drinking I've never considered a problem but it has increased and during the day more so. I decided to contact Relationships Australia and saw a counsellor once a week. It was beneficial as I generally never talk about myself; i use humour and make myself the butt of the joke at all times when socializing, this has always been a great tool for me. Talking about myself was draining and I’d head straight to the pub 'on the way back to the office'...at times never getting there. I would openly tell the counsellor that there was a good chance this was going to happen. I did this for 2 years without anyone noticing; i think though convenient at the time, this affected me a lot. Were people that self-invested? Was i good at hiding it? Or was i insignificant? My mum left our family when i was 15 but i don't consider this to be a severe contributing factor however it seemed this was central to the discussion within the sessions and after 4 months, i got tired of it reoccurring. I asked the counsellor to please offer a suggestion or recommendation of how to deal with what i was going through however this never came. I did reconnect and resume the weekly meets down the track for another 5 sessions, but it was to the same end. 2019 came i bought a bike, I signed up for a triathlon, i got married, i have 5 beautiful children, moved house, i lost my licence for 6 months for DUI, visited England and my family with my wife (I'm English, moved to Aus in 2007), was made redundant, got a new job, sole income provider to family, can't sleep, drink more, self confidence decreasing, motivation all time low, resentment to work life as a whole. Thought about a career change - I'm 36, but when i think of it, i truly don't think i could have any motivation for any kind of work. I need someone to tell me what to do, i feel pathetic typing that. I'm tired, weeks just pass by, i need help.

BaileyJ Unhappy - Forgotten myself
  • replies: 4

Hi My story is about no self control and now it’s led to me feeling quite hopeless. I have spent the last 3 years with my new partner going out, drinking, gambling, travelling etc Pretty much in a bubble but now reality has set in and I’m broke, over... View more

Hi My story is about no self control and now it’s led to me feeling quite hopeless. I have spent the last 3 years with my new partner going out, drinking, gambling, travelling etc Pretty much in a bubble but now reality has set in and I’m broke, overweight and generally unhappy to the point where I continue to abuse myself with alcohol and then follows gambling. The result is more unhappiness, and trying to cope with the side effects of depression and anxiety. My strength and character has changed , I have good days and bad days. I spoke to AA and also gambling hotlines but I believe I’m depressed and this is why I keep doing it. I’m not sure if it’s me or my partner that has put me here in this constant stress. It’s like a cant come on my own anymore and I really miss myself. Can anyone help me please.

Lostsoulonleyheart Newbie here. any success story’s here ? Desperate for hope .
  • replies: 3

I feel like a caged animal with no way out. I see a light at the end of the tunnel but it’s an oncoming train.i want to vanish from the face of the earth knowing I’m not the only one only makes me hurt more .I know I don’t want to feel this way .I lo... View more

I feel like a caged animal with no way out. I see a light at the end of the tunnel but it’s an oncoming train.i want to vanish from the face of the earth knowing I’m not the only one only makes me hurt more .I know I don’t want to feel this way .I love my wife and my child .iv been on this rock for around 50 year’s. from childhood to now I cannot remember a time when depression wasn’t with me. Seen many shrinks with different styles ect.nothing has worked yet.

phill2 lost / blocked memory
  • replies: 3

Hi im 54 i dont know what to do , when i was in school i was bullied badly from primary school till i left . i know i have missing memory's as i remember the moment of when i lost one memory of what i was upset about [upset isn't a strong enough word... View more

Hi im 54 i dont know what to do , when i was in school i was bullied badly from primary school till i left . i know i have missing memory's as i remember the moment of when i lost one memory of what i was upset about [upset isn't a strong enough word for it ] . ever since then i haven't been able to stop thinking what happend, did i do something so horrible that i cant /dont want to remember or did something happen to me . i get upset all the time about it and cannot let it go and its getting worse as i get older ,i have been trying to make it come back as if i new what it was maybe i could stop it from getting to me i cannot talk to any one face to face as i dont trust any one and am only doing this as i feel like im going to have a brake down and need to stop it . please i need some advice if i could only remember maybe i can stop this.

Gigi2325 anxiety/ frustration
  • replies: 5

hi, I'm reaching out as I have found my anxiety and feeling of frustration has become high. I have an 8year old and a 9 month old and wanting to get incontrole again.

hi, I'm reaching out as I have found my anxiety and feeling of frustration has become high. I have an 8year old and a 9 month old and wanting to get incontrole again.

needhelp123 Confused
  • replies: 5

Recently, I have noticed that I am not myself. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder around 10 years ago and been on medication for 5. But this is different to what I usually feel which is what scares me the most. I have had chronic pain ... View more

Recently, I have noticed that I am not myself. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder around 10 years ago and been on medication for 5. But this is different to what I usually feel which is what scares me the most. I have had chronic pain for the past 5 months and believe that this may have taken a toll on my mental state. I have so many things to be happy about, I have a loving partner, we have just purchased our own home, we get married this year and have started discussions on having children after the wedding. I have a great supportive job which I love and offers me stability. My family is great and in general I know that I have all the things I need to be happy. But something is not right. I feel like my mind is fighting itself. I want to be happy but I just cant be. I get suicidal thoughts but I know I wont go through with it. The fact that I have them is what is scaring me the most. I could be driving and just automatically think about driving into a tree, or throwing myself in front of a car. Then I just shake those feelings away but I dont get to the root of why I am feeling like this. I have tried many psychologists and dont feel like I get what I need from them. Because in reality I have such a positive life and I feel positive most of the time. But I get into these moments a lot and its just scary. I dont know what to do to stop my brain from doing this. I dont know how to express how I feel to people because they cant understand why I would feel like this. Im just really lost and confused at the moment.

Joshy_T Alone in the dark.
  • replies: 3

Hi, Im josh, 28 years old from southern victoria. I really dont know how this site works so i guess ill lay it down here Over my life iv struggled with depression and anxiety, Because of love, work or family. Iv always managed to pull my self up with... View more

Hi, Im josh, 28 years old from southern victoria. I really dont know how this site works so i guess ill lay it down here Over my life iv struggled with depression and anxiety, Because of love, work or family. Iv always managed to pull my self up with the help of a friend, A partner or a relative... But this time is different, i fell further then ever before and without a a lifeline to help me cope. 5 days ago the voice i heard that always reassured me ill do better next time and never give up stopped talking to me... all im left with is the darkest parts of me, the parts that wish me to fail, Everytime i try to speak to someone it starts "They dont care" "You sound stupid" "You're just an annoyance" "all you do is drag people down" i try to ignore it and think positive but.. i cant, The angel on my shoulder was replaced with another pitchfork an all day my faults are plastered though my thoughts, Any good i think i do is immediately shatter, Iv tried to speak to my doctor but the idea of telling someone this face to face sets me into a panic attack, "haha your probably crazy" "You belong in a padded cell" "Maybe your just weak". I thought at first maybe its just a bump in the road if life, i mean it happens, But Its getting harder to ignore, Im sent to bed each night in tears, Bullied and pushed, But the one persons opinions i cant escape. Me.