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

Support

replies: 5

Hello everyone, I'm new here but I've looked on this site a few times previously, I'm struggling with my depression and anxiety which I'm fairly sure I've had since I was a teenager after yet another relationship breakdown, I have my ok days and I'm ... View more

New member needing help

replies: 21

Hi im very new this and have not been to see a doctor or any help as yet. Ive been through alot over the last 30 years and now Im at a point where I am just not coping. After reading about depression I believe that this is what is happening (or admitting) to me. To cut a long story short, Im 50 in a few months. When I was 23 I went into early menopause causing 9 years of infertility the upside I have a beautiful daughter, i was diagnosed with hashimotis thyroiditis hypothyroidism, my husband I worked with was difficult we were together for 23 years, mum died 2003, my 3 elderly cats died and my cockatoo Id had for 43 yrs died too, my divorce was a long 4 year Battle 07 -2011 and now share care 50/50 with a difficult ex, my dad died 2013, my close aunt died, my siblings arent close anymore since my parents died. I was always saving my older sister but 2 years ago I just didnt have the energy to help her anymore and I've lost contact with her now from talking everyday to nothing we were very close. Feeling exhausted in 2014 I left my full time job and sold my house I owned. Im trying to run my business and because Im exhausted Ive been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. Although MY holistic GP changed my diet which has helped me physically my mind and mood is no better. I hybernate at home, dont find happiness In anything any more. I used to be so energetic and full of enthusiasm but now I dont care and waste my days on the lounge. Ive not been to the beach for 10 years and its 5 mins from my house. The only thing that I love is travel but I cant always do that I have work and responsibilities. I feel trapped, I hate where I live but I have to stay as my daughter has 3 years till end of yr 12 to go. Yesterday I had a melt down, I upset my daughter cause I said Id be better off dead, although Id not do anything to myself, I know its not right to say this. But I just dont know how to keep going and as Ive no one to help me or support me or talk too. I do have friends but they arent close and the image I portray is a successful independent woman, I dont show any weakness. I just feel I cant cope with life as it is any more Im struggling to do the simplest of house work or cook. Im caught in a vicious circle - Im to tired to work full-time but Im sabotaging my own business and financially going backwards. I know I have to do something but what.. thanks for listening

So flat.My depression has taken over

replies: 7

Hi there i have suffered depression most of my life.Im on medication but i dont think its helping much now.Im so flat and tired all the time.I think negative all the time.I cant pick myself up.I have 3 kids and im struggling.Most of the time i feel alone and the only person i can talk to is the voice in my head.Most days i wish i was dead but i keep going for my kids.Please help what can i do to change my way of thinking and give me motervation.kimba..

very lost /sad /

replies: 1

Greetings i guess / male 50 here (i sound so old) // depression diagnosed / but as i grow older my episodes of depression are much longer and much deeper, (am sick of smiling and making people smile)medication just makes me fuzzy ,so am not happy or sad// deep down i hate these thoughts // everything is dulled , // really i hate this life, is ironic in my profession i care for dying and aged people , but can smile any more//

I do not know what is wrong with me

replies: 3

Hi..I am not sure what is wrong with me..i think am depressed... i think I was born that way.. I recall how i was a sad child..every night i think why am alive.. am 42 years old mother of two beautiful boys and a wife to a good husband.. moved to australia a couple of years ago..though i had an excellent career..a bunch of loving friends and family..i think i moved because i thought a new life might make me happy.. but no..nothing is working.. job is too bad..i figured out from searching the internet that i have anxiety and panic attacks probably.. my heart keeps racing..my stomach cramps..that happens in the job i had to work here to pay the bills..a call center..with every call drops those are the feelings.. scared ..i do not want to argue or fight with anyone..pls stay away..my heart will stop ..my hands are shaking and sweating... i hate myself when that happens.. i feel worthless.. am not a good mom i think.. sometimes i feel am uninvolved with my kids..as if am a guest or a stranger.. am not making any sense i think

Hello.. I just joined

replies: 13

Hi.. long term sufferer here.. been looking for answers and treatment through the right places without any luck. So I would like to make a post here about my symptoms to see if anyone recognises what's going on. Thanks

New to anxiety

replies: 5

Hi Everyone, anxiety has come as a shock to my life and I have only recently started antidepressants. Day 1. Isn't going to well. is this normal?

another newbie

replies: 5

hello my name is Kellie and i don't even know where to begin to explain how im feeling....but i will give it a go...i've been feeling awfully depressed the last few weeks and just worked up the courage to tell my husband who says he has my back, the old saying is that actions speak louder then words, im sitting in my lounge room in the dark alone where i spend most nights crying over nothing for hours (yes hubby knows im here ) i try my hardest everyday to do things to help myself as i don't have any friends to turn to and i feel i can't tell hubby because i don't feel he cares enough even though i sent him links with info and videos to watch to help him understand, i keep hearing in my head that im best off dealing with it on my own because no one cares....anyway i have rambled enough. any advice on this will be greatly appreciated

Hi I'm new in here... a new worrier

replies: 3

Hi everyone , I'm a woman who is 33 and suffering from anxiety since July last year. Things has been changed a lot since I had panic attack at work last year July. I'm a Chinese woman who living in Australia. It's a culture & language battle for me but I don't want to go back to China because I love the life style in here and Australia makes me feel safe. I married but don't have children. I don't think I can get pregnant with my condition. I think the emotion roller coaster going through in my body and mind just won't help me conceive . I worry about everyday and cry every week. I love my husband so much so much. But My husband doesn't believe what's in my mind. he support me and he knows I see my psychologist every month but he doesn't know what I have been through.he said " you get pregnant before it will be fine this time " ( I was pregnant but unfortunately lost the baby when I was 9 weeks. after 6 months my misscarage I had the panic attack. I feel like Everything went wrong after the panic attack). He thinks I'm just not happy at work. By the way I hate my job ( i use to love my job before the panic attack , now I only see how hard the job is and I don't think I can do it anymore) So everyday I come home just cry infront of him. He had enough with my drama I'm afraid I'm gonna lose him. I don't know who else I can talk to. I don't have any friend in here ........plus it's hard to find a non judgement friends. My job is really physical and stressful( working with children ) i lee thinking even i pregnant I will losey baby again. I can't let myself and him down. Now My husband and I are trying for baby but I can't help myself to worry about it. Is there any one who have anxiety and treat without medication still get pregnant ? Please help me I'm so hate stuck in my worry and thoughts. It's not help me cope my anxiety at all.

A quick hello

replies: 2

To anybody who has, had or may develop depression you will hear the phrase 'you are not alone' quite a bit. I am a psychologist (with severe depression and PTSD) and I know full well how 'it' feels from both a personal point of view and somebody who has discussed depression with many people over many, many years. The question I have asked myself and others have asked of me is this: is there a cure? The short answer is yes, absolutely. The long answer is that like any disease, the first step is to identify what 'it' is and to move forward from there. 'It' has a name, or names: depression, clinical depression, bi-polar (an aspect thereof), and a whole host of other terminologies that at least put us within arm's reach of getting it all out in the open. Right. That is step 1: do not hold back. You know depression when you feel it. Get it out in the open. Step 2. Don't forget step 1. Step 3. Read widely on the matter. It's your mind and body, sure. But knowledge really is power and the more we understand about ourselves and others the less likely we will be to feel alone, which quite clearly we're not. Yes, there are feelings of isolation, loneliness, despair, guilt (I'll come back to this), good old fashioned sadness. But, hey, there's usually a reason for most things. Step 4. Guilt! No. You're not going to infect anybody and nobody has been infected. This is you being mindful of others. Well done. But, you don't have tuberculosis. You cannot cough and transmit this particular disease. Guilt is (in my opinion) a massive aspect of depression. Guilt is pervasive and evasive. It is radiated at us, sometimes directly, sometimes not. 'Cheer up!' people say.... Eh? This isn't some bad hair day. I have an inability to construct a particular type of future! (so the argument goes). R U OK? Don't answer 'yes.' You'd be lying to yourself and others. Just tell it how it is. Fact: I suffer from depression. Fact: so do many others. Fact: depression is more than likely on the increase. Why? Because more of us are starting to discuss it. Fact: are there environmental factors associated with depression? Bit of an odd question really. It is a bit like asking if life requires water. Quite simply, yes. The environment is everything. No two ways about it. Step 5. I'm running out of words and need to wrap up my 'quick hello.' Step 6. Ask yourself, right now: 'who do I love more than life itself?' and then let me know. xxxxxxxxx

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Support replies: 5

New member needing help replies: 21

So flat.My depression has taken over replies: 7

very lost /sad / replies: 1

I do not know what is wrong with me replies: 3

Hello.. I just joined replies: 13

New to anxiety replies: 5

another newbie replies: 5

Hi I'm new in here... a new worrier replies: 3

A quick hello replies: 2