Welcome and Orientation

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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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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.

Long term listener first time caller

replies: 7

Hello, I'm a 46 yr old mother of two with 30 year history of depression, social anxiety, avoidance and perpetual job dissatisfaction. I'm joining bb online forums today because I am just coming out of a 3 week depressive episode myself but I am also ... View more

New to BB & Short Introduction

replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm a new member to BB. I was having a tough time last night, and so out of the blue I decided to join BB. I hope to hear from people who have the same struggles as I have, as well as the struggles beyond, to know that we're not alone. Also to recieve coping and recovery advice, as well as give back the same where I can. Long term I hope to share my lengthy story in another forum if ever I overcome my struggles, and how I did it, in hopes that it helps other people too. -Possum

Adult agoraphobic

replies: 2

Hi, I've spent the last 15 years avoiding anything social, including family interactions. I suffered major panic attacks in public, so pretty much stayed home, unless I had a support person to go out with me. It took me this long to even see a dr or admit it to people, because I was so ashamed. And yes, they told others and now I'm 'the agoraphobic'. However sharing has made me less ashamed. I'm pretty sure I'm a worst case senario, but I'm hoping someone can relate. I don't know why, but I hate the look of myself which is making recovery hard. It's like I'm the ugluist person ever, and I shouldnt even worry about that, but I do. I feel not good enough everytime I leave the house. Not good enough for what? Idk..too shy ect...

Lost

replies: 4

Hi im new to bb and have decided that despite having a supportive network of family and friends and doctors I still feel blue and do not feel I have a safe haven to discuss about all the problems I have sometimes daily and afraid no one understands me and how it ain't that easy for me as I struggle daily to overcome an illness I never had before yet this has been a challenge daily and i keep all my emotions and feelings to myself despite all my family and friends reminding me to speak out as it helps yet I'm so afraid I'll be judged weak and hopeless and not wanting to go through the efforts of explaining what I go through only to get a blank response without any advice and rather that's deep... so I hope that joining a forum will allow me to express myself and speak out as I practice to do this in person and not be afraid of being judged. so I just returned from a holiday trip with my family and upon returning everyone discussed their wonderful experiences whilst I felt overwhelmed and hid in my room munching away mindlessly on chocolate only to keep questioning myself why I cannot seem to express all the joy I experienced on the trip but hide away from everyone and look negatively upon myself as i look for a place to move out from. Being diagnosed with depression and anxiety and really thought a holiday trip would be the best thing for me right now only to have a family dispute with a sibling to which we have overcome yet I'm still sad about it...I want to let go and move on but I just keep looking back at the past and an negative experience attached...pls help me

Seeking Help After Years of Suffering in Silence

replies: 1

My name is Beck and I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety with intermittent bouts of Clinical Depression, all triggered and exacerbated by stress. I've been going through this for years and only recently have started seeking help. The things I struggle with most are social events/situations, my University study (getting things done on time such as my readings and assignments), seriously self-destructive avoidance, everyday things such as doing the grocery shopping, getting my prescriptions from the chemist and basically any activity that requires social interaction with anyone at all. I feel incredibly self-conscious in public and feel like people are staring at me and judging me for how I look. I spend a long time deciding what to wear and making my make-up as perfect as possible and then still being unhappy with the results and giving up. I don't like the way I look (my weight, my face) and it affects me to the point that I just don't want to go out anywhere because I don't think I look nice enough. People (family, friends, acquaintances) often tell me I'm pretty but I feel like they're just being polite and I don't believe them. Beyond all of that, I simply feel stupid when interacting socially in public, which is ridiculous because my IQ is 124 and I'm a capable student, I know I'm not stupid. I always feel like I say dumb things or the wrong things, I'm also very introverted, so when in conversations with others I'm not really friendly with, I'm very quiet and often spend a long time considering what to say. With my friends, I'm less so, I can express myself verbally once I'm comfortable with people. I don't like making eye contact with people in general, it makes me feel uncomfortable and confronted. I have a list of self-destructive habits, such as avoidance of incredibly important things just because they intimidate me, putting things off until the last minute, worrying over things that don't concern me, worrying over things I can't control, hating not having control, laying awake at night because I can't stop thinking and worrying about anything and everything. I dream excessively when I sleep as well, and more often than not, I wake feeling exhausted like I haven't slept. I could go on and on, but these are generally the things I'm dealing with at the moment and would appreciate any advice or coping mechanisms anyone can offer me Thank you!

My introduction to the forums and what I suffer with on a daily basis.

replies: 4

Hello, My name is Daniel, I am 26 years old, Living in Queensland. I have been battling with depression for over 6 years, but last year it turned for the worst. I have seen a Psychiartrist who has me under 'Chronic Depressive Disorder" "Chronic Rejection Disorder" "Anxiety" and "Stress". I battle with this on a daily basis. And for the past couple of weeks. Its been rough. All my life I have been bullied (because of my weight) and been rejected by teachers and so called "friends" I've always been the "grey kid" I am very much an introvert. I would rather stay inside than outside. I would rather watch a movie or play video games than go outside, because I feel that everyone is juddging me even though they aren't but in my head and heart it feels like I am constantly being judged by strangers. This isn't much of an introduction (lol) But I might as well just talk about what myself, and to me, thats what an introduction is all about. Anyway. Like I said, I am 26 years old, I am currently a carer for my mother whom is 66 years old and cant do much on her own, thats where I come in, as a son and carer, I love my mother to bits. But its come to my attention that I want more in life, and my mother wants me to move on. All my life I have been rejected, by females, because of my weight, by employers because my resume is empty, even though I have Certificates, but no actual work experience. I find my life crumbling before my eyes. My time being very limited in actually finding a stable job, that will allow me to purchase my own home. And live in peace and tranquility. But that reality is only a dream. And I don't see it ever happening. I hope this page and forum can help a guy like me out. I am complicated. I have zero friends, literally, no girlfriend because my weight apparently is a big factor in girls these days in dating men. I just want to make myself proud and most important my mother proud. And at the moment I am more than a failure. and I feel it every day, every hour, minute and second. Sorry if this wasn't much of an introduction, but talking about myself and what I suffer (to me) is an introduction. Thank you for taking the time in reading this and I hope I get the help I need and make some friends in the process. Kind Regards, Daniel S

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Not Sure where to begin. replies: 2

New to BB replies: 2

Hi replies: 4

Hi and help if you can replies: 5

Long term listener first time caller replies: 7

New to BB & Short Introduction replies: 1

Adult agoraphobic replies: 2

Lost replies: 4

Seeking Help After Years of Suffering in Silence replies: 1

My introduction to the forums and what I suffer with on a daily basis. replies: 4