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.

[pipsy]

Hi Rodjama, Pip here.  I hope today you're feeling a bit more positive about your future.  I know we all have our 'off' days, but hopefully, they don't last too long.  I found, in my case, my in-laws had caused a lot of my depression to resurface.  Once my husband accepted my decision that I had to distance myself from them, life did get better.  It's taken years and lots of fighting for my husband to realize how cruel they treated me.  He still blames me for some of the problems, but, hey, it doesn't matter what he thinks.  I KNOW the truth, that's all that counts.  I don't have to validate myself to him, or them.  I am happier in myself, that's the main thing.  He still sees them (and complains about the way they behave), that's his problem.   I know they're his parents, but that doesn't give them the right to treat anyone the way they do.  My husband is too weak to stand up to them, he reaps what he sows as far as I'm concerned.  I don't hate them, I feel very sorry for them.

Cheers, take care.

Pipsy.

[White_Rose]

Dear Wade

I have just spent ages writing a response to you only to see it vanish as I clicked the wrong button. I would like to continue talking to you about workplace bullying or any other aspect of your life.

Can you start a new thread under Depression or Employment and Workplaces? That way more people are likely to join in as posts can get lost in this section.

Regards

Mary

[Bronzilla]

Hi all, I'm Bronwyn and I'm in Perth City. Just recently completed the speaker training in Perth and it was fabulous, really enjoyed it and connecting with other Perth people passionate about mental health. I lived with anorexia (and all the things that come with an eating disorder such as depression, generalised anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and hearing voices) when I was younger and am 99% recovered at present (after many years of outside help and inside work). Looking forward to connecting on other threads with you all! 🙂

[Jay95]

Hi

My name is Jay, I'm 19 years old and I live in Melbourne. I am currently pending diagnosis for PTSD and have had Generalised Anxiety for a few years now. I come from a background of domestic violence, neglect and abuse, which resulted in my 7 siblings and I being put into foster care when I was 15. I have issues with self confidence, self harm and anger. Obviously my past is a huge contribution to my mental health issues but with the help of sites like this one and reachout, as well as my regular Headspace appointments i'm working through things. 

I love; playing football, taking my dogs out for walks, landscaping, hanging out at Jan Juc, I play in drums in a band and guitar as a solo artist. Hoping these forums can help me get to know and connect to others!

🙂

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.

[Susie]

Hello, It has been a while since I last was here and thank you for this site.   It feels reassuring for me that there is this help and have read alot here that has helped me feel not so alone in this anymore.   I look forward to being here and wish you a good day.

Susie 

[Zymlex]

Well hello all, I'm new to this site,  my name's Zymlex.

I'm one of those odd cases of depression and anxiety, where I told my parents i wanted to get tested for it.  They take me to the Doctors and the doctor said he had yet to meet someone like me; diagnosed with anxiety and severe depression, but showed almost no outward signs.  (I was quite the internationalist back then).

I mainly joined this community to try and help others, so that hopefully less people have to go through what I and many you have been through. 🙂

[KP_2014]

Hi all - newbie here. I'm 31.

i have generally always been a pretty upbeat person until I lost my dad in November 2014... Since then it's all a bit of a blur. My husband has had depression and anxiety on and off through his adult life I found out, and so after we lost dad he spiralled. I feel like supporting him through that time took my chance to grieve the loss of my dad properly and in a timely way. 

i haven't seen how my grief has affected things other than bouts of sadness and feelings of being lost. I was always a talker but now prefer to shut down, I didn't want the grief to have that power over me, so I figured not talking about it would make me stronger. I'm now on the verge of losing my husband... Go figure.

im here to learn from others experiences and find a way out of the 'fog'. 

[lost_helpless]

Looking for help! 

hi im Mitch im 23 years of age and I'm not sure what to say or do here.

I had seen one of your adds on tv, i thought i related to one of the scenes. after a few days pondering on it i checked out the website and took the test. the results where high and said i should seek help asap. now I'm here..

not sure if i tell you about myself now or what. honestly i have no idea if i am depressed or just looking for an excuse….

I'm a qualified carpenter who is currently off work due to a work accident. I am also a full time single parent to a awesome little 3 year old. I'm so far in debt that i don't no where to begin also i am a recovering drug addict.i have never told anyone my problems or issue before and slightly scared to send this.

[JessF]

Hello Mitch, congratulations for making a post, it can be so difficult when you've kept your problems to yourself for so long and not told anyone, plus there's still stigma around depression and anxiety - I can sense it in your question that you are worried you might be just "looking for an excuse".

If you have done the test on the website here, and scored high, then it would be a very good idea to see your doctor as soon as you can. The depression test on this website is one that doctors use to diagnose depression and anxiety. This is nothing to be scared about. 

It sounds to me like you have a lot on your plate at the moment with your work accident, and debts, plus your past problems with drugs. I hope you will start your own thread to tell us more about yourself when you feel ready so we can chat more, and have a look around some of the other discussions too and just jump in. You'll find lots of us here that will understand what you're going through.

[geoff]

dear Zymlex, welcome to the BB site, and what you have said is that you really need to get another opinion froman experienced doctor, and because your parents took you, you could be under 18 years old.

What does happen with someone with depression is that we put on a fake face to believe to other people that nothing is wrong with us, and if your parents went with you then this is highly possible.

If the doctor had any experience he/she would have ask to see you by yourself so that your parents were not in the room when he diagnosed you.

To be an International success would feel great, but unfortunately you need assistance for your depression and anxiety.

To start a new post by your own then press 'All Posts' and then press Depression tab where it will open up and then 'Start a New Tread' will appear, and then type in your comment where it will appear on page 1.

This is a comment that needs advice from all the wonderful people that resond to other people, so please I would suggest that you do this, because we want to give you the best advice that's possible. Geoff.