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Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

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

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Elizabeth CP Wondering why sometimes new threads don't get labeled as such
  • replies: 1

I wrote a new thread under treatments yesterday hoping to get some response from others of how they dealt with things so I could get some ideas. The thread was posted but labeled as a new thread so it seems to be hard to notice. Just wondering if the... View more

I wrote a new thread under treatments yesterday hoping to get some response from others of how they dealt with things so I could get some ideas. The thread was posted but labeled as a new thread so it seems to be hard to notice. Just wondering if there is a reason most are labeled as new thread and not others

65 Hi....this is my first time here.
  • replies: 11

My nick name is... 65 I'm aged in my mid 60s I've been married to an amazing person for 25 yrs, my rock and my strength. We have a little dog who we dearly love. I was diagnosed with severe depression about 25 yrs ago, but I'm sure I had it all my li... View more

My nick name is... 65 I'm aged in my mid 60s I've been married to an amazing person for 25 yrs, my rock and my strength. We have a little dog who we dearly love. I was diagnosed with severe depression about 25 yrs ago, but I'm sure I had it all my life. I take... wait for it... 82 anti depressants ... a week !!! Yeah, even that surprises me, I still have "episodes" from time to time, but I do my best to stay strong. I attend a weekly support group which also helps me. I have joined Beyond Blue in an effort to find even more help. I try to be an easy going person most of the time, I don't drink, smoke or take drugs.... apart from my prescriptions ones. I'm a breast cancer survivor of 5 years.

Hoddie32 Hello and I apologise for being me
  • replies: 7

Well hello!...I'm not really sure what to say or where to begin so I apologise for the ramble. That's the first thing you'll notice about me, apologies for everything, I even apologise for breathing (literally). I've been diagnosed with depression an... View more

Well hello!...I'm not really sure what to say or where to begin so I apologise for the ramble. That's the first thing you'll notice about me, apologies for everything, I even apologise for breathing (literally). I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety for nearly 2 years now but I guess I've been this way my whole life. I found this forum after a particularly severe breakdown/crying session. My partner tries to help the best he can but a lot of his solutions are "man up" "you're an adult sort it out yourself" and "it's not the end of the world". I'm hoping that as I'm with people going through similar issues you will all know that these do not help but instead make me feel even worse, apologise profusely and feel so worthless I'm in physical pain (or cause myself physical pain). So there I am crying my eyes out, begging for him to not leave me, feeling as small as a mouse and not knowing what to do. He's telling me to meditate when all I want to do is run into a black hole. I'm on medication, not sure its doing too much but absolutely kills my libido (which was already diminished after a "date rape" incident I won't get into here) - yet another strain on the relationship. I'm originally from the UK and have lived in Australia with my partner for about 2 1/2 years. This means no family and limited friends, difficulty in getting a stable full time job and a lot of dependence on my partner for my visa, a place to live and at times money. I feel like a worthless leech giving him no benefits at all and just causing him pain. I try to voice this and he tells me I'm being stupid (I know it's an attempt to cheer me up but my mind twists it into another negative quality of mine to add to the list). I'm not always this self deprecating leech, sometimes I have a purpose and some value. I guess all I'm looking for is someone to tell me I'm not abnormal for not being able to "get over it". Any advice, small steps, tips or tricks to help me improve would be appreciated. I'm not sure if its depression, anxiety, homesickness or just a case of the grass is always greener but I thought I'd join the community. I'm hoping somehow I can help someone else and also feel a bit less lonely myself. Thank you for making it to the end of my ramblings and I (guess what) apologise if it's not relevant, boring or worthless.

aingeal irish angel
  • replies: 6

Hi Everyone I was diagnosed with Bipolar II (BPII) in 2012 after a suicide attempt. When I came out of surgery the Dr & his best mate, the security guard, stood at the foot of my bed & offered me 2 choices - voluntary or involuntary. I took the 1st o... View more

Hi Everyone I was diagnosed with Bipolar II (BPII) in 2012 after a suicide attempt. When I came out of surgery the Dr & his best mate, the security guard, stood at the foot of my bed & offered me 2 choices - voluntary or involuntary. I took the 1st option & spent the next few months in supervised care. 18 months ago I didn’t fell I was progressing. The meds got me to a point, was seeing a psychologist regularly, but I wasn't feeling as stable as I felt I could be & the impact included not being able to function in my role as a health & safety officer in the resources industry. I sought a 2nd opinion psychiatrist who listened & then said "I want you to read this", he gave me a large fact sheet on Borderline Personality Disorder - what a page turner! At the next appointment I was in tears. The fact sheet could have been my biography. He diagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with BPII traits. As with BPII I immersed myself in understanding of BPD, including treatments. Prior to 2nd opinion I sought a clinical psychologist trained in schema therapy - it was the best thing I did and in lieu of BPD it was appropriate move I didn't realise at the time. A change in consulting availability with my current psych I researched for someone who could continue with either schema or dialectic therapy; I start my new sessions in a couple of weeks. 12 mths ago I began to open up on BPII, I wasn’t yet ready to talk about BPD aspect even though it is the dominant illness. Though 2 weeks ago I spoke to my sister about BPD. We had a good cry. She was stunned when she asked did I love myself and for the first time I said to someone outside of a clinical environment, not all the time. This surprised her, as I'm seen to be such a generous supporting person to others, how could I not feel love for myself. I said to her, I hope I figure that out at some point. All in all, I've returned to work successfully. I lead an active life & plan things to look forward to. I went back to uni and am studying marine science to couple that with my diving aspirations. Diving is my mental yoga. I’ve come to own my mental illness instead of it owning me. Sometimes it’s a battle of wills. I celebrate 2 birthdays – my actual one and the date I decided to live. Thanks for listening ange

Reaperbird I guess this is hello.
  • replies: 5

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I'm a 24 year old who has Depression, Anxiety, Dissociation, PTSD, and Avoidant Personality Disorder. (I know, it's a lot.) I went through a lot of trauma and abuse growing up, right up until I finally managed to move out ... View more

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I'm a 24 year old who has Depression, Anxiety, Dissociation, PTSD, and Avoidant Personality Disorder. (I know, it's a lot.) I went through a lot of trauma and abuse growing up, right up until I finally managed to move out of home at age 21. The past 4 years have been tough, been trying to unlearn two decades of crap, and just trying to figure out where I fit in the world. Right now, I'm living in my own place. I still talk to some of my family, even if things are often tense. But considering everything that has happened, I'm doing okay I guess. The only major things going on is, I have a chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia) and I'm incredibly isolated and lonely. Apparently growing up in neglect and abuse has left me with very little social skills, and even less confidence. I feel like an alien around other people. I wouldn't even know where to start at making (and keeping) friends. I seem to ruin my chances with my own paranoia and general weirdness. Actually I'm turning 25 at the end of this month. Feels like a wake up call. I don't have any friends, my family and I don't get along, and I'm unemployed (looking for work) because I'm sick so I'm very limited in what I can do. I don't really have any goals either, well nothing substantial, everything feels kind of pointless or too hard. I have no one to talk to, no where to go... I don't know what my next step is, to what I want in life. I feel very lost. That aside, some random tidbits about myself: I'm agender, I have a blue fighting fish called Fishsticks, I like games and anime, I sometimes draw and write, I'm the weird animal-person that greets stray cats, and I waste too much of my time on the internet. So yeah, that's all I think. If you have any questions, feel free. PS. Sorry if this is long, I have a habit of writing way too much when I'm nervous. >_<

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