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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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Withdrawal of Medication

replies: 2

A nightmare that I was totally unprepared for.... my psychiatrist didn't fully explain the extent of the withdrawal symptoms and I have scared myself and my family. I'm a 56 yo who has been on these drugs for almost 20 years. I felt they weren't doing their job and asked if I could try another drug or better still go off everything and see who the 'real' me is now.... I was told to taper off of the drugs (at the time I was on two medications) I did this over 6 weeks, but in hindsight to anyone else doing this I would say talk to your doctor about doing it over a much longer period. I'm not an angry person, I NEVER raise my voice, EVER and I just generally 'go with the flow' not wanting to be noticed or rock the boat. BUT, coming off of medication......well for the first time ever my almost 80 yo mum found out that she annoys the crap out of me.... she said one sarcastic remark too many 2 days ago, I screamed at her, not once but twice and found language that would shock a sailor... I stormed out of her home dragging my poor husband and 2 dogs, packed up the car (we were visiting while I saw the psychiatrist) and drove 3 hours home.... I simply said I didn't want dinner and I needed to rest.... she insisted I get up and have dinner then go to sleep.... I dutifully did what she asked. It all went to shit from there.... I've since spoken to her (without raising my voice) and explained the withdrawals from this drug have had a much greater affect than I was expecting and that until I was totally off of them I NEEDED to stay clear of anyone that I loved so I couldn't hurt them, vocally or physically. I've never felt so angry in my life, I'm teary, suffer cramps, headaches, feel like I've got a constant head cold coming on. My brain seems to zap every now and then and I feel like I'm going to pass out. Non of this was explained to me, perhaps the doctor was unaware of just how bad they symptoms can be after 20 years..... it's bloody scary and it's not over....

Hello. How are you, today?

replies: 1

I am someone who is in their second last year of high school. Even though I have chosen the subjects that I enjoy and is interested in, and is doing my best there, I feel like I'm always misjudged, underestimated and look down on by a pair of people called "parents". Always disencouraged and when I want to try my best, I am restricted in a certain position. Chained. I thought it was because of tradition. However, it turns out to be something else - their personal values. I am never allowed to have privacy. I am never allowed to have my personal space. And when I need help, I get nothing. No advice. No encouragement. I am never allowed to say my opinion out loud. I am never allowed to experience the world with my own eyes. Bruised burdens on my back piles up with unreachable expectation. And never an ability to decide for myself. It made me wonder whether I should follow what they always said to eversince I was young - "I want you to move out of this house after you are done with high school." Then, when I want to get a part time job, the answer I get is "No". I wonder what should I do? I really want to aim to become an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. How should I tackle my last two years of high school and be able to follow the dreams I always wanted to do? I really do not know what to do anymore. How can I become a wingless bird that can fly out of its cage?

Struggling - what's wrong with me?

replies: 7

Hi all, I'm a 45 year old male now living in a rural area after making the 'tree change' out of the city. I wasn't happy in the city and figured this is what I wanted, but I'm still not happy. I'm constantly tired and anger easily. Every little task seems so incredibly hard. I can't focus, I feel a constant weight of negative judgement and feeling useless. I try to do something then quit after a few minutes due to a feeling of futility and exhaustion and that I ought to be doing something else. I work for myself and I'm barely making ends meet. I've just started a new relationship and already feel that it will fail once my true colours come out. Friendships seem to take far more energy from me than I can give, and even though I feel like I've tried hard to maintain them they mostly fizzle out. A couple of years ago my GP tried me on medication. I felt so violently unwell that I quit after a few days. More recently I had a few sessions with a counsellor, who seemed to get me confused with another patient and forgot what we had discussed, and the only advice I took away from her was to identify my negative thought patterns and stop doing them. I assume this differs from 'snap out of it', but I fail to see how. She referred me back to my GP with what seemed to be quite a scathing letter - apparently I am 'not open to any skill building with regards to managing emotions, manages to find arguments against the concept of CBT and identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and in short, we seem to be going around in circles'. I honestly can't recall anything specific I was meant to try. I hate to be 'that' patient that accuses their therapist of being wrong, but here we are. And she's the only counsellor for miles around so it's not like I can just try again with somebody else. My GP has now referred me to a psychiatrist I can ill afford - who sent me a text message to advise that their office is closed for the next month. I just feel like somehow I have become so needy, that the medical system simply does not have the resources to pander to me. I don't even know how to describe this. Is it depression? Anxiety? Stress? Mid life crisis? Why does it feel so physically overwhelming?

Anxiety

replies: 2

Hello there i have had anxiety for years but for some reason it has gotten a lot worse within the last 12 months with occasional depression also. I have a wonderful son and wife but my severe anxiety seems to be affecting our relationship to a point where I’m worried I’m going to lose my family. I have tried medication but packed on the kgs and felt worse. Have also tried two different types of psycoligist but feel it wasn’t working. just after some advice as I am running out of options and would love some feedback

Hey

replies: 6

Hi everyone I going through a really hard time i just leave and abusive relationship of 8yr yet even tho i left he still has controll. I have 3 amazing kids that have been through so much and doing my best to stay strong and in control of my emotions but im struggling i have no family in this state and no real friend to turn. I know my oldest see me breaking down. It getting to rhw point where i lock myself in the toliet jusy to cry so they dont see me, we that on good days on days where i cant control my emotions i cant stop crying and i hate it i hate feeling so broke and alone.

Anxiety/Hangover

replies: 1

Hi All, I suffer from Anxiety and have had panic attacks in the past. After suffering for years, tried counselling and natural remedies. After a stressful event my anxiety was terrible. I decided it was time to take an antidepressant. Definiety gained weight as a side effect. The medication helps but the Anxiety is still there. I had lunch and afternoon planned yesterday, Bbq and drinks. I drank lots of wine (red) and basically at the end I couldn't walk. I don't think this has ever happening before. Yes, been drunk but to lose control was scary. I was in bed by 8pm with help. I heard a few things I did and I feel competely sick. I only have a few drinks once a week. Just wondering if I should give having a drink a miss or change to a lower alcohol drink. I have read these posts in the past and they make me feel like I'm not alone. Thanks x

NEED OF LIGHT SHED ON THIS

replies: 1

IN ABBREVIATION >>I had an injury / trauma incident that took place at a cinema....got the insurer communicating with me...the injury persisted... in between emailing, I spoke to the insurer twice.. I stressed that I lived with a permanent trauma syndrome condition that was under control until the incident at the cinema happened...i spoke of the necessaty for stating therapy again... time lapsed and I contacted the public liability manager who originally was put in charge of my case but wouldn't communicate with me... I told her of my disappointment and that I needed her and the company to respond appropriately...she contacted the insurer, again !!..i was stunned when I read his first sentence > "how's the therapy going ".... and ironically he discounted all my email to the manager said and just offered me $300 which I mentioned at the very start while I was angry....my family were disgusted at such calloused attack and I felt it was a direct nasty, I sarcastic, I discriminatory, intentional attack on me... all because I handled the matter on my own and became vulnerable in my conversations with him, previously, and shared about my disabilities and disadvantages openly...and it was all new and foreign to him... I now have an offer of legitimacy to put in an application at vcat in the Human Rights list... do shed wisdom on this matter.. I would be grateful... regards mona b

Hello

replies: 8

Hey there. I dont know if what I feel is something to be worried about or if it will just go away with time. Im just anxious almost all the time. Im always either thinking about the past or worrying about the future. And the present just feels sad and dull. I wake up everyday trying to be positive and just push away the sad depressing feeling. But no matter what i do in the back of my mind i just have all these sad thoughts and worry running in my head. I just cant seem to shut it off. I have no one to talk to. And I dont think my family could understand. Because i feel like what im worrying about isnt something to be bothered about but i just feel hurt and cant seem to stop worrying. I dont know if what i have expressed here makes any sense. But i really feel like im struggling to stay happy and positive and im scared its going to affect the quality of my life and the people that love me. I dont know what to do.

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Withdrawal of Medication replies: 2

Hello. How are you, today? replies: 1

Struggling - what's wrong with me? replies: 7

Anxiety replies: 2

Hey replies: 6

Anxiety/Hangover replies: 1

NEED OF LIGHT SHED ON THIS replies: 1

Hello replies: 8

Probably about time i said hi replies: 3

Cabt take anymore replies: 6