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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Introduction

replies: 3

Hi there I'm Kieran I'm 25 and I've been dealing with GAD for just over 2 years now. I have always been a worrier, but it started when I was living overseas in the U.K I was working a day shift at the restaurant and I was pretty hungover from the night before, I was in the process of taking some drinks over to a table when I started to get chest pains, heart rate started increasing, and the rushes through the body. As someone who had never felt anything like this my brain could only think of 1 logical answer....heart problems. Everything went downhill from there, I had got stuck into a cycle of thinking I was gonna die from a heart attack at any given moment when in fact they were just constant anxiety attacks but because the attacks had the physical symptoms that were mostly chest related I kept thinking it was a heart problem and thus around and around it went, for weeks I slept a couple of hours every night, I'd go to bed fully clothed because I didn't want people to find me in underpants if I died during the night, took my self to casualty in the hospital numerous times has the ecg tests only for the doctors to tell me my heart was fine only for me to trick myself into thinking that they just didn't do it right. It started to calm down after a while when I my aunt told me that I had anxiety, turns out it can be genetic and turns my mum, both aunties and my Nanna all suffer from either depression or anxiety, not so severely any more so I was oblivious to it growing up so I had no idea, once I got into my head it was anxiety and not heart problems it calmed down a little bit, I still had anxiety attacks and it was always in my mind that everyone else was wrong and I did have a heart problem but it was manageable at times. A year later I came home and within a couple of months I was put onto medication to help me deal with it, my anxiety is still there but it's not health related anymore and it's not debilitating like it was, it's just like a constant nagging in the back of my head constantly keeping on edge, I tried some therapy but I didn't really find it was for me, I find that talking to my mum, aunt and my Nanna calms me down more than anything. That's my story so far I hope it wasn't too boring and someone out there can find some solace from my experiences and no that they aren't going through this alone.

Saying Hello

replies: 5

Hi, I have just joined and wanted to say hi. I've been in a really good place for about 2 years but the last month has been really hard. Struggling to find any motivation and to get out of bed. Today I spent all day in bed. Really bad as I'm usually a really active person. I'm hoping to do some reading on this website to get some tips and advice I can hopefully use. Thanks for reading!

Hello I'm New

replies: 7

Hi, my BB name is Annie Blue, I have been diagnosed with GAD and have been on medication for almost 5 months. I am open with my immediate family but they don't really understand. I have suffered with worry/anxiety/catastrophe thinking/uncontrollable thinking for as long as I can remember. However over the last decade or so things have gotten worse. I'm hoping to start CBT at some point. I am meditating several times a week but I still am getting anxiety attacks daily, sometimes several a day and some lasting for days. I'm hoping for a place to vent and get support from people who won't get bored or tired with the subject. Today I started feeling low and depressed, hopefully this will be a place o can heal. AB xx

I'm new to this

replies: 5

Hi everyone ! My name is Nikki. I'm 22 years old and just become a new mum to my beautiful baby girl Amethyst. I've been struggling anxiety on and off through the past years. Half of last year til now has been the worst.I feel completely embarrassed what I'm about to say but here we go.I live with my partner who is 19 and my baby girl who is 5 months. Where I live I have no family and friends, they're about 4 hours away.I'm pretty sure I have anxiety and depression because I've noticed what I do which is..I rarely ever leave the house. I'm scared to go to the shops or anywhere by myself. I can't make a phone call or pick up the phone. I have panic attacks in large groups. I just stay at home all day. I stress a lot and feel very worthless nearly every day. It's upsetting because I was never like this before I became pregnant. I was a completely different person but I don't want to blame my daughter for this, she is seriously the best thing ever in this amazing world. I can't explain my love for her and for my partner as well. Im upset and embarrassed because I'm meant to be a mum and I have to be a role model for my daughter. How can I do this when I feel like a freak and weirdo all the time because I'm just not a normal person because I don't act normal? I feel like I'm trapped and I just need to get out of this, I want to be normal, I want to be other to do things and live my life. I feel like I'm all worthless and I can't do anything about it.My partner gives me so much support and has now helped me to go on medication, an anti-depressant so I'm taking that at the moment. We have fights now and then and I think it's because of my moods, anxiety and how I'm always feeling. I feel that he deserves so much better but I do try my best. I think he is just over seeing myself upset and crying all the time and I have explained to him about this and he completely understands. I'm thinking about moving back down to family and friends later on just so I can try and get my life back on track and kinda chuck myself in the deep end so I can stuck doing normal things again and not being so scared of everything.I really appreciate the time you have taken to look over this. I hope you're also getting your life back together as well. We are all strong and can do anything. I would really appreciate some advice and help as well. Thank you (:

Hi, new member here just saying hi

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I've been a member of this forum for a while now but never formally introduced myself.. no time like the present, right! I've suffered from depression/anxiety on and off for most of my life. I've been treated with both medication and therapy. I recently switched to a new antidepressant and I think the readjustment is part of why I'm feeling so confused at the moment. I have periods where I feel like my depression is going away, but it always seems to return. I've had a lot of very negative thoughts lately and I've felt like I had nobody to turn to about it. I don't even feel like I can confide in my closest friends about it. So, hopefully I'll be able to find some support here. It seems like a pretty nice place.

Finally seeking help

replies: 3

Hi, I am a new member. I've been battling my depression and anxiety for a while. Im currently living with my family interstate, away from all my friends back home. I have always struggled to meet new people, and I know that my lack of a social life and the isolation is a big contributor to my health problems. Im working for the family business, dealing with products that I am not passionate about or interested in. The job is what has kept me interstate for so long, and I don't know what I would do for work if I quit to go back home. That's just a quick summary about where I am at right now. I have not sought professional help until now, and Im about to get in contact with someone from the Beyond Blue team. Hopefully I can get back on track, and even lend help to others here.

Reaching Out

replies: 1

Usually I deal with things by myself. Quietly getting by. Recently it's come to my attention. That I am merely in a stagnant pool of water. Getting nowhere. Recently moved out of home, young, in a relationship, unemployed, anxious and depressed. Who I really would like to talk to and hear advice from are other females in regards to sexual health, and seeking help with it. If anyone has had any experience with Vaginismus and the nasty psychological/emotional traumas that come with it. Please chat.

New member here

replies: 2

Hi, im new to this, I had a little girl a little over a year ago and during my pregnancy i had a pretty rough time, was told we might need to terminate and then i lost my dad. My partner works away and I have no family support. Im finding things quite difficult as a first time mum and getting myself very anxious and depressed about alot of things. Its hard to explain but i am still friends with with my ex whom ive known for (20 years) and feel like ive had to slowly let go over our friendship (although i dont want to) but dont want it jeapordising things with my fiance (hes aware we are friends but although never says anything dont think hes too happy about it). My mum has also just divorced from my stepdad although I didnt like him so much because of something he did to me when i was younger i am now worried about how he is with my little sister and hes turned really strange and worry he will do to her what he did to me. I just feel i cant talk to anyone and i feel my whole family is falling apart and I am so alone

Hi

replies: 7

Hi there. I am new to the site and am looking forward to some support and advise, as well as giving it if I can. Have been suffering from mild depression for a few years but recently have been diagnosed with PTSD. A few months ago I was assaulted in my workplace (barman) and after recovering from rib and lung injuries developed extreme panic attacks and worsening depression. I was previously a police officer with 20 years service and my experiences there (some pretty terrible) have been coming back to me in the form of dreams and flashbacks. As a result of this I have been unable to work since October (with the exception of a few failed attempts). Just really wanting to call out for some advice and encouragement. Have some great medical and psychological support but feeling I need more from this forum. Thanks in anticipation!

Hi everyone

replies: 1

Hi everyone, my name is Mike. I have depression and anxiety. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago now. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for about 3 years now. And also been seen a psychologist on and off for about 5 years. For the past 9-12 months or so I've been feeling ok, and didn't feel the need to see my psychologist. So I haven't been to see them. I'm in a good relationship for the first time in my life, and I was feeling pretty ok. I work full time in a pretty stressful large company/environment, and I've not told anyone about my illness. The field I work in is very technical and requires continual learning and updating of skills. I'm finding lately I'm really struggling to keep up with it all. I get all anxious about this stuff, can't concentrate on learning new things or focus on my job. Then I get depressed, which is where I'm starting to head towards I think. I've always suffered with the imposter syndrome in my life, but I'm really at a point now where I'm questioning my value in my job, as person, if I'm of any use in general. I start looking for other work and start talking my self out of them, as I know I won't be any good at them. I'm hoping I talking about this a bit and hearing others experiences will be a good way to see things in a different way. I've never really discussed my condition with anyone other than help professionals, so this is a mighty big step. Thank you all in advance for allowing me on hear. I hope sharing my experiences too might be of some use? Thanks Mike

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Introduction replies: 3

Saying Hello replies: 5

Hello I'm New replies: 7

I'm new to this replies: 5

Hi, new member here just saying hi replies: 3

Finally seeking help replies: 3

Reaching Out replies: 1

New member here replies: 2

Hi replies: 7

Hi everyone replies: 1