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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Rediscovery and healing

replies: 6

Hi all Joined earlier this week. As my name says I'm a single dad in Brisbane. I've had to deal with depression for nearly 30 years, in various shapes and forms. It's returned following the breakdown of my marriage earlier this year. The typical horse sees water but refuses to drink scenario forced me to abandon the relationship as she simply refused to acknowledge and take proper ownership of her mental health. Want to try and socially reconnect slowly, even if only online to begin with. Start taking small steps and do the things I used to enjoy, start rebuilding my life. Hope to contribute and share experiences here, with what I'm able to relate to.

I'm new to this but i wanted to reach out ..

replies: 3

Hi my name is Roula and I suffer from really bad depression and anxiety. I absolutely hate it as I feel that as I'm getting older its getting worse or is it that I'm not noticing it more and not just pushing it down and bottling it up.. I've seen a couple of physiatrists asking for a diagnosis and maybe some proper medication to help but I haven't had much luck, the most I got was I have adjustment personality disorder.. which isn't really much to go by.. I was abused a lot as a child, was groomed by a teacher in school, developed really early and have had a handful of failed relationships. NOW I know there are people out there that have it a lot worse then me and I don't want to sound like a victim .. I just want to know how do you guys get your self out of bed and be motivated to do things during the day, be actually happy like really happy without just hiding behind a smile.. how do you sleep at night when your anxiety keeps you up all night.. I've always been seen as that bubbly loud possibly adhd, possibly autistic funny girl that suffers from really bad mental health but lucky I don't self hard anymore and I don't want to die .. I just want it to stop sometimes.. Sorry and thank you again for letting me blurt this all out.. maybe I should start writing another diary? I was seeing a GREAT phycologist from being in an armed robbery under victims comp but now I cant seem to find anyone.. Is it just me or is it really hard to get into seeing anyone during the pandemic? also has anyone tried CBT? I've been told that would be best for me but I don't know where to start.. I was recently emitted into ED for mental health but I know the poor hospital doesn't really have room for someone that isn't a threat to themselves or other people I just get so angry sometimes I want punch tings and hurt myself.. like an outlet of self harming without cutting.. How do you guys do it? Roula xx thank you x

Family member support for OCD diagnosis

replies: 5

Our son has been diagnosed with OCD and is house bound with obsessive thoughts concerning germs(covid) and long term OCD symptoms only recently recognized. He is 37 lives with his partner with two young children. Myself and partner are actively involved in his journey and we are trying to understand and help him and his family. Please can we share information and actions we can use to support each other.

Feeling Broken

replies: 10

Hi. I'm new here. I have just been signed off work with anxiety. I have a stressful job in healthcare and have had several times where I just couldn't work...longest being 6 months in 2018. I feel very down and lost. I have no energy or patience for my 3 kids or my husband and have no motivation to do really anything. I spend a lot of time in bed. I know about all the things that will make me feel a bit better ,exercise, good food, fresh air, routine...but I don't have the energy or motivation to do anything. Everything is an effort and I'm so tired. I've been experiencing panic attacks and feel short of breath a lot of the time. This is frightening and debilitating but my GP won't give me anything for this. Not sure how work will respond re me taking time off but no one from management has enquired about how I am. They just thanked me for my medical certificate. I feel let down as all my anxiety and stresses started due to issues at work and most of these have not been addressed by mgmt. I'm a very different person from when I started this position 6 years ago, not in a good way. not sure how this will all end. Just waiting to feel better. Thanks for listening x

Does eat oats

replies: 2

Suffered depression and anxiety for many years. Now older and retired need help with social anxiety and lack of inspiration

Been here awhile but, never introduced myself.

replies: 4

well, hello there! I'm suffering from depression since I was young. Tried to kill myself but chicken out back then. Been coping with my depression for decades. I think I'm suffering from ADHD and some anxiety issues. Been trying to get a hold of a psychiatrist but I couldn't find one that accept new referrals. Tried to speak to a psychologist but felt more like being judge, so I just agreed to everything they say and shut myself. Feeling stuck now but hey, at least I have you guys right? Nice to meet ya'll.

Need some advice

replies: 7

My parents are really disappointed in me and hate that I have anxiety. My brother has it too and they are really supportive with him and with me they hate it so much, they refuse to support me and everything. I want to go see a counsellor but I cant ... View more

Gay son

replies: 9

My 13 year old son has just told us he’s gay, although not a surprise to hear him say it was still a shock. We were calm and had a little chat about it, we just want to support him but not push to hard. It’s a thing we know very little about and are unsure how to handle it. We love him dearly and want him to be happy, but can’t help worrying,any advice would be much appreciated. Tia

New here, old anxieties :)

replies: 5

Hey! Not sure where to start, but Ive had issues with anxiety and depression for awhile now. I was closer than ever recently to seeking help but the office didn't have any openings so I kinda just stopped. But I just finished my first year of uni today, yet I feel worse and so unsure of what I will be doing for the summer. Yesterday this guy at my college asked me out, I panicked and said I would get back to him. Then I felt bad and today told him I would go out with him. Since then Ive been avoiding him and I just feel horrible. Im not in the place to date right now but I feel horrible for telling him I would. Everyone keeps telling me to just go on a date but I feel like I can't breath. I don't think I can date a guy I don't know well. I just don't know what to do, I want to just run away I feel like such a horrible person. Well I hope everyones having a good day

Anyone awake???

replies: 22

Hi new to the forum usual stuff of can't sleep after a rough day just wondering if anyone is around?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Rediscovery and healing replies: 6

I'm new to this but i wanted to reach out .. replies: 3

Family member support for OCD diagnosis replies: 5

Feeling Broken replies: 10

Does eat oats replies: 2

Been here awhile but, never introduced myself. replies: 4

Need some advice replies: 7

Gay son replies: 9

New here, old anxieties :) replies: 5

Anyone awake??? replies: 22