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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What do all these symbols mean?

replies: 2

Hello everyone I've been here for a little while now and have noticed that under some members names theres icons such as the bus and one thats a badge with BV And also some members have community champion, blue voices member I sure theres more but i ... View more

Hello, finally

replies: 3

Hello all, I've tried posting so many times now, but I always back out. It makes me a little nervous, although I know it shouldn't. I'm 31 years old and I wish I could say I have hobbies, but I stop and start so many things, maybe that could be a hobby in itself! I do however think I am a creative person, I often find myself trying different creative outlets. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Rapid Cycling Bipolar and ADD. I see a psychiatrist once a month and each visit is a medication adjustment. I guess I'm finally writing to see how others have gone through their journey to stable. It feels like it's been so long and I've stopped getting closer to what I think normal feels like. I keep thinking that one visit I'll be told I'm stable and its time to sort out maintenance. The depressive lows always hit me the hardest and some days I still feel like I could just sleep all day. I remember what I was like before my first episode and I'm struggling to come to terms that that may not be in my future anymore. I spent about a year before getting help completely isolating myself from everyone. I went from a close circle of friends to none at all. I often think about trying to repair those friendships but I feel like they are beyond repair and now I'm just left lonely. I also don't want them seeing me, my medication has caused me to gain so much weight, it's just embarrassing now. I'm really hoping to hear from someone who has come out the other end of this because it's really starting to wear me down and I'd love some reassurance that normal is maybe possible. My life is passing by and I'm stuck in an endless cycle of medication, poor health and doctors appointments.

Hello ( I'm new here)

replies: 5

Hello thanks for the add

New BPD

replies: 4

After 20+ years of believing I had depression and anxiety have just received a diagnosis of BPD... mixed feelings... relief...overwhelmed...I have unfortunately bought into the negative stereotype of BPD and am now "one of those people" so feeling a ... View more

Helping Hand

replies: 2

How do I apply to become an Ambassador for Beyond Blue?

Tired, stressed, unmotivated, worthless, empty mum

replies: 4

Don't know how to introduce myself... The title of my post explains it.. I feel like I hate my home and I really am over repetitive chores and lifestyle.. I just feel tired all the time. I want to hibernate and have zero motivation.. Been feeling like this ongoing for about a year. I've been on and off anxiety & depression mess for about 6 years.. I've been off them for about 2 months as I hate relying on medication but this lack of motivation for anything is really taking its toll.. ive got 3 kids and an amazing partner who just lost his job.... I don't want to write an essay... This is meant to be an intro after all. Sooo.... Hi! ☺️

G'day

replies: 3

I found this forum by accident, unsure as why I signed up yet as I usually don't get involved with anything much. Basically as my username suggests Im generally a bit scattered most of time, someone I met years ago called himself that and it gave me laugh so I stole it Ive been on DSP for 6 years now, centerlink put me on it after an altercation in the last job agency they sent me to in town went they way of the other 5 but a little bit more "dramatic". Ive seen behavioral (is that the right word) physiologists on and off since I was about 12, other physiologists and psychiatrists intermediately in the next 30 plus years when the "need" presented itself. Ive never been fully diagnosed as I have either stopped going to see them or I spend too much of the time amusing myself by not giving a straight answer. Thats not as bad as it sounds, I dont do it deliberately, it amuses me none the less. The last psychiatrist told me, she tend the thinks I had childhood depression and without actually knowing me as a child she cannot say so for sure, but it makes sense. These days I dont care what I have, took me a long long time to be happy with who I am, without meaning to sound morbid (and Im not being morbid) I just accept that Im broken and dont want to be fixed. As you can glean by this intro around midnight, I do find it hard to sleep as my head wont shut off so maybe posting here is just me looking for something to do, I dont honestly know. Either way, Im a top bloke (ask me if you dont believe me) and maybe I can be of assistance to someone by at least taking their mind of things, if you cant tell i do have a habit of writing long meandering posts that make little sense. Any way, I have been reading around this evening and hopefully I have not scared myself off.

Hello

replies: 2

Hi there Ive been to this site many times before but today seems like the day to write something. Im a single mum with a girl who is 8. She is having problems in school with her behaviour and i can't figure out how to get help because of my anxiety. Almost in tears writting this, i guess i just need to get it off my chest. Im not a social person, in fact i tend to avoid people when i can. I don't answer the phone in fear of being abused. I don't go out because i end up shopping and i just got a handle on my bills again. I just need someone to hang out with and talk to but i don't know what to do. People ive had in my life are bullies and ive dealt with that for more than 2 decades. Even my own boss is a bully. Lucky for me she is on holidays. I can't sleep, i overeat and i am either too busy or too tired to finish anything i start. My ocd turns on and off. My heart races when im uncomfortable and it goes even faster when im scared. There is more that i dont do because of my anxiety and it scares me. How do you get help when you are too afraid to ask for it? It helps to know im not the only one.

Blank mind

replies: 1

I was watching the footy tonight and was watching buddy franklin. Im a big fan of watching him play.i seen the advertisement of beyond blue. Ive struggled my whole life with communication. At school all my reports from teachers said im a quiet caring guy and wished every student was like me and that the world would be a great place. When i struggled at school teachers got me extra help in maths and english. When i started working from the age of 19 i was constantly bullied about my communication and confusion. Some of the words from managment and staff was pitiful. I went through depression changed jobs and lost my own house. I saved so hard to get a block of land and then have a house. It was sold 2 years after living in it. I went through depression anxiety and gambling. Today im off depression tablets and have come a long way but i still struggle with communication. I go blank or not know what to say all the time. Its never been put down as a disability. Had tests done on my brain and psychologists appointments over the years. Im very lucky to have the g/friend i do. Shes so understanding. Most people dont like me because im small minded. But the small group of friends luv me and think im a beautiful person. Every day is a struggle. Its very hard to live with a blank mind. I wish i could some day have a specialist doctor understand my mind and be able to treat. Thanks for listening.

Advice on psychosis

replies: 1

Hey everyone, I'm hoping to find anyone who knows anything about an 'acute psychotic episode' that my relative is going through at the moment? We are at day 18, he is stuck overseas in a medical centre and they keep saying that he will 'come out of i... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

What do all these symbols mean? replies: 2

Hello, finally replies: 3

Hello ( I'm new here) replies: 5

New BPD replies: 4

Helping Hand replies: 2

Tired, stressed, unmotivated, worthless, empty mum replies: 4

G'day replies: 3

Hello replies: 2

Blank mind replies: 1

Advice on psychosis replies: 1