Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Will you be my friend?

replies: 6

Have been wandering around this site for over a week now, getting lost in posts v threads and feeling totally inadequate as usual. I thought I was just too old and techno stupid to get the hang of it but I see a number of others are also a little confused. It really bothers me that a lot of voices are going to be lost in this crowd. Thanks to Chris B and others who try to guide us through the maze; I think some of it is sinking in. My situation is this: I'm an older woman who thankfully lives in a farmhouse 10k's from the nearest ghost town and about an hour from the nearest regional "city". I share the house with a lovely man and 3 dogs. The man and one of the dogs work very long hard hours and come home very tired and I try to welcome them by creating sometimes good food, warmth, shelter and generally a stress free life. So it is a very quiet life for me and the other dogs, all of whom are feeling the adverse affects of ageing and overeating (food being our chief source of pleasure). Arthritis, depression/anxiety are also my companions ... I get quite manic when I am at social functions - even going shopping has me prattling on about anything to anyone I can pin down! So embarrassing. No stop button. Other days I can't raise a smile/meet eyes/talk. No wonder people shy away from me. I would like to get involved in some volunteer work but fear I will hate myself even more. I am so NOT into Facebook etc, but thought some form of online chat could be the answer for me. BB offers a safe place ... whatever our individual circumstances, we are all somewhere along the same path of the same journey so there's a lot of understanding. My typing is slow, my internet connection as flawed as my head space, but I long to connect with others ... and I have so many long hours in a day (my obsession with keeping a clean & tidy house died and gardening hurts). I could talk till the cows come home ... well, not many cows around here, more woolly wonders, and I love sheep ... have you ever watched the crazy antics of lambs? On even the darkest day they make me laugh until ...well ... let's just say some body parts aren't so strong anymore. So there it is. My door is open to all, the kettle is always on, come on in and make yourselves at home ... let's sit awhile and chat ... how are you today? Can I help you in anyway? Can you help me? Will you be my friend? I am Marjay (Manic, Anxious, Reclusive, Joyless, Alone, Yearning)

first time here

replies: 2

hoping reading other peoples opinions and life situations will help me help my family. I have 3 sons and my husband who suffer with depression and anixety . Finding my whole life is trying to make theirs better .

Members new and old, introduce yourselves here

replies: 835

Hi everyone, This is (what will hopefully become) a mega-thread for members, new and old, to introduce themselves. I'll kick off: My name is Chris Banks and I’m the online communities manager at beyondblue. Basically, I’m here to help out, contribute to discussions, and answer any questions you may have about beyondblue. I work with a team of moderators behind-the-scenes who keep the forums running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I’m 37, originally from New Zealand, and have worked as a filmmaker, journalist, and musician. I’ve spent a good chunk of time working in the mental health sector too. I have lived experience of bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and have been living in Melbourne for nearly two years. In my spare time I enjoy movies, music, hanging out with mates, and I barrack for Hawthorn, much to the disgust of some of our regular members! I’m not a psychologist or counsellor (although I have seen a fair few of them), so I can’t give medical advice. Like everyone else here, I can provide peer support only. I really enjoy being part of the community and virtually meeting the many different people of all ages who come through everyday, even if they're not feeling the best when they arrive on the doorstep. Hopefully in your time here you'll feel less alone, and pick up some tips and encouragement for the journey. (passes on the talking stick) PLEASE NOTE: This thread is for introductions only, if you have an issue you would like to discuss ongoing with the community, please start a new thread with your topic in the appropriate section.

Newly trying to get help

replies: 1

I have sought help for my mental health issues since I was a teenager but never really got anywhere. I am attempting to get help again before I completely spiral out of control. I am 39 now. In recent times I have further issues with chronic back pain and I started smoking again which seems to have made me completely unstable. I'm not currently working and trying to sort out my chronic pain. My mental health issues range from anxiety, social phobia, obsessive thoughts and depression. if you saw me out and about you would probably think I am quite together but internally I am so stressed, negative and miserable. No one issue is my problem, pain is better now then 3 months ago but I feel more hopeless. I'm just tired of having to make such an effort to be normal (pain free and functioning) and happy. My whole life is an attempt to feel content or happiness but I never get close. Maybe 10 mins here and there but mostly I'm worried about life, pain or other people. Recently I'm really turning on my family and I know from past experience it just gets worse the more I try to involve them. Only I know that by avoiding them they take offence at that too, so I need to pretend to be fine. By family I mean wife basically. I find it hard to co exist while being in so much pain and they carry on like normal. I resent it and makes me boil. I ask for help but I don't think they understand or care. i really don't feel I can beat this on my own, but also don't think that I can get the help I need. I try and talk to doctors etc but I find that whole process stressful and draining. I guess I just feel I'm just hanging on by a thread with no strength left.

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Will you be my friend? replies: 6

first time here replies: 2

Members new and old, introduce yourselves here replies: 835

Newly trying to get help replies: 1

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