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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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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.

Facing my own stigma

replies: 4

Hello all. I am totally lost in my own head. It's so noisey all the time. I recently had a few emotional shocks and it's trigger something in my head I can't understand. The past month I've been waking up so angry. This angry eventually turns to tears when I know I'm somewhere no one can hear me cry. I don't discuss my emotions, I don't cry in front of ppl. I never have nor do I ever want to. I can't shake this anger but at the same time it's sadness. ive deal with ppl suffering from mental health conditions my whole working life. I've never understood it and I certainly never thought I would experience it. I'm in a job I don't feel I can seek professional help, even tho it's all they ever go on about, as I know how that will look (despite what they say). I know what will happen to my job role too, I won't be allowed to do it. I have no issues with my work. I don't feel I have ptsd at all regarding that. I can't put my finger on what it is. Work distracts me, but I dread being alone in my own throughts when I go home. My partner's opinions on mental health are so strong I can't talk to him he would not understand. I think he just thinks I'm in a mood with him all the time. how can I shake this constant anger and sadness without seeking professional help? Could it just be a phase because of recent events?

LIFE LESSONS

replies: 5

Hi all, The past two years have been pretty tumultuous for me, with a lot of negative emotions and feelings encountered throughout. I've been trying to see the lessons learnt in each negative experience I've had, so I can take something away from it. I wanted to start this thread to see what life lessons others have come across through their travels in this world, so that I and others could benefit from the experience gained. I'll get the ball rolling: No job is worth sacrificing your happiness over. So please, if you're happy and willing, share your own lesson(s) you've learnt and now stick to!

Newbie - Introducing myself

replies: 1

Hi everyone, not really sure how this is supposed to go but I'll give it a shot. As I am sure many of you are familiar with, the feeling of being alone in my experience and health conditions has been particularly damaging recently so I have come here in search of community support and open discussion of related health issues. I have suffered from CFS and Fibromyalgia for about 5 years now and am currently at a bit of a loss due to exacerbation of my symptoms. From looking at other threads, it is helpful to see that there are many others who are suffering from similar issues and providing recommendations. If someone could point me in the direction of a current/active thread for chronic fatigue syndrome/fibro I would really appreciate it.

I'm not the same person i was and i dont know where to go from here

replies: 6

Hi everyone. I'm struggling a little. For thr past 6 years I've had GAD and some form of depression. My whole life I've wanted to be a teacher. I currently work in the childcare industry and it was my absolute passion and love. I love children i wanted nothing more than to teach for the rest of my life. Im at this place in my life where the good i used to love aren't making me happy. I don't feel the same passion for childcare or teaching. And some days i really feel like i can't do it anymore or even go to work because i don't enjoy it like i used to. My passions and interests have dramatically changed and it's really stressing me out. I don't know where to go from here. Ive spent a long time trying to get back to the person i was before anxiety when in fact ive just realized that i need to accept the new me, the different me. Because anxiety has changed me and i can only go forward not backwards. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Loser

replies: 4

I guess I need some help, I’m 42 yrs old and am seen as a loser and just don’t want to be seen like that anymore. I have never had a real friendship with anyone where I could talk about things with. I just cannot connect with people not even my own family. Something that happens regularly and a good example was today I called in to my family’s home and sat next to one of my family ask them how they are going? After a short response and within 2 minutes they get up get a drink and go and sit with someone else and I’m left sitting on my own, this has happened pretty much my whole life, It’s just makes you feel worthless and not important.

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

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

Facing my own stigma replies: 4

LIFE LESSONS replies: 5

Newbie - Introducing myself replies: 1

I'm not the same person i was and i dont know where to go from here replies: 6

Loser replies: 4