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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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?

New and in isolation caring for elderly narcissist

replies: 2

Hi. New to this forum but not mental health issues. I've got anxiety and depression regularly but now am having even more trouble coping. I live with husband and son, relationships there pretty good. Also my mother who I am caring for as she's over 80s. She is basically a narcissist and also a hermit (I'm the only person she likes, she won't speak much to her grandson and she converses with my husband but everything she wants done has to come through me). She hardly ever leaves the house, and if she does it's always with me. We have always had a difficult relationship. She was an alcoholic when I was growing up and even when not, very neglectful. I'm an only child, she mostly a single mother. We're living in a very small place, taking self isolation very seriously as she has COPD. Only one person to a room, with shared kitchen meals area and 1 bathroom. She contributes financially but barely lifts a finger to help with housework / cooking, and she wants me to guess all her needs (I can but I can't handle the mental load). She has no $, no place else to go. With isolation, I'm really retreating into my shell. I can't talk with anyone on phone or in the house as she will overhear. She disapproves of just about anything I do. I know how to react to her, and I know she's not going to learn, I just can't stop my emotions, I feel awful pretty much all the time. People tell me what to do and what to say to her, but it doesn't stop me from feeling bad. No matter what, I feel bad. I know when my depression is getting worse and it's definitely on its way down right now. My saving grace has always been creating distance between us (we're from another country, she's only lived here 18 or so months). With self isolation I can't do this. My husband moved into the living room and to be honest I don't want him to move back into our room because this little space I have is the only space that's just mine in the world. He wants to but I feel like I can't have anyone penetrtate my shell.

First time in forum

replies: 1

Hi there, I haven’t ever written in a forum before but I’m feeling lost where else to turn to. I don’t even know where to begin. I’m just feeling so deflated and lost as I can imagine a lot of people are. I lost my job 2 weeks ago extremely unexpectedly and it’s taken a massive toll on my mental health. Money has become a really big stress having not savings ect. I have resulted in drinking most nights because otherwise I’m up until 4am just thinking. Currently I am sitting in my bedroom drinking and the last two days have just got to me. I feel like I’m not getting better but getting sucked deeper into depression. I feel as though I can’t speak to my family or friends about this and I feel like I’m the only person not coping through lockdown. Everyone else seems to be doing well and I feel like I’m really struggling. No social interaction is really hard. Does anyone else feel this? Are people just not coping and just not talking about it? I feel lost kind regards, red cat

Cabin fever

replies: 1

Hi all. New here and a bit lost at the moment. Been struggling with depression for about 15 years - partly on and off (or in denial). Been really bad for the last 3-4 years or so. I am seeing a GP and a shrink, and am on medication. All of which seem to be helping. My biggest problem with at the moment is coronavirus (CV). Over time I've found the following really help me: gym, snowboarding, mountain biking, and kitesurfing. Not sure if it's the adrenaline, or the intensity. But it's the only time I feel human. Clearly I like being outdoors. CV clearly hates me (us). Im going absolutely insane being trapped indoors. I guess I'm fortunate to still have work, and I know others have it far worse, so don't get me wrong. I just can't cope without being very active and outdoors and by the ocean. I don't know how to handle months of this in end. I feel like drowning my sorrows in a bottle of rum just to be numb and pass through time. Chips, chocolates and biscuits are keeping me going, but feeling so sick of eating all that rubbish now. Whats the point of one can't even do solo actiivities. I'm sure I'm being totally irrational at the moment.. Just can't snap out of it. Just to add to the above - im not worried about the virus itself, nor getting it. As strange / stupid as it sounds I think there is a lot of over reaction to it (don't shoot me for that comment), particularly in the younger folk who are less prone or have no underlying illnesses...

Take care.

replies: 1

Hi everyone.

New here, feeling anxious about returning to work after covid19.

replies: 3

Unfortunately i am one of the unlucky hospitality staff members who have temporarily been stood down due to Covid19. bit of background, i started dating someone in september 2019, who does live hour and a half away from me. The distance was hard but we made it work. At the start of all this covid19, i was anxious and worried that when and if i did get stood down or we go into lockdown, where would i go? Today, Wednesday the 8th April, i have now been down at my boyfriends for 2 weeks. I am starting to get a bit anxious about when and if we return to work. I do have a room in a house i share with a friend, which i do pay rent for. I have only been back once since, to go to an appointment then came straight back to my boyfriends. i am feeling anxious about going "home". questioning whether its something i actually want to do, or do i stay down here after covid19 "lockdown" is done. must mention prior to going into "lockdown" boyfriend and i were trying to conceive (not using protection). So the plan was, prior to this. We would try til we got pregnant then i would work up until i couldnt know more then move to his house while on maternity leave then access living arrangements then. However now this has taken place (must mention i struggle with change and get quite anxious about the unknown) i am not sure whats going to happen. Just wanting someone to talk to and some advice on how to cope with the anxiety.

First time posting Mum of 3

replies: 2

Hi, my name is Nicole, Mum of 3 amazing children and nervous to post. My fiancé was recently imprisoned, leaving me with our 3 children aged 9,7 and 5. Would love to talk to anyone that’s been in a similar situation.

Newbie

replies: 6

G’day all 46 year old single male from from Adelaide. I’ve suffered with depression sense my early teenage years. Though recently seems to be getting the better of me. Like others, I have times where things are going well then at the drop of a hat, it’s a major kick in the guts. Anyway, I’ll leave it at that and move on the to forum topics, where I’m hoping to learn a thing or 2. thanks any have a good day stay safe all.

New member to forum

replies: 1

Hi, my name is Mel, I suffer from depression, anxiety, and I am looking forward to chatting and reading other peoples posts

New here! Hello

replies: 5

Hi, I'm not entirely sure what to say, things have been uncertain lately for all of us. With the fact I already had existing conditions it is taking a toll on me. I hope everyone else is okay! I'm a bird lover/enthusiast and general fan of all animal... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

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

New and in isolation caring for elderly narcissist replies: 2

First time in forum replies: 1

Cabin fever replies: 1

Take care. replies: 1

New here, feeling anxious about returning to work after covid19. replies: 3

First time posting Mum of 3 replies: 2

Newbie replies: 6

New member to forum replies: 1

New here! Hello replies: 5