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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One after the other.

replies: 4

Hi there. I'm new here. But I have dealt with anxiety most of my life and bouts of depression on and off for the last 10 years. I haven't had a great 2021 like a lot of people. I just wanted to let it all out somewhere and perhaps someone will have had similar experiences and can help or just acknowledge/listen. The first half of 2021 I was living a life that I thought I wanted. I had grown in my career, I had made my way up to a management position at my job earning a good amount of money, and I just moved into a brand new apartment by myself. But I was extremely unwell. My mental and physical health was declining. I hated the job and I was extremely lonely basically questioning everything I had learned about success. Now that I look back I was close to being suicidal. I eventually found some courage and quit the job, and moved back home into my parents house so that I could rest from burn out and start looking at where I wanted to go in life. When I moved back home. We went into a lockdown that had no end in sight (it lasted 4 months). I was stuck inside a house with my mother working from home. I was forced to face some deep seated issues that I had with her that I didn't realise were there e.g. feelings of not being good enough, failure. I noticed narcissistic traits and basically had to face the fact that she isn't ever going to be the mother I need/ed her to be. During this 4 months my grandmother (my mums mother) had to come and stay with us as she was in a lot of pain and needed to be looked after. I could see what my grandmother did to create shame for my mother, my mother did the same to me. Eventually my grandmother got better and could go back to her home. Right before Christmas and my Dads birthday that we had planned a family holiday for. My mother says that she wants to seperate from my father. This wasn't a complete surprise. It was just not great timing. Then in the new year, I got covid and I am still recovering from the fatigue of that. What I am dealing with at the moment is my parents and I still living in the same house, my parents are selling said house, I’m trying to find a job and somewhere to live. I’m potentially moving interstate which I am excited about. But I just feel so flat at the moment and unmotivated. The days are slipping by and I feel like I’ve done nothing. Sorry if this is long winded. I just had to get it out somewhere.

I'm new

replies: 6

I'm new. It's taken 3yrs to get the courage to even get onto a site like this & I've chosen Beyond Blue to begin. Let alone to write in a forum! That's a huge step. But here I am so hello everyone. I know it's going to be hard for me as I'm "old school" & keep things to myself. However due to a nervous breakdown 3yrs ago, then a work injury a year after that (still suffering from). Followed by a chain of events including a family heartache, Has now left me dealing with another breakdown a month ago. I'm at the point of I just don't know what to do. I have a supporting husband but I feel I can't keep being down around him & crying all the time when he's home, it adds to my stress that I feel It's not fair on him. But it's so hard to pretend im ok. Been having counselling since the first breakdown & it's continuing also for my increased anxiety since my injury. I'm on medication for anxiety/depression and pain meds, so I'm always feeling spacy. But since my latest headache (recent) breakdown 1mth ago they are back because I can't handle the constant panic attacks & tears! Believe it or not this a just a snapshot of my hell. I'd be here all night & into next week if I got into it all. Just soooo tired of being like this. If anyone has read this thank you. Again, I'm new so not sure how it all works.

Melbourne Bloke

replies: 4

Hi all professional living in Melbourne, have suffered severe anxiety and panic attacks for much of my youth and have recently lost an old friend, I’d hate to think anyone was out of options and am looking to embrace my local community and help and b... View more

I don’t always like myself.

replies: 4

Half of the time I think I’m a fairly smart, happy, lucky person. I have joy in life and feel like I have a lot to look forward to. The other half I feel anxious, depressed, incapable of doing anything useful and like no one likes me. I have friends, but if their reply is short, I worry that they don’t actually like me. If my boss is abrupt, I assume I’ve done something wrong. Some days I want to curl into a ball, it’s so frustrating. who has tips on how to stop judging myself all the time? It saps my energy and makes me feel so low.

3 years & first step

replies: 3

Hello all First post, first step in seeking or offering support of any sort. 3 plus years since lost my Son and time to face the bigger word. Not sure how this will pan out but wow, I’m here:) mum who needs to remember AND be happy. gees, it’s emotio... View more

In need of space

replies: 5

Hi, I am at a point in life where I have to transition from being a single independent woman to living with a life partner and his family. I am feeling anxious about this as I am a person who absolutely loves my space and doesn't like the chaos and drama involved in the family. I'm a thinker and an ideal space setup for me is a desk, a notebook and a pen. I could spend hours working in office or in my study area doing my artistic work or studies. My partner understands this and he is very accommodating to my needs. That is why he suggested me to move in with him for sometime to see how it goes. I think I will be able to manage living with him but the real challenge would be to live with his family and I don't speak their language. I fear being left out and not being myself any more around them. I fear losing my space. I also love spending time with my partner but I find myself wanting to spend time with myself more so that I can recharge and give my best to my partner. I see married people around me and most of them say that women have to adjust and sacrifice. This dialogue is a bit disturbing for me. I have no problem adjusting but all I need the most is my space. I think I'll need my own space even after being a mother. I don't know if I'm being reasonable here but for me my self protection and self preservation matter the most. Is it wrong to want my own space even after being a wife, daughter in law and a mother? How do I develop my personality so that I can live with a life partner and his family? How do I tackle this great turning point of my life?

Anxious about posting

replies: 6

Hello everyone, I'm new to this Don't really have the best idea of where to start but I'll say that I've been dealing with mental health problems on and off since adolescence. It's gotten a lot worse especially during the last 5 or 6 years. What I'm anxious about is misrepresenting myself and also if what I say can be harmful to others. I was originally planning on posting on the suicidal thoughts forum but was scared maybe if I said the wrong thing I'd make things worse for someone. Maybe even mentioning suicide in this forum is inappropriate. (To be clear I'm safe at the moment and have no intention of harming myself/others) I think having an interest in philosophy during my teens had a negative affect of on me. Books like The World as Will and Representation and Blood Meridian had completely warped my perception of things and I don't think I gained anything from reading them. Again even expressing specific thoughts on those books may be harmful, even to myself. I am trying extremely hard to explain but I can't and I worry about being incoherent.

Disappointed

replies: 2

I had what I guess was psychosis earlier. I had just reached the bottom of my stairs, and my music was playing quite loudly, when I realized the band was singing completely different lyrics. They were clearly singing about a group of men who were coming after me and what they'd do when they got hold of me. I've had recurring nightmare's since I was 11. I'm now 52. The only thing that's stopped them for the past 10 years, is my medication. Though I still occasionally have one. Anyway, I realized after, that what was being sung was what my nightmares were about. When I first noticed the lyrics I don't even know how to explain how I felt. I was trying to make sense of what I was hearing. Then I thought maybe I was asleep and dreaming, but I just couldn't wrap my head around what was happening. It's really hard to explain everything I was thinking and feeling, but I began to completely panic. In order to work out if I was asleep or crazy or whatever, I went outside to go to my friend and neighbour's. She was asleep though so I came home and rang my friend. He was able to put my feet back on the ground and calm me down enough that I realized I'd had like a 'psychotic episode'. It was horrific, it really was. It took me hours to stop feeling crazy and having weird tourettes like movements and doing this weird moaning, groaning noise. I realize that after 40 years of carrying all this shame and pain around, I have to start seeing a psychologist and try to work out a way to deal with it. Quite clearly I can't move forward without doing that. It's like I'm rupturing, and the memories are starting to seep out, but they've become rotten and diseased and all the more painful. It feels disgusting, and I'm praying there WILL be a way to work through this. If anyone has had any similar experiences like my episode tonight, and has had counselling, do you have any tips on how to manage? Or general comments about whether you found it helped or didn't help? I'd appreciate it.

Covid and teaching in WA

replies: 5

I'm scared. I live in WA and for the first time the threat of bringing covid home is really real. I don't want to sit in a room with 200 colleagues and have meetings. It's not logical. I care for my elderly father and am scared I will ultimately kill him. He hasn't had booster yet. Kids don't socially distance. Our classrooms are not ventilated well. Is anyone else feeling like me? It's like a I'm running into an inevitable brick wall of fear that others don't seem to understand. Love to know it's not just me.

My partner has stage 4 COPD and doesn't have long to live

replies: 2

My partner has stage 4 COPD and doesn't have long to live,I was posting on this forum page recently but she requested that I didn't any longer because she thought it was an open public forum where proper names are used,after a long discussion with he... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

One after the other. replies: 4

I'm new replies: 6

Melbourne Bloke replies: 4

I don’t always like myself. replies: 4

3 years & first step replies: 3

In need of space replies: 5

Anxious about posting replies: 6

Disappointed replies: 2

Covid and teaching in WA replies: 5

My partner has stage 4 COPD and doesn't have long to live replies: 2