Welcome and Orientation

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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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Anxiety symptoms, IT DOES GET BETTER!

replies: 1

Hi everyone hear to tell you that those symptoms will go away! 6th October 2018 is when my symptoms started. I had been very stressed for no good reason for about a year prior. After a night out I came back home and smoked weed ( I have been 100% clean ever since and will continue to do so ) straight away it felt like I had a band around my head and the back of my head was completely numb, I didn’t think much of it and went to sleep. Woke up in the morning and noticed it was still their, I realised that something was wrong straight away. My headache was like no other I could barely see it was so painful. started getting panic attacks for no reason at all. My body would react to anything I was watching or hearing, my body would go completely numb and felt like I had butterflies in chest. My bodies fight or flight response was out of control, Can’t forgot the heart palpitations and head pressure. I thought my life was over nothing was making me feel better I thought I would never feel normal again. But for my loved ones I had to get better because it was effecting them even more. Despite everything I knew I was still in there. I started training again after 2 weeks at home full body workout high intensity every day I was forced to quit my job that I already hated. I took the time to get my self back. Month past and I lost my grandmother it hurt a lot but I needed to stay focused. Slowly the symptoms started fading, panics attack went first then the numbness in my head and body the intense Migraine and depersonalisation also left. Within the first 6 months its about 10 months down now, im a week away to starting my business and a new life with my girlfriend, friends and loving family. I now only have generalised anxiety which I’ve lived with my whole life and have dealt with. My only symptom remaining is the head pressure that comes and goes, I just ignore it now I know it will go. Dont sit around feeling sorry for your self you need to get up and fight. Fight for your self and for your life. My new life is 100x better than my old one, I am more focused and Hungry than I’ve ever been. This whole journey was a blessing in disguise. Learn to laugh at your symptoms this is your mind and body take control the more scared you are the worse it becomes, be brave! Show anxiety who’s boss and that you will not be a prisoner in your own mind! Thanks for taking the time and reading my story I hope you find this helpful and motivates you all to fight back.

Greetings from the Butterfly

replies: 1

Hi, I'm Beckie and I'm new to the forum. I have Bipolar and Anxiety and I was diagnosed with these conditions when I was fourteen (I'm turning thirty this year). I joined this forum because even though I am quite well today, there are still days when I am not so well and I still have days where I need to reach out and know that I am not alone. Even though I was not well last week, I still have a little bit of recovery to share and I hope that I can be a "butterfly of hope" to others when I am well such as today. Today, I am trying to do as much self care as I can before I go back to work (work can be extremely stressful) so today is just a chill out day for me. I have found that it is important to have "self care days" if you can manage to have them. I've just come out of a crisis recently, (I won't go into detail) and I am so grateful that I had people surrounding me during that time. However I am also aware that there are others out there who are in crisis right now and don't necessarily have people surrounding them. This worries me a little bit, and I hope people in those situations have the awareness to reach out. I know it can be hard sometimes, to reach out. But I think it's really important that we know how to reach out when we are feeling isolated and alone because I know that we are never truly alone. We can always ask for help, and go through the right avenues to get help for ourselves. I think that's enough from me for now. Wishing you all the best in your mental health recovery.

Seeking understanding

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I’m new and suffer anxiety. it seems to be getting worse slowly each year, but certainly comes and goes(it is not all of the time) my dad was killed a few years ago and although I do feel that I am coping well with what happened, I don’t know whether this has been a catalyst for my anxiety getting worse. i feel my anxiety is more a “health anxiety”. My heart races and I get palpitations every now and then and then I get worried that it is actually something wrong with me, which there isn’t, but that does make the anxiety worse. Then there are other times that I may have a small symptom and then I turn it into some thing big and then think that this could kill me. I am a rational person and I know it is silly but I can’t seem to help it. I have a few small group of friends and although some understand about anxiety, I have another friend from a different group that has said that she doesn’t understand mental health illness and that doesn’t understand how people suffer from it. I’m not one to want to burden people with problems, and I am not a huge talker (I have always been quite reserved) thanks for listening:-)

Falling fast and scared

replies: 2

I'm new and don't really know how all this works. I suffer chronic depression and anxiety. Normally my medication keeps everything under control but right now.it's not. My husband is facing mid range first offence drink driving charges here in Queensland and despite speaking with 2 lawyers who said we don't need legal help and he will just get a fine and lose his licence for 3-6 months it's not helping my mental health at all. I work as a disability/aged care support worker so am expected to always be happy and take care of others. Right nowI'm not right. My boss had me doing case assessments on clients that were hard to reason with becauseI get positive outcomes. This is my hell time of year whenI'm over sensitive as well and right nowI'm scared. My 16 year old is using pot to deal with everything and it feels like my life is falling apart around me. I just wish the world would stop spinning and let me off.

Breaking on Through to the Other Side

replies: 4

Hi there. This, my first post, is going to be my first step towards a happier future. This thread will be like a personal journal. I know it's going to be a game of snakes and ladders but, whenever I come back and read this first post and remember the dark despair of this night, I know I'll have made progress because I've found a safe place to be honest, clear my head, and take comfort from my seemingly small achievements. Right now, just phoning someone can be a massive achievement; as is brushing my hair; taking the bin out etc. I've got to force myself to do the basics and get through the day without people noticing me struggle. Just writing this first post is quite an achievement for me. And I'm feeling better for it.

Hi everyone, I am new here

replies: 3

I very happy to find this forum. Thanks everyone. I will be around

Morning, new here and i wish i knew what was wrong

replies: 3

Hi all, im Michael, 34, 2 kids, recently divorced with an amazing new partner but I don't understand why I can cry at the drop of a hat. Im not sure where to start but its affecting me and the rest of my world. The constant fear that im not doing things right is causing me to look for issues that aren't there which in turn creates issues. I find myself adding bits of irrelevant info into the story which I know sabotages myself. I don't want to be this way and I need to talk with someone about what this is, it makes me want to stay away from everyone in my life and stop being the burden that they have to protect. Help please

I'm Nay...

replies: 3

I'm Nay... I suffer from depression and anxiety on a daily basis... My work situation has become unbearable in the 2 years I've been at my workplace... I've made a formal complaint against the coworker responsible for my misery, without a favourable outcome... This woman is very clever and cunning... She is horrible to me when she knows nobody can see or hear... I've spoken to OUR boss who is aware of hiw she operates... Just the sound of her voice sets my anxiety off... I can't handle this any longer... If I quit, Im screwed financially... If I arrange to get fired, there is that stigma for future employment... I'm stuck...

Old Dog Needing New Tricks

replies: 3

I have suffered social anxiety most of my life but have only just been able identify what is wrong with me. Coming up to 60 its amazing I have finally found a group that I fit into and have some hope for the future. I have two great girls who have grown into wonderful balanced young women. Throughout childhood I was shy, a home body, sensitive. I have been perceived to be independent, capable and focused. Inside I feel I am a failure even though I have achieved so much in my lifetime. I have relocated to Qld from NSW to try to again. No friends, no family, a job I am struggling with and a realisation that I can't keep doing this alone even though I have repeated this behaviour on numerous occasions. I have hobbies which seem to keep me isolated because of my fear of rejection. Basically I know whats wrong but am struggling to break the cliche cycle. Even writing this I know the tone is defensive. I need to learn some new tricks to overcome my anxiety - reading through some of the forum posts has helped so thank you all.

New member

replies: 2

Hi there I'm new to this online support so hopefully I can share and learn

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Anxiety symptoms, IT DOES GET BETTER! replies: 1

Greetings from the Butterfly replies: 1

Seeking understanding replies: 2

Falling fast and scared replies: 2

Breaking on Through to the Other Side replies: 4

Hi everyone, I am new here replies: 3

Morning, new here and i wish i knew what was wrong replies: 3

I'm Nay... replies: 3

Old Dog Needing New Tricks replies: 3

New member replies: 2