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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Feeling lost and overwhelmed

replies: 3

Hi all I'm new to BeyondBlue, but not new to depression and anxiety. I am 23 years old, and was diagnosed with depression and generalised anxiety disorder when I was about 16. I've been on and off treatments since then, I've undergone psychology and therapy, CBT training, etc Recently, I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and I've been quite sick with this for the last few months. Things are slowly improving physically, but my mental health has taken a hit. I have missed a lot of work (I work full time in government administration), and the attitude from my colleages has turned rather nasty. I can't pinpoint many specific incidences, but I've been receiving a lot of snarky, cruel comments disguised as something innocent. I've started hating going to work. I don't want to be there, and no one else wants me there either. I approached management to ask for a temporary reduction of hours until I get my health under control, and this was refused. My manager has suggested I resign and find a different job. I want to return to study, but it won't be for another 5 months or so, and I don't know if I can last that long at this job, with the toll it's taking on my mental state. I want to cry all the time, I feel worthless, and so unfulfilled at this job. My partner has been great, but he just doesn't really seem to understand exactly how I'm feeling, and I just don't know what to do anymore.

Hello

replies: 2

I am very new to Beyond Blue but not to depression and anxiety. I have reached a point where I am searching for support and answers and a place where I can feel safe and not judged. I have a very long story and I don't feel comfortable sharing as its so humiliating and has resulted in me losing so much - most of all my mental health. I'm really interested in finding out more about medications and peoples experiences. I have had a terrible experience many years ago where I became suicidal on medication and I was so agitated all I could do was pace and pant and spent hours putting my head under the cold water tap as I felt I was burning. I have now been advised that I need medication to help me get through as I have been off work for 1 year with anxiety and depression but I just cant do it as I am terrified I will have another horrible experience. Can I be forced to take medication? Do I have rights to decide what goes into my body? Am I seen to be difficult by refusing? I am not hurting anyone, I am not suicidal just depressed and anxious. I attend regular Psychologist appointments and have homework from the psychologist and meditation and yoga that I also commit to to help with my symptoms.Unfortunately it is a long slow process and there are times that I go backwards as well.Has anyone on here recovered without medications? Thank you for accepting me to your Forum.

Dealing with everyday life as a teen

replies: 1

Heyy, so lately I’ve been finding it really hard to do simple things like walk around school by myself or just standing around people. I get really self conscious and anxious. Any tips on how to help??

Law and mental health

replies: 2

I wonder if anyone has/had this problem: I work in public service, when I was sick a conversation with a boss on the phone made me upset I sent extremely rude emails to that boss with copies to other bosses and to the media bad mouthing the company. ... View more

Do I stay or leave my husband?

replies: 4

Long time supporter first time poster My partner and I have a retail business together. Its tough and we are barely hanging in...skin of our teeth Our relationship has always been rocky/patchy and it's now virtually non existent. We dont live together on a daily basis as we have a small aptmt in town and a property ( that we have just sold)outside of town, He lives there( will never stay at the flat) and Im at the flat with our daughter during the week...I dont want to go to the property anymore..but we have dogs that I miss terribly We work together so we see each other every other day. Sex is off the agenda..without intimacy I cant go there He's stressed beyond belief re the business and also has some hearing loss in one ear so is becoming extremely anti social. We have no mutual friendship groups anymore ( Im from another state and he is from UK) and nobody invites us to anything now because he never goes..always just me. I still feel for him but I dont want to stay and be miserable so he isnt? Confused about my feelings..I wanted to leave him 15 yrs ago and noting has changed. He is a highly intelligent, difficult, controlling man and very uncommunicative. He used to drink a lot and would become aggressive..that has toned down but he's still very difficult to live with. I thought having the business together may fix things..they did for a bit but I need company and communication otherwise I get disconnected and look elsewhere Not an affair but have been chatting to men online..just chit chat stuff. Dont want a romance just conversation. Its kept my spirits up and off the business We are also financially stuffed ( technical term) courtesy of the business now and I cant see any bright light .. on the verge of running away Im so unhappy..and I'm a very happy person but not anymore. He's not talking and neither am I as its all very raw, ugh..find myself blubbing at the drop of a hat now.

Finding CBT online sites

replies: 2

My psychiatrist has suggested I look into online CBT sites through Beyond Blue due to my current struggles but I don’t know where to start. Any suggestions based on positive outcomes?

New to this...

replies: 1

Hi there! I'm a 29 year old girl who has been dealing with anxiety and depression since the age of 17 (13 years.) I was medicated for 10 years but have just recently come off medication- as I don't want to be on it forever. The past few months have proven to be really challenging as I have been experiencing major fatigue and trying to cope without tablets. My mood has been very up and down- major mood swings but they are starting to settle down. It's proven to be quite hard on my family as I seem to snap a lot and I just can't help it. The guilt and worry also comes after my 'snapping' and am really hard on myself as I feel so bad that I have yelled at one of my family members. I seem to stay in my comfort zone and stick to the same things all the time. I just want to be carefree and content! However I do accept my anxiety- I know I can't fully get rid of it as it is a 'surviving mechanism' as my therapist says. I would just like my anxiety to be not so magnified and prominent. I am very hard on myself- I'm tired of myself most of the time. That all sounds very sad, I do have my good days!

New to this

replies: 1

Hi all felt like I needed to be around people that in a way understand where Iam coming from I am new to beyond blue but have knowing about it for a long time. I am a former addict 15 years on speed I’ve been clean now for 6 years but have only now started to deal with severe anxiety and depression issues I’ve been seeing a professional psychologist for the past14 months in this time I’ve gone through a marriage breakdown and many other things that come with being like this. some days are better than others but I feel like I need to share my story for myself and other people that might be going through the same thing.

New to this but been surviving since 14 . Depression, anxiety

replies: 2

Just started this, I thought it would be a good way to meet and discuss same topics. Besides my partner and some friends don’t talk about my illness. Keep it hidden at work. Brendon

Introduction

replies: 2

Hi my name is Carolyn and I am a End of Life Doula and a Funeral Celebrant. As I have experienced the lost of my mother in April 2017, I experienced all the emotions associated with it, hence my new career. Watching my father in different stages of g... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Feeling lost and overwhelmed replies: 3

Hello replies: 2

Dealing with everyday life as a teen replies: 1

Law and mental health replies: 2

Do I stay or leave my husband? replies: 4

Finding CBT online sites replies: 2

New to this... replies: 1

New to this replies: 1

New to this but been surviving since 14 . Depression, anxiety replies: 2

Introduction replies: 2