Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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newbie. Depression medication and back pain

replies: 7

Hello all, my name is paul,52yrsold, I have been dealing with depression most of my adult life. Different ad over the years, I deal with chronic back pain, spinal surgery, numerous spinal epidurals. Doing a job that makes my pain worse. Trying to last 8 years so I can retire at 60. But constant back pain .im losing site of my vision to retire. Heart problems I ended up with a pacemaker. I was doing weightlifting for 20 years, now I pay the price. People don’t realise how mentally draining constant back pain is. Been to a psychologist and psychiatrist who charge crazy fee. Been on different pain meds from palexia, which made depression worse. Pain medication for 15 years. And many different anti depressants. I have just started back on two medications for nerve pain. Was on one of them 2 years ago. Decided try other antidepressants. But this one seemed to be more responsive. Married . No friends just work colleagues. I could go on but that better do for now.

Hi

replies: 7

I found these forums today while looking for help online. I see a psychologist regularly which helps but she's on holidays for a couple of months. It's now been a month since I last saw her. I'm a mother of two kids. My parents both died and my brother has a disibility which makes him another dependent on me. My husband is lovely and supportive but he works so much so I feel alone most of the time. I have friends but they have their own things going on. I have no family support. I suffer from depression and anxiety and sometimes just struggle with the day to day. Not really sure what I'm hoping for by posting this but just needed to talk to someone outside of my life who understands depression and anxiety. Thanks for "listening".

First post

replies: 7

Hi everyone. Never done anything like this before so thought I would give it a try. I have a generalised anxiety disorder and depression which I have had for many years but went undiagnosed and untreated till this year. I see a psychologist, a psychiatrist and am inrolled in a day group mental health program. Due to Christmas and new year I have 3 weeks without seeing any of them and am a bit nervous as I find Christmas particularly stressful.

Feeling down-AGAIN!

replies: 3

I have had depression most of my life. I have been seeing a psychologist for a few years now. I am also on anti-depressants. I find living a constant struggle. Living is hard. Being genuinely happy within myself seems impossible at times.

New here and needing advice (QLD)

replies: 3

Hi, I am a mid 30's male, married (for 8 years) with 2 young kids with special needs and live in Queensland. I haven't been getting many hours at work lately and it's taking it's toll financially on my wife and I (more so her because she works long hours - she works for the Police). I try to do what I can at home upkeeping the place and making sure kids are good. My wife and I are happy for the most part but I have always felt unsatisfied with our intimacy/sex life. She feels pressure any time I raise it and it makes her even more distant. On average we have sex once every 2 sometimes 3 months. I always initiate it as well, she always seems to be too tired or feels not confident enough "I am too fat". I don't know whether to just stick with it to make sure the kids are happy and just kind of deal with not having any intimacy and play happy families for the kids or to just leave, although I can't leave because I don't have a dollar to my name and my wife won't cope with her job and the kids special needs. Thanks for reading. Rod

It’s a start

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I’m new here & am suffering with anxiety at the moment... it has been something i’ve Dealt with on and off since I was a teenager. I am now 35, a mum of 2 & finding that my head is more frequently letting me down... i have no reason to feel anxious and overwhelmed, nor any reason to avoid social situations or going out & living life... but nevertheless I do. yesterday I finally went to a GP who as given a referral to a psychologist... an appointment I feel too anxious to make & something she doesn’t believe i’ll Get into until feb/March... she’s suggested exercise, meditation & taking time out for myself.,. right now my head is telling me that that is no help, that she isn’t being helpful, that those things are not going to help the sick feeling in my stomach go away or help me get through this busy Christmas week... & I don’t want to just get through it, I wanted to enjoy it.. my kids are so excited & I just feel awful that I feel this way.. i don’t no what i’m Hoping for, I guess if anyone can tell me these things will help or make any suggestions... i mentioned that in the past I had briefly been prescribed something to help me take the edge off (just a once off) & she said that was a bit extreme... which has essentially made me feel worse, like there’s no safety blanket, no just in case you need help.. Anyway, that is me today, not the most pleasant introduction but any tips to get over these feelings/through these feelings would be helpful...

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

newbie. Depression medication and back pain replies: 7

Hi replies: 7

First post replies: 7

Feeling down-AGAIN! replies: 3

New here and needing advice (QLD) replies: 3

It’s a start replies: 2

Just a bit lost replies: 2

Internal Battle replies: 3

Hello lovelies replies: 3

Hello I have had a problem replies: 2