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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New to the site and reaching out i think

replies: 1

Hi, i moved to Australia about 7 years ago to start a new life away from clubbing, partying and ridiculous amout of drugs. I have successfully given up drugs and the parties and clubbs, but have found myself ridiculously lonely. Unfortunately drugs and parties was such a big part of my life, in fact it was my whole life. So the long and short of it, i am clean but lost. I dont really know how to mix with normal people. After being clean for about 5 years. I kind of nearly had a breakdown, well i think that is what it was. I kept nearly busting into tears for no reason. Anyway, as a result i have now been diagnosed with ADHD and depression, we are still working out the meditation, but i would really like to be normal one day and maybe happily ever after if possible. Anyway nece to meet everyone. Hope this was not to derailed. Mark

Lonely

replies: 2

I have no friends, no body to hang out with and rely mostly on youtube videos to keep me happy. I find it hard to make friends as I feel I am not interesting enough or too boring to keep a friendship going. I am not shy but I am quiet. I am very self conscious about myself and have hated my appearance for a while. My family life is a struggle and I feel I have no where to escape. I am praying that God will guide me to friendships soon because I'm just so lonely right now. I've never had a friend I could talk to all the time. I want to make friends in my church but I feel like a lot of them judge me and they are fake. I want to have a big family but mine is very small. I struggle with anxiety and depression but I was never diagnosed. My mum thinks she understands what I'm going through but I don't think she does. I am so blessed in my life and thank God for the things I have, but one thing is missing, FRIENDS. What am I doing wrong?

Introduction:The Lonely Life of BeingByrne

replies: 23

Hi Everyone, I've joined BB a few days ago and I've posted a lot since, but I haven't introduced myself yet. ( How rude of me, apologies) I have been struggling with depression and anxiety all in my life including my childhood ( which wasn't a great one). At the moment I'm O.K. ( meaning I'm still depressed, but coping ). I guess I'm O.K because after years of hard work I was able to create a safe little shell for me to live in, away from stress and triggers. But I tell you, this is the loneliest existence on the planet. My shell is basically my home which I own with my husband (who works for both of us,so I don't have to work) where I live a socially isolated life after I managed to get rid of all my friends and the relationship with hubby is not like a marriage, it's more like a living arraignment (not a lot intimacy or emotional connection). My depression makes him feel uncomfortable and he pulls away from me and doesn't communicate with me. He doesn't know a lot about depression and he doesn't want to know about it. So, my only support system is my dog. My beautiful yellow labrador who turns out to be the best support system I have ever had. She is the reason I get out of bed in the morning and get out of the house (basically taking her for a walk or going to the shops to buy dog food). Most of the time I am by myself because hubby works away so my only company is my gorgeous dog who I call my best friend. She does not judge me nor she cares what I look like in the morning and she never holds grudges or takes anything for granted. And on top of that she is loves me more than anybody I've ever met. She pulls me out of bed when she thinks it's time to get up and she brings and drops her leash in my lap when it's time to get out of the house. Basically speaking she keeps me alive. The reason I have joined BB, because I felt that I needed to connect with people. As much as I love my dog she's not human. I would love to get out of this isolation and I thought talking to you guys will be the first step. And I have to say that it has already lifted my spirit a little bit. So thank you. Warm wishes

New here

replies: 5

Hello everyone. I just want to introduce myself. I am a 33 year old female from Queensland. Have suffered from depression since 16, on top of ocd and anxiety. Have found after the recent death of my Dad and dealing with other issues that my depression has gotten worse. Feels like the medication am on is no longer working. Have joined this forum to chat with people who also suffer from depression, since no one else seems to understand unless they have suffered from it.

Helllllooooo!

replies: 3

Hey everyone, First time posting here so thought I would introduce myself. I'm a 27 year old female just trying to get through life but it's been pretty rough at the moment. I have PTSD, BPD and OCD. The main motive behind joining was to learn more about PTSD and converse with fellow sufferers. It's quite a complicated disorder, more than I ever knew. I was in a relationship with an abusive person, very narcissistic and emotionally cold. I've disassociated from the memories but the triggers are still there. I want to learn how to recognise triggers and how to manage them. I don't take any medication and have no interest to do so. I hate having PTSD, it has dictated a huge amount of my life, I struggle to get out of bed, to eat, to see friends or family, to be patient... I barely make art anymore, it doesn't even interest me at all. It leaves me on edge all the time; I have trouble trusting my partner even. I don't trust anyone. I think they're all going to screw me over... this thought pattern has taken over my way of thinking and and I can barely live my life. I'm on auto pilot. Sorry for the intense intro, haha. These forums seem so very helpful and I'm keen to be part of it.

Anxiety and Sadness

replies: 6

i just joined up to this page because i need help/advice from literally anyone. i have pretty much quit my job due to being so anxious, i just work myself up about it until the day comes of my shift and i call in sick. i constantly get sad or really angry for no reason, well not anything that i can think of, it's driving me insane. i get so mad to the point that i cry. i don't know who to talk to or get help from for any of this

A good place to start?

replies: 3

Hi, How do you find the motivation you don't have? Overcoming the fear you have when you leave the house? Getting rid of the feeling so inadequate you think the world is better off not dealing with the burden you bring to it? Wearing the mask every day that everything is okay, when it is not? I am over wearing the mask, yet I don't know how to be myself and how can I be myself when I don't know who I am? I suppose this is a good place to start, right?

First time being open about having depression.

replies: 4

Hello, this is my first time doing anything ever like this. I've had a really hard week and have just been drowning in my own thoughts so I've decided to share in the hopes that someone knows what how I feel. Firstly, only one person knows I have depression and thats my partner and luckily he is so supportive of me. To everyone else they haven't the slightest idea and I feel like I would die if anyone else knew. I feel selfish for being this way and I truly believe I hide it remarkably well. I never ever talk about being down, or upset and I am very bubbly in public. The truth is when I am on my own I just fall apart. I would say the most consistent feeling I have is confusion. I feel like my head is a prison that I'm stuck in, I've had friends and siblings that have had panic attacks and really break down when they are not coping and as awful as this sounds, I've often wished that would happen to me. I wish I could the feelings out. I'm so terrified of not amounting to anything, yet in the last 3 years I can't seem to make any decisions, about anything. I'm not working very much right now, something most people don't even know and all I want is to be busy but I can't decide on what to do. I realise that having a disruptive childhood may have something to do with how I am (there is a history substance abuse in my family and lots of moving around) but I can't help feeling so ashamed of just not having myself together, and so I just pretend to. The mornings are particularly hard, I wake up telling myself everything is ok over and over again, even if I don't know what I am upset about. I started feeling like this after my father died when I was 24, but I am 27 now and I thought I would get over this and get on with life, but I haven't and I don't understand why everything feels wrong all the time, I'm so exhausted. When I have gone to see a psychologist I suddenly feel completely fine and can't open up about anything to them. And lastly, I don't always feel this way, it comes and goes. I am always a bit scared when I am happy because it feels like the confusion and doubt is just waiting around the corner. I wonder if anyone else feels this way too or has any insight into why I can't make decisions and feel so confused. Thanks for letting me share here.

Hello Everyone

replies: 2

So nice to be here. I'm currently dealing with Depression. It would be nice to talk to someone about it. I find it difficult to get out of bed. I lie down everyday. I never go out. I have no confidence and no ssupport. I'm alone every day and I find it hard to do anything. The only people who know about this are my family... And all they tell me to do is Apply for a Disability Payment through Centre link. I find it hard to get the energy to live a normal life. I've been given Phycologists and psychiatrists numbers but After a while they Dont seem to help and there helping methods Dont make a difference. I lost the love of my life due to Depression. He picked on me and tormented me which I thought wasnt nice. I find it hard to deal with it. Thankyou

I don't know how to ask for help, I feel like I am failing myself by being so sick

replies: 2

Hi, I guess I have to start here as I have no idea how to confront my mental health, I have no self esteem and I feel like my approach to outside my home is fake it till I make it. I work, I function, That means nothing is wrong but something is wrong and I am fighting my negative frame of mind everyday? I can't pin point when I started to feel this way, I try so hard to fight my negative self doubt but it lingers and I feel like I don't know who I am... I am ashamed of the women I am, The mother I am, The partner I am, I am actually failing everyone around me. All I truely want is happiness and I can barely find glimpses of this in my day. I want to cut everyone out of my life so I can just start again but realistically that is probably my mind frame talking but as these feelings go on I see reason in every little thing why I can't have anyone in my life. To the outside world I almost appear to have it all, but inside I feel nothing, I don't appreciate this life, which is slightly scary but I don't even see it like that. I regret the life I lead it is overwheling, I worked hard for everything I have, I ticked off that list but now that list has stalled, I don't want anything at all except to be alone. This life is more a struggle then living and I question why it has become so hard.. I know I need professional help but am ashamed to admit that and ashamed to be honest that the darkness is eating me alive. I don't want to live like this but I feel like admitting I am like this will be even worse.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New to the site and reaching out i think replies: 1

Lonely replies: 2

Introduction:The Lonely Life of BeingByrne replies: 23

New here replies: 5

Helllllooooo! replies: 3

Anxiety and Sadness replies: 6

A good place to start? replies: 3

First time being open about having depression. replies: 4

*Hello Everyone* replies: 2

I don't know how to ask for help, I feel like I am failing myself by being so sick replies: 2