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.

[thebadwithin]

hello Elizabeth, what your feeling I think you'll find most people on hear feel the same we lose hope , we don't think about tomorrow or weeks down the track we just see the bad. life wont get better unless you make it there IS someone for you and its hard when someone we really love walks away from us harder for us than most we cant just drink eat ice cream and move on its weeks maybe months of depression. it makes life easier if you have someone to talk to professionally or a close friend. making sure you eat and exercise can really make a difference but reward yourself every time. just know not all of life is bad take everyday for what it is good or bad and keep moving forward even if it feels like your going no wear you are alive that's a very good place to start. 

[RichardMan_1991]

Hello. My name is Richard and I am 24 years old. I signed up a while ago but I haven't got involved in the forums yet, so here goes. I have struggled for a long time with severe depression, social and generalised anxiety disorders, and I am recovering from PTSD.

I would like to share my experiences and story with others, meeting others, and learn from other people's experiences.

Because of my experience, I am passionate about mental health and helping others, and am looking at doing social work/counselling for a career.

Thanks!

[thebadwithin]

hellocongratulations on uni big step, and you started a new hobby, I feel like your really fighting its far from easy to try new thing because yes we meet people that will make us feel bad because we don't know what we are doing or in our heads we feel unliked and worthless I have tried to hold on to my friendships suicide has taken more than it should have. depression can effect relationships take it from me, depression can just happen like it did for you and you may never know why. boyfriends come and go so do friends but life keeps going. as for you lashing out its not unusual think about it life gives us stress with anxiety you tend to think the worse will happen "every time I make friends they don't like me and they don't want to spend time with me"  "if I get a boyfriend they will leave" 

Anxiety is like fear so we become bitter because you feel like nothing you do will work out for you and sometimes yes it wont but there WILL be times if we give things a good chance they will work you will find yourself maybe with a good friend or someone that can help you experience things you don't really want to do because you feel "Crazy" your not I' know you mentioned your living by your lonesome with your pug, dogs can be a good companion because they don't judge they almost don't fear they just do what they do because they can. take a lesion from your pug life can be pretty sweet it just takes a good positive outlook and a life time of trying and retrying don't give up people ant as bad as you think they might even surprise you. PS I don't know where you live but I'm looking to make friends so if your interested I'm in perth. if nothing else I hope I gave you a little bit of hope keep trying to find answers until you get them 🙂 

[Chris_B]

Hi thebadwithin, welcome to the forums, and I hope you'll stay around and provide some support online and share your experiences.

Our forums are anonymous in order to protect everyone's privacy and safety, so we don't allow members to meet up outside of the forums, or share contact details. For more information how our forums work and what the rules are, please watch our welcome video below:

[AAA77]

Hi all. I'm a 37 year old father of 3 kids under 4. I've been a police officer for 17 years and have experienced depression related and PTSD issues on and off over the last few years. I've seen lots of horrible things that no person should have to encounter ever, more than once...

I've managed the battle in various ways for years and at the moment am winning the fight at the moment.

I have some tools up my sleeve to help put things in perspective. Looking forward to contributing here if I can.

AAA77

[Sanderlee]

Hi there

Im new to the forums, i have come to provide an ear where i can. Sometimes being able to talk through things with someone open-minded and non-judging might help. Sometimes writing your feelings seems like the only way you can bear to communicate them. I have felt that way before so i hope i can be there for someone as someone has been for me in the past.

 Being able to reach out to each other is a great thing. I look forward to being part of the Beyond Blue Community.

Thanks

[Tea_girl]

Hi, I am on here for the very first time. I suffer anxiety and depression. It is more sadness that I feel at the moment due to a problem with a daughter in law who has managed to finally after 17 years alienate my son. No reasons given, just wiped from their lives ( two grandchildren as well).... The heartbreak has been unbearable. This person has been putting me down manipulating my son for years and he has now caved in for the sale of peace. Been three months of anguish, self doubt, going over conversations all to no avail. Perhaps someone out there can give me advice or has encountered something like this. I will be contacted " when they feel like it" . Gutted is the word. As a mother the pain is unbearable. Some days I am okay, other days I crumble and struggle to get out of bed. Mothers Day and my birthday went by with no contact. My son is a good man. I will never give up on him but part of me is angry with him for turning his back . 

[behind_blue_eyes]

Hi

 I'm 27 and have recently been diagnosed with PTSD. I have a wonderful husband and 3 children.  Been married 5 years. 

I had a rough chilshoot. 

I've recently been struggling with panic and anxiety attacks. Have recently moved back to our house and am missing my friends like crazy. I'm looking for somewhere to go with people who know how it feels to be where I am at the moment in my struggle I call life.

I'm hoping to find some really hopefully things on here to help me out. I don't like counselors as I can never seem to talk out loud. 

Thanks for reading g.

[Daft_17]

Hi all. I am a newbie to this fantastic forum. My main reason for joining is to see if I can be of any assistance or provide some useful input and put my studies to good use. I am 55 years old female  and have had a very eventful life as I am sure you  all have; I started studying in my 50s by getting my diploma in Social Sciences and have almost completed my diploma in Counselling. I am very much a people person and have family members who live with depression and anxiety so I can empathise with the difficulties that surround this affliction. My aim is not to save anyone or be the hero but to offer my ear and support because you are the heroes who against all odds with all the pain and suffering that comes hand in hand with depression and anxiety continue to battle and find solutions to your pain. 

[kenzlblackk]

Hi my name is Mackenzie and I am 15. When I was 10 I had quite severe generalised anxiety disorder. It was treated over the course of one year, by seeing many, many doctors and receiving treatment from both the physical and mental sections of the hospital. Before my treatment, I hadn't eaten properly in a few months, I found it hard to even drink water, and at first, doctors put it down to a stomach problem. We soon found out otherwise. I am here to say that with the motivation to be a better person, the right people in your life and time, it really does get better, however cliche or unbelievable that is to hear. I can definitely see a difference in myself when I look back. There are still times when I freak out or worry about nothing or the littlest things, or when I just feel sad or when I hardly sleep at all. I am so, so willing to help any person with their problems. So to everyone, good luck!