Immediate support
Immediate support

Welcome and orientation

Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We’re keen to know more about you and what you’re looking for on our Forums.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

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.

Dom T My wife doesn't understand depression.
  • replies: 6

hi, i have been fighting this shit of a disease most of my life, however after 15 years in the same job and an acquisition, 3 year of hell on wheels, being the meat in the sandwich from senior management and the grown level staff, going to work every... View more

hi, i have been fighting this shit of a disease most of my life, however after 15 years in the same job and an acquisition, 3 year of hell on wheels, being the meat in the sandwich from senior management and the grown level staff, going to work every day to fight for what was right for the customer, staff, company, etc. sent me to total burn out. Depression kick in at full steam, and it has now been 2+ years of Psyc, meds on and now off - because i can't stand the feeling of nothing. My wife asks me.. 'why can't you just be happy and move forward?' 'When is this going to be over?' she doesn't understand depression and openly says she doesn't, asks me what i need to fix it.. it gets really lonely and super busy inside my head all at the same time.

Magpie71 Back to old habbits
  • replies: 2

Last year I completely “lost it” and was in a mental health unit for 3 months. I have since been diagnosed with severe depressive disorder, p.t.s.d & borderline personality disorder, the mental health team I see, & my psychiatrist keep saying it’s a ... View more

Last year I completely “lost it” and was in a mental health unit for 3 months. I have since been diagnosed with severe depressive disorder, p.t.s.d & borderline personality disorder, the mental health team I see, & my psychiatrist keep saying it’s a “working diagnosis” The amount and dosage of medication is very high. I can guarantee that I need these, as I mistakenly missed two lots of morning medication, as I slept til 10/11 in the morning. My mood and thoughts were pretty messed up & to the point of becoming dangerous, I didn’t realise I missed my morning medication, until it was time for my night medication(I have Webster packs). Now I’m so paranoid, about mucking up my medication. & over the past 2-3 months I have found my self getting back into the attitude of “ i’ll Be right” etc. & when people in general, doctors etc. ask me how I’m going....I’ve gone back to saying, I’m o.k and everything is all good, when in fact I’m the opposite. before i was put in hospital last year. I had “faked it” my whole life by being the funny, smart A. Type of person, and always made people laugh and feel happy. I haven’t laughed properly, or smiled in the past year, and now , I have no idea what to do...with everything, in all parts of life. And don’t know how to get myself out of telling people I’m ok & everything’s all good...when I’m NOT ok & everything IS NOT all good.

Leo_Undercover New, and lonely
  • replies: 1

Well writing this is harder than I thought....I guess I'll keep it simple. Almost 40 years old, suffered social anxiety, depression and anxiety my whole life. It has felt like one endless battle. I manage to function, just...I've lost the vast majori... View more

Well writing this is harder than I thought....I guess I'll keep it simple. Almost 40 years old, suffered social anxiety, depression and anxiety my whole life. It has felt like one endless battle. I manage to function, just...I've lost the vast majority of friends over the years, am pretty much down to one. Little contact with family. A fragile relationship with someone as mentally unwell as me. So far I've been able to work, albeit getting more sporadic as I get older. Have recently started a new job in an environment that most people would be thrilled to be in, a close knit & sociable, outgoing group of people who pride themselves on being a supportive team, and I have almost come completely undone. Coffee breaks and lunches together every day, and I just clam up. How can "normal people" possibly understand that I can not even speak openly in groups of people I've known my whole life, that I can barely hold up a conversation with the family or friends I do see, that I am almost crippled by my own depression and suffering, let alone relax with a new group of people. It's getting harder to keep up the act that I've got it together so I continue to avoid people as much as I can and live an isolated existence. I grieve every single day for the person I could have been and the life I could have lived. So here I am...I know that all sounds like a huge poor me, attention seeking rant. I guess the idea of having some connection on here seemed comforting.

MrsKML I’m at my wits end
  • replies: 2

Hi people, I am a mum of two boys. Mr 10 years old is a delightful child which is surprising seen as his older brother Mr 13 years old has been a nightmare since birth. He has been on medication for ADHD since the age of 5 and I have struggled with h... View more

Hi people, I am a mum of two boys. Mr 10 years old is a delightful child which is surprising seen as his older brother Mr 13 years old has been a nightmare since birth. He has been on medication for ADHD since the age of 5 and I have struggled with his behaviour for years however this year has been shocking. He has a terrible attitude to his family, is rude, extremely ungrateful, argumentative and defiant. I have to physically pull him out of bed everyday and do everything for him. Get his clothes out, pack his bag, stand beside him and make him do his homework, beg him to shower, clean up his clothes, argue with him about going to bed and do this over and over again day on and day out whilst trying to work 2 part time jobs, run a small business so I can afford to send him to a private Christian school in the hope that he will learn gratitude from them! I’m getting to the point where I can’t stand to be around him anymore and want to leave my family because of the way he treats us. He’s already on medication, has had counselling which he thinks is a joke. Where else can I send him - boarding school?