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Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Delly75 New to this have C-PTSD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • replies: 12

Hi. i’m new to this. Just feeling very lonely and isolated. Woke up this morning crying and i’m feeling very lonely and isolated. I have complex PTSD from childhood sexual abuse, and also constant trauma throughout my life. I also have chronic fatigu... View more

Hi. i’m new to this. Just feeling very lonely and isolated. Woke up this morning crying and i’m feeling very lonely and isolated. I have complex PTSD from childhood sexual abuse, and also constant trauma throughout my life. I also have chronic fatigue syndrome with little to no family support and no friend group. I find it very difficult to get out of the house due to the fatigue and also the C-PTSD. I don’t trust anyone, due to the constant trauma throughout my life. I’ve tried counselling before with no benefit. No one understands chronic fatigue syndrome, and the effects it has on you. Anyone else out there with chronic fatigue syndrome or had anything to do with it.

Dannyboi Time to get help
  • replies: 4

Hi first time wanting to help my self out of my addictions which have made life difficult

Hi first time wanting to help my self out of my addictions which have made life difficult

BoldSoul shake, rattle & roll newbie
  • replies: 6

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. Bu... View more

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.

Anxious___Assertive Anxiety after standing up for myself
  • replies: 7

I have recently stood up for myself in a professional setting and I have never felt so anxious. Have you felt something similar? Is this my brain's reaction to me taking a different approach instead of just letting people tell me my worth?

I have recently stood up for myself in a professional setting and I have never felt so anxious. Have you felt something similar? Is this my brain's reaction to me taking a different approach instead of just letting people tell me my worth?

GMarenghi New to forums
  • replies: 7

Hi, I'm not sure whether I have ever felt "lonely" or whether I've just become accustomed to being alone. Recently I watched a documentary on loneliness based in the UK and one of the stories resonated with me. I'm in my early thirties but basically ... View more

Hi, I'm not sure whether I have ever felt "lonely" or whether I've just become accustomed to being alone. Recently I watched a documentary on loneliness based in the UK and one of the stories resonated with me. I'm in my early thirties but basically resigned myself to believing that I will never meet anyone, never get a job, never progress in any meaningful direction. I don't know why my life has turned out like this.

may_04 i can't leave the house
  • replies: 7

hi recently, I've been finding it hard to get out of bed and leave the house. For the past almost two weeks, I've been asleep until 10, gone on my phone for 2 hours, then watched Netflix for the next 12 hours- and repeat. The weather has been beautif... View more

hi recently, I've been finding it hard to get out of bed and leave the house. For the past almost two weeks, I've been asleep until 10, gone on my phone for 2 hours, then watched Netflix for the next 12 hours- and repeat. The weather has been beautiful, and I really want to leave the house and go out for walks and actually live my life. However, I haven't been able to leave the house. The last time I went out with my friend, two old male tradies tried to lure us into a construction site to "help them work". Another four older men stared at my friend and I's bodies as we walked past, making us feel super uncomfortable. This may sound like nothing but to me, it was absolutely terrifying. middle-aged men were staring at a couple of teenage girls' bodies. I felt like a piece of meat. The next day, I left the house to go for a walk as I usually did every day before, and I was out for 10 minutes until I felt like everyone was staring at me, judging my body and the way I look. I felt as though everyone was thinking about how ugly I am, how the shirt I was wearing made me look huge- just crap like that. so I kept my head down and walked home as fast as I could, and I haven't been on a walk since. My parents are calling me lazy because I don't do anything all day. The truth is I'm not bothered to do anything. Things that I used to love to do seem like so much effort now, like reading, drawing, going for walks, or seeing my friends. I want to go out and live my life but I'm trapped in this bubble and can't get out. Is this behaviour normal or am I just being dramatic? To those of you that actually sat there and read through all of that, I salute you, congrats. Thank you - may

taytay01 Depression
  • replies: 4

My depression house is getting out of control. I don’t know what to do anymore!

My depression house is getting out of control. I don’t know what to do anymore!

Angel2021 First time talking about my problems
  • replies: 3

This is so hard for me to actually do this and open up i've had depression and axiety since i was 16 and now i'm 34 after loosing my mum to cancer things started to go down hill my so called dad did stuff towards me because his words were i'm the onl... View more

This is so hard for me to actually do this and open up i've had depression and axiety since i was 16 and now i'm 34 after loosing my mum to cancer things started to go down hill my so called dad did stuff towards me because his words were i'm the only female in the house now it had to be done i was scared everytime he would come near me he would be sexually innaproprate with me I use to scream at him tell him to get loss but he think it was a joke and laugh i would hide into the bathroom an lock the door and cry would tell my brother but he would go back and tell the father everything i said and I would be made out to be a mental person that needs help just trying to cause trouble even the father's own brother was a real creep. I went to the cops about it as i had enough and needed help my cousin who works in law firm brought a lawyer with her told the cops i was a maniac who needs to be locked up and seek help couldn't deal with it anymore at the cops station i took off went home and grab much clothes as i could and left headed and lived at my grandparents without telling anyone lost contact with all my friends didn't wanted to go out or leave the house as it was my confort zone started feeling more depressed and axiety hit seen three counselors and therapist they didn't want seem to help kept saying it's making me worse felt bad even more i ended up stop going finally meet a good GP he actually put me on tablets for depresson and axiety was helping great felt like my old self again not worrying about my past use to have great conversation with him if i was feeling down and yesterday found out he had to give his practise away due to him being really sick now i'm really scared of meeting a new doctor and going through everything again telling about my past having to be sent to see another counselor or therapist and getting treated badly.

Letzi Confused and alone
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, but certainly not new to depression. “My Friend” the Black Dog has been around for decades and I’ve been on various meds for over 20 years. Without going into details, my childhood was very dysfunctional marred by... View more

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, but certainly not new to depression. “My Friend” the Black Dog has been around for decades and I’ve been on various meds for over 20 years. Without going into details, my childhood was very dysfunctional marred by physical, emotional and sexual abuse. These experiences have left deep scars and a broken soul. As my age increases, the medication seems to be less effective and the depression worsens, I find myself avoiding social situations and spending far too much alone with my thoughts which is not a good thing. i used to be a gym junkie, going to gym 6 days a week, now I find it a major effort to find the motivation to walk around the block. I’ve seen psychologists and psychiatrists but feel that medication can do nothing more to help me. I am divorced and have no family. I keep acquaintances at a distance and wear a cheerful face when in company but am finding it increasingly difficult to interact with people. I have no sense of belonging

Growing_Violet New member - hello
  • replies: 12

Good morning I have read posts on this forum over the years but I never signed up. Today, I decided to sign up so I could start posting. I suffer with depression and anxiety relating to trauma. I still struggle. I have been engaged in psychotherapy f... View more

Good morning I have read posts on this forum over the years but I never signed up. Today, I decided to sign up so I could start posting. I suffer with depression and anxiety relating to trauma. I still struggle. I have been engaged in psychotherapy for several years. I, and my psychologist, believe that most of my problems stem from childhood abuse in addition to the early parental loss. Also, life challenges such as career setbacks have made my illness more difficult to manage at times. I wanted to start posting as I think connection may be helpful for myself and others.