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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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Betty1934 Anxious and lonely mum and job-seeker
  • replies: 5

Hi, this is my first time here. I have joined because I have had problems with anxiety for about the last 7 years and it is getting worse and I need some advice on what to do. It's mainly social anxiety - I have always been shy and introverted and mo... View more

Hi, this is my first time here. I have joined because I have had problems with anxiety for about the last 7 years and it is getting worse and I need some advice on what to do. It's mainly social anxiety - I have always been shy and introverted and moving a lot as a kid and as an adult has not helped - but I get generalised anxiety too. I am nearly 40 and have moved 5 times in the last 7 years due to my husband's work. We moved again 6 months ago but my husband is working away and our kids are all at school so most of the time I am alone. I often feel highly stressed and like I want to cry. I get anxious about going out anywhere. I sit at home all day getting anxious about the fact that I haven't done anything with my day but I get so overwhelmed thinking about what I should do that I can't get motivated or focus on any task. I end up just watching TV because I don't know what to do with myself. Even something like ringing up to make an appointment with the hairdresser or physio gives me anxiety. I am looking for work but having only had short-term jobs off and on over the years I am finding it hard to find a job and just the process of looking at job ads on the internet causes my anxiety to flare up. I saw a counsellor a few times but she wanted me to go out to businesses and ask for work, which is something I just can't bring myself to do. I feel really useless and like I can't talk to anyone about this. My own mother has even commented "what do you have to be stressed about." I talk to my husband and he is supportive but he just doesn't really understand anxiety.

Jimny New to forum male in 30's wants to help and connect
  • replies: 7

Hello all, I would first like to introduce myself before posting in the forums and give a description of who I am and why I am here. I have experienced episodes of depression since adolescence. In the last few years (going into my 30's) the severity ... View more

Hello all, I would first like to introduce myself before posting in the forums and give a description of who I am and why I am here. I have experienced episodes of depression since adolescence. In the last few years (going into my 30's) the severity of these depressive episodes became more severe and began having a very negative impact on day to day life. It was only during the last couple of years that I acknowledged that I was secretly struggling with depression. Previously, I thought that my low moods were normal, and everyone felt this way. I began to realize that my own coping strategies, which were frantic attempts at trying to help myself, were only making my situation worse. I was becoming very tired of the continued unsuccessful attempts, and I was guided by a loved one to seek professional help. One of the important aspects of seeking help, was acknowledging that I was experiencing an illness; my struggles were not personal weaknesses but common symptoms shared by others. If I had not acknowledged my illness and sought help, I would still be in a figurative pit of despair, continuing to dig the hole instead of learning how to properly climb out. I have undergone CBT and MBCT, plus drastically modified my behaviors. With much apprehension I also started on a SSRI roughly 6 months ago. I have discovered that there is no silver bullet; mood disorder's are very complex illnesses. I have found that the recent addition of the SSRI has been very helpful. I am currently going through a divorce, moving cities, and leaving what could be a rewarding career. I am trying to re-engineer my lifestyle, fostering behaviours and thought processes that give me vitality. Progress is very very slow, but for the first time in years I am feeling optimistic. I have decided to join this forum because I am ready to make connections with others struggling with the similar issues as me. I want to offer advice and guidance. I am looking for new ideas for moving forward: personal accounts of useful literature, therapies, and personal experiences. We are all in this together and we unknowingly share similar secrets. Ultimately, I am seeking an answer to this: how do we each craft our own anti-depressant lifestyle so we can live a vital life? All the best.

Mr_Hopcraft McKenzie
  • replies: 2

Hello people its Mckenzie here Ive just joined beyond blue and look forward to chatting with many of you.

Hello people its Mckenzie here Ive just joined beyond blue and look forward to chatting with many of you.

Nomad888 Newbie
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to the forums and just wanted to say hi i've been struggling recently with a lot of symptoms of depression which can come on with no notice at all and leave me feeling miserable for days. I'm isolating myself from others and my family and... View more

Hi, I'm new to the forums and just wanted to say hi i've been struggling recently with a lot of symptoms of depression which can come on with no notice at all and leave me feeling miserable for days. I'm isolating myself from others and my family and have no interest in things anymore. Everything I used to find fun is now just a chore and I just want to spend my day in bed. i also experience some OCD tendencies, mainly at night which though not severe are disruptive and make me worried why I have rituals. In addition, I binge eat often, I think to make myself feel happy or at least feel something but ends up having the opposite effect. I am self conscious of myself and obsessive about food (although I am working on this). i haven't told anyone about my struggles, mainly because I don't think they are serious enough and I don't want to be looked down upon by others ( I live in a supportive household) but I feel that admitting these issues would make me appear weak. As such, I don't quite feel comfortable going to a doctor or psychologist, but my parents would have to know as i live at home. if anyone as any advice or tips I would love to hear it thank you for reading! x

Peppermintbach Early 30s, female, new chapter
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, I'm not sure how to start this but here we go... I'm in my early 30s and have made a lot of mistakes. I hope that I get a second chance. Wish I can do better. Want to do better. I feel like I've screwed up so badly by my own hand. Not th... View more

Hi everyone, I'm not sure how to start this but here we go... I'm in my early 30s and have made a lot of mistakes. I hope that I get a second chance. Wish I can do better. Want to do better. I feel like I've screwed up so badly by my own hand. Not that it's an excuse but I never had bad intentions, just dysfunctional and stupid ways of coping. Avid music lover, paradoxically troubled yet privileged childhood. Childhood scars seep into my relationships and I constantly screw up. Time and time again. Still don't know how to be in functional relationships without either abruptly cutting people out of my life or else, I don't stay but keep almost everything to myself. "I'm fine" is my favourite line. I've blocked more people from my phone than I care to count (some justified and others less so). At a crossroads. Hoping for redemption and a chance to be a better person. Trying to start a new chapter in my life and be less of a crappy person. Pepper

SuppMonkey New to the site and reaching out i think
  • replies: 1

Hi, i moved to Australia about 7 years ago to start a new life away from clubbing, partying and ridiculous amout of drugs. I have successfully given up drugs and the parties and clubbs, but have found myself ridiculously lonely. Unfortunately drugs a... View more

Hi, i moved to Australia about 7 years ago to start a new life away from clubbing, partying and ridiculous amout of drugs. I have successfully given up drugs and the parties and clubbs, but have found myself ridiculously lonely. Unfortunately drugs and parties was such a big part of my life, in fact it was my whole life. So the long and short of it, i am clean but lost. I dont really know how to mix with normal people. After being clean for about 5 years. I kind of nearly had a breakdown, well i think that is what it was. I kept nearly busting into tears for no reason. Anyway, as a result i have now been diagnosed with ADHD and depression, we are still working out the meditation, but i would really like to be normal one day and maybe happily ever after if possible. Anyway nece to meet everyone. Hope this was not to derailed. Mark

Noella Lonely
  • replies: 2

I have no friends, no body to hang out with and rely mostly on youtube videos to keep me happy. I find it hard to make friends as I feel I am not interesting enough or too boring to keep a friendship going. I am not shy but I am quiet. I am very self... View more

I have no friends, no body to hang out with and rely mostly on youtube videos to keep me happy. I find it hard to make friends as I feel I am not interesting enough or too boring to keep a friendship going. I am not shy but I am quiet. I am very self conscious about myself and have hated my appearance for a while. My family life is a struggle and I feel I have no where to escape. I am praying that God will guide me to friendships soon because I'm just so lonely right now. I've never had a friend I could talk to all the time. I want to make friends in my church but I feel like a lot of them judge me and they are fake. I want to have a big family but mine is very small. I struggle with anxiety and depression but I was never diagnosed. My mum thinks she understands what I'm going through but I don't think she does. I am so blessed in my life and thank God for the things I have, but one thing is missing, FRIENDS. What am I doing wrong?

beingbyrne Introduction:The Lonely Life of BeingByrne
  • replies: 23

Hi Everyone, I've joined BB a few days ago and I've posted a lot since, but I haven't introduced myself yet. ( How rude of me, apologies) I have been struggling with depression and anxiety all in my life including my childhood ( which wasn't a great ... View more

Hi Everyone, I've joined BB a few days ago and I've posted a lot since, but I haven't introduced myself yet. ( How rude of me, apologies) I have been struggling with depression and anxiety all in my life including my childhood ( which wasn't a great one). At the moment I'm O.K. ( meaning I'm still depressed, but coping ). I guess I'm O.K because after years of hard work I was able to create a safe little shell for me to live in, away from stress and triggers. But I tell you, this is the loneliest existence on the planet. My shell is basically my home which I own with my husband (who works for both of us,so I don't have to work) where I live a socially isolated life after I managed to get rid of all my friends and the relationship with hubby is not like a marriage, it's more like a living arraignment (not a lot intimacy or emotional connection). My depression makes him feel uncomfortable and he pulls away from me and doesn't communicate with me. He doesn't know a lot about depression and he doesn't want to know about it. So, my only support system is my dog. My beautiful yellow labrador who turns out to be the best support system I have ever had. She is the reason I get out of bed in the morning and get out of the house (basically taking her for a walk or going to the shops to buy dog food). Most of the time I am by myself because hubby works away so my only company is my gorgeous dog who I call my best friend. She does not judge me nor she cares what I look like in the morning and she never holds grudges or takes anything for granted. And on top of that she is loves me more than anybody I've ever met. She pulls me out of bed when she thinks it's time to get up and she brings and drops her leash in my lap when it's time to get out of the house. Basically speaking she keeps me alive. The reason I have joined BB, because I felt that I needed to connect with people. As much as I love my dog she's not human. I would love to get out of this isolation and I thought talking to you guys will be the first step. And I have to say that it has already lifted my spirit a little bit. So thank you. Warm wishes

moonstonerain New here
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone. I just want to introduce myself. I am a 33 year old female from Queensland. Have suffered from depression since 16, on top of ocd and anxiety. Have found after the recent death of my Dad and dealing with other issues that my depressio... View more

Hello everyone. I just want to introduce myself. I am a 33 year old female from Queensland. Have suffered from depression since 16, on top of ocd and anxiety. Have found after the recent death of my Dad and dealing with other issues that my depression has gotten worse. Feels like the medication am on is no longer working. Have joined this forum to chat with people who also suffer from depression, since no one else seems to understand unless they have suffered from it.