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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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stoint Hi - first time user, several year sufferer.
  • replies: 5

Hi All just posting to say hi. Was finally prescribed medication to support my anxiety and depression over the last couple of days. It was a relieving step for myself although I was hospitalised yesterday due to panic attacks. I’m looking now to see ... View more

Hi All just posting to say hi. Was finally prescribed medication to support my anxiety and depression over the last couple of days. It was a relieving step for myself although I was hospitalised yesterday due to panic attacks. I’m looking now to see how the medication improves my mood over the coming weeks and my sleep. Being on the medication will also enable me to remove alcohol from my life. I’m 32, with a professional career and a young son and wife. Looking to move forward and thought I’d say hi! Cheers, Hayden

74_Big_Dazza New member trying to cope
  • replies: 21

Hey everyone. Dazza's the name. I am a long time sufferer of depression and all the wonderful things associated with it. It was only in the last 6 months I have been diagnosed and medicated for it and I am not seeing a professional to talk about it. ... View more

Hey everyone. Dazza's the name. I am a long time sufferer of depression and all the wonderful things associated with it. It was only in the last 6 months I have been diagnosed and medicated for it and I am not seeing a professional to talk about it. I am a strong person to the point of being unreasonably stubborn and am not a talker and tend to bottle things up, but I am a great listener. Not many know of my illness as I am usually the life of the party and a "go to" person for friend's and family. I also work security in a government building where I have to listen to other people's ordeals all day. Just joining a group like this is a major step forward for me and something that I never even considered. But things are going downhill I don't want to kill myself. I just feel like I would be better off not being here. Having to deal. I am also married with 4 kids which makes it harder. I honestly can't pinpoint the trigger for this. It seems to be a whole bunch of things buried and forgotten that have been dug up and one by one shoved in my face. I don't think I am able to talk p2p so this is probably the best avenue I can walk. At the least, I have made a step to get involved with people like me. Good people who don't deserve the hand dealt them and just keep playing the game. Thanks for having me along. Big Dazza.

SoupForTheSoul Hello!
  • replies: 3

Hello BeyondBlue. I don't really know what to write in this because I'm not really used to introducing myself. I'm almost 20 and I'm a bit of a shut-in. I don't go out much. I moved to the countryside with my parents so I don't really get to see my f... View more

Hello BeyondBlue. I don't really know what to write in this because I'm not really used to introducing myself. I'm almost 20 and I'm a bit of a shut-in. I don't go out much. I moved to the countryside with my parents so I don't really get to see my friends much but we still stay in contact online. I'm struggling with depression, anxiety, and gender issues. My psychologist gave me a link to beyondblue as well as a couple other online resources, so I thought I'd try this out. I don't really post on any forums much so this is new to me. I'm pretty bad at putting my thoughts into words as well, so I usually take a while to respond to anything. I'd just like to apologize in advance if I say anything rude or offensive, as I don't mean to offend and likely didn't realise what I was saying would be offensive. Please be patient with me because even though it doesn't seem like it, I really am trying.

Lullaby Feel like I'm in limbo.
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm struggling a bit lately with anxiety. I have had some symptoms and have had tests done, some anxious waiting a few times but so far nothing drastic found. However it's still inconclusive and now I have to wait til the end of January to see a ... View more

Hi, I'm struggling a bit lately with anxiety. I have had some symptoms and have had tests done, some anxious waiting a few times but so far nothing drastic found. However it's still inconclusive and now I have to wait til the end of January to see a specialist, and I'm having trouble coping with the wait. My head tells me all is most probably okay or easily treatable, even doctor gave that impression, but I can't stop worrying in case it's something serious, and my chest is so tight it's hard to stop thinking about it. Any help to get through this time would be so appreciated.

Daisy820 Just diagnosed with bpd after 35 years of struggling
  • replies: 1

Hello finally I have a diagnosis of my condition i live in WA i wanted to know who is the best psych here to see? i am ready to overcome this life long torment thanks so much

Hello finally I have a diagnosis of my condition i live in WA i wanted to know who is the best psych here to see? i am ready to overcome this life long torment thanks so much

Toachmeister New Member needing some advice
  • replies: 3

Hi all, my name's Amy. I'm not very good at this kind of thing, but I felt I needed a space to talk and reach out for support. I recently got a job after 5 years on Centrelink searching desperately for something. I've been here for about 6 months but... View more

Hi all, my name's Amy. I'm not very good at this kind of thing, but I felt I needed a space to talk and reach out for support. I recently got a job after 5 years on Centrelink searching desperately for something. I've been here for about 6 months but lately I've been feeling low. We're only a small business, and recently my superviser left, thrusting me into a role I didn't feel ready for. Unfortuntely, there isn't anyone to take over this position. So I've felt stressed about it. I'm lucky my boss and his wife are super supportive of me, but I can't get it out my head that I'm not good enough and keep beating myself up over things. I've made some huge mistakes and that hasn't helped me at all. I've had anxiety for a long time and had severe depression in the past to the point I hated being alive (I can't help but wonder if I'm depressed now with how I'm feeling), but with every passing day I've come to feel worse than every before and I just don't want to go back t feeling that way again. I've been on medication but nothing really helped. I've also seen several psychologists about it but I still feel I'm not getting anywhere. I'm feel lost. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to leave work, I love those I work with. The very first time i was invited out I cried (happy tears) on my way hone because I never thought I'd ever drink and spend time with those I work with. But at the same time I'm finding it so hard to function. I don't like thinking that "its only 1 more week" or "only 1 more day", but that's how I've been feeling. I just don't know what to do. I don't know who to reach out to at the moment, because I don't feel like my doctor is really able to understand and I get anxious thinking about seeing someone else. Anyways, I don't know what to do so some advice would be welcomed. Thanks, Amy

Nohopeforme I'm new here, how are you all
  • replies: 7

Hello how are you all? I'm feeling really low today. I hate myself. I'm over life. Life is so horrible. Probably tomorrow will get better I hope so. See you all tomorrow.

Hello how are you all? I'm feeling really low today. I hate myself. I'm over life. Life is so horrible. Probably tomorrow will get better I hope so. See you all tomorrow.

Uninformedconfusedyethope Getting started
  • replies: 2

This is a big deal for me. I signed up today because I finally realised after 16 years that my daughter seems to be presenting with some mental health issues. She is the middle child or our close, loving, mostly functional family. I have reached the ... View more

This is a big deal for me. I signed up today because I finally realised after 16 years that my daughter seems to be presenting with some mental health issues. She is the middle child or our close, loving, mostly functional family. I have reached the point where I have had to accept that I don’t know how to support her. Furthermore, I think it’s because I have my own unresolved issues that reappear in times of stress, and I am not coping well. Even my husband is starting to show signs of fatigue and both of us have recently stepped over the line of losing our cool, yelling and swearing at our daughter , causing her to get on her bike and ride away into the night. That’s why I’m here. I dont feel like we’re getting anywhere. I know very little about mental illness. It scares me. But I think the time has come to address both my daughter’s needs, my own long standing needs, and in turn, the needs of our whole family.

Grace27 New and a bit nervous
  • replies: 4

Hi all, This is my first time posting to a forum like this one. I am a single mother who works full time, and over the past few months, I've been feeling completely empty. I don't feel sad. I don't want to cry. I just feel really numb. I feel like I ... View more

Hi all, This is my first time posting to a forum like this one. I am a single mother who works full time, and over the past few months, I've been feeling completely empty. I don't feel sad. I don't want to cry. I just feel really numb. I feel like I am manufacturing laughter, or anger, or whatever emotion I am supposed to show... I can't concentrate on my job, and this has fuelled further feelings of inadequacy - not just in my work life, but in my private life (feeling like a bad and useless mother). I am quite isolated at the moment, and really only see my parents on a regular basis (as well as my child). As it's only been a few months... I don't know if this feeling will last... but I really really hope it does as every day I wake up feeling defeated. I have never been diagnosed with depression - and I don't know what this is, other than knowing my mental health and wellbeing is taking a beating. I guess I'm just here to see if anyone could offer any advice, or if there is anyone here who might be going through something similar.

Lilybell Another newbie saying hello
  • replies: 1

Hello all, I’ve just joined and after reading some posts thought I would introduce myself. I’ve battled depression to varying degrees most of my adult life and have had a couple of significant episodes of anxiety lasting months in the past. I had sev... View more

Hello all, I’ve just joined and after reading some posts thought I would introduce myself. I’ve battled depression to varying degrees most of my adult life and have had a couple of significant episodes of anxiety lasting months in the past. I had severe postnatal depression and anxiety when my daughter was born, as well as postnatal psychosis and several months of menstrual psychosis in her first year. I spent seven weeks in a mother baby unit as a psych patient. I’ve been on the same antidepressant medication since she was a week old, she just turned 14. I’ve had a tough year with my 85yo Dad’s health which is now thankfully much better but I do worry about him and my Mum as I am very close to them. I’m studying a masters degree in social work and I know I put huge pressure on myself to excel... I’m not a perfectionist by any means but I do obsess about the study. I’ve become very isolated and haven’t been looking after myself at all. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who is also my best friend, but he’s been traveling so much for work and I miss him terribly - he has been away this week, due home next Friday. Last Sunday, it was as though something inside me snapped and anxiety exploded, and I’ve been struggling to cope. The thoughts are mainly around fear of death and loss, and general feeling of dread. I saw my psychologist and GP today and I’ve been reaching out for support from friends which is not easy for me to do. I called the BB helpline a couple of days ago and spoke to a really helpful guy so I decided I’d come here and sign up. I’m doing my best to challenge thoughts and stay mindful etc, but it’s hard I’m doing guided relaxation meditations, would be interested to hear what strategies are helpful for others.