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Sophie_M Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support
  • replies: 0

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be ... View more

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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skyyblue Newbie
  • replies: 7

Hi I'm new to this and wanted to reach out and say hi. Not sure what to say other than that I'm going through some anxiety and hope to feel better soon. Happy to talk to anyone and chat further. thanks skyyblue

Hi I'm new to this and wanted to reach out and say hi. Not sure what to say other than that I'm going through some anxiety and hope to feel better soon. Happy to talk to anyone and chat further. thanks skyyblue

Anxious_Kim New member struggling big time
  • replies: 4

Hello I have been suffering with anxiety for many years and for the most part have been able to keep it under control but recently it's come back with a vengeance and I can't sleep, eat or function without feeling dread and crying. My father passed a... View more

Hello I have been suffering with anxiety for many years and for the most part have been able to keep it under control but recently it's come back with a vengeance and I can't sleep, eat or function without feeling dread and crying. My father passed away in October leaving my mother to cope on her own which she is not able to do so I am looking after all her finances and trying, with the help of my brother, to get her the proper in home care she needs as she wants to go home (she has been staying with my brother since my dads funeral). Then I had a holiday hoping to recharge my batteries only to get a phone message that 2 of my dogs had escaped my property (which is being minded by a friend) and killed a neighbors cat) ended up it wasn't my dogs but I was in another state so was terrified my whole holiday that the police or rangers would take my dogs away. Then I get back and our slab for our new house was laid, which you think would be a great thing, but you see, I live on acreage with no direct neighbors now I have to move into a place with neighbors and I have dogs that have never lived in suburbia before and I'm stressing that there may be issues with barking or council. We have to move as our current land has been compulsory acquired. all this has happened at once and it has overwhelmed me to the point that I feel like I'm going to explode, I just want to curl up and not see anyone or do anything, but I have a full time job and have animals and a husband that needs me. I'm also worried about worrying him as I've had a breakdown once before and I don't want that to happen again. I am on some meds but my Dr is working out the dosage. I've seen a psych before and it didn't do any good really. I know that most of you would have been through much worse so I apologise if I seem weak. I just want to feel normal again, happy. Please help

MMonroe Apparently It's Okay not to be Okay
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm new here. I suffer from Depression & anxiety. I have a great husband who is very supportive, my kids all understand and my friends & family are all very supportive. We live a very happy healthy life and both have great jobs. (Though I'm taking... View more

Hi I'm new here. I suffer from Depression & anxiety. I have a great husband who is very supportive, my kids all understand and my friends & family are all very supportive. We live a very happy healthy life and both have great jobs. (Though I'm taking some time off due to the way I'm feeling as I just can't cope at the moment) i just don't understand how this has happend! Apparently It's Okay not to be Okay, but not being ok has consequences ... I'm not ok, what if taking to long to feel ok is too late? Trying to put into perspective of what to do.. I know what's right but I "just can't" What's happened to me, I've lost myself, Seriously FML!

TogALot Not Faring Too Well
  • replies: 4

Where to start? I've always been the tough one, the one who holds the fort, the one who is there to help everyone, no matter what the issue, so writing this is really hard as I am not one for opening up. The trouble is, whilst putting on a brave face... View more

Where to start? I've always been the tough one, the one who holds the fort, the one who is there to help everyone, no matter what the issue, so writing this is really hard as I am not one for opening up. The trouble is, whilst putting on a brave face and looking after everyone else and telling everyone I am fine, I have been hiding behind a facade! In truth, I have probably needed as much or maybe more help myself. I was in the armed forces for many years and have seen and done things that would send many people over the edge. As as is the forces way we were never offered counselling or support, it was just a case of pick yourself up, man up and carry on, usually with some very bad, non PC jokes to make light of a bad or dangerous situation. I've been in civvy street for a while now, but a few years ago I went to see my GP with exhaustion and he advised me that apart from nearly killing myself with the hours I was working that I was suffering extreme stress, Major Depression and quite possibly PTSD. As a result I've been on a few different medications since, but more and more I find myself struggling on a daily basis. I work full time (plus a bit) and am very good at hiding behind my "everything is OK" mask. I've done it for so long it comes naturally. The trouble is, I know things are not right, and probably getting worse and therefore it must be bad as they always say that you are the last to know when it is on your own doorstep. I'm at a loss what to do, I've all but given up on my photography, and that has always been more a passion than a hobby, but I find it hard to get up and go out after putting all my effort into making things look OK for everyone else. Now, on top of everything else Christmas is upon us and this year It is looking like it will be just me and my two dogs. Not exactly a time of celebration!

BritAbroad First time posting on forum
  • replies: 1

Good Morning All, Im a regular reader/visitor of these forums and have found some comfort in reading similarities in people's conditions that mirror mine to a certain degree. I've been dealing with what I presumed to be anxiety for approximately 6 ye... View more

Good Morning All, Im a regular reader/visitor of these forums and have found some comfort in reading similarities in people's conditions that mirror mine to a certain degree. I've been dealing with what I presumed to be anxiety for approximately 6 years but recently realised that I've allowed myself to slip into a depressive episode. (I have been diagnosed with GAD and Health Anxiety) It's affecting my work, I hold a management position in the Public Service and I'm responsible for a team of 12. I'm having more time away sick and i feel it's becoming apparent that there's an issue. I've discussed my issues with my direct superiors however they're not exactly the empathetic type. I eventually succumbed to medication and find there is a slight improvement, however it's these bloody panic attacks and constant adrenaline fuelled days that I'm really battling with. I used to exercise fairly frequently however have gained over 10kg since my partner gave birth to our son 2 years ago and can barely muster the energy to take the bins out yet alone attend a gym! Ive lived in Oz for roughly 8 years now and I feel rather alone and don't really have people here I can unload on. Had a fair bit to get off my chest so sorry for the essay but would love to chat. BritAbroad

Bethie New and scared
  • replies: 2

My husband had a accident 6 months ago and suffers amnesia. His memory is still patchy at best most days but he now has chronic PTSD and on his good days he' told me he received all the counseling help and theropy available. This seems to have been m... View more

My husband had a accident 6 months ago and suffers amnesia. His memory is still patchy at best most days but he now has chronic PTSD and on his good days he' told me he received all the counseling help and theropy available. This seems to have been memory replacement theropy but now he' starting to remember what really happened. 3 times in the last 5 months I've had to get the police to help me get him to hospital under the mental health act. I suffer chronic anxiety and depression myself but am lucky to be medicated. I just really need to know if he will ever improve as I'm at my end now with trying to get carer payment because he wanders and can at times be delusional.

Keba71 Isolated & living alone with a struggle mix
  • replies: 3

Hi folks. Ive joined for support. I also need to feel actively engaged in doing something productive. I look forward to learning & supporting. Acute social anxiety... + GAD....depression... agoraphobic some days.

Hi folks. Ive joined for support. I also need to feel actively engaged in doing something productive. I look forward to learning & supporting. Acute social anxiety... + GAD....depression... agoraphobic some days.

Phericlis Where to begin...
  • replies: 1

Hey all, my names Jonathon, and I'm feeling way more lost then I should... First off... I think all the time and I feel this is more to my detriment then a benefit as I always find myself speaking excuses and being told that's what they are... despit... View more

Hey all, my names Jonathon, and I'm feeling way more lost then I should... First off... I think all the time and I feel this is more to my detriment then a benefit as I always find myself speaking excuses and being told that's what they are... despite this... here's my story? I'm a 31 year old male living in a backpackers and I've been here for 2 years... I'm financially bankrupt and can't find a job though to be fair I can't find myself able to put in more then minimal effort.... Anyways I just got another serving of the above after being offered a few drinks and some drunken girl I asked for help to put her to bed... I've had a rotten past in relationships... and to be honest hold the bad experiences against myself... Medical ones that directly affect males should be easy enough to decipher... The last being the worst which has caused a phobia of women with reddish hair and blue cars... I've been in and out of medication filled mental health plans and in and out of psychological freebies... but all in all... I just find myself back here... See the problem is I can keep calling this a rut... I can tell people I'm happy and at times people notice I'm not till I say I am... when the actual fact is... I'm too comfortable living the way I am despite wanting it to change so badly... I feel helpless and dread each day and keep expecting one day I'll be out on the streets... And as far as how to prevent this goes... I keep telling myself a job is the answer and yet I do nothing towards it... There's just no motivation and if I truly sit down and think about it... all I end up telling myself is how pointless my existence is and how undeserving I am as a person... Best case scenario I'll even tell myself that more deserving people get what I don't get.. that's me being positive... You would think after 10 years of in and out help it'd... help... but it hasn't and doesn't feel like it will... This is me in a nutshell as of right now... Lonely.... bored... plenty of dreams but pathetic and... just no will in life I guess... and wishing I could just be taken out of society since I'm no way able to contribute to it... And then I'll think about my ex 3 years ago and know she made the right choice of leaving me and my current life only certifies it... I can't make any long term friends nor have any thanks in part to my decisions made during her reign... her... abusive reign... that ended with me abusing back -.- I'm just a mess... and I don't know how to cope

Drama_Q Christmas is doing my head in
  • replies: 1

Hi,I’m new to this somhave no idea about what goes on, but I know I need support, I’m sick of opening Facebook atc and seeing all these happy family posts, and I’m sitting in a house with a sick son, and I’m not sure what’s going on for Christmas if ... View more

Hi,I’m new to this somhave no idea about what goes on, but I know I need support, I’m sick of opening Facebook atc and seeing all these happy family posts, and I’m sitting in a house with a sick son, and I’m not sure what’s going on for Christmas if anything, I hate December, I think it’s always been a difficult month for me, looking after the whole family since I was 16 years old.I’ve put my foot down now because a few months ago I broke up with my long time partner and I’m no longer financially or emotionally able to do what I used to, begrudgingly every year anyway. I just sit here and look st happy families and I cry, I am looking after my brother, Actually I have legal guardianship of him, he’s 49 and loving in an aged care nursing home, it’s such a sad situation. About 4 months ago my youngest sister was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 4, stated terminal on the papers, I still haven’t come to terms with that yet, and my youngest, who’s 21, has been diagnosed with not one but 3 rare blood diseases and he’s unable to work so he sleeps all day and plays games online all night, it’s not a life we’re enjoying I can tell you. I myself am on disability because of my mental health issues and some physical ones, mainly arthritis, and I’m not coping, my other children only want me when they need something, they don’t ring me otherwise, so I just wanna run away this year. It’s the first time I’ve got no tree up, my partner used to help me, it’s an 8 hour job, it’s the first year I’m not driven around to see Christmas lights and go to carols. I’m just so so sad, I cry every morning, wishing I hadn’t woken up yet again. I have no friends, I’ve always been a family person but now they’ve turned away cos I’m not my usual chipper self. They can’t stand the new me, the one who insists everybody has to put in for Christmas food or they’ll be none so I have a sneaking suspicion they’re doing their own thing this year. I feel sorry for my son, I don’t know what we’ll be doing, eating baked beans on toast and I’ll be weeping hysterically from the lounge room. What a way to say hi, I’ve probsbly just made you all think I’m a loser too, anyway I won’t go into any more sordid details of my life, I’m sure you’ve heard enough. Merry Christmas to those who are blessed to have one and a loving family and friends and parties, and I’m very sorry for the people who feel like me, alone and bereft. Dreadfully sorry. I am hating my new life right now. It sucks big time.

Libski21 New here...feeling alone & not handling life well
  • replies: 2

Hello, after a very embarrassing drunk night yesterday, I’m questioning (more than usual) how poorly I’m dealing with my emotions. I’ve been diagnosed with depression previously (a few years back) and thought I had it under control but lately it feel... View more

Hello, after a very embarrassing drunk night yesterday, I’m questioning (more than usual) how poorly I’m dealing with my emotions. I’ve been diagnosed with depression previously (a few years back) and thought I had it under control but lately it feels like I’m not even close to being ok. I’m dealing with a lot of stress at work, with my father’s dementia (and the guilt that I can’t help with that), a couple of health issues (a brain cyst that needs surgery amongst other things) and it’s overwhelming. I feel that all my friends are moving ahead with happy relationships and I’m alone and stalled. I’m scared by how I’m drinking and can’t seem to control it. I’ve got friends I can talk with but I feel that I’m being a downer and don’t have the words to explain what I’m feeling. thanks for ‘listening’