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 member

replies: 2

Hi all. Im a new member here. Ive had depression.and anxiety for 33 years now. I guess frim being sexually abused as a child. I feel every where i turn i get no help. Im seeing a councillor who us lovely. My gp isnt a great help. Very lonely.and disa... View more

So here I am

replies: 12

Been meaning to get on here and have a read around for a while. I'm having a "good" day so here I am. Got diagnosed with depression a few years ago, thanks to a prompt to go and talk to a GP by a BeyondBlue poster in the airport toilet. Looking back, something had been wrong for a long, long time. I was on some medication that didn't go so well. Following a prolonged spell of mania and then a very worrying near-instantaneous switch to the other end of the scale I was referred to a psychiatrist. He pretty quickly had me sussed as bipolar. A diagnosis that on reflection makes sense of so many periods of my life. With my family history I really shouldn't have been surprised. In fact, I've probably done myself some harm in wanting to be the only strong, "normal" one. Now I'm starting a journey to become more "normal" and unlock my full potential. Hopefully there's others here on a similar journey and we can help guide each other I guess.

Bullying and how it makes you feel

replies: 3

I am having a bad day feeling very down. I have a situation that I felt was finalised with the help of fair trading. Unfortunately the party concerned won't accept this and keep harrassing me. They are making me feel worthless. I have recently had major surgery and I know the pain drugs are messing with my head but I have suffered dibilitating depression before and hope to avoid another attack

Hi, I'm a new member, hello everyone

replies: 6

I'm a 5o plus year old father of 2 sons and also have 2 beautiful grandchildren. The negative side to my beautiful family is that my youngest son (late 20's) is in prison for a serious crime. However, his term is reasonably short and he hopefully will get parole in the next year. He has suffered anxiety and depression for over 10 years now, and my wife and I have supported him as best we can and provided a save home and financial support. He is a very smart person who just cant seem to stay focused due to his illness. I have spend allot of time developing skills to best assist him, but I myself suffer anxiety too, so I to have my bad days. The reason I have joined here is to seek advice and hopefully offer any assistance to others as a way of giving back to others who suffer this debilitating illness. At present my son is very angry at the system and the people who run it and we are taking the fallout of his anger, he can't see past why guards and staff treat him badly. This is one of his main issues in the inability to understand why people act this way and it upsets him. My wife and I are at a loss on how to cope and help him during these times (its very up and down). I hope to talk with others both in a similar situation or would like to know the things I do to help. Cheers

Me

replies: 8

Hello All, My name is, I am a, I have been. I am struggling with perspective, I have been trained to believe life is; Start a career - OK, done, no idea if I earn enough, salary seems to be a taboo subject to a lot of people. I earn more than some and less than others Find someone to love - No luck, don't meet many new people Buy a house - Will do once house prices go down Have children - kinda need point 2 Retire - Should have fulfilled all of the above I don't know if I have any real questions or answers anymore, I'm just here. Regards, Once was a...

Newbie to these forums Hello from Robert

replies: 10

Hi all, just joined. My name is Robert, I have anxiety/stress issues. I work a lot at controlling this problem, I exercise a lot, meditate (mindfulness) Try and eat right and so on. Kind regards Robert

Hi...I'm new...

replies: 5

Hey there...I'm struggling with what I want to say... I guess I'll let you know that I'm a 42yr old guy...married to my beautiful wife of 12 yrs and father to our two wonderful kids of 8 and 9. I'll be honest, the reason why I'm on this forum is because of my wife who has been my biggest supporter for the longest time and suggested that I may be able to get some help and support from others... I think I was a 'normal' guy growing up - very active in sports, had lots of friends, loved the outdoors etc...Then I got a good job, met the girl that I wanted to spend my life with, got married...life was great! Then around the time we had our first child, things started to change. I started to distance myself from those friends and hobbies as my life was now my wife, daughter and me...Since then I've been withdrawn, negative, selfish, tired and just a bear to be around sometimes. This has severely affected my marriage to the point of my wife wanting a seperation. We thought that a cancer scare about 6yrs ago would have given me a new zest for life or the move from Canada to Australia 3.5yrs ago would have given me a spark...but nothing (or not much) has changed. I've been on various medications for depression for the past +5 yrs and nothing has 'changed me'. I'm currently seeing a psychologist who is helping me to break down some of the walls I have so I can have a intimate and connected relationship with my wife and meaningful relationships with friends/family. I'm looking for help from this community as I don't know what else to do. I desperately want to be a more fufilled and happier person and want to bring friendship, love, intimacy and support to my marriage. I say to myself that I'm taking medications for depression - but haven't really acknowledged that I have an illness called depression. I don't know how to deal with that illness and am looking for help. There...that's me in a nutshell... Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I'm not too sure where to go from here, but I'm sure I'll find my way... Rishi

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 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

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 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......

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 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 .

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New member replies: 2

So here I am replies: 12

Bullying and how it makes you feel replies: 3

Hi, I'm a new member, hello everyone replies: 6

Me replies: 8

Newbie to these forums Hello from Robert replies: 10

Hi...I'm new... replies: 5

i fear the worst with my lung tumors replies: 13

Introducing myself- KYLE67 replies: 6

my introduction replies: 5