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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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hi all new to this forum

replies: 4

Im at my lowest atm and have been reading some of your members post and found the community here is non judge mental... i hope to tell my story soon even behind a keyboard things are not that easy to convey..... hoping to type soon

Im New

replies: 4

Hi all, I have chronic sleep deprivation and my anxiety escalates when I have more than a week of bad sleep! Currently I am over obsessing about someone breaking in to our house and stealing precious items that only mean things to myself and husband. Today it was that bad I didn't want to leave the house and come to work, but I managed to talk myself into going. It was suggested by a work colleague to start a blog on this site to help vent as just a talk with her this morning made me feel better! I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid after the birth of my son some 13 years ago and my life has spiralled out of control pretty much ever since. Large amount of weight gain, lack of sleep and convinced I had a terminal illness everything some MINOR appeared. I read a few threads this morning and boy was I surprised, that's me, that's me, that's me! I have a wonderful Doctor who has helped me over the years! I have managed to lose 31 kilos in the last 2 years and have approximately 8 to go, something I am so so proud of as I have struggled forever!!!!! I put my success down to being asked to be a bridesmaid for my sister's wedding and having a wonder PT to get me going. Running is my saviour! I also obsess about dying and leaving my son behind, I often say a pray just let me stay until my son is an adult! I find I get back on track in time but I thank you for your time here today xx

Hi Im new here

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Hi there I have been dealing with depression since I was 24, I'm now 42. I just seems to be a long deep tunnel which is not getting better even with medication. I lost my mum 5 years ago and I'm still suffering from it, she was my rock the person I spoke to when things got to bad, now I feel as if I'm on my own is this deep black tunnel. My husband says to me why are you sad all the time, you have a loving husband and 3 beautiful children. I know I should be happy but I just cant seem to get out of this hole. I had my own business which I closed when my mum died and I have not worked since, not to the lack of trying to find a job mind you. My husband says to me all the time he wants to buy a house and we need me working. But at the moment things just don't seem to be going my way. I just need to tell someone what is happening in my life so I don't feel so alone in this world of mine. Thanks for reading this.

Hi, I'm new!

replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to the community. I would just like to say that Beyond Blue seems to be helping a lot of people, so I hope it helps you and me. Thanks for your time

Hi Saints Girl

replies: 0

Hi Saints Girl, I was just flicking through some posts and found you had written in the Three things to be thankful for Post. Welcome to Beyond Blue and to the community here. Would you like to start up your own thread here? I am not sure if you have done so elsewhere or not, I have not been on the forum for a few days. If anyone else feels like they would like a special welcome, I invite you to chat here as well! Cheerio for now, From Mrs. Dools

Hi, I am new here, you guys seem cool, can I hang out here for a bit?

replies: 8

Ok, here is the background. I am 35, work full time and I am a single father to 2 boys, 13 and 15. I have tertiary qualifications but I now work a demanding and stressful sales job that involves weekend work. My depression and anxiety hit me when I thought I was going to run out of money and my girlfriend broke up with me. But I have realised that I have been steadily sliding into this state for a while now and I am not sure how I am going to pull myself out of it. I used to be confident and fun. I had great work friends, a hobby with great mates and an awesome girlfriend. Now it all seems to be gone. I am working too hard, don’t have a disposable income and I am stuck at home with moody teenagers who just want food and internet. So the question I have is: How on earth do you get out there and build up a life again with these constraints. I keep avoiding social interactions, I crave them but I just can’t seem to follow through with any plans to get out there and interact. I have these thoughts that I am a depressing person for others to be around. I am on anti-depressants and I am seeing a psychologist. I guess I am making some progress but sometimes my mood becomes very black and I just have to withdraw. Social interactions seem to be fleeting and unfulfilling, I think I just really need one or two close friends, even my family don’t seem to understand or care, they are quite busy with their own lives. I don’t want to impose on people or bring them down with my sadness. What do we do, does anyone have any ideas? I would really like to connect with others going through this too. I guess I am scared of rejection and of being hurt and it seems to be paralysing me. Nothing really bad has happened to me, I just want to be well and normal again but it seems like the is no hope.

Hello, I am new

replies: 2

Hello! I'm new here. For the past four or five years, I've had what I'll describe as generalised/social anxiety that I've done absolutely nothing about, other than learn to completely ignore it... But I don't think I've been doing a very good job really. In the last few months, I think I've repressed it so much that it's started manifesting as physical symptoms. fatigue, listlessness, tingling legs, shortness of breath. Suspecting an iron deficiency or something, I went to the doctor and following a full examination, she gave me a presumed diagnosis of anxiety. I'm getting blood work done anyway, but the doctor was pretty adamant that this is anxiety as she couldn't find any physical abnormalities apart from a racing heart. While waiting for blood results, she told me to keep an eye out for anxiety symptoms and think about when they appear etc. I plan on keeping a journal. She said if any relaxation tips aren't working as they should, I should go and see someone. I feel strangely at peace that I've finally acknowledged my anxiety and a doctor has noticed it, as I was always too scared to ask a doctor about it. What I hope to get out of this forum is techniques to reduce anxiety, and also any information about where to seek further. As I mentioned, my doctor said i should go and see someone if I feel my anxiety is too much. It definitely is, so I'm going to tell her that when I go back for my results. Can anyone tell me who she might refer me to??

Hi I'm new to the forum.

replies: 1

Heard some great stuff about Beyond blue.

Good Evening

replies: 4

Hello there, My name is Miss Kima and I have recently been diagnosed with Anxiety and depression. I have known I have had them for a long time -since I was a teenager- though I managed to slip under the radar for several years. I manage to work through most of my issues by myself, though lately it has become a little overbearing since I lost my job in December. I like to paint, to draw and to craft as much as I can, though I have had somewhat of a hard time to bring myself to have the motivation to do so. I also love to play video games though my favourite one currently isn't working. I have found music to be a sanctuary for me, though even that has begun losing some of it's effectiveness of late. I find I am afraid a lot of the time. Of the future, of not being able to find work and my money running out. Mostly of speaking to/being around/being yelled at by other people. I had my first panic attack at a caravan and camping show either last year or the year before. It was scary as all hell. I have also found that I trust people very little, therefore this post in and of itself is a stretch for me. I have had bad experiences with people in the past, and while I am quiet and try my best to be friendly, I am silently doubting everything I am being told. I also abhor confrontation, though it is at times, necessary. I wonder if any of you have this same issue with people or whether that is solely something to do with my personal experience. If any of you also enjoy art or the process of painting or creating, I should like to perhaps see some of them, as it inspires me and I enjoy any form of art. Thank you kindly for your time.

Hello Everyone!

replies: 1

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this site and this forum! I've had a history of Anorexia and currently, I'm suffering with Depression. It sprung up unexpectedly last year. I know, suffering is a funny word to use, I guess I prefer that I was diagnosed haha. I'm just here to figure some things out I guess. I'm on medication to help but I am still confused and I am hoping that people on here will understand me a little more than the ones I have around me I look forward to conversing with you all!

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

hi all new to this forum replies: 4

Im New replies: 4

Hi Im new here replies: 3

Hi, I'm new! replies: 3

Hi Saints Girl replies: 0

Hi, I am new here, you guys seem cool, can I hang out here for a bit? replies: 8

Hello, I am new replies: 2

Hi I'm new to the forum. replies: 1

Good Evening replies: 4

Hello Everyone! replies: 1