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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Changes to the layout of the New Posts tab

replies: 2

Hi everyone, We have made some adjustments to the New Posts tab this week that regular members may have noticed. Threads appearing in the BB Social Zone and Long Term Support Over The Journey sections no longer appear in this tab. This change has been made in order to provide better visibility for threads from new members seeking support. We have found that threads in the sections above have a large amount of traffic from a smaller group of members, resulting in the New Posts tab being dominated by updates from threads in these sections. This makes it difficult for newer members to have their threads seen and to receive support. If you are a regular contributor to BB Social Zone or Long Term Support Over The Journey, you can still easily access threads in these sections by visiting these sections directly from the category view. Any threads you have personally contributed to are still accessible also via the My Threads tab.

Hi Everyone, Just joined and Frustrated

replies: 4

Hi Everyone, I'm joining out of sheer frustration with the system. I've been diagnosed with MDD for the past 5 years, I've been on three different medications and feel like I'm not getting the help I need. I'm onto my third GP, I've seen a Psychiatrist in the past and I'm just super frustrated with my position. I just want to get better and get back to my life. In 2010 I was studying at Uni while getting up at 2 am to work at a job 7 days a week to try and help support my family and all of my marks were in the 90's. I only managed one semester until other life issue's arised. Last year I became a single father to two teenage daughters and returned to study fulltime with no work and I just can't do it, my brain isn't there when I need it. Am I expecting too much? Have I not received the right advice? How do I move forward from here? I'm going back to my GP tomorrow and am looking at ringing the local hospitals adult mental health service, is this the right thing to do? I've lost 5 years of my life and I can't take it anymore, I can't do what I want to do for my future with my mind working as it is, I'm not supporting my daughters adequately, I can't sit down and work out my own goals let alone work towards them and I refuse to just exist. What am I doing right? What am I doing wrong? Who am I not speaking to that I should be? I just want to get better and move on with my life! I'm sorry that all just flowed out as soon as I started typing. I'm in my mid 40's, white male, which I think sometimes really works against me or perhaps I'm just being paranoid (Haha add that to the list). I have been diagnosed with Dysthymia, MDD and Myalgic Encephalomyopathy (ME/CFS). My Counsellor has queried that I may have bipolar and I'm trying to work that out. I just feel like I'm not being taken seriously. I don't want government handouts I just want to be able to live again, but if that means I need government handouts then how do I get them when half of my conditions aren't recognised? Thanks, Andorig

Newbie _ Health Anxiety

replies: 3

Hi. I am hopeful by coming across this forum as I honestly feel I am alone and battling with health anxiety so much so that I am totally distracted all the dam time and I feel unwell. I only have to get some sort of discomfort and I Google it and then I can feel every symptom it lists. This exacerbates my fear and I get into a terrible loop. Fortunately I have a great gp who gets me and she settles me back down but like now where I have to give another urine sample as my last one showed microscopic blood but of course I am think the worst. This is just one example. My fear is leaving my child. Anyone else experience things like this?

Feeling completely mentally drained

replies: 8

Hi I’m Jess! 32yrs young. New to the forum. I have suffered from severe anxiety and depression for over 16yrs. I get better then I fall down again. I have been on medication for anxiety for 10yrs. Have been off it for almost a year as I decided to have another baby! Well we’ll well.... bub is 9mths old and my life has spiralled out of control. I don’t know who I am. I can say this is the worst I’ve felt in my entire life. Drs appointment booked to get back on my meds and see a psychologist to finally start getting better again. I HATE that I have to take medication but no matter what I do I can’t shake this one off. I feel SO alone. Suffocated by my own thoughts and worries. 100% consumed. Constantly fighting with my thoughts trying to push them away. But they are not going anywhere. Why me why me. I have a beautiful family. Supportive partner and two wonderful little girls. Everyday is a constant battle. I’m mentally exhausted. I just want to feel normal. I want to get up everyday and feel incredible. But my mind has other ideas. I hope one day to be able to concur this debilitating sickness once and for all. I am feeling somewhat positive that I can overcome this. That glimmer of positivity lurking in the background is what I’m holding on to. I know I can do it with the right help and support! xx

CANT BE BOTHERED

replies: 8

Hey all new to this but here it goes. Usually I’m a fit motivated social happy person but lately I have lost all motivation and can’t be bothered anymore I’m always tired I wasn’t sleeping well so saw my doc and got a natural sip to help sleep and it has helped but I’m still tired all the time. I think about going to work and that alone feels mentally draining and to be honest when I talk to people at the moment I’ll puta happy face but just want them to piss of so I can be alone sometimes I feel like I could cry for no reason. My body hurts I just want to stay at home and have a beer what is wrong with me

Feeling unloved

replies: 9

Hi all, My biggest issue is my husband's feelings towards me. This has become more concerning to me lately with an incident that occurred a few months ago which has left me shattered & ever since then I am finding it very hard to get over. We had all come home one night after a family gathering and it was around 10:30pm. Kids were all getting ready for bed as was I. My husband had too much to drink (as always when we have a party) and headed downstairs to the lounge room. When i came down to say goodnight I gave him a cuddle and kiss which he reciprocated. He then said he was going to a work mates place which is around the corner from our house as he'd told him to come over and have a few drinks with him. Now I've never been the type to tell my husband that he can't go out, he's always had that freedom however I did say "Now? don't you think you've had enough to drink & its late" He said he wouldn't be long and that his mate was visiting his mum's place & she was away so they would catch up and off he went. In the morning I woke up and I felt annoyed & just kept having feelings that something wasn't right. I've never had any trust issues with him before but something was telling me to check his phone, which I've never done before and felt very guilty doing. When i looked at the message he sent to his friend he asked him what he was doing. The friend said "not much" & that one of the other guys had crashed out. My husband then said "Are there any girls there?" After this mate said they will be around midnight, he replied "ok see you in half an hour". MY HEART BROKE INTO A MILLION PIECES RIGHT THERE! I never confronted him with this and its been 3 months. I didn't want him to know I'd been through his phone. Funnily he deleted this message from his phone a day after. I don't know what to believe. Did he do anything with these girls if they did come around. Is it all innocent and as he was drunk was saying silly "joking" things, am I overreacting. I just can't think clearly and understand if anything more sinister happened. He has always been a Joker kind of guy and always mucks around with friends in a joking sexual manner which people will pass off as saying "Oh that's just him he's always a silly joker" . But I am looking at him a little differently now. I don't want to accuse him of cheating as I don't know if anything happened.The endless tears and heartache is impacting my daily life now. Hoping to have love and sunshine in my life again

First post

replies: 4

Hi, This is my first post! You guys can call me Sky. I really dont know what is wrong with me but I started selfharming at the start of this year. I’m always tired even though I get a ton of sleep usually about 10 hours. I have seen my GP multiple times about me always being tired and not being able to get to sleep as I feel like I may be suffering from insomnia, but as I’m underage to have sleep medication there is legit nothing the doctor can do. I’ve also had 3 or 4 blood tests but everything is all good so its nothing wrong with my body. I feel like I could be suffering from anxiety or depression as I’m always worrying about little things, agitated really easily, always tired, always feeling on-edge, I nearly always feel dizzy, I have a lack of energy and a loss of appetite. Thanks,

Feel myself falling but not stopping..

replies: 16

Hi! I'm new and well kinda just wanted to chat. I'm lost... So lost. It's been a couple yrs since the last time I've been so depressed that it took over. Not getting out of bed, not sleeping, being angry, frustrated, sad but numb at the same time. Its a physical pain and it hurt so much everyday. It was so weird to go from a happy, non crier, strong inpendent person to someone who cried everyday and didn't want to sleep because it meant having to wake up tomorrow and start the pretending all again. It crushed me. Fast forward to now, I have my up and down days but I feel myself struggling recently. Just at life. I am so stress and have been sick for a while now like one thing after the other making it so hard to be positive.Finding the energy to do uni, work, life is becoming impossible. I've tried to take time off but it all comes back.I have a great support network great friends ,an amazing boyfriend but but they haven't had depression and it's so hard to explain.I have temporary moments of feeling good then it disappears so quick. It's also hard being the mess in the relationship also he does everything he can to support me. Normally I can pull myself out of it, find my own happiness and be ok. This time though I can see myself falling back into that dark hole but this time it's like I'm just watching myself walk straight into it and not caring that I am. I just feel like being shitty and depressed would take less energy then trying to be positive and keep going everyday.On top of that I feel lost in my faith which hasn't helped I feel so disconnected. Is it bad that I just wanna give in for a bit, I need a break, God I need break. I just wanna be in my dark hole and cry and release all mental shit. So I can come back and be who I am again. Be able to do life... Or is that just a trick from depression to grab u again and not let go.

Hi

replies: 13

Hi I’m new here. I posted in the PTSD & Trauma thread. I’m lost and confused and hope to find people who understand.

Should I seek help?

replies: 2

Hello forum world, I stumbled across this forum opportunity tonight as I was googling “why do I not want to see my friends and stay at home”. It’s a Sunday night and I cancelled all my plans this weekend so I didn’t have to see anyone and pretty much just watched Netflix and stayed in bed except to buy a huge amount of junk food to eat to make me feel better about not doing anything. During the weekdays, when I have the structure of a work day I can function normally, I can do my job and I can go to the gym and sometimes go to dinner with friends. But when I have no structure on the weekends I just let myself completely disconnect and feel so tired and miserable and lonely. But at the same time I don’t do anything to change that behaviour. I know sitting alone in bed all weekend makes me feel bad but I still keep doing it. I keep making all these plans to change these attitudes but at the end of the day I just have, at some point lost the appetite to really do anything about it. I don’t know if I am just being lazy or if this is a real mental health issue I should address. I feel like everyone else around me is so much more motivated and I am just on some zombie auto pilot mode.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Changes to the layout of the New Posts tab replies: 2

Hi Everyone, Just joined and Frustrated replies: 4

Newbie _ Health Anxiety replies: 3

Feeling completely mentally drained replies: 8

CANT BE BOTHERED replies: 8

Feeling unloved replies: 9

First post replies: 4

Feel myself falling but not stopping.. replies: 16

Hi replies: 13

Should I seek help? replies: 2