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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Im confused.

replies: 2

Hi. Ive never done anything like this before. I am confused to how it works. What am i suppost to write ? How i am feeling ? And hopefully get some advice back ? I have so many things in my head but i wouldnt know where to start and how to explain ho... View more

I've never used online forums before

replies: 4

Hi, Sorry, you must get posts like this all the time, but I am a little bewildered. I have PMDD, so I searched it among the forums. A list drops down - I don't know if it is a lot of different threads or posts from one/a few threads. I don't know how to jump on these forums and I don't know what to say, if it is an old conversation. I also don't want to clutter things up by starting a brand new thread on the topic. What should I do? And will any of this really help anyway?

Hi from me.

replies: 4

Reposting this here as it might be more appropriate. My first post. Stuff going on at the moment for me. Not happy Just really feel the need to put this down today. There is a story in the papers about a lady who claims she has been mistreated at her work - for a ladies fitness wear brand. It has "brought up some stuff for me". I think I have suffered a lot of unfair treatment in my workplace. returned to work after a break to have kids, and took what I could get basically. People will gladly treat you like a lower class person if your job is "below" theirs. Unfair it has got *really* bad at times. My boss steals from the office. She has lied about me to the big boss - told her I had walked out three times and it wasn't true! They actually docked my pay and then reinstated it. Other stuff has gone on too. Just yesterday someone left a spreadsheet out with everyone's salary on it. Far out!! Also I was harassed by someone who left, when I tried to bring it up, they said put it in writing and don't shrug your shoulders. I shrugged my shoulders because I couldn't believe how I was being treated. What did I do to deserve this? What is it with some people in the workplace? I also have a really bad domestic violence situation going on to put it mildly - ex-hubby had mental health issues, and work has been supportive, but I get the feeling they hold that against me.."oh well she's got some issues in her life, lets just leave her where she is and not promote her- she's a bit "emotional" with all that stuff going on." Needless to say I have suffered anxiety from all this, everything from spots in front of my eyes, hair falling out, throwing up, losing weight, immense sadness and despair. Not fair. I do try to see the positives and to stay positive. But sometimes it is the feeling..will this ever get better? you know. thanks for reading.

New to the site

replies: 4

Hi, I found this site when looking for help with depression and anxiety. I have struggled with it on and off throughout my life. Thought I had it licked. But have again been struggling for 12 months so last week was back at the doctor and another referral to a psych. I have two kids and work part time as a high school teacher. I love my kids and hate my job. The job is killing me...I have to get out but I am so scared that I will have nothing to go on with. I don't even trust myself to make a decision at the moment because I'm feeling so empty. I just wish that somehow I could be normal, and cope with things normally.

Newbie feeling completely lost

replies: 3

Hi to you all. I recently signed up but have yet to post anything until now. I've been suffering with depression for the past 12yrs but after a year of severe heartache n pain 2016 ended worse than it started for me. Xmas eve I found my fur baby of almost 16yrs had passed away. I'm completely heartbroken without her as she was my rock and the only thing in my life that was perfect. No matter how bad a day I would have she always made me smile but now I'm struggling big time and have never felt more alone. 2016 started with being there for my sister who lost her father in law, my 28yr old cousin almost died from a major heart attack, I dreamt about having a serious car accident and just over a week later that dream came true, about a moth later while I was still recovering I lost a very special friend (who was like my 2nd mum) to cancer, 3mths later I end up in surgery after a pregnancy gone wrong and add the odd issues with the kids and me almost walking out on my partner it then ended Xmas eve. I'm a stay at home mum to an almost 15yr old son from a previous relationship and a 6yr old daughter with my fiancé. He is a FIFO worker and has been away at work when all the serious things go wrong. I've had to go through a lot on my own. He doesn't understand how or what it's like to suffer from depression so I had him attend 1 of my psychologist appointments with the hope that he would listen to what I had to say but like everything in my life it didn't go well. I do have family and a few close friends that I know are there for me no matter what but I just don't feel right about telling them how things really are for me. I've always been very good at putting on the brave face and hiding my true self but am scared as it's now becoming noticeable by many. I am not suicidal but I am feeling like I'm on this huge roller coaster full of emotions that I'm not able to control or get off.

Always have a feeling of underlying sadness

replies: 7

Hi everyone, im new to this... just feeling pretty lonely and sad. I feel like I'm never on track in life and that feelings of happiness are always so temporary or non existent. I'm married and my partner is great most of the time but I just always feel worried and like I'm unsettled and unhappy. I feel like my husband and I can't communicate the way I would like because he's too defensive and that no one ever really cares about what I have to say or properly listens to me. I feel so lost and like I can't move forward. I'm studying and working and find no enjoyment in either and I'm sick of always saying that when I get a new job or change this or that I'll feel happier, because it never changes. When I'm sad, I feel guilty as I think there are way more people out there that have it worse than me, but this battle in my mind is just exhausting! I just want peace

Seeking help

replies: 3

I had hoped I'd never feel the need to post here, but its funny how things and thoughts can change. I'm 43, and have been suffering badly from depression and anxiety for several years. A lot has happened in my life, and the last 12 months have been the worst of my life. A lot of bad, negative things have happened in the past 12 months. A few examples: Lost my partner, lost my job, lost my kids, 2 car accidents, was homeless for 3 months, now bills mounting and out of control. And I'm at the stage where I'm desperately seeking help, from anybody who'll listen. I can't continue the way things have been, I no longer have the strength. I have always tried to do the best I can to work through things, desperately chasing work all the time. But very little coming my way. I think I've come to the realization tonight, that things have to change and that I need help to improve my life. I will be calling BB in the morning, and hopefully making a step in the right direction. Brad

Hello World...

replies: 8

..Hi there Long time sufferer, first time , hmmmm, member My "Black dog" voice visited me again tonight, geez, thought I had that blaggard on a tight lease and walking to heel! Yet ~6 years after last encounter with the brute and you can easily forget how devious he can be And absolutely no idea how he came to be dragging me once more by the leash and leading me into those dark,dismal corridors of uncertainty .. I know better !

Hi Peoples new to this :)

replies: 2

Hi People could someone direct me to the area where I could ask some Questions about sexual side affects of Antideppressents Thankx

New and anxious

replies: 5

I'm currently working two jobs for financial reasons. I love both jobs but they both come with their deadlines and pressures and I'm feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I feel like if I ask my colleagues for help it just takes longer because I have to explain the tasks to them. On top of this, I have always been eager to please and anxious about what others think of me (its taken a lot of effort to post here!). One of my jobs requires me to work closely with relatives and I am extra eager to please them. I seem to spend most of my time worrying about being overwhelmed which means I get less done and therefore end up even more overwhelmed - its a vicious cycle! I also dwell too much on the past, replaying in my head conversations that I have had throughout the day in fear that I have offended someone without meaning to. This often results in unnecessary worry and regret. I worry about talking to people about these issues in case they think I am 'making it up'. I also know that they are insignificant in comparison to what some people are going through and am ashamed that I get so anxious about little things. I have battled depression in the past but I feel that this is more anxiety than depression. I communicate quite well with my partner and feel like he is keeping me afloat. Does anyone have any tips for relieving the anxiety burden? Or the replaying of conversations? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Im confused. replies: 2

I've never used online forums before replies: 4

Hi from me. replies: 4

New to the site replies: 4

Newbie feeling completely lost replies: 3

Always have a feeling of underlying sadness replies: 7

Seeking help replies: 3

Hello World... replies: 8

Hi Peoples new to this :) replies: 2

New and anxious replies: 5