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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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Ghosty Newbie :Introducing me.
  • replies: 3

Hello all. It is good to find a website/forum where one can discuss mental health issues without fear or judgement. Me: I am a middle aged female who has lived with episodic (endogenous) major depression since my early 20's. Some episodes I endured u... View more

Hello all. It is good to find a website/forum where one can discuss mental health issues without fear or judgement. Me: I am a middle aged female who has lived with episodic (endogenous) major depression since my early 20's. Some episodes I endured untreated others via medication through a psychiatrist or gp etc...... Have never been hospitalised for it though - touch wood! I guess after having lived with it for such a long time I am well aware of the 'monster' I have been dealing with too well. I hope I can be a support to some people in the way of understanding too. Life has been good to me over the last 2 years and I have no real complaints. My only issue is surviving the 'morning horrors'. I'm in a relatively new job where I need to awake at 3.30am to get there. What I mean by 'morning horrors' is waking up desiring death and being in the foulest of moods etc....... Any way I know I cannot change my shift or change jobs else will have to find another job and risk being unemployed (my employer is not that flexible & understanding). I also know that this dark morning mood can/has been triggered by an unusual daily sleep pattern. My mood usually improves by around 11am. Any ideas on how to deal with this without having to risking a worsening mood and possible unemployment? With thanks & appreciation.

Lisa1990 I thought I was normal...
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, im new to this group. It's hard writing this because even I'm having anxiety in doing so. Thinking... is it going to benefit me? What if it doesn't? What if someone I know sees this post? I recently got diagnosed with anxiety and depression... View more

Hey guys, im new to this group. It's hard writing this because even I'm having anxiety in doing so. Thinking... is it going to benefit me? What if it doesn't? What if someone I know sees this post? I recently got diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Along with that I have a lot of health issues so I mainly thought it was normal to feel down, worry about daily tasks, over think everything, cleaning obsessively and making sure everything is in it's place. i honestly thought I'm organised and it's good to be this way. Writing lists for my fortnightly budget and checking my lists and bank account a lot. The hard thing is feeling like such a burden to your partner all the time and not knowing why to feel like this.. and having arguments because you feel frustrated and physically exhausted. I really hope this website can help. It has so far. Thanks for reading

GregJ Income protection and mental health
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have been back and forth to my GP for depression and anxiety for 2 years now. I have my second psychologist appointment this week. The main causes of my issues are work and homesickness. I have been hesitant to take time off due to loss of inco... View more

Hi, I have been back and forth to my GP for depression and anxiety for 2 years now. I have my second psychologist appointment this week. The main causes of my issues are work and homesickness. I have been hesitant to take time off due to loss of income but I have recently found out that I have income protection (been paying through my super for past 5 years) Does anybody have any experience in claiming income protection for mental illness? Is it difficult or straight forward? Thannks

okadoka Sleep issues - I can count the number of times I have seen a rising sun (Max 10 times I guess- I'm 25yo)
  • replies: 8

There is so much to write about myself. I have been going through immensely bad times. At one point everything was happening all at once - university study load - concentration problems, fear of people, fear of future , social anxiety, sexuality, nig... View more

There is so much to write about myself. I have been going through immensely bad times. At one point everything was happening all at once - university study load - concentration problems, fear of people, fear of future , social anxiety, sexuality, night terror attacks, Hyperhidrosis, depression, GAD, Problems with house mates which lead to accommodation problems,and failure to find a job. But, with support of family and university counselors I made through that nerve breaking time. Some issues never seems to go - such as my chronic hyperhidrosis (Excessive sweating in various parts of body and extreme anxiety and embarrassment it causes) and sleep issues (regardless of what time I sleep - I wake up only after 12 hours), so if I fall asleep at 7.30 am, I'll wake up at 8 pm or sometimes even later. When I wake up I just don't like the feeling that I woke up in dark and that my routine is so weird. When everyone out there is commuting to work in morning I'm preparing to go to sleep and when everyone is heading home from work I wake up from sleep in agony. I've moved multiple times, now I've a private room again (because of sleep terror attack and also I generally do not have good relationship with room mates). So, I'm currently unaware if I'm getting night terror attacks but I do get weird dreams - it was of snakes when I woke up this evening. I do not do any physical exercise specifically, so I walk to supermarket every other day, that's a total 3km walk from and back home. When I go out I generally make sure that I'm looking immaculately good, it takes a lot of time during night when I'm awake. When I'm outside for grocery shopping I do not make eye contact with anyone. Head down, pick my stuff up, scan, tap and run. When I used to live other house mates, I used to cook and was always appreciated for my cooking, but when I cook for myself it always turns out bad - but I still eat it as I don't like food waste. I think I'm getting in too much details here. I would like to get suggestions for improving my sleep pattern, hyperhidrosis (Although I have lost all hopes on this one - as I don't believe in pausing the sweat for some days), tips for finding a part time job - I don't get replies ( I only have volunteering experience in university) and lastly how to go to a gym when you have social anxiety. Thanks.

Ashes_ Newbie Alert!!
  • replies: 3

Hello all! my name is Ashes_:) and I'm a 17 yr old high school senior who has been and is struggling with the transition from childhood to adulthood. The stress of not being able to find a job, getting my licence and achieving decent grades to set me... View more

Hello all! my name is Ashes_:) and I'm a 17 yr old high school senior who has been and is struggling with the transition from childhood to adulthood. The stress of not being able to find a job, getting my licence and achieving decent grades to set me up for my future has been eating at me for months. Mix this with the hormones of a teenager and you're looking for trouble! All of this stress is starting to chip away at my mental well being, as I tend to worry about not succeeding as an adult. I've been feeling really down in the dumps lately with no motivation to do anything I've noticed a change in my eating patterns and sleep schedule. This change in my behavior has been getting worse over this past few weeks. I had similar behavioral patterns when i was younger than i am now, probably around the age of 12 when I was just starting high school but that was as damaging as what I'm experiencing at the moment. I'm assuming its brought on but massive changes in my life. My school has been blasting this website at us for years if we needed someone to talk to so I thought it would be best to give it a shot. Any words of wisdom, advice or tips to help me to move through this rough patch would be amazing. Thanks guys.

RainbowDreams New Me
  • replies: 5

Hey all, So I am 27 yo single mother to a 6yo boy. My clinical "diagnosis" are Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome. The short and sweet of my issues are: -Feeling like I'm not good enough. -I OVERTHINK everything A lot ... View more

Hey all, So I am 27 yo single mother to a 6yo boy. My clinical "diagnosis" are Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome. The short and sweet of my issues are: -Feeling like I'm not good enough. -I OVERTHINK everything A lot of the time, like tonight, I will just hit points where I'm flat and miserable and dealing with this horrible yucky feeling inside that is so uncomfortable. Sometimes things will be triggering sometimes I will just have an episode. So I don't really have any friends, except people on Facebook.

Timnfg30120 Needing help and support
  • replies: 3

Hey my name is Tim. I have been struggling for some years with several items. Self love, expressing myself and opening up myself to other people, bottling up feelings because I don't want to burden others with my problems. On the outside I always try... View more

Hey my name is Tim. I have been struggling for some years with several items. Self love, expressing myself and opening up myself to other people, bottling up feelings because I don't want to burden others with my problems. On the outside I always try to be happy but some days I can't even get out of bed. I have been in a relationship that had been very unstable and ended up with me turning violent and being charged I now live with my brother his partner and kid in a two bedroom apartment. I also had leg surgery and cannot walk or drive for six weeks. I'm not allowed near my partner or my house and even before I met her I would go in and out of moods. I also am without a job currently, I understand it is my fault I feel ashamed in myself for not being big enough to address these issues within my self sooner. I want to better myself and get in control and be able to have healthy relationships going forward. Any help or advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to the day that I can help others make it to the other side. Thank you all.

Cipher419 Hi!
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am rather nervous about posting on here as I don't usually feel comfortable with telling other people my issues unless I fully trust them and sadly there is currently no one who fits the criteria. I suffer from anxiety and depression, everyone ... View more

Hi, I am rather nervous about posting on here as I don't usually feel comfortable with telling other people my issues unless I fully trust them and sadly there is currently no one who fits the criteria. I suffer from anxiety and depression, everyone that I know personally only know of the anxiety.

Johnno_S Introducing myself
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone. I am a retired librarian and have been living with mental illness since my teens. Have self medicated with drugs and alcohol till I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder at forty years of age, Found an incredibly good psychiatrist who has... View more

Hi everyone. I am a retired librarian and have been living with mental illness since my teens. Have self medicated with drugs and alcohol till I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder at forty years of age, Found an incredibly good psychiatrist who has managed my medication and I am really well and settled now. Still have the odd anxiety attack but assistance from an excellent psychologist has helped me with that. I feel that I am very fortunate to have found health professionals who are smart and caring. I have joined the BB forums to help other (if I can) in their struggle with this illness.Best wishes Johnno

IsolatedFromReality New here
  • replies: 2

Hi guys so I've just joined this forum. I've spent years reading through people's personal opinions, situations & struggles however i have never posted anything in my life. I have a lot of trouble opening up to people and i have even more trouble wit... View more

Hi guys so I've just joined this forum. I've spent years reading through people's personal opinions, situations & struggles however i have never posted anything in my life. I have a lot of trouble opening up to people and i have even more trouble with discussing my feelings. My biggest problem right now is that i am beyond lonely due to being a 20 year old with no friends.