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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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Lexar 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 ... View more

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 )

OberonX Recently Bipolar Diagnosed
  • replies: 14

Currently 26. The more research I have done on Bipolar; the more it all makes sense. For years I was medicated with antidepressants for an anxiety disorder.. Mainly because the psychologist wouldn't listen to my full story and ignored the fact that I... View more

Currently 26. The more research I have done on Bipolar; the more it all makes sense. For years I was medicated with antidepressants for an anxiety disorder.. Mainly because the psychologist wouldn't listen to my full story and ignored the fact that I have alot of mental illness in my family tree. Been on mood stabilizers for almost 2 weeks. Feeling alot better then I was! But I still have a long way to go before I am completely stable. Just looking for people in the same situation who are looking to make their life as healthy as possible.

Sinking_in_the_Ocean When does it stop and the tide change.
  • replies: 6

Sarted with being exposed to asbestos some 10+ years ago. Company covered it up but was obvious couldn't deal with it myself. After that I was working over the next 10 years in various places in the state that always ended up having links back to the... View more

Sarted with being exposed to asbestos some 10+ years ago. Company covered it up but was obvious couldn't deal with it myself. After that I was working over the next 10 years in various places in the state that always ended up having links back to the same company. Resulted in fellow workers swapping work orders , breaking into my lockers, video taping my work then next shift i would find this maliciously broken where ever i worked the night before. I would move on and next place would have a friend that got his apprenticeship through one of the guys at the last place. Rinse and repeat they even tried following me home once (was 1.5 hour drive). Changed careers and moved interstate which lasted for about 5 years now the company I just worked for dropped me as my depression spiked after coming back from FIFO work for them. Tried SSRIs each had side affects such as memory loss, sexual dysfunction and MASSIVE aggression spikes. Tried seeing a psychologist but couldnt get past the money and work being a major blocking issue. Have stalled for a year now making 2 years without work and have had NOT A SINGLE bit of help from centrelink. Now I'm trying hard to get back into work, but faced with the issues of last job has only one employer in my city and I dont think i can do the stress now. My references are aligned to that job and one has said his goodbye so I don't have the required references of 2. If I go back to my original career path skills over 7 years old no references, lost knowledge and employers look at resume see vastly opposite skill sets and run scared (no discussion or explanation). Home life has failed the house has holes in the roof that you could walk through, things like air conditioners , dishwashers, computers etc have blown, car leaks 5 ltrs oil over 2 weeks and bald tyres. No savings and no help as partner works 4 days a week. Finally strong arm centrelink into putting me on the job active list and find the recruitment agencies do nothing for 3 months. At the stage of leaving the missus so she can go onto someone who can support her and the kids. Been 2 years with no help no friends no chances just losing ground with no options to reduce the damage or change direction.

Flareshu University Stress + Pressure from family.
  • replies: 4

Hello! I'm currently 22 and ever since I was little I've been wanting to go to university and now I've finally made it. I'm still unemployed and my family are currently paying for me to live out on the campus due to that its 2 hours away from home. I... View more

Hello! I'm currently 22 and ever since I was little I've been wanting to go to university and now I've finally made it. I'm still unemployed and my family are currently paying for me to live out on the campus due to that its 2 hours away from home. I'm feeling so much pressure to pass everything 1st try due to that I don't want to let anyone down and make them pay more, I already feel horrible for letting them pay for me. Every time I don't get something or get something wrong I start having a break down due to that I feel like I've let everyone down. I've been trying my whole life to get here and it feels like I've made a mistake and want to run away but then I'll just be letting everyone down again. I have never felt like this before and most days I just cry a ton in my room because I don't know what to do or think. I'm trying my hardest to do everything but i'm just not understanding anything and the stress to pass is packaging on. Everyday I've been checking for the Dynamic study modules (little things to help study) Online and their due dates and the one day I don't check and the dates had changed and i missed the due dates for 5 of them. (they had 5 on the same day). and i feel like an uter failure. All the modules combined are worth 20% of the overall grade out of 100%, there is at least 15 more for this subject (Biology), I know I'm going to try harder for the other modules but I just feel so sick knowing that I could have gotten a grade for it but now I cannot. I feel like as if I should not be here.

Raynor dipping my toe in
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I haven't had great experiences of forums in the past but a lot of things are different for me now, so hopefully this will be too! I came out to myself as trans-masc or non-binary (not entirely settled on labels yet) nearly a year ago and hav... View more

Hi all, I haven't had great experiences of forums in the past but a lot of things are different for me now, so hopefully this will be too! I came out to myself as trans-masc or non-binary (not entirely settled on labels yet) nearly a year ago and have now begun (slowly) talking to friends about it. I've actually found that my mental health has improved a whole lot in the year. I've struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life but destructive habits that I've had since I was a teenager no longer have the same force... or at least I now have reasons to fight them. Some hope that I might actually be okay in the future. At the same time though, I have this sense of impending doom, because I know that if I want to really feel okay, then I'm going to have to risk everything. My family will be completely opposed for religious-cultural reasons. My job is also really stressful and I've started having what I think are panic attacks when I'm there. I feel like some of the things I'm called on to do at work are just beyond me at the moment but I can't avoid them, so I have to suck it up and try my best to cope. I'm trying to get some medical and counselling support. I'm on a waiting list for a queer-friendly GP to get a referral to a queer-friendly counsellor who I really hope is helpful. I think they will be. Otherwise, blech - not time for that yet! Thanks for reading. Peace - Rayne

rustee_nails Gettin Old & Never Dealt With My Problems .The pain Meds masked it all.
  • replies: 3

in the last year i've slowly under doctors supervision ,given up strong and also weak medication. after having already this decade given up a long formed drinking habit(now i'm just your regular drinker. not the kind of russian drinking i used to do)... View more

in the last year i've slowly under doctors supervision ,given up strong and also weak medication. after having already this decade given up a long formed drinking habit(now i'm just your regular drinker. not the kind of russian drinking i used to do). So,I'm about 40 and have just got together enough physically and mentally to join reality again. but, i've lived a life where every moment has been physical torture. for 13 straight years. before that i was a kid playing games with grown ups who weren't playing. before that i had a ...life less hard than either of my parents and that made it ok in their eyes. i've gotten down to the point where my muscle relaxant is so low i've had to ask for sleeping pills because for 2 straight weeks now i've had non stop nightmares even on meds that should stop that. i have bad reactions with anti depressants and my life is riddled with pain so there is no reason for me to not be depressed, so i have tried every kind and many variations of antidepressants & not only were the side affects to severe for me to abide, but most couldn't be taken without alcohol and i've tried not drinking and it always ends in me cracking . so being on meds that don't mix with alcohol is not an option. I'm not going to describe what i've done to naturally remove depression because it would be quicker to list what i haven't done. everything short of not drinking. therapy never worked but a trauma councelor is kinda helping. 1. I keep my physical Health in check(as appropriate.) 2. I keep My mental health in check(as appropriate.) 3. I regularly look for new research. peace

Janeie Hi
  • replies: 10

I'm feeling absolutely exhausted and at my wits end I feel I have no resilience, I'm incredibly sad and it's pervading all areas of my life. It stops me functioning properly and anxiety makes me always on edge. i feel my life as been a constant strug... View more

I'm feeling absolutely exhausted and at my wits end I feel I have no resilience, I'm incredibly sad and it's pervading all areas of my life. It stops me functioning properly and anxiety makes me always on edge. i feel my life as been a constant struggle, one knock back after another and I don't have the internal resources to cope. I'm exhausted. I don't even think about being happy anymore - just getting through the days. i don't want to be unhappy. I want to be happy and positive, confident and able to bring value to people's lives but it's so hard. I feel like having a month off to recuperate and gather my strength and internal resources. But I don't think it would help. I don't see what I could change. Every area of my life is difficult at the moment. I'm lonely, (although I socialise a lot), worry about financial security, am not progressing in my career ... can't stop crying at the moment.... What to do.

NiceOneGary Hi i'm new ... and all of this depression stuff is new too!
  • replies: 13

Hi all ... just started meds for depression some 4 weeks ago and it has been really hard. Thought I would join you and share and learn from each other. I have found it really really tough going ... the zombie-like feelings, headaches, confusion, naus... View more

Hi all ... just started meds for depression some 4 weeks ago and it has been really hard. Thought I would join you and share and learn from each other. I have found it really really tough going ... the zombie-like feelings, headaches, confusion, nausea, ... i am sure many of you know the drill. I am driven by hope that I will feel and be better ... I do feel a little better each day and feel like I am emerging from this 'black could' i have been in for many years but didn't know what to do ...didn't even realise i needed help. Anyways ... will look forward to hearing from you; life CAN be a tad lonely when people find out you have depression ... it's like a "oh ...good luck with that, get well soon!" scenario. No one really talks about it (i know i didn't too!!!) Look forward to hearing from youse all soon! Cheers.