Welcome and Orientation

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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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Stoic Ted

replies: 1

Well, I’ve been writing intermittently about my own misery in journals, blogs and diaries for the last thirty-odd years and it just seemed I wasn’t getting the answers I needed, so here I am. Profile: depression and anxiety, dysthymia, baldness and a nagging need to write. Fifty-four years on this ball of dirt and about forty of them carrying the genetic burden of mental illness. Somehow it feels just a little exciting to know that someone else might read this. Like you, I have a long history of events, episodes and pain that have darkened my life. I go through stages, like now, of trying to write through, write about, write out of depression and once the worst is over I lose the urge. When I’m out of a depressive episode I don’t want to re-visit it because, funnily enough, it makes me depressed thinking about it. But, deeper than that, I really do want to explore how depression, especially, has shaped and framed my life. Right now, I reckon I’ve just climbed back up the cliff that I metaphorically threw myself off six months ago. My mood has stabilised, I can look beyond my own interior landscape and take a step or two in any direction I like. Time to give something back, me. It’s a grey day outside, Ted (an old soft toy) is in the window but no one is going past our house to see him. Poor old thing. Our daughter loved him for years, only stopped sleeping with him when she was fifteen and realised that she was too old for that. He’s slumped somewhat to the left as if deep in thought. But he is relaxed, stoic, knowing that he will get through the lockdown. One day at a time.

Newby on here..hoping to make beyond blue buddies

replies: 2

Hi.. hope you're all doing the best you can in these scary times. This is my first post on here and I'm looking forward to chatting and getting to know you all. I have depression and anxiety.. I struggle with both daily. I'm hoping to give and get support or advice with related issues. A little bit about me.. I am female,37, i live by myself in a coastal town in Queensland. I'm interested in singing and music as well as painting and sketching.. all of which I find very good therapy. Thanks so much for reading my post. Many thanks

Feeling Isolated

replies: 3

I've had so much trouble registering onto this website that my anxiety is worse than usual. Glad to have joined tho cos am SO isolated. Never see or talk to anyone. Go shopping once a week. Was reasonably ok til I heard this quarantining could go on ... View more

Sinking ship

replies: 2

Hello! I've just joined beyond blue during this super challenging pandemic. In the past I've spoken to my GP and a psych about ongoing frustrations and low level anxiety (and increased blood pressure!) But thus far it hasnt required additional therapies or medication. I have 2 kids of my own and my husband also has 2 kids. He and his kids are autistic to varying levels. I work part time, have chronic illness, a tempestuous relationship with my narcissist ex husband and my dad is very unwell. I've had a very gentle and privileged upbringing; gentle, kind parents, supportive siblings, no major trauma, always food on the table and clothes on our backs. Life these days though.... Seems to be getting harder. Not because I'm in any danger or anything terrible is happening; I am safe and loved. The majority of it seems to be that I am responsible for the wellbeing of not only my two kids, but my husband's kids and mine. It is A LOT. I love them all dearly, but I'm so, so tired of coming last and having to steer a 6 person ship.

Depression and anxiety

replies: 2

Hi guy's first post on here and i suffer from depression and anxiety i might add mostly health anxiety. I amm 66 and it started 20 odd years ago after having 2 very rare tumors removed and my half brother was dying. I have tried everything for 10 years but they have seemed to plateaued out. I do have good times but as soon as i get a little bit of pain i jump to thought it must be some sort of cancer. I do get blood test every year which are ok but when I'm having a bad time my bowels seem to play up ad then i think i must have bowel cancer but cannot bring myself to have any test for it as i always think the worse

Hi :-)

replies: 3

Hi People, I've just joined so a bit overwhelmed with all the posts but I'll find my way around. A bit about me - I'm disabled single parent so you can guess at some of the things I've had to deal with! Anyway with the help of. others, I've persevere... View more

Just joined

replies: 3

Hi Folks, I’ve just signed up to this forum and have been reading some of your stories. I am amazed with how supportive and wonderful everybody is here. I’m a 41 year old guy who suffers with depression. It’s particularly bad at the moment due to the very recent break up of my marriage and the fact that I am now stuck at home with my ex and we are in each others faces 24/7. I have no income due to the covid-19 situation and nowhere else to go. I mean I have extended family but I I don’t want to be far away from my children. Admittedly, I initiated the break-up but that doesn’t make it any easier. My marriage was making me incredibly unhappy for a very long time and it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. I am so sad all of the time now and am struggling to see what the point is with any of it. I am not a suicide risk but I can honestly say that’s only because I have children; I could never do that to them. Anyway, I look forward to chatting with you and getting/giving advise and support. Peace, Meeps

Thanks for the Help Beyond Blue!!

replies: 12

I’m just putting this out there - admittedly to help myself release in the aftermath of my experience and for those who may be hesitant about seeking some assistance or talking to someone about coping with high anxiety at the moment. Especially other men out there. To put things into perspective - Over the past 40 odd years I’ve always secretly thought I was invincible and strong minded, always able to talk myself through any situation or deal with life’s struggles without needing to burden others with my problems, I’m pretty active, my work is steady and seemingly I am one that shouldn’t really have too many concerns in life... blah, blah etc..etc). Well it turns out I wasn’t as invincible as I thought. Two weeks ago amidst the noise of everything going on with Covid Virus I thought It might be a good idea and went cold turkey off drinking coffee. Over the course of the last week I’d convinced myself I had the virus, my breathing was so tight, my body was so locked up I felt like every breathe I took would be my last - panic attacks all day & waking up in the middle of the night choking on fear and doubt for myself and humanity... coupled with a physical manifestation of a pinched nerve in my upper right back that was clearly the epicentre of where I was holding in all my tension and anxiety. Admittedly there had been some personal incidents over the past few months that clearly were playing on my mind I hadn’t dealt with (a loss of a close friend, a break up and the news of my 8 month old niece diagnosed with cancerous tumours in both eyes playing heavy on our entire family. Along with the noise of the media, the hype of US & global politics was filling my head with so much crap that last week I hit the wall mentally. Not wanting to burden my family with more grief and not sure where to turn I ended up calling BB 3 times over a couple of days just to talk to someone... it really helped calm me down on the tail end of my attacks in those moments. I’d been attempting some deep breathing techniques but the pain in my back was so excruciating and limiting the expansion of my breathe. The outcome being that I started using the color visualisation for pain technique as referred to me by a BB councillor and that really helped me focus and flush the pain. I am only after a couple of days now almost back to full force again! In summary... Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help you are not alone! Thank you BB and remember to be kind to yourself people

New here and at a total loss

replies: 6

Hi there I’m new here and I joined to get help I’ve been dating a wonderful man for over 5 years now he has 2 kids I have 4 we have had our ups and downs over the years with he’s bipolar he doesn’t get to see he’s kids much one of them doesn’t want to see him at all the other hasn’t spent any time with him for quite a while now my kids are in my life only 2 live with me but are old enough to look after one another one being 20 and the other 17 my man doesn’t live with me due to the kids he can not cope being a full time dad I’m a FIFO worker so I’m not always home he understands the fifo life as that’s how we meet we were planning on marrying last Saturday and due to the coronavirus rules it made it difficult we wanted everyone there so decided to postpone I flew home a week before the wedding to be and things were starting to get stressful with the outbreak of the virus my kids aren’t alway looking after my house as best as they should I ask for simple things to be done especially to keep the kitchen clean and feed my fur baby but it’s not always up to scratch they don’t always respect me or my man My man decided to stay so we could isolate together instead of being in 2 houses so with the virus my kids and calling off the wedding being copped up in one house has made things difficult my man expects respect from my kids they love him but They can be very lazy my older boy loves woodwork and we bought him a few tools and have wood for him to make stuff but hasn’t been touched for over 3 months since we got it anyway the shit hit the fan and my man had enough long story short he thinks I don’t make him priority one which I do I do understand he’s values but that wasn’t enough he packed all of he’s stuff said that I had waisted the last 5 years of he’s life and wanted nothing to do with me he won’t even let me have anything to do with one of our fur babies he said I didn’t love him as much as he loved me he has had bipolar for over 20 years and does take he’s medication regularly he has pushed me away before but this seems more harder than before I have been nothing but supportive and loving to him from the first day he’s family love me and my kids I’m trying so hard not to contact him he did say he would email me to let me know of final assets it has only been a couple of days but I’m totally gutted as this is the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with and I can’t even face my kids atm he has been my support and I have been he’s now I’m lost

Inertia and demotivated - can't seem to focus on anything

replies: 3

Hi, I'm new here and I need some help to deal with how I am feeling. I have depression and anxiety and it is usually well managed through medication and sessions with my psychologist. I have been struggling with a feeling of inertia - I can't seem to focus on anything or do anything. I am supposed to be studying, but I am not able to focus on the readings and I am stressing about falling behind. I loved going to the campus, and now that I am at home with my kids and husband I feel that I have no time to myself - and that makes me withdraw. I am struggling with selfcare most days and my mood is very low. I know that I need to have a routine, but I am feeling completely demotivated. How can I get myself back on track?

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Stoic Ted replies: 1

Newby on here..hoping to make beyond blue buddies replies: 2

Feeling Isolated replies: 3

Sinking ship replies: 2

Depression and anxiety replies: 2

Hi :-) replies: 3

Just joined replies: 3

Thanks for the Help Beyond Blue!! replies: 12

New here and at a total loss replies: 6

Inertia and demotivated - can't seem to focus on anything replies: 3