Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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, it's so hard for dr's to believe

replies: 1

I'm in my 40's and I've suffered anxiety for a more than half my life. I also have depression. My depression is under control, I'm in depression meds and Seeing a therapist. My main problem is how to make my doctor Believe that I really truly have anxiety and I need medication for that. A lot of the times I get that breathing difficulty where I can't just relax. Breathing into a paper bag works sometime But I can't do that all the time in public. I am never given anything for that. I get told to do exercise, go window shopping Go for a walk etc. They never prescribe me anything and I don't know why. Can someone please tell me? I don't have any addictions apart from chocolate. I never smoked. How do others get prescribed when I can't? I know I'm a pushover and people walk all over me, I'm too much of a shy person. Btw, I scored 33 this month on the anxiety test and it was a good month

Feeling anxious so much you feel like your going insane

replies: 1

I met a guy who tried to play games with me, he tried to push me into something I wasn’t. He’s trying to make me feel like I’m insane and crazy. He’s tried to give me dibilitating anxiety that I can’t leave the house. Every time I put the boundaries ... View more

My friend was killed and I cant talk about it

replies: 3

6 months ago one of my good friends was killed in a car crash and died instantly. I knew her through work so none of my family members ever met her. I don't often show talk about things that are bothering me and especially not Lucy's death. I've talked about her maybe 3 times over the past 6 months, and my family just say 'lucy who?' not even knowing who im talking about. I know they didn't know her, but no one has even asked me if I'm ok or how I am, even after the memorial. Sometimes I just feel so alone in all of this, and I have no real avenue to talk about it. My family makes me feel bad for me not wanting to talk about it, but I still dont know how I feel, I can't even say her name without crying. My mum tells me that Im turning into a hermit and it is unhealthy to not be able to talk about her death (this was 2 days after she died), insinuating that I should be able to talk about her death openly and freely as if it were nothing. I don't know what I'm looking for here, somewhere to talk, or just someone to listen.

Need help understanding

replies: 1

Hey I’m in need of some help understanding anxiety? I have a close friend who suffers from anxiety. But I know very little about it! Can anyone here please help me try to understand what anxiety is & possible things I can do to help my friend?

New Member

replies: 2

Hi Everyone,

I know something is wrong with me

replies: 5

Hi everyone, I'm posting because I believe it gets better. I moved out of my parents house at 20 because I just couldn't handle it anymore and honestly probably lived anxiety free for a while. I got a job in a restaurant and it all kind of disappeared. I think the fact that I was forced to talk to customers and I could be anyone I wanted to be was soothing. My brother needed a room mate and I figured why not. I then quit my job because I thought I could get another easily and soon. This is kind of where it got bad. I won't go into too much detail but these were some things I did. I would hide from my brother, not leave the house until he was gone in case he saw me. I've stayed in my room for full days without food. I had a friend who'd come over regardless if I picked up or not. I ignored his calls and he just rocked up one time. From that point whenever he called I'd pack up and drive 10-15 minutes away and stay in my car for hours until I thought he wouldn't be near to see me. I don't go in the kitchen to cook. I buy canned foods, pre made stuff and store it in my room. Stopped all contact with anyone. This went on for maybe 3 months. Family decides to open a restaurant, I have a job again. My life is still the same during the job except it's only at home when im scared. We close restaurant and it's back. Today I had a defrosted pizza because I thought I'd have time today to chuck it in the oven real quick. But I didn't hear him leave and his door was only slightly open instead of fully open so I couldn't tell if he was home. I brought mum's sandwich press thing thinking I could have some hot food in my room but it's way too loud. I try to be as quiet as possible in my room, don't want my brother to hear anything. I'm writing this post in a carpark 5 minutes from the house. Waiting until it's 6:00 so when he gets home he won't think I've been in my room all day. I think I'm pretty good at faking it. No one really knows except maybe my sister. After typing this all out, sounds like I just need a job and move out. I would like some help but this feels mild compared to the other posts on here. I understand this isn't the usual format people have used on here and I don't really know what I'm trying to get out of posting this. I haven't sought after any help because I feel like I know the solution. Find something bigger than this anxiety. Just haven't found it yet. Thanks for reading through my thoughts.

Anyone on? New here

replies: 5

Hey, just wondering if anyone is avail to chat? I’m struggling a bit tonight, it feels like I’m shaking on the inside - chest/anxiety tremors?? Anyone experience these? Hope to chat

Introducing Myself

replies: 4

Hello, My name is Richard and I am a 32 year old teacher that struggles massively with anxiety. I have recently started a new job and have struggled to settle in, leaving me worried about my own mental health and how it is effecting those around me. I have lived interstate and overseas and worked as a teacher for 10 years and have started numerous jobs. I often worry about the work I am doing and an EAP has identified I might have Imposter Syndrome. I have currently been in this new role for a term and struggled from day one to the point I was in tears and had to force myself to get in the car and go to work. I find it difficult to build new friendships with people and am very shy as I care too much about what others opinions are of me. The term continued to be hard and I took a few days of for mental health. I informed my line manager that I was struggling though received little support from them as they where young and seemed inexperienced in dealing with such cases. I have recently found out that the school goes through large turnover each year which has also added to my concern. My room itself is at the farthest end of the school and not in a block which also leads me to feeling isolated from those around me as well as there is zero phone reception in the room so I can't even contact friends or my partner to discuss how I am feeling. The job is also effecting the rest of my life. I was an avid basketball player and played 3 times a week socially with friends as well as going to the gym. I find I can't enjoy these things as I get thoughts I am wasting time enjoying myself that I should be doing work to perfect everything. My partner is very supportive though I can feel I am not being a great boyfriend to her as I was in the past and she is worried about my mental health. Tomorrow I go back to work and I am dreading it. I know if I left I would be happy but I am not sure of the process involved as well as the fact I despise confrontation and letting people down. I often hope that something would happen out of my control that would prevent me from facing this and going in to work. Apologies for the long message but it was good to get out how I am feeling in some form.

new to beyond blue

replies: 1

Hello forum members, 46 year old male , happily married with a 3 year old girl and 5 year old boy. Have been suffering anxiety and depression since I was 41 due to a home invasion burglary/ attack. This left me with some visual scars but they seem to... View more

Anxiety

replies: 3

Hi, I’m Kelly. I have horrible anxiety where I vomit and feel I cannot breathe at times. Lately it has been awful! I have tried everything natural to keep calm. I would like to let people know you are not on your own with anxiety or depression! It is... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Anxiety, it's so hard for dr's to believe replies: 1

Feeling anxious so much you feel like your going insane replies: 1

My friend was killed and I cant talk about it replies: 3

Need help understanding replies: 1

New Member replies: 2

I know something is wrong with me replies: 5

Anyone on? New here replies: 5

Introducing Myself replies: 4

new to beyond blue replies: 1

Anxiety replies: 3