Welcome and Orientation

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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 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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New to BB and to chat forums

replies: 7

Hi all, not too sure where to begin. Trying to let go these feelings and thoughts that keep entering the ol gray matter, but putting it all out there for all to see is pretty foreign to me and I dare say many others. The one thought that erks me the most is my current relationship, I don't sleep with my partner anymore since she insists the dogs (one being a Great Dane) sleep in the bed with her even after some long discussions and arguments the dogs remain. I can't remember the last time we had sex, plus there is no affection or romance forthcoming from my partner either. I am a FIFO worker and life is pretty tough at the best of times when I am on site but to come home put up with more crap is not on. I actually feel like I am a strange in my own house, like treading on egg shells. Mmmmm, where to go from here, your thoughts would be appreciated. Life is too short people. W I am in the seniors bracket in life and like most want a happy peaceful retirement (when it happen, but not yet, still too active).

new here and very scared to post

replies: 16

Hello everyone I'm new here ,first day,and very shy to post...I have bipolar over half my life diagnosed ,BPD,ocd,severe PTSD..I'm here to give support to all and perhaps receive some support in return Happiness and inner peace to all

New here - Anxiety and obsession over Psychosis and Schizophrenia

replies: 7

Hi All, Feels strange doing this as i am not usually one to participate in an online forum however I feel it may be time to start communicating with fellow sufferers and like-minded individuals! I'm a 27-year-old male that has been anxious (diagnosed GAD) since adolescence. My generalised anxiety eventually evolved into crippling panic attacks (multiple trips to ER) many of which I can attribute to abuse of drugs and alcohol. I have definitely settled down on the abuse of said substances over the last few years, however, i can't seem to shake or overcome what I can classify as severe health anxiety. My health anxiety includes both fears of physical health issues such as MS etc and the fear of severe mental health issues, specifically Schizophrenia and psychosis, with my main concern being the latter. I can confidently say that my fear of falling into a psychotic episode stems from what I have come to understand as my "pure O" OCD. Unwanted and intrusive thoughts become 'sticky' and repeat over and over til I have convinced myself that I am going mad. The last few weeks have been particularly difficult for me and I have decided to seek professional help. It's very comforting to see on forums like these that there are so many people experiencing the exact same thing. I'm looking forward to overcoming this and hopefully being in a position to help others that are struggling with this debilitating problem. With all of that being said, I have had one quite concerning symptom/obsession over the last few days. When I am out in public I am continually doing a double take when I see strangers, thinking that they look familiar! It is driving me insane. Obsessing over this is only making it worse. I read somewhere that this is a symptom of schizophrenia.. silly me... as now my mind is playing tricks on me convincing me that I am hallucinating. I wonder if anyone here has experienced this or something similar? It is almost as if my mind is finding things to convince me that there is something seriously wrong. In true hypochondriac fashion, I have taken my concerns of being schizophrenic to a psychiatrist (and a psychologist) before only to be reassured that I am not. That was a couple of years ago now, so could things have changed/progressed? There's my self doubt again. If you've gotten this far down the post, I apologise for the essay, and thank you for reading. cheers M

Hi, I'm LC

replies: 2

Hi, I'm Catherine and online I'm known as LC. I separated from my husband in December last year and am now starting to really go through the stages. We were together 15 years, married 5. Jumped into the relationship very quickly, had issues early, tried to work through them, had our ups and downs and after say 10 years we were in issues, i fell into depression and anxiety as did the hubby and by the end we realised we were both in serious denial anything was wrong. Seperated under a mutual agreement as we are both in our 30s, I want children and he doesn't. I'm 33 now living on my own and as much as I love it, I only just started to realise that i'm on my own, my friends all have kids so they are busy at night and theres no-one who'll go out and have fun and be single with me. The head won't stop going at a thousand miles an hour. I'm not paying attention as much and work is noticing as well as me in every day life. Anyway, I'm rambling now. LC

Feeling Wrong

replies: 3

Hello Something just feels wrong pretty much all of the time and has for as long as I can remember. I have an almost constant mild headache in the front of my head which can intensify during social situations. I am tired all the time even though I get 8 hours most nights, eat relatively healthy and exercise most weeks. On paper everything in my life is perfect I grew up in a loving home and now I have a wife and a daughter that loves me and I love them. I work with good people and my job is interesting, flexible and pays well. I have had medical check ups and physical I am very healthy. But I just don't want to go to work and when I am there I am quiet if not silent and grumpy. I zone out during family time and I am constantly on the verge of tears. For a long time I have just been uncomfortable but for the last year or so I have been misery to be around and it is start to affect my family my friend and my work. I just don’t know what to do.

Feeling Beyond Blue

replies: 10

Hi, I've been blue at many times during my 60 years on the planet (minus the first 10 years of childhood!) but today I've passed into what I'd describe as beyond blue...into blackness. So in despair, I decided to join BB's forum in the hope it would help shed some light onto what I'm going through. I have had the blues to greater or lesser extent at certain stressful (and non stressful) periods of my life and have dealt with it mainly through exercise and some therapy. Other less positive methods I've used were alcohol (which I have finally discarded and no longer use to self medicate) and am still using anti-anxiety medication (which is only a temporary fix and am aware of it's addictive nature, so I try to use only when necessary) The past few years have seen changes to my life that have been difficult to cope with. And with children leaving, returning and leaving home again....as well as a partner who is a FIFO worker.....I find myself waving goodbye a lot and feeling left behind, empty and alone. Mornings are the worse....awaking very early, after a broken night's sleep, to feelings of high anxiety, dread, stomach churning, a feeling of paralysis....which requires a lot of willpower to actually get up and moving. So...just a slice of my blues as an introduction! I feel like I should say something upbeat and positive now so that I don't seem a whining, self pitying person. I try and portray myself as a happy, positive person in life.....but I feel that here, within the BeyondBlue community, I can let that mask fall. I hope to share in other's stories here...and to gain some better insight and help with my problems. Thanks for reading this. LavenderBlue

My life of depression and anxiety.

replies: 4

I'm a 25 year old male who has had depression and anxiety issues since the age of about 16. I have always been a shy person and the amount of countless times I have felt absolutely useless by not being able to hold a prolonged occasion has gotten me down many times. Over the last few years, the amount of times I have been in a dark, dark hole has reduced, although the intensity is just as bad, if not even worse. I have no reason to be, which makes it all the more confusing to try and fix. I have an amazing family and at the age of 22 I met my first girlfriend who I am now engaged to and set to marry in the near future. Not just a great fiance, but an absolutely amazing one who can support me through anything. I worry about having to be out in society full time and not feeling like I have any talent at all in any field to distract me from those thoughts. I managed to get through uni while working full time, no idea how, and have tried a few different jobs since then. Many of them I have not been able to last more than a few days due to the overwhelming anxiety and depressive thoughts about being in an unfamiliar environment. I have been working in the front office for 6 months and love being able to talk to people when they are at their happiest and on break from their usual life. It is when people are upset, angry or stressed I have those creeping doubts come flooding back into my own mind. I love to keep busy but am really struggling to find the passion and talent for anything useful. I worry about being able to provide for a potential future family and wonder how I can keep going in the workplace for such a big part of your life when I struggle so badly with these thoughts. I also worry whether I am doing enough. Could I be doing more to make my situation better? What am I actually doing with myself. Why do I not have any talent and how am I going to get through life with so many pressures? I really have no idea and struggle a lot with it.

Hi i'm new and am quite awkward

replies: 1

Hello all, I've landed here because I have reached a pretty rough point in my life, I suffer from anxiety and depression, my second wife has just left me with our kids and I don't really know what else to do. I have sought counselling previously without success, I am under a good GP and am maintaining (surviving) through my nightmare. My anxiety has managed to drive away everyone that I have ever cared for through my inability to manage stress, tension and mood. Even whilst being medicated I have managed to fail - resulting in my lonliness. Does anyone have anything that works for them, I want and need to make a change but I am so stuck thanks

Hello

replies: 2

Hello I'll try and keep the introduction brief I'm a 40+ Single Father of 2 and I am fairly sure I have Social Anxiety + Complications from Suppressing "issues" from school 25 yrs ago Basically Both my Kids turned 18 within 13mths of each other, and my life didn't need to revolve around them 24/7 (and I know it shouldn't have, but it was the way I'd coped, put 100% into the kids so i didn't have to focus on me). Basically as long as I didn't think or focus on me I was ok and could deflect using the kids. I saw a psychologist 2 yrs ago and that helped for a brief time, but didn't resolve anything. I have spent 20 years successfully, avoiding, deflecting and dodging awkward questions and situations. And I'm here because I am sick of seeing "you need to see a mental health expert" at the bottom of quizzes and tests.

Sad. Lost and Alone. Seem to start getting better then boom back to feeling sad, lost and alone.

replies: 1

Been down for many years after a break up. Shut myself off from most of my friends as they were sick of me crying 24/7. But the tears wouldn't stop. The tears have almost stopped now but I feel so alone. I'm in Melbourne and would love to try to get out and be involved with people who understand and care for others and don't judge. But I just don't have a clue as to where to start. Can anyone please point me in the right direction ? ( I also find it very difficult to do things alone so would be great if there was some group that I cold join that can help )

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New to BB and to chat forums replies: 7

new here and very scared to post replies: 16

New here - Anxiety and obsession over Psychosis and Schizophrenia replies: 7

Hi, I'm LC replies: 2

Feeling Wrong replies: 3

Feeling Beyond Blue replies: 10

My life of depression and anxiety. replies: 4

Hi i'm new and am quite awkward replies: 1

Hello replies: 2

Sad. Lost and Alone. Seem to start getting better then boom back to feeling sad, lost and alone. replies: 1