Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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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

New member

replies: 1

Thankyou for the ad . Hi I suffer from panic disorder , anxiety 24/7 , health anxiety , over thinking etc So most days 6 out of 7 I have anxiety . I can’t relax , my mind won’t stop thinking the worst , I constantly checking my pulse feeling for missed heart beats , tunnel vision , off balance , lightheaded , nausea, weak legs , racing heart , de realisation, detachment , foggy vision, heart skips and the list goes on . when I have a panic attack it feels if my heart is in a washing machine , I want to vomit , diarrhoea , like I’m about to have a heart attack or stroke , blood pressure can go up to 180/120 , and then as if calming down my whole body will shake uncontrollably starting with my legs and I’m cold . Am I alone here ? Does anyone else get these symptoms . I’m at my wits end . Im not on meds everyday as I have trouble with side effects . But I do have medication when needed . I’m at the stage I want to take one everyday . Feeling alone with this .

Saying hello

replies: 6

Hi, new to the forums - literally just signed up. 30 yo, cis she/hers. I think I’m hoping to find people to talk to here. I feel pretty isolated and I feel I have a whole two people (my husband and one friend) I can talk to, but I don’t want to burden them anymore. I think I have generalised anxiety disorder - I use “think” because my psychologist seemed reluctant to give me the diagnosis at the time, and I haven’t seen her in 6 months or so. A lot of it seems to just be feelings of worthlessness, shame, lonely-but-also-hating-social-gatherings. And feeling trapped with commitments that I can’t say no to. And a whole lot of money-related anxiety.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

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

New member replies: 1

Saying hello replies: 6