Welcome and Orientation

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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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First time posting

replies: 6

Hi all, It’s my first time posting here so thanks for reading. I am nearly 40 years old and have been diagnosed with MS for 5 years. Over the past 5 years (since diagnosis) I have struggled with Anxiety (and at time some depression) very regularly. I have spoken to my old GP (I moved interstate last year) over the years and was given a mental health plan and have seen a psychologist each time and then stopped. There is no doubt that the psychologist has helped me and most of the time I can manage ok using techniques I learnt. The past 8 weeks I have really been struggling with anxiety, it’s more than the normal amount for me. I feel almost manic - like I can’t control my feelings and thoughts, it much worse then normal. I take very small things when worry about them all the time, I have a constant feeling of dread and I dont always know why. I feel on edge but not angry. I feel overwhelmed all the time. I think I would like to try medication to just see if it helps me feel more stable. I am proactive with my health and always advocate for myself but I can’t seem to bring myself to ask if I can try medication. I’m a “coper”, I am very capable just keep going and sometimes I find it hard to ask for help. I am also in healthcare for work and find it difficult to ask for what I think I need. Is it wrong to feel like I need medication? I’m happy to see a psychologist as well but just need more at the moment. Thanks for reading...it’s quite an essay!

OK here goes - hullo, first time posting

replies: 15

More than anything I am lonely. And I have difficulty meeting people, and I have relationship problems. I should be over this sort of thing by now - I'm in my 60s. I know 3 years in a boys home as a child has had a deep effect on me. And two years ago I was made redundant and although I have put a lot of energy (and passion) into developing my own business it is not financially strong yet. This is very stressful. I am worried about money all the time. So I don't feel that I am someone people would want to get to know. I wonder if I am better off just being by myself. Just don't know where to go from here.

WASH MY BRAIN

replies: 4

I’ve never really sat down and had “real talk” with anyone before. I hate feeling uncomfortable and I’ll avoid confrontational subjects and situations like they are the plague. I’m 26 and I have slowly become more of a recluse over the years. I feel myself getting more and more distant from my family - and people in general. Besides my parents, any setting with other family members is just plain awkward. It’s getting that way with my parents too though. I have had a partner for over 5 years, we live together. I haven’t had any friends for a couple years now and I mostly don’t even want them. I avoid social settings because staying home alone is more favourable to me than being around others. I know this often upsets my partner and it’s starting to wear thin, I want to be able to compromise. I have a degree in avoiding my own reflection. I maintain this perfect lighting throughout my home and I get frustrated when my partner turns on the brighter lights or opens the blinds up too far. I have a number of fears/insecurities about day-to-day stuff that I’ve seen other people mentioning on here, which is comforting. Walking into unfamiliar buildings... Is the door push or pull???? Busy supermarkets = bright lights and a high chance of running into someone I may know and what if they want to stop and talk to me? It really sucks when you leave your “space” to have all these insecurities and fears consume you and prevent you from doing what seems like the simplest of tasks. I have no enthusiasm for anything I do or for life really. I don’t understand why I’m like this or what I need to do to try and get better.

New to all these feelings

replies: 2

Hi, first post to this site and to be honest any site. I’m 25 and am living a great life, except in the past six weeks everything has changed with my mental state. My husband and I started to try for kids until I realised I wasn’t ready and since then I’ve felt depressed and anxiety and everything I’ve never felt before. It’s rushed me down the path of many horrible thoughts that I know aren’t true but they scare me everyday and I’ve been crying almost everyday. I’ve started seeing a psychologist and have been trying to have good days but I am scared I’ll be like this forever and end up ruining my life, anyone just want to go back to feeling like normal? What did you do to get yourself out of depression? Will this end?

Mrs

replies: 2

Hi I’m Danni

Struggling

replies: 12

I was here a few years ago. So much has happened in such a short space of time. Moved twice, and the usual struggles with the complexities of mental illness. I'll leave it there for now.

Suddenly feel big waves of depression and sadness

replies: 1

I used to be really happy, basically all the time. But now, every few nights and sometimes just randomly, i feel really awful. i almost feel numb basically. I get really sad and feel really hopeless and i basically always burst into tears and i feel like it will never end. But then when i go to school and am distracted by the people around me, i feel fine again. Any suggestions on what i can do to help?

Spiraling

replies: 2

Hi all This is my first post...I am turning 37 soon and I don't know where the time has gone. Most of my late teens up until now I have masked my depression and anxiety with drugs and alcohol. For the most part, it worked. It got me through the lonely times and I managed to fake my way through work to find myself in positions of responsibility - further ramping up my anxiety. I've worked full time for the last 11 years and prior to that studied, worked and traveled. I can't say I haven't thus far led a full life, however I've never felt settled, like I'm chasing something that I HAVE to catch but I don't know what that something is. I still drink which up until the last year hasn't had an effect on my performance at work. I no longer have the emotional strength to carry on my role which was up until yesterday a team leader position. I stepped down which means I go back to a casual position - no work truck, no phone but no responsibilities either. Today I am feeling a mixture of emotions, failure, relief, exhaustion, stress in facing my colleagues who used to call me 'boss'... I do have an appointment with a psychiatrist next Friday and I know this is going to open a big can of worms from my childhood that I've always preferred to leave tightly closed/ignore the cans existence entirely but I feel there's not much further I can spiral without the unthinkable happening. I've never reached out to an online community before, but after reading other brave, honest and relateable stories, I think I can push on that little bit more. Thanks for reading if you've made it this far. I look forward to hearing any feedback.

Intro I guess

replies: 2

Um, I'm 16 and a girl. I play video games and I get straight A's. I have never been to any doctors to discuss my stuff so I am not official diagnosed. I had a pretty yikes childhood mainly due to my dad. I am currently friendless and my family is in ruins. I basically hate my sad life and I want to just...urgh. Well that's me! Yay I am here to talk and maybe not feel so alone.

feeling like I’m not enough

replies: 1

I have this constant feeling that nothing I do is ever enough in life and it’s putting a physical and mental toll on me. I always put a lot of effort into everything I do especially uni work wise but my marks don’t reflect it and everyone keeps telling me I need to try harder do better but I work myself sick as it is. Even in my day to day life I’m getting told to be more outgoing and maybe I’ll actually get a date or put more effort into making sure everyone else is okay even when I can’t handle their issues on top of my own. Does anyone else have this feeling and if so how do you cope because I’m not and I barely recognise myself any more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

First time posting replies: 6

OK here goes - hullo, first time posting replies: 15

WASH MY BRAIN replies: 4

New to all these feelings replies: 2

Mrs replies: 2

Struggling replies: 12

Suddenly feel big waves of depression and sadness replies: 1

Spiraling replies: 2

Intro I guess replies: 2

feeling like I’m not enough replies: 1