Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Newbie here

replies: 1

Hey everyone, I'm here to meet some new people and have somewhere to talk about anxiety, depression, and grief, And to help others too. I recently lost my Dad to cancer, So I'm currently trying to cope and work through some awful grief. If anyone has... View more

Another newbie :)

replies: 3

Hi there, just introducing myself, you may see me around I have suffered with depression of varying degrees on & off for years. Mostly these days I manage quite well, however still at times go into a dark, ugly hole and isolate myself and don't look after myself at all. Incredibly I continue to work in quite a demanding job during these times, however it is very much keeping my public face on, and I can feel exhausted and fake, and very stressed, projecting something that I'm not feeling. I live by myself and have a few supports, at times I get very lonely, and wonder why I continue on, as it's not easy. I find loneliness can lead to depression; other times depression leads to isolation, so it can be a vicious circle. Anyway thank you for reading through, I'm looking forward to being part of the community Mickey

G'day first timer

replies: 7

G'day hope everyone is well. This is my first time on a online forum. I'm not sure how this works so I'm flying blind. I've read a few posts and have found them very helpful and nice to hear I'm not alone. i have anxiety that comes and goes as it pleases. My anxiety isn't focused on a situation or upcoming events it feels like more a physical thing that just rocks up as a ball of adrenaline in my chest then disappears as quick. Im fine during the day I have anxiety about not being able to sleep that comes along in the evenings after I put my kids to bed. Then I cannot sleep and the cycle continues. Exersice helps me sleep as my body is tired and eating healthy is also important to me. Your stories have helped me a so much already. Thank you for sharing cheers

Hi I'm new

replies: 4

Hi I'm in my mid 40s. I've had ptsd since I was a kid due to severe family trauma. Im separated. Both my ex and eldest son have ASD. We have 2 beautiful boys together. I don't work - firstly too much anxiety for me being judged by an employer, secondly I love helping our boys - esp our eldest. He's in mainstream school but doesn't get the support he needs. I don't have a supportive birth family, but I have plenty of long-time friends. I love meeting people and making friends, but always return to the safety/comfort/privacy of my home. I have my own hobbies and am also teaching my kids to have joint and separate hobbies. I suffer chronic depression and panic attacks. I have a good GP and am going back to her for more help. Am also going thru menopause, which complicates my life even more. But I try to stay positive, esp for my kids. I love my boys to bits and want them to have happy, successful lives, doing what they love. The best lesson I've learnt from my troubled past is to respect my children's lives as theirs and to honour them. I look forward to sharing with you all.

Hi everyone

replies: 6

Hi there, for maybe the first time in my life I feel that I am depressed and not just a passing depression, but something that I see no end to. My life has just turned upside down at 53 years of age have lost my job due to redundancy. My wife and I live alone, we have no kids. We love each other but have never really communicated effectively as she is from a different culture and does not seem to be on the same wavelength in many ways. There are language barriers and now I realise how much I relied on my colleagues for communication and companionship, as all my friends and family are overseas, it is just my wife and I here we emigrated here 10 years ago. Before I came to Australia my life was not good, so many changes and never settled from a young age. Finally I found stability here, building a lovely home together about 50 km from the CBD with a nearby job that I didn't realise how much I had enjoyed until I lost it. I know it will be impossible to find another job in my field near where we live, and I feel tired, I don't have the energy to start again at my age. I have never felt like this before, I never took depression seriously, it just seemed a passing thing to me. Now I can't snap out of it and night times are the worst, I can't sleep with worry and regret. Anyway, thanks for listening, just writing this post made me feel a little better.

Just wanted to say hi

replies: 4

Hello, I'm new on here, I've just been reading a few posts and already I feel a bit better. So nice to know that I am not the only one that feels low for no apparent reason. I have suffered depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. But it wasn't until last year that I made the connection that how and what I was experiencing was a mental illness. I just always thought I was weird and a bit of a sook. The anxiety connection came from a work colleague who was very open with her anxiety and what it did to her and how she coped with that. I made the connection with a big 'Oh my goodness, I do that'. In many ways it was very freeing. Beyond that I normally floated between a state of manic highs, normal steadiness and crushing lows. The lows soon out weighed the highs and I was in a pit of despair. I went to see my doctor and I eventually started on some medication, from there the dose was increased and increased. There were days even weeks where it felt like it was helping but then there were those outbursts where I wanted to escape myself. Things increasingly worsened after a night out mixing alcohol and my prescription meds. I had a psychotic episode and ended up in the psych ward. I was so embarrassed and grateful all at once. I hurt my partner deeply by what I had done to myself. Even without alcohol the medication seemed to be making me feel worse than better. After this point I eventually weaned off the prescription medication and alcohol under the very strict guidance of my GP and Psychiatrist . Currently, I occasionally take something for the anxiety and a sleep aid medication. I was doing well for around a month and now I feel like I have hit a familiar brick wall. One of complete despair, its painful to breathe. So I find myself here talking to you guys. I have a great support network but sometimes I just feel like I'm too much to deal with and that I'm simply not worth the effort. At least I know that in reality, that is not the case but that's how it feels which in turn drives the emotions. Anyway, nice to be in this community. (Really said more than just Hi )

Father of two young kids, suffering depression/anxiety

replies: 5

Hi all, I am a father of two ( both under 5 ) and have suffered depression ,i believe, since i was a child. Financially we are going week to week with mortgage and bills, i have a good job but the pressure is sometimes extreme. I have tried medication, counselling with not a lot of improvement. I love my kids with all my heart and i want to get better for them more than anything. My energy levels are erratic, this is easily disguised because i work shift. My mood is erratic, i am not aggressive but i do get angry and upset easily and it takes me sometimes days to recover from trivial encounters which is i guess all part of this. As far as friends, i have them but work and life has us all separated to an extent as all adults are i guess. Some of them have/are suffering from similar illness although they have different symptoms. We barely talk about it though. Family wise, although not close either geographically or emotionally, we do talk. I know my illness is not uncommon in my family which also bothers me for my childrens sake. Not really sure where this goes from here but would sure like to speak with other Dads dealing with depression i guess to start with. Thankyou

Hello, I'm New here and on edge of relapse

replies: 9

Hello everyone, How is everyone day? I'm Chloe and new to all of this. I have suffered depression for about half my life and have been good for the past few years but all of a sudden, everything has crashed down. I feel like I am back to where I once was in life. It is not fun at all. Has anyone else felt this way? Sometimes I do feel so alone and that no one understands but I know I'm not. It a struggle with reality at the moment and it gets me so upset. I have come out the other end of countless issues but now it is like I am going back to that dark place I have once been in. I hope I can chat in these forums to not feel so alone.

New to BB

replies: 1

Hey all. I have been battling with depression, anxiety, paranoia and constant tiredness for about 20 years now. I am now 30, married, been with my partner for almost 15yrs, we have a house, pets, a great family and group of friends - so why do I find it hard to be happy?? I am constantly tired, I never want to leave the house yet I hate being alone, then I feel alone when I am surrounded by people. I am moody, irritable, my sex drive is basically none existent and I find myself being engrossed in online gaming when I should be active and enjoying life. I have also used alcohol to either boost my mood (which only makes it worse) or to get me through the day. Recently my husband and I have been trying to conceive and all I can think of is that it is my fault we haven't yet. We all know how much your brain can effect the rest of your body and this just makes my depression worse. I need help to try and get my brain back to normal, but after 20yrs, is it really that easy? My childhood wasn't great, so that has been a huge factor. I have tried psychologists, they didn't work. Medication just masked the problems and also made me pretty ill, and given we are trying for a baby, my doctors have advised me not to go on medication. I guess I don't really know where to start.

New to the forum

replies: 2

Hi I'm in my twenties and recently moved to Australia as I thought it would make me happier. Before I came here I was so miserable, for a long time. Already away from family and friends at this point, living somewhere for work. Work was not much fun either. I thought I'd come to australia my dream, and focused all my energy on that. I thought I have already lived 3 years miserably and alone, I'll take the leap move to the other side of the world for a year. At first it was fun whilst travelling around, although I felt awkward at times andknew I was still struggling, feeling I was a boring person and finding it hard to make the connections with others I could see others doing. Now I am here for work, which is spaarce. I'm far away from home, I feel I don't have 1 person here who cares properly for me. I don't have anything to say when I speak to my mum on the phone and neither does she as I'm just quiet and irritable. I haven't the motivation to look for different work, feel I can't travel as I don't have the funds anymore but don't want to go home as I'll have wasted the opportunity and feel I don't have much to go back for as I quit my job and don't feel like I have any close friends. I haven't been to a doctor and just don't want to even talk aloud or feel I even have the energy to explain my self to someone in person.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Newbie here replies: 1

Another newbie :) replies: 3

G'day first timer replies: 7

Hi I'm new replies: 4

Hi everyone replies: 6

Just wanted to say hi replies: 4

Father of two young kids, suffering depression/anxiety replies: 5

Hello, I'm New here and on edge of relapse replies: 9

New to BB replies: 1

New to the forum replies: 2