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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 0

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

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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Debilitating Anxiety...

replies: 7

I feel anxiety is taking over my life, it affects every area of my life...I have lived like i'm in covid lockdowns for over 4 years now, i'm bordering on suffering with full blown agoraphobia...i still manage to most nights push myself to go for a 30 minute to an hour walk, which is a huge achievement for me...I no longer see friends, my boyfriend will host a movie night once a month or so where he has 4-5 of his friends coming over here, my anxiety goes through the roof but i somehow manage to push myself to interact with everyone....i rarely see my family...i just feel so hopeless, i have been unemployed for 4 years and have no interest in working....the medications i'm on are sucking the life out of me, I've been told to stay on them for a minimum of 2 years, i have a few months left, and i'm becoming more and more impatient waiting for the day i get to start tapering off them....they haven't helped me at all, just made me put on alot of weight and made me more anxious than usual and made me experience many more unpleasant side effects...i just wish i was the person i used to be before i went through my breakdown, i finally got to know myself and felt good within myself, and had so much gratitude for life, and i lost it all, it's like i'm starting fresh and need to go through the process of introspection all over again, and unpack all the trauma...i have already done the work, and really don't want to do it again...but it seems i have no option....psychologists can't help me, doctors can't help me, nothing works...i feel i have to get to learn who i am again in order to heal, and that is so daunting to me as i know it's a hard long process....i wish i could take anxiety and depression away from everyone in this world so no-one else has to suffer like this, it's just awful and no-one should have to go through this even though i am going through a struggle, i have a strong drive to be there for others who are going through similar struggles, it's great to relate and not feel alone in this fight...i hope all of this made sense, it all just poured out of me, i will leave it there for now, thank you for letting me join, i appreciate it very much and hope to connect with others who are suffering...nice to meet you all! Always here for anyone if you need to vent or chat

Burnout recovery

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I’ve had a look through the forums, and couldn’t find exactly what I was after so I thought I’d ask the question. How long did it take for you to recover from burnout? what symptoms you had initially to how you feel now and what did you do to get there. My story is below and thank you in advance. I was fit, active, and enjoyed life. I experienced chronic stress at work for sometime where I had a break down. This was 18months ago. diagnosed with severe burnout/GAD I suffered severe whole body muscle tension, severe anxiety, random crying spells, sensitivity to light/sound, lightheadedness, overwhelm, tiredness, general feeling of being run down, unable to handle questions, break down for days after deep tissue massage, unable to shop, visit cafes, unable to socialize without feeing anxious etc Now, my muscle tension has decreased, anxiety is less, random crying spells do occur but are less severe and only increase with too much activity or massage, can visit a quiet cafe without much issue, have random body aches after activity. What I do; I see a psychologist, take medication, meditate, practice breath work(5 months now), very light exercise 3/wk(tried to manage more however have deceased it over the last 12months as I thought it was light enough) gentle walks, fish, receive body fascia work(1 month now). I have felt depressed at times but I wake up every day with a level of joy and take care of myself etc. I feel like it’s just more time that I need but I’m not sure. Any help is appreciated.

So lonely

replies: 4

I don't know how to feel like I've got a future, not looking forward to anything after having to start my life all over again on my own. Been suffering from extreme anxiety and depression constantly for three years now. Exhausted mentally. I've seen Drs, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrist and nothing helps. I'm forcing myself to try and be normal by going to work, I feel like a robot, no joy or happiness in my life any more. I want to feel normal and seek help endlessly but can't find what I'm looking for.

It's me, hi.

replies: 9

Hi everyone, I don't really know why I made an account here. I've known about these sorts of resources for over a decade but never thought they'd be useful. Right now I'm waiting to see a psychiatrist for assessment. I don't feel like I'm able to make any real progress in my life until I do that and hopefully get some answers. The wait is killing me, just dragging on and on and on. I do have some ways to let things out and vent, but I'm imagining that I'll eventually have to find a way to stop doing them, as they aren't the healthiest things. Anyway, hi and hopefully I'll become better at some point.

Myself

replies: 1

I’m new to this. I want to know more about this program

Hi everyone, this is all new to me

replies: 3

Hi there, I’ve been kind of looking around here for the past day thinking if I should say hi. I’m a woman in my late fifties, work, have a partner. It’s been a bit of a difficult year as my partner was involved in a motor bike accident and suffered injuries to both arms. The injuries are still yet to recover but life is kind of back to a version of normal. Our relationship changed overnight in which I was thrust into a carers role with him depending on me for everything. It was horrible seeing the person I love most in the world in this situation due to the carelessness of a motor car driver. He couldn’t use his arms properly and it took some readjusting of our lives. I took time off from work, then eventually back to the office as he got better. Nobody did my job for the 2 months I was away. The pressure to get through my work was enormous to me who already was when I look back, mildly depressed and anxious. I ignored it and kept going as to me it would show I was weak. I more felt I had to show a brave face to my partner, so kept it all bottled away. Of course, I was and still am worried about my partner and have had days where I worry about him going out and about. I deal with at times in my job difficult customers. Last week everything kind of came to a head when I think I had an anxiety attack at work. I was embarrassed but in the end spoke to my manager about how I’ve been feeling particularly in the days leading up to this moment. I’ve had these immense anxiety feelings before but there usually triggered by something that’s happened. I think with what this year’s been this has been the result of immense stress I’ve tried to hide from everyone this year. I’m not feeling great but again I’m trying to put a brave face on. I’m at a loss as to where I start to get help and what to do. I thought this is probably a good place to start as I’m sure there’s a lot of you who completely understand. I’m a little scared as I don’t want to get any worse as I want to enjoy life and feel good again.

Hello everyone - I'm grieving a loss so I'm looking to connect with others who have especially

replies: 3

I chose to join this forum because I lost my dad 7 weeks ago today. I feel immense guilt, regret and incompetence because things didn't end well and it feels as though I had no control - despite being the one person who was left with the responsibility of making those decisions. I have a mum (dad's wife - separated for 15yrs) who was very supportive and had tried her best to help with dad's care, and a sister who is estranged from the family who had never lifted a finger to help. So it's basically just been me and mum. Dad was in care and HATED it. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want him in there but he was high care. I'm in my 20's so I'm well and truly an adult, yet I feel as though I was completely unable to make good decisions for dad. I tried looking around, blue care, yellow bridge, home instead. But again, being left responsible for all of this myself, despite mum doing what she can, I was unable to change things. It was a huge burden and I felt completely incompetent. I feel like a failure because dad died. The doctor told me he might die and I thought he was just talking about his current infection. Then a week later, the nurse said his infection was getting better, so I thought it was all fine. But the doctor was talking about dad's general health. Why are doctors so vague? I feel lied to and robbed. Doctors should tell things straight. I could have had him in hospital. Because it was left to me, because I had no idea what I was doing, dad is gone.

Help needed

replies: 1

Lost my husband 12 years ago. My children were 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 16. Am burnt out yet have taken on another teenager with no place to go yet desperately needing more help than I can give on my own. My depression and anxiety have not been this bad since I lost my husband. All support I am given is focused on kids and I get they need that but am in need of something for me. Help

Hello intro

replies: 12

Hi there you can call me Wag, I’m here because today was a particularly bad day, out of what has felt like a bit of a never ending sea of not great days… I’ve browsed and lurked the forums for a bit on and off before and this does seem like a safe space and a place with real peoplegoing through the very real things I feel myself- and seem to be alone in experiencing. I will find time to put my own issues up for advice and support at some point but for now just saying hi and also that if I can add to the placealso I will try thank you

Depressed

replies: 4

Hi I'm looking for help as I am often feeling very depressed weekends seem to be the worst , I have feelings of worthlessness and am becoming increasingly more confused I have trouble making friends, weekends are usually spent alone trying to tell myself that things are ok , I go to cafe by myself or the shopping centre for something to do . At work I'm ok most of the time it's after work and weekends I feel that I'm hiding how I am feeling to my few friends and don't know how to ask for help, when it gets really bad and I break down I end up in tears and feel totally useless I have battled these feelings over many years and the past keeps bringing me down and I'm having real trouble moving forward, any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 0

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Debilitating Anxiety... replies: 7

Burnout recovery replies: 2

So lonely replies: 4

It's me, hi. replies: 9

Myself replies: 1

Hi everyone, this is all new to me replies: 3

Hello everyone - I'm grieving a loss so I'm looking to connect with others who have especially replies: 3

Help needed replies: 1

Hello intro replies: 12

Depressed replies: 4