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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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estrangement from my son 30years

replies: 1

After 5 years of being in a relationship with a narsisstic woman, who literally controlled him and changed his thoughts on all of us, mum, brother, sister and stepdad. we were all very close and three years ago my younger son who is estranged came to our house and had an argument with his older brother. I told them that I was not happy that they were arguing. His brother was just upset on the way he had changed and forgotten about us. He has now left that relationship and two years on, still has not come to see us. My heart is totally broken. I know logically that I cannot change the situation, but he is very easily controlled and manipulated by people. I love and think of him everyday, even though he has not made an effort to get in contact with me as I have been hospitalised with ill health. I want to let him go but this grief pulls me back. He is not the same person, he is not empathic but more narcissitic like his biological father. I try and think of the silent treatment he is using against us all, but I still pray that he will return one day.

Estranged from my adult son

replies: 9

I am terribly hurt confused and depressed about my son’s dismissal of me and his dad. He was always very independent as a child and leader in his life and relationships. We have always thought this a positive and strong attribute but it seems he feels he needs no one in his life and that includes us. It started with his new wife who encouraged his behaviour of independence which was great however she began to dislike me and started causing trouble. She has then convinced him that we didn’t raise him well and that he was abused physically by us as a child. My son told us we are never to contact his family ever again. We miss him so much and our grandson. I’ve tried everything to work through this but she won’t budge and he ignores us. Is anyone else going through anything similar and how have you coped? Thanks

Intro

replies: 3

Hey! I'm new here, and this is probably the first time I've reached out on a website/platform that can connect me with real people who have or know of someone with similar mental health conditions, so I hope this is a first step in building my confidence in seeking face-to-face support.Firstly, I'd like to start by addressing the elephant in the room: why am I here?I have not been professionally diagnosed, so the state of my mental health is still up for debate, however I have been experiencing symptoms the past year and a half which suggest disorders such as depression, anxiety, and/or OCD.To paint you a picture, I feel constantly suffocated by dread, things I used to enjoy feel like a chore, and I can't bring myself to socialise (this is generalising it). An example is after a normal day, I just collapsed in my room because that was just how stressed I felt. My chest was heavy and aching, and I tried to move the pain to my arms by hugging them and digging my nails into them (I often do this when I'm stressed). Then I laid down on the carpet and stared at the floor. Like everything had led up to this final moment, and that was it. Obviously it wasn't, but these moments are becoming more prominent, and every day feels like it's going to spiral into something much worse. I don't think any of my mates have noticed because I come across as a go-lucky, naïve, and optimistic kind of guy. But I don't think a guy like that has to practice their smile in the mirror every day so that it looks authentic.Sorry, I'm rambling. My point is that I think I need help, and I hope people can either relate or recognise themselves in this post. (and sorry if I sound misinformed, that's another reason why I'm here)

Intro

replies: 1

Hi i I should reach out and see if this may lift my spirits up . I have family members near me however due to the nature of this situation I removed myself from them. I work in health care, part time, although often are absent from work due to my mental health.Im not depressed, but anxious and fearful, with an array of emotions that are causing my spiral downward . This is why I’ve decided to reach out and ask for help. I feel stuck and this pattern is causing me to lose interest and focus with my life.the ongoing external pressure and stress is ongoing and a constant struggle due to the lack of support from higher authority such as police . I try to release my thoughts however it’s impossible because of the nature of my situation. Im trying to remain calm and positive and hope for support and possibly some positive energy from you guys. Lot of love

Heart Palpitations and Anxiety

replies: 5

Over the past few months I have been dealing with skipped heart beats and flutters than are becoming more and more regular (daily). I have been to doctor and have been told it’s most likely anxiety as all tests show up “normal”. Has anyone else experienced heart palpitations when not actually aware of being anxious? Sometimes I will be happily laying in bed or doing something I love and my heart flutters or skips a beat, this is then followed by almost an adrenaline rush that makes me panic more….. If so, what techniques have you tried that have helped reduce anxiety when you aren’t aware that you are anxious?

Hi

replies: 2

Hi everyone, id like to introduce myself. My name is Colin and i run a small business, which i have done for over 20 years now. I live in Melbourne with my soon to be wife, and share parenting of my 11 yo son with my ex wife. Also help with my fiance's 2 kids who live overseas. I have an interest in mental health as i see the impacts of it in my work. So, i thought id register and may be able to contribute advice, and also recieve some. As the challenges today in day to day living are much more i feel than when i was growing up. Best to all.Colin

Changing Display Name

replies: 2

Hi! I just joined today, and would like to change my display name. The FAQ says to contact the team offline. But I have no idea how to do that. I was going to email, but it says that that will connect you to a counsellor. Same with the online chat. I... View more

Dealing with grief

replies: 4

I lost my husband and best friend in January to Pancreatic cancer. We had been together for 40 years. He was only diagnosed 10 weeks before. It has been so hard without him and although I have two sons near I do not want to burden them with my grief,... View more

Gaslighting & Blame

replies: 2

I have recently been gaslighting by someone I considered to be my own daughter, I have been in her life for 20 yrs. Things have been a little off for about 18mths but recently she asked to visit & stay in my home with my partner who also felt close to her. She bought her 16 year old son who has been like our grandson also. They stayed for 2 days but mainly stayed engaged with their phones and mucking around with other like 2 teenagers she is 37.The night before they were to leave she rang her husband but they both went into another room to talk which was out of character. She came back out and said she would be leaving at 5.30am the next morning which again was out of character normally she would leave around 10am, when I asked why so early we were told she had to go home and do washing (it was a public holiday). We went to bed said good night to them and nothing more was said. We woke at 7am the next morning and they had left, no note, no message on messenger, just gone we didn't even hear the car leave & we are not heavy sleepers. When I confronted her about it and how it made us both feel (gutted & bewildered) she turned it around to being our fault for not making an effort to get up to see them off & that she had made a lot of noise that should have woken us up but we just didn't want to say goodbye. She even told us to "go f#$k ourselves when I wouldn't accept her excuses and telling her how hurt we both were with her actions. We have now both been blocked on social media. We are both now in a spiral of anxiety, questioning ourselves, no confidence and so rattled. How do you get through something like this, we don't understand why we were treated like this by 2 people that we have always been so supportive of

I am a bag of rabid cats all set to rip world apart...

replies: 33

Hi all, Umm, this is major leap for me, I don't talk about myself to anyone very easily. I am waiting for my appointment on Wednesday (29 Jan 2025), but need to talk to anyone, anyone else. So here goes... I am 41 years old now, living in one of, by my opinion, the most beautiful locations in the far north QLD & the world, Cairns. My wife & I moved here for a better, more relaxed life after living in Sydney for 10 years & other major metropolises around the world, the rat race essentially. But, the relocation and living here has been anything but wonderful... We fight, argue, bicker about pretty much everything. And I always just give up eventually, no matter rightly or wrongly because it's just easier. Because I "always" do this, or "always" do that. We were travelling over Xmas & it all just got too much, I popped, I'd had enough, & I told her I wanted a divorce, not once, tour times over a span of 6 weeks, the most recent been a week ago. To give some context, up until a week ago, I had been taking some herbal adrenal support supplements for the last 18 months, to manage my stress & aggressive responses, which was working, until I changed brands because I couldn't get my chosen 'working' one. The last two months I had gone from been thoughtful & loving, to 'the world is ending', 'what is the point of everything'. So I am sure you can agree, that all things seem to be pointing to the meds... nope, off the meds, feeling normal...ish, but the realisations that this women is not a match for me, & now without my mind under the control of some 'thing' I have never been clearer. I am asking myself questions that I did ask when I was first about to get married, but ignored, my problem is now explaining to her, outside of all the discoveries that have been in the last week about how I seem to part of a small percentage of people that ashwaghanda does not play nice with, that my feelings now, are what they have always been, but I was too much a coward & peacekeeper to admit it to myself or anyone else, that she is not & was never the one. The fact is, in her words "always do...", or not do, this or that, so basically I am bag of rapid cats ready to rip the world apart, "I must get meds from a psychiatrist". I am at my end, I need figure out how to just move on, as she seems to think I will 'get better' & love her again, I am only hoping that Wednesday will give me the tools I need. This is small part of my mind, thanks for reading/listening.

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

estrangement from my son 30years replies: 1

Estranged from my adult son replies: 9

Intro replies: 3

Intro replies: 1

Heart Palpitations and Anxiety replies: 5

Hi replies: 2

Changing Display Name replies: 2

Dealing with grief replies: 4

Gaslighting & Blame replies: 2

I am a bag of rabid cats all set to rip world apart... replies: 33