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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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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

New Member - Hoping to feel better

replies: 3

I'm new to the site. I'm not even sure where to start. I have depression and anxiety. I know it's all due to trauma in my childhood due to abuse but I'm finding it's starting to affect my everyday life, my children and my partner. I try to stay happy for the sake of everyone else but it's so hard. I've tried several times in my past to get counselling but get scared off after the first few times and stop going. I have started to notice my social isolation and not wanting to mix with people in fear that people are talking about me. I have zero self esteem and no self confidence whatsoever. The only place I feel worthwhile is at work. I'm thankful I work full-time otherwise I'd feel hopeless. I'm so embarrassed and ashamed to admit to anyone I feel like this as I would feel a failure. Does anyone else feel like this? I have angry outbursts every now and again. I put a mask on when I deal with people and feel so insecure around those closest to me. I need you fix this before it affects those closest to me. I even get jealous of people who are happy. All I want is to feel secure and happy. I don't trust anyone and I want this to change.

Hello

replies: 3

I'm new here and just wanted to say hello and maybe talk a bit. I had a pretty serious accident a few months ago and since then my life has sort of fallen apart. I hit my head hard and suffered a concussion and damaged my middle ear, jaw joint and the whole right side of my head was numb. I also damaged my thyroid and was hyperthyroid for a while and that seems to have really thrown my mood right out. The Dr feels I have PTSD too just to add the icing to the cake. The broken bones have healed but my head just keeps getting worse. I've been to see two psychologists. The first one wanted me to do a reflective journal and practice mindfulness. I was actively hyperthyroid at the time and could barely sit still. The only way I could feel calm was to keep moving. Mainly scrubbing things. Expecting me to sit quietly focusing on my breathing just wasn't going to happen and I felt it showed she really didn't understand what I had been telling her. So I tried another psychologist and he was just a bit weird. Very disorganised. He took a few notes on his phone (because he didn't have anything to write with) and said he felt I needed neuro psych testing to check for brain damage. He was surprised the Dr hadn't already done that. He said he would be in touch and that was the last I heard from him. That appointment was 10 days ago so I don't think he is going to get back to me. Is it usually so hard to find a good psychologist? Anyway, I am such a mess at the moment. I know I am depressed but given everything that's happening I think that's to be expected. I have massive anxiety and my brain hurts. Sometimes it gets so bad I just want to bang my head against a wall. How mad is that! I don't know if it's the brain damage, the PTSD or what. I cry at the drop of a hat, can't handle stress of any sort, I cried in the supermarket yesterday which was horribly embarrassing, and have no idea where I go from here. My Dr doesn't seem very interested. He just wants me to see psychologists. I think maybe I need a referral to some sort of specialist. Maybe an endocrinologist or a neurologist or even a psychiatrist. I have booked an appointment with a different Dr on Friday to see what he thinks. Now I just have to hold it together until then. My husband is terrific but I feel so bad because I know he is really worried. I'm pretty worried too. There are times when the panic gets so bad I don't know how to cope. I am so sick of feeling like this. Thanks for listening.

Just a thank you note.

replies: 6

Thank you BB and every member for creating such a safe, supporting, encouraging and loving community!! I want to thank me for finding this forum in time or things would've been soooo different!!! Thank you thank you thank you. GB xx

Self introduction

replies: 3

Hi there, I've never been on a forum like this, so here goes. I have anxiety and depression, and was also recently diagnosed with borderline. I also just exited a relationship so I'm more vulnerable than usual. Hoping to chat to people and read up on... View more

hello there

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum so I'll introduce myself. I am a woman in my mid 30's & I have struggled with panic disorder for over 14 years now. In the last year I have lost 2 close family members and have found my health anxiety & panic has really hit its peak. I have lots of family & friends who support me but I'd like to chat with people who actually understand and live with an anxiety disorder day to day. Look forward to chatting to you all

My introduction

replies: 6

Hi, I'm a male in early 30s. I feel sad most of the time and I need someone who would listen and help me see life more positively. I'm gay and hasn't opened up to anyone except to my close friends who live in a different country. I work full time and... View more

Heya

replies: 3

Hey there, how is everybody? Just wanted to say what's up. I'm new here. Not quite sure why I'm here but figured I'd have a look around and try share any experiential knowledge regarding my own experiences with mental or spiritual health and life in ... View more

Just another troubled soul

replies: 2

My name is stevie and im 55. I have been diagnosed with severe depression and have tried most medications with little success. I am also in the third stage of COPD. I have had depression all my adult life. I am married but have no children. Currently I am not taking any medication for my depression and thought I was doing okay but seemed to have spiralled back into the abbyss lately. I usually enjoy riding motorcycles and this gets me through but lately that even seems a chore and I have just stayed home and away from people. Not healthy but I seem to do it. Anyway thats me and who knows maybe I could help someone else even if I cannot help myself.

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi replies: 7

Hi everyone replies: 1

New Member - Hoping to feel better replies: 3

Hello replies: 3

Just a thank you note. replies: 6

Self introduction replies: 3

hello there replies: 2

My introduction replies: 6

Heya replies: 3

Just another troubled soul replies: 2