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Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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

Chris_B Introducing...the community champions
  • replies: 22

Hi everyone, Some of you may have noticed that a few of our members are labelled ‘Community champion’ and have a beyondblue National Roadshow bus badge, like this: This thread explains who these members are and what they do. Community champions are v... View more

Hi everyone, Some of you may have noticed that a few of our members are labelled ‘Community champion’ and have a beyondblue National Roadshow bus badge, like this: This thread explains who these members are and what they do. Community champions are volunteers within the forums who: Have the time, skills and empathy to support other members Make an effort to welcome new members Are regularly and actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community as a place of hope and recovery. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! As this is a peer support community that includes members under the age of 18, it is important that we ensure our peer support community leaders have a current 'working with children' check as part of due diligence. In an online environment with anonymous posters, it also provides Beyond Blue (and the community) with some security as to the identity of who is posting as a community champion. We ask our community champions to spend at least 2-3 hours a week posting and responding in the forums, but in reality they go far above and beyond this. Like me, they’re not psychologists or counsellors, just regular folk like yourselves who have experience with anxiety and depression. I’ll leave it to our champion volunteers to reply below and let you know a bit about themselves. PS. If this is your first time on the forums and you'd like to introduce yourself, please start a new thread rather than replying in here.

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Mimi1979 My story.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, i thought I'd properly introduce myself. Especially seeing my first post was quite a heavy one made in desperation. Ive since made a couple of other lighter post but i can honestly say. ..this is the BEST forum. Im so thankful that ive d... View more

Hi everyone, i thought I'd properly introduce myself. Especially seeing my first post was quite a heavy one made in desperation. Ive since made a couple of other lighter post but i can honestly say. ..this is the BEST forum. Im so thankful that ive discovered this safe place. I've had issues for most of my life. Where do i begin? Im 36, female, very happily married with 2 kiddos.My parents split when i was 5. I am the youngest of 3.My dad was violent to my mum (which was in clear view of myself and my siblings) . Both my parents were and are alcoholics. They CONSTANTLY fought. They had a very messy marriage, breakup and divorce which included custody battles, mind games (from my dad) and many visits to social workers. when i was 10 my dad decided to kidnap me. He then made me call my mum to tell her i wasnt coming home. As i got older. ..my teen years things seemed alot easier. I became my own person. I was a good girl. Scared to do anything wrong. Or scared to make others hate me. As long as i was friends with everyone it was good. I HATE conflict or confrontation or being bad.My mums drinking got worse and at times rather embarrassing as my friends used to see it. I got married at 19. Best thing i ever did. 17 years later I'm still happily married to the same man. My rock, my love. My mum is in and out of rehab (in fact she's there right this moment). My sister is a heavy drinker and in denial about her drinking. My nanna has bipolar and a few years back my mum was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. My anxiety seems to be getting worse as i get older. Im on an anitdepressant. I get panicky, insomnia, tired and breathless. I suffer from anxiety attacks. My psychologists says I have PTS. I get days where im 100% fine then i get days where the world is just too much. I find it much safer lying under my warm doona. Noone can judge, get angry, demand, offend or look at me. I find i can't deal with loss or rejection...when i do i fall apart. Literally. Im fragile and when i need to stand up for myself i stuff up by saying all the wrong things. I've always been selfconscious. One min i feel quite confident other times i feel like the worse, dumbest most ugliest human on earth.I thought id just get that off my chest. I've summerized my life very much...this is a very small brief on my life.I'm happy ive found this place. ..this forum is a life saver. Thankyou for listening.

Scotchfinger Why are you visiting?
  • replies: 15

This might be a very simple thing I am overlooking but how on earth do you get this pop up box to go away? I've answered their question several times already. Do you know what I am referring to? It pops up on the right of my screen every 10 seconds. View more

This might be a very simple thing I am overlooking but how on earth do you get this pop up box to go away? I've answered their question several times already. Do you know what I am referring to? It pops up on the right of my screen every 10 seconds.

CopingSince2012 New, about me - I'm coping
  • replies: 6

Hi, Thought I best introduce myself a little since I've started handing out my 2 cents worth I'm a mother, wife, workaholic in my 30's, diagnosed with depression since 2012, coping on AD. I hid my depression for years showing my happy face and can sa... View more

Hi, Thought I best introduce myself a little since I've started handing out my 2 cents worth I'm a mother, wife, workaholic in my 30's, diagnosed with depression since 2012, coping on AD. I hid my depression for years showing my happy face and can say that I started my decline in 2000. My husband has anxiety, currently off meds. We've recently had our young son diagnosed with anxiety also and awaiting further prognosis on other issues with him. 2016 is going to be the year I exercise more and get healthy, for me and my son. When I reach this goal, then I might look at going off meds. Aswell as try to reduce the stigma of mental health. I'm working on telling my in-laws this year about our families struggles, wish me luck! Hopefully I can help others in the forums, and you can help me when I need it too - win, win! Take care of you!

Scotchfinger Let me entertain you
  • replies: 24

Sorry just tried to think of an interesting thread title. I'm late fiftees, married no kids. I quit a full-time job in 2014, and haven't really recovered since. Two or three part-time jobs since didn't work out either. Two words come to mind. Shame a... View more

Sorry just tried to think of an interesting thread title. I'm late fiftees, married no kids. I quit a full-time job in 2014, and haven't really recovered since. Two or three part-time jobs since didn't work out either. Two words come to mind. Shame and guilt. I wasn't retrenched so I have no excuse. I don't deserve anyone's pity, I know I got myself into this mess. Thing is I'm getting too old and unemployable. And I don't tolerate workplace characters like I used to. people tend to get on my nerves easily these days. Old and grumpy I don't think I can take someone micro-managing me anymore, telling me what to do. I start to think I'm a failure in life at this age. Bit late to be ambitious now. I live on my own savings as my partner works so I don't qualify for Centrelink payments. 2016 is an important year. Will I go up or further down? It is a big concern. Enthusiasm and hope, where are you? I need you now> But I know some of you are worse off than me. That just makes me more ashamed of my current situation. thanks for reading scotchfinger

Pantheress HAPPY NEW YEAR
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm hoping joining will give me some support when I'm feeling blue and overwhelmed with life.

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm hoping joining will give me some support when I'm feeling blue and overwhelmed with life.

Gonegirl Hello..New Girl Here
  • replies: 6

Hello...I'm 49, still parenting kids aged from 7-18, separated (amicably, under the same roof, from my husband) and struggling with a Personality Disorder (Detachment)/Severe Depression & Anxiety. I was in a private psychiatric facility for a month i... View more

Hello...I'm 49, still parenting kids aged from 7-18, separated (amicably, under the same roof, from my husband) and struggling with a Personality Disorder (Detachment)/Severe Depression & Anxiety. I was in a private psychiatric facility for a month in February this year, it was the safest and most calming time for me. Once again I am fighting to stay out of hospital. Not because I don't want to be there (because I'd go in a heartbeat if I could) but because it's Christmas and I have children and I'm trying really hard to hang on as long as I can, for them. As each day passes I'm becoming more and more anxious and agitated. My Clinical Psychologist is on holidays for a month, so I feel a bit "out to sea". I don't sleep more than an hour or two a night and usually have to try and catch up. I'm experiencing high levels of guilt right now as I wish I could be more joyful and motivated for my kids. Just getting out of bed in the morning is a major hurdle, never mind functioning as a parent. I tend to use alcohol as an escape, or to boost my confidence. I take ADS, however I'm quite non-compliant and often forget or take them late. Since leaving hospital 10 months ago I've refused to continue on anti-psychotics (they were prescribed to deal with anxiety, not psychosis) they did help me sleep though. Im hoping to find support here as I'm a very private person and apart from my psych, and a few very select people, I tend to hide my issues away and hide myself away (inside myself.) Lou

MissMum New to this and feeling low.
  • replies: 6

Hi fellow members, I am completely new to the forum thing in general. Thanks for this opportunity. So maybe I can just start with who I am. I'm a 30 year old mum and work for myself. I have suffered depression since I was 12. I have had periods on me... View more

Hi fellow members, I am completely new to the forum thing in general. Thanks for this opportunity. So maybe I can just start with who I am. I'm a 30 year old mum and work for myself. I have suffered depression since I was 12. I have had periods on medication. In the last few months my depression is getting worse again. I'm crying everyday, I'm tired all the time, I can see through the fog.. I'm starting to think there is no relief and it will never get better. I have been attending meditation and doing affirmations and that was helping for a while until I slipped into a bad place without even realising it. I feel completely alone. I am a people pleaser so it's hard for me to reach out as I work so hard to hide behind my mask. I recently tried to reach out to family and friends. I literally got ignored not even replied to. Not even "oh that's not good" etc. which has made me feel worse and more alone. My partner wants to help but he has no idea how to help or show support, he's a fix it kind of guy. I'm struggling to be a decent mother as my child means the world to me and I die a little inside every time she wants to play and I'm sitting on the couch crying and fighting my mind with no energy to talk let alone move. She often asks why I'm sad and asks if she has upset me. She is 4!! That's not fair, I don't want to be doing this to her. She deserves so much more. I make sure I tell her how much she means to me and how much I love her and that it's not her fault mummy is sad. any energy I do have goes into looking after her. I don't look after myself at all. I have issues with my weight and pain and that limits me so much and I'm trying to get healthy, I even dramatically changed my eatting but I struggle with sugar addiction. I know my weight limits me and I want to fee healthy and happy but I feel that's mentally and physically impossible. I don't want to waste my life being sad and locking myself away from the world. I recently went to my GP but walked out feeing even more unsupported. I just feel like no one understands. I'm not sure what to do, I feel so trapped in my own head. Thanks for taking the time to read though, I'm sorry if it doesn't make to much sense I'm writing through my tears.

99problems new day new member
  • replies: 2

Hi, l probably should have joined a forum like this many many years ago and the reason for me doing it now is because lm at a very low point in my life and my brain can't give me an answer on what to do. A little about myself. Im an almost middle age... View more

Hi, l probably should have joined a forum like this many many years ago and the reason for me doing it now is because lm at a very low point in my life and my brain can't give me an answer on what to do. A little about myself. Im an almost middle aged guy who was a bullied little fat kid in school who had "those" thoughts constantly pre teen. As l grew up l became the bullier after l hit 6' tall (not a proud moment in my life" butthis gave me confidence and ended up doing quite well at school until l left and started a trade at 17. Ive always been quite a shy guy and quiet but in my older years this has made me talk more than l should and a lot of the time l say stuff l shouldnt. Of recent years this has become an issue in my employment as l always end up saying something l shouldnt and gets me sacked. I dont know why l do it and lm finding lm not very good dealing with people anymore "well so l am told by others". So this, combined with a poor mantal state due to my history and current risk of loosing my house and car and finding out l cant have kids with my wife due to a medical condition she has as well as a lot of other things going on in my head l feel l have hit an almost alltime low. The tears as l write this along with the banging headache and palpitations from stress seem to be a trigger for me to put my hand up and say "yes", l need help and l dont know what to do. Ive been speaking to my GP about my mental state with all the recent job losses, in fact l saw him today for scripts and spoke about it and l was feeling fine. It wasnt until later when l went to the shops to look for something for the wife for christmas that it really started to hit home. She blew up at me for buying her something when l dont have a job. She has a good job but l have always been the big money earner that paid all the bills. Now lm not working lm getting 3 reports a day of what we had in the bank. She never used to be like this but i think my unreliability as the breadwinner has caused her to become this way. Every time she mentions it, it is a reminder that l have failed yet again and with the kids issue,has been really stressing our relationship. I know its not her fault and l dont blame her but l always wanted a family and now lm getting too old to try anything else. I feel like l have failed at every life goal l have had and now lm here writing a breif story on a computer screen in the hope someone will wave a magic wand and take the pain away.