Welcome and Orientation

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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

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Hi, first time doing anything like this...😖

replies: 8

Hi, I’m a 43 year old man married with one daughter. This is the first time ever doing anything like this, and still took me 5 goes before I hit the “DONE” button. I feel myself slipping deeper into a void I cannot see myself returning from. I am my own worst enemy and have zero confidence in my abilities, even though I know I am extremely capable. i rarely get a good nights sleep even though the only thing I look forward to is going to bed and sleep. I feel as if I’m letting my family down, especially my 14 year old. its very hard for me to do this but had to vent it somewhere

Hello I am new

replies: 4

Hello i am having a bit of a rough time at the moment and want to talk about it I just signed up and saying a big hello to everyone I am 25 I have anxiety and depression I have a amazing partner and beautiful family just feeling down with some experi... View more

New to the Forum Scene

replies: 7

Hello, I have never posted on a forum before, so feeling very new and nervous. I have recently turned 25 years old and I live in Melbourne. If you asked any of my friends, family or coworkers what my personality was like, I'm sure they would say happy and bubbly, always has a smile. For as long as I can remember, to me I've mostly felt ashamed of myself and very self conscious. I can get really tired and in my mind I'm being really lazy and unproductive. I dropped out of uni a couple of times which I've now realised I was so anxious and worried about failing that is why I ended up doing just that... failing. I am unhappy with my body and weight which is a major factor to my feelings. I have been too scared to talk to anyone whether it be family, friends or even doctors. Even trying to just write this I'm second guessing myself and wanting to delete it. I'm looking for support from somewhere, where I won't feel like I'm getting judged or over reacting to what I'm feeling.

What to do when family members suffer from mental illnesses?

replies: 3

Hi guys, My mum has always been clear about her depression, and is fully aware that she suffers from this mentall illness which inhibits her from driving to work (she takes a total of 3 hours commute daily to work). She does irrational things like blaming her sisters for causing her marriage with my dad to no longer be the way it used to be. I realised recently but my dad is not an affectionate father, which I understand as his father was the same. But I feel like this lack of attention has led to disorganised attachment, and I feel that he often puts his anger on my mum, saying that she is the reason why the family business is suffering, which she then tells me that she is depending on me to help her or else she will face more trouble. My older brother has decided to drop out of year 12 early this year, and like my mum, he has irrational behaviours. He has ridiculous fits such as blaming the government for purposely failing his hazards test to take his money, or calling people stupid and dumb for small mistakes. He has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and has conjured a story for me to tell our family and friends that he is still in high school, when everyone knows the truth. He purposely avoids seeing anyone from his school on the bus by making my mum and him take the bus very early in the morning to avoid running into anyone familiar when they go to work together. He has seen a psychologist twice and has been on medication but not much has changed. I feel like a combination of my mums irrational behaviour and dads social isolation has made my brother like this, and my parents always blame each other for my brother turning out this way. They always put pressure on me, saying that I will need to be the one who gets a good atar score and will go to university. I feel so frustrated, as if I'm trapped by my family's issues, and that I cannot do anything I wish as I need to look after my family. I have to be careful with what I say to friends or else they will know that my brother no longer attends high school. I hate lying about this. Sometimes when I go out or stay away from home for camp, I don't miss my family which I find odd. Are there any coping strategies or advice I could use, to feel less pressure and stress from my family? I feel so trapped, but don't wish talk to someone about it much, just want to know if I'm doing enough (working in the business to keep my parents happy and protecting my brother)? Thank you

Hello, I'm new, I'm 68 yo and I feel as if I'm dying of emotional starvation.

replies: 15

It's 3.45 am. I can't sleep and so I came here. I'm from WW2 refugees who went through their own hell to survive. Australia became a safe place to live but such survivors had to do things which weren't spoken of later and so secretive, dysfunctional families, stradling different cultures became a normal life. I thought what I'd seen and learnt was behind me. I became a nurse specialising in Pain Management, Dementia Management and Palliative Care for 32 years. One night 2 years ago, after coming home from a difficult afternoon shift, I had a bottle of wine. still couldn't sleep, took a sleeping tablet and had a complete mental breakdown. With my husband's and my doctor's help, I'm much better. I have not touched alcohol since and am on antidepressants. What is happening now tho' is that I'm having flashbacks to bad times and my family has broken apart so no-one talks to anyone else. I've isolated myself while recovering and have no-one with whom I can have long intelligent conversations or laughter. My husband is a dour, insular person, obsessed with not spending money so we don't go out and I'm at a point where I need to make some life style changes choices but don't know where to start. I love all things "homey"; sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and cooking. We have 3 children, 2 we never see; they have drugs and alcohol issues, one we see rarely and it's tense. we have 5 grandchildren we don't see because of our relationships with their parents. Nursing was my saviour for a long time. I had so much affection to give and got as much back that life was hard but rewarding. I don't laugh any more and I have nightmares every night and I want to find a way to a peaceful night's sleep and a reason to wake up and get started. It has taken sheer desperation to open up this much.

anxiety about past mistakes

replies: 3

hello, i'm a full-time student and i have exams coming up within the month. I'm having trouble concentrating on studying lately because of regular anxiety, and i need help with that. my past mistakes keep coming up every now and then i immediately start feeling bad about myself. consequently i'm unable to study 100% as i usually do. I know it's the past and cannot change it, but that's easy to say and very hard to not feel bad about. the mistakes in question involve drunk mistakes with random boys just to get over someone else. mistakes i made with my exes ages ago (cheating). I sound like a horrible person, back then i didn't even regret my actions, i always said to myself they deserved it. but i feel really bad now because i'm a different person today and i will never go down that road again. but i can't stop feeling horrible. especially when i go back and see myself do all those things from a different me. Does anyone have suggestions of steps i can take to feel better? Or anyone been through this situation before who can share? Many million thanks

Newbie introduction and hoping for some connection

replies: 3

Hi, ive never posted to or been part of a forum before so I'm not really sure how this works but here goes. Im 32 and live in regional SA. I've had bouts of depression and anxiety in the past, the most serious at age 23 and again at age 27. For the last few years I have had a number of big life changes-multiple new jobs, moved to the country, back to the city and then back to the country again. In the last few months I noticed myself slowing right down, I started to have more and more sick days and cancelled things I enjoy doing. I was having trouble getting out of bed and no motivation. I feel so silly now but looking back I kept thinking 'I'm just sick' or 'it's work, I'm stressed'. I am now sure that I am slipping back into a depression. My work is as a provisional psychologist (oh the irony). At work one day a coworker asked if I was ok and I just burst into tears. It came from nowhere. I went home that day I just cried and cried. And since then I really feel like crying all the time. My partner and I went away for five days to have a break and it was wonderful but now we are back I am feeling even more overwhelmed. Today I feel I have hit a total low. I am feeling like there's just no point and everything is just too hard. I have stayed in bed and cried and cried. I am just so desperate to connect to others who can understand these feelings. I feel ashamed, guilty, stupid and so dumb-I'm a psychologist-how could I not recognise where I was at? I know everyone needs support it doesn't matter what profession but that doesn't make the feeling go away. I have amazing support from my family and partner but it's so hard trying to explain what I'm feeling. My partner tries to be helpful but thinks I need to be pushed-he will say for example 'come on just get out of bed and let's go to breakfast, that will make u feel better'. The thought of getting up let alone going out just makes me feel so overwhelmed that I end up feeling worse. And then I feel guilty and ashamed and it all starts again. i have booked in to see my gp on Tuesday for a mental health plan. I know I will get through this but right now it all seems too hard. I hope this makes some sense and really hope I can connect with some of you on here. x

Im a newbie

replies: 1

Hiya my name is Flossticles Its 3:05am & can't think straight right now. Im 48 & have been fighting with mental illness for a long time. The list is long & if it's ok with you all can i leave it for another day! Take care xxxxxx

New Kid on the block!

replies: 7

Hi there everyone. I've just joined the community and from just reading over a few threads, I've noticed a lot of support and encouragement. Anyhow, I've been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, severe obsessive compulsive disorder and just a few weeks ago diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. I'm just coming to terms with my bipolar diagnosis as I don't have a great understanding of it. I'm learning though. I won't go into too much detail, but I'd just like to say how pleased I am to be here and how I'm looking forward to meeting with and connecting with you all

Hello cyberspace

replies: 2

Hi. I'm so tired. I need to speak with someone but am feeling too raw to speak over the phone so thought I'd give this mode of communication a go. Hoping that reading some other people's journey with depression and chronic pain might lighten the load... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi, first time doing anything like this...😖 replies: 8

Hello I am new replies: 4

New to the Forum Scene replies: 7

What to do when family members suffer from mental illnesses? replies: 3

Hello, I'm new, I'm 68 yo and I feel as if I'm dying of emotional starvation. replies: 15

anxiety about past mistakes replies: 3

Newbie introduction and hoping for some connection replies: 3

Im a newbie replies: 1

New Kid on the block! replies: 7

Hello cyberspace replies: 2