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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Not sure why I'm even posting in here

replies: 7

I mean, even now as I type, I feel like such an imposter. But tonight, I'm struggling hard. I've been cooped up inside for almost 2 weeks (not covid, pneumonia) and I feel so despondent and like I'm not really worth much of anything. I have two gorgeous kids and an amazing partner but I know right now I'm not the person he fell in love with and tonight, I feel like he's pushing me away because I'm just too much for him. Or not enough. And there's a logical part of me that knows that's not true (he has said to me before that I can try and push him away, he isn't going anywhere) but honestly... why would he stick around? I feel disgusting, useless, worthless, pathetic... I want help, but I don't want help because I think this is how I deserve to feel. I don't know if I should just resign myself to this fact and learn to deal, instead of whinge.

Hello BeyondBlue and I am new here!!

replies: 4

Hello everyone!! I am Jasjit. First of all, I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy from COVID-19, especially what has had happened in Victoria!! More importantly, throughout my childhood experiences, I have experienced anxiety. I started schooling from year 3 up to year 12. From all these years I experienced a lot of anxiety: thinking what others will think? Why can't I make friends at school? Why doesn't everyone like me? Why can't I speak like that 'cool' student in my class? So these were all the questions that were in my unconscious mind throughout my childhood. It was a tough journey and it got even worse when I came into my teens. I started experiencing body image, self-esteem issues, and the bullying at school even made it worse! It shattered my self-esteem. But luckily, I did not go into drugs and alcohol to self-medicate myself despite I was silently suffering from anxiety. Later, I developed an eating disorder at the age of 17 and became quite obese! I could not regulate my emotions and my year 12 did not go as I had planned. Though thankfully I got into psychology, I was still having problems with my eating habits and lifestyle. On top of anxiety issues, I was experiencing depressive symptoms. During my third year at uni, it really hit me!! I realized for me to do honors I have to keep my GPA high and I worked very hard even ended up with HDs, but I was not accepted. From all these experiences, what I have learned is that one should ask for help and not be stigmatized. I was quite embarrassed to even go to the psychologist! So how did I do it? I simply did something for myself. I always wanted to be in the most shredded shape of my life. After I became obese, I went on a fat loss transformation where I connected with myself, mind, body, and food. Throughout the journey, I learned that a living thing should not be mistreated. From there I became fully vegan – eating whole foods, started supporting climate change. From all these things I started to literarily gain my confidence back. I gained my identity back! Then I achieved my 6 packs, my grades started to improve and became fearless in public speaking – wow! How cool is that? So that is where I am currently, and I feel I can give back to the community, and hopefully I would be able to save someone’s time from such a long journey. On the last note, I believe connecting and knowing yourself is the biggest gift of human life. Kind regards, Jasjit

Caring for a friend with dementia and need advice on how to cope

replies: 1

My 80 year old friend has stroke induced dementia. We have been partners for several years but always maintained separate residences. For years I have traveled from my place in the country to his place in the city to do his shopping, cleaning and provide companionship. In January, I found him collapsed in his house and got him admitted to hospital. The doctor advised that he had frontal temporal demention and that his condition would only worsen. Placing him in a home was recommended but I agreed to look after him at my home instead. In May, he started having problems with his balance but also his behavior started becoming more erratic. He became convinced that I was going to dump him and get a boyfriend. He became threatening but not physically violent. The GP suggested respite which I organized with a nursing home. I hated the nursing home and when I could not visit because of covid19 he became very angry with me. Then the nursing home restricted residents to their rooms which made him even worse. About a week ago I received a call from the nursing home to say my friend had entered a female residents room and was attempting to have sex with her. I was asked to remove him so I brought him back to my home. His jealousy has worsened and his desire for sexual gratification is constant. If I leave the room, he must follow me. At night he refuses to sleep and keeps me awake with increasingly more bizarre delusions about lovers. The lack of sleep, the constant groping and the constant demands for attention are turning me into an angry person. I don't think I am cut out to provide him with care but the only alternative seems to be to take him to his house in the city but then he cannot look after himself.Any suggestions on how to deal with the constant desire for sex and the all night anger sessions?

2020 during lockdown. Bi polar. Substance and alcohol abuse. No family or friends.

replies: 2

Is this the place to talk about being in hard lockdown while struggling with manic highs, debilitating lows while trying to maintain an addiction. I have no family. No friends. I live alone. What does one do to keep yourself seeing a light at the end of all this? And stop yourself from wallowing in self destructive thoughts, participating in risky behaviour, being high, being low. All over the place. I'm 62 and feeling like this pandemic could very well be how life will now look like. No freedom. Not able to plan any future because the rules change daily. No human interaction if you live alone and are already isolated...now there are no services you can physically reach out to. Feeling guilty for having issues while the world is in crisis. Finding negativity is wiping out all sense of hope or positivity.

Feeling Overwhelmed

replies: 3

Hi all, I’m not doing so well tonight. Everything seems to be getting on top of me! Everything is so scary. I was bad about being around people before COVID but now it’s even worse! I don’t even want to be around my partner. He doesn’t understand. I ... View more

HIV Phobia

replies: 4

Hoping someone can assist. I have a terrible HIV phobia which has impacted my life on multiple levels. Im currently 2 weeks out from another test after stepping on something sharp at the beach. This was after spending 3 months believing I had caught HIV after an exposure to a mobile phone that I believed had blood on it. Test was Negative. I don’t use drugs and have not been intimate with anyone for 2 years. I’ve been to 2 GP’s though felt somewhat ridiculed in addition to both GP’s not being aware of risk outside of m2m sex, I’m not gay either. I just really need someone to talk too who can help as the continuous stress is debilitating thank you in advance

Hi

replies: 4

I have a phone booking with my gp tomorrow although I drove past some counselling places today but didn't go in... i am obviously suffering from depression issue I haven't spoke to anyone about before. I this come about due to some dangerous thoughts... View more

Newbie

replies: 8

Hi beautiful people, New to Beyond Blue and I'm happy to be here Never been involved in a forum before but i think i'm getting the hang of it. Very tough times in the world today, I hope everyone is doing well. Billiee x

My life

replies: 2

The very first memory I can remember ever is my older brother locking me up for what seemed like hours to me at the time , he wouldn't let me out , that had a lasting effect on me , from a young age I can remember violence within the family life , dad was always angry at something or at someone , mum had about four different boyfriends since my dad and every single one was violent all the time till I was about 12 , mum never did anything to stop it , I think she was scared so I don't blame her , but I couldn't get how people enjoyed hitting other people ? I still don't , what was worse was I would be harmed all the time by my older brother, I had average grades at school and that didn't help at home either , one time I went to school with an injury and I had to go into protective services and since then it's all been a blur , so many different families to go and live with , never making solid friends ,and then it came for me to move out of the system and I was shoved into the world with little to no social skills , the inability to make any lasting friendships or meaningful relationships with anyone was actually dawning on me and realised I would come to live alone , everyone around me seems to be doing fine in life , I think there is something wrong with me , no one ever took me to psychiatrist or a doctor or any professional , I think my parents just saw me as a fortnightly child support check , my grand mother definitely did , I remember her making me give all of my youth allowance to her , I was never taught how to spend my money well either , cause I was allowed only 20 dollars a fortnight I would always spend it all in one go and then get yelled at for it , So when I got to the age of 16 I needed more money to live , cause all these responsibilities started popping up , I turned to drug dealing and I lived like that for about 12 years untili got busted , I mean I was an undereducated young man who was making more than someone in an office , I was completely absorbed by it , started living the lifestyle even though it wasn't me , I was in and out of jail for 4 years and now im living in an age where crossing the border is an arrest able offence , how do people see the bright side of things in a world so dull , I don't have any friends to talk to , my family hates me , I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning.

Feeling overwhelmed and losing confidence

replies: 1

I have been working an industry effected by covid since March. I started my new dream job in February and 3 weeks later covid came into effect. I was laid off for about 3 days and then asked to come back into work for 10 hours a week. My job was to answer all of the emails from couples getting married and worried about their wedding. Which was totally fine to start of with, but then 6 months in, I am still doing the same thing. I have been feeling so overwhelmed, with all the negativity that comes from the job and feeling sad for everyone. And some couples have been quite rude and abusive. Not a whole lot, but enough to make me cry at times. To top it all off, my boss is a little on the sleazy side and even honked at my breasts and makes sexual comments on a daily basis to me. He often massages my back and touches my hand over the mouse at my computer. I have been writing everything down about what happens, but I feel so guilty in doing so. I have been making so many mistakes over the last few weeks and I’m just feeling so down on myself. I have just taken two days off for some rest and to try and feel better. And my boss is now cranky with me. To top it all off, my husband and I are trying to buy a house and I just feel so lost in what to do. Do I continue on with letting all this crap happen at work, do I stay and tell my boss to stop, I just feel so trapped in this job. I want to stay for all my clients and so we can buy a house, but I can’t stop making mistakes, and I feel so stupid at times, it’s making me doubt my work, not feeling like I’m good at my job. I just feel so confused. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation?

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Not sure why I'm even posting in here replies: 7

Hello BeyondBlue and I am new here!! replies: 4

Caring for a friend with dementia and need advice on how to cope replies: 1

2020 during lockdown. Bi polar. Substance and alcohol abuse. No family or friends. replies: 2

Feeling Overwhelmed replies: 3

HIV Phobia replies: 4

Hi replies: 4

Newbie replies: 8

My life replies: 2

Feeling overwhelmed and losing confidence replies: 1