Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Feel like no understands me just one person in my life

replies: 4

Hi my names Geniue I used to be on the forums and I did find it helpful I just joined up again after a break away. I guess you could say im feeling so lost and lonely.

I’m back baby!

replies: 3

I’m Mudcakes I was here in 2021 and decided I’d come back given I’m not feeling the best at the moment. I’m 21 now and obviously not in highschool anymore. I tried a uni course and that was not the right time, wrong course for me and zero education support. Still live with mum but would love to live on my own one day. Still learning disabled and have cptsd but im a lot better than I was last time I posted here. Um I cant even remember if I’m using this right. Anyway, Happy Holidays!

Detox from social media

replies: 15

Recently I have been drawn into social media as I keep reading negative news (A LOT happening recently) which has triggered me and after that, I keep browsing some lighthearted content to try to make myself feel better. I found out I waste a lot of time and did no good for my mental health, also has been not productive to focus on my own business. I have tried grounding myself but can't help going back What are your opinions and practical advice on detoxing from social media? or how to use social media more wisely, I know Most ppl can't cut themselves off it for several days and most of us just go back to this.

Alcohol

replies: 17

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else had the same issue as me. The thing is, I need alcohol to feel like other people, such as feeling happy, motivated, being empathetic, making plans, thinking about goals etc, literally everything. I used to be depressed but I'm not now as I take antidepressants which has totally turned my life around, so I don't drink because I'm depressed. I don't know how to feel this good and motivated and like everyone else without drinking. Has anyone had this issue and how do I feel good like everyone else naturally?? I stress though, I am no longer depressed, so this is not the issue.

shake, rattle & roll newbie

replies: 8

Hi there, I hope I can contribute something meaningful to the forum. I'm having difficulties with young people, much of it began with the lockdowns and the pandemic. I'm not old by any stretch of the imagination; I'm 59, youthful, active, vibrant. But I'm finding that alot of my happiness and pleasure in life is being soured and spoiled by younger people. I find them to be presumptuous, condescending, selfish, entitled, and rude. Many of them cannot drive properly, they speed, are reckless and do not understand the fundamentals of safe road usage or that pedestrians have right of way. Especially during the lockdowns I found many young people to be careless and uncaring, flouting the rules and behaving as though they are invincible. I'm a happy sort, mostly positive and independent; I don't require much in the way of support, I keep pretty busy, but I'm really tired of the way these ignorant young people are screwing up my perception of the world. I'm very fit and capable but during the last 2 years my hair has turned grey; I wonder does this explain why I'm a target for the scorn and sometimes the abuse and assault perpetuated by the young? I've lived alone in this town for 14 years, maybe it's time to move on and let the young bloods run it into the ground.

not understanding

replies: 9

Hello, I am a high school student pls call me Ani. I don't know if this will be too heavy for a intoduction (got zero social skills) so forgive me if it is (also sorry if it doesn't make sense it is 2am for me). I feel very attention seeking no matter what i do. When it comes to self harm and crying, even if i don't tell anyone i feel like i am only doing it for attention. Even posting this feels like its attention seeking. This is a problem at school as well, when im eating and when im not, when i answer questions or if i disappear in a corner. Literally everything feels attention seeking. I am constantly sleeping in class because i feel like everything is a big effort and it feels attention seeking too (i think you get it). When i am talking with friends, if they respond well to a topic i will bring it up again and again because i feel like they will leave for other people if i don't. I get very very anxious about it. sometimes i think that my stomach aches are from this (or maybe cinnamon).If they respond to me negatively i go through a spiral. Even right now i don't know if they are my friends or not. With my personalities and well, im sure this is a common thing but i feel it tailored to every single person and its so tiring to keep up. I don't even know what my original personality is supposed to be anymore. I also have lots of issues with family which i also don't understand. I am yapping oops. i feel like i don't have the right to feel anything at all and if i do its attention seeking. (how many times have i said attention seeking). I feel like i overthink alot and never have my mind set on something. I think i'm gonna go sleep now. Welp this is me, good night.

Childhood Sexual abuse, Survivor, Repressed Memories, Art and journalling as a lifesaver.

replies: 1

I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from my father and also grandfather. Repressed memories started to unfold whilst in my late thirties. Not fully understanding them I started to use art as a format, gradually over years this transpired into over 100 artworks, initially of anger, destruction, self-harm, multiple personalities, revulsion, pain and horror. But slowly came the catharsis, one of unimaginable transformation into strength, victory, release, an a claiming of my true self. I also displayed some of these artworks at a conference in 1996 on Sexual abuse by professionals. My extensive collection of works includes a range of mediums: Visual Artworks (100+) that creatively explore and document my journey from realization of memories of childhood sexual abuse, betrayal of psychiatric professionals and eventual overcoming. Critically, the artworks express a transformation that leads to strength, power and determination. Journal entries that capture in depth perceptions of how fragmentation and multiple personalities occurred, emerged and eventually reformed and dissipated. Poems that creatively express emotions and thoughts throughout my personal journey. I would love to share my story and collection of works to not only demonstrate the damaging effect and trauma from violations and abuse, but to also demonstrate that there is a path to releasing, adjustment, healing and moving on. This is a vital and essential progression to demonstrate to the community that sexual abuse, control, manipulation has to be more clearly recognized, discussed and “put on display” to encourage understanding, confrontation, changes and greater recognition. Any suggestion or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Support Group Enquiry

replies: 1

Hello, I’m looking for a support group and I feel a bit nervous reaching out. I’ve had long-standing issues with shame and emotional regulation, and I’m trying to take a step toward support. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi, I’m going through a tough time, I don’t know what’s wrong with me

replies: 9

Hi, My name is Matt, I am Australian. I was diagnosed with quite a few conditions when I was a kid, but at the moment they feel like they’ve all blurred into one so I’m having trouble finding where to go to get support - or even find other people going through the same thing. So for the past two years, I was doing really well at work - kicking goals you could say, I was on a low dose of an SSRI for many years but about 6 months ago I went cold turkey off it because things were great. Had minor symptoms for a month then forgot about it. I think I started getting bored at work and a little depressed over the months - until one day I had a massive panic attack in a friend’s car. I hadn’t had a panic attack for about 5 years so forgot about them. I started getting them a bit more so my GP said I needed to go back on the same SSRI. Things were great for the first 7 days, but then the anxiety got worse and all of a sudden I got severe anxiety, agitation , minor confusion, racing thoughts & rumination and some memory issues and then came the dissociation. I just snapped and I don’t know why. I didn’t think it was the SSRI because I’d been on it 6-7 months prior. So I went to the doctor and she took me straight off the med, and told me to wait 7 days and then try an SNRI, and to take a low dose anti-psychotic at night. There is 3 days to go before the SSRI should be out of my system, but I don’t really feel any better. The racing thoughts have calmed slightly but I feel like I have brain damage, I feel so strange and the mornings are brutal with evenings being a bit easier. I’ve lost my appetite and I can’t enjoy anything anymore (when I could just before the snap). I talk to people on the phone and they tell me I sound normal, I can still drive but I’m a lot more scattered and disorganised. It’s so scary, I’m worried that when the med is out of my system - I’ll still feel like this and that this wasn’t a medication reaction and I’ve just gone crazy or had brain damage. I’m off work and afraid to go back because I feel so weird and disoriented in the morning. My family is away on holiday at the moment so I’m alone. Just scared, I’m after support, advice, and just to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Thank you.

binge drinker

replies: 2

Ok. Here goes nothin' I appear to have a problem with binge drinking in social settings. I am so hung over today and feel terrible. I must of had 12 drinks yesterday, 1 is never enough but 10 is too many. I don't know why I do this but it upsets my wife terribly and I fear our long term relationship will end if I don't get a handle on this. I am in the alcohol industry so giving up altogether is probably not realistic. I can easily go without alcohol for a number of days no problem but as soon as the social being in me gets on a role I can't stop. I am aware I have a problem and was doing well until yesterday. I don't know why I keep doing this....

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Feel like no understands me just one person in my life replies: 4

I’m back baby! replies: 3

Detox from social media replies: 15

Alcohol replies: 17

shake, rattle & roll newbie replies: 8

not understanding replies: 9

Childhood Sexual abuse, Survivor, Repressed Memories, Art and journalling as a lifesaver. replies: 1

Support Group Enquiry replies: 1

Hi, I’m going through a tough time, I don’t know what’s wrong with me replies: 9

binge drinker replies: 2