Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Hi, I'm new.....kind of

replies: 4

Hey. I first joined this time last year when I was deep deep in my worst depression. I think I found it too overwhelming to really get involved, I feel sad for other people and used to feel guilty that I'm complaining when other;s have it so much worst. I've come a hella long way in the last 12 months. My life's back on track, and overall, I'm feeling happy. But I'm also coming to terms with the fact that that doesn't mean it's over, I doesn't mean I'm done and am now invincible. I think that's why now I can view this community as something good for my life. A friend who doesn't look at you with sad eyes and say 'Ooooooh, are you getting sick again', or a mum who never falls apart when you have a bad day because she thinks you're falling again, instead of maybe just having a bad day. Anyway, it feels good to be here. x

Babyboomer

replies: 8

Hi everyone. I'm new even though I'm old (ish). Anxiety about anxiety is my anxiety. Don't they say "there is nothing to fear but fear itself"? I'm starting to learn about the intricacies of how our brains work through a book I'm reading. It's fascin... View more

Don't know what to do

replies: 2

I'm stuck working in a field that I hate. I feel like I'm being undermined by co-workers and just can't enjoy being at work. I'm 28, had depression & anxiety bad once school finished and lost 5 years of my life struggling through it, which put me way behind in career terms. I left my first major job last year because they were underpaying me despite my increased efforts to be valuable, I built the company website (having never made one before) which was to a very professional standard in my own time over a couple of months and was doing work that other people were getting much more. The kicker was I wasn't as qualified as they wanted me to be, so I enrolled in University online to do it while working. But I was living in a share house that soon turned toxic and I lost access to internet for several months in an attempt to move houses. Real estate agents are scum, no matter what I do they always treat me like I'm a criminal and I never get the bond back. After my experience working in the field I decided that since I was only really starting out in this field I could change if I wanted. So start of this year my girlfriend and I moved cities to get a fresh start, I was going to find part-time work and try to get into University to study a field that has much better opportunities. I've never gotten a call back or a positive response even once trying to apply for retail or sales jobs and so I got a job in the field I had just left and it seemed really promising. It felt like maybe I could stay in the field after all, as this position could be great long term. And so I went for it, I rejected my offers to study at university and focused on the new job. Biggest problems were that while now not being underpaid my expenses were also much higher and my girlfriend was unable to find enough work to cover her own expenses, so all the money I was making was gone each week. But I held on, I knew the position was promising... until it wasn't, fast forward 3 months and company I was put in charge of my boss decides to sell despite it being very profitable. So I was back at square one, I rejected Uni my employment was over and my expenses were unsustainable (despite being very meager). So I started my own business and managed to get a few consistent clients, one of whom was the employer of the business I just worked at, and then fast track to a few weeks ago he had another opportunity for me, and it pays well enough, but I just don't enjoy it at all.

Where to begin... I overthink everything and it ruins everything

replies: 5

To whomever, whoever and whenever, As said above i overthink everything all the time which leads to what i think is anxiety. This has been happening for as long as i can remember. I worry, stress and make mountains out of molehills. I still function pretty well as a human, i work, pay my bills and go to university. I always appear to be the funny guy which i am; i am very funny, i suppose its my why of dealing with what goes on in my head. Anyway recently i've thought 'stuff this', i have so many regrets in my life from over thinking and be anxious and i don't want to have any more. Psychologists do not work on me, i'm not sure why but they don't, i always leave a session feeling like 'well that was a nice chat but what am i going to do now?' I have been given a prescription from my g.p, i hope it works i really would like a little more control back in my life. I am 24, work weekends in a laboratory and study Health safety & environment during the week

hi, lonely no one to talk to.

replies: 4

Hi, not sure what to say, can be a little shy at first. Just want to be able to talk to ppl and hope that will help , i guess.

What's wrong with me?

replies: 6

Hey there, I've posted on here before a while ago but I'm not even sure what I'mfeeling. I've felt this feeling on and off since I was a kid, its like constant guilt and caving in my chest. I just feel terrible about the past but not just one thing, once I stop feeling bad about one thing something else starts plaguing my mind and its exhausting...what is this??? I used to drink to keep it at bay but I find nowadays that only makes things worse the next day. I'm really struggling because I've managed to keep this at bay for a while and the thought of going through this day after day kills,me. I'm 22/years old and I feel like during the past ten months of chemo I've been having has put my focus into perspective but now these intrusive thoughts are just trying to crush me, but I don't know what it is I'm experiencing is it anxiety? Depression? How do I get a diagnoses? It feels like I go to a psychologist and nothing eventuates, I don't get answers. If anyone could help me that would be great

hi

replies: 12

hi all, im shane 38, ive been going through sum hard times lately and things are starting to pile up, and its has left my feeling pretty bad, i dont have anyone to talk to and would just like sum people to say hello to now and then, thanks

Hi.

replies: 5

Hi. I am new here. I'm a litigation specialist and private investigator and first time mum to a 8 mo th old baby girl. Looking back the anxiety has always been there (I didn't have the best teenage years) but it's only recently since having a child that I have failed to function as I once was. I have post natal depression and anxiety and I constantly feel like I am missing out on enjoying this time with my daughter because I'm so frustrated and moody all the time. Hoping that this and my psychologist visits help to make it a reality. Thanks for reading

I'm me.

replies: 3

After a car accident. Whiplash, life within my thoughts have been so lonely and depressed, my wife (who just doesn't understand me) is very supportive but empathy is a dirty word to her. I feel I want to hide everything I can do away from her and everyone else. I'm feeling so useless, I could just sit and do nothing for hours and none of my kids/family would even care. It's prolly all in my head but I'm sure they couldn't give a **** if I died. I have no friends or family to visit, I'm just stuck in this house (jail cell) this is year 3, I just wish I could get better.

Hi

replies: 4

Hi, not sure where to start really! I was diagnosed with anxiety about 3 years ago. The dr put me straight on medication and I was on it for 3 months then was taken off it. It did wonders honestly, and since I have been able to manage it over the years, but the past couple of months it's reared its ugly head and I haven't been able to get a hold on it. I've been having anxiety attacks going to the shop and at work. I've had many days off because of it. Anyway..... I'm seeing a phsychologist for the first time soon which I hope really helps. I have underlying issues with vertigo as well and feeling dizzy with anxiety is making it one vicious cycle.

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Hi, I'm new.....kind of replies: 4

Babyboomer replies: 8

Don't know what to do replies: 2

Where to begin... I overthink everything and it ruins everything replies: 5

hi, lonely no one to talk to. replies: 4

What's wrong with me? replies: 6

hi replies: 12

Hi. replies: 5

I'm me. replies: 3

Hi replies: 4