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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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Gibbo13 Anxiety & Panic disorder seeking some advice or experiences
  • replies: 2

Newbie here, long story cut short this may seem cliche and/or unbelievable to some but hear me out. in 2004 I was in year 8, in class a mate told me to listen to this song which apparently gave you the urge of commiting suicide, being young and dumb ... View more

Newbie here, long story cut short this may seem cliche and/or unbelievable to some but hear me out. in 2004 I was in year 8, in class a mate told me to listen to this song which apparently gave you the urge of commiting suicide, being young and dumb I thought “hey why not must be fake”. listened to the first 10 seconds and ripped the earphones out like no tomorrow, ever since then my mental health went down hill for 4 years then it was neutral. It’s extremely hard to explain what I felt however after that ordeal I felt something in my head pushing me to do something, I felt extreme panic and everything that goes with it. The thing is I had no thought of wanting to kill myself. 2010 is when it all started to come back again, I didn’t want to be in tall buildings, shopping centre top levels, aircrafts or anything relating to heights. Another thing popped out of nowhere and that was the feeling of escape when I was front passenger of a car on a motorway/highway. my worst scenarios were aeroplanes, which was a requirement of my job and still is. i have no fear of crashing or turbulence but the fact that I’m enclosed in a cabin, 30,000ft in the sky and have absolutely no chance of just getting out for fresh air is what freaks me out and sends the anxiety to an extreme level mentally. Now I haven’t gone nuts in the plane but I’ve been extremely uncomfortable with the thought of “I can’t do anything I need to get out” running through my head and what kills more is that everyone else is okay and what not and I’m the only one there struggling to keep sane. I’ve been with my fiancé for 11 years and she’s gone overseas 5 times with out me because of this and that kills me because it’s the one thing I can’t do with her and we do everything together. ive tried anti depressants prescribed, therapy and breathing techniques but they only work 5% of the time. I’m thinking of hypnosis but I’m happy to listen to what people have done if you’ve gone though it. Thanks

RememberAlice Finding a safe place
  • replies: 6

Hey, I've never done anything like this before, but in a rare moment of clarity during a depressive episode, I decided to look for an outlet that might actually help me improve. I have depression and anxiety, and despite visiting many counsellors ove... View more

Hey, I've never done anything like this before, but in a rare moment of clarity during a depressive episode, I decided to look for an outlet that might actually help me improve. I have depression and anxiety, and despite visiting many counsellors over the years, I continue to struggle every day. I'm sabotaging many of my relationships, and afraid that if I don't get on top of it I will end up alone, like my biggest fear. Anyway, I'm hoping that by putting myself out there, even anonymously, I can get the courage to try and try again to beat this... thank you A

Sorocha Someone to talk to
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone I have suffered from depression for over 20 years. I don't speak to anyone other than my husband about it. I've decided to join up here today so I can talk with other people who are experiencing what I feel and to get advice and give it t... View more

Hi everyone I have suffered from depression for over 20 years. I don't speak to anyone other than my husband about it. I've decided to join up here today so I can talk with other people who are experiencing what I feel and to get advice and give it to if I can.

HA1 Returning to BB - hoping to chat again.
  • replies: 13

I have not been posting for a very long time (dropped into the Cafe a couple of times though). In that time I have not been discussing my MH issues with anyone. I've come slowly to realise that is not very healthy - not good to bottle it up. Maybe th... View more

I have not been posting for a very long time (dropped into the Cafe a couple of times though). In that time I have not been discussing my MH issues with anyone. I've come slowly to realise that is not very healthy - not good to bottle it up. Maybe that is why I have been feeling quite blue for a while now. Fearsome lack of motivation, racing mind, repetitive and intrusive thoughts, isolating myself more and more. Have been lurking in the background reading threads and getting a feel for the place again. Anyway, that is all for now. Hoping to be able to join in the discussions. Take care all, K

JustALittleConfused_Lost Chronic Depression, Anxity, PTSD, and eating disorder.
  • replies: 1

Hi, this is something new for me, I'm scared to leave the house and see a counciler or something similar because I've tried many before in the past. Long story short, my depression and anxiety has come back & it's scary Some days. I live alon so I do... View more

Hi, this is something new for me, I'm scared to leave the house and see a counciler or something similar because I've tried many before in the past. Long story short, my depression and anxiety has come back & it's scary Some days. I live alon so I don't have someone to go to to distract me from the demons inside my mind, so I use music. I tried picking up old hobbies, but I stuggle to enjoy much. I was wondering if someone might be able to give me some advice on what I should do. I've tried different medication in the past as well. But I couldn't mind one that suited my life style. I've lost my job and struggling to find myself to being able to work again for a long time. I like working but my mind will play games on me & telling me I'm not good enough and I can't do it. It's like a have a devil inside of me that likes to see me hurt. It sounds silly but I don't know how else to put it. I'm sorry, thank you.

Tired_Tracey Shaking, uncontrollably anxious and looking for friends
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone, I've spent the last three days crying endlessly and trying to cope with what feels like the worst anxiety of my life. I have two kids, am divorced and am in another relationship, used to be a yoga teacher, used to love life and after wh... View more

Hey everyone, I've spent the last three days crying endlessly and trying to cope with what feels like the worst anxiety of my life. I have two kids, am divorced and am in another relationship, used to be a yoga teacher, used to love life and after what feels like the hardest time ever - I. AM. HERE. Stuck in a sludgy hole (metaphorically of course) and driving my partner (and probably ex) INSANE with my ongoing swings between anxiety and depression. I am so very tired and have no idea what I am really looking to achieve out of this except talking, listening to and experiencing understanding with others in the same boat. Hoping we can all get to know each other. Trace

Fighting Depression, Anxiety and Weight Issues
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I am new to this community. I have battled with depression and anxiety for about 15 years. Most of that time it has been a non-issue and other times I have been able to treat it fairly quickly (12 months). This time though is different. I am ... View more

Hi all, I am new to this community. I have battled with depression and anxiety for about 15 years. Most of that time it has been a non-issue and other times I have been able to treat it fairly quickly (12 months). This time though is different. I am approaching the 2 year mark. Anti-depressants have always caused me to put on weight, but the length of this 'dip' has seen me put on 30 kg. I am currently sitting at 99.7 and am petrified of that becoming a 3-digit number tomorrow. I have just changed to another medication as weight gain is not a side effect in as many patients as other anti-depressants. I have spouts of energy and motivation to exercise and eat well, but these have been defeated when the kgs continue to increase. Tomorrow I will start again - but would appreciate any stories of others battling this issue (successfully or not), any hints and tips, and any support. xx

Blackdogshelter Finally taking care of my mental health
  • replies: 4

Hey! im new here. Had depression for 5 years, but only decided last week to seek professional help. during the 5 years I thought I was getting better, but i actually wasn't. So here I am, and I'm glad to have found a place where I can get advice and ... View more

Hey! im new here. Had depression for 5 years, but only decided last week to seek professional help. during the 5 years I thought I was getting better, but i actually wasn't. So here I am, and I'm glad to have found a place where I can get advice and be able to talk about my depression.