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.

[AGrace]

Hi Philippa,

Welcome to Beyondblue. I think you'll find plenty of kind and supportive people here.

Thanks for sharing your story. It can be tough sometimes looking back and realising how long we've been suffering for. I can only hope there were some good memories in those 20 years. 

It sounds like you have a great support network in place, so hopefully we can add to that. Your cat sounds like a godsend. I don't know what I'd do without mine. She is my sounding board whenever I want to vent and not get a reply. Pets can play such a significant role in our wellness. 

I hope we'll hear more from you. 

AGrace

[AGrace]

Hi James, 

Thanks for trusting us with your story. 

It's understandable that you feel sad and lonely, you've just experienced a significant loss, even if as you say, you'd had enough anyway. 

Sometimes they say "if it's meant to be, then it will" and I think this applies to your relationship. 

Self medicating can often stem from not wanting to feel the feelings we do. There are definitely other ways to tackle this. Have you considered visiting your GP? Usually this is the first step, especially if you've had prior unhelpful thoughts. If necessary there's a list of GPs on Beyondblue's website who specialise in mental health, you could start here.

It's possible that your Dr will refer you to a Psychologist or other therapist, would you be open to this? 

There's also the option of prescribed medication. 

I hope you'll let us know how you get on with the GP, or even just post to vent your feelings. If in the interim if urges to self medicate come up, dont hhesitate to contact Beyondblue. There team will help talk you through these.

AGrace

[SubduedBlues]

I started on the forum as 1-Kings-19-4, a Biblical reference to someone who had enough and asked God to take hime out of this world. My head was screwed up and i wwasn't thinking right. 

I've since relabelled myself as Deposed-and-Dejected, but now I am thinking that just Dejected is more appropriate. 

I was one of the original ADD kids, diagnosed in 1969. Ritalin came out in '71. I had polylalia, hyperkenaisis and tourettes. The first time i tried to harm myself,  I think I was 10. My mom spanked me. As a teenager I had a bad case of the blues;  depression as a diagnosis wasn’t a thing yet. I escaped with various drugs and dangerous acts until my best friend succeeded in turning himself into a vegetable. I stopped and withdrew. Since then I've just gone through life with a case if the blues, but no depression. I never went back for another check (and still haven't) cause I'm afraid of being diagnosed with depression. 

Too often have I had to deal with the death of a friend or family member. I have always needed to be the person who helps the other guy; even if I lose in the processs. I always make sure that everyone has a safe ride home from my kids parties; hoteks and clubs (and always for free). Sometimes having to drive over an hour to get them home. And always waiting until they've entered the house before departing. 

After school I joined the army. Traveled the world and settled in Australia. fell in love,got mmarried,  had four wonderful children, bgbg, and then everything fell apart

Now here I am, trying to remember what happened,  how I got here, and find my feet once again. 

Tony

[HelenM]

Hey Tony,

You won't get help cos you don't want to be diagnosed with depression. I remember being in that situation. Finally I accepted going for counselling sessions - I was terrified they'd lock me up. The counsellor suggested I had depression. I had mixed feelings. It explained why I'd felt miserable for the last few years but confirmed that feeling different to everyone else was real.

Getting treatment for my depression was the best thing and I hope that in time you can realise that some of the best people (not the famous but lovely everyday people) have depression. I hate depression but thank God I'm not a person I'd hate to be.Takecare, Helen

[Minamoo]

Hi, this is my 1st time on a forum. My name is Mina I am 52 married with 3 wonderful adult children. I live on a farm in Victoria. I have been suffering from CPTSD, Major depression, anxiety for the past 6 yrs, I have been hospitalised more times than I can remember but my survival is due to my wonderful psychiatrist who is always there for me, I see him twice a week for psychotherapy which is incredibly tough. Life is tough and lonely.

I would like to get some feedback about psychotherapy whether you have found it useful.

thank you for accepting me into the forum

[jaspergirl]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself as Jaspergirl. In 1998, at the age of 17, i had my very first psychosis. It was scary, a time of uncertainty and one that would not be my last. Over the next 2 years, i had 16 admissions to pyschiatric wards while the doctors tried me on a number of different medications. Finally we as a team found out medications worked for my body. At the time of my first admission, i had just started year 12...i had a boyfriend, a job, a life. Sure there were times when things did not go well for me but i always seemed to get through it...or so everyone thought.

My first admission lasted 5 weeks. In this time i lost a lot of friends. My family did not understand what i was going through and life was hard. My foster parents even told people i had gone interstate for a holiday to try and protect me from gossip. This would have worked wonders if only i did not try and call friends from the public phone on the ward. Ooops!!!. So my secret was out. Everyone knew i was in a psyc ward and i only had myself to blame. But looking back, it was something that if i had not gone through, i would not be the person i am today. I am proud to be me. I am happy and i know i have a wonderful husband who treats me like a queen, even when times get tough.

So for the first two years, from 1998-2000, life sure was a roller coaster. When i was manic...life was exciting, fun and uncontrollable. i would have all these amazing ideas and thoughts were constantly rolling around in my head. I felt i was invincible. Life had no boundries and i was free of everything. Or so i thought.

Friends became scarce. Most didnt know how to deal with my weird behaviour. Some thought i was crazy. Others used the term 'Mad' and a 'Nutter'. I soon realised that it is better to have a few close friends than have a thousand friends who dont really know you. 

When i was 17 i was told by one of the doctors that i would never get married, never have a job or never have any children. I can still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. I was determined to prove him wrong. I am happy to say that i have done all that he said i wouldn't! I am proud of who i am and i love the idea of these forums. These give people the chance to reach out when life gets tough. I want to be able to help others in their time of need. To show them that they too can surpass this stage in their lives and reach the other side of the rainbow. Everyone deserves happiness. Thanks 🙂

[AGrace]

Hi Jaspergirl,

Welcome to the forums. I have nothing else to say except I AM SMILING:))

[JAI007]

Hi, thanks for reading and replying.. I'm definitely not "fed up with her", just the situation of being in a long distance relationship.. She's the most lovely, pure , kind etc, woman I've ever met, so definitely not tired of her one bit.. just the situation of where we live... haven't seen a GP yet and definitely can't afford a psychiatrist whatsoever.. Just exercising, and gonna finish my degree.. cut down drinking and smoking weed.. just gonna focus on doing the things that are good for me, cos all the other things haven't worked for me... also gonna look at studying something else to improve future work prospects... 

[AGrace]

Hey JAI007,

Should you change your mind about the Dr, you can find one who bulk bills so you are not out of pocket. Also your Dr can provide a Mental Health care plan to significantly reduce the cost of Psychologists/ Psychiatrists.

Thanks for clarification this lady sounds worth considering your options:)

AG

[Mama7]

Hi all, I think its time to join this group, 3 weeks ago my 19 year old nephew took his own life, I'm now sister to a good man who has lost his son, Aunty to the nephew left behind, wife to the police husband who has seen too much of this, mother to 4 adult children and their partners who have lost a cousin.  I had to fly interstate to tell his grandmother in person, its too much of a shock to an old lady to hear this on the phone.  My brother lives a long way away from his other son and the rest of the family. The signs were there, we just never thought it would come to this, 2 of my children have been suicidal in the past, and Im scared, I would appreciate hearing how others have supported each other, my siblings and my husband have ensured my brother has had company these last few weeks but my husband has to leave at the end of the week and the house is full of memories, he took his life in the family home and I worry for my brother when he is left there alone. Thanks