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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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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humbleb Hello.. I just joined
  • replies: 13

Hi.. long term sufferer here.. been looking for answers and treatment through the right places without any luck. So I would like to make a post here about my symptoms to see if anyone recognises what's going on. Thanks

Hi.. long term sufferer here.. been looking for answers and treatment through the right places without any luck. So I would like to make a post here about my symptoms to see if anyone recognises what's going on. Thanks

Steph2 New to anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, anxiety has come as a shock to my life and I have only recently started antidepressants. Day 1. Isn't going to well. is this normal?

Hi Everyone, anxiety has come as a shock to my life and I have only recently started antidepressants. Day 1. Isn't going to well. is this normal?

Kelz83 another newbie
  • replies: 5

hello my name is Kellie and i don't even know where to begin to explain how im feeling....but i will give it a go...i've been feeling awfully depressed the last few weeks and just worked up the courage to tell my husband who says he has my back, the ... View more

hello my name is Kellie and i don't even know where to begin to explain how im feeling....but i will give it a go...i've been feeling awfully depressed the last few weeks and just worked up the courage to tell my husband who says he has my back, the old saying is that actions speak louder then words, im sitting in my lounge room in the dark alone where i spend most nights crying over nothing for hours (yes hubby knows im here ) i try my hardest everyday to do things to help myself as i don't have any friends to turn to and i feel i can't tell hubby because i don't feel he cares enough even though i sent him links with info and videos to watch to help him understand, i keep hearing in my head that im best off dealing with it on my own because no one cares....anyway i have rambled enough. any advice on this will be greatly appreciated

Yuanyuan Hi I'm new in here... a new worrier
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone , I'm a woman who is 33 and suffering from anxiety since July last year. Things has been changed a lot since I had panic attack at work last year July. I'm a Chinese woman who living in Australia. It's a culture & language battle for me b... View more

Hi everyone , I'm a woman who is 33 and suffering from anxiety since July last year. Things has been changed a lot since I had panic attack at work last year July. I'm a Chinese woman who living in Australia. It's a culture & language battle for me but I don't want to go back to China because I love the life style in here and Australia makes me feel safe. I married but don't have children. I don't think I can get pregnant with my condition. I think the emotion roller coaster going through in my body and mind just won't help me conceive . I worry about everyday and cry every week. I love my husband so much so much. But My husband doesn't believe what's in my mind. he support me and he knows I see my psychologist every month but he doesn't know what I have been through.he said " you get pregnant before it will be fine this time " ( I was pregnant but unfortunately lost the baby when I was 9 weeks. after 6 months my misscarage I had the panic attack. I feel like Everything went wrong after the panic attack). He thinks I'm just not happy at work. By the way I hate my job ( i use to love my job before the panic attack , now I only see how hard the job is and I don't think I can do it anymore) So everyday I come home just cry infront of him. He had enough with my drama I'm afraid I'm gonna lose him. I don't know who else I can talk to. I don't have any friend in here ........plus it's hard to find a non judgement friends. My job is really physical and stressful( working with children ) i lee thinking even i pregnant I will losey baby again. I can't let myself and him down. Now My husband and I are trying for baby but I can't help myself to worry about it. Is there any one who have anxiety and treat without medication still get pregnant ? Please help me I'm so hate stuck in my worry and thoughts. It's not help me cope my anxiety at all.

Arendt68 A quick hello
  • replies: 2

To anybody who has, had or may develop depression you will hear the phrase 'you are not alone' quite a bit. I am a psychologist (with severe depression and PTSD) and I know full well how 'it' feels from both a personal point of view and somebody who ... View more

To anybody who has, had or may develop depression you will hear the phrase 'you are not alone' quite a bit. I am a psychologist (with severe depression and PTSD) and I know full well how 'it' feels from both a personal point of view and somebody who has discussed depression with many people over many, many years. The question I have asked myself and others have asked of me is this: is there a cure? The short answer is yes, absolutely. The long answer is that like any disease, the first step is to identify what 'it' is and to move forward from there. 'It' has a name, or names: depression, clinical depression, bi-polar (an aspect thereof), and a whole host of other terminologies that at least put us within arm's reach of getting it all out in the open. Right. That is step 1: do not hold back. You know depression when you feel it. Get it out in the open. Step 2. Don't forget step 1. Step 3. Read widely on the matter. It's your mind and body, sure. But knowledge really is power and the more we understand about ourselves and others the less likely we will be to feel alone, which quite clearly we're not. Yes, there are feelings of isolation, loneliness, despair, guilt (I'll come back to this), good old fashioned sadness. But, hey, there's usually a reason for most things. Step 4. Guilt! No. You're not going to infect anybody and nobody has been infected. This is you being mindful of others. Well done. But, you don't have tuberculosis. You cannot cough and transmit this particular disease. Guilt is (in my opinion) a massive aspect of depression. Guilt is pervasive and evasive. It is radiated at us, sometimes directly, sometimes not. 'Cheer up!' people say.... Eh? This isn't some bad hair day. I have an inability to construct a particular type of future! (so the argument goes). R U OK? Don't answer 'yes.' You'd be lying to yourself and others. Just tell it how it is. Fact: I suffer from depression. Fact: so do many others. Fact: depression is more than likely on the increase. Why? Because more of us are starting to discuss it. Fact: are there environmental factors associated with depression? Bit of an odd question really. It is a bit like asking if life requires water. Quite simply, yes. The environment is everything. No two ways about it. Step 5. I'm running out of words and need to wrap up my 'quick hello.' Step 6. Ask yourself, right now: 'who do I love more than life itself?' and then let me know. xxxxxxxxx

GemmaJones Feeling totally lost
  • replies: 7

Not sure where to begin... but history briefly is depression for many yrs, physical and sexual abuse as a child, narc ex and now anxiety has joined the team... it's becoming overwhelming as I don't know where to turn... hv had lots of therapy in the ... View more

Not sure where to begin... but history briefly is depression for many yrs, physical and sexual abuse as a child, narc ex and now anxiety has joined the team... it's becoming overwhelming as I don't know where to turn... hv had lots of therapy in the past but can't seem to find a reason to go on... that old favourite "what's the point" keeps coming up and I'm struggling to find an answer to it although in better times I know I've been able to. Lost my brother to cancer last year and it has truly gutted me... he was more like a father to me than my own father and now my world feels bleak and so completely sad. I've been able to pretend for many yrs - hold down a job, raise two children and appear reasonably well adjusted but the truth now is I can't see me to find the energy or motivation to continue. Does anyone else feel this way? And is so- where do u find a reason to keep going...? Thanks - wd appreciate any help or advice.

MusiKat Newly diagnosed woman with ADHD - after life of depression and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, When I turned 40 I had a breakdown and was hospitalized. Whilst in there, my doctor diagnosed me with ADHD and said that it was most likely the reason for my memory loss, mood extremes and ups and downs. I have had depression and anxiety... View more

Hi everyone, When I turned 40 I had a breakdown and was hospitalized. Whilst in there, my doctor diagnosed me with ADHD and said that it was most likely the reason for my memory loss, mood extremes and ups and downs. I have had depression and anxiety since my teens and she put it down to undiagnosed ADHD. Also pop in some life events that caused upheavals etc. So I am trying now to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help myself. I think it is more helpful than CBT alone. But am currently in a very hard place at the moment and just wanted to say that to some people who I know will understand. If there are any other women out there who have been diagnosed with ADHD later in life (i.e., not in childhood) I would love to hear from you. Thanks, Kat

Confused30 Don't know where to even begin.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm very nervous to post here, though I feel I need to reach out. I dont know where to start, I've always felt like my issues are unimportant and just bottle them away. Reading some of the other posts on here makes me feel awful for those people ... View more

Hi, I'm very nervous to post here, though I feel I need to reach out. I dont know where to start, I've always felt like my issues are unimportant and just bottle them away. Reading some of the other posts on here makes me feel awful for those people and one of my main issues I feel, is comparing myself to others. Which I know you shouldn't do but I can't help it. any pointers on how to even begin would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Ren88 Feeling anxious and panicky
  • replies: 14

Hi first time on here. I have 2 yr old and 6 week old and feeling like I can't cope with them both. My 2 yr old is too much and I feel so nervous all the time especially at night knowing I won't sleep much due to waking up feeding baby and then havin... View more

Hi first time on here. I have 2 yr old and 6 week old and feeling like I can't cope with them both. My 2 yr old is too much and I feel so nervous all the time especially at night knowing I won't sleep much due to waking up feeding baby and then having to deal with them both the next day having severe anxiety

Phil64 Phillip new and grieving
  • replies: 4

Hi I am new to BB. I lost my wife of 30 years to cancer late last year. I cared for her at home till her death, this was both our whish. I am having problems controlling my emotions and next week is her birthday and our anniversary and I am worried h... View more

Hi I am new to BB. I lost my wife of 30 years to cancer late last year. I cared for her at home till her death, this was both our whish. I am having problems controlling my emotions and next week is her birthday and our anniversary and I am worried how I will cope with this, just writing this I start to lose it again.