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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Probably about time i said hi

replies: 3

Hello to all. First up i want to commend the work down by Beyond Blue. It is truly an amazing thing to witness when someone has been able to get back on track by the work being done. So as for me i have been a sporadic visitor of the website over many years on and off when things have been down. Never did join though. Current circumstance has me with a fair bit of time so i thought why the hell not. So my "shade" (just how I identify my anxiety and depression) has been plaguing me for over 20 years but thankfully in that time i have been able to learn to manage it fairly well. Anyway i will see you in the forums

Cabt take anymore

replies: 6

So 6 mths ago I had 2 businesses.. a nice house renting it.. great prospects.. my landlord at my biz wouldn’t renew my lease. Wanted to sell and used every truck in the book .. locked me out.. I lost my income.. moved stuff and into storage.. about to lose all that as cabt pay fees.. and brakes on car went .. rego due.. was evicted from my house 3 mths later which was HORRIFIC.. my dr has diagnosed me with severe stress, ptsd and anxiety.. and now I’m about to be evicted again. No there’s no help for me.. nowhere to go for me or my son and pets.. no one who can help as I’m the one who helped everyone else. My sister is ill and I paid her living costs till January and now she’s not talking to me. I’ve been offered a job in June.. am owed money from maintenance 13k to others but it won’t save me now.. I’ve planned to go as can’t go through it again.. I’ve lost so much and just can’t have eviction happen again.. cantttttt.. please pray for me that overnight a miracle happens somehow As that’s all that’s left fir me now.. please no suggestions as tried all .. just pray .. thanks so much

Not so new, yet probing the boundaries...

replies: 2

So we are what looks like on the verge of ww3.. I have gone through my own struggles of mental health, and I have now come out to the edge of questioning absolutely everything. Government is not really needed or if to the fact even exists. Earth might be flat, (doesn't really matter if it is) but if the globe is a lie what else is? Our currency is not backed by gold, and hasn't been for quite some time. "NWO" is coming yet we cannot make certain what it will be. Does anyone else feel something larger is about to be put in place? ..I feel more concerned for people that have not, or do not have the time to spend to investigate these matters. More so why people who do observe such things have trouble communicating said topics. -a concerned human

Newbie-unfilled and unmotivated

replies: 2

Hi everyone, When I was younger everything seems so linear and I knew what life would look like and who I would be. Now I see myself as wasted potential, nearing 30 with nothing that means anything. If I tell people this they say you chose this; particuarly travel over a career. Even though I know I've had some good times, thus drifter and floater of a person isn't deep down what I want. Moving and having jobs that have made me feel less than a person means I've always felt on the outside. I just run. I can tell people it's the life I want but I know I choose it because I don't feel like a capable adult. I've no grounding anywhere or family. I'm making changes ie quit a horrible job with a bully boss, getting my health sorted and enrolling in fuether study...but I don't see the point when I feel like it's for show. I'm sick of apogising for my exsistence and downplaying my capabilities to tey and be accepted. I'm sick of hating people. Now I'm just lonely. I don't want to be me. I don't know how to change for real. thanks for reading

I’m tired of failing

replies: 3

I am a 25 year old and I have no career. I had to leave numerous jobs due to health issues. I have suffered from PTSD, depression and anxiety ever since my fathers suicide when I was 10. I have been in and out of Psychologists offices ever since 13 years old. 3 years ago I broke my back which took 8 months to heal and resulted in a herniated disc causing nerve damage in my L5 nerve. This pain has been with me since the injury, the pain is like lava in my veins running down my leg, it keeps me awake at night and badly interferes with me everyday routine. Drugs don’t work for the pain, yoga sometimes works and it is hard to keeo fit due to inactivity. My biggest concern though is finding a job. I don’t want to go on disability, I’m not even sure I would qualify. I want to work. I want a normal life, it’s what I’ve always wanted. 3 months ago I got a job as a secretary but the employer who was nice enough turned out to be difficult to work for. I was so stressed out that out of the 5 months I was there I spent 1 month sick with Viruses. I left due to sickness and stress. I felt a failure. It’s destroyed my confidence. I’m scared for my future. I feel a failure to myself and a failure to my loving husband who works so hard to support the both of us. I am so sick of looking for work, it seems that it’s all I do. I would love to stay in a job for as long as possible like other people do but something always seems to go wrong. Even if I find a job I can’t work more than 20 hours due to my back. I don’t like being this person. I can feel my depression sinking in, I get constant panic attacks and am scared of the negative thoughts that enter my mind. I try to stay positive with yoga and exercise but I am just so tired of fighting to be happy. I feel such a burden to my family. I feel like my once positive attitude that I worked so hard to get is fading away. I feel like I’ll never get a job despite, applying daily and studying to better my skills. I feel like a big failure. I just want a job that lasts more than a year. I want my happiness back. I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel so tired.

Trying to reach out

replies: 3

Without naming every incident, I have struggled with depress/anxiety for the best part of 15 years although I have managed to lead a pretty good life but I have had periods where I just crash and it can take weeks to months to recover The reason for reaching the point now is that I’ve tried doctors, counselling & talking over the years and no matter what happens I end back here in the same spot feeling lonely, just lacking motivation or drive to get me out of my doldrums and do my normal life responsibilities, I just feel like if I walk away and start again we’d all be better off. In the last 20 odd years I have gone thru a divorce and all the challenges that come with custody, my current partners battle with Cervical cancer, fibromyalgia and lymphoma, my Eldest sons trouble with authorities that eventually end with him in Jail last year and his drug addictions. My youngest has severe anxiety which she is medicated and counselled for, my brother was killed by his Mate 7 yrs ago and the 2 yrs of court that followed that, another brother’s son was murdered 2 yrs ago so that was traumatic and only brought up old feelings of our brothers killing as well as dealing with the loss of our nephew. Then 12 mths ago we made the move to the country from Melbourne and away from our families hoping the better climate and happier community would help my partners health and my daughters anxiety. All this whilst I have held a job working long hours on rotating rosters. So why now ? My partners health is worse than ever. I myself had a minor illness at the start of the week and the doctor thought I should have a few days off. Normally I would just go back to work, but having been feeling crap lately I thought a few days off would pep me up. The minute I have time off it’s like my partner says I’m too sick you can do it. I get up to organise school and the anxiety just got me. No food in the cupboard for lunch which meant going to the shops, couldn’t find sports shoes, my daughter refusing to get ready for school and knowing we were running late it was just so unorganised and I stressed out throwing things, yelling and slamming doors. I know that is wrong so this is why I reaching out. All the move to the country hasn’t been all kittens and fairy floss and now I’m feeling trapped and really just want to get out. I don’t know how to deal with this crap anymore. I feel I can’t work 14 hrs a day getting up at 130am and then come home and run a house. im knackered again

Struggling to stay strong

replies: 8

Back when I was 18 I struggled with severe depression that lasted 2 years I was free of this demon for 2 years but it's coming back, its hard for me to admit defeat as I'm quite strong but the last few months have proved otherwise I work full time in early childhood, study full time and have family issues I'm struggling to keep my emotions in control Really needing someone other then family to talk (vent) to Cowgirl22

First time on line, long time sufferer

replies: 14

I've been trying to cope with depression for as long as I can remember. It's triggered by multiple events in my life. I have hidden it from people for so long, by coping in my ways. Unfortunately this time round I have hurt people I love the most. My mood swings have been out of control. My husband has stepped in and is helping me to see the right people and is making sure I try medication. Problem is I have massive high and lows. I'm not clear headed and I don't feel like im in control any more. lol he calls it mid life crisis. I did better in coping when people left me alone. and now I find myself smothered with family trying to help. I can be happy one min, cry the next, be angry and do crazy things. I have alot of hate and love at the same time. I don't sleep and can't turn off. I work crazy hours to occupy my mind. Music is my best friend. I want this emptiness to stop. I want to stop looking for things to feel alive, I want to feel normal just for once. So this is where my mind is ticking over... the big questions... What do I want?? What will make me happy. what can a do to change the rut I'm in. What is my future? Oh good morning everyone. Nice to meet you and look forward to input from people that dont know me. I'm tired of people thinking that they do.

New and bewildered

replies: 4

Hi, Im new here and suffer bouts of depression. I know its related to my thyroid condition when my body doesn't do the right things. My husband just yells and swears at me to snap out of it and tells me to think happy thoughts but that just makes it ... View more

New - feeling lost

replies: 2

Hi I am new to these forums. Just turned 50, had my 11 year relationship end, and struggling with psoriatic arthritis that limits what I can physically do. Feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Probably about time i said hi replies: 3

Cabt take anymore replies: 6

Not so new, yet probing the boundaries... replies: 2

Newbie-unfilled and unmotivated replies: 2

I’m tired of failing replies: 3

Trying to reach out replies: 3

Struggling to stay strong replies: 8

First time on line, long time sufferer replies: 14

New and bewildered replies: 4

New - feeling lost replies: 2