Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Hello newbie Here

replies: 3

Hello. I'm new and have no idea what or why I'm here. I guess it's because I genuinely know I need support. And just not sure where to turn to. It's as if I'm always helping others but completely forgot myself. I suffer misphonia. Crippling and debilitating disorder of extreme sensitivity to sound. Particularly for me the sound of howling wind but other noises too. It sends me into a state where I struggle to get out of. I feel alone and sad.The motivation is so little. My misphonia is not getting any better and I worry about myself. The way I act is like a react to sound response. I can handle sound for awhile then suddenly I feel like my whole body is moving but my brain is cationic. I don't know if that makes sense. I get depressed and just want to hide. My interest become zero and I know it's getting worse so I just thought I'd come here for support. I can't keep living life in a suffering bubble. I know I need help. Thanks for listening everyone.

The loss of my love

replies: 2

It’s almost his anniversary. Nearly one whole year. Feels like it’s been so much longer but no where near that long at the same time. To think it’s been nearly a year since I saw his smile, heard his laugh, touched him, smelled him. Since anything. Before he passed he’d only just come back to me. He went to jail for 5 months, he was out for one month. The worst month of our relationship. The readjustment was straight from a horror movie. Looking at the person you fell in love with but having no idea who the hell they are. He changed so much from the man I knew my love for him hadn’t changed but it was a very difficult time for both of us. I was always at work. Before, during and after jail, One of my biggest regrets. The day he died he was meant to be at my house. I set the room up, made the bed, lit a candle and wrote him a little letter. I came home for lunch and the candle was still lit. Called him and messaged him. No response. I get a call at work, it’s his sister. She thinks it was him but isn’t 100% sure. I pace around work for 20 minutes because my boss won’t let me leave unless we know for sure it’s him. Well his sister called back 20 minutes later. It was him. Died in a motorcycle accident. I believe that to this day I’m still in denial but it feels like it’s getting harder to live in my denial land. I find myself crashing everyday, thinking of ending everything to be with him once again. The desire to live just isn’t there anymore and I don’t know what to do because I honestly don’t want help. I don’t want to get better. But there’s a little voice inside of me begging to keep trying. Thanks for reading any advice is greatly appreciated

New member - anxiety, complex PTSD, misophonia

replies: 13

Hi everyone, I joined the Forums because I’ve felt like an outsider, a weirdo, my whole life (I’m 59) because of my strange symptoms. I’m guess I’m hoping to find some reassurance that I’m not alone, and to hear how other people cope with similar symptoms. My condition is kind of hard to describe, but I’ll try by listing some of the main symptoms. I completely freak out when I have to be in places where there are other people - restaurants, cinemas, planes, waiting rooms, queues, gym, etc. I have to sit with my back to the wall, get as far away as I can. I feel trapped and terrified and furiously angry. I can’t stand people being behind me. I am absolutely enraged by other people’s noises - eating, breathing, etc, but also music, talking, traffic, lawnmowers, dogs, children - anything that signals the presence of other people. I depend on my headphones/music for sanity. I go to extremes to avoid such situations. I can be very rude to people who get in my space. I ruminate on what a total failure and fool I am, all my mistakes and flaws. I constantly feel that I should do/be better, that I haven’t achieved anything. I have an excruciating and sickening sense of doom every night as I try to go to sleep - it’s so severe it’s physically debilitating. I worry excessively about what other people think of me. I’ve lived like this since I was a very small child - over 50 years.There’s more, but that’s probably enough for now!! Does anyone else feel like this? Thanks so much.

New Member

replies: 2

Hi I have just joined and think that the forum will be a great place to seek advice and maybe even give a little too. I have been suffering from Anxiety, Major Depression and PTSD for many, many years. Like most I have good days and bad days. I can tell you that 20 years ago the stigma associated with anyone with mental illness was horrendous. I was told that i was lazy, weak and even the I was "Off with the Fairies". I eventually left my employment as I was basically a pariah and treated with contempt. I have come a long way since then and have many more good days than bad.

Introducing myself

replies: 2

Hey everyone, I have just registered to volunteer as a lived experienced person within Beyond Blue and I just wanted to come on here and introduce myself. In the past, I have primarily struggled with social anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. It was a long journey but I have finally gotten better at managing these feelings and actions. I still struggle every now and then but I am proud of my progression I wanted to volunteer as a lived experienced person to help in the development of mental health services, policies and programs thankyou

Need help understanding Misophonia

replies: 9

Hi, I have Misophonia and find that the more I try to block out people making noises while they eat the more it seems to be amplified. This is getting worse and I end up getting so very irritated. I love my family but it gets to the point of me wanting to eat on my own. I feel that they don't seem to understand and say comments like its me and that I am just being annoying or picky. I have gotten to the point of not wanting conversation at the dinner table or any time when food is involved as sometimes they eat and talk with their mouth open. Even if this is brief I can't seem to block it out, even when people drink it seem like they are dying of thirst and feel the need to gulp. I know this is putting such a strain on our family times and i am trying but i don't understand why these noises are so amplified. This is really starting to get me down as I feel like the abnormal one. Please any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Here to listen & help

replies: 16

Hi...I'm a person who has gone through chronic stress for many many years (though I didn't know it at the time), running my own business, and then afterward, to then crash into burnout and depression. That journey hit the lowest depths back in 2021. 2 years on and through applied habits and changing how I live I'm happy to say things have turned around. My experience was that what I fed my body, mind and brain has helped in this journey, and if I can help 1 person on this forum, or simply listen, then that is why I'm here.

lost and trying to find my way back

replies: 7

Hi, I am in my early 30s. Married but in a long distance relationship with my wife. We have been in LDR for 14 yrs now but since COVID hit, I was unable to go home. I moved to Aus 6 yrs ago in view to bring my wife here who is suffers from depression. However last year, i believe my absence during the 2 yrs, she has decided to leave the relationship and I took it very hard.I am still working, seeing a counsellor and living day by day but although its been a year since she left, i find myself having daily anxiety and feeling lonely and weak. I sometimes breakdown at least 2-3 times a week. I am just hoping maybe someone with the same experience could share with me how to get out of this mental state. I miss my wife a lot.

HELLO

replies: 2

Hello,I have joined the forums today and look forward to interacting with you all.My mental illnesses are GAD and Clinical Depression.I am currently on a recovery journey from a relapse 3yrs ago.I have 29yrs of lived experiences and am happy to share anything with you.My main role in life is advocating for those that can't.I have spent 9yrs with the Office of Public Advocate as a Regional Coordinator in mental health and shared my lived experiences in this role.Hoping I can be a useful contributor to you all and hoping to learn from you all as well.

Kylie

replies: 2

I have different physical symptoms I am sure are anxiety related. Lots to unpack from my 52 years. Numb face and arm crying etc. Doctor puts it down to Psychosomatic issues. I hold down a full time job and adult children and friends.After a few years of saying “no” I took an SSRI for three mornings. I felt so unwell and depressed the third day I stopped taking them. Thoughts?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello newbie Here replies: 3

The loss of my love replies: 2

New member - anxiety, complex PTSD, misophonia replies: 13

New Member replies: 2

Introducing myself replies: 2

Need help understanding Misophonia replies: 9

Here to listen & help replies: 16

lost and trying to find my way back replies: 7

HELLO replies: 2

Kylie replies: 2