Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a conversation

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.

awkwardly tries to enter discussion

replies: 13

Um, hello. Yes, I'm very new here. Firstly, I'm really happy to have found these forums. My story is I’ve been a police officer since I was 20. I was in my 18th year of operational duties when I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression. I like to think I'm in a much better place now - I'm trying to be more open about what's going on for me and just trying to get my life back in order. I became pretty isolated over the last few years, so this seems to be a good place to start reconnecting. Thanks for having me.

Hi

replies: 7

Hello, I'm not sure what to post about but my friends has been asking me to seek help for some time. I'm not quite sure what for, I'm too afraid of my family finding out about me going to counselors, so I resorted to going here and trying to learn more about what is wrong with me, It might not be the best way, but it's a step ahead from keeping myself in the dark. Thank God forums like these exists.

My Soul and Sole Journey

replies: 6

Hi everyone. I’m new to this site. A brief intro. I have 2 adult sons, who I raised on my own with nil support (from 14 & 10yrs old). They are 30 & 26. They are poles apart in personality (yes they are blood brothers). I support my guys the best I can, who both have depression (eldest only diagnosed 18mths ago; youngest has ADHD & has been struggling with depression for the past 8 yrs. Supporting both my sons has been the hardest journeys I’ve experienced. Both live independently, but locally. They both work full time. I’m a positive person by nature (though this is tested when my boys are having a bad day), I work full-time, I’m a friendly & chatty person & make friends easily. However, I’m starting to lose the urge to be social. I’ve been through a lot in my life (as a lot of ppl have; I’m not special) & my current situation is very complex. Yes, I’m seeing a psychologist & she is very good. I don’t burden people with my problems, as so many others have problems of their own...so I keep my affairs to myself (mostly). Hence this thread. Thought I’d join here for an occasional chat - less taxing on me & ppl here at least understand & are walking a similar journey. Maybe I’ll meet a few people I can connect with. Cheers.

Lost direction

replies: 1

I’m 41 years old and have been with my partner for 15 years. Three years ago I reconnected with some old friends. One of those friends is an ex casual boyfriend who I started having an affair with not too long after we reconnected. I’m not looking to start a new relationship from the affair but we have become very close and I enjoy that. While I feel so ashamed and guilty about the affair, it’s highlighted to me that there was/is something missing from my relationship. I thought my current partner was the love of my life but he also cheated on me a few years ago. I’m now at a point in my life where most of my friends are not around much as they’re understandably busy with young family life. When I do see them it’s always a formal prearranged meeting eg. A bar, cafe etc or their family is around, so both scenarios I often feel like I can’t be open with them. Plus I’m not sure they’d understand. I also hate my job but am a slave to the salary. I want to end my relationship as I’m so lonely and feel it’s over. While I always thought he was the love of my life, there’s no animosity between us and we are best friends, it just doesn’t feel like a loving relationship anymore. Plus we haven’t had any sex for over a year now. I feel like such a loser to my family and friends to end my relationship. Like I’ve failed. I don’t feel like myself anymore, my self esteem and confidence are at a low and I’m just stuck in a rut. I guess I’m here because I don’t really know where to start at making a change for the better. I’ve no idea what to tackle first. Anyway, I do know that I’m so lonely, bored, unhappy, exhausted and I want to make a change and fall in love again. If anyone would have me! While I don’t feel depressed at all, I do know it’s not right to feel sad and stressed about this all the time, yet I haven’t changed anything for the better. I just keep the vicious cycle going. How do I get motivation to make a change in my life and get some positivity back?

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER

replies: 4

Hi Im new so hello to everyone.Ive been struggling for a long time with my mental health. I feel as though i wear a plastic mask to hide behind,Im anxious most of time and flat. People have no idea how bad I really feel and its exhausting coping around other people, I get agitated easily and the flat feeling is hard to hide Im sure alot of people dont like me but Im trying sooo hard to appear ok. Ive had mental illness on and off for 30years and I have always tried hard to help myself but Im in late 50s now and its getting harder to find things to join etc to aleviate my depression .I keep putting one foot in front of the other, mornings are the worst,nights are the best.

Overwhelmed mum of 3

replies: 3

Hi everyone, Do I have depression or anxieties? Or is it my life that is a mess. where do I start? I have been a mum for almost 10 years. I quit my job to become a stay at home Mum. The old me was so fun and carefree and now I find myself to totally dislike who I have become. Since I quit my job (great job) I have taken up home duties and my husband has become the sole provider. We have seriously struggled for the past ten years some years have been easier than others whilst some have been extremely stressful. My husband has always worked hard and every decision he has made was for our best interest even though at times I have felt they weren’t the right way to go about things. I have three kids who I have yet to teach them to be obedient it seems. They don’t clean up after themselves. My house is a constant mess! But I m finding myself distressed and irritable all the time. Am I angry at something? Is it life circumstances causing me to be really angry or is it depression? We still struggle financially which stresses me out. When my kids argue I find myself going from 1 to 100 in seconds and I m hating myself for it. I find it very difficult to find joy in my life and so I constantly eat junk which is a vicious cycle because I gain weight and as such am unhappy. I feel lost like I can’t control our financial situation and can’t control my kids, can’t get on top of my house. Is it me? Am I just useless or do I need to seek help from my gp? My main query I guess is I get so frustrated and angry so quickly that I feel like it’s an overreaction due to being so stressed about other factors. I wonder if it’s anxiety, depression or life circumstances. Either way I am not in control at all. I would never harm myself or my kids but I m so worried that my yelling every morning will damage my children someway.

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

First post replies: 4

Feel myself falling but not stopping.. replies: 16

Hi replies: 13

Should I seek help? replies: 2

*awkwardly tries to enter discussion* replies: 13

Hi replies: 7

My Soul and Sole Journey replies: 6

Lost direction replies: 1

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER replies: 4

Overwhelmed mum of 3 replies: 3