Members new and old, introduce yourselves here

[Chris_B]

Hi everyone,

This is (what will hopefully become) a mega-thread for members, new and old, to introduce themselves.  I'll kick off:

My name is Chris Banks and I’m the online communities manager at beyondblue. Basically, I’m here to help out, contribute to discussions, and answer any questions you may have about beyondblue. I work with a team of moderators behind-the-scenes who keep the forums running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I’m 37, originally from New Zealand, and have worked as a filmmaker, journalist, and musician.  I’ve spent a good chunk of time working in the mental health sector too. I have lived experience of bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and have been living in Melbourne for nearly two years. In my spare time I enjoy movies, music, hanging out with mates, and I barrack for Hawthorn, much to the disgust of some of our regular members!

I’m not a psychologist or counsellor (although I have seen a fair few of them), so I can’t give medical advice. Like everyone else here, I can provide peer support only.
I really enjoy being part of the community and virtually meeting the many different people of all ages who come through everyday, even if they're not feeling the best when they arrive on the doorstep. Hopefully in your time here you'll feel less alone, and pick up some tips and encouragement for the journey.  

(passes on the talking stick)

PLEASE NOTE: This thread is for introductions only, if you have an issue you would like to discuss ongoing with the community, please start a new thread with your topic in the appropriate section.

[Evansmum09]

hello my name is Jade. I just signed up today. I am 23 years old and am hoping I might find some help here. fingers crossed I guess.

[Mares73]

Hi all my name is Mary & my history was growing up in poverty, an alcoholic abusive father & a history of sexual abuse by him, then a Priest then a stranger attack 3 yes ago. I had such low self esteem never thought I was worthy of love so married the first person I met aged 19. Still together but not together in terms of a loving happy marriage.  I was highly functioning until depression hit after my first child at 23. I've always been a people pleaser & last few yrs haven't worked as my husband got acute leukemia. I'm lonely & isolated at home, lost motivation & this forum has changed my life. I try to read & help others as I know how hard this illness can be. Most importantly we need hope & that's what I'm fighting for. The friendships formed here are so important to me. I have depression, anxiety & PTSD. I value & care deeply for all the wonderful people that make Beyond Blue & the forums a sanctuary where compassion & genuine care thrives. I'm so thankful for the great friendships I've formed & my hope is to be there for others in need. Hobbies are a new concept for me so I need to find things I enjoy. I thank everyone for their courage & compassion. Love Mares

[ShazT]

Hi Chris,

What a great way to get me started! 

My name is Sharon, I am a 41 year old mum with two beautiful children and I also have two gorgeous grand daughters. I have been living with my partner for the past 1.5 years and since December last year he has been suffering with depression and anxiety, which has stopped him working. It has been a very hard and often painful road for me to travel as I had no idea what depression was all about. I started reading books on depression and also googled information which then led me to this website and I didn't know where to start, so Thank You for opening this up.

I guess I am really looking for others to talk to who are in my situation as I don't have family support and my best friend has told me that she doesn't like my partner at all so that makes it really hard to talk to her. I work full-time to support us both financially and that is a huge struggle at the moment. Any advice or just a chat would be great

Cheers, Sharon

[Jimboe737]

Hi Totogirl,

I have registered with beyondblue because of a daughter who has depression so have some limited understanding of what you're experiencing.  Reading your story rang alarm bells in my mind.  I agree with your family and you've found evidence of the guy's character on Facebook.  He's obviously a scammer who is emotionally exploiting your vulnerability and will exploit you financially if you permit it.

If I was advising my own daughter I would suggest she terminate the relationship and have no further contact with the person, EVER.

The less stress you create in your life the better it will be.  There are many caring, honest people around and my daughter has met a caring, understanding  fellow since her separation.  If you are free of emotional involvement with someone, who isn't bringing you happiness, you have an opportunity to move on and find someone who has integrity and is honest and considerate.

I'm no counsellor but sometimes hearing this kind of advice from someone other than your family members may help you deal with the issue in your own best interest.  I hope it helps!

Keep well.

Jimboe737

[Jimboe737]

Hi Mark,

Just a quick note to thank you for your positive encouragement.  I have had a bit of an epiphany where my comprehension of depression is concerned.  I will post on that subject in a different forum which may be more appropriate.  Thanks again.

Regards,

Jimboe737 

[Nickname_]

Hello.

I heard about this forum today via Facebook link and thought I check it out as I found Beyond Blue the 'most' professional and caring organisation in Australia in comparison to others.

I'm not sure if I will stay around. Being a loner, I don't have anyone to talk to and often fall for online forums. My psychologist urge me to stay away from them unless there its professionally operated and moderated. This is because my situation is different to the standard and many people will not understand or judge with a negative outcome on my feelings.

Who am I? Well, I am in my late 30s. I have suffered depression since early adolescence. I have been through considerable trauma. And I suffer from anxiety. I tick 4/6 boxes with severe rating (and I still didn't win the holiday to Fiji)

Keeping it short. I am now sober etc free going into my 6th month as of 19 July 2014 after around 15ish years of "self-medicating". It was by pure chance very late last year that I was able to get help (it is just sad it had to be by "pure chance encounter"). I am trying to create a straight line for myself but it is still difficult.

I have commented elsewhere and I came here for purpose. So hello. And like to say I think Beyond Blue is the best (I will not comment on the other so-called orgs) 

[HelenM]

Hi, my name is Helen. I'm English and live in Scotland. Because the internet makes the world so small I found this site and it seems better than any of the others I've taken a look at, so here I am.

I live with my 2nd husband and our dog, Cassie. I have a son and a daughter. My son is single and lives just 10 mins walk away and my daughter is married with 2 yo twin boys 17 miles away.

I first became ill with depression in 96 but got better easily. In 2001 I had a massive depression and have been in and out ever since. I had to leave my part time job a few years ago as my health could no longer handle it. In 2008 I married my 2nd husband and that was the best day of my life. 

I really enjoy crochet, volunteering in a charity shop, reading  going out for a drink with a group of friends, and seeing my kids and grandkids .

The biggest upset I've had for years was when I became ill in January. I'd started a French course at Alliance Francaise in November. I loved it and would say I had an aptitude for the language. However, within a few weeks of becoming ill I had to pack it in. Maybe I'll get back - I really hope so.

Wishing lots of ((((((hugs)))))) for everyone on here

[nightangel67]

Hi, new here...just joined...:)...My name is nightangel67 aka Lorie. I am fifty-five single Mom to two. My dd lives on her own and my ds lives with me.

So glad I found this place. I am trying to cope/deal wit Anxiety/Depression. After reading the posts I don't feel so quite alone.

Thanks for letting me join. Much appreciated.

[Daffodil]

Hi Chris, I am new to the Beyond Blue forums (this is my 1st post).  I am attending an Induction Day tomorrow in Adelaide in the hope of becoming a Volunteer Speaker, which is something I have felt passionate about for a while.  I think it would be really rewarding if I can help just one person with some strategies/techniques that I have used over the many years that I have suffered greatly with Depression.  I am well at the moment & am very keen to get involved with Beyond Blue to try & dismiss the stigma associated with this illness & to try & help people to help themselves and get the treatment they deserve.  It is so sad people suffer in silence so much because they are embarrassed to talk (although it is getting better media attention now for people to talk comfortably about their illness & it's not a weakness).  I am very excited about tomorrow & hopefully I can make a difference in someone's life with a bit of help from me !!  Cheers Carolyn

[andrewvs]

Hi, my name is Andrew, I'm 44 years old and I was born in and live in the United States. I came across this forum by searching for some information on the condition I have, and I found the testimonials regarding it on this site to be extremely informative and important to me, so I decided to join up. I'm a little slow to warm up, so I will post in the appropriate thread when I'm ready.

It shouldn't take too long though. I've always felt a comraderie with the Australians I've met in my life, and find them to be forthright and honest, which is what I'm looking for. As well, I feel I may be more comfortable talking about my issues by utilizing a forum outside of my home country. I have visited your country before - Sydney in 2000 - and I really do love it. In fact, I almost moved there! So thank you all for having me.

Aside from my main concern, I have battled with social anxiety and depression for a large portion of my life, so I hope that in addition to finding some help for myself, I may be able to help others in return. I am an excellent and active listener, and have learned some good techniques to combat anxiety and depression over the years.

I was married to the love of my life nearly two years ago, and we live together in the state of New Jersey with our lovely Abyssinian cat, Kirabelle. We hope to move to the Pacific Northwest next year. I'm an avid fan of shoegaze - as well as many other kinds of music - and I like to attend concerts when I can. I started training in karate over 3 years ago, which has been quite amazing and enlightening for me. I've been promoted up to 5th kyu during that time, and it has done wonders for me in balancing my body and mind. Other interests include poetry, ancient history, astronomy, and especially discerning truth from lies. It takes quite a discerning mind these days to cut through the media circus, but I am focused on becoming the most effective human being I can be, using all of the tools and information at my disposal, whatever it may be. I have a very open mind and I never dismiss others' perspectives without giving them their due discernment.

I trust that my time here will be fruitful. As there are no free lunches in this world, I expect to pitch in and help as much as I hope to receive guidance from all you kind folk.

Thanks for accepting me into your forum.