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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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Evelyn99 Feeling like a burden to my friend
  • replies: 1

Hello all, I’m currently in Austraila with my friend (we are both English.) I’ve had social anxiety for the majority of my teens (I’m now 20) but only beginning to really understand it, I always just thought I was shy but over the last year or so it ... View more

Hello all, I’m currently in Austraila with my friend (we are both English.) I’ve had social anxiety for the majority of my teens (I’m now 20) but only beginning to really understand it, I always just thought I was shy but over the last year or so it has progressed into something much bigger than that. I hate meeting new people and whenever somebody looks or talks to me I go incredibly red. It is humiliating, and the more I think and worry about theses situations the worse it gets. I wish in any social situation nobody would look at me or talk to me, I could be an observer of a conversation but never have to contribute. My friend is very outgoing and friendly and I don’t want to feel like I’m holding her back due to my anxiety. I am in a constant state of worry I’m going to annoy her or she hates me, or I’m going to say or do something stupid to offend her (or other people too) and it’s really starting to get me down. Every time she looks at me funny I’m so nervous I’ve done something wrong, and I can’t help feeling like a massive burden to her. I’ve tried talking to her about my anxiety a little bit but I don’t think she understands the extent of how I’m feeling (and whether trying to talk to her about it is annoying in itself) She says things like “everybody feels anxious” Which makes me feel like the way I’m feeling is being over dramatic or something I can just get over. I don’t think she means to do it it’s just, unless u have social anxiety it’s impossible to understand how someone with it feels. Thanks everyone for reading and if anybody has any advice for me it would be much appreciated

Francesca71 Only just beginning to understand CPTSD
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’m really glad to have found this forum. I have never been on an online forum before. i have not yet been formally diagnosed, but my VOC psychologist showed me a poster of symptoms and they fit to a T. It kind of makes me more frightened and ups... View more

Hi, I’m really glad to have found this forum. I have never been on an online forum before. i have not yet been formally diagnosed, but my VOC psychologist showed me a poster of symptoms and they fit to a T. It kind of makes me more frightened and upset. i have been the victim of institutional abuse as a foster carer with FACS. Also groomed and controlled by a child sexual predator. (My kids were not exposed thank god) I have endured two years of neglect and abuse from FACS, and maternal alienation by my blaming and controlling ex-husband. I now only see my children four times a year in supervised contact visits. i have moved to a remote area and am deliberately isolated. I cannot work or get income support (can’t deal with government departments) I am living off money from the sale of my house. I tried several jobs but found myself freezing in mid conversation, bursting into tears, or being unable to function because of lack of sleep. I have totally unreasonable blow-ups and panic attacks. I am on antiD meds and take CBD oils to help sleep. I am considering a meditation retreat but I am scared of the spiralling thoughts and terrifying flash-backs. Let’s face it - I’m scared of most things these days! I feel very inadequate, vulnerable and underconfident. I am terrified this will never improve. I’m hoping to find some ideas for coping and surviving, or treatment options. Currently I am only doing Yoga and talking therapies. Thanks for being here. Franc

Gherkin Day one again
  • replies: 3

Hey, this is hard to write as it’s acknowledging, how helpless I feel to change. Alcohol has really messed things up for me, I have to stop or I will lose everything. I’m really struggling today and I don’t think the person I love the most in the ent... View more

Hey, this is hard to write as it’s acknowledging, how helpless I feel to change. Alcohol has really messed things up for me, I have to stop or I will lose everything. I’m really struggling today and I don’t think the person I love the most in the entire world gets the point i’m at. I’m going to my first meeting tonight and I feel so weak and to be honest hate myself I know this doesn’t help, but i feel like i’ve Really broken things this time. I don’t want to feel like this anymore. It would be nice to get some thoughts from people further on in their recovery. Thanks

Robyn56 Hi Everyone.
  • replies: 2

Hi I am a 63yr old woman working night duty every weekend. My choice. Suffer GAD and some depression but my main problem is loneliness. I have no real friends, I have work collegues and aquatainces but no close friend. I have 2 sons both busy with th... View more

Hi I am a 63yr old woman working night duty every weekend. My choice. Suffer GAD and some depression but my main problem is loneliness. I have no real friends, I have work collegues and aquatainces but no close friend. I have 2 sons both busy with their own life. I only have a cat as company. I do belong to 2 groups and go to local pool twice a week but no one close enough to have adecent conversation with. Relationships have been a disaster since my divorce 9 yrs ago. Prefer to be single. So if you are up for a chat that is fine with me. Happy with life in general just the sheer loneliness that is the bug in my life. Robyn.

DrRotten Hello, new to forum, old to depression :)
  • replies: 3

Hello, I am hoping to find some kinship here as we each work through our own healing processes, and we support each other. I've struggled seriously with depression for over 20 years. I was prescribed some medication and then largely left to my own de... View more

Hello, I am hoping to find some kinship here as we each work through our own healing processes, and we support each other. I've struggled seriously with depression for over 20 years. I was prescribed some medication and then largely left to my own devices for 10 years or so. I'd ask the Doctor what I should do, beyond repeat prescriptions, and he'd say "all the beautiful people in Hollywood take anti-depressants like candy" and it's "better than being down in the dumps" and that was about all the advice and guidance I received. I weaned myself off the tablets for several years, but here I am again. This time it is different; I have a better Doctor who has sent me to other specialists, and so disappointingly I find myself on medicine again, but with the greater advantage of supervision. However, I've now been diagnosed as "major depression / treatment-resistant depression" and with that, the psychiatrist has added an additional medication, and told me I'll probably be taking medicines forever. I find that kind of ... well ... depressing, but que sera sera. I've come to appreciate, from the psychologist, not to be attached to outcomes. So that's my story ...

Clytemnestra Hello everybody
  • replies: 2

Hi there! I’m a 32-year old education (primary) student (about to go out on my second prac) and I’ve struggled with anxiety (GAD and social) and clinical depression for a very long time - lately it feels like it’s getting a lot worse. I’m joining up ... View more

Hi there! I’m a 32-year old education (primary) student (about to go out on my second prac) and I’ve struggled with anxiety (GAD and social) and clinical depression for a very long time - lately it feels like it’s getting a lot worse. I’m joining up here because I’d love to be part of the community and help other people where I can.

Allyl Healthy appetite
  • replies: 3

I wanted to share the minor details of diagnosis , mental health can be daunting at the best of times so I wanted to share that I have bipolar with psychosis. It is hard from time to time to maintain focus but I have found faith in a system that help... View more

I wanted to share the minor details of diagnosis , mental health can be daunting at the best of times so I wanted to share that I have bipolar with psychosis. It is hard from time to time to maintain focus but I have found faith in a system that helps and never judges a big part of recovery. So in saying this I am in fact saying that having a faith in as many systems is very functional.

lookingforfreedom New to the group, so I am saying 'hi'.
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I have known about Beyond Blue for a long time, but have only just joined today. I have anxiety, which flares up when I am not at work. I am tired of having anxiety, it is my ever present companion. It makes me feel very alone, I get cranky... View more

Hi there, I have known about Beyond Blue for a long time, but have only just joined today. I have anxiety, which flares up when I am not at work. I am tired of having anxiety, it is my ever present companion. It makes me feel very alone, I get cranky with kids, I don't want want to be close to anyone, I have the voices in my head telling me I am unlovable, annoying, not as good as everyone else. Of course, you won't see that from the outside. Externally, I am a successful professional, supportive husband, nice place to live, enough money to pay bills and save for a trip. I just wish I didn't feel this way on the inside. I don't think it will every go away...

Stephane living with partner who has anxiety and depression.
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone this is my first time in a forum about mental illness. i am 37, my wife who suffers from depression and anxiety is 32 was diagnosed last year even though it started many years before that. i am here to talk to other carers, or people who ... View more

Hi everyone this is my first time in a forum about mental illness. i am 37, my wife who suffers from depression and anxiety is 32 was diagnosed last year even though it started many years before that. i am here to talk to other carers, or people who are in relationships with people who have depression. i understand that my wife goes through bad days, and worse days but i am also struggling to deal with the constant mood swings and loss of intimacy. If there is anyone out there to chat, so that i can get some advice on how to keep my own sanity it would be much appreciated. I am not trying to sound insensitive, i am just trying to keep my relationship alive. Thank you kindly

SMER My boyfriend suffers from anxiety - I need some advice please
  • replies: 4

My boyfriend and I were together nearly a year. He had told me that he suffers from anxiety, but I don't think I really understood. I'd not really come across it on such a personal level before. He became quite mean, so I choose to end the relationsh... View more

My boyfriend and I were together nearly a year. He had told me that he suffers from anxiety, but I don't think I really understood. I'd not really come across it on such a personal level before. He became quite mean, so I choose to end the relationship. I regretted it, and felt terrible. But I felt quite mentally battered and lost. After a 6 month break we meet up and and decided to give it another try. Unfortunately he is suffering from anxiety at the moment. I've done some reading and tried my best to educate myself. Getting myself out of the mindset of being able to fix it and what is the best way to support him But I guess I'm looking for some advice. We don't live together, he doesn't like to talk much when he is feeling anxious...but will respond to messages. Trying to understand what I should not say. And any that I should. And i apologise if I'm using incorrect words or language. But very much appreciate your time and help...