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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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Saying Hi & whats going on ?

replies: 30

Just saying Hi , And tell you what's going on , Im not going real good . All started last year I injured myself at work leaving me with a condition that has stopped me from working ( now 9 months ) its also wiped out me from doing my favorite hobby . I also ended up in & out of hospital 5 times with a seperate issue but that's all pretty good now but went through a lot . Ok cut to the chase , Ive suffered depression & anxiety over the years but have been good for quite a few years untill now . Im 58 yo facing having to find either a new career or possibly retire or go on a pension ? Ive had no financial support , I havn't gone down the path of Workcover as my condition is quite a tricky one to prove it was from my work and here I am still paying work cover - crazy ! But in the mean time Ive become OCD . Every day and now even twice a day I drive quite a ways back to the suburb and house to where I was born , I left there 38 years ago ! All I do is drive around the streets I grew up on and past my old school and past old friends houses etc etc . Its got out of control , Ive spent $ thousands on petrol over the past 9 months . Ive just started seeing a councilor I asked what the heck is this and I was told its Trauma . My Anxiety is so bad Im even struggerling to sort out Centrelink online paperwork etc etc .My mind is all over the shop , I go see my councilor this Tues again I hope she can help at present 1 meeting a fortnight is not enough , I was trying to avoid medication but Ive been told its highly recomended that I do . I realize I do have options but the anxiety is making decision making near Impossible , I like to take a holiday but I'm struggerling to even sort that out . I hope I can get help ?

Newbie, teacher, mum

replies: 3

Hello! I am newly diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I have self managed anxious tendencies my whole life. This past few months have been a whole new ball game! being a Mum and a teacher I am highly strung. I feel I don’t get a chance to just stay in bed as I dearly want to. My husband is not supportive. He just made me change my psychologist appointment to a weekday as it’s too expensive on the weekend. This was after ranting about how pointless they were. Im battling nausea and edginess due to the dr doubling my meds. I’ve had the past two days off work. I’ve had to step down from a leadership role and don’t know how I can move forward!

Good poisoning or absoety

replies: 2

So I went to a fair last night and ate fresh tuna from a Japanese shop. It’s the first time I can remember eating it, I mean it tasted fine at the time, a weird texture but didn’t really taste ‘fishy’ or anything, but as soon as I ate it I started to worry. Is it ok to eat fresh tuna? I started to overthink it and worry. I have a serious vomiting phobia so I worried I would get food poisoning. I have felt sick ever since eating the tuna and my stomach has mild cramps. I don’t know if this is just my anxiety of my body jasntbagreed with raw/fresh tuna? I mean surely they can’t serve unsafe food but I haven’t eaten fish like that before. I just need some reassurance. Is it good poisoning or just my anxiety speaking?

Just a girl searching for her feet

replies: 1

i have become stuck, lost in myself and drawn to harmful ways of living. i am tired, i find that i can't even get through the day without felling the heaviness on my shoulders of my wonderful friends depression and anxiety. if anything i am just searching for a way to relieve myself from the struggles, the effort and the pain of everyday life. i know this is something many people search for and i also know that a small few find it in ending it all but i don't want to get there, not yet, not ever. i want to fight, but i also want to give in. how can someone find happiness in a world full of such hate, i don't quite understand but i know that among all the hate there is love and that's what i need help in finding. i need help to search for the good, the light, the love. i can feel myself spiraling and losing grip on reality, i can feel my feet fading away. i need something solid to hold onto, i need something to keep me from floating away, something to help me find my feet.

Going through the motions of life without feeling like I'm living

replies: 4

I've been dealing with depression since my mid-teens; got out of an emotionally abusive relationship with a narcissist a couple of years ago; and was with my younger sister when she had a miscarriage at 5 months. After the break up, I took a break from social media and people for a month. In that time my ex had taken the opportunity to turn every single one of my 'friends' against me. I got back online to a barrage of messages calling me every name under the sun, acusing me of cheating on him (the reverse was true), and telling me I was worthless. New email, new phone number, but the emotional damage has been done and I really struggle to trust anyone anymore. I have never found it easy to make friends in the first place, am an introvert (INFJ) and am generally happy on my own. I'm in a casual relationship (if you can call it that) with a guy, but he doesn't want to take it further and honestly, I'm not sure I could trust anyone enough that I'd want to. I've been having nightmares of my sister's loss, vivid detail that I would really rather forget. Talking about it with my other sister didn't help, only gave her some insight into how much I've been trying to hold it together. She suggested talking to someone but I don't want to have to relive it, and while I think I've been coping ok, I wouldn't be here if I was. Most days I just feel numb, as if I'm working and living in a haze. I don't have any hobbies or interests that I get excited about, or are social; so I'm essentially working, or at home entertaining myself. I've tried doing challenges like 'different activities for 30 days' but it left me feeling more alone than ever, especially when I don't have any friends to share the experiences with. Suggestions for an INFJ on how to connect with people would be greatly appreciated

New meds make me feel very angry and aggressive

replies: 7

Hi, im looking for some other like minded women. I’ve swapped medication and I’m really angry and irritable. I’m angry at my 40 min psychiatry appointment diagnosing me with borderline personality disorder when I am 99% sure I have adhd which my psychologist agrees with. I’m angry because any doctors I see dismiss what I have to say whether it’s terrible headaches and period pain just assuming I’m depressed. I’m sick of dealing with my thoughts for the last 40 years although my medication wasn’t helping with my depression I didnt feel aggressive all the time and have to distract my rabbit hole thoughts until I couldn’t like now. I was hoping for other women who have felt like this and have any advice. Why won’t doctors listen or why do they dismiss what Im feeling Thanks.

First timer

replies: 5

Hi there. Im a mess! I have gone back to an old job to which i had 10 years ago to which is the easiest job i had. I feel all the messy emotions everyday. I feel frustrated and lousy. I have been diagnosed woth Chronic Fatigue, I have had Asthma since I was born and depression in the past two years on and off. I keep losing family members and dont really go out clubbing or anything. My anxiety always makes me feel lousy and i cant focus nor think straight. Help!

Sad/depressed, no social life

replies: 10

Hello This is my first post, not sure if my circumstances count as a legitimate issue but their here anyway. Lately, I've been feeling really bad, around like 2 or 3 times a week when at home I just feel pretty bad, I'm not at stranger feeling this way but I use to only feel this way like once every 6 months to one year. I see my friends going out a lot to town every week, most of them live together or are constantly hanging out together and I'm just sat at home not doing anything or working, but always by myself, not getting invited or anything but they still contact me on snapchat and stuff but I doubt that really constitutes as being social, sometimes I see them but I have nothing to talk about with them unless we're drinking then its just dumb. I go to uni by just sit by myself, I think its because the uni I go to is kind of far from where I went to school and so I don't really know anyone, but its still pretty sad just sitting alone all day, tried to make some friends but didn't really work out, and its not like I'm weird or anything because they still greet me a chant a bit but there's no friendship really. Don't really have much of a relationship with my family, if I did I probably wouldn't be on here, its nothing like domestically violent or anything its more just I don't relate or feel comfortable with them or talking to them. just kind of struggling to make friends and I think I'm feeling depressed or just sad, not really sure. another issue is that I see everyone getting into relationships and stuff, I'm over 18 and never been in one, never had a sexual or any type of experience with the opposite gender, I think I'm not repulsive so it's got to be a personality thing I don't know, like I feel pretty normal personality wise, I'm not ecstatic or confident or anything but yeah i don't know. Basically just always now feeling lonely, nervous, sad/depressed(only a couple times a week, not always) Point of this was to just get some answers from people on here, sorry for the crap structure, if I was feeling better it may have looked nicer, still, if anyone has advice or answer, or something to add that would be cool

first timer here

replies: 11

My seemingly perfect son seems to be unraveling and I missed all the signs. He is only 18 and seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has always been a quiet lad so I didnt notice when depression crept in. He didnt do as well as he had hoped last year at school so didnt go study, tried ( and is still trying ) to find work but most of the jobs require previous experience. In the past 4 months after turning 18 he has been drinking not all the time, but when he does its till he blacks out and cant remember. Scary. He lost his licence for dui and this past week landed in trouble again for damaging property while drunk.... but has no memory of it. I am so out of my depth, I dont know how to help him. He has today gone to see someone and is going to go for alcohol and depression counseling which I am so grateful for, but how do I help. In this drinking culture we live in how do I help? All his mates are turning 18 and now they get to head out to the clubs, drinking is all new and exciting for them.

Our family has been affected by someone who has narcissist traits.

replies: 5

HI everyone, my wife has been working with a guy who we now know was love bombing her. He was all over her at 3 different work parties and she has told him that she's married and that he should be happy with his girlfriend. Since this rejection which was done in a nice way he has been splitting and treating her terrible. All she wanted with him was friendship and not anything romantic but he kept pushing it by text etc. He has all the traits of both borderline personality disorder and narcissist personality disorder. The thing is that my wife believes that his bad treatment of her is all her fault and that she must have done something to make him change. I won't go into all the things he is doing in this post but it involves splitting, gas lighting, triangulation leeching supply etc. Is there any councilling services in the north of adelaide that can help us..?

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Saying Hi & whats going on ? replies: 30

Newbie, teacher, mum replies: 3

Good poisoning or absoety replies: 2

Just a girl searching for her feet replies: 1

Going through the motions of life without feeling like I'm living replies: 4

New meds make me feel very angry and aggressive replies: 7

First timer replies: 5

Sad/depressed, no social life replies: 10

first timer here replies: 11

Our family has been affected by someone who has narcissist traits. replies: 5