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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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Menopause...thought I was prepared!! Not for this!

replies: 1

When I look back I think I'd been struggling for 3 years. Different HRT Doctors visits. 2 years ago Hysterectomy for heavy cycles. A lot of Migraines and just not feeling myself.Then 6 weeks ago it all happened Woke up with Anxiety Panick attacks. Fear!.Loss of appetite.stopped eating.couldn't go into work. Went to doctor and put me on higher patch of HRT and Anxiety tablets. But not to expect a quick fix , can take 6 weeks to work. So I'm starting to feel a little better.. not without hard work. A Therapist.Meditating.Sustagen.Mindfulness. Kiensology.Walking the streets in morning with the dog .feeling I was going crazy and would end up in hospital. Ringing beyond blue in desperation. I'm trying every day sometimes it's so hard...but I think I'm getting there. I have a great doctor.a very understanding husband .a some very close understanding supportive friends.whom I asked for help..not like me cause I'm normally the one who helps everyone else. So wasn't prepared for this journey!!

First post - I’m at a loss

replies: 2

I’m really struggling at the moment. I have literally no one to support and love me. I have three kids and work four days a week. I have no family as we are estranged. I don’t have contact with them as they have been abusive to me in the past so I cut them out and they have cut me out. I’m married but we are not really getting along anymore. We never have sex and he sleeps in a different room. We don’t argue all that often and he is nice to me but I feel like we have just grown apart. I feel trapped that I can’t leave though as I’ve never been on my own and don’t know how to be. I’m also scared about losing my house if we break up, we would have to sell and I go back to renting which terrifies me. We also have pets and most rentals don’t allow pets. I couldn’t stand to lose my pets. I am down and depressed most days due to abuse I suffered growing up. Starting counselling soon, hopefully that will help. My husband had also said that if we broke up he would take the kids which also terrifies me. This is just a small snapshot of my life. There is much more. I really need help!

Best books for anxiety and depression - First post

replies: 2

Hi everyone, i am new to this and this is my first time posting on the forum. i am 19 years old and currently struggle with depression and anxiety for basically as long as I can remember. i just have a question, I was wondering what are the best books to help with anxiety and/or depression? What have you found that helps the most and where can you get them? Thanks in advance

Help.... my boss is a narcissist

replies: 4

Hi all, I've never used any kind of support page before so i hope me posting on here is ok. I dont even know where to begin, firstly i would love some advice but otherwise any kind of support is just nice. I currently feel like im out of options and all i have left is just a case of suffering in silence and hoping the matter will eventually go away. My problem with narcissistic abuse is with my boss, im trying to look for another job but thats easier said than done, i used to love my job but now its a struggle to get out of bed everyday because i know I'll have to face him. Ive been reading up on the behaviour of a narcissist and can see how my situation fitted into his personality, as some would say i suppose he "groomed" me, making out to be a friend when he wasn't, in doing so i confided in him when i had personal problems, i later started to get suspicious, i started to feel he was manipulating my circumstances for his own personal need, it then got to a point where we had a new girl start in our team, i noticed the matter even more as he would try and play me off against her which i tried not to react to but it does slowly break away at the confidence i once had, im now working on a project with this girl and we both report directly to him, im sure you can imagine how it now feels, ive tried to open up to the girl and make her aware of what his like but i feel like she is manipulating the situation to further her career so at the moment i feel very much on my own in this situation. Apologies for such a long message, i know there isnt a lot that can be done in this situation but any comforting words are welcome.

Hi, I'm new here

replies: 8

I hope I'm doing this right, just saying hello. I've never participated in a depression forum before. I hold down a full-time job and my employer is aware I've been struggling with depression. They're very understanding. Most of my problems revolve a... View more

Moving

replies: 2

Me and my partner are moving from Kalgoorlie for a lifestyle change. We won’t have any family or know anyone. We’ve been dating for a year and we’re a pretty easy relationship! Just wondering if any people have made a big move before and not had any ... View more

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Menopause...thought I was prepared!! Not for this! replies: 1

First post - I’m at a loss replies: 2

Best books for anxiety and depression - First post replies: 2

Help.... my boss is a narcissist replies: 4

Hi, I'm new here replies: 8

Moving replies: 2

Withdrawal of Medication replies: 2

Hello. How are you, today? replies: 1

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

Anxiety replies: 2