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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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dill newbie
  • replies: 3

dont know where tostart but i am on medication for anxiety have been for sometime. my brain doesnt slow down or switch off..i find i am thinking and worrying about everything. i cant sleep properly and i have night sweats. my thought process i find i... View more

dont know where tostart but i am on medication for anxiety have been for sometime. my brain doesnt slow down or switch off..i find i am thinking and worrying about everything. i cant sleep properly and i have night sweats. my thought process i find is fuzzy and this affects my work... ive lost interest in work and find it stressful...but its an important job and having time off i feel guilty. i put on the happy face to disguise whats happening in my head. i am finding i dont venture out of home unless i really have to and i do tey to force myself to get out.. i am hoping that being on here and reading others who are in the same boat will help me thanks

antsnest Dealing with everyone
  • replies: 2

Hi all. At the moment I'm finding it hard to deal with everyone. The friends who are happy & in love, those whose lives seem perfect, those who have a new baby or are expecting one & have so much to look forward to. Finding it hard to check in on fac... View more

Hi all. At the moment I'm finding it hard to deal with everyone. The friends who are happy & in love, those whose lives seem perfect, those who have a new baby or are expecting one & have so much to look forward to. Finding it hard to check in on facebook without losing it & telling them all how lucky they are. Feeling very lonely & alone (very different things) & don't really feel i can be honest about how I feel without sounding like a misery-guts. Eating my way through my unhappiness, then cranky at myself for how unhappy I feel. Would really appreciate some feedback as to how I can deal with my feelings, how i can start to overcome the anxiety i feel about how things are not going to get better. Feel like I'm digging a deeper hole every day. Have been like this before but don't want to go back on medication as it makes me feel numb. Any input would be good.

Hol-j Newbie looking for some light at the end of this horrible tunnel....
  • replies: 11

Hi All. I am completely new to this and have never participated in a forum before. I have struggled with depression on and off for about 15 years and am nearly a year into a breakdown with a major depressive disorder. I am doing all the things with d... View more

Hi All. I am completely new to this and have never participated in a forum before. I have struggled with depression on and off for about 15 years and am nearly a year into a breakdown with a major depressive disorder. I am doing all the things with doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists but as the one year approaches and I am still unable to go back to work as a high school teacher, I am struggling to come to terms with the fact it has been going on for so long and hoping that reaching out online might help me to move forward. I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel right now

rubyforrest Fighting inner battles
  • replies: 1

So many attempts to write on her, but it has so far been easier to discard the post, rather then actually posting it. Here goes nothing... The feeling of helpless seems to return quicker & more vicious. The constant feeling of sinking deeper & deeper... View more

So many attempts to write on her, but it has so far been easier to discard the post, rather then actually posting it. Here goes nothing... The feeling of helpless seems to return quicker & more vicious. The constant feeling of sinking deeper & deeper is a reality, rather than a figment of my imagination. Just as I am feeling slightly normal, bam, something comes along to knock me off perch & I am back to where is was before, if not 1 step further behind. The constant fight & ...battle is both numbing and soul destroying. Life appears to be getting harder, the constant struggle is real & scary. No real direction to head towards to ease the burden or stress. The unknown is a dark & shady place. The journey there is a rough, emotional and I am terrified & beyond exhausted. Constantly thinking, over thinking and reevaluating every thought, is taking its toll on me mentally. I seldomly open up, to dicuss what is actually on my mind. My ability to hide my feelings & heartache to disguise that I really am not ok, is my own fault. Family and friends are busy within thier own lives to notice things aren't ok. I seem to see my physcologist on upper days rather then downer days yet I feel they are wasting my time by teaching me breathing techniques, so I have ceased all therapy. All I need is someone to talk to who has been through a simular situation, which is almost impossible as it is almost such a taboo topic.. This entire adult gig thing sucks! Each & everyone of us are fighting our own battles and have demons on different levels but surely there has to be a turning point, where goodnes & happiness can flourish again?

Emtravwill First time writing on a forum
  • replies: 3

I am a 24 year old mother who was diagnosed with pnd about a year after I had my first son he will be 5 this June I have been on medication ever since. I am about to start a new job after not working for nearly 5 years and I have been having anxiety ... View more

I am a 24 year old mother who was diagnosed with pnd about a year after I had my first son he will be 5 this June I have been on medication ever since. I am about to start a new job after not working for nearly 5 years and I have been having anxiety attacks and feeling really depressed that I can't and won't be able to cope and do it not only that I have just been feeling really down for a while like I am constantly doubting myself and feeling worthless and I just can't handle it a lot of the time. I end up with knots/butterflies in my stomach and they don't go away then I start feeling really stressed and have a lump in my throat. Please help I just don't know what to do anymore

Halfpenny Halfpenny
  • replies: 6

Hi, I have never done this before, although close to ringing at one stage. I have always put on a strong front to family and friends. I was strong going through cancer, mainly on my own, but I beat it, and now I wonder sometimes why I fought so hard.... View more

Hi, I have never done this before, although close to ringing at one stage. I have always put on a strong front to family and friends. I was strong going through cancer, mainly on my own, but I beat it, and now I wonder sometimes why I fought so hard. Financially I am now in a different place, where I never thought I would be. I tell myself 'what's the point' in struggling mentally, physically and financially. Tears flow daily, and feel alone, even though I have lovely friends, but feel that I couldn't impose on them. I have been to a Counsellor, but they are not available at a moments notice. In 2010 , the first time I felt such depression, my husband was leaving me. I feel embarrassed at the thought of going to my local hospital, and wouldn't know what to expect, or what they can do. Today has been a bad day, although I am feeling a bit better at writing this. Not sure how the rest of the day will go.

Axel Feeling lost, helpless and frustrated
  • replies: 3

I am very concerned about my partner and the aggressive moods he gets in. They can come on very suddenly. Sometimes he has outburst and yells. During these times I usually stand up for myself and I know I should be quiet, but when it keeps going on I... View more

I am very concerned about my partner and the aggressive moods he gets in. They can come on very suddenly. Sometimes he has outburst and yells. During these times I usually stand up for myself and I know I should be quiet, but when it keeps going on I can't take the abuse. When I try to talk to him and ask him how he is feeling, the response I get is, "are you always going to ask me that question?". It is obvious to me when he is in a bad mood that he doesn't see any problem at all. He will snap at me and be very short and he really believes that there is nothing at all wrong with his actions. I'm confused. Friends and family have also noticed his moods and he still refuses to believe there is a problem at all. He blames me:- I'm the one that says and does the wrong things all the time he states! He's only retaliating he says! I'm going crazy here!

Kirb86 Got the blues from other's attitudes
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am very concerned about my partner and the aggressive moods he gets in. They can come on very suddenly. He becomes very quiet and noticeably frustrated. Sometimes he has outburst and yells, he has hit our daughter quite hard once also. She was ... View more

Hi, I am very concerned about my partner and the aggressive moods he gets in. They can come on very suddenly. He becomes very quiet and noticeably frustrated. Sometimes he has outburst and yells, he has hit our daughter quite hard once also. She was being naughty but I felt it was uncalled for. When I try to talk to him and ask him how he is feeling he mostly says he is feeling fine and that he is sick of me interrogating him about being moody. It is obvious to me when he is in a bad mood but he doesn't see any problem at all. He will snap at me and be very short and he really believes that there is nothing at all wrong and he is feeling fine. I'm confused. Is he just a very frustrated type person and I'm being too sensitive or is this behaviour not normal? Friends and family have also noticed his moods and he still refuses to believe there is a problem at all. I'm going crazy here!

Kim_A Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Going through anxiety after having my baby boy 4 months ago and getting worse

Going through anxiety after having my baby boy 4 months ago and getting worse

Simon_M Not Sure where to begin.
  • replies: 2

Hi All, a little bit lost. I think I suffer from depression and anxiety. One of my main symptoms is crippling when I even try talking to other people. I get shaky, heart thumping, eyes water, slur my words or I open my mouth and they don't come out. ... View more

Hi All, a little bit lost. I think I suffer from depression and anxiety. One of my main symptoms is crippling when I even try talking to other people. I get shaky, heart thumping, eyes water, slur my words or I open my mouth and they don't come out. These are people that I know well, not someone I've just met. I am also displaying alot of symptoms of depression. I have tried on one occasion to talk to my GP but got all worked up and couldn't articulate which he didn't seem to notice. The thought of looking someone in the eye and pouring my heart out terrifies me. I know I need to see someone. Any suggestions ? The depression is alot worse than I could explain here.