Welcome and Orientation

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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

Introducing...the community champions

replies: 22

Hi everyone, Some of you may have noticed that a few of our members are labelled ‘Community champion’ and have a beyondblue National Roadshow bus badge, like this: This thread explains who these members are and what they do. Community champions are volunteers within the forums who: Have the time, skills and empathy to support other members Make an effort to welcome new members Are regularly and actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community as a place of hope and recovery. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! As this is a peer support community that includes members under the age of 18, it is important that we ensure our peer support community leaders have a current 'working with children' check as part of due diligence. In an online environment with anonymous posters, it also provides Beyond Blue (and the community) with some security as to the identity of who is posting as a community champion. We ask our community champions to spend at least 2-3 hours a week posting and responding in the forums, but in reality they go far above and beyond this. Like me, they’re not psychologists or counsellors, just regular folk like yourselves who have experience with anxiety and depression. I’ll leave it to our champion volunteers to reply below and let you know a bit about themselves. PS. If this is your first time on the forums and you'd like to introduce yourself, please start a new thread rather than replying in here.

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New user - my story

replies: 2

Hi all, New member of the forums here and to be honest, this is a big step for me. I am an estranged father of two children who are now 26 and 20 years old. I left the family home in 2006 not knowing this would mean I would essentially also be divorcing my children. There was no domestic violence. I would never raise a hand to anyone let alone a woman. At the time, my children were 13 and 7. After a protracted legal battle where my ex was asking for sole custody, the judge decided that, in light of my son's age, he could see me "in accordance with his wishes"; he decided that would be never. Naturally he was never encouraged to maintain a relationship with me. My daughter, was ordered to spend every second Saturday with me. Based on the angst it would cause her, overnights were ruled out by the judge. She complied with these orders and despite being civil with me during these visits, the relationship was always strained. When I picked her up, she sat in the back seat always. She never called me dad. There was never any hugging or signs of affection. Not so much as a card for Father's day, birthdays or Christmas. As her 18th birthday approached, I enquired what would happen when the orders no longer applied. She informed me that she would no longer be seeing me. I had lost her as well. It has been 2.5 years since I've seen my daughter and 13 years since I've seen my son. I doubt I will ever see either of them again and the pain is more than I can bear. I don't know where they live and, honestly, would not feel right reaching out to two people who despise me so much. People often tell me things will improve. But how ? When ? I can't see it. I'm re-married with two adult stepdaughters but I miss my children. I want them to love me and include me in their lives. I doubt, if I died, they'd even come to the funeral. Sometimes I sit and just wonder what I did to deserve the cycle of pain that I have endured and will probably continue to endure until the day when it all just comes to an end. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

new mumma

replies: 1

Hi, I turned 34 yesterday, I have suffered from anxiety in the past. I have a beautiful baby boy 7 months olds I had a very traumatic birth that took me some time to accept I held onto a lot of guilt that I didn’t get to spend the first few days of his life with him, I felt as thou I failed as a Mum, even thou he was born healthy and well ( I was sent to ICU). I’m still recovering from birth 7 months on and just spent 3 days in hospital, I lost feeling in my arm and had a 3 day headache, my anxiety from being away from my baby was to much that I checked myself out. I followed up with my GP yesterday and asked for help but I didn’t get what I needed he asked to see me in a few days as what he felt I was feeling is from the pain I’m in. I returned to work recently and I’m not coping. I have a coworker who doesn’t like me making my time there very hard. I lodged a formal complaint against them yesterday as she has been making accusations against me that are not true to bosses trying to get me in trouble and now they have made up stories to try and cover them self that I have caught her out . This with being a new mum with no support besides my husband I feel like I have just got my head about water. Iv reached out yesterday to my works free councillors and they should get back to me in the next 48 hours. I’m don’t feel that I’m sad just overwhelmed. My husband has taken a few days off to be home with me and support me. Thanks for reading

I’m new - and complex

replies: 5

Hi guys, So I finally took the plunge and joined the forum. I thought I might be too complex for this forum, but a basic search showed me a thread with similar issues to mine. So I jumped in. I have complex health issues which have recently led to depression and anxiety for the first time. I have had an autoimmune disease for the past 15 years but recently it has gotten worse. I am facing the real possibility of surgery this year, maybe multiple surgeries. And I am only in my thirties. This is the bit that is getting to me. I am generally a very resilient person. I have a lot of beautiful people and things in my life and am grateful every day for these. I see plenty of good and beauty in the world. But when I think about getting multipole surgeries, including joint replacements, before I am forty, I find myself sliding down into a dark place. Any stories from others with complex health issues, autoimmune disease, chronic pain or chronic illness in general, would be most appreciated. I do not need a lot of advice - I am a psychologist by training - but what I really need right now is to know I am not alone. I look forward to getting to know you all in the forums. Warm regards, Jane.

Feeling Disconnected 🙃

replies: 1

Hi all, Only new here. But I’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Since then my sugars have been between 4.5-7.5 so are very good. But can’t seem to get back to my normal self. I’m constantly worried about eating, my blood, having a heart attack and generally living longer now that I have Type 2. I know it’s silly and so many people live with it! Hence this post! iv even feeling disconnected from myself, caught in a day dream, can’t laugh, hard to smile, just bit myself! Sometimes I feel as if I’m spinning around and even going shopping makes it all worse! Or being in a small area with loads of people. I need help! I’ve had full blood tests done! They checked everting and it was perfect except slight blood sugar height. But I keep thinking I’m dying and I’ve got serious health issues. I’m a father of 3 and need to back to normal again! I’ve lost a job paying 140k a year over this! I’m almost at wits end!

New and confused :)

replies: 1

I've just recently started looking into getting help and am excited to see other people and their opinions

Hi I'm new here!

replies: 1

Hi everyone, As you have seen I am new to this and have never been involved in anything like this before. I enjoy playing sport and going outside to enjoy the sunshine. At times I can feel quite alone and sad as I feel I am loosing a lot of friends. Although, I do have a great support network at home. Some mornings I feel down and struggle to complete certain activities and don't know why. I also have a lot of regrets (even though I have not done anything that I should regret) which makes it hard for me to find the motivation to go out and catch up with people. I am a kind person and wouldn't hurt a fly so hence why I am confused as to why I regret going out seeing as I have nothing to regret. I am not sure if it is just me overthinking everything or if I am doing something wrong. Does anyone else feel this way or even feel something similar? Thank you, Sport123

Me

replies: 1

Hi It's new year, I'm in bed , no celebrating for me. I'm not well. I've not been well for a few weeks now. My Christmas was spoiled once again by my father's selfish actions. Thank goodness I had my daughter and her partner , plus my partner here. I m not feeling down that I'm not celebrating. It's I feel so bad I'm not well and my partner is in bed by midnight instead of enjoying himself . I scared this is going to be the start of what my year will be.

Newbie Single Dad feeling quite low

replies: 14

Hey all, So I have been at a fair low point for the last few weeks and I feel so alone and everything has just caught up to me emotionally. Taking on a new role at work has added extra pressure to me, I am struggling to find a house to move into so I can truly separate from my ex, mediation for my daughter comes up soon and will probably lead to family court, and I have minimal, if any friends for support. Plus I do find it hard being single and feel like no one wants me as I do suffer a lot of rejection. I felt here would be the best place to find that I'm not alone, as a lot of people here are definitely experiencing the same things I am. I hope to not only find good support here but also be support for others. Thank you all for listening. -Chris

Hello I’m new here

replies: 5

Hi I have never posted in a forum before let alone one like this . i have no one else to talk to about the things I’m going through I don’t really know what’s wrong to be honest I feel lonely and sad and like no one likes me in general I would love it if I had a best friend who wanted to chat or see me instead of people who just want to see me when the want or need something I am married but my husband really pays me no attention my two daughters have left home youngest recently I don’t know if what I’m feeling is empty nest syndrome or if it’s something else has anyone else felt like this ?

My sister

replies: 3

Hey everyone, I'm new to this so please be patient... My sister is an alcoholic, and suffers depression really bad. It's the day after Xmas and yesterday (Xmas Day) she told me and my other sister that she wanted to kill herself. She told me this a couple of days ago as well. This has come about because of a recent break up. The thing is she has only been seeing this guy for a few months. She has suffered from depression for many years now, and has been to various doctors and been on various meds. Nothing seems to work for her. But we thought she was getting better...she stopped drinking, she did an online beauty course, which she passed, and she lost weight... but now she seems to have gone back to square one. I have also been a drug addict for half my life, but have been clean now for over 2 years so I sort of know where she is coming from, and have been trying to give her some advice without sounding like a hypocrite. The thing is me and my sister are a bit stuck, so if anyone out there has any advice or direction...please lay it on me. Thanx for reading xx

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

Introducing...the community champions replies: 22

New user - my story replies: 2

new mumma replies: 1

I’m new - and complex replies: 5

Feeling Disconnected 🙃 replies: 1

New and confused :) replies: 1

Hi I'm new here! replies: 1

Me replies: 1

Newbie Single Dad feeling quite low replies: 14

Hello I’m new here replies: 5

My sister replies: 3