Welcome and Orientation

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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

Introducing...the community champions

replies: 22

Hi everyone, Some of you may have noticed that a few of our members are labelled ‘Community champion’ and have a beyondblue National Roadshow bus badge, like this: This thread explains who these members are and what they do. Community champions are volunteers within the forums who: Have the time, skills and empathy to support other members Make an effort to welcome new members Are regularly and actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community as a place of hope and recovery. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! As this is a peer support community that includes members under the age of 18, it is important that we ensure our peer support community leaders have a current 'working with children' check as part of due diligence. In an online environment with anonymous posters, it also provides Beyond Blue (and the community) with some security as to the identity of who is posting as a community champion. We ask our community champions to spend at least 2-3 hours a week posting and responding in the forums, but in reality they go far above and beyond this. Like me, they’re not psychologists or counsellors, just regular folk like yourselves who have experience with anxiety and depression. I’ll leave it to our champion volunteers to reply below and let you know a bit about themselves. PS. If this is your first time on the forums and you'd like to introduce yourself, please start a new thread rather than replying in here.

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tired and scared

replies: 5

Hello, I'm not sure if I'm posting in right place. I have battled anxiety and depression for the last 25 years. I have seen many psychologists and counselors and have been on medication for at least 10 years. I am 52, married have three daughters - 14,11 and 8. I am a professional and work for government. I am typing this in my office. I have tears streaming down my face. I spent all yesterday in bed, paralysed. My girls started the new school year today, with one starting high school. She was very anxious as she is going to a school without any of her primary friends. I feel guilty I didn’t see them off or gave them a hug. I know Im rambling, sorry, I have had enough of these spirals into blackness. I feel so alone. When I get low my wife goes into shield the kids mode and self preservation. I understand this totally, but at the same time I am left to cope alone and in isolation. What is point of me being around when all I am is a burden. The girls and my wife manage best when I leave them to it. I have struggled for too long, I no longer remember what being happy or even content feels like or looks like. I’m filled with resentment and regret. Life seems to always be – once this happens – I’ll be happy, Once this is done – things will be ok. The truth is I’m just chasing mirages. Some people are tall some are short, some have light skin some have dark skin. Some people experience happiness and some never will.

Anxious in public !

replies: 6

Hi Everyone, this is my first post and I’m really hoping that someone is/has experienced what I am, and can suggest what they did to manage or overcome it. I’ve been suffering from anxiety and depression for the last 2 years. My anxiety is mainly related to being in unfamiliar places / large crowded areas and so I avoid them at all costs. I’m writing this today out of all days as I’ve just had a panic attack in front of my wife and daughter about having to go to my wife’s grandfathers funeral. She’s been dealing with me and my particular needs regarding my anxiety for 2 years now but because of my irrational fear, I haven’t been able to take her to the movies, or out to dinner, or even out for walks. I’m terrified that today may have been the last straw. please someone help me, I’ve tried going to see a psychologist but honestly having to go out and see him triggered my anxiety so I had to stop that. I’ve tried mild calming lollies or chewing gum, breathing excercises, and although it helps for the smaller challenges, they do nothing for the big ones. Any advice is greatly appreciated

Need to start the healing somewhere (first time poster - long time reader)

replies: 3

Hi, I'm not sure where to start or if I'm even eligble for help. I have been suffering since 2008 with varying degrees of the full gamit of mental health issues. I suppose tonight I am writing just to hear someone say it's going to be ok. I am in my late 30's, have 2 lovely young kids who I love more than life itself, and a very understanding/resilient wife. In 2008 at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with kidney disease which while technically not terminal (at least in the not short term), threw me for a 6 and was the beginning of my journey with depression which led to my relationship with the rest of the menatal health Issues. At the time I was diagnosed, i was transistioning from the best job i've ever had in the Victorian High Country , to one that was fairly soul destroying in the central QLD coalfields. One of the issues or coping mechanisims i have is thinking that life was so much better before my diagnosis and thus have a possible unhealthy desire to return to where i was before i was before i was diagnosed in the hope that all my pain and suffering will dissapear. I know it will not and will possibly destroy my positive cononatations of the High Country in return. This sort of sets the stage of my current thinking, just wanting to go home to make it all better, but in my rational brain i know it pobably wont work. After this I worked for a company who were conastanty changing plans as to where i would be working and living and other variouos things (i dont do change), and i developed an anxiety of telephones and people in general form this experience. At the same time i was a victim of a violent crime and although not formally dioagnosed, im sure i suffer/ed from some level of PTSD. I still have trouble walking in to some public places. Added to this, as a young child i think i may have been a victem of sexual assult over many years from a kid who was a few years older than me (not old enough to fit the sexual abuse criteria), and although i knew happened, i've kept it buried from myself and everone else until a friend of mine revealed he went though a similar thing. I got rejected from a very positive work (new career option) oppurtunity recently due to my kidney disease, and to be honest i feel horrendus, and have been on a downward spiral since... there are other t(job related - working underground) issues at too, but i feel very DONE with everything, and cannot get time off to see a Psycologist, I just need help

Introducing myself and looking for some guidance

replies: 3

Hi everyone, my name is Ally and this is the first time I’ve posted on a beyond blue forum. I’m a little nervous sharing what I’m currently going through, but having read through some of the other threads it’s given me some confidence seeing the support and positivity and respect everyone shows each other. I have anxiety and depression, it was first diagnosed 3 years ago when I lost everyone in my family. At the moment I’m with my partner of 6 years, but I need to leave. He’s addicted to drugs (for some anonymity I’m not going to name which one in particular) and although he’d been doing great for a while he’s back on them. Because of this we can’t afford our rent, his behaviour is so manipulative and emotionally abusive that I just can’t do it anymore. The instability, mood swings, disappearing for days, letting me down constantly and excusing his drug use by blaming me for it. Recently he even said he planned and was going to kill himself after we had a fight, but got high instead and he said if I hadn’t put him in that state he wouldn’t have had to get high. I can’t keep doing this, I’ve been struggling for so long trying to help him but I can’t keep doing it anymore and I need to get out. But I’m so stuck, I don’t have enough money to leave and get my own place. He’s destroyed my credit rating so I can’t even get a loan to help me. I’ve tried multiple non profit organisations for a no interest loan to set myself but I’ve been knocked back everytime. Im starting to feel like there’s no way out. I don’t have family I can go to, my closest friends are living interstate and I’m terrified that I’ll be stuck here forever. if anyone has been in a similar situation and knows where I could find some help I would be so grateful. I just feel so lost and alone.

New and decided to ask for help

replies: 8

I'm not even sure what to say. I have problems and I'm just so tired of them. I have agoraphobia since the beginning of the pandemic. I'm diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD. I take medication like I'm supposed to but I feel so numb. I have been staying up all night insomnia which makes me feel worse. I think I'm binge eating. I need some type of help but I don't know where to begin. I just want to feel better.

Husband cheating

replies: 2

Hi I have just discovered my husband phone had texts messages asking how much for a full service and do you have any appointments today. . They have replied then I can't see any reply from him . When I checked his search history it was for brothels escort those hook up sites. I am absolutely gutted. He says nothing happened but I don't believe him. He had even looked up brothels in another state before going there for work . We have 3 children and have been married for 22 years. I feel useless I can't eat if I do I feel sick . I haven't spoken to any of my friends about this as I can't seem to bring the words out of my mouth. I had to go on antidepressants and I'm seeing a psychologist this week.

New to the forum

replies: 2

Hi everyone, im new here today so I hope I’m doing this right? im a long time sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks and hopefully can find some answers and ways of dealing with it through chatting with you all here on the forum. min looking forward t... View more

So much worry

replies: 4

Hi. I have overwhelming feelings of dread and fear. I have a gambling secret that I am getting help for now but I haven’t told my wife and I’m scared she will find out. We have a little girl as well and I am petrified that I will lose her. i am sure ... View more

Im new here.

replies: 3

Hi everyone I’m new here and I’m a bit nervous about post for the first time. i have severe anxiety disorders, chronic depression, adhd, c-ptsd, ocd, agoraphobia, bpd traits, anxious attachment disorder and more. I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I’m a mum of two beautiful girls and I’m trying to get back to being the mum they deserve. Am I alone in this or is anyone else struggling right now??

Want to read good threads about certain topics... Ask others for recommendations

replies: 2

Hi everyone and especially all new members, The forums can seem a bit of a daunting place and for now (updates to the forums are in progress hurrah hurrah) the search option is quite limited. Sometimes we're not quite ready to start a thread of our own and that's ok. You can still join in and give input to other threads that appeal to you. So... If you are looking for a thread on a particular topic why not ask? We're all happy to try steer you to exisiting threads to read and join in. Hint...The key to joining in within an existing thread is keeping on topic. Remember that the thread creator usually decides what they need to discuss. Hope this helps even one person. Nat

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

Introducing...the community champions replies: 22

tired and scared replies: 5

Anxious in public ! replies: 6

Need to start the healing somewhere (first time poster - long time reader) replies: 3

Introducing myself and looking for some guidance replies: 3

New and decided to ask for help replies: 8

Husband cheating replies: 2

New to the forum replies: 2

So much worry replies: 4

Im new here. replies: 3

Want to read good threads about certain topics... Ask others for recommendations replies: 2