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.

[star101]

Hi, i am new here. i was just wondering if anyone has found something that has helped them cope with depression and/or anxiety? let me know

[CMF]

Hi star101,

If you know the cause of your anxiety, then you need to remove it from your life if possible i.e I ran a small business years ago from home, I had anxiety worrying about being a failure and letting my clients down so I had to sell the business. as I worked from home everytime I walked into the house I was filled with anxiety. read up on a natural sugar called INOSITOL, it helps.

depression, try and keep busy.  I know its hard.  I try and change my routine, it helps a little.

[HelenM]

Star101

If you start up your own thread then people can post on it to help you.

Best wishes

Helen

[HA1]

Hello Everyone!

I am a male, married to a wonderful woman. I was formally introduced to the 'black dog' about 6 months ago in a (for me) fairly spectacular fashion.  Although, with the benefit of hindsight, I would now admit to having an undiagnosed relationship with it since I was a young boy.  Something I had suspected for a long time but not admitted to myself.  

I will post more of my story separately.

I am not sure if or when I will be seeking any specific support from this forum. No doubt I will at some stage.  I am interested in giving back by helping others so I will aim to contribute where I can.

All the best to everyone.

Regards

K

[Sora]

This is my first time on the forums, I am 23 and have been suffering from anorexia and depression for 8 years, I missed alot of my teenage years due to it and I want them back 😞 I just can't find much to live for. Recently having moved into a small unit has made it so much worse, I miss having a backyard and my own space to work on small projects being constantly around my mum who is also depressed isn't helping at all.


beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

 

[AGrace]

Hi Sharon,

Welcome, and thanks for the introduction to your story. 

As the sole purpose of this thread is only to introduce yourself, I wanted to check in and see if you have joined in any of the existing discussions, or even started a new thread yourself? If, as you mentioned you are after some advice, this would be next best step.

[tofillmyemptyness]

Hello... where do I start... I have signed up to this site to save myself.

This is where I will begin to find my happy self

I have taken the tests here and I have been advised to seek guidence from my GP, I will be doing this next tuesday... until then I am going to start here. I am a recovering Ice addict, I have 4 beautiful children who need me, I have never felt so alone in my life

i am terrified of tomorrow 

[princess68]

Hi

Im new to the forum space as of today. I suffer with anxiety and depression, however, I am hopeful. Looking forward to meaningful discussions with members. Take care 🙂

[--Danny--]

Hi fillmyemptyness, welcome to beyond blue!! This place will definately help you!! Best of luck with recovery! I am looking at entering a detox clinic myself & also have 4 beautiful children !! I reckon we can support each other through the tough times!! Keep strong & I will try my best to help u!! Please let me know how u went...

Warm regards,

Danny

[aidjm]

Hi there.

I'm male, 18 years old, living in NSW. Last year I finished highschool, stressing my way through the HSC, and this year I headed off to uni.

I decided a few years ago that I would pursue a career as an actor. I started a Bachelor of Performance at uni, as well as doing a short course at NIDA at the same time. My perfectionistic instincts took over, and I took it all really seriously. It got to the point where I was taking everything so seriously and getting so worried that it wasn't fun anymore: performing became this big difficult task that I had to get "right" or I would fail and be worthless. I even found it hard to have fun with friends or go to parties because I was so stressed and worried.

Finally, after 1 semester, I broke down. I was sick with the flu and feverish night sweats, I was exhausted,

I was terrified out of my mind and I could barely think straight. One day on the way to my short course, I couldn't take it anymore, so I called my parents and they got me on a train home.

Since then I've been going through some

severe depression and anxiety. I have been having suicidal thoughts, and I have come close to cliff edges, but I think I've calmed down since then. I still have the thoughts sometimes, but I make no more attempts. A big thing for me is this fear of not being good enough, or not doing enough, or being useless and a failure.

Now I'm just living at home with my parents, having deferred uni and quit NIDA for six months. I'm trying to keep active, see friends, get my license, get a job, etc. I'm seeing a very nice psychologist, and having a go with CBT, although it's difficult.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do for a career now, and I guess for the most part I'm trying not to think about it too much because it gets me really down. There's a determined, almost tyrannical part of me that still wants to act professionally, and another part that's scared to

death of it, now that I really understand just how intense professional theatre is. I'm hoping I'll get my confidence back and figure things out.

I guess I'm joining this forum just to connect with some people that are feeling what I'm feeling, and to ask some of the questions that I find really hard to talk to people in person about. Incidentally, it's the first time I've used a forum, so there you go 😛

Anyway, that's my story. Thank you so much if you took the time to read all that.

beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.