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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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Meg_X Gender Reveal Depression
  • replies: 12

I’m 8 months pregnant and devastated that I’m having a girl. We tried to conceive for a long time and the only thing that got me through was the thought of my precious son at the end. The day we found out it was a girl (we found out at 10 weeks) I ha... View more

I’m 8 months pregnant and devastated that I’m having a girl. We tried to conceive for a long time and the only thing that got me through was the thought of my precious son at the end. The day we found out it was a girl (we found out at 10 weeks) I hated being pregnant and I’ve found no joy in this pregnancy since! Some days it’s so bad I can’t even get out of bed. I have no desire to name her or do a nursery for her so my husband has had to do it all. I have no idea why I feel like this and I can’t stop these feelings. The thought of being a girl mom fills me with dread... all the hair braiding, temper tantrums, outfit changes, ballet lessons ect ect are just not what I wanted for the rest of my life. Everyone keeps telling me I don’t know what type of girl I’m having.. she could be a tomboy, she could be really sporty.. but I know my luck in life and she will be the girliest girl around. Im sorry for all the negativity but I have been carrying this around with me for months. I just don’t see a way out! I’ve asked for professional help but unless I can pay $70 a session there isn’t any help out there. I’m hoping someone here has been through the same thing and can relate. Please don’t me and think badly of me. I know this is not how you are supposed to feel and that I should just be happy I’m having a healthy baby

COL67 this is way too hard
  • replies: 2

seeking help should be easy for all not spend 3 hours researching how to use a forum.i am new to this and have had it already.people need help now

seeking help should be easy for all not spend 3 hours researching how to use a forum.i am new to this and have had it already.people need help now

Improver Buddies & Monitoring
  • replies: 3

I'm wondering if anyone might be able tp help me with some monitoring. My mind is in a strange state of flux and I'm aware I could go downhill as well as up. I want someone's help to stay on a simple program that Ive agreed with them. I want someone ... View more

I'm wondering if anyone might be able tp help me with some monitoring. My mind is in a strange state of flux and I'm aware I could go downhill as well as up. I want someone's help to stay on a simple program that Ive agreed with them. I want someone who will schedule a call to me maybe once a week to discuss how its going and if the goal in mind is one that cam be reached. If it works we might really have something to say. I want to run this until end of Jun when I plan to begin a search for employment. I know that my mind drifts. There is no direction in my life at all at the moment other than what I give it myself. I wander around the house, forgetting things, losing track of what I'm doing. As I go through this approach to addressing some types of anxiety it is driving others, which I hope to then bring down with routine and habit. At the same time I've received a payout and have maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity to address something. I don't want to wander off into obscurity. Any help would be appreciated. I can bitch and moan, but I need an income, and I need to get healthy for that to happen. I want secure employment as best I can, with a good fit. Ive seen big change before. I was once a baker, I didn't get anywhere through a silver spoon. I know that I can transform but last time it took 5 years and real solid effort to be accepted into a different group so I could mix with them, there were exams to pass. I worked at night and studied in the day. I made my way up to something. Now Ive lost all that. This time I am taking all that learning and experience. Can anyone out there help with 4 or 5 phone calls over a month and a schedule stuck on their fridge with my name on it? Thanks

Missrubble New and confused
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new to the forum and dont know how to start. I guess explaining my situation might be a good place. I'm retired and have sons in their 40's who are using drugs. I am also mother sitting my 88 year old mother who has a home that she owns and sh... View more

Hi I'm new to the forum and dont know how to start. I guess explaining my situation might be a good place. I'm retired and have sons in their 40's who are using drugs. I am also mother sitting my 88 year old mother who has a home that she owns and shares with my brother and his wife who treat her well but work full-time so she is left on her own all day, which makes her very lonely. This is where my issues start. I feel guilty if I dont have her with me because I am retired. My mother still drives this is about the only thing she does do. She does not make her own meals if I were to leave it to hershe would eat a jam sandwich once a day. So I make sure she eats well by preparing most of her meals for her. She is very quick to make up lies when asked about anything and then forgets what she has said. She is genuinely scared of being left alone so we cannot go out at night unless one of the family are going to be with her. She is on a pension and most of her money is going to her other son (not the one she is sharing with) who she feels very sorry for because she remembers his childhood as being treated very badly by my father and she is trying to make up for this. This is where all the lying starts and where my other brother and myself get very angry because there is nothing we can do to stop this because it is what she genuinely wants to do. The person that matters to her most in this world his him. He is in his 60's living alone and has self esteem issues. My mother is a very shy person small in stature totally dependent keeps repeating herself because she doesnt communicate with any one other than myself my partner and her needy son who rings her on her mobile everyday. Once this happens shes in her car and off she goes. Im sorry if I am not going about my introduction the right way but I just want and need to know if there are similar circumstances happening to other people and if we can start to talk about it. This is what is getting me so down. I have self esteem issues. My brain is just not functioning I cannot be put under the slightest bit of pressure without boiling over. I am angry all the time. In a social situation i am the listener with no input because everyone else is smarter than me. I feel that if I dont get some sort of help I will eventually have a breakdown. Please this is all in a nutshell if there is any response to this I would very much appreciate it and if I can be directed to other posts that would also be appreciated. Thanks

Wayne04 Failure
  • replies: 2

I’m Wayne. Been working for myself all my life and just always had bad luck, failed and failed. I currently bought a franchise and now it’s not working because of me. I love to work, it’s my hobby. My wife, who is bloody amazing, deserves better than... View more

I’m Wayne. Been working for myself all my life and just always had bad luck, failed and failed. I currently bought a franchise and now it’s not working because of me. I love to work, it’s my hobby. My wife, who is bloody amazing, deserves better than following me through failure after failure. Got 2 amazing grown kids who I love with all my being. They will stand by their mom I know. Easier and less complicated to get the deed done than worry about it. Don’t know why I joined this group, at least my wife will hopefully know why I’m taking this path if she finds this forum.

Monsta71 CONSTANT ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've just returned to Beyond Blue after being a member back in 2003. For the past 12 months, I have been going through an extremely rough patch. Cannot sleep, although I take more than enough medication to get 5 people to sleep a good 8-9 hour pe... View more

Hi, I've just returned to Beyond Blue after being a member back in 2003. For the past 12 months, I have been going through an extremely rough patch. Cannot sleep, although I take more than enough medication to get 5 people to sleep a good 8-9 hour period. My mind is constantly racing overtime, am over thinking, over analysing things and is seriously affecting my work (doesn't help I'm a shift worker); also lie to friends to avoid socialising. Went though a period (4 years ago) of self harming, but saw a young girl with same scars on her arms as mine and stopped, she saw mine and we made eye contact then both looked at each other's arms, then again looked each other in the eye with the "I understand what you are going through look" I had a workplace injury 13 months ago (still recovering) and again had a second only 6 months after first injury. Aside from my anxiety / depression medication, I'm in constant pain from my injuries and am also on high dosages of strong painkillers. I just don't have anyone to talk to. Have seen 4 different "professionals" since 2002, but they don't seem to understand and one was very judgemental (& expensive). Friends don't get it as they don't see it from the outside. I have also started "seeing" someone after a long period of being on my own, but as we both work in the same field and are both shift workers, am questioning whether this is a good idea. I mean, this person makes me smile & makes me feel good about myself, but when we have finished talking or seeing each other, I sink back into my anxiety & depression. I also hide the fact that I suffer from depression & anxiety from them. I know there are many out there in the same position, but I just feel totally alone

LonelyGirl89 Boyfriend Flashback
  • replies: 4

This morning, I was watching weekend sunrise and they were talking about an X-Men movie. Then I went to a place where we ate at once upon a time and now I feel like I’m reliving this day when my partner and I were together, enjoying a meal and this X... View more

This morning, I was watching weekend sunrise and they were talking about an X-Men movie. Then I went to a place where we ate at once upon a time and now I feel like I’m reliving this day when my partner and I were together, enjoying a meal and this X-Men movie. It’s making me feel like my mind is being poisoned

NEO101 ACT Therapist - do you get what you pay for?
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a therapist specialising in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). There are so many choices and I have narrowed it down to 2 (based on information online and proximity to my home). One therapist is very well known i... View more

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a therapist specialising in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). There are so many choices and I have narrowed it down to 2 (based on information online and proximity to my home). One therapist is very well known in the industry and charges $230 per 50 minute session. She specialises in ACT and has written in scientific journals. Another therapist is not so well known and just a typical local therapist - she charges $150 per 50 minute session. My question is..based on your experience, do you get what you pay for when it comes to therapy? I know it's a tough question and depends on a lot of variables but I was just hoping someone can guide and nudge me to the right direction. Money is tight so I just want to make sure that I get most bang for the buck. And therapy is necessary for me to continue in my work and grow (I have deemed it as a solid investment if it does help me even by 20%). Thank you.

Tamz Im fine, I guess
  • replies: 7

"I'm fine" is something I not only just say to everyone but I try to tell my self that to. Hi, my name is Tam, I'm new here, I'm 25 years old, I'm married and I have two kids. My life is always on the go as you can just imagine with two kids and how ... View more

"I'm fine" is something I not only just say to everyone but I try to tell my self that to. Hi, my name is Tam, I'm new here, I'm 25 years old, I'm married and I have two kids. My life is always on the go as you can just imagine with two kids and how they fill my life with joy, however, for the longest time I have felt worthless, useless and just a waste of space and even with a loving husband and my children always telling me that I'm a great mother and wife. Ever since I can remember, I have always felt like that and I find it hard to know who I am as I person. Lately, feelings of nothingness that I have tried to ignore has come out more and more. I now wake up feeling nothing at all and just start my day, do what I need to do, come home from work, go to bed and do it all again tomorrow with these feelings getting worse and worse everyday. I do have a lot on my plate, like I'm the only one that can work and bring in the money as my husband is unable to as he has a lot of physical and mental issues that makes him unable to work or leave the house. I guess, the reason why I'm posting is to see who else is feeling the same way and if they have a partner or husband or whatever that is the same way. Thank you.