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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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Struggling mentally after a car accident

replies: 5

This is my first step admitting I am struggling. Instead of crawling into bed and sleeping in the middle of the day; like I would rather do... I am writing this. I have always been a careful driver. Never been in a car accident before. That was until 3 weeks to this day. I was driving the same route, I always go to drop my two kids off at primary school. Short story is... I was stationary and my hatchback hit in the back by a van going 100km. I dont remember anything, didn't see them coming. Just hearing my kids screaming at the back.. I got myself and them out safely.. but its all a blur. People talking to me faces and questions, I barely remember anything. We went to the hospital and physically we were okay. Just bruises thankfully. Since the accident all I have had to do was report injuries to the police, my partner dealt with our insurance (all been finalised and paid) and I put in a claim for myself and my kids for TAC... just incase. I have been struggling with anxiety when it comes to being in the car and worse with driving. I see potential accidents everywhere. I get nervous when a car is behind us, I keep thinking they will crash into us. I contantly check the side mirror. I have had some panic attacks (worst I have had in my life) but I am slowly getting there. I drove on a actual road with other cars yesterday, it wasn't easy, but I did it. Since I can't drive, I have to rely on others to drive my kids to and from school and me to and from work. I feel useless and could stop feeling the way I do. Wish I wasn't such a burden on people. With all this going on.. today was hard... because I had to talk to the TAC about our claim. Just when I think its all finalised, theres more steps, calls and I am tired and confused. Constant reminders of what happened, when I am struggling to get back to my normal. The process is leaving me drained, so much I was going to just cancel it. My partner said we should continue just incase for my kids and I. So I did. My call with TAC today ended with ... we will call soon, within the week. I am so done, especially since this is all just in case. I just want to skip to the part where its all finished and I feel normal.

Overthinking and overwhelming

replies: 3

Has anyone ever felt so stressed and overwhelmed out of the blue? Well I do because I tend to overthink too much about what mistakes I do and I feel nauseous and wanted to just throw up. I realised I have anxiety and nervous all the time and I breakdown in silence as if my soul just left my body. I couldn't think straight and focus or hear anyone talking or calling to me. At times my flashbacks and nightmares is playing up and I have trouble sleeping as I overthink way too much. Maybe I need help? Everytime I seek for help I don't know why I started to cry, maybe I just haven't told anyone how I feel? I just never learn how to express how I feel or share my own pain. I been carrying this heavy pain for quite long now and I have thought of quitting my own life and just slowly wanted to run away and disappear from everyone. Please I just want to know what everyone's thoughts about this and what I can do to overcome this kind of fear that is eating me away?

Sharing the Hope

replies: 3

It wasn't until I began reading some of the posts on here that I realised how many people are going through such terrible pain. It sort of pales your own problems into insignificance as you read their words. I was an aged and disability carer for a few years before problems with my back forced me to give up something I loved doing and it breaks my heart to find so many people expressing their fears. I know that takes a great deal of resolve and inner strength to make it public but it is also nothing to be ashamed of. We are all human beings and as such our emotions define us as we go through our life journeys. Sometimes we find ourselves in positions that simply overwhelm us and we turn to others for advice and support. This is by far the best thing we can do rather than keep it locked up inside which can only make things worse in the long run. For so long, I shied away from asking for help when I really needed it because I didn't want to burden anyone else with my problems but when the system is in place to offer some kind of support then surely, we would be wise to reach out for a lifeline to get us back on course. Even if the improvement isn't immediate, it is reassuring to know that there are ways of improving our lives to enable us to make things better for ourselves.

Is anyone else overwhelmed by Society Noise (I mean hooning, motorbikes)

replies: 2

Hi It seems I suffer from misophonia, a recent discovery bought about by more than 10 years of belligerent people who think it's perfectly OK to use public roads for their personal racetracks! And it seems nobody cares to stop them. Constant loud cars and idiotic motorbike riders using verges near my home every single day since we moved here. It's driving me INSANE and I wish I had a way to block them out or put a stop to it entirely! If anyone has ideas I'm literally all ears!

EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED AND FEELING VICTIMISED

replies: 2

Hi I don't know where to begin, so here goes. I have currently been under both physical and emotional stress due to the fact that I wish to sell my home of over 22years. The pressure of maintaining my home along with doubts and insecurity flooding my mind, has worn me down. On top of that, I am feuding with my neighbour. For 22years I have lived with a bully and whining neighbour. Complains about the slightest thing or just gives me the eye. I cause no trouble and keep to myself. Before Christmas, my neighbour partially destroyed the new Nature Strip I paid for, she didn't apologise. I never said anything and put a temporary barrier up in order for the grass to re-grow. I couldn't get in touch with the culprit as she doesn't answer the door or phone. After that each night she would do something to the barrier. Halloween night, she destroyed the barrier under cover of darkness. She always does something to my property under darkness. I finally approached her, and she denied doing anything, even though my security camera doesn't lie. She always Gaslights! So, I left it. Chastising myself that I didn't tell her I caught her on camera, but cowardly walking away insulted, miserable and frustrated. A few days later, I caught her trying to pull out the lawn. I lost my mind. Like a suppressed idiot of 22 years, I wrongly retaliated. I have tried over the years to talk to her, listen to her and be the better person, I lost control. I hate myself. I allowed myself to become a monster. I tried to apologies, but she just kept walking away. I wrote her an apology letter along with a card and posted it to her. She's having nothing to do with it. Now she's taking revenge on my property and spreading rumours. My neighbours hate me because of her gossip. She tells half-truths and plays the victim, in reality, she's the instigator and bully. I spoke to her daughter, and she said her mother was always a terrible person. I am feeling isolated, upset, broken hearted, lost and cannot understand why the neighbours turned on me, especially when I have done nothing to them over the years. Their gossip and turned heads truly devastate me. It hurts. I am hurting and have no defenses against bullies. I am so upset and sick to my stomach. I've been crying and truly do not understand how awful people can be.

Lost and Alone

replies: 1

Hi All, I am feeling lost and alone lately. The pressures of life seem to be really pushing me down. I have spent the past 4 years trying to let go of my eldest daughter who moved away to uni and to start her own life. My youngest has mental health issues that are escalating at the moment and I feel alone in so many ways. My parents are supportive but still feel a bit distant. My bf doesn’t understand and sometimes makes things worse. I am pulling away from him too but can’t talk to him about what’s happening. He has very black and white thinking around this topic. I want to help my teen but don’t really know how. I want to help myself but the responsibilities keep piling up and my needs seem to always get pushed back

Loneliness and Rejection

replies: 5

Gosh where do I start. Growing up I was always told I was stupid and in the way. This manifested into being desperate for people to like me. A classic people please was what I became. After years of therapy I’m still struggling. I fear rejection and seem super sensitive to other people and never want to bother anyone. I’m struggling at the moment as my partner and I are traveling and the only contact I have is the odd person you meet while moving around, this isn’t meaningful connection. My friends at home all seem to have moved on and got on with their lives and I feel forgotten- I try to reach out but they are all so busy I don’t want to bother them. Really not sure I can continue as I feel my mental health is starting to struggle. My partner is loving it and doesn’t want to go home. Sounds like the dream lifestyle eh but it’s damn lonely and isolating for me unfortunately.

Recovery after a nervous breakdown

replies: 5

Hi 10 months ago I had a nervous breakdown and went into hyperventilation which was really scary and ended up in hospital and went through some very dark times. My recovery has been slow with setbacks just when I thought I was on top of it. I’m back working part time but need medication to get through these days. Physically I’m still not there yet and don’t find social event’s easy unless on meds. My wife has been very understanding and I love her dearly but it’s also challenging for her. I try to ride my mountain bike when possible but my body doesn’t recover very well or fast, I eat healthy and work hard when doing my job cleaning. I have always been an anxious person right back when I was a kid and so I guess it all just caught up with me through the covid days of stress. How long realistically? should It take to feel normal again?

Depression and anxiety my friends

replies: 2

This is a little history I started writing. Depressed all my life. Major depression at 24 yo. Therapy of no help I just couldn't stop crying. AD drugs made me feel normal. Life went on. i have a wonderful wife and two adult children at school one with autism. I'm retired shy of 60yo. Loss of my estranged father and resent estrangement of my brother over covid Vax disagreement triggered deep depression. My GP tried different ADs and pulled me back up.I recently had prostate surgery and lost blood requiring emergency surgery i became anaemic. Past two weeks post op I feel so low. There's a long history of mental illness in my family. Personality disorder, depression etc. I really don't know how to move on. I wrote a diary of family a few weeks ago. I'll post it separately as it's too many characters.

Wondering what comes next?

replies: 8

Hi, this is my first time here on the forum, so I'm not really sure if I am in the right spot to talk about what's on my mind. Anyway...here goes. I'm a carer for a parent who has a chronic medical condition. What has been invading my thoughts lately is....what comes next for me...when I am no longer caring for my loved one? I am pretty much on my own...I don't socialise, have no friends that are near me and my other family members have families of their own to care for. I wonder what my purpose will be? What is there for me? I am already in my 50's and have been single since forever and never had any children...just my furbabies. But when they are no longer with me...I will truly be...alone. The idea of being totally alone frightens me at times and my only thoughts that invade my mind is...the bad ones. Ones that I have battled in the past to keep at bay. But...even though I have tried so hard to not have those thoughts...they still come to me...especially when I feel like I have no purpose when I am no longer caring. I know others have bigger issues than myself and I definitely don't like burdening others with my troubles...but sometimes it gets hard not to think about it. I guess I should bury those thoughts for now...as I am needed.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Struggling mentally after a car accident replies: 5

Overthinking and overwhelming replies: 3

Sharing the Hope replies: 3

Is anyone else overwhelmed by Society Noise (I mean hooning, motorbikes) replies: 2

EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED AND FEELING VICTIMISED replies: 2

Lost and Alone replies: 1

Loneliness and Rejection replies: 5

Recovery after a nervous breakdown replies: 5

Depression and anxiety my friends replies: 2

Wondering what comes next? replies: 8