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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Why can't I converse anymore

replies: 3

Hi i have always been a happy and talkative person and love helping others but over 18 months life has fallen apart i lost my marriage. I lost my home. I lost my business im residing with friends with 2 children in my care I function because I have to but I just don't want to talk I'm on meds and go to therapy but to anyone around me now even my kids I just clam up i want all of this to pass and feel like I am back in control of my life and give my kids their mum back

Feeling different

replies: 6

Hi all, I've struggled with MI for a number of years but it hasn't been until recently far I have actually personally accepted it. I guess I always thought mental illness involved being sad, or feeling anxious all of the time. But mostly I've just felt flat and like life has lost its meaning. I guess this is why I never thought I had an MI in the first place I just thought I wasn't looking after myself properly or just draining myself too much. Never expected that I was actually suffering figured I was being weak. But how long can one just feel flat, lifeless and like nothing can get you out of that hole?

Disability Employment Service problem

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I was sitting with my phone for 3 hours or so. I called this number then I realized I was too close to speaking to somebody. Then I totally chickened out. I am not brave enough to even make this phone call. I don't know - maybe others have a similar experience. I don't even know if I can properly communicate with people. By the way, I am on Newstart Allowance and am required to go to one of the Disability Employment Service providers. This was arranged because I have depression. It seems none of the staff there have a clue about mental health issues and I always feel miserable or intimidated. They are like prison guards. I don't know who came up this crap of system. Nothing works really. Sorry for the rant.

Failing at Life

replies: 2

Hi all, Im 43, in a well paid job, own a lovely home, 12 year relationship. Everything should be great, but i find feeling flat all the time, the only emotion I experience is anger and this is seriously affecting my relationship - my partner is ready to leave the relationship from constantly having to put up with my mood, I have always found it difficult to express my views without sounding arrogant or angry, so people tend to avoid conversation with me, and i usually end up talking in facts not feelings. With the exclusion of my partner I have 2 friends - one of whom has moved overseas, the other is interstate. I rarely speak to my family - my mum jokes if she speaks to me more than once every 2 months she thinks something is wrong. I cant start anything new, if i do i expect to be automatically excellent at it - and as is normal when im not, I stop. This has been going on so long now, i automatically dismiss new experiances or learning things as I know I will fail. I recognise this as depression as i have had episodes of this in the past. Im not good at talking about my feelings at the best of times, i get tounge tied and cant make people understand what im trying to say, i avoid eye contact and my face is often blank. I feel i wouldnt be missed if i wasnt around - my Facebook feed is more adverts than invites as is my email. I feel disappointed and angry at myself at feeling like this when there are homeless people, people who cant work etc and i have been lucky Im not sure what im trying to say here - I should go and see a doctor, and a psych but I dont know how much that will help, if i cant feel a feeling i cant challange it. I feel like runnning away - which makes me angry as im not a kid - dropping out of everyones life to stop them being hurt

hello

replies: 27

Hi I’m new here. I’m not really sure why I’m posting….the need to connect I guess. I have a longish history of anxiety and depression but it’s only in the last 5 years that I’ve admitted this to myself, sought professional help and started on SSRIs, etc. My dr and meds have helped save me a few times over I think. The last 12 months have been particularly rough, although I’m past the worst now. I split with my partner of 20+ years about a year ago and was not prepared for the emotional upheaval this would put me through. Although I wanted the separation, I have not handled being single with as much dignity and courage as I would’ve liked and, as a result, have put myself in situations where I’ve gotten hurt. The most recent being a friend who confessed he had feelings for me, and once I digested this information and started to respond in kind, he completely withdrew from me without any explanation whatsoever. It’s hard not to let this affect my sense of self-worth (and for the most part, I don’t, but on bad days…). I'm surprised at just how frightening I found it to suddenly become single again, although I'm starting to feel more comfortable with it these days. I have a few friends and some family but no one I feel really close to. My social life is pretty uneventful and the loneliness does get to me, especially on weekends. Also, ever since my separation, I haven’t been able to sit through a film or even a tv show. And reading, which has been my lifelong love, is virtually impossible. Has anyone else experienced this and did things go back to normal eventually? Anyway, thanks for listening – it feels better just having said this aloud (so to speak) to someone other than myself or my dr. Take care everyone, rg

Simply66

replies: 4

Hi i was wondering if there are actual support groups on Sunshine Coast for people struggling with depression loss of relationship home and belongings. Wanting to start again its very hard when you try to converse with non like minded people because all everyone talks about are their possessions. And I have lost them all and it would be good to talk to people with no judgement and genuinely want to listen and maybe provide any ideas they have experienced i'd be very greatful for any suggestions

Hi, I'm new here

replies: 3

Hello Just wanting to connect with people going through depression like me. It's been 6 months now and I'm really struggling. I have two children and not much support. The mornings are terrible. I have started medication but after 6 weeks the depression is worse so now coming off the meds. I'm normally a confident and happy person, but this has taken over my life and I find it hard to go to work and do normal things.

New member checking in - Hi all!

replies: 2

Checking in as I’ve been lurking but I need to take some action with my mental health & look forward to interacting with you all. A little about me, Im an almost 40, married man with two teenage kids. I work full-time (at least when anxiety doesn't win) in a middle management position. I don’t have any hobbies, but I do like tatting around in my shed, spending time with my family & occasionally going out with friends. I'm not too sure when my mental health issues began, probably around the time we moved into our current house which we are buying. At the same time that my career started developing. Financially we are ok, I don't have any savings, but the bills are paid on time & we have enough to go on holiday now & again. I think that was when I started to feel a bit lost with no real long-term goals. Short term managed by diving into something new for a short period eg. Holiday planning, rearranging the shed, veggie garden, gym. These only last a few months & then I wander until the next thing. I think my mental health manifests into physical issues at times. 2 years ago I got pins & needles in my face & after seeing a neuro no cause could be found. I finally broke down with my GP & was put on a small dose of anti-depressant for 12 months. I saw a psychiatrist during this time but besides some insight into my values I didn’t find it very useful. Having come off the anti-depressant over the last 6 weeks (4 weeks clear) Ive found the depression aspect is much better, I no longer feel numbness like before. I’m however facing worse anxiety than I had before that is impacting my work & to a lesser extent my marriage. 2-3 times a week I wake up feeling ill which only goes away at work, or after I call in “sick” if I can’t face it. Logically all I need to do is get up & go but at the time I do not have the strength to push past it. I feel disconnected between the logical & emotional thoughts, especially in hindsight. My wife is the type of person that soldiers on during any times of illness. While she is a loving partner she doesn’t understand that people can’t “get over it” like she seems to. Wow, I just wanted to say hi & give a bit of background, I didn’t intend to write down all of this. Thanks for listening if you have got this far, I hope that I can return the support! I see my GP in a week & will see what she recommends. I don’t really want to go onto anti-depressants again (my transition on was tough) but I need to deal with my anxiety if I’m to keep my job & sanity!

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 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.

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. 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

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Why can't I converse anymore replies: 3

Feeling different replies: 6

Disability Employment Service problem replies: 2

Failing at Life replies: 2

hello replies: 27

Simply66 replies: 4

Hi, I'm new here replies: 3

New member checking in - Hi all! replies: 2

Newbie :Introducing me. replies: 3

I thought I was normal... replies: 2