Welcome and Orientation

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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

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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.

Struggling with irrational anxiety and depression

replies: 2

Hi guys, I know i shouldnt say this but it has been hard for me to communicate to anyone. for 3 years i hard been struggling with anxiety and depression since i had traumatic experience. i could not leave my bed for 3 years and constanly just being inactive i find it hard for me to go out and see other stuff. i spend most of my time at home i know no one, no friends and no family to talk to (only my boyfriend). the hardest part is i find it difficult to make a connection to anyone. my social anxiety and fear are always in the rush telling me that if they know me they will know my real personality is bad and they will hate me and personaly hurt me. I am so sick and sad that i have to live like this. I have tried to make appointment to see my gp and counsellar and i have always missed them (I really needed their help). I have constant fear of them thinking that i wasted their time and help which stopping me to make another one. is there anything that i can do to get out this hell hole? my motivation is bringing me down to fixed my self

(Deep Breath) OK. Here I Go...

replies: 5

Hi there, My name is Sydney and I suffer from lifelong "chemical" depression, diagnosed 25+ years ago. I need help and support. Can someone tell me the best way to find support here? I would like to talk to somebody, but I don't know how to start. Coming onto a forum like this scares me because understanding the forum and where to go seems like one more problem I don't have the strength to solve. I get overwhelmed so easily these days. I feel like I am walking into a very large gathering where I don't know anybody. I believe that there are people here I can talk to but I don't know where to start.

Bookmarking threads

replies: 9

Hi, I think it would be useful to be able to bookmark the threads that you may have a response to but want to think about it a bit more. Especially as it is not possible to delete a post yourself. I do not know if this has been mentioned before. than... View more

How do I make a new post?

replies: 5

Hi everybody, Feeling a little silly as I cannot work out how to start a new post! I need some help pretty please! My post is about anxiety, feeling pressured into attending my son's graduation two plane trips away...and I'm stressed, terrified, confused...and don't know what to do! I desperately need to speak to like minded individuals, so again, please help me work out how to create a new post! TIA Sarah

Struggling, thoughts sending me in a shame spiral

replies: 12

Hi All, First time ever posting on an internet forum. Hard even to continue typing.... I had a mental breakdown about 6 years back now. It drove my relationship with my now wife to breaking point. I was put on medication by my Doctor and was told to seek Counciling. I never did and ended taking myself off the medication after a month or so as i felt i didnt need it and it effecting me. Since then everything has been peachy, married my wife and life has been great.........until now. I feel myself relapsing. Ive booked into a GP today and hopefully can get referred to someone asap i hate this feeling of nothingness. No emotions (except complete sadness), no feelings towards my wife and i hate it. A week ago we were all lovey dovey and going out the movies and having lunch at cafes, and just like the flick of a switch its all gone for me. i feel like im on auto pilot! I just want to be back to normal. My bubbly self, my feelings for my wife. I have told her i feel and she is trying to support me as best she can, i just feel so bad and upset that im putting her through this all over again

I've Just Joined.

replies: 4

Hi All I am new to all of this. I decided to take the first step in reaching out to others who suffer from mental illness. Although society would tell you millions of people suffer such illnesses but most of the time you feel like it is just you. I lost my mother 2 1/2 months ago and we were extremely close. This has been the most difficult time of my life and I feel lost and alone. Having people around does not make you feel less alone. I have a dog who is everything to me and he and I share time together. He knows she is gone and he did a short period of grieving too. Amazing how dogs can know something has changed and that person we no longer visit on a daily basis. I would be lost without him to come home to. I look forward to sharing stories, reading yours, and chatting.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

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

Struggling with irrational anxiety and depression replies: 2

(Deep Breath) OK. Here I Go... replies: 5

Bookmarking threads replies: 9

How do I make a new post? replies: 5

Struggling, thoughts sending me in a shame spiral replies: 12

I've Just Joined. replies: 4