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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Rats Gnawing at my Stomach

replies: 3

G'day Friends I have been chronically ill all my life and now I care for my Wife who had a brain tumour. My oldest son nearly died in the Pinery Fires and he and his Wife lost their farm and House. He is sick now with PTSD but doing really well. My Wife is doing well after her seizure, but me, I have fallen in a heap. I'm still going to work and being productive, but I'm shaking like a leaf on a tree in a storm. I am having reactions to my drugs and little sleep, but the worse thing is that I feel like rats are gnawing at my stomach. I am forcing myself to eat and drink because I lost 7 kg in a month. I know that this is just a glitch and that I will get better, but "What a Ride!!" I haven't been out in my garden for two weeks and don't do any of my hobbies any more. Trying to do things bit by bit. Still do the house-work, but my aim is to be even more productive at work and also start to enjoy life again. At the moment I am sinking with just my nose above the water! (So there is still hope!) Don't give up peoples, better days are ahead. Back to work, I'm not paid to chat!!

New after circling for some time now....!

replies: 25

....and decided it's time to land! Hello BB, I'm new to the forum. In fact, new to any forum, this is a big deal for me to join up, let alone post but I now know I'm not alone here after reading the many posts, and replies and I finally feel safe. It's okay to be here in this place, with understanding people. Thank you everyone. I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember, and suffered periods of depression around some negative and major life events, resulting in PTSD also. Unfortunately, my constant worry and perfectionism as a child was put down to my personality becsuse I'm a Gemini! Hmmmm!? Not that I knew what that was or supposedly meant at 4 yoa but it must be right if Mother said so?! I'm better at managing my conditions (now that I know the true meaning as to my behaviours) than I ever have but it takes work, and sometimes more work than I'd like to give it but I'm worth it. We're all worth it. In my earlier days, denial and running away from myself (hard to do I know) seemed the easier option. Exhausting! I got tired of running about 10 years ago! I'm 47 yoa now, and do what's needed to keep me balanced, for my sake but also those around me. I feel like a bit of fine tuning is required at this time hence my visit to BB and I'm so pleased I have.

Just joined/introduction/extreme depression

replies: 2

Hi, I'm Chris.Just joined up here.Have had a long (very long - 20+ years) battle with depression. Recently, I was injured at work and had to have surgery. I had a breakdown in the waiting room at the day procedure centre and haven't recovered. In fact, it's gotten worse. I am extremely depressed and anxious. Withdrawn from my family and friends. Can't answer the phone. Can't go out.Got an appointment with a psychologist in the middle of next month. That seems so far away...I have suicidal thoughts, but that's all they are. My wife and kids are my safety net. Even though we fight a lot and my depression, frustration and sometimes anger effects them negatively. Which in turn creates more anger, frustration, guilt and depression.My doctor is really helpful. But lately my antidepressant medication has been increased and she's also prescribed me some benzodiazepenes so that I can "get a bit of a break from myself".I don't know what to think or feel at the moment. Just drifting along in limbo. Not working and not going back any time soon...I've also been experiencingchronic pain due to my hip. Which I'm also waiting for surgery on. My body is falling apart. My mind is falling apart. And my life is falling apart.I'm lost. Feel lost and don't know what to do or where to go. Just me. Here. In this. Now.I've got some good friends online that I can talk to. But nothing too deep.I can't talk to anyone about my feelings or experience. Guess that's what brought me here.So. Here I am. And there you are. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Introducing myself

replies: 4

Hello,I thought I should introduce myself to this forum.I'm male, 23 years old. I started displaying signs of depression and anxiety when I was around 13 years old. Over time these symptoms became worse. At the age of 17 I attempted to commit suicide. The support of my family helped me greatly through this time, and I was prescribed medication by my GP. Since then I still have suicidal thoughts but I would never attempt such a thing. Currently I still have depression, but it is well managed, and recently I have developed a case of performance anxiety with my new partner. This has had a negative effect on my depression as I'm sure you could imagine.I am coping well with my depression, I have a job and work as a jazz musician in the evenings. I feel that I am functioning well most of the time. Some days a really tough, but overall I can manage.At this point I'd like to graduallywean off the medication. I experience some side effects; my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, and my head often feels 'cloudy', for want of a better word. The medication I'm on has some truly horrific withdrawal symptoms so I am a bit nervous about coming off it.It would be good to hear about other peoples experiences with medications, as well as weaning off medications in particular.beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Hi everyone

replies: 4

Just thought I would say hello. I am hoping I can get some more information about my situation here. It feels so complicated! And I really hope there is someone else out there with some advice. It seems one hour a week with a clinical psych is just n... View more

Here's mine in 50 words

replies: 7

28, M, Sydney Depression (Dysthymia) & Anxiety Father, Husband & Son I look forward to reading your life stories, reading and discussing what has worked for you, sharing my experiences and finding another outlet I can use to help simplify my life. Th... View more

New here and back on the anxiety rollercoaster

replies: 11

Hi All, I have suffered from anxiety and depression since about 1992. When it first started I was in denial and didn't want to seek help as my father is bipolar and I thought that if I went for help I was admitting I was like him. I finally accepted I needed help and started on my path with anti depressants and coming on and off them. For the last 8 years I have been on antidepressants full time as I finally realised I need them. I may have stopped once but only for a short time. The turning point for me came when one of my twins was born still and 3 months after this I was hospitalised for my anxiety / depression as a result of my loss and caring for a new Bub. over the years I have good and bad years/ months etc. I have been on my new medication now for over 1 year and up until the last 6 months have been pretty good, however at the beginning of the year I started a new job and my daughter started having anxiety issues herself, she is 8. This has brought up my anxiety and I have been blaming myself for her being like this because of genetics. I started to see a phychologist again bit2 weeks ago she suggested if I don't make some changes in my marriage it may end one day, this has caused all sorts of anxiety and has me questioning everything. Aside from the anxiety which I have been trying to take hold of with mindfulness exercises and positive thinking, trying to keep busy I have now started to become depressed, feeling very emotional. I'm scared that I'm letting it now take control and not sure what to do

Feeling Alone

replies: 3

Hello I am Amy and I am 29 and have had deporession and anxiety for quite a few years. I have been feeling quite alone lately, I dont have alot of friends, i dont have that someone I can talk to and on the weekends I just watch movies by myself at home. Im a bit scared it might be like this forever and I am not really sure what to do about it. Im not a huge social person but it would be nice to have plans with friends on weekends. I hide my depression from pretty much everyone and try and make things appear all ok in my world when really I am lonely and sad.

Recommendations Melbourne GP

replies: 1

Hi guys, im in the anaxiety boat like a lot of you. After seeing my life roll down hill with the help of stressful situations in my life to make it worst and being sick of my thinking capabilities be so bad I couldn't do my job or run my own business. I am now seeking help. So would like to know if anyone recommendeds any GPs that are in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Would love to know who has been great and been very helpful. Thanks guys.

Hard couple of months

replies: 2

My girlfriend suffering it's been hard seeing her like this i cry every night cos she pushes me away and blames me i feel like it's all my fault i don't know what to do

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Rats Gnawing at my Stomach replies: 3

New after circling for some time now....! replies: 25

Just joined/introduction/extreme depression replies: 2

Introducing myself replies: 4

Hi everyone replies: 4

Here's mine in 50 words replies: 7

New here and back on the anxiety rollercoaster replies: 11

Feeling Alone replies: 3

Recommendations Melbourne GP replies: 1

Hard couple of months replies: 2