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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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Shani66

replies: 4

Hi I am new on here and would like to start by saying I have manic depressive disorder and it affects me everyday even though I hide it from people sometimes I do things that have caused me grief and others around me

Waves Hello New to Forums

replies: 5

For some time I've been in need of a forum that might give me support and advice about managing teen anxiety and depression and I found myself here tonight, so hi there folks. I am a mum to a teenage girl with anxiety and depression and have a history of depression myself. I have also been battling chronic fatigue for over 10 years so it can be a struggle to look after myself and my family. My husband is generally supportive but after a year of focus on our daughter I worry that he's feeling a bit neglected and stressed, especially as his job is frustrating and unfulfilling and I only work casually. Money can be tight, especially around this time of year. I am a librarian, have two dogs and two cats and love doing family research on the computer for fun. I also read a lot of rubbishy fanfic but don't hold it against me.

Hello from a first timer :-)

replies: 4

So, I'm a bit nervous and found it difficulty to find the START A NEW POST or NEW POST button which I thought I should find. So, it made me more anxious and made me want to run and stop using this forum but then I stopped and thought "well, this is why I'm here. I need to try. I'm looking for help and things are never easy." I've been told and I agree that such a small thing should not trigger any anxiety but then my 'shell' is weak and anything makes me anxious, fearful and, as a consequence, depressed. I really don't know how my husband wants to put his weight on me sometimes. He knows I'm not a strong person. When I was little I witness terrible domestic violence. My father, an alcoholic agressive man successful in middle-upper society would come home at night and would bit her up badly for no reason. My mother, in turn, would bit up one of my sisters (the rebellious one) and would try to beat up my elder brother too. My poor mother had 4 children and an abusive husband who threatened to leave us without income if she stood up to him. I was the little one. The nice obedient one. I will only watch what was happening. I couldn't do anything. I would just watch. I'm an adult now and all that is past. My mother 'escaped' from my father's reach and we went all into hiding. We grew older and mum stopped bitting up my sister. I left my country, married a good man and have lovely well behaved children. But, I've been left with a sense of frustration, fear and anxiety which shows in my everyday life. My problem is I cannot keep a job. I'm very nervous, always. I react with fear to anything that happens. Because my reactions are over the top, bossses look at me suspiciously. It makes sense to think that if someone has a strong reaction to you arriving when she's at the computer then she must have been doing sth funny in the computer. People don't react with what appear guilt or fear for no reason. But, I cannot tell everyone, "Hey! I'm messed up and I always react this way." So, why I'm here? it's because I'm starting a new job. It's only a temp position but it's something and I don't want to leave a bad/negative impression of weirdness. Also, the anxiety makes me hurry and I don't look at a document thoroughly and I can make several mistakes. I know that when I'm relaxed my performance improves almost hundred percent but I find it difficult to keep that constant calmness and cool head for a long period. Oops! I'm exceeding the word limit. Thanks anyway

Unsure what is going on

replies: 5

Hi I'm Dan. the past year has been waves of happy then felling so lost in my self overthinking everything thought would turn into facts loss sleep with the worry that nothing would get better and feeling so worthless. I would push it down and March on I knew deep inside something was wrong only just 3 days ago I felt unhappy lost confused scared again aND as I had done a few times I I thought the thing that was making me unhappy was my wife so I say I need to end this and push it on to her. her Hart breaks and goes out with some friends. I'm left with this hole that is getting bigger and I start to see that there is something wrong inside me in my head and it is so scary. I went to the doc and going back today. my wife and I have had a talk I opened up I told her all that was inside she really is amazing but can't seem to shake this felling she deserves better. I read other people's forms and blogs and my Hart goes out to them.

Newbie

replies: 2

Afternoon all, I have just joined BB community and can't wait to be a part of making every day a little brighter for someone. I have two beautiful young children and have had a fair amount of issues in the past. It is so great to be able to share sto... View more

40 year old victim of fate

replies: 2

Well I'm on here (new) so I guess something is not right, I mean it's taken the best part of 4 years to come the conclusion that I might be having some sort of internal issues. the struggle of life just slowly squeezes, bit by bit, not always tighter but never releasing. As you start to breathe again your air is restricted again by the pain of LIFE. It's not a bad pain it's just a constant reminder that your not free and once again the gasping of air starts. We know blood is thicker than water but no one will tell you that life is thicker than air. Deep breath.

Not feeling well

replies: 3

Hi I'm on here because I'm really not feeling well and I didn't know what to do. Im in the midst of a severe anxiety attack and I feel so sick and scared and alone. I feel like I'm going crazy and that I honestly don't know what to do. I have seen pshycologists in the past and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. My anti depressants I stopped taking years ago (mirtazon I think) I gained a lot of weight. The cou culling was for childhood assault and domestic violence. I think I have undiagnosed personality disorder as i have many of the traits and my relationships always suffer. I have been with my partner for 5 years and known him for 10 years and it was love at first sight (for me) and when it's good it's great but when it's bad it's extremely hard to cope. he cheated at the start I put up with it but I can't forget Iv basically made him cut off everyone since because I feel when he goes out he'll cheat or meet somebody else. I have severe trust and jealousy issues. iv been slowly getting more and more unhappy in the relationship sometimes even bored so I'm very one sided I go out and do things but tell him he can't do anything. I always threaten to leave if I don't get my own way about something like him going out and then it turns into a mental breakdown and name calling it's truely horrible and I'm disgusted in myself as I write this. Tonight he went to a work party and was ment to come home 2 hours ago. I have called and texted threatening to leave and name calling. I seriously think Iv lost it I actually have pains in my chest I feel literally sick. Sometimes I think it's better if I left him for both our sakes but the thought of him moving on breaks my heart like it actually feels like I'm having a heart attack and I can't function and be a normal person just stay in bed and get up for toilet and to chain smoke. Sometimes I think I'm actually crazy but I guess I am I think it's taken a long time to admit that Iv tried to hide it so well. I don't want to be like this but I can't help it sometimes I just think I'm beyond help does anybody else have a similar issue or any advice I really don't know what to do thank you for reading

New to BB

replies: 6

Hi to all that read this i am new to this forum and thought it is time to get out of my comfort zone. My name is Adam and from victoria and 28yrs old i have recently been getting treatment for depression for the past 8weeks due to it putting too much strain on my relationship which didnt end up lasting unfortunately. Im just looking for some people to talk to, to start making friends as i dont really have any as it seems i pushed just about everyone out of my life without realizing i was doing it at the time. im not really sure what else to write but i hope this will do for now

First time doing this sort of thing

replies: 7

Hi everyone. A bit nervous about this whole posting thing. I suppose I should try and summarise. I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for a long time. My parents were never supportive, and we moved around a lot (like moving countries every 2 years). I had to leave home to be able to study as they didn't approve, so I loved in with my boyfriend. The relationship has always been rocky and when I decided to have a termination 2 years ago things got alot worse it's not abusive or anything but neither of us are happy. But I have no friends or family and nowhere to go. And now I've finished with ink I have no job. I studied film and Theatre so no jobs to be had but art is the only thing I'm any good at. Basically I'm reaching out because I feel so alone in this, I feel useless and hopeless.

Opening up a closed book

replies: 1

Hi all. I have been struggling with depression for as far back as I can remember. Until 20 years ago after my first major episode from relationship breakup I was ignorant that I had a problem. I suffered extreme anxiety and depression. I have had 2 major episodes with the latest being 2 years ago. Both have been triggered by relationship breakups, in the latest I have lost everything I have strived and worked for,wife, kids, home, dogs and myself. It has been a battle to keep my head above ground with nasty court battles, being denied seeing my daughter, my step son refuses to talk to me from loyalty to his mum and the court stuff is still lingering. Thankfully I have a good job, but I am away from home 2 weeks of every month. Recently that 2 weeks at work has become a hellish nightmare, because after the shift you're stuck in a room by yourself and the thoughts start flooding in. I find it extremely difficult to be on my own and confess I suffer from relationship addiction and am vulnerable to emotional abuse from partners, this is happening again with my new partner but I find it extremely hard to give up the addiction. As a result I have been suffering intense anxiety as I feel I am not measuring up to my partner and that my mental problems are getting in the way of a healthy relationship. When things are good they are great but I always seem to stuff things up, or so it seems, because of my reactions to the crap going on in my head. I have been practicing yoga and meditation for about 5 years and this has helped. I have also come across 2 amazing books which I believe have given me a complete new level of understanding – Ekhart Tolle The Power of Now and A New Earth. As helpful as all this stuff has been, I have found that talking to people is also amazingly helpful. I used to be a closed book that was too proud to admit I had a problem but somehow, over time, I have overcome that obstacle. There are still days where I just can't control my anxiety I have found that if it is not one thing I am worrying about it's another so I can't blame the cicumstances it is my reactions to the circumstances, the voices in my head that just completely take over. I am aware of this yet they still take over, awareness is the first step to recovery and I am not going to give up, I know I can beat this! Writing this I feel that I am getting a heap off my chest but I do not want pity or to be a seen as victim, I just want encouragement, answers, results.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Shani66 replies: 4

*Waves Hello* New to Forums replies: 5

Hello from a first timer :-) replies: 4

Unsure what is going on replies: 5

Newbie replies: 2

40 year old victim of fate replies: 2

Not feeling well replies: 3

New to BB replies: 6

First time doing this sort of thing replies: 7

Opening up a closed book replies: 1