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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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Out_the_window i fear the worst with my lung tumors
  • replies: 13

Hello people. Ive been very depressed because i may have a similar disease that killed my sister.lung tumors. I dont smoke any more.but yesturday it bled.its not good.now theres one in each lung.ive had mild pnuemonia the past week and a half.still c... View more

Hello people. Ive been very depressed because i may have a similar disease that killed my sister.lung tumors. I dont smoke any more.but yesturday it bled.its not good.now theres one in each lung.ive had mild pnuemonia the past week and a half.still coughing badly.still at home.will go into hospital tomorrow. Ive been sick for over four years now. Im still playing my guitar and writing songs. Anyway. My depression seems to be replaced by numbness. As i have siezures. Im 55 now. Im not telling my daughters as they still have shock from the sudden departures of my five family members... " THERES A BLUE SKYE OUT MY WINDOW...A BRIGHTER DAY THATS IN MY MIND...AND IVE GOT NO SPECIAL PLACE TO GO. MAYBE THERE I WILL FIND...IM. OUT..OUT THE WINDOW..wmr

KYLE67 Introducing myself- KYLE67
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. I have recently turned 50 and have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember. I have used medication in the past but not for many years, I just feel too numb and I don't think it really helps. I am not sure exactly why I fee... View more

Hi everyone. I have recently turned 50 and have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember. I have used medication in the past but not for many years, I just feel too numb and I don't think it really helps. I am not sure exactly why I feel so low right now- a recent milestone birthday? The twelve month anniversary of being retrenched (still no job)? But maybe because I feel so alone. I am gay and single- its not a secret or anything and I have had significant relationships in the past- although the last was 10 years ago and the guy screwed around on me and caught HIV without telling me. I just feel kind of abandoned right now- of the few friends I have most forgot my 50th birthday (I never reminded them so maybe my fault) and most of my family who live interstate sent a text only on the day. I am a pretty sensitive person and usually go out of my way to make these type of occasions important for others - but i just feel forgotten and alone. I have been isolating myself a lot in the last month- tend not to ring anyone and spend most of the day alone. When I do go out like I did on Friday night I felt the friends I were with were condescending and uppity. But maybe its me. I think maybe its a combinations of things. I am trying to get myself motivated to do things but most of the last week I have been lying around watching TV. I do go to the gym regularly and mostly three times a week- I also have a great house overlooking the sea and have better financial circumstances than most. So I try to tell myself I have a lot to be grateful about. However most of my interaction with other seems to be based 99% on them and they don't seem to care much whet is happening to me. But this is nothing new in a way, and I must admit I often keep all these feelings to myself. Whenever I have opened up to a few people I have been judged and they seem to not want to know or help. I understand there is support out there and to some degree its up to me. Not sure where I go from here but open to suggestions......

molly101 my introduction
  • replies: 5

Hi, I get angry with myself for being self absorbed but I go in circles because then I feel pathetic and dislike myself more. I am very conscious of people who have more reason to feel down. I do try to help myself by doing things like eating well an... View more

Hi, I get angry with myself for being self absorbed but I go in circles because then I feel pathetic and dislike myself more. I am very conscious of people who have more reason to feel down. I do try to help myself by doing things like eating well and exercising. Today I signed up for some volunteering because I want to take my focus off myself but I seem to take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I have been arguing with my teenage daughter, mostly because she is showing the same passive aggressive traits that I have and I hate that I am not a good role model for her & after an argument tonight I found myself here. Despite planning for a positive day I am miserable again & looking for something to get me out of this cycle. I cant keep doing this, she is sitting exams this year & I am supposed to be her support. I am angry that she will have these memories of me in the future, I know that is narcissistic & I am so embarrassed by these thoughts that I cant face telling a doctor knowing that they would see through this self absorption & be thinking how weak I am. I am worried about trying antidepressants as employers ask whether you have been on them & also I have 2 sisters that are on antidepressants & I don't see them working for them. One sister has recently been placed under guardianship & diagnosed with personality disorder aged 58 after the death of my Mum this year. This was a long time coming as she has placed a lot of stress on our family for many years. I have no contact with any of my siblings after mum's death for reasons anybody would acknowledge as understandable, I wont go into detail but I am also very conscious of the fact that I have difficulty dealing with people, have no friends and have a fragile relationship with my daughter and husband. I have always considered myself a bit odd and suffer anxiety and social awkwardness but try to fight it by throwing myself in the deep end. I struggle to stay in a job or keep a friend or accomplish anything. I have done a lot of things in my past that I am ashamed of & now I am inflicting my miserableness on other people & it has to stop. I do not usually talk about myself like this, in fact I make a conscious effort not to. I have just read over this post & realise how trite & wishy washy it sounds & people are probably thinking I am just fishing for sympathy but I am going to post it anyway as sending it out to the air helps & hopefully someone will help me to put things in perspective .

LaraW Introducing me!
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone My name is Lara, and I'm a 21 year old musician, filmmaker, performer, writer and yoga addict. My teenage years were pretty rough, and i endured through bullying, grief and abuse at home. As a result, I'm now learning how to cope with str... View more

Hi everyone My name is Lara, and I'm a 21 year old musician, filmmaker, performer, writer and yoga addict. My teenage years were pretty rough, and i endured through bullying, grief and abuse at home. As a result, I'm now learning how to cope with stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. I'm hoping to make some new friends, have meaningful conversations, and learn some helpful tips to continue to recover from mental illness, and to stay healthy and well. I look forward to interacting with you soon!

Luna_Eclipse Anxious Newbie
  • replies: 5

Hi I'm new to all this and thought I'd give it a go to see if it helps me in any way. In the past 4 months I have developed high anxiety which produces panic attacks and I'm at my wits end trying to figure it all out and why its happening to me. When... View more

Hi I'm new to all this and thought I'd give it a go to see if it helps me in any way. In the past 4 months I have developed high anxiety which produces panic attacks and I'm at my wits end trying to figure it all out and why its happening to me. When it happens it literally feels like I'm going to die and I every time i run to the doctors they tell me that I'm fine and reassure me which helps but doesn't stop it from happening. The symptoms are very scary to me as I get very light headed, heart racing weakness in my body and start to shake and get all types of weird body pains. Hoping others can shed some light on it and share so techniques they use.

Guest_8148 Ben
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm Ben im 37years old. I have a 9mth old son and a partner. Suffering from various degrees of mental illness for nigh on 20 years now. Over it. Can feel my family slipping away. Live in remote WA. Very hard to get regular services. Feel lost and ... View more

Hi I'm Ben im 37years old. I have a 9mth old son and a partner. Suffering from various degrees of mental illness for nigh on 20 years now. Over it. Can feel my family slipping away. Live in remote WA. Very hard to get regular services. Feel lost and alone. And bloody helpless

Wanting_to_get_better Why can't I converse anymore
  • replies: 3

Hi i have always been a happy and talkative person and love helping others but over 18 months life has fallen apart i lost my marriage. I lost my home. I lost my business im residing with friends with 2 children in my care I function because I have t... View more

Hi i have always been a happy and talkative person and love helping others but over 18 months life has fallen apart i lost my marriage. I lost my home. I lost my business im residing with friends with 2 children in my care I function because I have to but I just don't want to talk I'm on meds and go to therapy but to anyone around me now even my kids I just clam up i want all of this to pass and feel like I am back in control of my life and give my kids their mum back

Emgirl Feeling different
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I've struggled with MI for a number of years but it hasn't been until recently far I have actually personally accepted it. I guess I always thought mental illness involved being sad, or feeling anxious all of the time. But mostly I've just fe... View more

Hi all, I've struggled with MI for a number of years but it hasn't been until recently far I have actually personally accepted it. I guess I always thought mental illness involved being sad, or feeling anxious all of the time. But mostly I've just felt flat and like life has lost its meaning. I guess this is why I never thought I had an MI in the first place I just thought I wasn't looking after myself properly or just draining myself too much. Never expected that I was actually suffering figured I was being weak. But how long can one just feel flat, lifeless and like nothing can get you out of that hole?

Freespirit Disability Employment Service problem
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I was sitting with my phone for 3 hours or so. I called this number then I realized I was too close to speaking to somebody. Then I totally chickened out. I am not brave enough to even make this phone call. I don't know - maybe others ha... View more

Hi everyone, I was sitting with my phone for 3 hours or so. I called this number then I realized I was too close to speaking to somebody. Then I totally chickened out. I am not brave enough to even make this phone call. I don't know - maybe others have a similar experience. I don't even know if I can properly communicate with people. By the way, I am on Newstart Allowance and am required to go to one of the Disability Employment Service providers. This was arranged because I have depression. It seems none of the staff there have a clue about mental health issues and I always feel miserable or intimidated. They are like prison guards. I don't know who came up this crap of system. Nothing works really. Sorry for the rant.