Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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need help on dealing with my Indian in-laws and having a 3 month old baby

replies: 2

Hi I’m alex just jumped onto here because I need a safe space to talk about my feelings. my problem is my in-laws from India have come to stay with my husband and I for 4 months I am from a European background so very different up bringing and we raise our children differently . My in-laws were the ones who set up my new home due to me being the primary care giver of our baby , after I moved into the house I left 3 days later and returned to my mums house due to the fact I felt alone , his parents didn’t look after my child in a way I like , eg not holding her correctly , not using common sense such as if it’s hot do not put a thick blanket onto a baby . when baby cries not picking her up but telling me she is crying so I stop eating and go and attend to her . My husbands mother has destroyed my kitchen oil marks everywhere , dirty stove etc and seeing all this makes me so angry because we worked hard for this house and it feels like she does not appreciate or respect our house. I don’t feel like my house is my own , my husband always defends his parents and acts like a little boy infront of them , and has painted a different picture of himself to his parents then what he actually is like. I decided to come back home to him to work on the marriage but I don’t know how long I will last

Introduction and the fear of death of loved one

replies: 1

Greetings all. This is my first post. I have joined this forum because I am suffering from a crippling fear of losing my new partner of 3 years. Im hoping someone can provide some insight into what is happening and offer some helpful ways to cope. Im a 45 yo gay male. I suffer from a number of chronic health conditions and diseases (all under control) but I have spent a bit of time in hospital. I also suffer from anxiety, mainly social, but for as long as I can remember, I preferred the safety of my cave to venturing out and socialising. I sought help (CBT) for depression and it worked to some degree. I even managed to leave a toxic relationship after 10 years and start anew. I recently met someone overseas and after 3 years we're planning on getting married this year. Two years ago I fell very ill and suffered numerous anxiety attacks as a result of blood loss. I was convinced I was going to die. My mind spiralled after thinking about dying and leaving my new partner in this world, and it was this that triggered the panic attacks. Now, with the new health issues under control, I find myself with a new problem. Wherever I go I imagine it is my partner that is dying. I now realise I am doing it and I try to stop myself, however the sheer vividness and horror of the images in my head haunt me every day. You have no idea how incredibly cruel these thoughts are to me. I love my partner very much and the thought of losing them really does cripple me. However, I now question my relationship due to these visualisations and thoughts. Maybe Im not healthy enough or good enough to be in a relationship after all (self sabotage is an old friend of mine!!). Or am I just being too overprotective of him?? Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Any useful advice would be appreciated or should I seek profesional help again? Just writing about this honestly for the first time already feels a lot better. Thanks.

Hi! I'm a 31yoF with possible bipolar depression, just here to introduce myself a bit

replies: 1

Hi everyone! As I said in the title- I'm a 31yo F and my psychiatrist is fairly certain I have Bipolar Depression plus Generalised Anxiety Disorder. I have always been an anxious person and have had extended periods of low mood most of my life but the last 2 years have been a whole new level, requiring extended admissions to psychiatric units for months at a time. To complicate things entirely, I also happen to be a doctor, currently completing my General Practice training program so I'm having to factor in moving around to different clinics for my training and get the timing right to study for, and sit my major exams. I've spent more time off work than at work in the past 2 years unfortunately and have undergone extensive ECT treatments which have significantly impacted on my memory. I also trialled rTMS without any improvement. I've just gotten discharged home after a 5 week admission and I'm still feeling pretty flat. The current plan is to play around with my meds as an outpatient while getting my ongoing psychotherapy from one (of my three!!!) psychiatrists. I'm also looking at perhaps signing up to do some group therapy Day Sessions through my local private psychiatric hospital (not the hospital I've been admitted at so far) I have to get better- it is starting to significantly impact on my amazing husband who has stuck by me through thick and thin. He is just getting worn out by trying to be there for me at all times. He's admitted to me that he is sometimes scared to pick up the phone when I call him because he worries how distraught I'll be at that time. I guess I'm just hoping that we find the right combo of meds for me and I can settle down into a good routine of self care, study, and hopefully get back to work. My work can be very stressful but I get so much satisfaction out of it- it keeps me going even when I'm having a bad day. I may not be enjoying much in life at the moment but I get a real feeling of accomplishment from simply helping someone with their problem on the day! Anyway, so that's enough of a ramble about me- I can't wait to get to know you all a bit better and have the opportunity to bounce some ideas around to help each other out! Please feel free to chat to me about anything, I love to chat and I don't know about others but its great feeling connected! stephie_lea

Anger or Anxiety

replies: 1

I exactly don't know what it is....we have been in Adelaide for 2years now and my struggle with these two things are getting worse. I don't know what exactly is this...is it my family..new place or something else. For the longest time I want to take ... View more

new here

replies: 3

Hi I new here used to post on sane forum but got lost in myself and moved trying to start life again but you cant hide from yourself. Basic info oct 12 2012 5.30pm my previous life stopped and scorpion came to be. we spent 3mths in rehab hospital kicked out as they needed beds so a few of us where unseromonusly discharged in to the world unfit unready. We have been diagnosed with suvere depression PSTD anxiety issues occasional suicidal thoughts hate crowds and traffic. So quit longstanding well paid job sold house for a loss and move to a small country town and not a traffic light for 400klm. But no this didn't really help less triggers but still struggling cant do what I loved for 40 years, most of my old friends no longed contact me or reply if I contact them. So we come to today woke up feeling strange like it wasn't me and the world wasn't really mine took a sleep pill went back to sleep still feel like im watching someone else living my life sort of like a dream cant wake from. just need to get this out of me if I say this to my doc he just wants to put me in care and just don't want that. anyway looking forward to reading how other people are coping hoping to learn form others. Scorpion

Hello everyone

replies: 1

Hi . I’m new here and have just joined. How is everyone? Are you happy? I’m happy now and have had a stable multi cultural marriage for 41 years now, had no alcoholic drinks for 46 years and am very happy. But it wasn’t always like this. I went through a very turbulent period in my life involving 6 suicide attempts, being in and out of many mental institutions and even receiving 6 courses of ect. So if there was hope for me then I personally believe that there is hope for everyone as I was diagnosed as a chronic schizophrenic yet now I’m amongst the healthiest people on earth mentally and with no issues whatsoever. So I look forward to get to meet you all and see how you all are doing.

Hi (new here and eager to connect)

replies: 4

Hi all, I am new here to this forum. I have not publicly posted out about my anxiety, despite living with it for most of my life. I have trouble being alone (particularly staying at home alone, or going out by myself). This has been an ongoing issue as long as I can remember, but has recently developed into OCD type symptoms. I often feel ashamed or embarrassed that I am unable to complete normal and everyday tasks, unlike others. Does anyone else find they face the same/similar issues? I see a psychologist regularly, but still often give in to the thoughts/feelings or ability to avoid anxious situations. I am hoping to connect with people who understand and look for more strategies to assist further. Thanks for your time.

Cyber crime trauma

replies: 1

Hi I'm new to these types of forums. Never used them before. I am currently dealing with the effects of trauma of losing money to cyber scammers. Feeling ashamed and embarrassed and blaming myself as I feel I should have known better. They just seemed so convincing and knew things I had not told them about my situation. Emotionally distraught at the loss. Wondering if anyone else out there has had similar issues and how they coped.

New to this. Riding the waves

replies: 5

Hello We are not alone in this, but we seem to feel it within ourselves. Been riding through what I like to call waves since I was 14. I am turning 30 this week. I am on one of the biggest waves at the moment. One that makes me feel worthless, sad, guilty and angry. I don’t want to feel like this anymore. I get relief for sometimes months even a year then all of a sudden I will feel like this, but every time it’s a little worse. I HAVE NOTHING TO BE SAD ABOUT. I am very fortunate. I have a amazing family, fiancé and group of friends. There are so many other people worse off then me and I’m sorry. This wave is starting to push me away from people I love. Starting to make me feel so angry and hate myself. I can’t express to people how I feel because it comes out wrong. I don’t want to be around people, speak, act or let them know how horrible I feel. Everyone is dealing with their own problems they do not need mine. “I know I can pull myself out of this, I have done it so many times before” I tell myself, but what if I can’t this time. There is no other option but getting out of this. The other option is not a option. To all the people out there suffering I wish I could give you a big hug and make this all go away. I wish this could go away. Stay safe everyone.

Sufferer of extreme health anxiety and depression

replies: 4

I've suffered extreme anxiety since our was 11 though had health anxiety before that. As I get older it gets worse going to the doctors scares me. I get paralyzed with fear through extreme stages and don't want to leave my house. I am on medication gave been for 5 years now. I just want to connect with someone like me . As when I get over the health anxiety I then get very depressed because of how it ruins my life ..

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

need help on dealing with my Indian in-laws and having a 3 month old baby replies: 2

Introduction and the fear of death of loved one replies: 1

Hi! I'm a 31yoF with possible bipolar depression, just here to introduce myself a bit replies: 1

Anger or Anxiety replies: 1

new here replies: 3

Hello everyone replies: 1

Hi (new here and eager to connect) replies: 4

Cyber crime trauma replies: 1

New to this. Riding the waves replies: 5

Sufferer of extreme health anxiety and depression replies: 4