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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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Don't have confidence in getting help

replies: 2

I'm somebody with ASD and ADHD, and for the longest time I've always been able to do pretty decently in spite of this. I'd say that starting from 2020 onwards, my mental health has started to slowly decline. I'm now a pretty pessimistic and irritable person, and I've been known to always be complaining about something, it even feels like i WANT to be sad and upset sometimes. I've noticed that especially recently, I've been crying and getting irritated over things a lot more. I also have lost motivation for basically everything in my life, exercise, schoolwork, hobbies, healthy eating, self-care, i really just never feel motivation or drive for any of them. My health in general has declined, and I'm constantly in a state of fatigue and boredom. I seem to just totally lack any self-confidence, and I'm very hard on myself when basically anything goes wrong. While i have ASD and ADHD, things have never been this bad, and I am also medicated for my ADHD. I am very certain that there is something else going on, and that i desperately need a psychiatrist I'm halfway through Year 12, and being so close to final exams has finally made me realize just how bad I've gotten. The loss of motivation i have gotten has seemed to just halt things like me getting a job or drivers licence or anything else i should've done by the time i am 17. I have a psychiatry appointment later this month, but i honestly don't have much hope for it. I don't feel like I'll be able to open up to my psychiatrist, I'm also very bad at articulating my feelings in a way that is that coherent. I know that fixing whatever issues i have is going to be a long and painful process, and knowing that really just scares and discourages me. I just want all of this to be fixed now, but of course it won't be that simple. I'm scared of the thought of having something like depression, and i don't want to have to deal with something like it for the rest of my life. I hope that at the end of the day i can just get the help i need, without those self-doubts trying to stop it.

Mental Health worker professional development plan!

replies: 5

Hi, everyone! Im in the process of getting my Diploma of Community Services by the end of next year and as someone who already had strong experiences with depression and anxiety I’d like to use my experience on helping others that also go through this kind of issues. Mental health is my main interest so far. Some of you guys that may be already working in this sector are able to share a bit of the paths you’ve been going through in order to improve your own professional performance, getting new skills and make yourself more prepared and updated regarding the professional scenario? What skills do you guys believe are essential for this role? Are there Some basics steps one should take in order to work with clients dealing with mental health issues? Any advice and recommendations are welcome! Thanks !

Panic attacks/blushing

replies: 11

Hello All, I get really bad panic attacks because I can't stop blushing and I feel so ashamed of myself, I am always anticipating other people emotions when meeting people I always evaluate before hand what they will think of my red face. I know it sounds stupid and I have always been really confident up until a few years ago when my a friend who was the same sex as me who is a straight girl, showed all these guys naked photos of me and now I just feel so ashamed of myself and as a result I just can't stop blushing. I am no longer friends with these people and it has been many years later but as a side affect I feel still so ashamed of myself and I feel my confidence has been stripped away because of this. Its really refreshing though just to talk about it as I have never told anyone the reason I blush so much, but just wanting to know if anyone else has had a similar experience and how did they go about this?

I'm pretty sure I have all of the disorders... or most of them at least!

replies: 5

Hi there. Firstly, I haven't been on here in years, and I never ever introduced myself, so I'll do that now. I hope my twisted sense of humour doesn't offend (as I don't actually have ALL of the disorders), and I'm sincerely going to do my best not to make it always about me but that seems to be the way it is for many of us with borderline personality disorders. Born neurodivergent (with a few neurotypes). People often say that they're "neurodiverse" but everyone is on the neurodiversity spectrum - down one end you have those, with what are now recognised as "neurotypical" brains, and on the other end there are those of us that are neurodivergent (as in - diverging from that which is typical), right through to the neuro-minority end and people like me, autistic-synesthetes, etc. I know a lot of people think autism and ND is a illness but it's not (as someone with it), neither is it a "super power". But I can honestly say that I love the ND part of who I am!!! It's the rest that causes me the most issues. I had a traumatic childhood and I know that is when I changed I now know that intergenerational trauma and how that works itself into our genes plays a part in this too. First attempt at suicide was 12 years. Had attempts in the past because that didn't work I just focused all the self hatred inward. Thats when the ED and body dysmorphia started. I'm also queer - on all the levels. In 2015 I was glassed in the face which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Making my already really different brain, really different again. But - it's my coping mechanisms that have become a full blown personality disorder, that are really destroying my life, right now. This is the first time I am writing about it - having just booked into to see my GP about it, for the first time ever. I started working through the ED and BDD last November and that's why I reckon I now have more headspace to face the BPD - yay... I'm so glad I have so many disorders. Not. It's super confronting and scary - even though I know why I do all the hypersexual, self medicating, manipulating and self destructive stuff... it's still full on to finally recognise how much harm that has caused me and others. I know I can do this though.

I will just start with "Hello" first!

replies: 4

Hello to all! Not a big onliner, but hopefully I can be an active member of this forum. Looking forward to nourishing and authentic conversation/dialogue - which I find a rare commodity these days.

Back Again

replies: 7

Hi All, I posted a bit earlier this year but starting again... this year has made me really start to reassess things. I've lost some weight and have significantly cut back my drinking. Was at a bottle of wine most days to now almost no drinking at all. That's been great but has really brought to the surface that I'm just not enjoying life right now. I have a great wife and amazing 2 boys yet I feel like my marriage is fizzling to us both very disconnected from each other, and my work is having far too much influence over my happiness affecting how truly present I am with my boys. I miss the younger "uni days" version of myself that thrived off having fun with people. Laughing every day any my study was something I just fitted in between everything else. Worst thing is I feel like I've been the luck one in so many aspects of my life so am almost angry at myself that I can't sort it myself. Anyway, I have a GP appointment this week and hope to get a mental health plan in place so I can get time with a psychologist to help really address things. I'm hopeful for a happier life - baby steps

Grandma feeling down

replies: 5

Hi, Until recently I had my granddaughter living with me, now she is gone I'm feeling lost and alone. Can't sleep and have no friends to talk to. Feeling like my life is over, i've come on here hoping there is someone to chat to...thanks x View more

Strategies to help me cope emotionally with my adult daughter with mental health and suicidal ideation.

replies: 15

Hi there Not sure if I'm in the right place, but maybe someone can refer me to some help please. For the past 10 years I've been in a type of "grieving" state of living. My daughter in her 40's is at rock bottom. She had a good husband, child, home and much to look forward to, then she went off the rails. She was always a sensitive loving child and I've noticed over the years she has struggled to fit into the world, first I noticed she became addicted to "OTC medications:.. Her life spiralled downwards quickly and over 10 years later she has lost basically everything including her child. She is being evicted from her rental & so will be homeless. She doesn't have a car and unfortunately has addictions.. She has had suicide attempts a few years ago and is struggling with that again. I've tried everything over the years to help her, but have had to stop as I can't do any more as I was just enabling her. She has a number of mental illnesses but for some reason unknown to me hasn't been able to access the help she badly needs. The reason I'm writing here is I'm deteriorating as its breaking my heart as I'm now totally helpless and have to watch her become homeless in winter.. Not sure how I can get through this myself, any ideas?

Need a friend

replies: 4

Hi. I’m a 79 year old guy who finds it so hard to make friends that I’m virtually alone despite being married. I am very quiet and shy and don’t do any of the usual ‘blokey’ things. Would love to have someone to talk with online. Any takers?

New & looking for advice - anxious mums post?

replies: 7

Hi, I’ve never used these forums before but I have quite a wait until I can see my psychologist and would love for some perspective to get me through… I find myself a failure this evening.. I have two young children, a preschooler and a baby who is exclusively breastfed and won’t take a bottle. I find myself cornered at the moment between my rising anxiety and the unfortunate fact that my baby has refused the bottle so most things I could take to get a reprieve from my symptoms have either an unknown or negative impact on her. Ive spoken to my gp who was quite useless unfortunately, I was hoping for something herbal to start taking the edge off that is unlikely to have major symptoms on the baby but rather than opine on any of that he just offers me anxiety medication like it was an m&m… I have found myself overwhelmed by my symptoms yet again this evening and underwhelmed by my coping strategies. I am completely fine, until I am not, and then an anxious mess. Fight response my typical go to, desperately controlled and only just held back by my burning desire to not have to pick up the pieces of my husband and kids after they feel the wrath of my temporary outburst. I don’t know if there is a thread for the postnatal period somewhere or mums? My baby doesn’t sleep well and my preschooler doesn’t sleep during the day and I just feel trapped and that my body is at its limit. I am so on edge my body doesn’t have the willpower to fight myself and my thought patterns. The worthlessness roles in. I just want the internal critic to calm down.I know a good portion of our stress is a time of life fact. But I am so afraid that if I take the medication I will become addicted to the feeling of not fighting myself, yet be a mulled out marshmallow version of myself. im not even sure what I’m looking for here to be honest. Personal experiences or PNA perhaps. Definitely any recommendations for herbal anxiety supplements while breastfeeding. The GP (under pressure to give my a name of anything at all) did just tell me to try a few different things, so apparently I’m free to explore haha the risk vs benefit here is an anxious mum vs babies side effects … it’s pretty hard to not feel like a failure when your options are to expose your developing infant to any chemical, natural or otherwise, that might impact their development, or continue to be and anxious version of yourself, and likely not be the best version of a mother for them. anything to help me cope this next week?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Don't have confidence in getting help replies: 2

Mental Health worker professional development plan! replies: 5

Panic attacks/blushing replies: 11

I'm pretty sure I have all of the disorders... or most of them at least! replies: 5

I will just start with "Hello" first! replies: 4

Back Again replies: 7

Grandma feeling down replies: 5

Strategies to help me cope emotionally with my adult daughter with mental health and suicidal ideation. replies: 15

Need a friend replies: 4

New & looking for advice - anxious mums post? replies: 7