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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Introducing myself!

replies: 7

Hey there everyone, I thought I would just share a bit about myself and why I joined this forum since I’m new here. I’m a 17 year old from Perth, I am a huge fan of gaming and music, and I love talking to people. I’ve been suffering with; Anxiety, Depression, and Social Awkwardness for multiple years now (3-4 to be precise.) and it’s generally been a pretty rocky path for me over those past few years. It can be a bit hard for me to get through things sometimes because of not having any friends or a supportive family, and in the past that has lead me to do some pretty outrageous things. I’ve tried my best at making friends in the past and trying to explain things to my family, but my social awkwardness and panic attacks leave me pretty hopeless when it comes to explaining things. I really find it hard to talk about my problems to people without sounding like I want pity or sympathy from people, and that really irritates me as I think I’m a really nice person on the inside but the general stigma around mental health issues like Anxiety and Depression leave people not wanting to talk to me. I joined this forum to hopefully get some extra support as well as try and support others as best I can using some scenarios I’ve experienced in my life to hopefully stop people making the same mistakes I have in the past. I’m really happy to finally be a part of this community!

Right... here goes

replies: 5

Hi everyone and thanks for reading my intro. I'm one of those people who is more than likely depressed in some way, but who hasn't got around to doing something about it. But I'm about to and thought that coming on here was good way to find some reassurance and confidence for taking the next rather large step. Six years ago I hit a double whammy of despair when my wife unexpectedly walked out on our marriage. It was out of the blue and horrendously surprising and shocking. I won't bore you with the details, but on a scale of 'I didn't see that coming' it was a 10. Around the same time my 5yo daughter was diagnosed as having a major disability. Coming to terms with both these events was very difficult and I feel that although I've dealt with and accept both on a day-to-day level, I really haven't gotten over the trauma. Add to this my recent diagnosis and ongoing battle with diabetes (the chronic nature of which goes hand in hand with depression) and there's a three pronged attack on my mental health! The good news is that I'm 'ok' with the marriage split now, my daughter is doing well and my diabetes is almost under control - however my mental health is shaky at best. I present well and on any given day can rise to the occasion and nobody would be the wiser. But I'm over sensitive, tired, irritated, short tempered and easy upset and saddened. My current relationship is suffering because I get annoyed by the smallest of things. This overrides all the good in the relationship, which is plenty. I'm ready to see my GP and have researched a good psychologist in my area. Enough is enough, I'm sick and tired of myself and want to go back to the more stable me, not the crusty sad old bloke I'm on my way to becoming.

Anxious and finding it hard

replies: 2

My husband has told me its too hard. He has pulled away. I am trying to get strong, hard to eat and feel sick all the time. 3 kids that need me better too. Looking for stregnth, need to get some help.

New to the forum- introducing myself

replies: 4

Hi, I am a 33 year old female who has been managing depression, anxiety and PTSD since childhood/early teens. I feel like my life is a bit like a yo yo of ups and downs, sadly the ups at the moment are just 'barely coping' and the downs keep me away from work for long periods of time and unable to leave the house for weeks. I am lucky to have a husband doing his very best to understand and offer support but I can not escape the feeling that I am ruining his life and having grown up caring for a parent who was mentally ill and knowing how scary it can be when someone is suicidal/severely depressed, It just feeds into my feelings of guilt and worthlessness. What has changed and what has brought me to the forum is I've made a commitment to try and do small things every day/week that are different or could bring about some hope. I am also returning to work tomorrow and I have been in a state of high anxiety all day, so I thought maybe sharing these thoughts and introducing myself would be something useful. I look forward to engaging with you all further and offering support. Be

My Name is Sarah and I have been diagnosed with a mental affliction

replies: 6

Hi Everyone, My name is Sarah and I have a mental illness. I want to meet like minded people so I can learn from others how they cope with everyday Stresses and juggle a crippling affliction of the mind. I'm excited to hear from you. Sarah

Where did the joy go?

replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm really just posting here to get some of my thoughts and feelings out of my head. I'm experiencing a lot of sadness atm because my brother is getting divorced. It has rocked me to my core and, as is typical with me, the anxiety and depression seep into every other aspect of my life. I feel the joy has left my life this year. I no longer enjoy the things I used to and find myself ruminating on the point of life. I hate feeling like this but I just can't shake it. It's been a long time since I have felt like this and I'm drawing on every strategy I know to keep going but I miss feeling happy. I miss enjoying my job and my sport. On top of that, a colleague died suddenly about a month ago which was also a huge shock. I have been told that experiencing more than 3 major life events in a 12 month period can cause depression and anxiety. I just wish someone could tell me, when will the joy return?

Well where should I start....

replies: 5

Hi everyone, my name is Harry. I'm 24, live in regional WA and recently I've found out that I have depression and anxiety over 3 months ago and I don't know how long I've been like this. I'd probably say it was from a bad break up of a relationship about 4 years ago that at the time I was in a mentally exhausting apprenticeship, living alone and I didn't had anyone close to talk to about. Living in a small town did made things a lot harder for myself and for the next 6 months, I've fallen to some bad crowds, hit the alcohol bad, I've almost wrapped myself around a tree while speeding on a dirt road. I thought it was a very low key moment of my life and even though up to now I've managed to cut out toxic friendships, changing jobs and did some lifestyle changes. There are times where I feel physically sick, stressed out where I'm unable to do anything productive or overthink about situations when I'm out in social areas. At the moment dealing with depression and anxiety now that I've accepted it, I trying out herbal supplements that helps me get through the day, trying to get in touch with people, regardless what I think they would say and keep my mind on projects, either on a hobby or volunteering. The hardest challenge is the anxiety where I tend to overthink about myself and friends...it still has a win once and awhile. Currently I enjoy my computer games, mainly RPG's and anything with a great story. Also I like my cars and do photography and making video content for a couple of gaming events in Perth. I enjoy my music from the 70's rock, 90's metal and some new indie artists, lately I've been listening to soundtracks from numerous video games where some scores still can bring me to tears! XD Anyway that's me for starters where I'm still trying to keep myself okay day by day. Thanks to anyone who'd read this and hope to hear from you soon.

New beginnings

replies: 4

Hello everyone. I am so pleased to find this site, I knew it existed but didn't realise there were community forums and a chance to chat. This is a big thing for many reasons, I suffer with mild depression ( diagnosed after the birth of my second son 17 years ago) and have kept it in check the best I can since then. My marriage ended 4 years ago, and prior to this had endured 15 pretty tough years of being married to someone with a narcissistic and controlling personality disorder. So nearly 4 years later after divorcing my ex, I still find myself suffering the ups and downs. I recently increased my dose slightly and this has helped.i have never had cognitive therapy, but I have certainly reached out to many people and I have a wonderful support network of friends in this small country town where myself and my children live. So the first time in 4 years and after a dredful marriage breakup, I have met a man in this small country town who has been here all along. This man that I "met" has also been through a terrible divorce approx 6 years ago. We have become close over the months and communicate regularly. He has not told me directly that he suffers with depression, but he has communicated to me honestly that he struggles, "is it all worth it", I have these thoughts " and so on. I'm sure people would read this and think " walk the other way".. But in the last few weeks I have taken a different view on it all. I am now more in the mindset of staying put, whenever he pushes me away or shuts down. I don't demand his time or attention. I just support and I have to say it.. Allowing myself to fall in love with him, with this loner of a man who is very difficult to predict, who has been so honest with me right from the start. It's almost like I've been learning for years how to stick by him, anyway I'm rambling on but I wanted to help others that love someone with depression and anxiety. I don't look at it as giving my happiness at all. My long battle with depression and the triggers that have contributed to it, have made me immensely strong and compassionate of others. I am better equipped to go with his rhythm of mood swings, withdrawal, elation, wanting to be close, pulling away again and so on. But who knows down the track if it continues that way. I'm looking forward to reading other people's point of view and tips for loving someone with depression. It's not what I had planned but then again, you love who you love.

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.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Introducing myself! replies: 7

Right... here goes replies: 5

Anxious and finding it hard replies: 2

New to the forum- introducing myself replies: 4

My Name is Sarah and I have been diagnosed with a mental affliction replies: 6

Where did the joy go? replies: 4

Well where should I start.... replies: 5

New beginnings replies: 4

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

Getting really tired of this replies: 2