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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Always thinking about the worst scenarios

replies: 9

Hi there, I’ve just joined this chat thread because I felt I needed an outlet. I’ve always felt I was a bit of an anxious person growing up, but it seemed to always be energy that I could use to be proactive and achieve things. A couple of years ago, I had a great life - until all of a sudden my fiancé suffered a nervous break down and left me very suddenly. It was unfounded and I never received answers. I was in complete shock because of it, but managed to get myself back on my feet with a lot of therapy. Immediately after that experience, I started rationalising that anything bad could happen (given I was so blind sighted to my fiancé leaving). For instance, I convinced myself that I could be terminally unwell. I could easily recall on the emotion of ‘shock’ that I felt during this time - so I started attributing that feeling to ‘worse case scenarios’. To summarise: The truth is, if there’s is any percentage (even 1% chance) of something bad happening... I envision it. And it’s like I try to mentally prepare myself for it to happen. To feel ‘more prepared’. I am mentally axhausted and I just wish that I had more control over my mind.

Agrophobia chris

replies: 6

I’m new, just logged in, cna you please direct me to the forum where I may find support for agrophobia, thanks , appreciated, Chris

Health anxiety and heart palpitations.

replies: 1

Hey guys, So I have been suffering from anxiety for a few years now. I have had a couple episodes of heart palpitations that would make my heart race off like a rocket which is very scary at times. Now, I’m at different stage and a whole load of stress because of my father ill health (bloody cancer). I’m experiencing the sensation of where my heart skips a beat/ fluttering. At night, I’ve even lost sleep a couple of times because the skipped heart beat wake me up and it lead to tachycardia. I haven’t had the skipped heart beats before and it’s quite recent. I want to know what have people done to reduce them from happening again or stop them. I’m open for any advice and many thanks in advance.

New - health anxiety, cancer survivor

replies: 4

Hi, just joined the forums. I have been having significant health anxiety over the past few months. I've always been somewhat hypochondriac, but then almost 3 years ago my worst fears came true and I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 33. Thankfully I'm in remission, but since then have suffered from two life-threatening complications from the cancer treatment (pulmonary embolisms), the last one 3 months ago. I was mentally doing pretty well up until that last one, thinking everything was behind me, but finding myself back in hospital really rattled me. Since then I've been going through a revolving door of doctors and specialists as I'm now paranoid every little symptom I experience is something deadly. I spend half my day googling symptoms. I just had a gastroscopy last week due to a constant lump in the throat sensation. I was convinced it was throat cancer. After nothing was found, the gastroenterologist (who was the same person who diagnosed me with bowel cancer in 2016) sat me down and gently explained the common symptoms of anxiety, which include a sensation of a lump in the throat, and suggested I talk to someone. Right now I am feeling short of breath, which I am trying to tell myself is just another symptom of anxiety. I am going to speak to my GP tomorrow about the shortness of breath and about professional counselling, but I am hoping to connect with some other people on this forum who are suffering from anxiety and hopefully learn how to overcome this and be able to think about my health more rationally. Thanks for listening!

better today

replies: 4

got rained off work today,every cloud has a silver lining.Sometimes it's hard to see but i take a win when i can get it and thinking about it there is often alot more positive things going on than we realise.Best wishes to everyone on this forum Mark View more

Newbie looking for like minded people to chat with

replies: 2

Hi, so long story short I have battled hard with depression, anxiety and panic attacks for as long as I can remember. I have been on various antidepressants for around 13 years, I am now feeling like I am strong enough to ditch the medication that I feel is making me feel worse and begin to fight this demon head on with a clear mind not blocked by the medication. Yesterday I saw my doctor and I have started to wean off medication. To say I’m scared of what I will face is an understatement, but I’m ready, dedicated and determined! Is anyone else starting the same journey? Would love to chat! Thanks for your time

Saying Hello and want to help people who are suffering with their minds!

replies: 7

Hi there, I am from the UK originally, where I have been recently after having travelled in India/Asia and Australia for a few years on a working holiday visa. I am back in Melbourne now. I am really passionate and want to help people who may be struggling with mental health. I personally have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past and have a good understanding as to what genuinely helps. I am lucky I got the chance to go travelling, break out of my normal routine and see different cultures around the world. Before I went travelling my best friend who also used to struggle with his own mind, introduced me to meditation and I can't speak highly enough about it. It's something that can anchor you in the present moment and disengage with the mind, because after all, the mind and the ego are the main reasons behind depression and anxiety. As soon as we realise that the mind isn't who we are then endless possibilities can open up for us all. Anyway, hopefully you guys will be interested in what I am saying, above all though would just be great to have a chat with people and see how I can help - There is a way!!!! Thanks! Jamie.

The return of a lost member... Glad to be back

replies: 6

Hello everyone, As you can tell by the title I am not quite 'new' here... but I am returning for the first time in a long time. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Demi. I am 20 years of age- yet have many years of life experience and predestined maturity under my belt. I am about to commence my 3rd year of Psychology at university and love spending my free time catching up with friends over a bucket of tea and good conversation. I guess you may be wondering why I left the forum... short version: I was not well and I could barely manage my own challenges let alone support and empathise with others. Long version... I think may need its own thread where I can provide my experiences and hear about how you are all going- what do you think? I am so happy to be back, and for those of you wondering why the sudden return, I have learned to use my experience as a positive, study what I need to in order to support others. I hope that this time I can be there for those who need the support, comfort and to hear the voice of a person who has been through their fair share of challenges in my short 20yrs of life so far. I am very excited to get to know you all and share this journey with you all. Excited to hear from you. Demi X

This is it, 2019 I must change.

replies: 4

Hi, No longer do I want depression and anxiety to rule my world. For the best part of the last 29 years I can remember I have battled the two in some form or another. I sucks and I'm tired of feeling down, tired of feeling sad, tired of feeling upset, useless and so forth, I'm just tired. And I'm throwing everything at beating this once and for all. I dont think I've ever felt real happiness not have I really had a best friend. I dated someone for 7 years, enjoyed it. I loved her at times but I was never truly in love or happy. When she ended it after not really going anywhere my world crashed. I felt lost and without purpose. Life had no meaning. I felt I had lost my girlfriend, our small family and my best friend... my closest mate was there for me, he still is. I went to his engagement party but wasnt invited to the wedding. We still chat, occasionally catch up like once a year outside seeing each other at hockey but recently he said he may have work for me. Another friend I've caught up with a little recently and I made a new one via badoo, he started chatting to me cos I think he was interested in dating but I'm straight so we became friends. He employed me as a cleaner. I wasnt too interested in the job but said why not. I've been cleaning almost a month. Lifes rollercoaster continues with work where I seem to end up unhappy at work or under appreciated or not paid or the whole place closes. I met a lovely lady on tinder who has a child and major medical issues. Like massive and lucky to be alive. I wasnt really her type but she fell for me pretty quickly. Faster than I her. But we have been in separate states for a month now and she doesnt really miss me. She doesn't want a relationship right now, she is recovering for which could take a year. She will be back soon and misses something's but yeah that was a tough pill to swallow but I have. We are engaged but on a break. Still committed and faithful but the space hurts. Time will tell on how things go. At least shes willing to try more counciling. I hope she likes the new me i have turned into this last month but I know I've got a way to go. I never felt in love like this before and I dont want to lose her. I have been feeling happy some days since I've gone through change but I still have my days. That's why I'm here. I want to be happy I want to stay happy. I hated part of myself and the fact I let my fiance down. Hobart is a bland place at times but it's where I'm from and where i live.

New here! Also brought along my 6 years worth of depression

replies: 2

I've never done anything like this before so hopefully i do it right. I just need a place to vent since I literally have no where else to go since I always avoid plaguing my family/friends with my troubles. Anyways, like the title said I've been living with depression for 6 years now. I'm currently 21. There's a certain thing that happened in the beginning that definitely offset it, and honestly if I had handled it back then I wouldn't be so bad now, but me being me I didn't. I just bottled it up along with every bad thing that happened to me. Also from me being 14 or so until 18 i just had terrible anxiety. I still have it now but more in the form of social anxiety but its being very much overshadowed by my depression. I just feel myself going very much downhill and the only thing keeping me afloat is this music group who I adore. Yeah I'm not exactly sure what I want from this, I guess like I said just to vent. I think seeing a therapist will help me immensely but I'm just so closed off I feel just gross? i guess anytime i share my feelings. I'm not sure why I'm that way, maybe I've grown to it over the past 6 years. Anyways I guess that's it. Thanks to anyone who read this! Hopefully I actually post I'm feeling kinda anxious right now haha.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Always thinking about the worst scenarios replies: 9

Agrophobia chris replies: 6

Health anxiety and heart palpitations. replies: 1

New - health anxiety, cancer survivor replies: 4

better today replies: 4

Newbie looking for like minded people to chat with replies: 2

Saying Hello and want to help people who are suffering with their minds! replies: 7

The return of a lost member... Glad to be back replies: 6

This is it, 2019 I must change. replies: 4

New here! Also brought along my 6 years worth of depression replies: 2