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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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continuousventer Hi all!
  • replies: 4

Hi, in spite of being a member since 2015, I haven't posted yet. I guess this is my first post. I'm currently a first year university student, studying occupational therapy. I've been having mental health problems since 2015. While growing up, I had ... View more

Hi, in spite of being a member since 2015, I haven't posted yet. I guess this is my first post. I'm currently a first year university student, studying occupational therapy. I've been having mental health problems since 2015. While growing up, I had strict parents and I wasn't able to confide in them. I also grew up with not much and not much love, too. My perspective of the world is complex, it's mainly about survival. I don't really bother to tell the people closest to me because I don't think I have anyone close. My friend suggested this site for me because I've been having bad days. I think the days have gotten worse since I went to uni. My sleep is interrupted. I feel this intense loneliness. I'm training to be a health professional but it's like I can't even take care of myself. Thanks for reading!

LonelyGirl89 Appointment
  • replies: 3

I have an appointment with my psychologist. In the past when I have seen her, my anxiety has got up and triggers my OCD. I kept thinking that it’s going to happen again and I hate it so much.

I have an appointment with my psychologist. In the past when I have seen her, my anxiety has got up and triggers my OCD. I kept thinking that it’s going to happen again and I hate it so much.

Yannie1203 Hello :)
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with depression and extremely severe anxiety few years ago. The feeling comes and goes. I have also seen counsellors and they were both helpful.. One counsellor has taught me how to identify the trigger, and once I ... View more

Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with depression and extremely severe anxiety few years ago. The feeling comes and goes. I have also seen counsellors and they were both helpful.. One counsellor has taught me how to identify the trigger, and once I identify the trigger I have to face it not avoid it. Since, avoiding everything is my talent.. I have been having anxiety attack again, and this time, the trigger is my partner. I was so anxious about him and then found out it was true. I am having difficulty believing everything he says, as he lied to my face before. He kept lying until I showed him proof that he's lying. and it's happening again, I can feel and I know he's lying but again, he is not telling the truth. I know everyone will say to leave him because this is just destroying my head but I want to try work this out. I hate liers, all my life I was surrounded by liers.

Jess_Mc Back at the start again and reaching out
  • replies: 7

I started seeing a therapist a few months ago to manage a bad period of anxiety which spiralled out of my control. She helped me through it and now I'm past that initial stage, now my immediate symptoms are back under control, I'm staring at the numb... View more

I started seeing a therapist a few months ago to manage a bad period of anxiety which spiralled out of my control. She helped me through it and now I'm past that initial stage, now my immediate symptoms are back under control, I'm staring at the numb, meaningless void of depression. That's terrifying. I've made such an effort to function and now I might not for a while. I might fall over. And I'm so angry about that. There's an odd sense of sadness, too, that I might grow to hate my therapist. I like her. She's patient and warm and genuine and fosters such a wonderful sense of safety. But I don't want to talk to her. I don't want her to know what I think and why I think it. I don't want to shift that sensible, reliable, functional mask. It feels like it's all I have to stitch my life together and keep me going to work, walking my dogs, speaking to my friends and distracting myself from the pointless recycling of time that I feel my life has become. It's also a container. Some days it feels like my grim reality is a toxic sludge I don't want other people to have to think about. I like hiding it. I like knowing that the people around me are happy and comfortable because I can share in that comfort. If the people I love are happy then hiding all of this horrid crap inside my head is worth it. But it's so exhausting. And it leeches energy from all the other parts of my life. It's hard to keep up the front when the energy you need to build and maintain it keeps collapsing in on itself. Small setbacks become the emotional Himalayas. Even my stores of anger - a place of false control and a useful substitute for motivation when I can't muster any - are waning. I feel like a light bulb dimming in a dark room. My therapist suggested group therapy at the start and I so forcefully rejected it that I was surprised to discover how frightening I found the prospect. Reaching out here because it's anonymous and safe and hopefully I won't be quite so scared about sharing stuff if I can do it here. Small steps. I hate all of this. I hate it so much. But I don't feel quite so lonely after reading some of your posts today so thanks for being open and brave.

Gypsy_soul War paint
  • replies: 1

Im a 34 yr old male, and have lived with a social anixiety dissorder for as long as i can remember. I have never spoken about my anixiety, and have been battling it for 36 years. Every day i put on my war paint, walk outside and face the world as bes... View more

Im a 34 yr old male, and have lived with a social anixiety dissorder for as long as i can remember. I have never spoken about my anixiety, and have been battling it for 36 years. Every day i put on my war paint, walk outside and face the world as best i can. Those close to me see me live my busy life, and always happy, but i spend my time living in fear of dealing with my worst fear. People I wish i could have had a normal fear like of spiders or snakes. But instead i live in fear of humans. As with some of you who also live with anxiety , you know the feeling of how much it wears you down trying to deal with it alone, every day but dealing with it since every day of your life, is an experience on its own. Today is the first day i admit my weakness and disply my white flag, and say im tired of anxiety. My name is gypsy soul, i want to say hello, and i know how it feels to be your worst own enermy

BBUser18 First discovering depression
  • replies: 1

Hi, recently I have been feeling very down and have thoughts of suicide most nights when I am alone. I am a very shy and reserved person which means that I find it hard to open up to doctors and I find it even harder to tell my parents that I am havi... View more

Hi, recently I have been feeling very down and have thoughts of suicide most nights when I am alone. I am a very shy and reserved person which means that I find it hard to open up to doctors and I find it even harder to tell my parents that I am having these thoughts of suicide. Does anyone know how I can gain the confidence to reach out. Does anyone have a good way of coping with these feelings, just before bed when I am alone is the worst of them where I constantly feel as if I want to take my life but I’m too scared to go through with it, how can I get myself out of these thoughts? Usually I try to go to sleep but that leads me to having horrible dreams and a disrupted sleep. School is great for taking my mind off of things but I hate being around so many people that seem so happy when I don’t feel happy at all. The thing that’s getting me through is that I have plans for my life and wish to pursue them but I just keep on getting caught up in bad thoughts and it feels as if it’s 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

Whereistherainbow New. Husband has chronic pain.
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. New to posting a thread here. It's abit nervewrecking to admit. Like a can of worms you don't want to open. Im a mum of 2 (8 & 11). They're old enough to pick up when things aren't right. You can't pretend to them that things are ok. The... View more

Hi everyone. New to posting a thread here. It's abit nervewrecking to admit. Like a can of worms you don't want to open. Im a mum of 2 (8 & 11). They're old enough to pick up when things aren't right. You can't pretend to them that things are ok. They know you're lying and so they ask you more questions. They're behaviours change when things at home aren't right. My defacto husband has a back pain and other health conditions. I've fully supported him for over 10 years now. It's been a long time that my life has revolved around how he is going. We moved to a rural property. It's off grid so we don't have alot of financial burden. But it is a lifestyle that has its own challenges. Many might think we're lucky. Yes, but it is very isolating. I guess I'm just recognising that life isn't going how I thought it would be. I feel like a whinging ungrateful b**ch but for a long time I've been on a slow downward spiral. Most days I can't connect with my husband. I don't know how to enjoy my life anymore. I can't seem to think straight anymore. I just keep pushing my feelings aside and getting on with getting through each day. Is anyone else here a carer or a supportive partner to someone who has chronic pain? I have seen a psychologist before. But I didn't feel like it really helped. I feel so alone and that no one really understands what I'm dealing with. Thanks for listening.

Beach92 Newbie post
  • replies: 2

Hello! New here. My anxiety is at the worst it’s ever been. I’ve suffered from anxiety off and on for as long as I can remember. The last 3 months have worn me down to the lowest I’ve been, struggling with a mix of anxiety, depression and burnout. I’... View more

Hello! New here. My anxiety is at the worst it’s ever been. I’ve suffered from anxiety off and on for as long as I can remember. The last 3 months have worn me down to the lowest I’ve been, struggling with a mix of anxiety, depression and burnout. I’m starting a mental heath plan, and have been working really closely with my GP. Stepping out of my comfort zone to join this forum and speak to others who know how it is and how to deal with the really bad anxiety days.