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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Just saying hello, and sharing my story.

replies: 4

I'm a young bloke - 23 to be precise - that has suffered from both depression and anxiety for most of my adult and adolescent life. It's hard to talk about my struggles without sounding like I'm asking for pity, or whinging, or both. But I will try.I come from a good background. I would say that I am probably one of the luckiest people alive (male, white, heterosexual - privileged beyond my own comprehension). My parents are both loving and caring individuals, I never knew financial hardship whilst growing up. Under such circumstances, I hold such disdain for my constant negativity, my inability to pull myself together when things get tough, and my insatiable desire for escapism through drugs and foolish expenditure. It's difficult to describe how exactly I feel on a day to day basis, but it's a heavy feeling. Like living under a grey sky, it's a feeling that seems to preempt every experience with a dull loathing. My anxiety has its roots in the social realm, but I'll often find myself worrying about anything my brain can construct if I'm in that 'mode of operation'. I have good days, don't get me wrong. I have days where I really believe I am lucky, where I feel it. I want to grab these days and run. But the sense that something is amiss is always in my periphery, and never a surprise when it finally returns. I want to be thankful for my life. I don't want to resent such a beautiful gift, but I do. I constantly undermine everything that is good in my world, almost intrinsically, and I'm unsure how to find a way to change such a malignant part of myself. I'm struggling to find meaning. I don't even want my life to be profound, I don't care about 'happy'. I just want to be content. I've been bashing my head against a wall trying to find out how to get there, and I don't feel any closer.

Getting really tired of this

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new here but have been struggling with depression and anxiety all my life. I'm almost 50 and have been on anti depressants much of my adult life. A few years ago, things got really bad after I stopped taking the ADs. I tried to restart the ADs but it just didn't seem to work. Full blown panic attacks were really terrifying. The last few years feels like a merry go round where I have tied different drugs, psychologists and psychiatrists. I have had some real lows where I wanted to take my life but just couldn't come up with a what I thought would be a sure fire plan. Lately, I have also been doing group therapy - schema therapy to be exact and while it is helpful I just can't seem to drag myself out of this deep deep depression. I'm really exhausted now and so confused. I've given up trying to understand the different medications and am terrified of changing meds again. While I sleep a lot I still feel tired. To top it off the meds are making me put on weight. I just wish I could have a fresh start at all of this, preferably without having to be on meds. How do you guys do it? I live in constant fear of things going badly and can only ever seem to see the negative in things. This place seems like a very supportive group and while I've only read a few threads so far, there is some really positive stuff. I'll keep reading through the forum and hope to find a few gems of wisdom here.

Newbie

replies: 6

Hi everyone - I am new to this forum looking for advice & reassurance from those like myself. I am a 29yo female who has had ongoing anxiety/depression issues for the last few years. Its something I suffer with pretty much daily. I was unfortunate enough to lose 4 close family members in the years from 19-21y including one parent. Its been a struggle ever since. Everyones always said to me I dont know 'how you have managed & gotten on with it' - little do they know I really haven't. Ive become a really nervous person who worries constantly about everything but comes across as happy & who jokes - its usually to hide the fact Im feeling anxious and worried and that I dont want others to either worry about me or alternatively think Im 'having issues'. I find myself being used alot by people who can see Im 'soft' & have no idea how to stand up for myself - Im forever finding myself caring for others and putting myself out even if its not in my best interests. Im really looking for people to chat to who can give me advice on how to be a stronger person, try to learn what makes me struggle so much with the fact of saying no, and help to maybe understand why I cant move past the grief of losing my family when it has been such a long time. I want to learn to enjoy life while I have it. Thank you for those who took the time out to read.

lonely and bored

replies: 4

Hello. My name is luigi. Since being diagnosed with schizophrenia i have noticed that my life has become isolated and boring. I would love to have a chat with people who share an interest in music, films, and the arts. I have made attempts to fill the void in my life like going back to school and finding part time work. If anyone out there would like to chat please feel free to do so. I do enjoy life and hope to achieve things in my life. I dont want to to bore you with my issues, dont worry i dont have too many issues. thanks for listening and i look forward to hearing from you. Happy days to all of you who read this post. Cheers Luigi.

is there anybody out there...

replies: 9

Not sure where to begin, I have trouble starting a conversation & then once I get going can find it hard to stop. A nervous rambler I guess you could call it. Looking for the occasional bit of advice but mainly someone, anyone that will help me to feel less invisible. No one listens at home, I feel ignored & pushed aside, though I listen to them as I could not be rude & ignore them. My cats love me though, or perhaps they pay me in cuddles for the food I give them Thanks for your time

Introducing myself from Finding Myself :)

replies: 6

Well hello, I'm a newby here today. Not sure if this is going to be the right place for me or not but I'm taking another step forward and trying to look at opportunities. In a way I feel like I'm just talking out to the big wide world, bit scary and worried but I'm taking a deep breath afterall this is Beyond Blue! Not really sure exactly what to say....I'm in my late 30's, married and mother of three beautiful little angels. In the scheme of things I really don't have much to worry about at all, however I question everything and compare myself to everyone and am simply not content, even though I have no idea what I really want so that I am content. I've struggled with a form of inadequacy since my teenage years and like many people I've got some childhood 'stuff' to sort through (at this point I'm not sure how bigger impact it all has) and I have received help once before when my middle child was a toddler. That's about where I'm at! I took the first step little while ago (well it really came to a head when I couldn't stop crying for two days!) and spoke to my husband and went to the GP. I have since been seeing a counsellor and have started anti depressants. I will say it is all starting to help, better days than others but I know I have a long way to go. I just have so many unanswered questions! Anyway just wanted to say hi and see where this takes me, cheers Finding Myself xx

New to site

replies: 2

Hello, I am a 44 year old male living in perths southern suburbs.1st time at being on this site. I have been on anti depressant medication for about 5 years now. I have a wife and adult children but I am feeling very lonely at times and my drinking is out of control. I am originally from Melbourne and don't really have any friends outside of work. I am very keen to know if there is any social groups around which are alcohol free environments which I could maybe attend and meet new people that don't want to spend all their time drinking. Need to get some sort of life back. Don't really know where I belong at times. I am also currently trying to source some professional help for alcoholism.

I'm new

replies: 4

Hi Everyone just joined so thank you for allowing me. I have anxiety that is usually well managed but I moved 7 hours away from my home town and started a new job all in 4 weeks. My husband is amazing and I couldn't find anyone better and my daughter is also very understanding. I just hate the body tremors, chills, racing heart etc I have been on a particulat anti depressent for nearly 12 years. This week I am going to find a new GP. I will never give up I just focus on 1 hour at a time. Thanks for listening ❤

new to site require usefull & helpfull tips

replies: 3

hi girls/guys just need some tips on how people went on making that first phone call & and walking through the door for the first time??? went to GP yesterday yep just fell apart just trying to come to terms with the out come

Introducing Myself

replies: 9

Good morning everyone,My name is Phil, I'm 32 and live in Sydney with a beautiful wife and young son. My son was born 9 weeks ago and he is the most beautiful little boy, and my wife and I are both so in love with him and just want to give him the best of everything.I'm here, because I am currently suffering from cripping anxiety and depression. My wife and I have discussed it, and she is extremely supportive. We think it has always been there since adolescence, however it's only in the last few months it has reared its head to the surface.I'm physically breaking down. My wife is getting fed up with having the same conversations and trying to talk through the same things, and wants me to take aggressive action. I used some medication for the first time last night because I also suffer from crippling insomnia and needed relief. My wife is getting exhausted, as my son is also not sleeping so she has her hands full looking after him. I am severely worried she will leave me if I don't sort this problem.I just don't know where to start - this does seem like I'm making excuses, but I also believe I have ADD as well as OCD (checking). It seems like my mind is going a million miles a minute which makes it incredibly hard to focus on anything.I'm here to say hello, but to also seek support. I have been to psychologists and life coaches, but never been able to follow through with their instructions, but now I feel I am at my wits end and will do what it takes.Can anyone share with me, what has been successful for you in the past in managing anxiety and depression? I exercise regularly, but we feel that my diet has contributed. I have recently finished a masters degree while working full time, and am addicted to caffeine, which I know is a trigger, but we are also going to eliminate dairy and gluten from my diet.Can anyone else share some success tips? It would be much appreciated.Phil

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Just saying hello, and sharing my story. replies: 4

Getting really tired of this replies: 2

Newbie replies: 6

lonely and bored replies: 4

is there anybody out there... replies: 9

Introducing myself from Finding Myself :) replies: 6

New to site replies: 2

I'm new replies: 4

new to site require usefull & helpfull tips replies: 3

Introducing Myself replies: 9