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, I'm new here (sort of...)

replies: 2

Hello! It's taken me 17 months to finally introduce myself.... I replied to a couple of posts when I first signed up and then thought people might find my responses stupid or no-one would acknowledge them, so I never logged in again. Anxiety got the most of me then! Anyway, I'm in a sort of better place than I was last time, but still on and off struggling with depression, anxiety, some chronic health conditions, and as of this winter these include asthma. Are there any threads related to asthma medication affecting or triggering depression? I'd love to hear if anyone has had similar experiences, if that's allowed... (I know discussing specific medications as such isn't...) I'm starting to think I'm going crazy. Since I started to take asthma preventer medications I've had a number of relapses with depression (not being able to manage stress and emotions, crying, very negative thoughts that seemed to come out of nowhere...), and the only thing that changed for me during that time was the asthma meds. I spoke to my GP and tried a different preventer type, which pretty much had the same effect, but since I've had quite a long history of depression my GP does not seem to believe me when I say it has to do with the asthma meds. It's significantly affected my work recently, and my work is my life basically... I love my job, so I'm starting to think if I can't manage to be happy now, I never will. So this is me. Well, one version of me. Maybe someone can relate...? x

I'm new, but also not really

replies: 5

Hi guys, I've never been really good at reaching out I guess.. I've had this account since 2016, I made it when I was in a rough patch, but I've never done anything with it. It always seems like my problems are just me being lazy to me, so I haven't really gotten any help before. Even though I do know there were times when I needed it! I'm constantly torn between telling myself I need help, and telling myself to stop being such a baby. A few years ago when I was in year 11/12 I was in such a bad place, and I didn't speak to a single person about it. I don't know how I managed it, or hid it. I'm 21 now and it's been a slow battle for me to get where I am, which was pretty good! I have my rough times, but usually I manage, and I know that it will get better but I feel like it's going downhill again. Little things keep happening this year and its just piling up. I don't want to be like in year 12 again. And now I have a uni assignment that's 4 days overdue but I can't even start it for some reason. It's not even a hard assignment! Its just this little thing.. I don't even know if there's anything wrong with me, since I've never spoken to anyone about it really, but I dunno. Maybe I'm just sad and lazy. Maybe its just hormones. Even now just typing this I'm wondering if I'm on the right website. But maybe this is a good place to get used to talking. I hope I'll be active here.

Belated intro to myself

replies: 2

Hi, So I've already posted a few times but thought I really should introduce myself. I feel like I've been dealing with so much for so long and things are finally starting to look up. But recently there's been a few things that have reminded me how much of a factor mental health plays in our lives, so I thought I'd reach out to establish myself in a community like this before I got to the point where I feel lost. I grew up in a emotionally complicated home (I draw short of labelling it emotionally abusive) and in a very controlling church. After leaving the church and withdrawing from my parents home in my mid 20s, I married a guy who turned out to be abusive. I left, since divorced, received a diagnosis of high anxiety, had a phsychologist confirm I have Aspergers, been made redundant twice, remarried, had one baby and diagnosed with post natal depression, and am now about to have another baby. My ex has been unable to accept my right to leave and continues to interfere where he can. My husband is an incredible man and exceptional father, but has Autism and depression. I feel like I've been in a really good place. My anxiety is at an all time low, but with the pending birth I am starting to get anxious (the birth wasn't ideal last time), and I'm concerned the PND is starting again. My ex is niggling. My husband has decided to change how he's managing his depression... which I fully want to support him, it's just another thing for me to grapple with. I don't have much of a support network, and those I do have don't understand the complexities of autism. Besides, it's so much more comfortable for me to reach out in writing than it is to try and explain verbally. I really hope I can contribute to others as much as others can help me out along the way.

A FIFO worker struggling with life

replies: 4

Hi Everyone, I’m a 29 year old FIFO worker from Canberra that works in Western Australia. I work a 2 weeks on 2 weeks off roster. I’m also a professional Firefighter in my time off, and I have found myself really struggling with life in the last 12 months. I have struggled with the depression of being away for 6 months of the year and this has badly affected my relationship. I’ve become lazy, unmotivated, progressively more depressed and this has had a horribly negative impact on my relationship with my fiancé and friends. Today I had a fight with my fiancé, and ended up in such a low state that I told her I didn’t want to marry her. After I snapped out of it I realised what I said was so far from the truth it isn’t funny. I think however the damage is done, and understandably she now wants to at the very least postpone if not cancel our wedding in May. I’m not angry about this as I’d feel the same in her shoes. I’m here to help get some strategies in place to fix myself, which hopefully goes a long way to helping us get through this really tough time ahead.

Any place for likeminded anxiety sufferers to meet

replies: 2

Does anyone know of any groups for anxiety that I could join so that I could get out of house and meet likeminded people around Liverpool, nsw, please?

Introduction - Help for my Adult Daughter

replies: 3

Hi Just joined the site to get information to help my adult daughter. She was "diagnosed" by her GP with Anxiety and prescribed a medication over 5 years ago and has had not been review by anyone. The last couple of Dr's she has seen who have refilled her script have advised her they will not fill it again until she is reassessed by her "own" Dr. So she Dr hops to get her anxiety medication which I would have thought by now was not too effective after 5+ years of no dose adjustment. She seems to become agitated and describing that she has large amounts of anxiety when ever she forgets to take the medication, however within a few minutes of taking the meds she is "better". I have spoken to her recently and I know she is terrified that she will have her anxiety meds taken away from her leaving her feeling really horrible with no help at all and unable to cope. She is now struggling to get out of bed in the mornings, her house was in a desperate mess but her sister went over yesterday and cleaned the place up for her and she sat there doing very little. She expressed to her sister that she cries most days and that the day before she spent the entire morning crying, she has difficulty seeing positives in her life and has some minor debt issues(Under 6k) which she seems to worry continually about. She posts all sorts of stuff on Facebook about her anxiety and more recently about her feelings of depression which are becoming more prevalent for her. We have tried to help her every way possible and so has her sister. I am really concerned she will continue down this spiral. We have asked her to get some help several times, provided solutions for to her to get help...pretty much tried everything I can think of. I am concerned this could flip over and she self harms. Her sister who spent the day with her is really concerned about her well being and feels it won't take much to "tip her over" Depression runs through our family on my mother side and I personally have suffered from it. I was able to eliminate depression from my life and am fine but that is a story for another time. Any Suggestions as to how to help my (27 yr old) daughter would be greatly appreciated. I am just starting to read through the site now but thought I would just introduce myself first. Thank you LizK

Hi, I have some questions

replies: 5

Hi, I'm new to this so I have no idea how i should be starting but here goes. I'm a 28 year old guy who is studying my masters in nursing and also working part time. I still live at home, with a good family, but has its issues from time to time (Whose doesn't right?). Prior to my current studies i did a double degree in teaching and science, and I also worked throughout. I have a very small number of friends who i am close with but, otherwise don't have a significant other or many meaningful relationships. My mum has always struggled with depression, being admitted to hospital for a psychosis episode a few years back and has always been a negative/ complaining type person, although she won't admit it, and its one of those issues that just gets swept under the rug. Over the past few years and increasingly more recently, i have felt incredibly down about about myself, and doubted my ability to do anything. Lately and in the past, some of things i have experienced are forgetfulness, inability to focus/concentrate, lack of motivation, chronically tired no matter how much sleep i get, generally disengaged with people, and just can't seem to 'grow up' or engage with life's challenges. I am abit of a worrier, and its getting hard watching my friends get on with their careers and getting married etc.. while i'm still living at home, trying to sort my life out, and feeling pretty down generally. I really don't know what is going on, and why i can't seem to get it together emotionally and in terms of getting life sorted. It's like i don't have any desire to do anything, or nothing excites me or gets me interested. My bad memory is really effecting my ability to study at the moment, and in the past it has affected my ability to work as a high school teacher which is why i stopped and never really got engaged with the profession. I will admit i think i am afraid of people and standing up for myself. I get nervous in social settings and particularly if i am the center of attention but, as soon as i am comfortable i relax and become alot louder and like to have fun. I've gone to see my GP who has been virtually no help, and just put down my emotions to just stress (which i am a very stressed out person) but i have felt pretty crap for a long a time and i don't know why or how to fix it. I am wondering if someone here might be able to give me some ideas, as this is really starting to effect my work/ study life. Thank you for reading and appreciate your thoughts!

fearing the unknown

replies: 2

Hello, First time posting so thanks for taking the time to read. I've been out of work longer than i would have liked to (would prefer not to be unemployed at all). As a result i will be about to commence a 'work for the dole' scheme where i have to spend 20 odd hours a week helping out at some not-for-profit organisation with people i don't know, whilst i understand that this was always a possibility i am now feeling a few emotions about it actually happening. Whilst i have been trying to get a job i have become a bit tired of getting "thank you but no thanks" replies and sometimes nothing at all. It left me feeling a bit depressed about getting nothing and the longer it's gone on i slowly (probably wrongly) got used to it. I've been studying a course online and it's been tougher than i could have imagined. Whilst the course doesn't apply for 'work for the dole' it now means i will have less time to study - just the thought of losing time for study has me feeling nervous. i have no doubt i will complete it - just longer than i would have liked. I'm embarrassed as to what has become of my life, i knew being unemployed would be tough but what i'm about to face for this next period of my life has me feeling anxious as i'm nowhere near where i want to be in life. I want to be happy in life and i'm not even close. I'm at an age where i should be well advanced in a career and personally in friendship and love. Money is tight and once the bills get paid there is very little left, having a job would give me a big sigh of relief just so i can have a bit of spending money but it's so tough to get a job. I'm dreading the next week as i don't know what to expect, not having enough time to study is giving me stress and the hope of getting a job let alone a job interview just continues to fade. I want to do well in life and at the moment it just doesn't seem like a possibility. Thanks for taking the time to have a read.

Time to stop running

replies: 2

Hi everyone, First time here, so it is nice to meet you all. Kind of a mixed bag of things at the moment, and feeling quite directionless as to where to go. It's been a long time bottling things in. I just need help. I just need someone to talk to View more

Inactivity

replies: 3

I don't really know how to start this conversation. I hate to talk about my feelings. I think I try and turn my brain off and stay as numb as possible. Maybe I'll just say what's been going on lately. I haven't been to uni and I've been actively avoiding my life for over 3 weeks. I have opened pages on mental illness multiple times, tried multiple times to do one of the things that might get me going again. But I think I know each time that, really, I'm not going to do anything about it. Avoidance is a really key characteristic of mine. I don't really act until I'm forced to, and I think I feel secure in the knowledge that nothing really bad has happened to me and I don't think I really understand consequences to my actions. I have had the beyond blue page open on my laptop for weeks and yesterday evening I finally tried opening a webchat but I exited before connecting to someone about 6 times. I started crying and felt sick in my stomach. I decided that when my housemate came home I'd tell her I wasn't ok and ask her to make sure I got out and talked to a psychologist or someone today but when she got home, her boyfriend was back from a holiday and was with her. I couldn't bring it up and acted as though everything was fine last night and this morning. After she got home last night I wrote down some of my feelings and decided to go see someone and show them as I'm not sure I can get it out in words. I didn't do that, I stayed in bed. The idea of going to the counselling at uni makes me really anxious that I'll run into someone I know and I won't know what to say. I've finally acted. I just called my mum and asked my parents to come over and help me to get help. They're on their way but I don't really know what to say or how to say it. I think I'm just going to ask them to make sure I see someone. The idea of showing what I wrote, and talking to a stranger is easier to me... I don't really want to change, I want to stay inactive and numb but I know I can't. How do you find the motivation to change? I don't want to change, I just know I need to. The idea of talking to someone scares me. I'm really bad at expressing my feelings, or even understanding them myself

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi, I'm new here (sort of...) replies: 2

I'm new, but also not really replies: 5

Belated intro to myself replies: 2

A FIFO worker struggling with life replies: 4

Any place for likeminded anxiety sufferers to meet replies: 2

Introduction - Help for my Adult Daughter replies: 3

Hi, I have some questions replies: 5

fearing the unknown replies: 2

Time to stop running replies: 2

Inactivity replies: 3