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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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Struggling to want to get better

replies: 3

Hi all, I'm a 20 year old who's been struggling with depression and anxiety since I was 15-16. I've had moments where I feel a bit better but overall its been slowly getting worse- things dropping off over the years, school, work, meeting new people, then losing friends and, hobbies, stopping going to a counselor, not leaving the house, and being around people i've known for years even takes a lot of energy. I've also kind of had a lot of self worth issues build up and I haven't really been trying to get better for a while now despite missing being well. I'm okay thanks to the support of my parents, but I suppose I wanted to try this to feel less alone and see if anything inspires me? I don't know. I just exist using escapism- reading at the moment - as a way to feel things.

Introduction and some thoughts on spiteful Accountants

replies: 14

Hi all, first time here, not quite sure how all this works but ill give it a go. Background:Australian male. Mid 50's, Diagnosed PB2, GAD, cPTSD you name it. I've given up on diagnosis, doesn't really matter anymore. Prior to COVID a very high functioning individual (probably ADHD + on the Spectrum). Former multiple small business owner, employed small Teams, paid Taxes, the works. Managed to get married, had a couple of children and life was pretty awesome and well functioning. Long story short, COVID # 2 wiped me out. Had to close business, lay off people, it is all pretty tragic. Amongst all this, wife left with children, financial ruin and 20 x inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Admissions and Sectioned once, here i am. I'm a shell of the former self, isolated and also have a Substance Use Disorder (Alcohol). Obvious to those with Mental Health issues, when everything gets so crappy all day everyday, i reach for some kind of short relief. Alcohol. Argue which came first, whatever, doesn't matter. No pity required, it is what it is. It all started as a child, maybe 5y.o. with chronic anxiety, panic attacks (no such term back then), developed over the years into crippling Agoraphobia in teen years, Depression and again stuff happened. I survived. So the current dilemma.I have a CPA who has been my Accountant for 20years. I even got him started lol. Though all my small businesses, and personal Accounts. His ex wife had 'Bi-Polar' years and years ago, divorced her and the stories about her and her mental illness struggles flowed over the years with sarcasm and ridicule. Basically bigoted rubbish (Clue #1). Then my wife left, he knew her blah blah and i ended up coming out of the closet so to speak. Full honesty to all. Quite relieving actually. But, my accountant only knows the rumor version of me, the super bad things, over the years taking snipes at me, poking fun even. It has become worse and worse. Such misunderstanding i am used to by now, but still astonishes me the naivety he displays and grief it causes me. Currently doing 2023-24, 24-25 tax. He bothers me no end with stupid questions about $20 transactions, again snide remarks "is that the couple schooners from the pub"... and absolutely outrageous invoices. Like $10,000 bills. Can't sack him, too entwined. Until now. I've not worked for a couple years, not Traded for the same and i instructed him to properly adjust the accounts (Asset Register) and the like which he failed to do over the years. $20 transactions, i tell him to put against my Loan Account - don't care. I'm struggling to survive, not data entry on MYOB. So, has anyone had similar experience with Accountants. Even being taken advantage of (outrageous Fees)? I'm ready to dump him finally. Anyone have recommendations for 'understanding Mental Health Accountants' in Australia??Much appreciated

Empty

replies: 5

How bad is it that I barely feel anything at all? Or at least I don’t really feel positive emotions. The last thing I felt was nerves and sadness but they were also really dull. Is this a bad thing because I can’t relate to people when they say how t... View more

Alone and bad thoughts

replies: 4

I feel alone and unwanted. this is my first time on here and not sure what to say.

Nowhere to go

replies: 5

No home.Nowhere to go.No one who needs me.Kids are grown and have their own lives now.Live in a caravan.Have to keep moving.I guess that is it.

NumB

replies: 8

Firstly. Thankyou if your taking your time to read this.It's been a while since I've been here. I haven't been feeling any good of late...well, this is the thing, I feel...nothing. My weights almost at 130kgs and my skin is falling and whats most worrying is that i don't care.I've withdrawn from my kids and family, I'm snappy, I rave on and on about the same stuff to my teenagers.I'm tired and everything's an effort, that I don't understand the meaning of.I'm so alone.I often do think, it'd be better for everyone, if I just stayed out of the way (permanently) And here's the kicker. I'm a social worker ...

Emotionally and Mentally Struggling

replies: 7

I am 54, been living with my Partner for 12 years, we have a 10 year old Daughter. I am also the full time Carer of my 14 year old Granddaughter. I work part-time as a Support Worker (Aged Care) I married at 18 (we had 2 kids) divorced after 8 years due to DV (4 months in shelter) Had another 10 year relationship (1 kid) I ended that because I only saw him on the weekend, and at that time I felt that just wasn't enough. I had a few short relationships, then let my current Partner move in after 6 months. I care about him, but am not happy. We don't really have anything in common, and I have no interest is sex anymore. I've been on medication for Anxiety and Depression for 20 years, and still grieving the loss of my best friend, due to DV (6 years ago) I recently started talking with a Psychologist, and am now wondering if our relationship is even healthy.

Does anyone else have a constant buzzing or vibrating feeling in their hands and feet?

replies: 1

Hi everyone, I’m curious if anyone else experiences this. For years I’ve had a constant buzzing or tingling feeling in my hands and feet. It feels almost like an internal vibration. It’s there from the moment I wake up and stays until I go to sleep. I’ve had blood tests done and everything came back normal. My doctor and psychiatrist think it could be related to my nervous system being stuck in a stress response after years of anxiety. I’ve recently started treatment and medication to try and calm my nervous system, but I’m really curious if anyone else has experienced something similar. It would honestly just be nice to know I’m not the only one dealing with this. Thanks for reading.

Lost. Trapped. Burned Out. I don't know what to do at this point... help :)

replies: 3

Hello everyone! This is going to be my first time using BeyondBlue because I badly needed some advice or some helpful support. While the webchats are really useful, it'll take forever for me to get to my point so I'll just share it here. Long story short, my life is currently a mess (you can tell by the story that I'm about to tell below) and I am burned out at work... and I just want to get out and do a reset. The first two months of the year are highly chaotic. Lots of things suddenly coming in all at once and it includes some competing priorities that needed to get done and here I am trying my best to get through all of them, but the workload is just too much to do for one person alone... and I've been doing this for 3 years. The start of this year, I've had like a few mental breakdowns at work, even to the point where it just spilled and just cried instantly in front of my boss (which I still feel embarrassed about - but still appreciate them for being so supportive and empathetic)... because I am just at my limit at this point and I just feel like I've let everyone down because I've either missed the task that I'm meant to be doing or I am just bad at my job. I had one weekend where I was reevaluating my life choices and I just really don't see myself/want to be in this job any longer. And today, I just feel mentally checked out. I still went to work and do the duties as normal, but I just feel... out of it. I feel like a robot at this point (It was a long weekend here in my state and I was truly fine during those days, but Monday night came along and got the 'scaries' and felt a sense of "UGH, I don't want to go to work, but I have to go to work because there's so much to do").I've tried everything at this point: talking to someone, de-stressing, removing work related apps to any visible areas on my laptop (but not uninstalling - this will trigger me to check emails, which I have a bad habit of), but 90% of the time, I am still feeling on edge, numb, still not okay at this point.Right now, I'm just slowly transitioning my way out of my current role (i.e. updating resume and LinkedIn, start looking for jobs, etc. – note I am doing this on my days off and after hours) but now I just wanted to back out on this idea and quit overall and just evaluate my life and just start working again whenever I am ready (though the financial part is my only concern if the second plan happens).I just don't know what to do at this point. It would mean the world to me if anyone could help or offer some advice to navigate this whole thing.(See how messy it is?)

Lost

replies: 2

I am addicted to weed and I don’t know what to do about it. I am 19 and since school ,I have left my jobs, studies, friends and family behind. I am now leaving myself as well. I don’t do the things I can do to make it better. A part of me feels like I don’t deserve better. I feel afraid of rehab because I feel like I am making it all up and I could just get rid of it of myself I really cared to. I am living so misaligned to what I want for myself. I feel so fake inside and I am struggling to get out of my head. I barely want to engage with others anymore because there’s a voice screaming at me that I’m not here and I’m just here for them. I reason myself out of my support systems. I don’t feel like I can get myself across to others, I blame myself for not trying hard enough, and then I flip it onto them and think that they’re not being honest with me. I feel too difficult and too easy. I feel like I know the logical steps to get out the hole and I just resist it because it feels more validating to sit in the dirt and play inside my head sorting through everything I’ve experienced.I am terrified of judgement, change, discomfort and abandonment. I feel like this goes to having only experienced 3 years of my life so far free from sexual abuse. The first, the seventh and the now. Those experiences were repeatedly denied, dismissed, and made wholly my responsibility at the time when I was child. I felt totally alone and responsible for all aspects of my living, my safety was torn from me whenever i suffered outwardly. I sit here empty now. I know trying again is the way forward and I am terrified to the point I don’t want to initiate anything.The therapy is tiring, too much overlap, passed between different specialists. I feel guilt for sharing too much, and then feel dishonest for not sharing enough. It is a lot.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Struggling to want to get better replies: 3

Introduction and some thoughts on spiteful Accountants replies: 14

Empty replies: 5

Alone and bad thoughts replies: 4

Nowhere to go replies: 5

NumB replies: 8

Emotionally and Mentally Struggling replies: 7

Does anyone else have a constant buzzing or vibrating feeling in their hands and feet? replies: 1

Lost. Trapped. Burned Out. I don't know what to do at this point... help :) replies: 3

Lost replies: 2