Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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seeking for help

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I'm a recent graduate who is currently employed as a process worker. Although, I hate my job I have something to earn money. I have a loving boyfriend and my father doesn't like my relationship but other than that I don't have any big family problems in my life. The reason I decide to visit this forum is because I feel sad, depressed and lonely for sometimes now. It feels like something missing, like empty or void. When someone asked me why, I don't know how to answer because even I don't know why. Those feeling affects my daily work as well. I don't feel like searching for new jobs or do any chores of my home. Can someone please explain me whether I need to seek a professional or help me how not to feel this way.

anyone like me? advice please?

replies: 6

hey everyone, As the first sentence by most on here is, I’m new to this, that’s exactly how mines going to start. I’m new to this and haven’t posted before. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for myself. Sometimes I can get really down and feel that no one likes me, I’m annoying to everyone and just useless really. this isn’t all the time mostly happens at night before going to bed or when in bed. By the morning I can think clearly and know this isn’t the case and isn’t true at all but at nights when feeling this way, I just can’t convince myself anything different. I hate getting upset over things like this and especially getting up the next morning feeling exhausted and with puffy eyes. I’m not sure what category I fit in so just thought I would put this out there to hear others opinions and get advice that could help me when in these situations. thank you in advance, I honestly appreciate it!

Hello

replies: 2

Hi, I’m Danny, having another depressive episode with anxiety plus, plus, just wanted to say hello to stop feeling so isolated

New start

replies: 13

Hi everybody, I am an older woman seeking ideas about dealing with severe depression that has recurred countless times in my life. I had a brainwave this morning that keeping in touch with others on this site would be beneficial to me. I hope also that I may be able to give some support from my experiences. I look forward to discussing topics on the forums as well and reading your comments. In friendship M.

Depression, anxiety.. feeling crap

replies: 8

Hey, Im a bit nervous about posting, Ive never done anything like this before. So, Umm right ok so I am going to start with a short quick run down. Ive never really fitted in socially, i am the unpopular one, the one that is always to blame for most things. Even if its not my fault, to everyone else it is. So i am doing a life clean, or trying to. Im looking for new friends, new activities and i see a counselor. (I have anxiety and depression) some of my friends arnt very positive and they like drama. There is always a he said she said thing happening and i cant handle all that sort of drama. I am removing myself from that circle. i am having trouble making new friends because I am worried they will find me annoying or stupid or that i say the wrong things. Ive got a serve back injury at the moment and am waiting for a surgery date so I am not working, i find it hard to not work as my mind wonders and i somehow convince myself Im a shit human. I know I am not but i cant stop that feeling. Anyway, i am not sure if my ramble makes sense, I just wanted to say it outside my counselors office and outside my lounge room. If anyone else feels like this sometimes you are not alone.

46 and completely lost!

replies: 4

I am completely lost! I feel useless and miserable. And I feel like people are sick of hearing my miserable stories. I’m also a carer, I look after my two sons with autism, my father with a brain injury and my mother with mobility issues. I have a daughter who is trying to be supportive but I see her struggling too, which breaks my heart. Iv been separated for 3 years and can’t seem to move on. I’m overweight, living on a carers pension and feel like I have nothing to give. I feel like I can never take a break from this as there is no support for me to have a break and plus no money which doesn’t help. I hit rock bottom today when another friend of mine who recently separated told me their dating someone and as happy as I was for them couldn’t help but think I’m being left behind. I just can’t seem to do anything right, iv missed appointments lately, leaving my bed is SO HARD as it’s the only place I enjoy being. And to top everything off 3 weeks ago I woke with nerve pain down my arm and I haven’t been able to rid myself of it. Iv had tests, ultrasounds, they have tried several different pain killers putting me in different states of being a zombie, not good for looking after others. I’m exhausted! I’m dead inside! I gave everything to others and now there is nothing left for me and totally lost myself in the process. I’m on antidepressants but they don’t seem to be working. Medical in the town I live costs quite a bit and I can’t always afford it, so I go without! Iv lost all of my fight and I just want to rest!

rob19 something new

replies: 5

hi all yes am new to this so here goes i have been battling anxiety for way to long now (15 or 16 yrs) and am sick of it controlling my life and not doing and being all i can and want to be. i had a big step backwards tonight after many small steps forward found myself in a public situation and started having negative thoughts and panicked and fled something that i have not done for a long time ,anyway will keep it short for now and yes i feel better even just talking about it on here so hello to all and goodbye for now

New Here

replies: 4

Hello, i'm new here Hi, I often feel depressed and worthless, but I am scared to talk about it to anyone. I am fine at school, but at home I am never very happy. I try to improve how I am living - diet, exercise, meditation. But every time I try I soon loose motivation. I also don't eat much, nothing but dinner. I'm not sure if that relates, but people always tell me I should eat more. I don't get much sleep, either. Only a few hours a night. Anyways, I hope someone could give me a little insight and maybe I can make some friends I can talk to.

New to this site - not new to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Going through the motions of living......

replies: 2

Hello to all. I’m new here but have a lifelong history of anxiety and depression. I didn’t actually know this until I was grown up, as I assumed all people felt the way I did (hypervigilent, anxious, not good enough, etc). It wasn’t until I was prescribed anti-depressant medication and felt, for the first time, that the heavy knot in my solar plexus was lifted, that I understood that my feelings weren’t shared by everyone who’d had a healthy emotional upbringing, and that I could feel different. Short history: Parents who loathed each other, one a narcissist, the other a passive alcoholic. Took their loathing for each other out on the kids. We had enough to eat and were well-fed on a tiny budget (mother a wartime cook), we were clothed, but we were not loved or cherished. We had to read the emotional weather in the house in order to avoid angry and violent episodes as much as possible, but, sometimes (too often) they happened anyway. It was always our fault. Two of my siblings subsequently suicided. Not something I’ve ever attempted myself, but for some of my younger years I lived recklessly in a way that basically indicated that if I died right then, it wasn’t a concern. Now, I’m much older of course, I have grown-up kids and a life partner of over 26 years, and I would never do anything to cause my own death ... but I’m still not living. I’m going through the motions on a daily basis, feeling that each day is just, “another day down” and that if I didn’t wake up tomorrow that would be okay. I have had excellent psychiatric therapy, and have a great ongoing relationship with my psychiatrist, but knowing that what happened wasn’t my fault, that my scrambled brain chemistry was begun before birth and entrenched in infancy and childhood, and that my family love me, isn’t enough. I’m still lonely and self-defeating in many ways. I’m lonely and isolated. I’d like to discuss how other people live with this and work with it, because I’m sure many people here do. I’m going back to 6 months of weekly therapy starting in a couple of months, but I’d really like to chat with other people who “get it”.

Down the rabbit hole

replies: 2

Hi all, I've recently moved states after 30 years in the one area, leaving older sons, friends, work and familiarity behind. Am in a lot area, but completely grieving for what I left behind. Have Bipolar 1 and have managed incredibly well for a long time, a few ups and downs but nothing I couldn't resolve..this however is dreadful. I have completely shutdown physically, emotionally and mentally, I put in the smile to do what needs to be done of course but as soon as I'm alone I unengaged completely. I am not a person who does well being alone, but can't even get out of my head atm...has anyone else found moving their lives the same?

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

seeking for help replies: 2

anyone like me? advice please? replies: 6

Hello replies: 2

New start replies: 13

Depression, anxiety.. feeling crap replies: 8

46 and completely lost! replies: 4

rob19 something new replies: 5

New Here replies: 4

New to this site - not new to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Going through the motions of living...... replies: 2

Down the rabbit hole replies: 2