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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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Really Struggling

replies: 21

I have a good job, been there 14 years. On unpaid leave since mid-January due to my own mental illness and because I was caring for my sister. My sister recently attempted suicide, I found her, it messed me up, more than I was before.I have heaps of medical and mental health issues, 27 different medications a day. Chronic pain. Bladder Cancer. Bipolar 2 with psychotic features, Anxiety and Depression. Then some. Currently recovering from a brief psychotic episode, managed to have that with none of my family realising or doing a thing about it. Currently struggling with anxiety and depression. My anxiety is off the charts but I have medications to help control that. My depression is really bad at the moment, self care is basically non-existant. I shower when I have to, used to be when I had appointments but Im down to if they are going to need any clothes off or its been more than what deoderant and cologne can cover up. Eating is a bit, I dunno. I wake up at like 1 or 2 in the morning and will have some cereal. Im buying lite n' Easy meals for lunch and tea, like their main meals and force myself to have lunch but its usually postponed. Tea, I have to eat for my medication so again Im putting it off but making myself do it. Crap food, no problem, ill eat that all day if left to it.Medications is a bit of a deal. I dont want to take them, 1/2 the time I think they are poison, the rest of the time its just a battle to take them. I had spinal procedure recently so daily life is a bit 'relaxed' I try to do what I can but its not much as most things cause pain. Getting around 5 hours sleep is doing well. This has been the case or a while, not the procedure, though pain has been an issue for a long time. Waking up seeing a vision of my sister when I found her from her attempt. They are regular and happen during the day.

Cannot get along with people

replies: 3

I had a lot of bad experience, my parents don't love me, they tried to ask for money. I once broke up with a 3-year-boyfriend and is deeply betrayed. I got mistreated at work, I tried so hard to make friends but coworkers just being selfish, no one truly cares about me. Now I feel i lost the courage of talking to people and cannot get along with my hate to people, what can i do?

Grief and anxiety

replies: 2

Hi, my situation has been complex and very sad after the passing of my dad.I never expected so much struggle and sadness after 3 and half year of this event. Every day is difficult to reduce the gigantic anxiety even I'm taking medication seen a psyc... View more

Shite happens

replies: 2

Sometimes after reflection we know a clear path but because of bad choices made previously Sometimes decades ago we are entrenched. Hope is not a factor only survival. Responsibility of children and pets make.it impossible to renew. We live day to day.This creates a depression which goes against the core of optimism I know what I have to do. Be grateful. But how do I create meaningful relationships with teenage children and work hard to create a neglected career then try to make life affirming decisions. ToughI'm sad

Tired of treading the same water...

replies: 10

I call it the churn. Helplessness, inability to break the cycle, always finding the same rut again. Like it's inevitable. I'm a male in my 40s, feeling like I've missed a stack of opportunities, and ruined relationships with plenty of good women. I'm well educated, never really made anything of myself though. Started and didn't finish every uni degree or certificate I attempted. Rest of my family are massively successful, loved me to bits, and I disappeared in my stubbornness and inability to grow the f up. I've missed the bus on starting a family. I haven't honoured my Dad who passed when I was young. I found success in music and threw it away with drug use and lack of commitment. I floated through life while I was given the golden ticket, now it's passed me by. I don't have the respect if my peers. I'm a decent person, that never achieved much. And now I'm writing this here. Feeling like I'm still acting without purpose. Embarrassed. A failure. Wondering who would bother reaching out to someone that had it all, and fucked it up. I don't even have the balls to be suicidal. To anyone reading this going through your own version of hell, I hope this place helps you find some peace.

Wife suffering from persecutory delusions, can they eventually forgive the wrongly accused?

replies: 1

My wife of nearly 20 years has always suffered from depression but the past 4 years have been the hardest on me due to the amplification of her hypervigilance/judgemental-ness/persecutory beliefs based on past unresolved trauma. She has seen a psychiatrist for many years but they never seem to delve into the cause and over the past 4 years her paranoia regarding people close to me has escalated.I have had to part way for numerous friends, minimal contact with my family and I am now more isolated than ever. I have given up sports that I enjoyed due to the clubs being part of the conspiracy. These people are accused of sharing emails or texts, hacking accounts, passing on information to media outlets and general gaslighting in an effort to get her to return to a past workplace (one source of her past trauma).Like many people suffering the above, jumping to conclusions with minimal evidence, not believing her Dr and being angry at needing medication (antidepressant and a mild antipsychotic) when she believes it's all these people who need to stop and apologise.Can someone who believes in these things so strongly ever get to a point where they realise that these people have not done what her mind has convinced her of or is it 'locked in'.I guess I am at a point where I am assessing our future as a family unit. We have children and it is really starting to impact them and my lust for life is also at an all-time low.I read all the help guides regarding caring for someone suffering from this, but I fear catching up with people (who have not been accused) as I may lose them too.It's not a great way to live and if things are set in her mind, even if she gets things under control, I miss all my friends and catching up with family regularly without the crippling anxiety it brings me.Thanks

Where to turn

replies: 7

Hi Everyone, please excuse the length of my first post but I am desperate. I am here to ask if anyone has been in the same situation as I currently find myself in. I have been struggling to get a GP to help me and have been suffering with a plethora of symptoms for many years now. I am currently on my 7th GP (who has also asked me to find another GP). I am very sensitive to medications and was diagnosed last year with Serotonin Syndrome (SS) by my psychiatrist but GP had no clue how to treat this and hence told me to find another GP. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes shortly after commencing SSRIs years ago as my blood glucose levels spiked but since then (after a change in antidepressants in 2019) my blood glucose levels have always been in the non diabetic range. I ceased SSRIs in Dec22 and many of my symptoms/side effects have dissapeared. Jan 23 I started an MAO and in March I ceased 'all' meds incl MAO due to side effects. However, I still have many symptoms. I can't sleep, I still have constant headaches, my eyes feel like they are bulging out of my head, my joints and muscles ache and have now been told I now have peripheral neuropathy. I have been complaining about low blood oxygen levels for years but GPs didn't believe me but have never checked. They still don't believe me yet my feet and toes are hurting . I have an appt with an endocrinologist in a couple of weeks. I have had over 200 medical appt's in the last few years and don't know where to turn to get someone to believe me. Is there a doctor (anywhere in Australia, yes I am that desperate I am willing to travel) that deals in the aftermath of years of SS or even knows what it is? I read everywhere, to seek advice from a 'health professional' but I seriously cannot find one. I am extremely desperate for help as my future is not looking bright.Again sorry for the long post.

How to let go the past

replies: 3

Where do I start , how many times that little white pill has taken 1st place instead of his mother .

So much help out there

replies: 3

Hi. Posting here for the first time. Just got off the helpline which helped so much. Also watched some really helpful videos on YouTube this afternoon too. I’ve slept badly since Friday which has stressed me out - anxiety following mania. I hope I ca... View more

Busy mind

replies: 7

Hi all,I am new here,I am a wife,mother of 3 and grandmother of 3.lately I my mind has been so busy with everything that is going on in my life.i have fears of things that I need to do during the week or events coming up,it's like a work myself up wo... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Really Struggling replies: 21

Cannot get along with people replies: 3

Grief and anxiety replies: 2

Shite happens replies: 2

Tired of treading the same water... replies: 10

Wife suffering from persecutory delusions, can they eventually forgive the wrongly accused? replies: 1

Where to turn replies: 7

How to let go the past replies: 3

So much help out there replies: 3

Busy mind replies: 7