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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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Feeling old and wasted my life with little joy in life

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new here. I'm not sure I'm depressed but have been feeling unhappy, sad, lacking in energy and motivation. Hoping to get some help from others on coping and moving forward. I'm married and have a wonderful son but I've been feeling that I'm getting older and have wasted away my life and haven't achieved much in my career or life. At work my peers have moved on to better things whilst I've been in the same role for 15 years and I'm not sure I can move on whilst I have financial responsibilities for the family. I'm also lacking in confidence that I deserve better. Outside of work, our family has been trying to build a home for a few years with a number of problems including legal and financial with no end in sight. This has added to stress and arguments at home often in front of our son. This appears to have affected his behaviour at home and school. My wife can see I'm unhappy but she's not offered to talk about it. She keeps saying to stop complaining and do something about it including seeing a professional. I wish she can talk and empathise with me and give me a hug. It's not much but at least I feel I matter. I don't know who to talk to. I want to be happy and be filled with joy again especially for the sake of my son.

My journey continues

replies: 4

It's so hard as a lot of you are aware living with a chronic mental health condition. I have Bipolar II , personality disorder and PTSD. Yesterday I was discharged from another mental health clinic. I have had problems with mental health since my childhood, I am now 39 years old but feel like I've lived a thousand lifetimes and then some. My last Episode left me hospitalized for almost two weeks. So now comes the steps of recovery.... This is never easy for me and can take years. I've recently set up my blog online and I'm hoping that by doing this it can help me in my recovery, and hope that in some way can help others just knowing that they are not the only one living with such chronic mental health disorders, I want to share my experiences, ups and downs and daily struggles with everyone and not hide me anymore, the me who Yes has bipolar because it is apart of me and always will be.

Supporting a partner with a startup business

replies: 2

Hi there, I am with the most amazing man who i have been with for nearly a year. Since day one he has been an entrepreneur and have learnt how to support his needs with being in the start up phase. To get there he has been through many challenges and stresses which have desensitized a lot of day to day emotion. I absolutely adore and admire him. Recently things have not been going well for him. He is unhappy with where the business is, the lack of money and the sacrifice he has put in and is chasing the constant light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday said that its not working and wants to end our relationship as i am annoying him with minor things that i know not to take personally. ( Such as not being bale to roll me over during sleep) I have said I will give space and have said that he is unable to think straight and is trying to rationalize his emotion on to me and our relationship ( Which is actually such a great relationship we have ). I see it that he is unable to provide for me and support me as a man thinks they should, even though I constantly reassure and tell him I understand. Let alone all the business factors that are constantly draining him. We now have not spoken in a few days and I am just genuinely worried about him. He doesn't have family or friends here and need him to realize that I am there for him. I dont see ending the relationship as a solution nor what i want. What would you do to help? He also has no time or money to go see a GP to discuss mental health plans and we have spoken about it in the past, also we are in a period of no contact. Need more advice on support for start up businesses as this is a growing market for young adults and a really mentally challenging space. Thanks for the help

How dod I start a new thread under the right forum?

replies: 7

Hello, I've posted before on this thread under anxiety and would like to post something new not anxiety related but I must be dumb or something, I can't find the new thread button under the appropriate forum? Am I missing something or has something c... View more

Embracing Change

replies: 6

Hi all, I've been studying overseas here in Australia for 3 years now. I'm not sure when it happened but I think I've been bottling up all the fear I have about major changes that have been happening in my life. This year has been especially difficult for me emotionally because I think everything is crashing down on me. I sometimes overthink and get worried for no reason. I don't want to self-diagnose myself and say I have anxiety or anything, because being afraid is normal. But I've been experiencing physical symptoms of this stress i.e. abdomen pains, heart palpitations and panic attacks; also, the overthinking is becoming more frequent (even about small things). I'm trying my best to correct my perception/thinking but it's really difficult. Living like this is uncomfortable, and I want to stop it. Does anyone have tips or experience the same things? Thanks!

Why Am I So Useless

replies: 6

Why Am I So Useless? I am hopeless at everything I have ever tried, work, trying to find love, trying to make friends, trying to find something im good at. I havent got much energy to keep going and everything is such an effort, including making food... View more

NEW HERE & LONELY GAD & DEPRESSION

replies: 6

Hey everyone I'm Andrew suffer from Gad & depression been out of work for quite some time living in small town no opportunity,No circle of friends had bad day today & having relationship issues with Ex Girlfriend too quite emotional day

Hello from a struggling single dad.

replies: 3

Hi folks, The title says it all. My wife and I have been separated for a year and I have primary care of three little ones aged 9, 6 and 3. They spend weekends with their mum and I work for a nursing agency. I get on pretty well with my ex these days and the kids are great. I guess I feel pretty isolated and down most of the time. Bloody exhausted too! I don't have any close friends and my family are older people living in the UK. It all sounds a bit miserable when I write it down and I'm not entirely sure whether I'm depressed or not. Typical bloke, never go to the doc's. Anyway, here I am and hello to all.

I'm new

replies: 7

Hello everyone, I only decided to post here as I feel I have no other option at this point I don't know when exactly it began but I feel it was the strongest throughout this year.. Earlier this year I had awful thoughts and was extremely close to suicide and I was physically in pain from the mentality. I've done awful things I feel, but that's all in the past now... Or is it? I thought so, but recently I've been getting the same feeling as before, I really don't want this back, I thought I was happy I guess it was me pretending so immersively... Acting like it wasn't truly there at all. The fact is, I've had what I feel like is enough from my family and friends, but I just don't ever FEEL loved, I don't feel included in some things, I feel like I'm missing something I should mention the thoughts; why? Why am I like the way I am? I simply do not understand why my brain functions the way it does, I sometimes feel happy, I'm enjoying myself, but at times, I feel.. well depressed I always feel obliged to apologise for my actions if I feel I've done something wrong, but most of the time I am not actually sure if I have done anything wrong. It kills me when talking to people because I really struggle to "be interesting" and keep a conversation going. I really struggle to understand when people are joking, most of the time I take things too seriously and eventually get angry and due to my anger, I hate myself I really don't understand myself at all, my brain is amazing, but so dumb. I think highly of myself, but I also don't. I am "sweet" but also a horrible person. My brain loves to switch things from time to time, and I honestly don't understand how, I've never seen anyone online have the same problem. By this "problem" I am referring to something like extreme depression to happy, to extreme anxiety, to brain-dead, to pyschosis, to low pyschopathy, to happy and acting as nothing is bad, to more, I just don't understand I feel as if as reset button would solve everything, I do-over in life is all I need If you took the time to read this, I appreciate it, "talking about your problems helps", I can assure you, it doesn't help me, I've tried and it didn't do anything but kill me more inside... "Go see a doctor", this also is something I cannot do. I can't tell my parents this, I can't have anything on them, I can't have them take away the only things that make me happy because they don't think so, I just can't, addressing would be much too awkward and embarrassing

Advice please :)

replies: 5

Hi! My story is probably the least eventful so feel free to move along. I started secretly dieting from the age of 11, constantly dropping the pounds and gaining it all back. Though, my weight was never a significant part of my life. My parents divorced when I was 15. I felt alone and neglected by my mother and sisters, while trying to take care of my dad and other siblings. I felt as though I had no control over any aspect of my life anymore. Jogging was new to me, but I liked it because it relieved the stress of the feud between my only family. Running pushed me past my comfort zone and made me feel proud of something. Then I stopped eating the easy greasy foods my dad cooked us and opted for dry salads instead. Watching the weight drop was a whole new feeling. For a while after my parents got back together I got a job and cut out my habit of running till i passed out, and ate normally. I never really told anyone about it, but I started having digestive issues early this year. I'm now borderline to being underweight for my age (16). My parents keep trying to get me to gain weight but the more they do the more i desire to stay thin. Food gets scary if i cant count the calories. It's a hard feeling to explain. Like it's your self worth. Like the compliments I get are everything to me. The perfect child, my mum called me. It's also hard to talk to her because I have other siblings with mental illnesses and I don't want to be another burden, but I feel like I'm losing myself and I don't know what to do. Can past events trigger something like this? Advice or support would be appreciated Thank you

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Feeling old and wasted my life with little joy in life replies: 2

My journey continues replies: 4

Supporting a partner with a startup business replies: 2

How dod I start a new thread under the right forum? replies: 7

Embracing Change replies: 6

Why Am I So Useless replies: 6

NEW HERE & LONELY GAD & DEPRESSION replies: 6

Hello from a struggling single dad. replies: 3

I'm new replies: 7

Advice please :) replies: 5