Welcome and Orientation

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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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Hi

replies: 3

I’m a 38 year old woman, this is my first time posting on here and asking for help. Im not quite sure where to post about my issues but I’ll have a look around.

Overwhelmed

replies: 6

First time poster, what can I say, I see the looks and attitudes that I should be ok by now by those in my life….but I’m not.I am a widow, what an ugly word. I have flashbacks every other day of being told my husband died, I don’t want to see/do anything, I dont want to have to explain my situation and past to people over and over again , which keeps happening in the workplace as I get a new boss every 6 months or so HR is hopeless. I barely leave the house and have had so much time off I am lucky to still have a job. I just want to spend my days sleeping, crying, I want a break and don’t see getting one in my future. Some days I only get up to feed my animals…. I miss my other half. I miss hugs, I miss crazy dancing in the kitchen after a late shift, I miss his smell, I miss his everything and it is all so overwhelming at times, most days still……Just sitting here needing some peace in my life.

Nora here

replies: 4

I hope to use this forum. I have been active in other forums. It is easier with my ASD and ADHD. I'm 70 and I have a lived experience of all sorts of things including psyche illness. I have anxiety, depression, and a litter of diagnoses since no mental health professional can treat one without handing out a few of these. Have you noticed this too? I also am into ar and on NDIS. That's a whole other story. For now, I'm saying hi See you 'round,Nora

Hi Again, Finally found forums again after 6 yrs Finally!

replies: 2

Hi, Sorry this may be long as I'm desperate again for someone to hear and understand me.I've finally found the forums again after roughly 6 yrs of struggling with my bipolar and life's struggles!I'm sorry to everyone if they are still here that replied to me several years ago. I was not in a situation where I was able to log in or continue friendships consistently from the situation I was in at the time. So I now have x3 divorce, I'm now a single mother of a 9 yr old autistic boy, struggling to co-parent with a narcissistic ex. My perfectionist mother is my main support other then my psychiatrist, I'm on medications that help me sleep and mainly control and lift my depression. Now I still have issues with hyper-manic and mixed episodes of various types, including energy or low energy low levels of some of possible hyper-mania type symptoms mixed with some depression, I feel this anxious energy like cant sit still and some talking fast but feel low emotionally at the same time like feeling hopeless and useless etc. I also have problems with anxiety, ptsd, anxiety, panic attacks, memory and some concentration issues.I've been separate from my emotionally abusive 3rd ex for over 3 yrs now and only have just been able to start connecting with old friends again. I still have feelings of "not really fitting in society" and can only stand small amounts of socializing etc., and am easily overwhelmed by people who don't understand mental health issues... There doesn't seem as many online groups and discussion boards as there used to be about mental health etc, or else I can't find them... I crave and am good online but am complete opposite and shy and can't hardly talk and too scared to join in person groups... Would love just even one or two people willing to chat once in a while online to swap stories and general support, but I may not be extremely consistent, just letting everyone know...

Is my depression influenced by other conditions

replies: 5

Hi I've suffered with depression for most of my adult life have had different diagnosis between bipolar and chronic depression. I wonder if depression is a symptom . I work in mental health have a good understanding of what i should be doing but find i can't focus on what i need to be doing. Can't find the motivation or organization to follow through. Im in my late 50s i find myself going back to my youth . Being described as hype active , troublemaker , daydreamer i wonder about my depression is because of being adhd and not fitting in have i been treating the symptoms and not the cause would really bee kean to hear others views as im so close to just giving in

Uhh idk what im doing here

replies: 8

Hello, whoever is reading this, I am a 20yr old male and I have been suffering for about my entire life. I come from an extremely abusive and toxic childhood and haven't processed it at all, I don't think. I have spent the last 2-3 years abusing drugs and making ridiculous choices without progressing at all in life. I have no goals, no motivation, no want to live or to be social. When I do get out it's usually fine and I have a great time but I regret It immensely when I'm home. My drug abuse has been getting considerably worse in the last month and I'm not sure where to go from here. I have been to the GP several times, which resulted in two grand-mal seizures from an allergic reaction to the medication I was put on. I have broken my shoulder and lost my job as a result of this. I have also tried various psychologists and it just never sticks nor continues. There's a lot more to this but I just don't know if this is even going to be worth it. Just a shot in the dark. Thank you for reading, my apologies if I have not made sense or misspelled anything. Regards A

Traumatised

replies: 2

Good evening Three years ago whilst on holidays, my house was burgled. Jewellery that was to be passed down to my children was stolen, along with other items. I have very little to give my children and I prided myself at being able to, over the years, work for and accumulate jewellery that held emotional value. I was hoping to start a tradition, to leave a legacy, that I myself was never afforded by my parents, even though my siblings were. I’ve never gotten over the emotional shock, violation, betrayal and the absolute pain and distressed caused by the theft. So much so, I suffered a heart attack. To this day even the slightest thought or anything about jewellery brings tears and the welling up of churning emotions. I feel helpless, angry, outraged, shattered and have no closure. Throughout my life, I’ve suffered both physical and psychological abuse. Then I have this violation happen. How does one get over trauma.It was more than materialistic items to me, it was my love of wanting to leave a legacy my children can see, touch and enjoy.I feel sick to the stomach.I am not coping even after all these years.

Starting over at 51

replies: 42

Ok, this is take 2 of my first post, I was wisely advised to edit it as I probably gave too much detail and risked doxxing myself and went into triggering territory so here is the revised post- Sometime ago (redacted to summarise) I had legal issues, and as a result I lost my job, my car, my license, the respect of my family, friends and colleagues, my dignity, my house and eventually, my freedom. I was in a dark place, that is allI can probably say The journey from there to where I am now is why I am here. I have been through a hell of a lot more than 2500 characters can describe and there is still a long way to go. I am now homeless and unemployed with a conviction that is proving to be a barrier to progress. I have to start over, I have to find a reason to live, some spark that gets me up in the morning. If I can get myself through this, I will be well placed to help others who find themselves starting over, whether they have just been released from prison or newly sober and commited to remaining that way or need help navigating the courts and justice department, I now have experience to share in all these areas and if that can make a difference in even one person's life, then I have found my spark, my reason to live. My goal is to get to a place where I am comfortable enough to turn around and reach out to people on the same path, learning how to use the systems and services put in place to help people in the most effective way possible by using those services. Beyond Blue is one of those services. I'm here to learn and share and try to stay focussed in the face of the daunting task of starting over at 51.

Psychologist dilemma

replies: 4

I used to see a psychologist around ten years ago and when I felt that we were not getting anywhere due to a lack of connection left that clinic. I will now be returning to that clinic to see a different psychologist, will my previous records be available to the new psychologist or does my new psychologist start a new record. Also how long are the old psychologist records kept for after leaving a clinic, are they archived or destroyed after a period of time.

Possible bipolar and/or BPD?

replies: 6

Recently i've been unwell and started noticing unusual changes in my mood. I'm 19 and i've been having violent mood swings + severe episodes of panic attacks / anger / anxiety / depression. it's been affecting relationships with my family + friends + current love interest to the point where i've been locking myself in my wardrobe as a sense of comfort and isolation. Most days staying in bed is all i can do because of how mentally exhausted i've been. i've stopped doing things i enjoy doing and i haven't been leaving the house. i have an overwhelming feeling of shame + worthlessness + and not being good enough. i just feel empty and i don't know how to cope with it or control it.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi replies: 3

Overwhelmed replies: 6

Nora here replies: 4

Hi Again, Finally found forums again after 6 yrs Finally! replies: 2

Is my depression influenced by other conditions replies: 5

Uhh idk what im doing here replies: 8

Traumatised replies: 2

Starting over at 51 replies: 42

Psychologist dilemma replies: 4

Possible bipolar and/or BPD? replies: 6