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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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Melbem Hello, I have just registered an account with Beyond Blue...
  • replies: 4

I have been suffering severe anxiety for years, more so when both of my parents died at a young age. I am here to seek support, but don't know how to start as I never seeked help before, thinking 'nah I don't need help, I'll be ok' but I don't think ... View more

I have been suffering severe anxiety for years, more so when both of my parents died at a young age. I am here to seek support, but don't know how to start as I never seeked help before, thinking 'nah I don't need help, I'll be ok' but I don't think I am. Any suggestions where I can read about and hear stories of anxiety? Even any suggested videos would be helpful. Thank you.

Amelia02 Hello, recently joined this forum
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I’ve made some posts but just read the posting faq and as recommended am introducing myself. I’m dealing with anxiety and depression. I hope I can get some tips and help here and will do my best to contribute and encourage others too . H... View more

Hi everyone, I’ve made some posts but just read the posting faq and as recommended am introducing myself. I’m dealing with anxiety and depression. I hope I can get some tips and help here and will do my best to contribute and encourage others too . Have a lovely rest of the day, take care

amayako Dont really know where to start here.. so here goes
  • replies: 3

I decided I wont post my full story here because in the past (on other forums) ive described my history over the past 19 years and literally been banned or ignored because no one seems believes me. It is very complicated with about 3-4 (unrelated as ... View more

I decided I wont post my full story here because in the past (on other forums) ive described my history over the past 19 years and literally been banned or ignored because no one seems believes me. It is very complicated with about 3-4 (unrelated as far as I know) issues but ill do my best to describe them. Im a middle aged male who was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 17. I mention this because ive read elsewhere that the drugs I was prescribed can have side effects including depression, and related. ALSO, I dont think its related but Ive been suffering from 'random' explosive/anger episodes since I hit puberty around age 11. I wouldn't mention this normally but nearly 37 years later I still suffer from them. Ive also suffered from Depression (my main concern) and been diagnosed with Bipopar, having attempted suicide roughly 10 times over the past 15 years. Im already close to hitting my 2500 character limit without even describing anything ? so in short I dont know how to proceed ? No one in the medical community including psychiatrists, GPs, Mental Health wards etc. seem to be willing to offer help beyond offering me drugs. I dont want to put a strain on the hospital system and really dont know how to proceed ? I would offer a more detailed explaination but there is a limit on how much I can type here.

amidst A little thing
  • replies: 4

Hi Forgive the nebulous title, it's getting late and this post is written out of need, not desire. I am very good at one thing at least: listing my own shortcomings. We can start there. I am 25 (male) and would describe myself as a straggler. I have ... View more

Hi Forgive the nebulous title, it's getting late and this post is written out of need, not desire. I am very good at one thing at least: listing my own shortcomings. We can start there. I am 25 (male) and would describe myself as a straggler. I have recently moved out of home, however am still heavily supported by my family. I have a license but wouldn't trust myself to drive, and have not done so in many months. My social life does not exist, however I may rely on one sibling (currently living with me) and a couple of colleagues for a small subset of social interaction. This is unlikely to change soon, because I am engaged in full-time study and lack both the necessary initiative and social skills. My attitude to my work could be described as "barely sufficient" and I struggle to meet expectations. I have no burning passions to draw from, however I do find certain things more worthwhile than others. Unfortunately, I have let myself go: I am plagued by low self esteem and succumb to bad habits. Among other things, this has caused a steady decline in many of my skills and is likely to have affected my physical fitness by now. Fortunately, nothing is ever quite so bad. I find myself lacking in almost all aspects, but not quite so much that my dependence on other people isn't able to keep me afloat. Sometimes, I wonder if life hasn't been cruel enough to me. But such thoughts are a luxury, and an attempt to shift blame away from myself. I am not diagnosed with anything, because I haven't really seen anyone, but I may suffer from some kind of high-functioning depression. I do not recall any dramatic onset event, it's more like I've been slipping into this comfortable darkness over a span of at least ten years. At first I had hope that I would find my way through. I am still wandering, and "hope" has become a philosophical conundrum. In case there was any doubt, I have never had any intimate relationship. Much of my youth was spent travelling. When related, stories of my youth often meet with amazement. Even now, my work is still prestigious in a sense. This makes things worse: how could I live up to the life I purport to lead? I feel like half the person I was ten years ago.

Sonakshi Depressed
  • replies: 2

Hey I m just so stressed feel like speaking to someone but I can’t Bcz to trust people is not easy for me , I m married but I don’t know whether I m happy can’t expect anything from him I feel for him I m only like money making machine I don’t think ... View more

Hey I m just so stressed feel like speaking to someone but I can’t Bcz to trust people is not easy for me , I m married but I don’t know whether I m happy can’t expect anything from him I feel for him I m only like money making machine I don’t think he cares much about how I feel we both want to start family we tried ivf 4 times out of which it turned positive 3 times but every single time I had miscarriage nd the reason for ivf is not like I got fertility issues it’s like Bcz we have intimate relations like once a year nd that is also he is not able to discharge I don’t know the reason and also in any way I can’t be dependent on him Bcz every single time I trusted him he proved me wrong whether it’s house mortgage or planning future but from me he expect to earn as well as do house hold chores perfectly like a housewife it’s so overwhelming for me Bcz of cultural thing it’s not easy for me to get out of this marriage it’s been 5 years I m married to him I start with a new hope every day but nothing positive happens everything is only about him he wants car so he want to credit of everything which I have done but in his he brags all that as his achievement I m not saying dat he abuses me our marriage doesn’t feel like marriage to me which is becoming major reason for my stress nd putting me into depression I m just losing myself I feel like i wanted to make home but I just live in a house where I m by myself so lonely I can’t spk to my mum about this Bcz she ask me to adjust nd she say it’s just little things , I want child but out of lov not ivf I dnt have problems to go for ivf but this is when we tried natural nd it failed every single time . I want him to take may be half of atlest financial responsibility but he doesn’t take he can go back from his words anytime wen it comes to financial Bcz I feel he is lazy to work he just work for himself he doesn’t work like married men who is ready or can responsibility of pregnant wife nd later child

Emma_Mary OCD support
  • replies: 7

Hi, I have just signed up in desperation. After years of on and off struggling with what I thought was anxiety I realised last night it is more likely OCD. I am having a particularly bad weekend and feeling dreadful for my partner and daughter. I am ... View more

Hi, I have just signed up in desperation. After years of on and off struggling with what I thought was anxiety I realised last night it is more likely OCD. I am having a particularly bad weekend and feeling dreadful for my partner and daughter. I am sure there is no quick fix, but anything a little bit helpful would be hugely appreciated! I listened to Penny Moodie interview with her husband and related too it. Any other podcasts someone with OCD in particular Pure OCD could recommend? Thanks in advance

Debi Help.plse
  • replies: 1

Well here's another day of trying to get help for my kid, he needs fortnightly help proper meds assessment . It looks like everyone talks but no one gives any substance to the thought of helping . Need some peace of mind of a mother . Any help for do... View more

Well here's another day of trying to get help for my kid, he needs fortnightly help proper meds assessment . It looks like everyone talks but no one gives any substance to the thought of helping . Need some peace of mind of a mother . Any help for doctors please need your help.

_teve68_ Hello. First time user.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I just need somewhere to vent. I know I'm suffering from depression at least 4 months now. I am doing my best to beat it, but just feel like sitting on the floor and crying. I'm 53 and have seen a lot, but for some reason I just can't cry, my eye... View more

Hi, I just need somewhere to vent. I know I'm suffering from depression at least 4 months now. I am doing my best to beat it, but just feel like sitting on the floor and crying. I'm 53 and have seen a lot, but for some reason I just can't cry, my eyes swell with tears but it just stops. I am seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist. I have great GP support as well, but my wife doesn't seem to understand my struggle. I just feel so sad and lonely, I haven't worked for 6 months and have been sleeping on the couch for 5 months. I have 4 beautiful kids otherwise I wouldn't be here. I know it's a lot to take in. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm made of lead and everything I do, takes such effort. So Hello!

Julia I Newcomer
  • replies: 2

Hi there my name is Julia - new to the group and have been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately - can anyone relate and if so any suggestions on coping methods - I practice my breathing etc but sometimes need more - on my own and have no one to talk ... View more

Hi there my name is Julia - new to the group and have been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately - can anyone relate and if so any suggestions on coping methods - I practice my breathing etc but sometimes need more - on my own and have no one to talk to really that understands how I am feeling - just me and my two dogs - tried to put up a profile picture but would not work for me

Sad_Lisa Hello 2am again
  • replies: 5

Hi, Im beyond exhausted, beyond blue, so run out of energy to deal with my own crap that even typing it all out or talking about seems too hard. Not coping. No support. Very isolated. Nobody to reach out to. If I do try I feel like a whinger, hypocho... View more

Hi, Im beyond exhausted, beyond blue, so run out of energy to deal with my own crap that even typing it all out or talking about seems too hard. Not coping. No support. Very isolated. Nobody to reach out to. If I do try I feel like a whinger, hypochondriac, annoying person as people all try to fob me off tp someone else, or Lifeline as I’m “too much” for them to cope with. I am on disability with autoimmune conditions and CPTSD that just seems to be getting worse. Look “fine” apparently! Learned to mask and people please to cope a long time ago and when I ran out of energy to keep doing that everyone just dropped away… They like me better when I’m putting on a happy demeanour. So now I isolate. Reclusive life. Desperately need an understanding compassionate therapist skilled in CPTSD that can Telehealth someone with no fixed address. I feel very very lost and alone.