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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Im new here.

replies: 3

Hi everyone I’m new here and I’m a bit nervous about post for the first time. i have severe anxiety disorders, chronic depression, adhd, c-ptsd, ocd, agoraphobia, bpd traits, anxious attachment disorder and more. I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I’m a mum of two beautiful girls and I’m trying to get back to being the mum they deserve. Am I alone in this or is anyone else struggling right now??

Want to read good threads about certain topics... Ask others for recommendations

replies: 2

Hi everyone and especially all new members, The forums can seem a bit of a daunting place and for now (updates to the forums are in progress hurrah hurrah) the search option is quite limited. Sometimes we're not quite ready to start a thread of our own and that's ok. You can still join in and give input to other threads that appeal to you. So... If you are looking for a thread on a particular topic why not ask? We're all happy to try steer you to exisiting threads to read and join in. Hint...The key to joining in within an existing thread is keeping on topic. Remember that the thread creator usually decides what they need to discuss. Hope this helps even one person. Nat

Feeling stuck

replies: 2

Hi everyone, Just to start with my name is Yamini. I have been feeling very stressed lately it’s to do with my work where my life is going what I’m doing in my life it’s just not what I had imagined and I know that your life does not always go the way that you wanted to go but I’m stuck doing a job that I do not like I live in a house that I do not like I have not seen my family since almost 2 years now I broke up last year which was pretty bad but I still got over it somehow and I just don’t know what I’m doing in my life any more. I just need some kind of help but I don’t know what I want to do. thanks for listening

New to Blue Voices. I am Carolyn and this is my story.

replies: 4

Hi, I am Carolyn and I have recently joined Blue Voices here at Beyond Blue. I am a 52-year-old woman who has had many years of mental health issues. My mental health story started around about the time I was 16 years old when I started to believe that I was not as good as my peers, not as pretty, not as slim and I became sad and withdrawn overnight. These feelings were validated by my own mother who often verbally, mentally and emotionally abused both myself and my younger brother. I was a few months post 21 when I attempted to take my own life for the first time. I was hospitalised for some time but nothing was done to help me with my thoughts and I was diagnosed with a situational crisis, no referral to any Mental Health service, just back to my GP who was also our long term family GP. I was started on my first anti-depressant. The anti-depressants made me extremely hyperactive and increased my mental health symptoms. To cut a very long story short after 3 - 4 years I met my now-husband and things were fabulous for a long time, that was until after we were married and had our first child. I felt that my mental health deteriorate very quickly after our first child and I was diagnosed with Post Natal Depression but I thought it was much more than that. After seeing a new GP I went to the local mental health service and was put on anti-depressants and had cognitive therapy and counselling which did help although I was still hyperactive and at times suicidal I believe was due to the anti-depressants. We had our second child in 2003 and this is when everything came to a head. I again got postnatal depression but had psychotic episodes and was my thought processes was all over the place, I was also having auditory and visual hallucinations. I was sent to our local hospital which was a terrible experience as I am a nurse and at the time I was employed by that health service. Post this episode and several other similar episodes I was diagnosed with BiPolar disorder and commenced on medication and psychiatric treatment plan and for once since aged 16 I felt like I finally had an answer to what was wrong with me. Having a diagnosis of Bipolar has not been easy and I have had many ups and downs during the years. I have joined Blue Voices to discuss my experiences with others and help those who are having difficulties, to be there as a support person and to listen.

Overwhelmed

replies: 7

Hi to all, This is my first post, if i am not anxious i am depressed and it seems to just be getting worse. I am generally ok on the week I work but on the week I dont I spend at least 1 full day in bed feeling so overwhelmed by everything and nothin... View more

Just want chat,feeling like I've got nobody.

replies: 6

First time post, I always thought I would never be doing this, life has its ups and downs like everything, but never did I think I would be writing something like this.

HOPE is a new strategy

replies: 26

G'day, Chris here, I just joined the forum yesterday. I'm a 30 year old bloke who fishes, shoots, drinks and swears and have a pretty solid understanding of how life can crumble around us, often due to something well outside of our control. Difficult situations can lead us down dark roads and cloud our thoughts like a swarm of wasps stinging us from the inside out, then that cloud can seem to hang there like a never-ending storm inside us. I grew up in country Victoria, the heart of the Goulburn Valley. I love the country life and although I have travelled and worked all over the place from Cairns to Darwin, Groote Eylandt to Marysville and loads of places in-between... I still rate our Goulburn Valley as the best place I've ever lived in. I now work at in a HOPE department (Hospital Outreach Post-suicide Engagement). I'm a lived experience employee with extensive experience in construction, agriculture, retail and ran my own business that went broke due to COVID-19. So I'm no psychologist, I'm definitely not a doctor (but I'll have a look at it for ya) and I really don't have the clinical expertise that a nurse has. What I DO HAVE is a very unique set of people skills. I can pull ticks, re-wire your house and strip/fit and patch a 30.5/32 Wagon tyre in under half an hour and have good yarn about the local fishing holes while I'm doing it. There's been incredible bumps in my journey, both marvellous and miserable. In Feb 2012 My grandfather had an accident where he damaged his spinal cord. Weeks after his surgery when he had woken and stabilised we had to have the toughest chat of my life. He couldn't breathe without the help of the machines, and he could only move one arm a little bit. So before the Doctor filled him with Morphine and Propofol, we had to look him in the eye and say goodbye. Time is still healing that wound but the old bloke wouldn't have had it any other way. I've been a heavy drug user, I've lived in flash high rise apartments, farm houses, pubs and meth-dens. Now I am just here to help. I look forward to this journey and I want to do it together. Cheers fellas.

A poem I wrote that people might relate to

replies: 5

I wrote this about how I was feeling. My mum said I should share as it might help others feel like they aren't alone. I’m past the why me’s I accept its just so But I’m still stuck on why A constant whispering blow I’m tired of Doctors An endless merry go round No answers as to why Their prescriptions an unbearable sound Sometimes I ask Is this just gods plan To suffer my whole life Walking through life on sand My courage does grow Though constantly I stumble Its all a mental game To my inner self I mumble So what of that? My frustration palpable I’m trying so hard My wisdom ever nimble Yet what growth comes When life is easy I have all basic needs We’re trained to want life breezy Maybe I must just let go Look for joy day to day There is a lot to be grateful When in the moment you stay Then pain keeps me present Keeps my eye on the Devine Exercises my sensitivity To more woes than just mine I keep wary of distraction Of swapping one problem for another The intent is to move forward Be unto myself a mother I can do this I will bear the load For this is my special journey So many beautiful views on this road

Newbie here - not sure where to start...

replies: 5

Hi everyone, I'm not entirely sure where to start or how to let this flow but i'm going to give it a try Mid 2021 was my breaking point. I have been working from home for over 2 years now and have been through moments of routine, no routine, not getting out of PJs, wearing ugg boots 24/7, all of it. I have never experienced anxiety before (that I have been aware of) and generally held a balanced, healthy lifestyle pre-covid. But last year I all of a sudden had a few moments where I started panicking about things that could happen (like my husband having a horrible car accident, my own mortality thinking I wouldn't make it past 32 and even when it rained I thought we would be flooded out, even though we're on a high side) and I couldn't shake them off - to the point where I would actually drive with my husband places because I was worried if I didn't he wouldn't make it home and I would get up to turn the water tank on just in case. Initially, I had so many symptoms like, complete body tingles, numbness, dizziness, shortness of breath, heavy chest feeling and tight muscles that I thought I was having a heart attack. Fast forward a little, I had all the tests (scans, ECG, blood tests, lung/asthma test) and there is nothing physically wrong with me with the exception of maybe acid reflux. I know (now) severe reflux can make you short of breath but it doesn't explain all my other symptoms (which have calmed down a bit thanks to change of diet / routine but I still get a tight back, breathlessness a lot). I'm a little better now but I am only just starting to explore the possibility that my issues are all stemming from anxiety. I have reflux tablets and still get symptoms. I feel like i'm a little slow on the uptake of this now that i'm starting to look into it more. I've tried meditation, focusing on activities like playing music, running, reading, even cleaning but they don't always work and sometimes I feel worse afterwards like my body hasn't been able to relax or switch off so it adds to my existing stress. I'll admit, I am an over-thinker and will worry about ridiculous things but I am lucky enough to be able to vent to my husband but, it's obviously not enough. I guess, i'm wondering what other people's symptoms have been, at what point did they realise symptoms were driven by anxiety (or not) and what have people done to help them realise when symptoms start to pop up to ensure they get on top of it before it becomes too much to handle. TIA xx

Hi everyone!

replies: 6

Just dropping in to say hi! I used to visit occasionally but due to studies have been absent. I’m happily married with no current problems. But the path to inner peace and contentment was littered with constant trauma and depression when I was young. I was abused and rejected as a child and orphaned. Then I came down with Epilepsy and lost employment often because of the stigma attached. I then came to the conclusion that this society was not for me because there was no love, no compassion. I then embarked upon what were 6 suicide attempts. The doctors tried everything to cure me and as a last resort I had 6 courses of ECT. Fast forward to now, and I consider myself the luckiest person alive. It was so, so painful all that trauma which I thought was the end of me, but it wasn’t. So I know only too well what depression, rejection, abuse are and how it feels to be rejected by society. But I came out of it all, so I know there is hope for all. All these things will pass. Never lose hope.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Im new here. replies: 3

Want to read good threads about certain topics... Ask others for recommendations replies: 2

Feeling stuck replies: 2

New to Blue Voices. I am Carolyn and this is my story. replies: 4

Overwhelmed replies: 7

Just want chat,feeling like I've got nobody. replies: 6

HOPE is a new strategy replies: 26

A poem I wrote that people might relate to replies: 5

Newbie here - not sure where to start... replies: 5

Hi everyone! replies: 6