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.

[DixieGirl]

Hello and I am so glad to have found this group and all of you. Female, 37 years of age and at a crossroads in my life. Found this website from a Google search about my PCOS (which I will address in another forum topic posting).

Depression and anxiety are unlike just any disease because they manifest is so many  ways and for different reasons. I am sure as I start this journey asking about the PCOS, I will find other examples of how depression and anxiety truly impact me.

I am hoping to learn emotionally supportive dialogue and natural tactics for treating these problems. To be upfront, I am not anti-medication but don't want to automatically just start taking pills for everything.

Thank you for your time.

[Berenice]

Hi everyone, my name is Shelley and I'm 28. I've been dealing with depression since early high school and in the past 6-7 years of been dealing with worsening anxiety as well. Thought it would be great to come on here and get some support during a rough time I'm having right now.

[Truly_Love]

Bluebird-09 I am sorry to here about your child. Losing a child is a terrible thing. Beyond Blue and the members on here want to connect with you as well. I hope for the best for you.

[Truly_Love]

Fromovertheseas it is nice to see you here. Welcome. It is great to hear you are trying to help others and are looking to what you would like to do. Please keep posting and we will help in every way we can.

[Truly_Love]

StitchLost welcome. It is wonderful to see you here. It sounds like you may be having panic attacks, when you are stressed and worried. The way you are feeling is not stupid at all. Though we love others and have so much, it can be hard to cope with difficult times. What you have aside makes a lot of sense. Please keep posting. We would love to help in any way we can.

[Truly_Love]

Welcome Tommy. I too have depression so I understand what you are talking about. We all want to help, so I'd love to talk more perhaps in a thread on depression.

[HollowMan84]

Hello all

Jay here im thirty years old and ive come to BB to seek answers

ever since I can remember ive been an empty shell , I feel like I have no purpose and I know that's not a new thing to those who suffer depression but ive been diagnosed with major and clinical depression and ive been dealing with it without pills mainly because the anti depressents screw with my health issues neverless I feel ashamed and disappointed in myself that im even here..

I think my issues really took off in early highschool, I was bullied a lot, ive been bullied ever since grade 1.. yeah that's saying something im a bit of a pushover.. never the less I have some pretty severe anger issues that are tied to my depression

ive had a bit of a rough live and no I haven't been touched or beaten up but emotionally a very rough life.. anyway im Hollowman cause I feel empty inside all the time and at some times I cant even look myself in the mirror

pleasure to meet you all

Jay

[Elizabeth87]

Hi,

I only just signed up for this and don't really know if I'm doing the right thing. All I know is I haven't been happy this year. My boyfriend broke up with me in January & since then I have felt like my life is for nothing. All of my friends and family are moving forwards with their lives, getting married & having babies and I feel like I am going nowhere, I have no future, I don't know what the point is to my existence, what am I here for? I just want to be happy again. 

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.

[Goldie22]

Hi I'm 24yo and have made some huge changes lately which I'm not dealing with in a healthy way. I would appreciate any support and advise you can offer to help me push through this rough patch. Could anyone direct me to a tread which discusses motivational techniques to begin making positive changes?

The most scary self destructive behaviors I would like to work on first are fear of action, not getting out of bed (only in the last couple of weeks), emotional eating (only in the last month), social withdrawal, not exercising/going outside, constant rumination and negative self talk/guilt.

Im looking forward to meeting others in this forum.

[White_Rose]

Dear Goldie

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forum. You have a lot on your plate at the moment and I hope we can offer some suggestions and support. I won't expand on that on this thread. Instead I suggest you read the threads in some of the other forums such as Depression, Staying Well and Treatments.

Then either join in one or more of the conversations or start your own thread in one of those forums. I look forward to reading your posts.

Mary