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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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Borderline personality disorder

replies: 2

Hi I am new to this forum and was hoping to find other people who share my illness. I was originally diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and panic disorder. This was roughly 12 years ago. I was recently re evaluated by a psychiatrist and told I don't have generalised anxiety disorder but I do have borderline personality disorder in addition to social phobia and panic disorder. I have known for years that something was wrong and kept thinking I had bipolar however I am a textbook case of borderline personality disorder and was wondering if anyone else out there is or knows anyone that is. Any knowledge is welcome.

Appreciation

replies: 7

Hi everyone In honor of the, ARE YOU OK DAY THANKYOU campaign I will just like to thank Chris Banks, Sophie the moderator and the rest of the team and moderators at beyond blue you all do an amazing job on this forum helping people who are in need for mental health issues. I think since beyond blue has started campaigning against the stigma of mental health issues people ( including myself ) have started realizing that they are not alone in this fight therefore they are reaching out and getting the help they need so they can better understand and control their illness. I also like to make a special mention to our community champions on this forum and the countless hours you put in in replying to some of the posts on this forum your help is really appreciated so thank you THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO I was not sure if I was allowed to mention the community champions by name but please know you are appreciated anyway… Take care Sparkles ……

Borderline Personality Disorder

replies: 12

I have been diagnosed with BPD and am now looking for support and others that are struggling with this disorder? The name itself has me reeling and at the moment as I digest this and read about it I feel even more crazy than every but the worst part is I just want to crawl in a hole and hide from the world feeling like I have a second head or something disfiguring or a big blurb of "LUNIE" for everyone to see. I have been living this hell for as long as I can remember and even now knowing there is really something and not just my imagination is stretching me to my limits. I have read on here about people who have to live with someone with this disorder how difficult it is and how so many of u feel useless and just sometimes want to throw the towel iin and that also has upset me as I now know what people who deal with me have to cope with. Anyone out there who is dealing with this or any groups I can go to would be greatly be happy to hear from. It really is living hell but to be able to connect to someone else who may understand may just make me feel not quiet so alone on this roller coaster ride to hell. catwomen

Borderline Personality Disorder

replies: 1

Hello, After battlingdepression for 13 years and seeing a psychologist and trialling antidepressants, I've finally seen a psychiatrist and been diagnosed with BPD. I've started trialling mood stabilisers now and still see my psychologist. I'm just st... View more

Hi new to this

replies: 1

Hi all, I am hoping to conduct with others like me who have lost a teenager to suicide

Man Therapy ad is insulting

replies: 6

I find the advert an insult to any man an insult and a joke. Has anyone, who did the writing and the making, of this mindless advert, any insight to having, or knowing someone close to them, with depression? If so, it does not show in the advert. Depression is far from a joke. The ripple effect it has on a mans life, his family, friends, work, financially, socially and emotionally goes far beyound the 2500 words I am allowed. Having worked in Mental Health for many years, I have seen the devastation affect this has on the person and the people around them; and from a personal aspect, the pain, the hurt your loved one is going through. The helpless feeling (you can work in Mental Health, but when it is your own, it is different), not knowing how they feel, not (always) knowing what is going on, because they are hiding their emotions. As parents we have a lot to learn and also teach our children, that little boys do cry and it is okay to show your emotions. It does not make you less of a man. Perhaps more of a man. This advert does not show any of this mentioned above. I have sons, brothers, a good father, great uncles and male friends, and I find it insulting, that depression is made into a joke. It is no joke when men take their own life; which research has proven men are much more likely to take their own life than women. Who are you people? Ellen

I'm another newbie

replies: 1

Hi all,These forums seem like a great place - I found them by Googling problems I'm having, and finding threads by others going through the same, so that was kind of nice (but sad).So here's me introducing myself, as much for my benefit as yours:I'm 24, recently-ish returned to Perth after living in Melbourne for 5 years. I returned due to my partner developing separation anxiety, but it probably wasn't the best choice for me as I was at a top uni and working a respectable job over there and now I don't have much going on for me - people who know me would disagree, but it all feels pointless to me. I've had on and off mental health struggles for years (anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD) and they've recently gone on again, thanks to health-related anxiety and phobias being triggered by my bad health. I struggle to manage these certain health issues, and don't have a supportive family to hold my hand, so everything kind of spirals. I've been struggling with suicidal ideation a lot lately, which is exhausting me. I'm not at risk of doing anything, but I've gotten so distressed that I've even considered taking myself to hospital. I'm so tired of it. I've started to look for a psychologist here, and if anyone in Perth sees this and has recommendations I'd love some - there may be a thread for that already so I'll go look. I have never found a psych I've clicked with so I'm hoping to find a match. I usually get irritated because I've quickly felt 'smarter' than every psych I've had - that's not necessarily true, I just have a mile-a-minute mind, and need to find someone who I think can keep up with me and/or take my attitude, cause if I think they can't I fail to trust them. Thanks for listening beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our Support Service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

The highs and lows of being mentally interesting.

replies: 1

Gosh, where to begin. I grew up in the UK and moved to Australia aged 32 and have been here for 13 years. My parents divorced when I was eleven and even though my Dad was still around, I was devastated. My Mum re-married to a man who was agressive, domineering and violent - although he was never physical with me, he was utterly terrifying to live with. I grew up with serious self worth issues and often felt like a fraud. I moved to Australia and very quickly fell pregnant to a man I barely knew (the fabulous thing is that we have been married for 12 years and have two wonderful children) and was first diagnosed with post-natal depression when my daughter was 12 months old. Since then it has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, times of feeling very clear headed and focused and times of being in that deep, dark well of despair. I have started numerous businesses, most of which I have closed due to depression and all of which have been unsuccessful because of it. I was working as a Life Coach in 2010 and even won an award, but I thought that I had somehow tricked them into giving it to me and that one day they would find out that I wasn't even capable of helping myself, let alone anyone else. So I've bumbled along for years, spend A LOT of money on "stuff" and businesses and it has caused many problems within my marriage. A couple of months ago, I found myself back in that tunnel, lost in helplessness and darkness. I went back to the doctor who doubled my medication and it was only when my husband mentioned to a therapist that I'm like an elevator (either at penthouse or basement), that it was suggested I might be Bipolar ii. I am now about to begin a formal diagnosis for this and have my first psychiatrist appointment on Monday. I vary hugely between barely being able to get out of bed, to feeling pretty good and knowing that my experiences of mental illness can help others. I am a living story community presenter for the Black dog Institute and when I'm feeling good I am very open and honest about my mental health, because I know it helps others. Of course, when I'm in the cloud, I don't want to speak to anyone at all, let alone admit to anyone that I'm struggling. So, I'm so glad to be here and hope that I am able to offer valuable contributions as I continue on my journey. It's nice to be among people who truly get it. Thanks for reading.

I am new and I'm looking for advice

replies: 1

I'm 38 depressed, addicted and lost. I am hoping anyone who has been where I am may be able to point me in the right direction thank you

I am new

replies: 3

Hi I am new to blueVoices I am a 56 year old grandma that suffers depression and extreme anxiety. I thought I would write for maybe some support and maybe share what works for me

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Borderline personality disorder replies: 2

Appreciation replies: 7

Borderline Personality Disorder replies: 12

Borderline Personality Disorder replies: 1

Hi new to this replies: 1

Man Therapy ad is insulting replies: 6

I'm another newbie replies: 1

The highs and lows of being mentally interesting. replies: 1

I am new and I'm looking for advice replies: 1

I am new replies: 3