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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Feeling the pressure

replies: 2

Hi there, Hmmmmm. My first go at this. I dont know where to begin really. Some days are good, some days are bad. And others like today just plain and simply suck. Im just glad there is somewhere like this for me just to put it into words exactly how ... View more

New and struggling

replies: 2

After a life time of depression yesterday I was diagnosed with bipolar and started on medication. I had a full night sleep and was able to get out of bed get dressed and do a little housework for the 1st time in days which is huge progress but I still feel so anxious. It's not as bad I'm not paralyzed by it but I feel so scared of everything but nothing particular if that makes sense. Will the anxiety go away? Will I ever feel 'normal' again? What strategies have helped you guys deal with this overwhelming anxiety and weird scared feeling?

Returning to work after a nervous breakdown

replies: 1

I’m new to this site and looking for guidence. Three weeks ago I had a nervous breakdown. The signs of the build up were there well before it happened, I’ve always suffered from anxiety and bouts of depression, but managed to keep them hidden. I am a manager of 2 busy hairsalons and I am a single mum to 2 children, my eldest son has Dyspraxia and ADHD. In the past two years I worked completely through my marriage breakup and many other emotional experiences, always having to put a mask on my face. My breaking point was a text message from my boss getting angry at me for leaving an aircon at work on (he New I left in a dizzy as I got a call saying my house had been broken into.) from that moment, everything I had been holding in came out, I cried for 3 days straight, I could barely get out of bed. My partner took me to see a doctor who diagnosed me with sever anxiety and depression and put me on 4 weeks stress leave with a mental health plan. I have also been seeing a psychologist. I have been feeing ok some days, and then yesterday I was a mess again. The last two nights I’ve barely slept as I am stressed about going back to work next week, I work face to face with customers and I can’t hide how I’m feeling right now. I also don’t want to even look at my employers, I have worked for them for 12 years and they have not been the kindest over my leave. I don’t know how to do this and get back into my old life, I don’t know how I ended up so fragile and broken.

Struggling

replies: 4

Hi all, I'm not sure if I've come to the right place but needed to get a few things off my chest. I work full time which keeps me busy but as I get older. I feel like I'm losing grips on clarity for the future and fear of the unknown. I have been feeling this way for many years and this causes anxiety. I'm happily married but my wife travels to visit her family overseas twice per year so I find myself bored and going back to do things I did when I was single. Drinking and gambling to escape reality and for excitement and escape boredom. I have moved interstate so I have no close friends or family here either. Then I feel guilty and ashamed. And sometimes question my actions and feelings. I may sound ungrateful but I'm curious if anyone has gone through something similar? Thank you.

Personality Disorder Pathological

replies: 61

I have been in mental health sector all my life since adolescence, I am totally screwed up and consistent dysthymia and major depression reactive to adverse life events ie. non-melancholic depression. This past year or so I came to acute realisation that all my problems have only been manifestation of the core issue, that is, a personality disorder which I am very hesitant to name because this particular PD is so reviled, sensationalised and misunderstood. It always features as villainous. You may have guessed what it is already although my pathology manifest in less known way, the way coined 'vulnerable', 'hyper-vigilant' or 'covert'. I hate, ashamed of myself ,and tormented, for possessing such psyche of this personality disorder. I cannot deceive myself unlike so many others apparently unaware of their PD. I have drifted lower and lower , more and more isolated (vicious depressive cycle) since I left Sydney about 8-9 years ago, going further away from capitals and lost professional psychiatric support. Only just existing by looking after my very demanding dog: the only family/friend I have got. She has heart ailment now that numbers her days- lucky if she stays for another year. I am in a desperation now knowing what would become of me when she finally goes. I am so tired of my life which best described as a total failure. Since I am famililess/friendless and a total stranger to a regional town where I live now who cares if I go? I have never been such a thing as valued community member. Since every expenses are paid automatic direct deposit and my DSP coming in the same account, nobody would even know.

My daughter, my health

replies: 2

My daughter's Asperger's broke an already shaky marriage apart 3 years ago and every time I feel better and start to heal, I'm drawn back in to a drama, the effects of which on me are low mood and social avoidance behaviour. There is inter-generational behaviour patterns at play where mother and daughter escalate against one-another, culminating in the mother using her superior experience to win battles through the ultimate lever of calling the police. This traumatises my autistic daughter leaving her isolated and increasingly reliant upon the very person who isolated her. This maps to the behaviour pattern of abusive people of isolating their victims. Her mother is "police smart", and can get anyone arrested for things they didn't do, but not "court smart" or "hospital system smart", as their onus of proof goes past allegations, to needing to prove them. This message might not comply with this site's policy, but this meat to the bone provides perspective. If it does, I'd be grateful for suggestions on how to deal with myriad of events. The mother and now adult child live in Country NSW, while I live in Sydney. I want to remain engaged in my daughter's life, but the impact on my own mental health is significant. I have no line of communication with my daughter's mother (since she was found to be an unreliable witness in court for an assault charge against that never occurred, and which was subsequently dismissed), and my Asperger's daughter is a compulsive liar. As a person who was abandoned emotionally by caregivers in my youth, I am mindful of the risk of abandonment and the damaging impact of that in adulthood, and so removing myself from this challenging situation, while personally accretive, would degrade an isolated and vulnerable young adult.

Borderline Personality - needing some friends to talk to

replies: 4

Hi guys, I'm really new to this so I'm super nervous, but I'm in need of people to talk to, who knows and understands how I feel, firsthand, and I just don't want to feel alone in the world. I know there are people out there who suffers from BPD like I do, but so far I haven't met anyone with it. I'm hoping maybe some of you guys out there suffer from it as well, and are willing to share your experience with me and eventually find some way to feel less alone in the world. Hope everyone has a great day, and please continue fighting like I am. Don't ever give up! Brianna

Getting Older

replies: 4

Hi.. I'm Norma... getting older isn't always easy, and sometimes the people you think will be supportive are just not there for you .. Isolation comes in many forms... but I've found the most difficult times are when you're feeling down, and need mot... View more

Hi

replies: 4

Hi, I'm new here. Wanted to say hi.

Howdy

replies: 6

Hi team. I'm somebody who just go's out there and works, rain, hail, snow or shine, your average genuine human. Have been for the last 29 years until it all came to a crashing end last year when I was involved in an accident at work and have seriously injured my shoulder, yeah have a recon ya say stop complaining... I've had 3 in the last year. now that's fine, I just want my shoulder back to the way it was, or the best it can get. I still vote for amputation. Lately I've been feeling as if I'm Worthless and are just a waste of space becoming a burden to society, I'm helpless and nobody is there for me let alone would spare the time of day for me. What can I do as I'm starting to really hate this person I'm becoming

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Feeling the pressure replies: 2

New and struggling replies: 2

Returning to work after a nervous breakdown replies: 1

Struggling replies: 4

Personality Disorder Pathological replies: 61

My daughter, my health replies: 2

Borderline Personality - needing some friends to talk to replies: 4

Getting Older replies: 4

Hi replies: 4

Howdy replies: 6