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.

[Ian_B]

Hi, Pipsy and all other members,

I am new to this forum but as a quick intro,

I am a male and have just reached 76 yoa

 4 yrs ago I was out riding my Roadbike  with a few mates we are all in our Seventies, and I had to stop cos'  I was out of Breath, any way they got me home . Then my wife Brenda 

took me to my Doctor, then every thing happened very with Scans , X-rays  thensent to St.Vincents  Hospital in Melbourne to see top Heart Doctor.

Again to keep this short  they Opened me up and took a vein out of my left leg  and  fixed my heart with FIVE Bypasses.

Unfortunately My STERNUM did not seal properly , so I  took a long time to recover.

As it happens with some people I have finished up with ongoing Depression which is very frustrating  and more difficult to fix.

So Pipsy I agree with you recovery can get very Complicated and Drawnout.

Stay well , the Guy upstairs is looking after us

Best regards  Ian 

[chiwowa]

hi everyone i am also new to here,one doesn't know where to begin nor where to end,blue bellbird i so can relate,i am a 50 yr old woman who has lost it all,my father died when i was 4,i had my first breakdown when i was 7 yes 7,i was removed to live with a family member due to family violence,i had gone through life wondering what was wrong with me,never a big eater and always anxious,through from 7 yrs old till now i have been sexually molested and turned to drugs,i cant remember a lot of my life probably as there never seemed a good time to enjoy the darkness which i didn't understand,so by reaching the age of 30 and 2 children and 2 divorces i threw the drugs away and never touched them since hence clean for over 20 yrs,and then the darkness started again,i stayed home i would constantly clean,then my grandmother passed,so i cleaned in the darkness and all on my own then all my family had passed in 2013 my mother my only sibling my younger sister took her life,somewhere in between the darkness some one stole my identity and had a great time,doctor shopping,taking out loans from banks even getting dentures,it would be funny if it wasn't real,i now sit judged by the pharmecutical board due to someone using my identity be handed 2 pills a day,my dr has to beg for them,how sad,but i sit day after day alone and clean and sleep and clean and sleep,no one wants someone with a mental illness go figure they think its contagious,in 2015 how ignorant people are,i have tried to make friends,even tried to buy them,what is wrong with me i think day in day out,so where does it end,if anyone cannot fathom what im saying its what is real and also still living it,so where does it end,

[pipsy]

Hi Ian, welcome aboard.  So sorry to hear about your problems.  I know this is going to sound 'trite' but you're still alive, that's the main thing.  I think the hardest thing possibly for you to accept is that there are certain things you might have difficulty doing i.e, riding a bike.  There are other things you may be able to do.  Taking a gentle walk, for instance.  As you say, God is watching.  He has given you a 2nd chance, not many people get that, after what you've been through.  If you are having trouble sleeping (I know that's the biggest hurdle) there are no 'quick' fixes.  People, Dr's will tell you, stay up later, read a book, put lavender oil on your pillow, listen to soothing music.  None of the above worked for me, because I was put on medication (and not monitored) for over 20 years.  I came off the meds abruptly last year, and it's only now I'm starting to sleep most of the night.  I've just had to 'work through' it.  BB has a phone number 24/7, or you can write them.  There's always someone to answer you.  If someone tells you to 'snap out of it', remember, they don't know what they're talking about.  Don't get angry, smile, breathe deeply, count to 200 lol.  They mean well, they just don't understand, it's not their fault.  Only those who've suffered know where you are with your pain.  I care, mate, been there, done that.

Take care,

Pipsy.

[desperate]

Hi all new kid on the block first postingwith BB . 53 YO male . Diagnosed with Major Depression over 15 years ago stayed "well" for much of this time until I was made redundant from my job 18 months ago and then crashed big time .Tried to work had jobs in my line of work and other different work situations . Could not cope and left them all .  Been hospitalised twice with one round of ECT in that 18 months . completely  drug resistant . Phsy Doc wants me to participate in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation TMS. Desperately wanting feed back from any participants in this method of treatment . Any feedback much appreciated . Thanks all and take care .

[Chris_B]

Hi desperate, welcome to the forums.

As it happens, we've just had a thread start up recently on TMS. You can read it via the link below:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MAOIs

[Chris_B]

Hi Katey and Mum Of Young Adult, unfortunately we don't allow members to privately contact each other, and we would ask that you don't breach your privacy by sharing information that could identify who you are, including where you live (other than basic information such as major city).

We have a thread on why this policy is in place here:

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Contact outside this site

[Chris_B]

Hi Purple Shade (and other new members too),

If you're a bit stuck knowing where to start after posting your introductions here, below are some more threads that have been going for a while that people are contributing to - please feel free to have a look:

If your depression were a physical creature, what would it be?

Three things to be thankful for today

What hobbies/techniques/lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Share an inspirational quote

Movies that you enjoy

Favourite bands/singers

TV shows you enjoy

[oncemore]

Hi Everyone I'm 54 new to this forum and have experienced anxiety stress and depression on and off for 30 years. It still scares me and each episode I think I wont get through but I do . I have a very supportive husband and family. What I need from other people who experience this is reassurance. I hope I'm not asking too much as you have your own to deal with, but I need to know I'm not alone or weird. Best wishes and health to all,

NMB

[KateyM]

I thought that may be the case! 🙂 

[Ian_B]

Hi, Pipsy,

Many thanks for your quick reply and your helpful advIces. Yes , I do consider myself very fortunate to still be HERE

Man Doctors and my family and friends have all said that I came through because of my Fitness to start off with.

I fully agree with you that SLEEPING WELL is the greatest recovery tool, they gave me a relaxing Tablet at night and that made helped me clear my mind and Float into Noddy Land.

My other main revery problem was I just could not eat Hospital Meals they looked great but myTate buds would not accept them, did you have any problems eating?

Pipsy another Tool I have found very very helpful is 

' Meditation '   I have trying to Meditate every day  for I hour with special Audio tapes I bought from USA,

I feel really relaxed and it helps my energy levels to rise.

Thanks again Pipsy,

Best regards  Ian