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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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New here and back on the anxiety rollercoaster

replies: 11

Hi All, I have suffered from anxiety and depression since about 1992. When it first started I was in denial and didn't want to seek help as my father is bipolar and I thought that if I went for help I was admitting I was like him. I finally accepted I needed help and started on my path with anti depressants and coming on and off them. For the last 8 years I have been on antidepressants full time as I finally realised I need them. I may have stopped once but only for a short time. The turning point for me came when one of my twins was born still and 3 months after this I was hospitalised for my anxiety / depression as a result of my loss and caring for a new Bub. over the years I have good and bad years/ months etc. I have been on my new medication now for over 1 year and up until the last 6 months have been pretty good, however at the beginning of the year I started a new job and my daughter started having anxiety issues herself, she is 8. This has brought up my anxiety and I have been blaming myself for her being like this because of genetics. I started to see a phychologist again bit2 weeks ago she suggested if I don't make some changes in my marriage it may end one day, this has caused all sorts of anxiety and has me questioning everything. Aside from the anxiety which I have been trying to take hold of with mindfulness exercises and positive thinking, trying to keep busy I have now started to become depressed, feeling very emotional. I'm scared that I'm letting it now take control and not sure what to do

Feeling Alone

replies: 3

Hello I am Amy and I am 29 and have had deporession and anxiety for quite a few years. I have been feeling quite alone lately, I dont have alot of friends, i dont have that someone I can talk to and on the weekends I just watch movies by myself at home. Im a bit scared it might be like this forever and I am not really sure what to do about it. Im not a huge social person but it would be nice to have plans with friends on weekends. I hide my depression from pretty much everyone and try and make things appear all ok in my world when really I am lonely and sad.

Recommendations Melbourne GP

replies: 1

Hi guys, im in the anaxiety boat like a lot of you. After seeing my life roll down hill with the help of stressful situations in my life to make it worst and being sick of my thinking capabilities be so bad I couldn't do my job or run my own business. I am now seeking help. So would like to know if anyone recommendeds any GPs that are in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Would love to know who has been great and been very helpful. Thanks guys.

Hard couple of months

replies: 2

My girlfriend suffering it's been hard seeing her like this i cry every night cos she pushes me away and blames me i feel like it's all my fault i don't know what to do

Newbie Post

replies: 5

Hi all! New here, was googling for some support and when Beyond Blue came up thought to myself "Why have I not checked out these forums before??" Anyway, I'm gay, 23-years-old and I suffer from anxiety and depression. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago although I'm pretty sure I've had mental health issues much longer. I'm doing much better these days - my medications seem to be working, I've had regular therapy over the last 4 years and have supportive friends and family. Sometimes, though, it's nice to be able to reach out to people with similar experiences, which is what brought me here. Also hoping to be able to offer some advice or share my experiences in the hopes I can help others with what they're going through. Ted x

New and feeling silly in Comparison.

replies: 3

I am new to panic attacks. After lots of tests and reading Google etc it seems mine are less traumatic and definitely less frequently than other peoples but none the less just as scarey. My main question is that I seem to have them AND always in my sleep but when life is going good. No attacks for 6 months? ?? Take 3 weeks annual leave so relaxed then boom 3am I wake with the biggest I've ever had? ??

Anxiety

replies: 1

My name is Murray just over a year ago I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and OCD. before long I felt my world coming down hill like a fast truck with no brakes. i felt scared and fearful about everything. Would get pins and needles all over my body, a racing heart and couldn't sit still. Constantly felt like I was dying. i couldn't tell from what was real to fiction. My brain racing with so many unusual and terrible thoughts. i would find myself staring at my hand or at a object and get seriously worked up over it and feel a panic attack come on. i kept thinking how did I go from a completely happy person and care free to so full of anger and trying to control everything and worrying about everything. it takes time but I believe something really does trigger it. Mine was the past . How I was treated as a person and how it hurt me so much with how people treated me and how they acted and there was so apology . through my anxiety I really had to learn that it is completely normal to care for yourself and you don't have to be in control of anything apart from yourself. you can't control your past or the people in it. And you can't control how people act or what is going on in the world. ITS NOT YOUR PROBLEM!! Because of these unfortunate events that happened in my past I felt like it was unfair and I had no control of what took place . then I developed a attitude and mind set that I had to control everything. Such as making sure everyone was doing the right thing and doing it my way. How exhausting !! I believe there are a lot of people that are hurt or get effected emotionally by what people have done to us or what people do that are wrong but we have to remember we are only in control of what we do and who we are as a person. We are all born for a reason. And that's to live our life well and love ourselves and only be in control of what we can be in control and rest when things that we can't be in control of arise . take the pressure of and don't define who you are because of what others have done to you or what the world is doing . It's not your problem or fault .

Hi I'm new here

replies: 2

Hi all, I have endured anxiety and depression for a very long time. I have taken various medications which have assisted to some degree, but I've never quite addressed, with any great vigour, strategies suggested by various professionals. I realise that change does not come without effort, but I'm now 45 and feel a sense of dread at ever being able to make any significant change, which I desperately want. I don't have many friends and tend to keep people at an arms length when it comes to fostering friendships. I've had potential great friendships, but shut down if I feel like I've made a fool of myself and slowly bit surely fade away from the person. A big problem is public speaking within my job and in general. I still, at my age, tend to stay in the background and not speak up. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm socially inept, but it has hugely affected my progression in my career and interacting socially. I tend to loosen up with alcohol, which I realise is not ideal, but find its the only way to have a social life where I'm not constantly checking and re checking myself and what I'm saying. This problem has within the last 6 months severely affected my voice. I can barely speak with any volume and this has only added to my already anxious self in social situations. I have consulted an ent specialist and everything was fine. I have had ct scans done and consulted a speech therapist. Again, with he ct scan nothing. The speech therapist believes there is little she can help me with, due to there being no physical symptoms and the lack of progression in the sessions I did do. I have a very stressful job which I have done for over 20 years and my voice is paramount to performing it. I have withdrawn more so at work despite my level of experience and come across as quiet and weak. Especially with my voice the way it is and my terror of any form of public speaking. I have thought of changing my career, but have no other skills which would assist in finding fulfilling employment. I have a mortgage, wife and 4 beautiful children, 2 of which don't live with me. I don't want to fail them and portray a weak, defeatist attitude to my children. I have read that the voice can be affected by anxiety, but feel no closer to getting better. I avoid social situations more now than ever. I don't feel like I fit in and am very hard on myself. I just want to be happy and live, not exist. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Like my name, this is 1 step...

replies: 4

Hi, New to this forum, and I'm glad I finally found somewhere that I can talk (or type) about everything with people in similar situations or experiences. A little bit about me: 31, married, work full time, 6 kids, 3 dogs and I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety in March. I wasn't sure about taking the steps to receive help, but when I witnessed one of my close friends break down, I realised that I wasn't alone, and that if I wanted to enjoy life again I needed help. So I made an appointment, and here I am 3 months in..... I am currently taking medication, which at times works, but I still have moments I want to run away. However I know the signs and triggers, so I just either distract myself or, I take myself away and calm down. Whereas before I'd walk out, have explosive outbursts, or cry myself to sleep. I googled depression /anxiety forums tonight because I was 'triggered' by a few things, and wanted to see if anyone else was like me. My husband and I were separated for 17 months. He dated someone else before we got back together. However every time I see her, hear her voice, hear her name or have any interaction with her, I have mild - strong anxiety. I've dealt with a little bit of this with our marriage counsellor, but that was prior to my diagnosis. My husband is aware of the impact she has on me and tries to talk me through things. Recently I've had to deal with this person more than I'd like to. Seems we are all apart of a kids group, and we're all productive members. My husband is basically the chairperson and has more interaction with her than anyone. Phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook msgs...... It seriously bothers me the amount of times I hear her name. I don't trust her, and past incidents have made me wary of my husband's honesty. I know he means well and tries to tell me everything that happens between them via said communication, but I ALWAYS HAVE those dreaded doomed thoughts. I don't want those! But I cannot seem to come out from it. My anxiety is high, and I need either coping techniques, or distraction techniques. Anyone had anything similar? Or have any advice? Sorry for the long winded edition.

First post - new here

replies: 3

Hi all, I am 33 year old Mama of 2. I have had anxiety for probably most of my life, but have been really struggling with it for the last 6 years. I have been on medication for 3 years and have recently come off the medication and focusing on diet, e... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

New here and back on the anxiety rollercoaster replies: 11

Feeling Alone replies: 3

Recommendations Melbourne GP replies: 1

Hard couple of months replies: 2

Newbie Post replies: 5

New and feeling silly in Comparison. replies: 3

Anxiety replies: 1

Hi I'm new here replies: 2

Like my name, this is 1 step... replies: 4

First post - new here replies: 3