Welcome and Orientation

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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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Hi. Im new here

replies: 1

Hi everyone, Im here because i have been feeling really down, teary and distressed for a long time. It has come about, i think, because of holding my teenage daughter through about 1.5 years of fairly severe depression. I have been the primary person supporting her through this time and i feel that i have picked up some trauma through this experience. My daughter is now taking medication and although not out of the woods, she is coping and living much better than she has been. i feel like all this time i have spent supporting her and being hyper-vigilant around her wellbeing and safety has left me with some vicarious stuff. While i feel like i can relax some now she is somewhat better, i now am not ok. I am getting up with her and gently nudging her to keep going to school each day and then i sit in my car and cry at the thought of going to work. I am spontaneously crying and feel exhausted but unable to know what will soothe me. i am a social worker as a profession but working in a role which is administratively heavy which is good as client contact would be hard for me at the moment. I dont feel ok. and i am about to go to a gp and get support i think. i am just exhausted, frazzled and i want to withdraw from everything but i am challenging myself to stay connected but it is so hard and i know people are noticing.

New here

replies: 2

Hi my names Brad, im 20 years old and i have been struggling recently. I play in a band and as a result go to alot of gigs. Performing on stage is ironically the only time when my mind is not flooded. The hardest part is when im not performing, i struggle being in crowds, i constantly have the feeling like everyone is judging what im doing, what im wearing or how i move to the music. I almost always stand at the back of the room so i cant be seen and to avoid talking to people. I often find myself leaving the gig after we play and just waiting in the car for my band mates until the gig is over. Also my dedication to the band makes working difficult. Last year i finally found a job suitable but at the start of this year i got let go because there wasnt enough work for me to stay. Its been 6 months now and im scared of starting a new job. Im terrified of confrontation and scared of being told i suck at my job. Ive had only had 1 job interview this year and i didnt attend because of my fears, constantly 2nd gyessing myself and playing over the 1000s of irrational possibilities of the interview. I constantly stress over what im going to do for work once the bands lifetime is over as i have no other life skills. Im constantly figiting, can never sit still, constantly have a strained neck, have dizzy spells and struggling to sleep lately. I recently started smoking stupidly thinking it would relief some of this stress and pain. Im lacking the motivation to go see friends or even leave the house. My parents are very supportive people but i dont feel confortable sharing this with them, or with my closest friends either. Im scared that theyll think of me differently or just tell me im overreacting. So instead ive found myself sharing my flooded mind here.

Hi people

replies: 2

hi i'm ssevo , that is what i want to call myself here i'm an international student in my last semester i don't know if i am correct or wrong but i have social anxiety issues but i never properly tried to assess myself about this because of lots of factors , now that i have a goal and this issue might be a major hurdle for me i don't know what to do or how to to a little help would be much appreciated thanks

New to the forum and struggling to put myself first…

replies: 2

Hi there guys, I don’t really know how to pen this, but I’ll give it a go… I seem to just write myself off.. I put the effort into my work, marriage, family, even hobbies, but when it comes to putting the effort into myself, I seem to just not bother, I’m overweight at the moment and I feel my energy levels are lower, but I keep moving. I know, I should be working out and eating right, which I have done in the past and been very successful, but this time I just can’t seem to start, I comfort eat, I drink too much at times, and I feel that I should be looking after myself more, but I’m not, I do everything I believe a good husband should do, I work hard, Overtime shifts (but not too many) carry my fair share of work around the house, both inside as well as outside, I’m supportive to my family and friends and try to make the effort. But I just can’t seem to find the motivation for ME, I’m there for everyone with everything, renovations, automotive stuff, yard work, catch ups, the hard conversations, a shoulder, someone to vent to etc… I kinder feel that I’m always stuck ‘doing the right thing’ for others, but not doing the right thing for me….

Hello everyone, newbie here.

replies: 1

Hello everyone. This is my first post, so I just wanted to introduce myself. I've struggled with mental illness for more than 20 years, since I was a teenager. I have Bipolar Disorder, OCD and GAD. I've been through a lot just trying to get by and find treatment that can help, but every day is still so hard. I hope that if I share some of my story, to support others, that at least a small part of this hard trek will be worth it. Take care

Wanting some hope

replies: 1

Hi, I’m 37, single Mum of three. History of childhood abuse. Hospitalised 4 years ago for depressive episode. Was left for another woman 2 1/2 years ago. Got so depressed I lost a job I love. 1 1/2 years ago moved to a farm & got new job. Have been pretty happy & medication free for a year. For the last month I have seen a return of first anxiety, then more recently depression. Lack of sleep, worry, feeling of impending doom and hopelessness. I’m a failure. Lack of sleep etc. this is due to environmental factors. The children’s father is unwell due to alcoholism, I have been bullied at work. My eldest son (9), has been having symptoms of anxiety & depression & trouble at school. He is booked in for child psychology. I really don’t want medication. I just want some hope that I will get through this and that one day I will have lasting happiness. I’m just so tired of going from crisis to crisis in my life. Thanks xxxx

Log time carer father husband first meds at 50

replies: 4

Hi ...As above i am father and husband who has been primary carer for his kids and Bipola wife for many years. I have been part of ARAFMI a carers help group and spent much time educating myself to help myself my wife and kids and though at times things have seemed impossible and my marriage close to breakdown i have made it this far OK. Now that the children are teens are my wife us stable and i am over 50 i have found my self to be suffering more and more.Mostly anxiety a bit of anger no time for any one or anything and days and weeks of depression. I tried a herbal remedy and it helped a bit but not a lot , so after many visits to my GP and in conjunction with advice from my wifes Psychiatrist i have started a fairly stock standard anti depressive medication. Three days in i took a 1/4 dose first day felt like crap headache detached second day 1/2 dose bit groggy but ok third day 1/2 dose again and feeling mild euphoria but in a good way. I am thinking i am one of the lucky ones as far as side effects go as i don"t feel too bad at all now.. My Doctor wants me to see a Psychologist but i just don't have the time or money...These guys are super expensive..I might just stick with the meds for a few months and see how i go...

Hi

replies: 1

Why am I gay? Why am I lack of confidences? Why can life be easier? I really do hope there’s god exists. So I can face him and ask why he make me this way. My life is such a joke.

Minimal Vs Extreme motivation???

replies: 2

Hi All, First time here, Just wondering if anyone else has this problem, I'm doing my own head in I get most of my anxiety in the morning (Full of dread and worry when I wake up) and right before bed (as I have trouble sleeping the thought of going to bed makes me panic a bit)- I am finding my proactive thoughts and plans cant happen because I physically cant find the energy/motivation/focus to execute any of my plans. I find I will have a positive mood and make plans big and small in my head to simply walk around the block, colour in, clean or anything proactive or that will lighten my mood or increase my health or add something happy and beautiful to my day. BUT, I have all these excuses and feelings that make me not do the fun activity I planned on doing anything really will put me off my plans e.g too late in the day, rain/clouds, the house is messy, other things to do ect anything to get me out of my commitment to myself. Then I feel extreme guilt and feel like I let myself down because I want to be healthy and happy but its too hard ( I don't want to sound pathetic but I feel like its total self sabotage? why do I even get the feeling to do something nice and healthy if I know I'm not going to follow through?) I don't even have to be in a bad mood to procrastinate or not follow through I just do anything to avoid doing what I planned and its frustrating me so much! Im in a bad self care cycle

life

replies: 11

my life is not as i fort it will be, i still don't no who i am yet i have truoble in school each day i think i want have a good day so i fort i join this site to get up on my feet again

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi. Im new here replies: 1

New here replies: 2

Hi people replies: 2

New to the forum and struggling to put myself first… replies: 2

Hello everyone, newbie here. replies: 1

Wanting some hope replies: 1

Log time carer father husband first meds at 50 replies: 4

Hi replies: 1

Minimal Vs Extreme motivation??? replies: 2

life replies: 11