Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a conversation

Well I'm new..

replies: 3

Hey my name is petal, I have had depression and anxiety for over 6 years now. And I can usually get myself out of the states I get into. Some taking longer then others, the stage I'm at has lasted 6 weeks going into the 7th.. I found myself thinking last night. Am I crazy? Am I delusional? Am I being over dramatic? Do I even have depression and anxiety? Does this illness even exist? It was like you know when you say a word over and over so many times it loses its meaning and your not even sure your saying it right at the end and your left in a state of laughter and confusion?. But I wasn't laughing I was silently crying in the dark so I didn't wake my child up...and I was very much confused.. And I know this thought stems from a toxic person I have in my life.. Someone I so badly am trying to push away because they are hurting me, but I'm to scared to make a clean cut because I'm worried about their feelings and don't want to deal with the repercussions, the tsunami of rage and emotional blackmail and abuse I know will come... I have my phone on airplane mode for god sake! Just so that one person can't get to me... To other people I've spoken to this situation is so black and white, they tell me to be ruthless! Just tell her how it is! But I can't it paralyses me so deep. And I'm angry at this person for not giving me the space that I want. I told her I was in a bad place and she kept pushing. i said it as clear as I could "I have depression and anxiety. I just need to put myself first". And she got upset. Told me to talk to someone. As if I haven't been dealing with this for most of the time I've known her! I thought in my head "well damn! Talking to someone!! Why didn't I think of that?!!" That will make all these issues go away for sure! I don't really have a question or want answers. I just needed to get that out in a safe place. In a space I know other people will be able to relate.

Where do I start...

replies: 7

Hi all, Just joined the community, hoping to talk to people who are going through similar issues. Ive been dealing with anxiety and depression since I was 17. I am now 24 and have recently suffered a breakdown. I got fired from my job a couple of months ago and I feel like thats what triggered it. At the moment I think my anxiety is worse than my depression. It's gotten so bad that Ive found myself worrying about worrying, and I know it's stupid but it's so hard not to. Weaning off one medication at the moment and am going to start on a different one in a few days. Wish me luck!

Newbie with depression

replies: 7

Hello my name is jinxygal female who will be 63 soon. Iam in anti depressanta for 17 plus years. My question is why do i get panicky and start yelling out in my car when someone drives too close and when walking avoid people and start to talk out loud and if challenged run away or make excuses saying nothing to do with them. I dont understand myself. Never have accepted mysekf

New here, hello!

replies: 24

Hi everyone, I've posted a couple of times but I thought I'd introduce myself officially! I'm 41 and have suffered from anxiety since I was a child but most extremely since my teens. I didn't realize what it was until around 8 years ago and didn't really get in control of it until after four years of medication, CBT and some EMDR. I had around a year with ZERO anxiety, then some very stressful life experiences brought it back a little - nowhere near as bad as it was before but it still comes and goes. Most recently I've had some extremely stressful events happen (outside of my control) and my anxiety has taken another step for the worse - and also I've started to get depressed every now and then which is (I think) a fairly new thing for me - I've learnt a lot about my anxiety and how to deal with it but I don't really know how to deal with the depression... Going back to the psychologist next month. I don't really have anyone in real life to talk about these things so it's great to find this supportive community! Thanks, J.

Me in 30 Quick Points.

replies: 10

Geez. Where to start. I won't bore you, but I will introduce myself in 30 points - one for every year of living with mental illness. I was a public servant for so long and old writing habits are hard to break, so point form it is. 1. I'm 50, but feeling older. 2. Lived with some form of depression, anxiety, OCD and BP for close to 30 years. Maybe even Borderline PD. Dunno. 3. Self-diagnosed. Doctors and so-called professionals haven't been able to help me. 4. Solo-mum of one child for past 12 years. 100% single and will remain that way. 5. Always worked, but have had probably 30 jobs in 33 years. Always getting bored or getting sacked. 6. Angry 95% of the time. The other 5%? I'm on top of the world. 7. Anxious about so many things. Food. Bills. Child. Car. Pokies. Sleep. My Face. My fat belly. etc etc 8. Two days without a shower is commonplace. 9. Not the best example for my daughter, but I try. 10. One addiction. Gambling. Provides me with a form of escapism. 11. Prefer to associate with four-legged creatures. 12. I hide behind humour. Could easily have been a comic. 13. Not currently medicated. Nothing seems to work. Tired of being a zombie from meds. 14. Hate the way I look. Used to be hot. 15. Suicidal thoughts? Yeah, but I won't ever do it. 16. Serial complainer. Mainly about customer service. 17. Could I have Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Some days I wonder. Started this thread title with "Me", so maybe huh? 18. Overweight. 90kg. Was 68kg when fully pregnant and now I'm 30 kg heavier. 19. Worked as an editor for years, but now I won't even pick up a book or read a sentence without jumping forward. 20. No hobbies. At. All. 21. Eat crap food. All. The. Time. 22. False teeth upper and lower. True. 23. No verbal filter. Swear like a drunken sailor. 24. Messy car. Messy house. Messy hair. Messy life. 25. Argue with people a lot. No real friends. Not one. 26. Talker. Talk, talk, talk, that's all I do. Talk over people. 27. Perfectionist tendencies. 28. Humans who don't understand mental illness annoy me no end. 29. First time on a forum. 30. Please. Like. Me. (Yep, have a constant need to be "liked"). Thank you for reading. Galileo

Hi, I'm new to the forums

replies: 6

Hi Everyone, I'm a newbie. I have been thinking about posting for ages. I have read the many positive, encouraging comments about how people have felt so supported and helped by posting, so thought I would too, even though I feel a quite scared and hope I can be a support and help to you too. I have had depression and anxiety since I was about 16 years old - for 30 years. It has always been a part of my life, not only my personal experience, but that of close family. Although I wouldn't wish it on anyone, it is a great help to me to know there are others out there who understand. Thanks very much for the opportunity to share with you .

Winter Blues

replies: 2

Hi People, I am new to the forum. I am 32 years old, had anxiety on and off for about 20 years. It is winter. I notice my anxiety level is going up as the temperature drops. I get racing heart, cold feet and hands in the morning and at night. Does an... View more

Hello Im Virginia

replies: 2

Hi my am Virginia. I have suffered anxiety/depression for most of my life. Only officially diagnosed in 2006 and still being treated medically and psychologically. I have never joined a forum before because of fear of not knowing what to say.

My life is mentally exhausting.

replies: 4

hi Everyone. Im new here and thought Id introduce myself. Panic attacks since mid 1984, my daughter was only 2. Marriage lasted 32 years. It lacked love, empathy and support. New relationship lasted 4 years. I didn't reveal everything about myself to him. There was no point. Heartless individual that preys on mental weaknesses and uses them to his advantage. We are still living under the same roof and he has continued to make my life a living hell. He actually gets his kicks when he succeeds to make me furious and when I reach my peak, my anxiety goes through the roof and I break down and cry. I don't want him to see me cry so Ill go to my room or have a shower, sit on the floor and cry my heart out. It doesn't help but I feel better temporarily. I can't move out as 1. I cannot afford the rents on my own and 2. I still have really debilitating panic attacks when I''m alone in the house. I have no friends and no one in the family can offer me help. My daughter will help if I need do go shopping and I can drive around my area but cannot drive alone for long distances or unfamiliar areas. My rent is $400/fortnight (shared) so I'm left with just enough to buy my animals their food an a bit of food for myself. The anxiety and stress of living day to day like this eventually got to me. Plus living with the verbal abuse.. I was finding it hard to find the energy to get out of bed. I didnt want to die but I wanted a big hole to open up that I could crawl into. I have fears, like everyone else. I fear death, I fear living alone, I fear never finding someone to love me, I fear that I will become homeless. I fear that I am going insane at times. I FEAR my fears. I shed a few tears reading other peoples' stories. I guess it made me realise that I am not really alone in my thoughts. Other people know what a panic attack feels like, they know what loneliness is. I am not alone .

Hello I'm New Here

replies: 5

Hi my names Elle and I'm 22. I've never been on an online forum and am hoping I'll get some understanding and support for my generalised anxiety and social anxiety. I've recently broken up from a 4 year relationship and just feel like everything fall... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Well I'm new.. replies: 3

Where do I start... replies: 7

Newbie with depression replies: 7

New here, hello! replies: 24

Me in 30 Quick Points. replies: 10

Hi, I'm new to the forums replies: 6

Winter Blues replies: 2

Hello Im Virginia replies: 2

My life is mentally exhausting. replies: 4

Hello I'm New Here replies: 5