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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Why do I keep self imploding

replies: 3

Hi not sure what to write or say, I've suffered depression for many years, I thought I had it beat, but, alas not the case. Have finally made an appointment for counselling and have decided to be completely honest and forth-write. Time for all the sk... View more

Hello, I’m new here.

replies: 2

Hi, i don’t know where to start but I’m in my late 20s, married and I have a beautiful daughter. I was diagnosed with anxiety after the birth of my daughter, about a year ago. I was scared, I didnt know what was happening to me. I would be sitting on the couch just watching tv and out of nowhere I would be trying to catch my breath, my heart would be racing and I would think I was about to die. Little did I know I had anxiety. I have tried talking to a therapist but honestly I didn’t find it helpful at all. I stopped going and I try to face each day with my emotions, my out of control throughts myself. Each day I feel like I am fighting a battle with my mind. Each day I feel like how do I stop this. Im trying very hard to keep positive and I’m trying to manage my anxiety but techniques I have been taught. i hope I can connect with new people on here

Hello

replies: 9

Hi everyone, I am new here and a little nervous but also relieved to find a place where I can express my pain/anxiety/loneliness. I guess to start, I experience anxiety daily, panic attacks and trauma related anxiety. I grew up in an abusive home and became very self destructive as a teenager. After highschool I began working and i enjoyed it for a while, I dropped out of uni and felt like I had some control over my life, but unfortunately I trusted the wrong people. I was sexually assaulted multiple times in my early 20's and felt very afraid of people and also very afraid of life. I stopped being able to work and relied a lot on Centrelink, I felt so much shame in not being able to work. I finally decided to study in my later 20's and managed to earn a degree as of last year, despite enormous panic attacks and anxiety which made me nearly quit almost daily. Now I am starting a new job tomorrow, it is part time and in the field I wanted but I feel nothing but anxiety. I don't often feel happy and still living at home in my 30's is tough on me mentally. I want to find a way to find happiness in everyday things, I don't need much, but I struggle immensely as I never socialise because I can't seem to really connect in a meaningful way with people anymore. I hope to find some comfort here. Thank you for reading Kay

Stuck without direction

replies: 2

I guess I'll start off by introducing myself. I'm a 22 year old male currently on a hiatus from university, due to reasons that will hopefully become clear soon enough. This is my first time seeking any real help, as I've thought in the past that I can just push through all this stuff. Apparently I can't. Anyway, on to the point. I suppose I should start at the trigger. My Mother died in late 2014. Initially being surrounded by friends and family helped me in dealing with the grief. However, as I had found a new job working the night shift at a local factory a few weeks following the funeral, I was focusing more on the job than dealing with my grief. Essentially I was bottling up any emotion from the event and lost contact with most of my friends and family. Having saved a modest amount of money for university I moved there in February. I made some success in making friendships from my time living on campus, owing to my anxiety though I really felt more isolated than ever. But at least my grades were good..? Midway through my first year on campus I first felt things begin to crumble. I suppose the grief finally caught up to me? Having lost interest in my degree, most other aspects of my life over the last 3 years have also begun to fade. My grades dropped first. I lost all interest in dating, not that there was anything to draw experience from. My physical appearance is now one of my least concerns, as I've gained ~20kgs (to ~130kg at 6'5") over 2015-2018. My finances have also taken a hit, living off benefits and barely scraping by - I've had to ask my Dad and step-Mother for help on several occasions. Over this time I've taken to the habit of sleeping/napping during the day (an artifact of my time on night shift), blocking myself from most day time events. Additionally I've taken up my high school habit of playing WoW, which I thought might assist me in the social aspect, but has only served to hinder me further. I'm finding the act of playing games to also be a chore now. I guess what I'm saying is that I am definitely not enjoying my situation. I think I know the things I know I need to do. I need to: - Find a job. - Sleep at the right times. - Eat the right things. - Exercise. - See someone about my depression and anxiety. - See a GP about my general health. - Get my finances in order. - Finish my degree. - Etc. I just don't know where or how to start. Everything I NEED to do is compounding into stress. I just need some guidance. Please.

Scopophobic

replies: 3

I have been living with one fairly specific form of Social Phobia in particular, for my entire life, I am now 55. The most debilitating aspect is a fear of when speaking to someone, having another person in my line of vision (observing me). It makes me feel extremely anxious and no matter how hard I either try to control myself, (or even don't try to control myself, I have tried so many strategies), I always end up looking at the observing person rather than the person that I am trying to converse with. This causes me to not be able to concentrate on what is being said, makes the observing person feel uncomfortable enough to usually turn away, and the person that I am speaking to thinks that I am not interested, as I cannot maintain eye contact, and actually just want to flee the whole situation, no matter how much I would like to continue the conversation. I think the worst part of this for me is that I notice the observing persons discomfort and can only imagine they are thinking that there is something quite strange about me, and that maybe I am thinking about them rather than the person I am speaking to, (which is actually true, but I am only really feeling fear of them). Most people are usually so sympathetic towards my obvious discomfort that they will mercifully end the conversation if they are the speaker, or turn away if they are the observer. I am very grateful for this but am also always left so disappointed in myself and sad that I cannot be a normal social person. This particular uncontrollable behaviour has caused me to feel defective, alienated and disconnected and resulted in so much misery, isolation, missed opportunities, and depression throughout my life. I would be very grateful to hear from anyone else who suffers from this specific form of social phobia, sometimes labelled as Scopophobia, with some OCD in the form of uncontrollable eye movement, and underlying and automatic thoughts, which are also uncontrollable.

Hi im new here

replies: 1

Hi my name is sarah-jo an im 36 an suffer depression, im currently 22 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child tho my other kids are 15 (boy) an 16 (girl) , im not even sure how to use this site yet an would love some help lol

Stuck in unhappiness

replies: 9

Hi to all, I am new to this and feel silly for being here. I feel like I have no reason to be so miserable but I just can't drag myself out of my dispair. I feel stuck and alone and unhappy and don't know how to change anything for the better. All I want in life is love and happiness but I can never find them. Ihave anxiety but I don't know if that is really my problem. It doesn't matter what I try I am never happy. I feel like no one will ever love me and I am so tired of having my heart broken over and over again. I over think every detail of every conversation that I have with someone and even if they say something nice to me I either think they are lying or pick it apart until I am just focusing on what they didn't say. Basically at the moment I work a job I hate that doesn't pay nearly enough so I am always struggling, I have no friends because I feel uncomfortable spending time with people, I am seeing a man that I am convinced is going to dump me any day now even tho he has no idea about the craziness that goes on in my mind. And I know I should just be happy and grateful that I am healthy and I have a job and a roof over my head but I'm not. I'm miserable unless I am with my man and as soon as I am not with him I pick apart every second we spent together because I worry I wasn't fun enough or good enough in bed or maybe I was too annoying. I guess I just don't ever feel like I am good enough. I always promise myself that next time I see him I will be better but then no matter what I do, when we are apart again I feel the same doubts and fears. I think the only way I would be less stressed about our relationship is if he told me every day that he likes me. Obviously he doesn't tell me that and I don't want to ask him if he likes me. I don't know if anyone can help me here, there are people with real problems that need help but I just don't know where to turn and what to do. How do people get happy? How can I find happiness? Where is it and how do I get there? Thank you to anyone who may have taken the time to read this.

Hi there, I thought I should introduce myself!

replies: 24

Hi All, My name is Lici and I'm currently studying psychology and creative writing at uni. I stumbled across this forum after being diagnosed with GAD and was looking for help due to some confusion. I have struggled with depression since childhood as well as PTSD after a traumatic event in my 20s. I hope to be able to contribute to this forum and help people as much as I can in the future, it seems like a really great place! Anyway, that's about it really, I just thought I'd introduce myself with a bit of background. Feel free to say hi when you see me about the forums or to ask any questions. I'm always willing to share my experiences in the hopes of helping. Thanks for reading Lici

Hello

replies: 2

I find it hard to admit but i believe i have depression and anxiety. My GP has prescribed me anti-depressants and im on day 10 and my head is all over the place. I've been properly unemployed for about 2 years now and finding a new job is so daunting... View more

Thank you Beyondblue

replies: 5

Today I joined your forums. On the weekend I saw some posters in a public bathroom that hugely stuck a cord with me - about anxiety. The posters gave an insight to exactly what goes on in my mind everyday. It made me feel normal. As I write this I am crying. I read on your website today about the statistics of how many of the population live with anxiety. I actually find it difficult to believe as I have felt alone and abnormal for a long time. Thank you to everyone who makes Beyondblue happen. I see Beyondblue becoming part of my life.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Why do I keep self imploding replies: 3

Hello, I’m new here. replies: 2

Hello replies: 9

Stuck without direction replies: 2

Scopophobic replies: 3

Hi im new here replies: 1

Stuck in unhappiness replies: 9

Hi there, I thought I should introduce myself! replies: 24

Hello replies: 2

Thank you Beyondblue replies: 5