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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I feel like life is kinda passing me by and I'm not sure who to turn to...

replies: 7

Hey everyone... I've tossed up for a while whether to join a forum like this but figured I'd give it a shot, trouble is I couldn't decide which category to start with! I've had mild depression/anxiety since I was 15 (now 20) but I have also had some mild eating disorder issues and body image issues (since I was 10). I am also developing other mental health problems similar to rapid cycling cyclothymia but its intermittent and my doc is helping me work it out. Annywaaayy.... TLDR: Thats background but I think that just makes things trickier, its not the actual problem. Basically I feel like life is kinda passing me by... I know I'm only 20 but I don't feel like I'm having fun and enjoying myself, I'm just doing the day to day thing. I have never been in a relationship or even been hit on/had attention from guys so I feel I am missing out in that way too... And its not like I just like the idea of it, I just really want to experience the fun and have that connection with someone. I am confident in who I am as a person and although I struggle with body image, I know I am worth knowing (something I have had to work hard to achieve but I finally think I accept myself at least internally if not physically). My trouble is that I've reached a point where I'm not sure who to turn to... I am very self aware and its very easy for me to be mindful of how I am feeling (yes that sometimes causes a lot of overthinking) so basic tips tend to be things I've tried which kinda sucks. I get frustrated when I try things and I don't get anything out of it. I recently tried a psychologist but I felt she simplified things and I am yet to find another I want to try. I have a great relationship with my mum but I feel she simplifies the issue too and although well intentioned, she tries to say she experienced similar things when she was younger when I know for a fact that she isn't understanding the depth of the issues or quite the way I'm feeling. I don't have solid friends that I trust to speak to, there are lovely people I like to hang out with but not people I really truly connect to on a deeper level. I am attending my 3rd year of uni and I try to participate in things but I feel like I've tried everything on those lists of 'things to do to make more friends' without success and I guess I'm frustrated and disappointed. Do I just stop putting in so much effort to try to have fun and experience things? I want to get more out of my life

The roller coaster of separation

replies: 1

Hi guys, I am introducing myself and I am looking forward to learning from those that have been/going through separation and ultimately a divorce. I just turned 44 a few days ago and have been with my husband for 22 years. We have two adult children and a 13 year old between us. We are still living under the same roof and as much as I would like to hang on to hopes and dreams- I cannot. Physical abuse was only intermittent and stopped years ago however the verbal, emotional, financial abuse ramped up. I am linked in with a number of Support services to help me through. I have joined this forum to learn and hear how to get through such an awful time. I am really hoping to hear the positive experiences from you all about how you went from “devestated to healed and moving forward”. Despite the F/V I still love my husband (I feel I do but I just wonder if it is because I have spent 22 years with him and have no idea what a “normal” relationship should be. Many thanks for hearing me out and looking forward to a better future.

Loving Yourself

replies: 2

Body positivity. Probably the most talked about thing on social media and realistically the thing that teenagers and quite frankly adults as well. it’s something that’s very president and very real. there are times when one might feel bad about themselves and sometimes wanna hurt themselves. let me know, help a brother out and feel free to correct me on anything or even if u wanna talk, i’ll always be here listening and helping people! xx

Waiting on increase dose to work

replies: 3

I have been on my AD for 3 months now and have had to gradually increase over that time.How long does it take to see an improvement and that something is actually happening?

Hello

replies: 2

Hello, I'm fairly new here. I'm a pretty private person, so I don't like to talk about myself much, but I'm here anyway, as I have difficulties. Thanks.

My introduction... Hello

replies: 33

Hi, it was suggested to me to visit here and share my experiences. Depression combined with Aspergers makes my life difficult. One day I woke up and found myself inside a mental “facility” and started using “documenting my thoughts” as a coping technique. That escalated to becoming my main avoidance technique. I showed what I wrote to some people and they suggested I try to publish them. This only added to my stress. After much time I have finally done that. Now I am trying to get someone to read my “story” to assist in understanding what goes through the mind of a depressed individual. My “book” is a collection of poetry with related commentary. I have been told it is good, but as one of my major “schema” is Negativity/Pessimism, I don’t know if I believe them. Anyway, I’m here to share a bit of my story...

Oh hello!

replies: 2

Hi all Brand newbie here. Am looking forward to hopefully contributing, supporting and encouraging in this great space. Luna

New here - worried about my brother

replies: 1

Hi everyone, This is my first post. I'm a 27 y/o female and as much as I would like to share more about myself, I'll do that in another post as I am currently more worried about my older brother. My family is from a Southeast Asian country. I have just graduated from an Australian uni and 'intend' to work here for a couple of years (a story for another time). The rest of my family are back in our homeland. My older brother has always been the most academically brilliant one in our family, but my parents never really pressured him to get good grades - he just does. He has always been noted to be quiet and introverted, but when since he turned 18, he seemed to become more distant from us and his friends. At 21, he dropped out of second year of uni and since then, he became even more withdrawn from us and his friends and stopped talking to us. He did not attend his then best friend's wedding nor our other brother's wedding (the only thing he has attended with us is a close uncle's funeral). He's now 35, but since he dropped out, he has not really left the house other than shopping for groceries (he cooks his own food and doesn't eat with us). He hasn't been going for any training, courses or work (in other words, NEET) as far as I'm concerned, unless he has been doing all this online. He gets angry when my parents suggest getting professional help, so I don't think he's getting any. My mother tends to blame it on video games and to be honest, I highly doubt he's addicted to video games. It's definitely more than that. But my parents don't really believe in mental illnesses like depression. To them, especially my mum, it's more like laziness, lack of motivation or just being down in the dumps. That's why it's so hard to open up to them. Our other brother, who's the oldest of the 3 of us, doesn't seem to understand it either, and he seems to be more interested in making himself a successful businessman. But honestly, I'm no better. I didn't know what to do back then. My brother and I have a 8 year age gap, and I did not understand much about mental health issues until I developed some myself a few years ago. I feel horrible because I was the closest to him in the family, yet I didn't do anything. My parents and relatives always tell me I'm the only one who can help him. I have been battling my own demons for the past few years, but I have always felt guilty for not helping my own brother. I genuinely want to help him and hope for some advice on how to start.

Anxiety

replies: 2

Hi, I’m unable to talk to my friends, family or boyfriend about my anxiety as I feel I am burdening them and I don’t want to continually seem unhappy. I feel very lost and alone, I’ve always worried about every little thing in life even if there’s nothing to worry about. I’m really struggling at the moment to sleep and to be able to control my anxiety, it’s really taking over every aspect of my life... if anyone could help me in any way I would appreciate it greatly! Thank you x

When You Don't Want to Admit It

replies: 1

Hello kindest of strangers, I haven't been on a forum for a very long time. I spent a lot of my teens and early twenties on forums, trying to find friends or a place to belong. I never really felt like I had a place. I am bad at communicating, I don't trust myself to be 'normal'. I don't keep a journal because I hate all the sentences that start with I. I this. I that. I struggle with self worth. I struggle to say there is anything wrong. I feel like a meandering mess and running out of time. I don't mean to talk to negatively. I know that that doesn't contribute to a healthy heart and mind. I guess that's why I am here. I know but I can't stop, I don't know how to be better. I get lost along the way. I have been blessed and lucky enough to share the last four years of my life with someone. I know that she loves me, but I also know that she hates me--or rather has come to be angry and fed up with me. I think that I am a burden, but in so thinking then become one. I don't blame her. I struggle with self-fulfilling prophecies. I struggle with a lot of things. I want to be better. I want to stop living in my head. I want to feel like I belong to this planet. I know those things are within my power, I just have to get there and not act as my own enemy.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

I feel like life is kinda passing me by and I'm not sure who to turn to... replies: 7

The roller coaster of separation replies: 1

Loving Yourself replies: 2

Waiting on increase dose to work replies: 3

Hello replies: 2

My introduction... Hello replies: 33

Oh hello! replies: 2

New here - worried about my brother replies: 1

Anxiety replies: 2

When You Don't Want to Admit It replies: 1