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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Hi new here wondering how do you cope

replies: 3

I'm sitting here feeling stupid telling myself just to get over it move on you don't need counselling or help there's nothing's wrong, yet even as I type I feel my heart beating in my chest and breathing increasing, there is something wrong but admitting that to anyone (other than a counsellor) even myself is just so hard. I just want it to go away I want to go back to attending classes meeting new people, even just leaving the house feeling confident and happy again. How do you cope at the moment I'm just hanging on waiting till my next session with a councillor hoping for some miraculous cure and meanwhile life is just slipping by. Sorry to be so heavy

Worried Dad looking for support

replies: 2

Hi there I'm new to this forum and looking for some help. My son has returned after many years to live with me and family. He is looking for a job, but finds it hard to get himself out of bed. He has also recently shared some of his beliefs with me which are very different to what I'm used to. He has admitted to using cannibas and having 'light' haluncinations. He didn't put it to me that way though, and it was more in context of apparent physchic ability. I have managed to get him to agree to go to headspace and get help with employment transition, and he said he may get counselling to. I'm preparing for a long effort, but I really don't know how I'm going to get through this with work, family and other pressures too. Regards John

New member - mum in her 40's

replies: 3

Hi, I am a mum in her (early) 40's trying to navigate my way again through the troughs of depression. I have joined as I am looking for other parents in a similar boat to me (I have two children under 8), how they get through every day as a family, what support networks you have and just people who understand what depression and anxiety is like. I have a great husband and friends who try to understand, but they just don't get it. Thanks

Another to the numbers.

replies: 7

Ahai, It was some time ago I was introduced to Beyond Blue, but it was quickly forgotten. Thankfully, BB was one of the first Google results of my searching "I need help." So here I am. I prefer not to use my real name, and I have a feeling that "Pobblebonk" won't be the most memorable thing. Please, call me Frog if it makes things easier. I am a 30 year old woman who has suffered with anxiety and depression all of her life. There is something wrong with me, but each psychiatrist sang a different song with a new set of pills. I was first diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar II, then generalised anxiety disorder, to chronic dysthymia and chronic reactive attachment disorder, then schizoid co-occurring avoidant personality disorder. I really wish I knew what was wrong with me, but I can't deal with the medication changes anymore. I am, however, medicated for depression. I've joined this forum simply because I don't know what to do anymore. I feel trapped, without options, and a bleak outlook for the future. I *try* to be a jovial person; to hide behind humour, but it's failing as I wear down. So yes, here I am, hoping to find some light. - Pobblebonk.

Stressed at work

replies: 1

I am so stressed at work getting to the point that i hate this industry. We been audited since last year and have been requested to provide hundreds of documents in a few day which i think is very unreasonable. We have to work day and night to get the docs all together in less than a week. After that we don't hear anything for months. The auditor was new ( first time doing audit) so unprofessional and didn't know a lot of simple things. She keep asking for more and more documents or re arrange the document we provided. And trying to pick little things to prove my work mistake. Over time i feel that I am failure. I am also been forced to provide more and more docs to prove myself but they simply don't reply or change the contact person. Whatever i do it goes nowhere. i just simply don't get an answer. They also like to send emails on Friday afternoon before end of business. I am getting so depressed on working on a Friday. Every Friday i feel something bad is going to happen. because this took so long (over a year now) i feel everything is wrong and very unhappy. I lost the passion of work and worrying about everything. I am seeing a psychologist but every time i get a bit better they come back to ask for something more. My whole life has been disrupted.

Newbie to self discovery

replies: 1

Hey guys, I am new to this forum and would just like to say HEY :). I am grateful to see there is so much support out there in the wider community and that its good to see there is a safe place, we can share our experiences, support and be supported,encourage and be encouraged. I have struggled thru my life, suffered tremendous loss,love,bad decisions and lived thru terrible choices I've made,lived with the consequence of my actions, I've loved and lost friends, lost family, Life has been a roller*coaster AND like a weed I am still here, stronger for it, better for it :). I would have really benefited from this forum like 30 years ago, it would have been good to have someone out there remind me that, its going to be ok, you will get thru this, in 10 years this wont matter, its ok there is hope and you will find it, don't give up on yourself, keep pressing forward. Maybe like the Velveteen rabbit, not flashy and new but loved up and lived up in the process to becoming real,so to speak. I have always suffered from anxiety and the dreaded black dog. They were my constant companions until of course, I found drugs in my teens and alcohol as an adult. We all have that one crutch. I no longer drink when I'm stressed,happy,sad or otherwise and these days if I do its only once every blood-moon. Kudos right. meh partly...May have stopped the habit but I needed to face the cause of it. Feelings of unworthiness,self-blame, self hatred,lack of self-control, regret all the heavy stuff , I really needed to purge the 40 years worth of life I'd experienced. Knowing but needing to do something.Which brings me to the now. It all starts with and ends with ME and that what I didn't realize. Looking after myself is listening to good music, meditating everyday,I journal like a Boss,gratitude journal, I go to a meditation class every fortnight. Spending time with people who are good for me, positive people. Work & balance with my 3 kids and hubby. I also wanted to find a group I can belong to that A) is safe B) like-mindedness C) no pressure D) no compromising on who I am E) learning to live a life I am proud of, striving for excellence NOT perfection and living the best life I can without all the pressure and b.s. Is this possible? Past experience says, yes it is. So I guess, I'm on the road to self-discovery and it's an interesting ride. If anything, I'm here to learn,encourage be encouraged and keep on going. So guys, I am thankful for being here

Panic attacks

replies: 3

Hi there, I have been diagnosed with acute stress reaction and anxiety. The last 2 mornings I have woken up with anxiety and this morning a full blown panic attack it felt like I was having a heart attack.. i am seeing a doctor today however I just want to know if this is normal in this condition.. had a nervous breakdown 2 weeks ago but have been calm the last 2 days so don’t understand why the morning panic attack.

Hi and thankyou for this forum

replies: 6

Hi, Thanks for the existence of this forum. I searched the web for answers to depression and fatigue and landed here. I have reached a pinnacle today. I rang Lifeline and very helpful but have no cures. I have been depressed for some time, many ongoing financial pressures which arent improving (in fact getting worse) work deadlines and day to day survival with my family. I just turned 60. This weekend 2 thing happened and for the life of me I cant stay awake and I am sooo tired. I was let down again by a group of friends (to do with music) on Friday-really hurt (been shut out by the people I introduced together) and now this weekend whenever I do gardening or other physical work (even playing music) I cant last for more than an hour or two without this overwhelming sense of fatigue. A few months ago my doctor prescribed an antidepressant medication which my wife is getting for me today. A few weeks ago I saw a workplace Psychologist about the overwhelming work load and constant changes in my life and she was emphatic that I go on immediate stress leave. I cant do that financially and work commitments (mostly financial). My question is: would the sudden overwhelming desire to sleep and profound lack of energy be part of my depression? Many thanks.

When will it stop

replies: 3

I have never had anxiety so bad. It’s now all day everyday. I just want it to go away

People are noticing, I feel fake!

replies: 7

Hey, So I'm usually so good at hiding it, people always comment on how positive I am! how I'm friends with everyone, which is true I hate nobody only dislike some peoples behaviours at that time. i know that probably sounds stupid but its really the way I think! Everyone thinks I'm perfect, besides my close friends that know parts of the truth, they know the story of me, but not all the mental health issues that go with the story, like they know I've got anxiety because well long story short friends have been in the wrong place at the wrong time-drune panic/anxiety attacks or meltdowns and now i randomly talk about my anxiety but not like the way it is! My coordinator asked me to stay back the other day and asked me if i was ok? of course i replied with yes of course(i course i wasn't). He continued to say that I've still been my positive self but Ive seemed a little sad lately. i assured him i was fine. i thought nobody noticed everyone usually think I'm fine because im always smiling!! i feel fake!!! i can't help it, i have to push through and show everyone i am fine, i am strong and i can cope no matter! i don't want anyone to know I'm not fine! please help I'm over faking it! it takes up so much of little energy i have!!! help?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi new here wondering how do you cope replies: 3

Worried Dad looking for support replies: 2

New member - mum in her 40's replies: 3

Another to the numbers. replies: 7

Stressed at work replies: 1

Newbie to self discovery replies: 1

Panic attacks replies: 3

Hi and thankyou for this forum replies: 6

When will it stop replies: 3

People are noticing, I feel fake! replies: 7