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Meet your community champions!

replies: 10

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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Help ?

replies: 1

Hello new here - just unsure what to do anymore I feel totally crazy - I'm currently in a really bad depressive episode- it's been about a month - I struggle to get out of bed struggle to just function- I manage to go to work but that's pretty much it - every time I'm alone I just can't seem to stop crying - intense feelings of worthlessness and isolation and hopelessness- no matter how much sleep I get in still exhausted i just don't understand anymore I feel crazy like truly crazy - I called in sick 3 days last week and when I went back to work everyone asked how I was - I didn't even realise I had 3 days off I don't even really remember them I must of just slept for 3 days this is the worst it's been or the worst I can remember for a while anyway- I have been diagnosed with depression but this feels worse than ever before it's the most bizarre thing before this I was complete opposite I was on a high I was managing on only about 3 hours sleep a night I was spectacular felt on top of the world - I'd met a guy everything was spectacular higher than high it was beyond brilliant I felt like I'd truly met someone who understood me - and then out of the blue I need space I can't do this I need you to leave me alone ive always been told my whole life I'm too intense or that I'm manic or that I'm too much I've never really understood it I'm just feeling well at this exact second I'm feeling nothing but I'm so tired of being emotionally and physically exhausted and I'm sick of feeling like a complete crazy person and I don't know why I just want answers I just want to feel normal I don't know what to do anymore

Feel like none of my friends care about me

replies: 4

Hey Guys, I'm new so writing here feels a bit odd. I guess I just need some advice and I'm not sure where to get it from. So basically, my problems probably aren't that severe compared to a lot of people here so I'm sorry if I sound whiny. I'm having a hard time lately as I feel like none of my friends care about me, I have no close friends and I'm not sure if I'll ever get any. Throughout my life, I've made a lot of friends who have ditched me or bullied me at some point. I finally found a friend group which I like, but now I'm starting to feel as if not one of them really cares about me. It was my birthday the other day. We do this thing where we decorate each person's office area on their birthday. Due to my past experiences of not having anyone do this on my birthday in past years, I made sure that I organised the decoration of everyone's lockers on their birthday so no one would feel alone, cos I know how that feels. But my birthday, not one person decorated my space even though I had organised all of theirs. None of them even seemed to consider it or think of it even though two days earlier I'd mentioned my birthday was coming up and they knew it was my birthday. I just feel like I give to them and they don't care or want to give back to me. It makes me feel as if something is wrong with me. My boyfriend was shocked they didn't decorate my space. He could probably tell I was upset about it and I'm scared that he'll dump me cos he'll realise that no one likes me or because im so negative. Also someone asked if I was okay the other day and I just burst into tears. I'm worried that this person will now also hate me, because I'm so low. I feel like they'll be like, why can't she just be happy? I don't know if I'm just overly sensitive or not, but I just feel pretty alone right now. It seems inconceivable that anyone in my life other than my family and maybe my boyfriend wants to maintain a connection with me or do anything for me. And that really hurts. Anyway, thanks for listening. Labellepomme

New... and seeking help

replies: 3

Hi All, I've been reading and searching on this site for a long time and finally have the courage to contribute and introduce myself. I have been struggling with social anxiety for around 3 years, it's been very up and down. Today it's finally taken its toll as I feel like I am hurting my friends as they dont understand what I am going through and it also makes them anxious when I try and talk about it. I am bad at approaching a conversation which is part of the overall issue. Since it is now affecting my work and sleep, I have finally stepped out of the office to see a GP and referral to see a psychologist. I find it very emotional to get to this point, but don't think I have anywhere else to turn. I have a week to prepare myself for my visit. Any suggestions or feedback about social anxiety and talking to a psychologist would be appreciated.

The Dark (a poem/verse/a few words)

replies: 4

You have to travel through periods of darkness To make it into the light Sometimes the darkness stays with you for a while So take comfort knowing you will eventually get there Others get there quicker Having ‘been there, done that’ many times before They know what to do The fastest route So are back up to speed in no time The trick is to not do anytime drastic whilst the dark has settled around you For you cannot see Judgement is clouded You will not make the right decisions So go for a walk in nature Sustain your body with good food Slow down, read, watch tv If you have a pet Squeeze pat love squeeze some more Cry Be sad For that is ok For a while Seek help early Good drugs that help are called that for a reason So avoid the bad drugs For reasons that are obvious Be gentle with yourself For it can take time But make it to that light For we grow when this happens We enjoy, saviour, appreciate all things simple Getting through darkness makes us a better human So don’t be scared when it visits again (and it will) The death of a pet, family, friend A love affair gone wrong Not getting that job For the dark is sneaky And it is suddenly with you Oh f here we go again You’re not sure how you got there But suddenly you’re in that dark tunnel again Time to get the f out! Read the signposts that now surround you ‘Challenge Up Ahead’ So be strong And go through the steps again But be gentle For it is not a weakness It is Life You made it before You know you can do it again But this time you will reach the light quicker.

First time poster

replies: 5

Hi names Nay, I feel as if though I have always suffered with anxiety when I was younger I was always a lil shy and growing up I felt like I distanced myself from meeting people and now I'm stuck in this way where meeting new people is some what hard. I literally feel like I can't think of anything when I'm faced with speaking to people. I want to be more social but it's hard. So now I constantly feel depressed. It's been like this for 5 years and I'm want to break the cycle but have no idea how??? Thanks for any help. (This was really hard for me to do)

Just feeling lonely

replies: 2

Hey, I joined Beyond Blue yesterday as I guess I'm just sick of feeling so alone in this part of my life. I'm 36, so it's been many many years of suffering alone. I don't really even know what this suffering is... I finally got the courage to see a GP a year and a half ago to get help with managing the constant stress and anxiety, worry, guilt, doubt, self-hatred. I asked to go on a mental health plan so I could speak to a psychologist. It took me about 6 months of seeing her and still putting up my 'I'm OK facade' before I just broke down in there one day saying I couldn't keep it all together anymore. From that day she recommended anti-depressants which I reluctantly agreed to. I am not suicidal and never have been. I was never actually given a diagnosis, rather I was told I was dealing with grief and trauma. Fast forward a year later and after two different types of anti-depressants I have decided to go off them all together. Yes, I was less stressed and anxious but I actually felt depressed. I suffered side-effects for a year and somedays I couldn't see the point of getting up. The last month or so I even started becoming super agitated and began counting everything that involved movement. Just counting all day, everyday, going crazy. So I have reached out now cos I'm at home suffering through this horrible experience of weaning off. I'm scared and sick and I guess I just need to know that this is going to go away. Sorry, I know I haven't really gone much into my history etc. Thanks for having me x

New

replies: 25

Hello I am new & don’t really know where to start. I am not used to talking about myself. I am mature aged person & have depression that has gone undiagnosed for most of my life. I just thought it was normal ‘that’s life’, now I look back there wasn’t anything normal. I handled situations ok, but now I am not. I feel like I’m in a bucket of oil I can’t get out of. I feel useless, helpless and frustrated to say the least. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone by talking about my feelings as I know there’s people worse off than me. It’s just getting harder to cope. Thankyou for listening .

Understanding the why of depression and anxiety

replies: 2

Hello. This is my first time here. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. I was involved in a serious car accident a few years ago and was diagnosed with PTSD. I have not worked since. Having the accident triggered many flashbacks of verbal/emotional abuse going back to primary school years to adulthood relationships. I have a very supportive Dr and psychologist. I have never felt good enough and like many with Depression, have shown the smile on my face for many years, but really hurting inside. My anxiety is very high. I find it hard to make decisions and become very agitated if pushed to do so. Is this common? I do not sleep well at all. I do the breathing exercises that my psychologist asks me to do. I do walking and look after my grandchildren which helps me. What are others doing to help them? I was diagnosed with Sjogrens also. Appreciate the sharing.

What am I going to do?

replies: 3

Hi I am new to this...I lost my husband last year to a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. I was able to support him and my children but in September of last year when I lost my grandma who I was extremely close to and I fell in a heap. Since then the grief has developed into Depression and my anxiety is through the roof. I have lost my self confidence and am pushing away those who are closest to me as I find it hard to socialize..work..do anything like I used to. I just don't know what I am going to do anymore. Would welcome advice from anyone that understands the struggle. Thanks

New to the forum

replies: 1

Hi My name is wardy I'm 47 I'm looking for some support and tips to live with depression. Thanks

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Help ? replies: 1

Feel like none of my friends care about me replies: 4

New... and seeking help replies: 3

The Dark (a poem/verse/a few words) replies: 4

First time poster replies: 5

Just feeling lonely replies: 2

New replies: 25

Understanding the why of depression and anxiety replies: 2

What am I going to do? replies: 3

New to the forum replies: 1