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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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SOME ENCOURAGING THREADS TO CHECK OUT

replies: 25

BB Café Walking Shoes-Walking Group Three things to be thankful for What do you collect? What are your hobbies? Share an inspirational quote Have you tried art therapy? Suggestions of enjoyable, relaxing and helpful activities for self care when you are feeling down Triggers that down you. Triggers that lift you. Gratitude Journal Positive Affirmations. These are just a few that I have had a fresh look at. White Knight has one as well on poems and short stories, If you have noticed other encouraging threads you think people might enjoy, then add them here. Hope you all find something that encourages you! Cheers from Dools

Hi

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Hi all, I'm new to the knowledge of the existence of my anxiety, I've apparently had it for 2 years now, without my family or my knowledge. I'm an avid horse rider and I wish to get a horse as it is the only thing that makes me feel better, apart from my dog and a computer game. I am still in high school and have given up completely because of it. I hate anxiety and I hate having it. It is wrecking my life. I just started using anti anxiety meds but it won't work for 1-2 weeks. I hate it.

Hi! New OCD/Health Anxiety member

replies: 3

Hi everyone! This is the first time I have joined a forum group. I would love to find a local support group to meet face-to-face with fellow sufferers but with none in my local area, this is a wonderful support option. I have a history of OCD health anxiety dating back to my pre-teenage years (I am now 43). Basically, I live in fear of exposing myself or my loved ones to situations/contamination that will cause a terminal illness. The majority of my fears are unfounded and whilst I can appreciate this intellectually, my behaviours increase my anxiety. My biggest fears at present are asbestos-related diseases and cancer from electromagnetic radiation. I am blessed with a very supportive husband and family, however I still feel very alone on this journey as I'm sure many of you will appreciate. I sought counselling under a mental health plan a couple of years ago and thought I had gained the tools to deal with this, however I have gradually become slack with my mental health again and am now at a point where it is affecting my marriage so I have made an appointment to seek help again tomorrow. One of my biggest faults when dealing with my anxiety is googling information on the internet, so I am hoping that by joining this forum I can spend my computer time productively (and maybe even help someone else along the way) rather than just increasing my fears. Thanks for reading.

Hi everyone

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Hi, so im new to the forum. Forgive me if I get it wrong or there's any lingo I don't know. I'll start by introducing myself. So I'm simmy, I'm in a relationship. We have been together for 7 years. We don't seem to see eye to eye at the moment. There's been some issues arising for awhile but now it's all hit the fan and I'm at the end of my rope. We have a 2 year old son. I have been struggling with my emotions and self worth since having our son. i really hope having some people to talk to will help me feel like I'm not failing at being a mother. Thank you for reading this and I'll find my way around the forum and have a look at joining threads and maybe starting one. Simmy x

New Member wanting to make a difference to Anxiety Based Deptression

replies: 7

Hi Folks, Its great to be part of a forum where people don't tell you to think happy thoughts and just think more positively. I suffer acute anxiety based depression, I don't believe the black dog will ever leave my side; but it doesn't pull me around like it used to. The greatest impact on me personally and I know from experience has helped others is photography; it got me out of the house, it gave me a challenge, it is something I enjoyed in my youth and age, beliefs and ethnicity are no barrier; disability can be catered for. I would love to volunteer my time and skills to helping others out of depression using photography. I would love to know if anyone else has had similar results.

HI!

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Hi everyone, My boss suggested a few weeks ago that I might need some help. But for someone who not only has anxiety but an intense fear of most medical professionals it's hard for me to start. I have always been described as somewhat "dark" in my thinking but I have seemed to deal with it up until now on my own. I feel really alone now and like if I don't get help I'll be fired. I'm a very self sufficient person and always was the person taking care of everyone else. My friends all came to me as "fixer uppers" homeless, jobless etc. They are all successful and happy now and I feel left behind. I don't know what exactly I have to change to make things better but I want things to get better. I dislike martyrs or people falsely playing the victim so the feeling of victimisation I am experiencing is causing a whole lot of intense feelings that I am struggling with. Over the past few years I went from what strangers see as completely happy, to someone who would burst into tears at work and now someone who internalises everything and that's not good. My friend circle has diminished and I am ashamed of that not that it is really anyones fault. People grow up and grow apart. I think I have had to say goodbye too many times before and the reason I am really struggling now is because it's not a good excuse, moving to different countries, death etc those are good reasons for friendships fading. Not being too busy. Ok so that felt a bit narcissistic but good to get out. I guess I am here and that's step one so something in the right direction. All I ever wanted from life is to be "Happy" so I'd like to find that.

Hi everyone I'm new!

replies: 6

Hello! I'm so relieved to have discovered these forums. I'm 27 years old and I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for about 13 years. My first panic attack came out of nowhere and I have struggled with them ever since. They started off as being very physical - the racing heart, shaky limbs, etc. I spent a lot of time as a teenager not wanting to go out due to the fear of it happening. I feel like they have changed a lot as I've gotten older, a lot more scary. The last major one I had a couple of weeks ago was the scariest yet. I had just gone to bed and I was completely fine one minute and then the next I was absolutely terrified (no idea why), I felt like I was going crazy and that I was going to die. My head felt tight and dizzy and I thought I was losing my mind. I was lucky my partner was with me - he's very supportive, but I still struggle explaining it to him because he doesn't ACTUALLY know or understand exactly what it feels like. I feel like this last panic attack has been a major setback for me. Up until now I had sort of worked out how to control them - I would recognize the symptoms and tell myself I was fine. But now I just have an ongoing fear that I'm going to get another terrifying one and I won't be able to control it. I'm just so over feeling like I'm going crazy, and like I'm the only one who feels like this (even though I know I'm not!). I just want to be able to get on with life and do normal activities like everybody else without these weird feelings that are always in the back of my mind holding me back. Unfortunately I can't even remember what that feels like!! Anyway, there are clearly a lot of people on here who understand exactly what its like and I look forward to talking and sharing experiences with you all

New Member

replies: 4

Hello my name is Shilou I have joined beyondblue to be able to speak to other people going through depression and panick disorder. I do not know anyone else around me with a mental health issue, so I would like to meet people who understand the condi... View more

Introducing myself

replies: 1

My name is Bianca, I am new to the forum. I want to talk about my life story in suffering and to raise awareness and help others

newbie

replies: 1

Hi everyone, I am new to beyond blue. Ive been suffering depression for several months now along with anxiety and panic attacks. I am seeing a psychologist and am on medication but am going through a episode that i cant pull myself out of right now. I have just gotten engaged to the love of my life and feel so guilty for feeling like this. I work part time and the times im not working i want to curl up in bed and eat.. emotional eater all my life.. Just wanting to reach out to others who understand this situation and dont want to 'fix' it. My fiancee is a fixer and i cant talk to him about how i am feeling because he just wants to fix it instead of just being with me in these feelings.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

SOME ENCOURAGING THREADS TO CHECK OUT replies: 25

Hi replies: 5

Hi! New OCD/Health Anxiety member replies: 3

Hi everyone replies: 6

New Member wanting to make a difference to Anxiety Based Deptression replies: 7

HI! replies: 3

Hi everyone I'm new! replies: 6

New Member replies: 4

Introducing myself replies: 1

newbie replies: 1