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Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Number_4 First time here and need help
  • replies: 2

I’m 47, male, scared about posting here but feel very alone. I’ve got a nice house, wife and kids, no financial worries and a good job with a great salary. But I’m just not happy. I don’t know how to be happy. I feel very alone. I have no real friend... View more

I’m 47, male, scared about posting here but feel very alone. I’ve got a nice house, wife and kids, no financial worries and a good job with a great salary. But I’m just not happy. I don’t know how to be happy. I feel very alone. I have no real friends. I don’t really socialise. My only interest is soccer but I don’t play or coach any more. I feel like I’ve got no purpose. work is stressful and business results aren’t great. I’m worried I’ll lose my job soon even though I’m working really hard and long hours. my boys are 17 and 19, I feel like they don’t need me anymore and I don’t have any value other than as an ATM. I’m in a rut and don’t know what to do. I don’t like to talk in person. I tried a psychologist before and didn’t like it or get value from it. dont know what to do any more. I don’t feel I have a future, value, any goals and I feel like I’ve pretty much got to the point now where nobody needs me and I’m effectively just treading water and killing time until I die. what can I do differently?

Baiko86 Do I Need Help
  • replies: 1

So I've always had an issue with social surroundings and and being in public places. I have tried many times to get myself relaxed before going out for the day. But then when I'm actually out I feel like a rush through my body which causes me to some... View more

So I've always had an issue with social surroundings and and being in public places. I have tried many times to get myself relaxed before going out for the day. But then when I'm actually out I feel like a rush through my body which causes me to sometimes be sidetracked and forget what I'm at the store to get because my mind is all over the place my heart's racing my stomach is turning. My insides feel like it's going 100 miles an hour. And I feel so hot I feel like I'm going to faint. So I always thought I had anxiety. But how can I really be sure. And what can do to prevent it. But when I'm with someone I still get the feelings but they aren't as bad as when I'm alone. Has anyone else felt this way. Does anyone know what I can do.

jlr Post redundancy - what's gong on with me?
  • replies: 4

Hi. After 35yrs of full time work and the confidence and purpose that subconsciously comes from being busy, busy, busy, my role was made redundant. It's only been 6 weeks but soon the payout will run out and the mortage needs to be paid. I was the li... View more

Hi. After 35yrs of full time work and the confidence and purpose that subconsciously comes from being busy, busy, busy, my role was made redundant. It's only been 6 weeks but soon the payout will run out and the mortage needs to be paid. I was the lion's share of the household income. So now to find a source of income!! I find I'm just not motivated to do anything. I fear if I apply for a job, while I don't think my resume is good enough (I don't have tertitary quals, only experience) I might just get an interview. I'm fearing rejection, having to re-prove my worth - and then why do I measure my value by the job I have and money I earn. Wow, even this post is confusing. Does anyone get my situation? And hints on breaking free appreciated. Thank you.

Nutmeg0301 Unsure about how I am feeling - Sad or Stupid
  • replies: 2

After feeling a strong need to talk to someone but scrolling though my Facebook friends list, realising I have no one I can turn to I have decided to try the anonymity of a forum. For the last 2 months I have been experiencing a lot of low moments, e... View more

After feeling a strong need to talk to someone but scrolling though my Facebook friends list, realising I have no one I can turn to I have decided to try the anonymity of a forum. For the last 2 months I have been experiencing a lot of low moments, emotionally. I find myself crying a lot over various things. I have a high stress job which until recently I have enjoyed however since accepting the position a year ago I have had a general unease in regards to feeling safe and secure in the position, if anything goes wrong I have a fear of being fired. I am actively involved in a lot of theatre, it was my escape and favourite thing to do but recently have lost my passion and no longer find it enjoyable. I am just going through the motions but am afraid to quit because then all I will be left with is my job. I currently am single and find it very hard to connect with anyone and build a long lasting relationship. I have been dating but have come to the realisation I don’t necessarily want a romantic relationship so much as I want companionship. Because of everything compounding over the last few months I have been feeling very worthless and have had thoughts about disappearing. Not necessarily ending my life but just ceasing to exist. I’m not sure if my feelings are valid or if I am just being stupid. Because I don’t want to waste anyone’s time I haven’t sought out professional help so that’s why I have come here, to see if anyone else has experienced something similar.

chofm222 I dont know
  • replies: 1

I don't know anything, so I think the title is appropriate. So I suppose I should start with some background about myself. For the largest part of my life, I've had no direction. No goals, no ambition. Nothing. I'm awkward when it comes to human inte... View more

I don't know anything, so I think the title is appropriate. So I suppose I should start with some background about myself. For the largest part of my life, I've had no direction. No goals, no ambition. Nothing. I'm awkward when it comes to human interaction and as such my friends are few and far between. I have no marketable skills, and as such I'm stuck in a dead end job on the bottom rung of a grocery store. I'm reasonably certain I have anxiety. I've suffered 3 panic attacks that I am 100% certain were such, and a number of smaller incidents that may have been as well. Crowds and continuous loud noise seems to set the stress in motion that cause these incidents, however two of the three attacks were the direct result of confrontation. However, recently I found something to strive for, and have since begun to attend a university bridging course so I can study a Bachelor of Science next year. I was making good strides in the first part of the year, I made a few friends and got good grades. However, this semester I've begun my initial math class. The math is the equivalent of Queensland math B and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. The room the class is held in is small, crowded and very loud, which obviously sets me on edge. Worse yet, I seem to be the only person not understanding the content at all. I've asked for help in class, but all the teacher did was repeat herself which was no help at all. I asked for help again after class and the teacher said that I can study the materials at home and just skip class, only attending tests and the final exam. This isn't helpful, its terrifying. I can't keep up in class so there's no way I can at home. Furthermore I'm starting to revert to my hermit habits from prior to enrolling in uni, I just want to hide or run and get away. If I don't pass this math, I can't go on to the next one and without the second class I can't get into my Bachelors. I look at the worksheets and all I can think is how I don't understand it, how I'm going to fail and never amount to anything. How I'm going to live my entire life in my parents house, until they die knowing their son as a failure. When I go to uni tomorrow I'll be talking to student well being (hopefully, the uni site doesn't have any contact details, just the office location) and hopefully something will come of it. I just hate this. I hate this fear, I hate my own stupidity and I hate how everything is so damn difficult. Sorry for ranting. Thanks for reading

Lauren71 A need to get it off my chest!
  • replies: 2

I am new to this forum and would like to thank you for taking the time to read my post. A little bit about myself... I am a married mum of 2 (aged 21 and 14) and I work full time teaching year 4. From here I don’t know where to go as this is my life,... View more

I am new to this forum and would like to thank you for taking the time to read my post. A little bit about myself... I am a married mum of 2 (aged 21 and 14) and I work full time teaching year 4. From here I don’t know where to go as this is my life, I guess like all working mums. I can describe how I feel though...like a big ant hill, you know with what looks everything is ok on the outside but inside there are voids and parts collapsed and at any moment I can be destroyed from passer by’s. I cry at the drop of a hat but so no one sees. I imagine myself running away and falling off a cliff but it is a peaceful fall. I love my family but I don’t feel valued other than to meet their needs and keep them happy. I work hard in my job, working up to 70 hours a week. My class consists of 21 students of 34 (2 teachers and one aide) who have varying degrees of problems ranging from ASD to PTSD. I get sworn at, punched and still have to meet the demands of the curriculum. I am the Science Week coordinator who has not had any help this year. Now to my home life. My kids don’t help me out around the house, leaving their mess for someone else to pick up and argue back when I ask. My son is very demanding, makes it hard for me to get to work on time and won’t go to bed early. I struggle with getting enough sleep due to this...I know I need to be tougher! My problem there is that when I try, my husband steps in very aggressively calling them names giving them the finger etc...so from one battle to the next! My husband was diagnosed with depression but honestly I think he is bipolar but that’s a whole other story. I really don’t feel like they care what happens to me only what I can do for them. I spent every night and all weekend making resources for work and left them to dry in the garage and my husband put a bag of his stuff on top, which I then had to fix. He works but inconsistently and if he is at home he does his thing like going to the gym or his photography. I do leave lists of to dos as if he gets bored he questions me and although I haven’t done anything wrong, I feel guilty, so I work harder to keep him happy. I would love to talk to him but he gets angry because he doesn’t know how to cope with me being sad, so I need to hide it! Life really sucks at the moment and I can’t seem to dig my way out. Gees for someone who didn’t know where to go from who I am, I think I did ok! Sorry if this is tedious but I am stuck and have a mixture of anger and sadness!

Beatit Desperate to feel normal again
  • replies: 21

My first post. Have been suffering anxiety and insomnia for years. Try to do all the right things. Had been on medication for about 7 years which helped a lot. Came off around Oct last year because I thought I was doing well but declining gradually b... View more

My first post. Have been suffering anxiety and insomnia for years. Try to do all the right things. Had been on medication for about 7 years which helped a lot. Came off around Oct last year because I thought I was doing well but declining gradually back to a stressful state. I have removed some stressors in my life to help, I exercise, eat well, little alcohol and caffeine, have a supportive husband, although his snoring doesnt help the sleeplessness. Kids doing well. Elderly mother whose health is failing but good family network is helping so I don't take a lot of burden there. Can't figure out why I'm like this. Life is good except this illness. Am getting help from a few sources, and I read a lot of self help stuff. This forum looks awesome. I was on one when had marriage issues years ago and it was an amazing support to me. I reach out whenever I can. So i just don't get it. What's wrong with me?

Gulgong Nightmares
  • replies: 11

Hi , name Boris! New here and don’t know if I should be posting here or at all! l am70 years old and living in a retirement village, with a lot of residents going through dementia.Of late been having many bad dreams waking in a lather of sweat and wo... View more

Hi , name Boris! New here and don’t know if I should be posting here or at all! l am70 years old and living in a retirement village, with a lot of residents going through dementia.Of late been having many bad dreams waking in a lather of sweat and wondering if I am starting to join them,which scares me don’t know what to do.

paddyanne paddyanne
  • replies: 8

My real name is Lynda. I have worked with mentally and physically disabled adults and children for the past 6 years. Most of them are able to communicate, although sometimes listening to them can be difficult due to speech impediments. I have a yello... View more

My real name is Lynda. I have worked with mentally and physically disabled adults and children for the past 6 years. Most of them are able to communicate, although sometimes listening to them can be difficult due to speech impediments. I have a yellow card which enables me to work with them. I also have had experience with autism in adults. I have found with adults the autism means they are unable to communicate on an adult level. They can communicate, but it's limited to their world and how they view it. I have worked with many Downs Syndrome adults, which can be a challenge. The interesting side of this is not many of these adults suffer depression because, quite simply they have no understanding of depression. They tend to become frustrated if they are unable to be understood, but the frustration is momentary because their attention span is limited and they are easily diverted by music, books or t.v programs. Some of them can become violent if they get really frustrated. The violence is usually in the form of kicking each other or an inanimate object. They are similar to children to a point where they do try and push buttons for reaction purposes. They understand that outings are a privilege which can be removed, so they are generally quite well behaved. Due to health reasons I'm taking a break for now.