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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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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 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?

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 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

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. 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.

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 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!

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 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!

Anxiety

replies: 3

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

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. 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.

New to BB

replies: 2

Hi All, Well I don't know really were to start as I had never joined a formum before like this.Feeling a bit nervous about putting my life out there so here goes. For many years now I have suffered from depression and anxiety had counseling and been on anti depression tablets, then went off them. Being in and out of jobs over the past few years as I feel I've been hard done by in my roles I take, while watching people around me been happy with theirs. Last year I had a very bad anxiety attack so went back to doctors and got put on anti depressants which I have stay on since, haven't had much luck in the job factor still and since Jan this year I have been out of work which is killing me and my family its so hard to support a family on one wage. I feel because I don't have work I'm letting the family down and feeling useless and no self confidence. I live in a small town after moving from a city and its very clicky been here for 10 yrs now and still have not one single close friend, left that one close friend behind in the city. Throughout my whole life I have struggle to make friends was bullied through school . I'm very fortunately to have a husband who has stuck by me throughout all of this he has been through hell I have not made his life great but it is probably killing him seeing me like this. Over the past few years my kids have seen me not good and I feel I have let them down. I'm constantly fighting with my daughter basically the whole family. Anyway I have finished waffling on ATM. This has been hard and alls I want is to get better and have a good life Theres more but atm that's alls I can say

Hi

replies: 4

I'm not right. I've been depressed and anxious for as long as I can remember. I seem to have two voices in my head. One is constantly screaming out, saying it's struggling. The other keeps saying, don't be a pussy and stick it out; be a man. I actually feel guilty about all of this. Even typing this right now I want to punch myself in the face. I regularly punch myself in the head (that sounds really stupid; I digress). I seem to self loathe more and more. I don't enjoy anything. Sometimes, I don't know if I genuinely hate myself or if I'm a narcissist. I'm not who I want to be. I've got a beautiful daughter, and a beautiful wife. On paper, I've got a good job (although I hate it and find it soul destroying). Fact of the matter is, I find everything soul destroying. Everything is a damn struggle. I feel like I'm drowning. I grew up with a really abusive dad, but I don't think I should blame everything on this. I feel like that's a cop out. I need help though, because I've failed at helping myself. I don't even feel I deserve the help. I don't know. Reading over this I sound like a crazy person.

Hi and help if you can

replies: 5

Hi, Have been struggling with depression for the past 3 years with help from my psychologist but things have begun to spiral for me recently. The next move suggested is medication and a psychiatrist. I feel so unsure about both. I am on a raft of medication for chronic medical conditions, in total 14 tabs a day so another is not something I want. I am interested in hearing about peoples experience with CBT and psychiatry and so I have joined.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Fighting inner battles replies: 1

First time writing on a forum replies: 3

Halfpenny replies: 6

Feeling lost, helpless and frustrated replies: 3

Got the blues from other's attitudes replies: 1

Anxiety replies: 3

Not Sure where to begin. replies: 2

New to BB replies: 2

Hi replies: 4

Hi and help if you can replies: 5