Ground zero

[Fya91]

Hi there.

I'm new to beyond blue and found my way to these forums seeking help in understanding.

I am profoundly hard of hearing and and suspect socially anxious and depressed. I have not yet found the courage to see someone professionally face to face and have realised recently that I am self medicating with drugs and alcohol.

I am not sure what to expect from these forums, but I hope at least that it provides a sense of togetherness and community. Maybe I am not so lost in everything on my own.

I currently find daily life a struggle on my own and my interpersonal relationships are crumbling.

Several people close to me have expressed there concern which has prompted me to explore help options... which brought me here.

How do you find a place to start when you feel so overwhelmed by so much? ... By what already feels like a lifetime?

[romantic_thi3f]

Hey Fya91,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for joining us!

I'm glad that you decided to post. I've been a member for a few years now and I definitely see a sense of togetherness and community here. There are a lot of members here with anxiety or depression (or both) so you're not alone in what you're going through.

You asked 'how do you find a place to start' and I think the answer is - you just did. You reached out. I understand that you're not ready yet to see someone professionally, but you reached out here; and sometimes that's not an easy thing to do.

Whether you're a poster or a reader, you might find it helpful to browse some of the other threads with anxiety or depression; that way you can get an idea of what people are doing and what works/doesn't work.

This might be helpful - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well (especially the threads on making goals, mindfulness, gratitude and inner critic)

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies (in having that first conversation with your GP and what to expect)

Hope this helps a little! Feel free to post back or let us know if there's anyway that we can be here for you or help you out in some way.