Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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 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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Hello! :)

replies: 4

Hi everyone! I am mostly new to these forums, I have been on here before, and I am very passionate about BeyondBlue, so I thought I would finally drop by and say hello! I'm very familiar with anxiety and do currently take medication which has done wonders for me. I also see a psychologist / my GP when I think I need it, who are amazing and incredibly supportive. I have also lost a dear friend of mine from Depression a few years ago, and I actually raised $1500 for Beyondblue in honor of her. In my workplace I am a massive advocate about discussing mental health and I am thankful I work for a company where you can express if you are having a hard time mentally. Anyway, I am here for support, talks, and to become more involved. I'd absolutely love to volunteer and contribute any way I can so I am glad I'm here and all signed up for everything! Oh, i'm also really passionate about video games and music too. Talk to you soon! -GalaxyGirl

Hello

replies: 5

OK not sure what to say but have really struggled since separation 7 years ago..my ex left me for my best friend of 20 years my ex accused me in court of inappropriate behaviour with my daughter, proven to be false allegation but at the time destroyed me...the financial ruin seperation caused. i feel i will never recover from that aspect,going from owning two houses to renting a shit hole.I have become extremely cynical of people in general and as a result have no social circle or support network...I was initially diagnosed with depression which in time changed to anxiety...I still suffer from anxiety but is manageable . I am registered nurse soPartenavia P68C is out of maintenance and went with Rascal for a test flight before he takes it to Friendly Beaches for the summer. Haven’t flown a twin for years and first time in a P68. Partenavia is very stable and a nice plane to fly. Fun day away from a keyboard. I believe I am quite self aware , but to be honest I feel broken in so many ways which I don't want to affect my children's outlook on life, I would like them to be happy and positive about life...I know I'm cynical to protect myself but don't know how to change and still protect myself from dishonest and horrible humans... Sorry for grammar and spelling.

Hello, new to BB.

replies: 1

Hi, my name is Simon and i have struggled a lot with anxiety and depression since i was 14/15 (now 42). Finally decided to go to see someone about it 4 years ago after pleading from my wife. At that stage i wouldn't leave the house much except for work because i had to earn money but i would be sick all day that i was out along with thoughts of how i could have time off work "legitimately" and not have to admit the real reason to anyone. Still struggle a lot of days (including today) to keep it under control with meds and breathing techniques etc. Anything that involves being out in public requires a fair bit of effort on my part including going to work. I am drained most days because of what it takes to function normally. My wife and daughter are really supportive and try their best to help but i know some days it is really tough on them. I hope im not rambling too much, just want to give everyone the best picture i can of myself. Hope to see everyone around as much as i can. Cheers, Simon

Need help seeking help.

replies: 6

Hi, this is my first post and first time reaching out to anybody. I 26 and have suffered anxiety all my life, its only now that i'm a mother and doing things on my own that I realise how much it has affected and is still affecting my life. My issues are starting to affect my daughter now and the guilt I feel is making things worse. I want help, I know I need help, but booking an appt with a doctor is hard enough for me, let alone actually going to see them. I've never had a family doctor so Im worried the doctor will just fob me off. I get anxious speaking to people i dont know , i end up with cold sweats and so nervous i cant get the right words out. How can I prepare for an appt like this? Can i write down how i feel so the doctor can read what i'm feeling instead. I want to feel worthy of friendships, I want the confidence to get a job I love and hold on to it. I don't want my daughter to miss out on life anymore.

Hi everyone...newbie here...

replies: 2

I joined today to help me be in touch with others who suffer anxiety and depression. I'm 32 years old and female with two kids (pre-teen and teen). Hoping to make some friends and hopefully help some others too with my own experiences.

Newbie - parenting with diagnosed anxiety and OCD

replies: 2

Hello there, I have been diagnosed for over ten years now. I have anxiety and OCD. I am a mother of two and am finding that a lot of my thoughts and complulsions are based around my children. My husband is sympathetic however struggles and often doesn’t understand why I need to check the windows and doors. Lack of sleep creates a vicious cycle. Anxiety that keeps me up, intrusive thoughts then lead to compulsions and the cycle repeats. I have decided that I am done feeling isolated or different or ashamed with this disease. So I’ve started here. Any other mothers parenting with OCD?

An overwhelming introduction to anxiety!

replies: 4

Hi Beyond Blue Community, I joined the forum because I'm finding that my journey with anxiety is making me feel quite isolated. I suffered my first major panic attack earlier this year and my symptoms of anxiety have escalated extremely over the past two months. I have sought medical advice and am enrolled in online counselling, so I'm definitely seeking support. I have been diagnosed with asthma brought on by allergies, so there are some physical aspects to my symptoms. However, my anxiety about my asthma is making the whole thing so much worse. For me, it's definitely a cycle. My symptoms of anxiety are mainly breathlessness and chest tightness. Sometimes it feels like somebody is sitting on my chest. It feels absolutely horrible which causes more anxiety, which leads to feeling light headed, tingling in my feet and just like I'm completely losing control. I can't help but think my life is in danger when these symptoms come on. I have lots of support around me, however, I feel like I might be becoming a burden on my boyfriend because of my anxiety. He is so loving and supportive and wants to do anything to help. I have spoken to him about this and he has reassured me so many times that I'm not, but it just feels like no one person should be trying to help me as much as he does. This obviously makes me feel more anxious, and the cycle continues. As well as this, it just feels like I'm completely crazy for feeling like I do when my symptoms come on. I would love to hear from others going through similar things, and strategies you've used in the long term to make yourself feel better. I'm really trying to use controlled breathing and yoga, but I can't snap myself out of anxious thoughts. Thank you so much! Even writing this all down feels like it's helping.

Introduction: Neferata

replies: 2

Greetings to all, Although I am a stranger to this particular place I am not a stranger to depression, anxiety or to online mental health communities. I was diagnosed with this mental illness back in high school and gave up professional treatment after a year or so and now aged 24 I've mostly learned to live with the beast. I'm among the countless children who ended up going straight from high school to university where I did a science degree majoring in geology and earth sciences. I loved my degree and as I suspect we do with everything in life I learned much more afterwards in my own learning and in retrospect than I was able to appreciate at the time I was there. What I did not love was the work that degree qualified me to do and the social environment that took place in, a lesson I could only have found out the hard way after a 6 month mining exploration contract out at Bathurst. I've spent several periods of unemployment, although because I've always managed to do *something* at least once every 6 months I've never technically been an unemployment statistic, which goes to show how important a broad education is to us all. Not really having learned my lesson I'm going back to uni again for another 2 years to do a Master of Teaching degree to then teach science in high schools. I've had a lot of people telling me that teaching is something I'd be good at and enjoy and I look more favorably on the impact that may have on the world than the infectious ideology of wealth worship and class warfare that so many of my friends and colleagues have succumbed to. I think it impolite to talk about oneself as being one thing or another, or believing in this or that, however for this introduction I will say that I enjoy reading Marx and Engels, Kropotkin and Luxembourg as well as more contemporary academics like Fredrick Jameson, Peter Frase, Mark Fisher and Bill Mitchell (from our very own University of Newcastle!) I also like to dabble in the readings of social psychology, such as Wilhelm Reich and Erich Fromm. I'm more than a little nerdy, what with a science degree and remembering by heart geological epochs and dinosaur taxonomy. I don't drink alcohol and only rarely go out. I consider an Attenborough documentary, especially the old ones, a first class night in. When I do go out I'm liable to crossdress, which I feel I can treat much more casually now than I felt during my uni years. If you've gotten this far I thank you for your diligence, - Nef.

Introduction - jakob

replies: 2

hi im jakob, im new and am not sure what to say. i suffer from anxiety and depression , i hope to seek insight from others and provide help if i can also. kindly - jakob

New to anxiety and health axiety

replies: 3

Hi there Beyond Blue Community! I have joined because this year has been rough; back in April I had my first mass panic attack and since then I have sought health for anxiety. Increasingly, my health anxiety has been taking control and despite having every test possible for my symptoms (tingling, chest pain, pin prick sensation, headaches) I still find anxiety wins. I see a psychologist however I am very impatient with myself and I often worry that things like meditation aren't going to benefit me at all. I also worry that I am hyperaware of my anxiety now which stresses me. The worst part about this all is that right now, I have everything I have ever wanted in my life but I am just physically feeling these symptoms everyday. It makes me feel bad because there are so many people going through harder times than me and I feel guilty that I have such a supportive family, friends and partner and yet I can't be fully happy because physically I feel this anxiety. I guess I'm just seeking others out there who have felt this way and want to know how you work on this everyday? It's all so new and confusing to me and I find myself wanting to rewind time back to before my panic attack. Maybe to know that others have been in the same place as me will help me get through this better!

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello! :) replies: 4

Hello replies: 5

Hello, new to BB. replies: 1

Need help seeking help. replies: 6

Hi everyone...newbie here... replies: 2

Newbie - parenting with diagnosed anxiety and OCD replies: 2

An overwhelming introduction to anxiety! replies: 4

Introduction: Neferata replies: 2

Introduction - jakob replies: 2

New to anxiety and health axiety replies: 3