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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 depression paranoid drug and alcohol addict

replies: 5

I’ve had my same life for 18 yrs no control. I no what has to be done I truly do but my anxiety and depression is really bad. So I run to alcohol and drugs. 90% of the time I’m enjoying the affect whilst drunk and hi but even after so many times of making very bad decision making whilst intoxicated gambling partying not going to work, the really bad feeling of a come down and the rest. I still do it to deal with my anxiety and depression even I no it’s going to make more and more worst. I lost lots over this journey and about to lose it all... I have 2 beautiful children and when I’m with them I’m I what would call a happy and normal place but the down time when there with there mother I’m un able to have control I turn to the drink then take drugs then the rest is history. This has been so repetitive in my life I’m running out of time. There’s a good person in me i have passions love for things I caring i like to help people make them laugh i have a great job/trade until I lose that one as well. Im not well so deprest atm can’t get out of Bed.. used my last 20$ on beer yesterday then used drugs owe money again..spiraling out of control again and I’m to embarrassed to for family help again because I keep shitting in there face.

So here it is.

replies: 6

Hi everyone, I'm a 36 year old male & as alot of us here do I suffer from pretty bad depression. At the moment I'm not doing to good, I'm in a relationship that I really don't want to be in but I have a son with my partner & I don't want him growing ... View more

Hello All

replies: 5

Just wanted to say here we are "all for one and one for all". Im going through a lot and I know all of us here too but finding a little solace will mean a lot for us all.

Hi Everyone, old enough to know better! Transgender and still confused!!

replies: 2

Just wanted to say hi. 50 something, been the archetypal "Jock" (in appearance but not attitude), you know the tall muscular fit super athletic one that the girls liked and the guys wanted to be (sorry i really sound up myself but its just how its been). I have been blessed with a wonderful male body.....i don't hate it...ive been lucky even if only to be fit and healthy, so many are not...its just that i have always, for as long as I remember, wanted to be and felt totally female. I'm the one you would never guess was trans i'm the big very male looking Maori bouncer on the door, but with the heart and soul of a woman. I'd love to change my appearance and have tried....I have learnt that its whats inside that counts and my insides are all female. If my body transformed over night into a female one I don't think my behaviour would change much? I try to be the gentle caring...sometimes a bit beer drinking and occasional swearing girl that i feel that iam I guess my clothes would be better lol. I'm here because i need to find ways of expressing who I really am more openly...and i feel a bit silly and dislocated from the world.Thank you for listening.

Family coping with family member with depression

replies: 3

My husband suffers depression and takes prescribed medication. At the moment he is going through an anger behaviour period with my Son and Daughter-in-Law and with myself. He is not talking to my Son. they live on the same property. My Son doesn't quite understand why he is the way he is. I have many a time nurtured him through depression where he is flat on his back, not eating or sleeping. I do remember sometime back when he did have this anger behaviour but it used to lead up to a full bout of the above. At least I could handle him then in regards to medication and taking him to see professionals. He is very negative and does not like the daughter-in-law at all so he is taking it out on everyone else. He is will not reason with anyone. Last week I went to see our GP myself as I was not feeling well with all of this. I have chronic health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure but taking meds for this. I mentioned to the GP that my husband was having one of his moods. I eventually got my husband to see GP today to get flu shot. He asked my husband if he was OK and husband replied yes. Dr. said he seemed low and not himself but he replied önly for a few problems at home". DR then went to get flue vaccine in another room. Whilst he was out Husband than asked me if I had been talking to GP and didn't like the fact that I had. DR then came in again and asked Husband if he would like to see someone to talk to and he replied NO I am fine. I am getting worried as my Son is suffering and it also affecting my 5-yr old grandson. He is nasty to him as well. I'm not sure if this anger mood is a lead up to sending him down further but as he is on the medication I'm not sure. Husband is very negative with whatever you say to him at moment. Can anyone help me here.

Confused about what I’m dealing with

replies: 3

Hi there I’m new to this forum and have read some interesting things here about what people are dealing with so I thought I might give it a try. Ive been dealing with anxiety and depression for over two years. I’ve seen psychiatrist and psychologists who tell me different things and either throw more pills at me or tell me to try breathing exercises. I’ve been told I’m on the spectrum for bipolar (whatever that means) or I have an anxiety disorder depending on who I talk to. I’m on meds which I think are working as I do feel better than I did a year ago when I had a massive meltdown at work which scared me as I never had experienced something so out of control or crippling. My main problem is I have thought I had a serious neurological disease due to physical symptoms I experienced which I now know I don’t, but now I experience intense emotions of depression and anxiety and at times think I’m going crazy or I’m sick in the head and I’ll never get better. I do wonder how this happened to me as I was always unbreakable and could handle anything. I guess we all have our breaking point. it’s a struggle and just when I think I’m on top of it bang it hits me again. I keep picking myself up and moving forward as I have a family that need me and a Job that pays the bills. I keep telling myself things will get better but I’m not sure they ever will. Anyway that’s me and I kind of feel better about putting it out there.

Hullo there

replies: 1

Been passively reading these forums for a little bit, and I figure today I'll make an account and start being an active member What strikes me is how broad the causes for these disorders are - some of us experienced something traumatic or are having to deal with something understandably tough, whereas others just... are? I fall in the second category there, and I've been a little reluctant to get help or speak to anyone since it's just manageable enough to not seem worth getting folks concerned for your sake. Anyways, that's a bad way of thinking and I'm looking now to change that. Appreciate being added to the forums, look forward to being active (and heck, encourage any other lurkers here to do the same haha)

Support

replies: 1

Hi first let me introduce myself I’m Rob 49 from Melbourne. as with most men not the best at being open but slowly coming to the realisation that perhaps this is a path I need to take in order to free my mind. I constantly push people away including a wife who I do not deserve, she is an angel who puts up with my moods and supports me always and all I do is put the walls up and push her away. i know it’s not an easy fix but I need to get off the self destruct path and join the world of the living - the problem is I do not know how to be normal and happy so any advice would be greatly appreciated Rob

Hi

replies: 2

Welcome everyone, thanks for letting me in.

EMPTINESS???

replies: 1

Hello all! I am new to this forum, in fact I am new to even opening up about pretty much anything so I look forward to talking with you all. To be honest I don't even know where to begin, so I'll keep it short and simple - Almost a decade ago, I was having the time of my life. And by that I mean that I was feeling good about myself - I was achieving, I was being praised (admitted something you should definitely not solely rely on) and overall had a very secure sense of self and purpose. However, after this things just seemed to gradually go down hill, year after year. While I still felt the need to achieve, it was as though my 'mojo' had just evaporated into thin air! Those around me started to achieve more than myself, which at the time significantly bothered me (unfortunately at the time I was competitive, perhaps from an inflated ego from the previous years). While I eventually I got what needed to be done (not to the best of my abilities) my self esteem or motivation never quite returned. Now in the past year or two, my motivation, self esteem and sense of purpose feels like it has just completely deflated. While I have something I am working towards in life, everything seems pointless. I'm not sure if I have depressive symptoms, considering that I never consulted a mental health professional. However, lately it has got to the point where I don't feel like getting out of bed purely because I don't see the point, I don't want to sleep at night because for some odd reason it seems like a chore (I look at my phone instead), I feel heavy and often procrastinate because of feeling overwhelmed, even with simple tasks. Those close to me have started to become frustrated with my recent lack of achievements or motivation, I can understand that I may just come across to them as 'lazy'. One of my loved ones constantly refers to me as a "loser" when she is worried and frustrated with me. Mental health as a whole is a very taboo subject with those close to me. I had once tried to open up to them but they claimed that depression is just an escape route or a mask for my naturally lazy nature. Guess I am just writing this to get it off my chest and also connect with anyone experiencing something remotely similar. I apologise that this is so long! But I do hope talk with everyone

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Anxiety depression paranoid drug and alcohol addict replies: 5

So here it is. replies: 6

Hello All replies: 5

Hi Everyone, old enough to know better! Transgender and still confused!! replies: 2

Family coping with family member with depression replies: 3

Confused about what I’m dealing with replies: 3

Hullo there replies: 1

Support replies: 1

Hi replies: 2

EMPTINESS??? replies: 1