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. Struggling here

replies: 14

Hi I'm 44, Divorced, Mum to one. I suffer from Anxiety, Depression (at times) and alcoholism (when not taking medication). I stopped talking med over the past few weeks and ended up on a downward spiral over Xmas that has ended a one year relationshi... View more

Hi

replies: 6

Hi everyone So why am I here? Short version have been riding a bit of a rollercoaster for months (and to be completely honest for a few years), except until recently the good times were lasting longer than the low times. Things have been on the way down for a couple of weeks now which has resulted in me finally hitting rock bottom after suffering a couple of anxiety attacks late last week, to sitting on the floor today crying because a fence which was broken by builders next door, banging on the wall in the wind. Saying it, it seems like such an insignificant thing, but it is what has finally pushed me to the point where that and a combination of everything else has finally broken me.

Alone

replies: 6

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself! First timer here. I’m a 21 nearly 22 year old female. Ever since I started high school I jumped from friend group to another friend group and this continued on all the way through school. In year 8, my ‘friends’ actually ran away from me at school and hid at lunch so I couldn’t find them. Made new friends again and eventually they ditched me. At one point, I had no one to sit with in classes or lunch and it was the worst. I just didn’t want to go to school anymore. Went to college (year 11/12) and had the same friends, then everyone just lost touch after that doing their own thing and no one bothered with one another. It’s so upsetting because it shouldn’t be like this. Everyone I know has their own groups now and it really sucks seeing posts or them around and I’m stuck at home alone. I have a great job and get along with everyone there but nothing really comes from that. I don’t really feel anxious about going out or talking to people either. Everyone I know of is part of the clubbing/going out and drinking all the time. That’s not really who I am, and I’m fine with that in way but it’d be cool to have friends who were in the same boat. I’m basically at home all the time and hang out with my parents because I feel all alone and like a loser. Sometimes they make subtle jokes how I have no friends and that kinda hurts but I just play it off. I just don’t want to waste my life away sitting home alone. I’d like to meet a guy one day too, I want a husband and kids like most people and I haven’t gotten anywhere. Haven’t even had a boyfriend because I have no one in school really. Boys didn’t look my way that’s for sure!

Life Struggles

replies: 5

I'm new... and I need help. I just started a new job, a job where I have had no experience, a job I never wanted but I felt forced into it. Now, I've been having panic attacks after panic attacks, I have them in my dreams and when I wake up, its consuming me. Its a very stressing environment, at least for me. I've had anxiety for the past 7 years going on 8. I feel so pressured and uncomfortable and I want to leave because I know its not right for me, but certain people are almost trying to force me to stay in it. I just want it all to stop, to back to the way it was. Its so hard to explain exactly how it feels. I feel like a failure and that I'm weak, I try to keep telling myself that everything will work out, that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel... but I can't see it. At the moment this is what is currently stressing me out.

First time posting

replies: 2

Hi. This is my first time posting and im scared. I have a 3 and 5 yr old and I was diagnosed with post natal anxiety and depression 6-7 months after the birth of my second child. I was on meds for 2 yrs and I have now been off my meds for 6 months. In that 6 months I have been pretty good. Iv had a couple of times where I feel unsure. Scared I’ll lost control of my brain ( which is what I felt like first off) nervous for no reason and just scared. I love my babies so much and I know they need me

hi

replies: 4

hi, i'm ivymay, i suffer from phobias of dogs and thunderstorms, have several severe anxiety issues and depression. i also have agoraphobia and social phobia

Hi from KJW, I have just joined Beyond Blue & this is my first post.

replies: 1

Hi, I have just registered with Beyond Blue today and am posting for the first time. I have known about BB for many years, since Jeff Kennett worked so hard to make it happen and really don't know why I haven't joined until now. Actually, I am not in a good way at present and saw an online advert about Beyond Blue, so looked up the site and after reading what I could, registered straight away. I am 60 and have suffered with chronic depression since my teens, having many severe depressive episodes. I have found during my life that many family/friends have turned away from me because of my mental illness and there have been very few who are really caring and know that the last thing I want is to have depression. I have a great GP, who overseas my mental health plan and has been my support for many years, but after leaving his rooms, it is back out into society again. For me Christmas/ New year is always a down time, so this step I have taken by joining Beyond Blue is my way of helping me and also supporting others here. From KJW.

New girl

replies: 2

Hi, my name is Cassie, I’m 21, fresh out of university, just started a new job and also just moved out of home. At the start of 2017 I was sent to ER with my first panic attack and diagnosed with my anxiety. Since finding out I have anxiety I have become extremely emotionally unstable and majorly depressed. But in the past month it’s gotten so much worse. I don’t go a day without bawling my eyes out and feeling worthless. I’ve been wanting to reach out for help for a while but I get too anxious about the doctors visits and having to open up. Im worried about what my family will think etc. But I know if I don’t get help now...I’ll regret it soon. So I thought I’d try this as a baby step. I’m terrified of this mental illness and am begging for something to clear the darkness in my head. Please help.

New here - taking the first step

replies: 2

Hello everyone. As the title suggests, this is my first post here, and actually my first step to openly seeking help. I'm a 38 y.o. male who has often struggled with anxiety, and (I think) perhaps even led me to mild depression. And to be honest I've never properly addressed these issues, simply just tried to tough them out or addressed them myself. Which I know is not the best way to go about it. Just to preface, I feel like my problems aren't huge compared to what others may be suffering, but just lots of small problems piling up and not handled properly. During my 20s and early 30s I'd struggle with social anxiety and low self esteem. Endlessly worrying about things which I should just be able to handle. Not being comfortable in my own skin and often feeling like I should be something else that I'm clearly not. Over the past few years (approx. 5) - once I could admit to myself that I was suffering from mental health issues, I have been slowly trying to improve my overall health & wellbeing. It hasn't been a sudden life changing decision, or huge sudden shift in my overall attitude, but a slow, often gruelling process to try and pull myself out of the hole I was once in. A lot of it you could notch up to growing up and experience. Slowly getting comfortable and accepting who I was, knowing what I was capable of, when to challenge myself and when to walk away. But this year has been a rough one, and I feel like all of that hard work over the past few years has just been undone in one fel swoop. And most of it stemmed from events that were out of my control. Without going into too much detail - it has been a very stressful year at work, quite possibly more than any of the 12 years I've been here. I've also been suffering from a series of physical injuries, which I just can't seem to recover from. On top of this my mum is shorting going into surgery to remove a portion of her lung - which is my current huge concern. Over the course of this year I've found myself mentally slipping back into 'the bad place', and will continue to with no end in sight. I'm now at the point where I just feel so fragile. Even silly little trivial things are giving me anxiety episodes. I feel like I'm slipping and back to a hopeless place, and I don't know how I'm going to get back out again. Just thought I would share if anyone has been through a similar experience.

tg newbie

replies: 6

Hi, I'm 39yo and I'm transgender mtf. I'm married with children and love my wife and children dearly. I've have hidden this part of me for many years now ( never told a single sole) and feel that these feelings are growing stronger and stronger. I have been cross dressing since I was 12 yo and have always felt ashamed of it hence the secrecy I guess. Quite often ( almost all the time) I think about transitioning and have already made subtle changes, I think this causes me to feel anxious. Not sure if I should speak to my GP about this or if I should ride it out. It would be nice to hear if anyone has had a similar experience? Jess

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi. Struggling here replies: 14

Hi replies: 6

Alone replies: 6

Life Struggles replies: 5

First time posting replies: 2

hi replies: 4

Hi from KJW, I have just joined Beyond Blue & this is my first post. replies: 1

New girl replies: 2

New here - taking the first step replies: 2

tg newbie replies: 6