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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Wanting support with BPD

replies: 6

Hello, I’m 26, female with BPD. I’m really struggling and wanting to connect with someone that genuinely understands.

Introduction

replies: 2

Hi, my name is Lani, I'm 21 years old and I am from Penrith, NSW. I love music, reading and I have a passion for writing. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of three, and over the last few years, I have developed severe anxiety to the point where even the smallest of situations can send me into a downward spiral. I've joined the forums in hopes I can find some like-minded people to talk to and perhaps help me through all of this, as I am at a lost of where to turn too, month-long waiting lists and medication just do not seem to be helping much anymore

Burned out and not sure about next steps

replies: 3

Hello I've never posted online before so this is a bit terrifying. I've been treated for depression/ anxiety/mood disorder for 18 years. Despite this I somehow find myself in senior management role in a small company. Over the last 5 years I've often been told to manage my work/life balance better. Work is undergoing some major changes/uncertainties at the moment and there is a freeze on recruitment. My boss quit a few weeks ago, I've lost 3 team members and work keeps piling up. The new boss came to see me recently and said he was worried about my health. He wants me to work part-time hours (with reduced pay) and move into a different role with nobody reporting to me. I have no qualifications or experience working in such a role. I was completely blindsided. Turns out one of my staff had raised concerns about my stress levels. I told my boss that I didn't think it was fair for me to be financially worse off when it seems like a much better idea would be to help me manage my ridiculous workload better. He said he would think about it and it hasn't been discussed since. In the interim, he asked me to extend the contract of one of my staff but early the next morning rang to say he'd changed his mind. Too late. I'd already told them. This is just one of many examples of him constantly shifting the goal posts. I have no idea what I should be doing anymore or what decisions I can and can't make. One minute he's completely hands off and the next he's cross that I've overstepped the mark. It's either complete radio silence when I email him about something or he's sending me weird shirty emails. Yesterday morning he sent me a very curt email (cc'ing 2 of my colleagues) remonstrating me for doing something that I can only describe as a basic admin task that I have been doing for years. No explanation as to why. And that has just brought me undone. I've recently started seeing a new psychiatrist and am on some new medication. I'm in a very dark place and am feeling extremely vulnerable. So, my question is, does anyone know if I can be forced into a different, part-time role? I'm also thinking of taking some personal leave for a few days (weeks?) starting Monday and I'm not sure whether I should disclose that I'm having some mental health issues that have flared up due to stress. I will ask my psychiatrist for a medical certificate. Apologies for such a long and rambling post. I'd be eternally grateful to hear from others who may have been in a similar situation.

Intro

replies: 2

Hi all, my name is Justin, and well I am here to introduce myself and wish to see what I can get for my mental health out of this site, I am also happy to chime in where I can if I see others struggling, though ofcourse don't take my advice over the ... View more

The Wide Awake Owl

replies: 7

Hello to all those other Owls who are still wide awake. Please be patient with me as I've never conversed with anyone via internet yet as am I'm rather shy. Read loads of posts - interesting - It's a great idea that Beyond Blue has set up a chat/ conversation area on their website so others can give their experiences + encouragement so each can gain something postive from it. Regards. Chikkenleggs

I dont know how to supportmy husband who is depressed

replies: 7

Hi all, first time posting but long time reader ! I came to this site many times reading simular stories to mine and yet i have found myself still scrolling through and not any closer to answers. My husband and i have been together for 15 years, we have 3 children and over the last few years he has became severly depressed. I try to be there for him to support him ,ask if he is ok and generally do anything to make his life easier. Yet the whole house hold walks on egg sheels hoping to not upset him. He gets angry so angry at the smallest things and he is so insecure i feel bad even going to the movies incase it upsets him. I feel in this whole process ive lost who i am. Constantly trying to make him happy yet always being blamed for every small thing . And everything is always my fault. When he gets mad he yells and screams at me and call me names and tells me its my fault he is this way and he has no one. I just feel so down all the time and so anxious i dont know how to make him happier. I have gotten him to go to a counsellor and seek medical advice . I dont know what ican do . But life has became a misserable existence,where we r ok for a few weeks untill i do something that sets him off. Thankyou for listening.

Hi everyone

replies: 2

Hope everyone's day is going well so far. I came across this site after multiple Doctor's appointments. I can't get any satisfaction or diagnosis for the way I'm feeling. Everyday is different and I'm so lost as to what it is that is causing me to feel so ill. I really thought I had control of my life but I'm not so sure anymore. I should go back to my GP but then I think they'll just think I'm a hypochondriac. So here I am and I look forward to the positive threads. Rug xx

Newbie looking for connections

replies: 5

Hi everyone I'm new here my name's Chrissie I'm 49 and I live in Melbourne. I'm very young at heart in fact have never felt my age and I've always had younger friends, I never got married or had kids which has made social connections a bit challenging as Ive grown older and unfortunately I have had to disassociate myself with a lot of my lifelong friends due to an addiction issue . Recently Ive started experiencing some menopause symptoms and have been struggling quite badly with depression and anxiety, Im also coming off a very long 25yr cannabis addiction. Im trying very hard to get into Pilates and walking. I often struggle to motivate myself to get out and walk or get to the gym but after I go I feel 100% better, so I know it's helping me. xx

Need help on how to tell the people I'm close with I'm not dealing well with my emotions.

replies: 2

I heard about this website from a guy I was seeing earlier this year who suffered from depression. I focused so much on helping him I didn't see how much it was breaking me. Fast forward months later and I've started having anxiety attacks. I just can't cope and need to remove myself from the room to try and calm myself down though break out in sweat and her at rate goes through the roof. I've lost my sense of happiness and although I know this is temporary I'm really struggling through the storm. I don't know how to tell my family or friends because I'm afraid. Though I know I'm sad and today I couldn't even gather the strength to go into work. I put my faith in the wrong person and the consequences have been painful to say the least. I helped him through his darkest moments and then he left. Now is in a new relation ship and I think finding out about that just sent me down a spiral of sadness thts drowning me. I'm surrounded by love and adore seeing the people I love happy. I just don't know how to o tell people I'm hurting. I've been hiding under work so managed to remove myself from the social scene without question and jumped off social media months ago because I didn't want to bring anyone into the chaos and believe I could work on this on my own. I'm not sure if this is even the right Avenue so please be kind.

Missing connection

replies: 5

Hi, I’m new but old, forever playing a role with no connection. Depression has been my partner for 25 years but not always my master, though sometimes my demon. I’m fine, but not, empty, but full. I cope in many ways, but I don’t, I hide from life, but live day to day. My new friend is anxiety, for a few years now. It’s hard, I cope, but I’m not, I’m a shadow in life. Wish I was free to thrive, enjoy, be free of worry and despair, my silent companions, that I’ve learned not to share. Wish I was like others that can connect openly and make friends. I have too many secrets and am not the same. I have skills but not relationships. I can’t play the game or genuinely connect. I’m different but not in a good way. I’ve been marooned for so long I know it won’t end. The monotony of life, it’s an awful secret.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Wanting support with BPD replies: 6

Introduction replies: 2

Burned out and not sure about next steps replies: 3

Intro replies: 2

The Wide Awake Owl replies: 7

I dont know how to supportmy husband who is depressed replies: 7

Hi everyone replies: 2

Newbie looking for connections replies: 5

Need help on how to tell the people I'm close with I'm not dealing well with my emotions. replies: 2

Missing connection replies: 5