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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Just a bit lost

replies: 2

Hi All, I'm not usually someone who would usually speak to strangers at a bar, let alone reach out to them for help, but here goes. I'm 20, nearly 21 and have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was about 14. I was diagnosed with MDD or clinical depression at 15, and have subsequently been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. I work full time for my parents - they picked me up after I decided studying engineering wasn't for me, and now I work with my own clients which I find to be the most fulfilling work and study I've ever done. I still live at home. I don't really know why I'm here other than to try and express whats going on in my head.. For years I was bounced around different medications, psychologists, psychiatrists...the lot. Up until about 6 months ago, I'd been shrink and med free for about 2 years. I first started to experience a lot of anxiety out of nowhere - I'd often go to bed with a sinking feeling that would still be there the next morning. My Gp suggested it could be things at work that were getting to me, however work I've found to be a great distractor most of the time and it helps to get me out of my head. No matter how hard I try to pick my brains, theres nothing that stands out as a trigger. To start with it wasn't too bad and I started seeing a psychologist that my GP recommended, and after a few sessions I decided I was a lot better and stopped seeing him. That was about 3 months ago, and I was really much better. Those same feelings have started to creep back in though and this time I really don't feel like talking therapy is what I want to do.. I told my GP this and she was happy to prescribe me medication, as I had told her my experience and lack of success with most normal anti-depressants, as well as the interrupted sleep I've been having. This medication has been great for my sleep, but has done little to improve my mental situation. I'm starting to have more dark days which concerns me, so I guess thats why I'm here. If this is just rambling, I do apologise..

Internal Battle

replies: 3

Hi everyone first time on this site or just talking to anyone about this really. I’ve had a rough past 18months but thought everything had started to work out, my partner and I are living together and happy, my father is recovering from an illness and I have a job in a new industry...yet the past fortnight I have been havin an internal argument with the voice of my anxiety. i know it’s just the anxiety that’s putting the ideas in my head and pointing out my flaws, but it’s becoming such a struggle to fight it, every time I think I’m making progress it comes back louder and more vicious any hints on how to beat this voice, how to shut it out? I’m so sick of being my own worst enemy and want to be out in the light rather than in the dark depths of the hell that is my internal critic thanks

Hello lovelies

replies: 3

Hello lovely people, Just here to intro myself. 33, mum of 1 step mum of 1 and 1 on the way. Here for a variety of reasons. Suffering extreme panic attacks, mostly brought on by dealing with a narcissistic mother in law. (Appears to be a combo of covert/introverted narcissisim and malignant narcissism) I am the unwilling target, and our children are the prize. Asking for advice from anyone who has dealt with a situation like this.

Hello I have had a problem

replies: 2

Hello everybody I have been reading the forum for quite a few months, mainly about depression. It is difficult for me to talk about myself even to my doctor because of my upbringging. But yesterday i registered and made a post about the helpful butto... View more

Hi, New here

replies: 17

Hi, I have been living with Schizoaffective Disorder for about 23 years and have had different diagnoses over that time but Schizoaffective has been the most permanent one. I am a solitary, introverted person with sensory problems so I find interacting with people difficult, just because I become so mentally exhausted and then need to be alone to recharge. My family(Mum, Dad, siblings), are really supportive and understanding of me and my illness. I pretty much manage my illness myself and am currently in the middle of researching to find a new psychiatrist. I have trouble with hallucinations but I am able to manage these to a large extent. I find engaging in activities that feel good are pretty key when it comes to staying well. I make art, I really enjoy gardening and my pets, and I like going for really long walks. I have little nieces and a nephew and they are just amazing and so much fun to spend time with. Well I guess that’s it for now

The title field is required!

replies: 6

I probably won't post here again but I'm drunk enough to consider registering here. Hello I'm Jake.

Introducing myself

replies: 2

I suffer Bipolar and was in the revolving door of a psychiatric unit or hospital for 20 years with psychotic episodes. Bipolar onset at 28 yrs & my marriage broke down when I was 34 years of age - and my children were taken from me by my mother. Nowadays, I have understanding that little was known about mental illness back then (I am now almost 73 yrs of age) and my family were frightened by it. My son is now my best friend. He is married and a bus driver, which he seems to love. He was a photographer but media became too insecure and rife with politics, backstabbing. He opted for the simple life and bus driving and seems to be thriving, and simplicity is my way of life too - although up until severe physical disability set in 9 years ago, I had led a quite active life as a student and then doing volunteer work on Help Desks. During my workforce years, I was a private secretary to some top executives. Bipolar did reduce me from 'riches to rags' as it were, as my ex husband and I had a very successful business. I opted to leave the marriage with nothing really providing he cared for my son - and he has done that financially not so much emotionally and spiritually, but that has always been a problem with him I realised after we married. I maintain good relationships with him. I have lived alone now for coming up 35 years or so it must be. I have community housing residency and have done for many years now. I have not been ill now for 12 years; however I can still suffer (with little provocation) with anxiety and depression and especially in the afternoons. I still see my psychiatrist regularly every 3 or 4 months or as she suggests. Even though I have not been really ill for 12 years now, I accept that I suffer Bipolar Disorder and once very seriously. I take medication as prescribed. I am a practising and devoted Catholic and have been all my life. My parents are now deceased. More to my story which will probably unfold with future posts. I am watching my word count with this post. I was attracted to this site because I read a thread about depression that passes at night, and refreshes in the morning. It doesn't always happen with me, but it can if I am under some sort of stress. I agree with my psychiatrist that I am super sensitive - and that has its pros and cons. Thank you for 'listening' and I am looking forward to learning and contributing on Beyond Blue. I have been told it is an excellent site for sufferers of mental illness.

Just sad 😣

replies: 2

Hi there, Ive suffered with anxiety and depression for about 15 yrs now! I have an amazing husband who has helped me so much in this time BUT lately i have had doubts about our relationship and think its time for me to go out on my own??? Im absolute... View more

Hello, I’m new 👋🏽👋🏽

replies: 2

Good morning everyone, I’m new to this page and forum. I have suffered depression and anxiety in the past. Last year I suffered two still births and my mental health took a turn for the worst. Just recently I have come out of an abusvive relationship. The relationship breakdown has been the hardest for me to cope with because I just feel alone. Physically and mentally I’m exhausted. I go through the emotions daily and a big part of me wishes i would recover and heal sooner. i miss the person i was before depression and anxiety.

Seeking clarity and closure

replies: 3

Hello I saw this site and forum whilst searching for answers and understanding on issues my marriage is facing and hopefully some closure. I enjoyed the honest responses of the users and thought this might be a good place for me to start. With saying... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Just a bit lost replies: 2

Internal Battle replies: 3

Hello lovelies replies: 3

Hello I have had a problem replies: 2

Hi, New here replies: 17

The title field is required! replies: 6

Introducing myself replies: 2

Just sad 😣 replies: 2

Hello, I’m new 👋🏽👋🏽 replies: 2

Seeking clarity and closure replies: 3