Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a conversation

Inability to fight depression while life keeps sending bad things to me

replies: 1

I'm 17 yo and throughout the last year I was going through depression because a lot of bad things happened and I could not handle those things emotionally in a good way. My parents and I have been going through a lot lately and I really have been trying for the past 7 to 8 months. I've gone through up and downs very often and that is really really tiring me and exhausting me. Recently a really sad thing happen again while I was thinking that things were getting better: my long time best friend which I've been friend with for the past 13 years I decided to start acting in such a way so that the relationship would Fade Away slowly. Furthermore he decided to join my group of friends which I'm really glad about but throughout two or three months he started to turn the friends against me and he just turn into a enemy. Recently he told my parents about things that I've done that are not fully true and he's saying those things to my friends as well so it's hard for me to make everybody believe me and not look like I'm the one that's lying and I confronted him but he does not apologize neither except that he's the one line. He's acting as if I was the one that is acting bad and said that I've changed and also to stuff that makes me confused. This would not usually be a problem because from my depression I've learnt a lot of things such as the difference between a real friends and fake ones so I will just normally call him off but since we've been friends for so long I was the one to make him meet all my friends today he would have a group is well and all of this turned around throughout the period of 6 months meanwhile I was feeling really bad because of my family situation so now I find myself shortly with my family with my friends because I don't like them much anymore since they don't believe me fully. Plus now he and his family don't want to have anything to do with mine anymore because of the way things have gone but he's in my group of friends so we will have to see each other and that really stresses me because I don't know how this thing will evolve. What should I do because I went through so much already in my 17 years old in life such as my parents divorce, my school failures that I don't even want you talk about and now friends problems.

Hi I'm new to this forum

replies: 11

Hi I'm 56 and have had a lifetime battle with depression. One I'm not winning at the moment. I can't even pretend to be coping well. I know I'm falling down a deep hole. I am back to being miserable - almost frozen at times. I suppose I know it will eventually pass but it feels just so awful. I don't have the energy to do things that keep me going and make life better. I'm so tired and am sleeping too much. I have avoided doing activities I usually enjoy and earlier this year I'd been ok but this has been happening for weeks now. I went to a toastmasters meeting last night the first one for about 6 weeks and while I was there was ok being with friends but now it's 4.30am and I haven't slept and there's nobody to talk to and I think about all the stuff that makes my life miserable. I am the carer for my elderly Mum who has terminal cancer and I suspect also has depression and is showing signs of dementia. Her gp won't treat or even diagnose depression or dementia unless mum asks for help. So most of the time mum chooses to stay in her room. She rarely goes outside and only goes out to go to medical appointments. Much of the time mum is either hostile towards me or gives me the silent treatment. I have no husband or children but am fortunate have the world's best pooch. Feeling sorry for myself tonight.

New!

replies: 2

Hi guys, i am new to this, I don’t really get involved in any forums and don’t talk to many people about my anxiety besides my partner and some close friends. I have been suffering bad lately, particularly health anxiety. I have been going to the doctor a lot with different issues, and unsure if my physical symptoms are part of my anxiety. I can’t help but think the worst, and feel like I am really sick all the time. It’s making me really sad not being able to enjoy my life fully. I’m hoping it will help talking to others who are going through the same thing.

First time caller, long time listener

replies: 2

Hi I have been a reader of Black Dog and Beyond Blue literature for about 10 years and have suffered from depression and anxiety since around 2005 after my first panic attack. I realised after some years that I had been suffering from depression for most of my life but had no name for it or had even really heard of it. The closest I heard was "low self esteem" which only partly described how I felt. I am just here to say hello and am also feeling cometely disconnected from everything I love to do right now. My symptoms have evolved into something that feels too big and I feel so small and must carry out my day to day tasks and employment by faking normallcy. I have been treating my symptoms with exercise as I never found the right medication. Lately it has nit been working and I'm afraid all the time with the nameless dread that you are all probably familiar with.

Feeling so sad

replies: 10

Hi I’m new and have been reading people’s posts and seem to relate to lots of you, lately I feel so sad and tired every thing is an effort, I feel angry all the time, I can’t sleep and when I finally do fall asleep I do not want to get up in the morning. I never express the way I’m feeling to anyone, I put on a act whenever any one asks what’s wrong, it’s obvious I’m sad because my family can see it but I just say I have a headache or something, I do everything for every one but nothing for me. I’m going to be a Grandma soon and am excited, my husband works very hard so I don’t want to burden him with the way I feel, I feel empty and sad all the time, I don’t have anyone to talk to, all I do is clean my house, which has become such an effort, I have put on so much weight and feel terrible and ugly. Most days I don’t want to get out of bed but I am forced because I have 3 dogs who are waiting for me every morning, one of them sleeps inside and needs to be let out for a wee. There have been days when I go shopping and strangers who work in the supermarket will ask me if I’m ok, so I think my sadness is written all over my face, I just want to feel happy and laugh again

Not coping

replies: 9

I found this forum in the wee hrs of the morning. Yet another night of little sleep. The bad back, and just to make my life hell, bronchitis! My reserves are rock bottom. I think writing my feelings down will help a little. The few friends who I talk to get positively sick of me complaining. And the counsellor seen monthly is trying. My husband is suffering from depression. This latest episode has been ongoing since the new year. We moved into a new (very old) house in the country, just before Xmas. The plan was to renovate. That’s now not happening. He doesn’t want to, & I cannot do it on my own. I have run out of energy. To add to the pain. The house is really old. So absolutely freezing now. Poor (very expensive) heating. And wet, damp, miserable. I pushed him to see his psychiatrist, so medication was started again, (self medicates regularly which drives me mad). That has kicked in, so he is told by his psychiatrist, who he gets to see every 6 weeks. I go to work to pay for this. I’m on a mental health plan to see a psychologist because we have very little money. He sleeps in late. I can’t sleep. He might watch a movie, play card games on his phone, and I work. He might do something else for an hour or so, IF I tell/ask him. Exersice? Only if I initiate it. Outings? A few, if I organise them. Shower? Only if I insist. I am absolutely at rock bottom. I feel like I’m living with a baby/lazy teenager. I’ve read heaps about how to live with a partner who is depressed. The info always assumes the supportive partner is just that. Loving, caring, kind, tolerant, forgiving. I am none of these. Today, I hate my husband. Yesterday, I hated him also. I am turning into an angry, bitter awful person. And I’m lying in bed with a heat bag on my bad back, dressing gown on, wheezing and coughing, and I have to go to work today. An hr drive there and another back, my shift is 1-9. I feel like I’m trapped in a living hell. Just re reading this post, and now I’m crying to boot!

Hi guys.

replies: 4

Hi all. Thanks for reading. I dont really know where to start. I'm just beginning to realise that ive been struggling with mental health for most of my life. I'm now 36 years old. For the most part it's level and can cope with the issues, but have deep dark lows. "This is normal" I keep telling myself, but am beginning to realise it may not be. Essentially, I have two incredible kids and a partner. We bought a rural property 18 months ago that should have made finances easier and simpler. Financial woes have rolled in where I had to sideline my business to earn income elsewhere, while she tends to the school aged kids. I was high achieving in my business and well regarded. Havnt had a single break in 18 months. Every project ends in failure and costs us more money we really cant afford. It's not due to incompetance either, but bad luck and circumstance. I've taken a job that barely pays the bills but is slowly sucking the life from me. I work while my partner spends time with the kids and takes them on school holiday trips. I've begun hating on life and been mean to everyone I come across. I get up early 4:30am to get to work, then work late in my business to try and kick start it back up again. At my day job, I dont have the tolerance to sustain workplace relationships. I just think, "stuff them". I barely have the energy to speak, let alone operate. The last 6 months have been like a death bell though. I've never been this low, and struggle to see the light at the end. I've taken several of the steps- Good diet, exercise and social groups. Trying to focus on the positive. It all seems to just fall aside when the dog comes growling. I'm literally exhausted and wake thinking "Just end this". I have zero thoughts of self harm, or harm to those around me. It's not my thing. This evening my partner asked "Is there a reason you aren't speaking to me? I realised I hadnt acknowledged her for a few days. All I could reply was "I feel like dirt and dont feel like speaking with anybody". I just feel like worthless scum and struggle with finding the point to it all. Is this something any of you have dealt with and what are some ideas to overcome? I realise this is situational, but it presents often, so I really need some methods of coping.

First post

replies: 4

Hi, this is my first post. In the last couple of years, I've been asked by some people whether or not I'm suffering from depression. I had a job interview last month and the guy asked me if I had depression as he was used to noticing it in other people. I don't feel that I have depression but maybe I do, I haven't worked in a salaried position for more than 3 months in the last few years and it could be the reason. What I'm wanting to know is if anyone has found part-time work in this forum. I'm not looking for networking leads but rather an employer who could empathise with my current situation.

depression

replies: 2

I'm seeking a little bit of help, I'm suffering from depression, I have a almost 2 year old daughter, me and her father Are taking break , so I can get the help I need for my depression, I feel lost, confused and don't know what to do?

Fight or flight response?

replies: 2

Ok here goes... Last year was not great. I lost my grandfather unexpectedly during my first week of semester. On April fools day I lost my cat Darcy who was kind of like my child. Then 12 days later I had to put down my childhood pet and best friend of 10 years, Tillie, due to cancer. I know it is silly to feel this much for pets but I didn't eat properly for weeks. I didn't sleep. When I did sleep, it was often broken and I would wake up with the shakes. The shaking was especially bad if I woke up suddenly. I was angry for a long time and named it 'my dark place'. I also have had horrendous digestive issues that have only added to my anxiety. My Mum brought home two kittens and I was determined they weren't going outside. I didn't want to find them by the side of the road one morning. One of them got out one night and I was a nervous wreck. I didn't sleep. When we found her, I wept in my mum's arms for a long because I thought I'd lost her. I didn't want to be alone again I've fiercely protective of my pets. I know people may get angry for comparing children to pets but my pets are like my fur babies and I'm totally ok with it. One of the cats had a dirty butt and Mum was trying to clean it. I was going over to help. I thought she was hurting him and kept asking (and yelled) for her to let him go. I thought she was hurting him. I'm not sure what happen after that exactly. I thought I just moved to try and grab him. But all I recall is her storming off yelling to "never raise your hand to me again". I don't remember hitting her or pushing her. I just thought he was hurt and I had to get him away from the threat. I just didn't want him to be in pain. The language my family has used 'strike', 'raise your hand', ' scares me. I would never hurt anyone and I'm scared that I don't remember. I probably ruined the relationship with my Mum. I don't want to be at home because I don't want them near me. Why would they want to be near me? I can't even stand me. I have nothing to say because there are no words. What do I say? Sorry will never be enough. I don't know who I am anymore.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Inability to fight depression while life keeps sending bad things to me replies: 1

Hi I'm new to this forum replies: 11

New! replies: 2

First time caller, long time listener replies: 2

Feeling so sad replies: 10

Not coping replies: 9

Hi guys. replies: 4

First post replies: 4

depression replies: 2

Fight or flight response? replies: 2