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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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Dreamer1992 Depression / Anxiety or is it Bipolar? I'm so over the rollercoaster ride
  • replies: 2

Hey Guys, I am 25 years old and I've been diagnosed with depression and Anxiety at the age of 19. Since then I have been on antidepressants and over time as the condition has worsened, my medication dose has increased. I had another life-changing eve... View more

Hey Guys, I am 25 years old and I've been diagnosed with depression and Anxiety at the age of 19. Since then I have been on antidepressants and over time as the condition has worsened, my medication dose has increased. I had another life-changing event occur- my mother was hospitalized for a period of 10 months and then she passed away from a serious infection. This was a big shock to my whole family and a very horrible time because we were always on the edge of our seats, being told that she would make it or not make it. It was tough for us as well because the procedure she went in for was a simple checkup- not life-threatening at all She was my counselor, she helped me get through these periods of self-doubt and shame and always forced me to get back on my two feet. Throughout the whole ordeal, I lost two jobs mainly because of my depression and anxious episodes. One time I will feel so strong and determined and know what I am doing, then a month or two later I will be so low at times unable to get out of bed, have no drive for work, I feel afraid and ashamed of failure and letting down people, I can't even bring myself to call them and say I am not coming in. In this period of low mood - I suffer from bad insomnia and my mind cant rest, I sleep for most of the day and I don't want to socialize or speak to anyone (This is so horrible and embarrassing for me because I am such a bubbly and confident person who usually socialises with any living thing). Its like I wear two masks and I'm so over hiding behind them. So I have realised it's not going away and its happening again. Luckily, at the moment I am working casually- I went for a permanent position in the company but I wasn't successful. I know it is because of my frequent sick days. I am a good worker and I know I can achieve great things. I am getting to a point in my life where I want to settle down with my partner have kids and save for a house. How can I do that, If I keep moving from job to job because of my illness? I am at a point where I think putting myself into an inpatient program is my best chance to combat my constant mood swings. What do you guys think is the best option? Can anyone recommend inpatient programs for mood disorders? Thanks:)

Motherofsonseekinghelp Asking for advice
  • replies: 3

Hello Im a mother searching to find help for my 21yr old son as to how I go about it all..He suffers from depression and anxiety I have taken my son to our family doctor and she diagnosed him with depression and anxiety and he refuses to get help or ... View more

Hello Im a mother searching to find help for my 21yr old son as to how I go about it all..He suffers from depression and anxiety I have taken my son to our family doctor and she diagnosed him with depression and anxiety and he refuses to get help or talk to someone that can help him.His days consist of a walks then stays home in his room he does not like being around ppl and finds it very difficult to hold any kind of convosation with anyone including his family and it's been going on for far to long now and he is such a nice person it breaks my heart to see him suffer..please if anyone can give me some advice as to how I get get him to speak to a professional person that can help guide him..I am in desperate need of advice how to get my son to seek help with me and I will be standing by him all the way.. Advice will be so very much appreciated.

Reyman Hi & Hello - a bit about my life and mostly about my relationship with my wife
  • replies: 3

Hi Thought of introducing myself, and even though the forum is about mental issues, i wanted to express the need to understand other with mental issues and bring a ray of hope in their lives. I am going through a bit, and its taken me about 6 months ... View more

Hi Thought of introducing myself, and even though the forum is about mental issues, i wanted to express the need to understand other with mental issues and bring a ray of hope in their lives. I am going through a bit, and its taken me about 6 months to think of opening an account on BB. About me: 36 yo returning migrant to lovely Melbourne after a 7 year stint in my country of birth. in those 7 years, had a good job, met my wife, married, got a daughter, a cat, a house and a whole lot of extended family issues that we broomed under a thick blanket. These issues are propping up (well for my life) now that she wants to change her life. However i am a doofus at most things and mis-interpret or don't interpret things properly. (dont know) My wife is going through serious changes in her life, and she is the type of person that doesn't talk very much (the reverse of me) and instead actions on things. her motto is Actions speak louder than words. Well for the most part of her transition, i am left with a child and a house thinking things up. i even thought that she was cheating and confronted her 4 times about it - every time her answers were that she is going through a personal change and the extended family issues has affected her a lot. she denies any form of cheating, but i find it hard to believe, why all of a sudden she spends a lot more time at work, taking pride in her self-care, returns home past midnight and doesn't bother to text her whereabouts and always claiming that her phone died. hope i can get some help over here

dazzlingdazzler OCD and ASD
  • replies: 2

Hi Anyone know anyone with OCD and ASD? My 14 yo son has both, and is non responsive to CBT and ERP. He is on high dose SSRI's, and an antipsychotic medication and was going along well. But recently, the wheels have fallen off, and he is having extre... View more

Hi Anyone know anyone with OCD and ASD? My 14 yo son has both, and is non responsive to CBT and ERP. He is on high dose SSRI's, and an antipsychotic medication and was going along well. But recently, the wheels have fallen off, and he is having extremely long episodes (ie. >24hours) . He has stopped engaging in activities of daily living at present including going to school. Whilst he is not having episodes, I can get him to eat and take meds. Has anyone been down this road before and got any ideas that would help? Our local Child Youth and Mental Health Service (CYMHS) is struggling with him.

Clarry Guilty
  • replies: 3

So I’ve just seperated from my functioning alcoholic husband and I’m riddled with guilt but I can’t handle the mental and verbal abuse anymore. He’s in shock and is constantly attempting to make me feel worse with “nice” messages realising that he ha... View more

So I’ve just seperated from my functioning alcoholic husband and I’m riddled with guilt but I can’t handle the mental and verbal abuse anymore. He’s in shock and is constantly attempting to make me feel worse with “nice” messages realising that he has not appreciated me or treated me accordingly!! Moving was extremely difficult as I loved our beautiful home and am trying desperately to make ends meat on a very minimal full time wage. Its all such a mess and I’m struggling so badly with the guilt of leaving and consequently what he might do !

elephant91 New to reaching out
  • replies: 2

Hello, I am posting here as a first step to discovering what is going on in my head and body. For the past year I have been feeling increasingly embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I don't know why. I am not a bad person, I am a teacher and I have clo... View more

Hello, I am posting here as a first step to discovering what is going on in my head and body. For the past year I have been feeling increasingly embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I don't know why. I am not a bad person, I am a teacher and I have close, loving relationships with my family, friends and partner. However I constantly feel ashamed of myself. I hold onto embarrassing moments for months and relive them. I feel constant loathing towards myself to the point where I feel sick. The past week I have been very emotional when alone and this feeling has brought me to tears many times. I have never felt like I was depressed and in the past I attributed this to having poor self esteem. But this feels weird. I feel like I have gone to a dark place and I can't get out. I'm scared of myself at the moment, I don't want this to get worse. I am unsure what to do. I am reluctant to go to a GP, I don't know what I would say. Can anyone help explain this to me?

cpoli99 Hi to everyone this is my first time
  • replies: 10

Well lets get to the point I am a 35-year-old man who is all alone and hates himself, has no friends, spends his weekends alone, wants to break free of his depression and anxiety but find it soo hard to open up to people and have the power and motiva... View more

Well lets get to the point I am a 35-year-old man who is all alone and hates himself, has no friends, spends his weekends alone, wants to break free of his depression and anxiety but find it soo hard to open up to people and have the power and motivation to leave his house. I want to be more open and meet new people who feel the same way and hopefully, this can help me get over and conquer my depression. I dont know what else to do i am on medication which is helping but it can only do so much. Hop e i can talk to someone and start a dialog

Catcute1240 Need advice
  • replies: 6

My mother suffers from bipolar disorder and depression. My older sister became the gurdian of us young one's. We moved to Melbourne to live with our mum and at first all was good. Then our mum went back to her old ways of being violent, paranoid alwa... View more

My mother suffers from bipolar disorder and depression. My older sister became the gurdian of us young one's. We moved to Melbourne to live with our mum and at first all was good. Then our mum went back to her old ways of being violent, paranoid always swearing, verbal abuse, shouting at us and other behaviour the made us frightened. It became to much for us so we moved out on our own. A year later she was getting better taking her medication and started working again. He work place was near our new home so we decided to give her another chance and she came to live with us. After 6 months of peaceful living she is going back to her old ways. We are not sure what to do??? We're to afraid to kick her out since she says she won't leave (she is not on the lease though) also she has been threatening to fight for custody of our youngest sister. I'm mostly concered for our oldest sister who is our gurdian. My mum for some reason hates her with a passion. I believe she feels threatened that we take her as a mother figure. Even though it was my older sister that helped mum in all her tough times and traumatic experience. In the past mum even threw a glass at her. Our mums behavior has impacted my sisters studies at uni and her personal life. We don't know what we should do to get her out of the house.

Enlightenment Suffering with depression
  • replies: 1

How to overcome with the thoughts of unknown fear of having something wrong in days ahead? I feel hopeless in the morning and couldn't work or get focused. nights are ok. Sleeping well but coming back in the routine life is hard for me. I'm not fixed... View more

How to overcome with the thoughts of unknown fear of having something wrong in days ahead? I feel hopeless in the morning and couldn't work or get focused. nights are ok. Sleeping well but coming back in the routine life is hard for me. I'm not fixed to routine things. Job interview ahead but couldn't get focused into it. I get anxious about future and my family. Taking medicine for depression. Seems Medicine only not effective. Any help in getting good mood?

erin1969 At wits end
  • replies: 10

I currently suffer anxiety and depression. I live in a small rural remote health clinic and every week I have a different DON. Whilst most are wonderful, some treat me like an idiot. I have been in my admin position for 2 years and I know a lot about... View more

I currently suffer anxiety and depression. I live in a small rural remote health clinic and every week I have a different DON. Whilst most are wonderful, some treat me like an idiot. I have been in my admin position for 2 years and I know a lot about the clinic and the community. I am an educated person however each week I have a new boss, for the moment, and I find some of them condescending and treat me like an idiot. I do not deliberately do thing to irritate them, however one DON is happy with what I do, then the next will want things different. I hate coming to work at the moment. Our usual permanent DONs are on stress leave or rehabilitation to return to work, but I am felling like I don't want to come to work. I can't answer phones and if I do because they ring too long I am chastised. Some calls I can deal with myself, however some of my superiors want to control the whole clinic and I sit her for 7.6 hours doing nothing, because god forbid I use my initiative and actually do something without their permission.