Welcome and Orientation

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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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Not sure what to do

replies: 1

Hi, I do need your sugesstion, I happen to be a Community support worker. My partner has shown signs of having bipolar disorder over the years (has not been diagnosed) am struggling to communicate with him as to this but he just won’t listen. i strongly know that he needs help, even though he has been using medication for depression, not sure if this works for bipolar. please how and what can I do to help? Thanks

Left for emotional affair partner!

replies: 2

My husband left me for his emotional affair partner! will he realise what he’s done and want to come back? i want to fix our marriage but he’s already been sexual with this woman and is planning on moving in with her! He only left a month and a half ... View more

What future??

replies: 1

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for deciding to read this (l really appreciate it, given the pages and pages of threads). Sooo…I am Heather, I’m 19, and from Sydney. I have been diagnosed with depression, GAD and social anxiety since l was 12, and was only just recently diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder and PTSD (there aren’t any forums for bipolar disorder, so apologies if l am not supposed to be mentioning this?). Over the year’s I have continuously struggled with the idea of me even having a ‘future’ - I know that may sound weird…but basically if I ever think about what my future holds I feel sick with dread, anxiety and doubt. I deferred uni after being diagnosed with bipolar type 1 earlier this year, and have been calling in sick for work (which is only casual) over the last weeks because I was getting flashbacks, panic attacks and severe anxiety when working. So without my job, uni, or any social activities, l have found that haunting feeling of dread about my future returning again. I really don’t know what l am supposed to do or how to even approach my problems. It’s like l’m sitting at the bottom of this giant rubbish heap, and l can barely grasp on to anything…let alone climb high enough to even see the top. I know what a psychologist may suggest; exercise, socialisation, distraction, cognitive behavioural therapy etc…but I am SO incredibly anxious and l feel like l am a lost cause. My social anxiety, has become significantly worse…and is only being reinforced by my absence of social interaction. I want to be able to make productive steps but anything that involves leaving the house on my own and being independent in any way causes me exorbitant amounts of anxiety. There’s also the issues of the bipolar, my PTSD, and panic attacks. I wish l could talk to other people who have experienced this (if any people have?) and just know that l am not alone in this feeling and that l will be ok. Any advice, tips or success stories would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou so much for reading this xx

Thank you beyondblue

replies: 2

I am new here. I've had a look around the site and am so grateful to the many people who must devote huge hours to making it work. Where would we be without you? Please know that your hard work is appreciated. With kind regards Lumpyspuds

First time here

replies: 5

Hi, I’m lexie. New here. Diagnosed with PTSD, generalised anxiety, depression. The works. Have had a rough few months, which included a hospital stay. hoping to meet others who have made it through and come out the other side for the better.

I'm so overwhelmed (first post)

replies: 2

Hi, I suppose I decided to post on this forum as quite honestly, I'm not even sure what to do anymore. A month ago I was in a mental hospital (I have never been diagnosed with anything, and still haven't been) in which I was assaulted in the—intimate way, which I found to be rather ironic considering I was supposed to be getting help... And yet again, the past repeats itself. I try to do the right thing, I do what I'm told, see therapists, psychologists, whatever I'm asked... Still, nothing. I wonder why I bother. I've been having a lot of physical health problems too, I pass out about 3-5 times a week now, just last week I had to have CPR on a train as I stopped breathing, and still... Four months it's been, and only now does a doctor find a heart murmur... I wasn't been taken seriously, even after needing to be resuscitated and taken hospital (this was my 5th hospital visit in 3 months), I was sent back home. I can't manage University around this. I can't get anything out of my head. I've had to dump one of my now 3 court cases just to get by, this one being a restraining order against my father... He terrifies me. After so many years as his plaything... This recent mess with the mental ward has just made it worse, and they aren't helping me at all now, since they know they've wronged me. -sigh- I'm just exhausted. I find it amusing that still, I'm not technically diagnosed with anything at all, mentally I mean. Yet, I think I'm on the brink of just falling apart, though I always seem to feel like that lately. I'm really not sure what to do anymore, all the doors I enter are filled with snakes. Thank you.

I'm taking my biggest step towards mental health

replies: 2

Hey everyone, My name is Jay and I've been fighting depression and anxiety for 8 years. I decided to see a doctor last year who recommended an antidepressant and that I see a therapist. I did this for about 6 months before I ran into a roadblock. This came in the form of weed and alcohol. Recently, I chose to give up both after realising how destructive it was, and how badly it was affecting my mental health. I stopped taking my medication without seeing my therapist or my doctor, and it was not a good idea. I have good news! 2 weeks ago I saw my therapist again. I started a a higher dosage and I'm already starting to see improvements. Mainly not feeling sad all the time for no reason, and not feeling anxious all the time in every conversation. Also not thinking about my every mistake EVER was like a fog had lifted. It's good to feel that this medication doesn't magically fix every problem, but raises the floor of my depression to feel so much less overwhelming. I feel like I can do so much more now. I feel like I know how I can recover from this, how I can move on from what was holding me back before. I feel like I can deal with stress better now. I know that I can do this, I want to do it so badly. I'm really serious this time and I want my life back! I want to feel genuine happiness again, I want to enjoy life as much as possible. Anyway, thank you for reading this whoever you are. It means a lot to have a support network even if I don't know you.

Hello, and not sure where to start...

replies: 4

Hi, Sort of feeling my way around a bit at the moment trying to work out if this is the right path for me or not. Always been a bit of a "stress head" I worry too much over minor things and what people think of me, try to keep everyone happy and avoid any sort of confrontation . As it turns out this has all been fairly obvious to those around me but there has been a total lack of self-awareness on my behalf until week after last I felt sick as a dog, Vomiting, headache, chest pain etc. Went to bed early, had a terrible night and in the morning when my wife asked if i was ok I burst into tears and told her "I just can't get my shit together". Dr's appointment later and i found out that i have been having anxiety attacks. Finding this out has been both a blessing and a curse because now that i'm aware it almost feels like the floodgates have been opened and i'm noticing so many more personal issues (stresses)that I have been keeping bottled up. Good that I'm hopefully getting better at dealing with these things but its been somewhat embarrassing telling people about it. One has been resigning as my son's under 12's football coach and leaving the club (longer story than I have characters to explain) which involved telling club officials and some of the parents that i'm close to why i quit. Telling my wife that one thing that was 'doing my head in' was that i constantly felt like i was always letting her down by not providing her with the things she dreams of took me almost two weeks to summon up the courage to do and ended up with both of us in tears. I have tightness in my chest now just typing this stuff. There is a bunch of other things that I've confronted/exposed with the help of my GP, friends and family that in the cold light of day seem really minor and stupid but as a mate told me "even one piece of paper gets heavy when you add 100 of its friends to the pile" So at the moment I'm sort of playing it by ear. As a rule i feel better but i have had a few dark moments so i'm contemplating whether i just see how i go for now or go and speak to someone professional. I'm entitled to 5 free sessions through my employer (my boss has been brilliant) but I'm not sure if I'm 'broken' enough to bother. Thanks for letting me vent anyway.

I need to talk

replies: 3

Hello everyone. Dont have a lot to say today but thats good for me because im not stressing about my marriage break up and lack of time with my daughters. But there will be days when im broken and hurt and need just to talk about it. Is there just a general vent forum ? It has been a horror few months and im slowly . Very slowly picking myself up again. I have had some good friendly advice already. Its still a long road till im confident in myself again but im sure I'll get there You help is appreciated

Hi im new here

replies: 9

Iv had a very hard life. I suffer from C-PTSD. BPD major depressive disorder with psychotic features. Agoraphobia and anxiety. Im still trying to get throught my messed up head. On heaps of meds. Which im trying to come of some the them. So yeah that... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Not sure what to do replies: 1

Left for emotional affair partner! replies: 2

What future?? replies: 1

Thank you beyondblue replies: 2

First time here replies: 5

I'm so overwhelmed (first post) replies: 2

I'm taking my biggest step towards mental health replies: 2

Hello, and not sure where to start... replies: 4

I need to talk replies: 3

Hi im new here replies: 9