Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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 conversation

It's been a big year.....

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm having a bit of tough time at the moment and have been encouraged to talk to someone about what is going on.. This counts yeah?? I've always been a secretly anxious person. I'm outwardly confident but beat myself up over little things that no one remembers. I love public speaking but often find simple exchanges between even a shop keeper absolutely crippling. It is almost like a secret shame. I had a run in with full blown anxiety about 3 years ago due to work related stress. I dealt with it by talking to my work, changing certain conditions and telling my friends/family and wife what was going on. I felt better within months with a few minor tripping points. I didn't see a professional because I'm a early 30 year old male and only go to the doctors if I'm missing a limb. So back to the title. The last year. We were lucky enough to welcome our beautiful daughter into the world. My wife and daughter needed a lot of care afterwards and I worked my butt off caring for my two girls. My wife recovered well and my daughter is now over her health issues, that although minor, often played on my mind. When I went back to work and life started to get back to "normal", I struggled mentally. I just felt flat and numb for no reason. Things were looking up when I managed to break my ankle.More time off work and then I felt like a burden. My physical limitations made me feel worthless, I couldn't contribute around the house. After a long road of recovery physically and mentally things were looking up when.... my wife severely hurt her leg. i have been the full time carer again for my wife and daughter as my wife has not been able to walk for almost 2 months. I have not coped with this situation and feel like I am decending into some type of manic anxiety. I have not been the easiest person to live with but am trying my best to hold it together. I failed miserably this morning, and did nothing but cry and stress about every minor decision. I want to support my family but I just feel like I am failing and I know they deserve better. I am returning back to work next week and am really concerned how I will cope while juggling everything. I know I need to be strong but I just feel empty and the thought of uncontrollable situations (example - life outside my house!) is terrifying me... So why post??? I don't know really but I know I need support and I already feel better for writing it down. Cheers..

I feel like no one gets me

replies: 7

Hi all, i am a newly motherless 26 year old and and recently found out my gorgeous bf is a drug addict ( he is not seeking help in rehab, which is great!) but I am constantly feeling so sad, lonely and distraught... I am starting on medication ( I start them this week) because I worry myself. I have a great extended family and friends but I am an only child so feel lonely most of the time. I have even had to leave work some days because I can't stop crying. People say it will get better and my friends and family help but only while I'm physically with them, so I go out for lunch or dinner with them, then the other 95% of the time I'm alone, trapped with my own mind and thoughts... I'm so sick of having head aches, crying and hating myself! Does anyone feel the same? How do you make it better? Any tips? Thank you!

Unemployed single mama.

replies: 4

Hi all I'm Sarah. I'm 28, unemployed, a single mama and dealing with severe anxiety, agoraphobia and social phobias. I'm needing to find work and not coping very well. I was planning on studying but due to funding changes I can no longer afford to. I feel so much but so little right now. I feel like just giving up on any form of a happy life. What's the point? It never works out anyway. I feel like I've just removed my rose tinted glasses and lived the last 4 years in some kind of "everyone should be happy, and do something they love" fairytale and now I'm realising life is all about doing something that makes you miserable to pay the debt that makes you miserable for no reason. I'm just so tired and stressed and done. Sorry for the rant and thanks for listening.

Hi all

replies: 3

Just signed up so I can experience some kindness and humanity, I'm surrounded by nasty people, having an impact on this damn black dog. Struggle on a daily basis.

Any depressed or anxious emotional eaters out there?

replies: 1

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am new to this! I have had issues with depression and anxiety over the last 10 years and have just come out of a big and awful 2016 and am now left to pick up the pieces. I always seem to turn to food when times get tough - last year I was bullied in the workplace by multiple staff members in higher positions and also had to take on additional jobs as my boyfriend was out of work and I had to take on financial responsibilities. I gained 20kg last year because I turned to food to try and make me feel better. I have gone through this cycle before where I have gained and lost the weight and this year I am hoping to improve myself more and break this cycle that I seem to have started for myself. I was forced to leave my employment which was hard as the bullying got to a horrendous level (they were mental health professionals too!) I am now left starting 2017 picking up the pieces and starting over. I am keen to know if anyone else out there uses food as an emotional tool? I would love to know ways of how you deal with this and if you have managed to find some healthy balance? My goal this year is to look after myself more both physically and emotionally and I am doing my best to take a step in the right direction. Fingers crossed!

Hello

replies: 5

Im relieved, i did this. Just had "that moment" of realizing what's been bothering me. Depression!! I thought i was immune because i've been taking antidepressants for 8 years! They have gotten me through some tough times, and helped enormously, but ... View more

Someone new and sometimes blue

replies: 2

Hey, everyone. I'm all brand new here, as in I just made an account about fifteen minutes ago. I saw this place suggested on Facebook (Oh, Facebook, you're always trying to look out for me) and thought it looked like a friendly sort of place. So, here I am! A bit about me … I'm sure you want to know what it is that brought me here - aside from Facebook - more than you want to know my favourite colour. I won't bore you with that detail. I'm kidding, I absolutely will: it's purple. Anyway, serious time: I'm nineteen and when I was eighteen I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. If you're not 100% on what that is, it's a form of Bipolar where I sometimes feel pretty good, but it never reaches the manic level of Bipolar I. Mostly I feel very depressed, as there are more often periods of depression than good time feelings (hypomania, if you wanna be fancy). It's cyclic, so it, y'know, goes in a big cycle. Sometimes I wake up and think, 'oh no, it's gonna be a bad couple days, isn't it.' And it is. A little bit more on hypomania: I tend to get very talkative and my thoughts go a bit all over the place, so my train of thought is hard to follow for anyone who has to hear it (I'm pretty sure I'm quite annoying). But, like I said, it's more common that I'll experience depression than I will hypomania. As a silver lining, though, I've been on the correct medication for a while now (there was a long period of depression before diagnosis, so I was treated for depression. That was, unfortunately, not the right thing to be treating me for) and things are mostly okay. I'm pretty level 90% of the time. I also have OCD, which is unpleasant, but has greatly improved after I commenced treatment late last year. Aaaand, that's about it! I'd love to get to know some people on here and have some nice chats. I'm happy to listen to anyone! Oh, and you might have guessed from my username, I absolutely love David Bowie. So, if anyone else is a fan, you're gonna be my best friend, just sayin'. I think I've rambled long enough, so I'll get off the stage now. (:

Relapse

replies: 1

Hi, I am just wanting some help dealing with my aniexty. I had it once before like 5 years ago, and at Xmas last year out of no where I had a relapse, since then I am getting anxious all the time, I get most anxious in the car as that were it happened my attack. I hate it, it makes me feel awful everyday, I just want to wake up and smile. Instead I wake up each morning and feel like it groundhog day. I want my life back. My kids need there mum. I feel I can't be there for them as much as I should because of my aniexty. Any advice?

New and a little lost

replies: 2

Hi - I'm new to the online forums. I read a few posts and replies and it was just good to know there are other people who are going through similar experiences. i've had anxiety / depression on and off for a long time. Usually brought on by stress - the current episode was brought on by fearing my schizophrenic brother was trying to get into my flat and harm me and my kids because we were hiding my mother. Anyway that was a long time ago but I'm still on the meds. In some ways I'm coping well. I was an alcoholic and I've been sober 3 years. I'm a single parent holding down a fairly demanding job and dealing with two kids (13 and 9) both with learning difficulties and one also has ADHD/ Aspergers. My ex is unemployed and doesn't contribute financially. He lives with his parents so only has the kids 2 days per fortnight - which is when I try to catch up on housework etc. All this means I'm exhausted. I've got very little time, money or energy to do anything I enjoy. I know from past experience that doing yoga and going to the gym really help my mood but I can't afford them and have no time. I do walk my dog - that helps a bit. My life is not great and I can't see any way to make it better. All I get from my family is criticism - they are sick of how miserable I am and my mother screamed at me to see a insert swear word psychiatrist. When I tried to explain to my ex how desperate I am he just said 'well you choose to leave me'. Only because I woul have started drinking again if I stayed but that is another story

stuck and in need of assistance

replies: 2

Like pretty much every day for the past few months, I woke up this morning crying my eyes out. I hate waking up like this and so much want to feel joy and optimism from life, but right now this black cloud just seems to be constantly overhead and it's paralysing me... I've sat here trying to write this for days since I joined here. I've tried to see my GP and I've written to a local couselling service, but I have absolutely no money, not even enough to cover medicare gap, so it seems impossible to access any meaningful services.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

It's been a big year..... replies: 3

I feel like no one gets me replies: 7

Unemployed single mama. replies: 4

Hi all replies: 3

Any depressed or anxious emotional eaters out there? replies: 1

Hello replies: 5

Someone new and sometimes blue replies: 2

Relapse replies: 1

New and a little lost replies: 2

stuck and in need of assistance replies: 2