Members new and old, introduce yourselves here

Chris_B · ‎01-07-2014

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.

Doolhof · ‎01-08-2015

Hi Hairtie,

I have just discovered your post. It is wonderful you have discovered Beyond Blue and the forum here.

It is great that people introduce themselves in this section, but it does not seem to give each person a great deal of exposure.

I would like to recommend that you try to set up your own thread under your own title and you will then hopefully receive more feed back form others.

I too hope you have managed to gain a lot of assistance, support and have learnt new ways of coping since being in hospital.

All the best to you from Mrs. Dools

Hairtie · ‎02-08-2015

Hairtie here again feeling very frustrated with people making fun of OCD. As a person who has OCD it's really getting to me. Does anyone else find this? Doesn't have to be OCD.

Hairtie · ‎02-08-2015

Thank you Mrs Dooles I will look into it. I appreciate your reply.

Jp_lost_in_limbo · ‎03-08-2015

Hi all,

this is all very new to me, call me jp, I'm 26, with 2 gorgeous children.

I recently got diagnosed with anxiety & panic attacks from the doctor after thinking it was just stress...it all came about after my ex of 4 1/2 yrs cheated on me with his hairdresser,splashed it on social media and made me and the 2 kids ( youngest was 10 months at the time) move out. I use to be an out there person,loved my body,had goals & dreams, but my ex I feel ripped my whole world out from underneath me,and I've struggled ever since he walked out

Single mum life is a struggle with moments that make it worthwhile.

its been over a year since the split yet I feel like I'm in limbo...we still have contact because of the kids but it goes from nice to nasty pretty quickly. Weekly reminder how I'm going to ruin the kids are taking its toll. I have separated myself from a lot of friends because after the split, loyalties where proven.i just can't trust anyone anymore n have no one to turn to, the loneliness is what really eats me up inside.

at the end of the day I just want to be a good mum,be happy n have my kids be proud of me...but it's not going to happen whilst I'm stuck in limbo and feeling so broken I just don't know where to start putting myself back together.

thank you for taking the time to read this

RF75 · ‎03-08-2015

Hi All, I thought my life was perfect 2 weeks ago today. Happily married (coming up to 9 years), 2 young daughters (4 and 6) nice job, house etc.

Then my wife turned to me and said "let's be friends", and "I'm not attracted to you, I want a divorce". Just like that - no chance for reconciliation, just all over and nothing I could do or say could change her mind. Apparently she had been thinking this way since our 2nd daughter was born 4 years ago, but was very good at pretending she loved me. She even revealed a week later that she had feelings for another man, but had not acted on them yet (not sure if I believe her now though).

People used to say that we had a strong marriage, now it is just a sham. Needless to say, my life turned upside down and I sank into depression - with feelings ranging from sadness, anger, hopelessness and thoughts of death.

I have since seen a psychologist and a counsellor, which have really helped, along with talking with friends, workmates and family. I am still struggling to come to terms with her decision, but am now starting to accept that I have to be strong for my daughters and move on. We haven't yet told them and it will break my heart again, as the eldest is very sensitive. We are also still living together (separate beds!), for at least another month - which makes it even harder.

I am interested in hearing from others who have similar experiences and how you have been able to cope (for me at the moment it is one day at a time).

DBoo · ‎03-08-2015

Hi all, I am in my 40s and struggling with depression and anxiety. I don't have a lot of support at home or from family and friends as they all live too far away, are too busy, or are dealing with their own issues.

I am lonely a lot except when I am at work. My job is quite stressful at times, and I have had three major anxiety episodes in the last 12 months which have required me to take time off work.

I am currently going through another rough patch, but trying to minimise the impact at work as I can't afford to lose my job. I am currently trying to get back into counselling, but finding it difficult to find the motivation.

Absolutely_fed_up · ‎03-08-2015

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this and I don't know if i'm doing it right but here goes anyway. My name is Catherine and I am a 30year old female and I have been suffering from depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks since I was 18. It has stopped me from having a life. I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for years and I am on medication which I have been on for since the beginning. I have thought about suicide often over the years because this is not a life I have. I am stuck in the house (I can only leave occasionally and that's only if I have a family member with me) and I still live with my parents. I feel so ashamed actually admitting that. All I want is to be able to go out and actually have some fun and experience things before i'm too old to. I have really had enough of all this, its been going on too long. The reason I've decided to join is because I'm hoping it will help me to talk to people who are actually going through the same problems.

Anyway, I will stop blabbering now. Thank you for listening to me.

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.

iriswisteria · ‎03-08-2015

Hello! (: I'm Claire and I'm 21 this year, just moved to Sydney for uni. I've had on and off mild depression (some worse than others) since I was about 8, but the last few years have been particularly trying. I learned what it was like to struggle with anxiety, self-harm, to fight desperately with feelings of inadequacy, despair, and thoughts of suicide. I tend to sway back and forth from the edge of the abyss, and as it stands I am staring into it, but I fight it because if I don't, it just gets worse. I tend to be a bit chipper because of that, hopefully no one finds that too annoying haha. I'm on here because I heard about BB from a friend, and as someone who has had family and friends who suffer from mental illness to varying degrees, mental health is something that's super important to me. I'm here to support and for support, especially as I slowly deal with the fear and loneliness of life away from home. Thanks for taking the time to read. Have a good night and a better day ahead ❤️

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.

eggy · ‎05-08-2015

Hi, my name is eggy, I'm 70 y/o and I have been married for 50.

My wife and I both have full time jobs.

The problem is, that every time that we share a bottle of wine ( ok I have 60% she 40% ) , that when I get a glow on, I get sarcastic and run her down.

Hey, what's happening here, do I need help or what?

This seems a minor problem to what you guys are dealing with but I don't want to split with her this far down the line.

Yes I've been depressed in years gone by, but we have every thing to live for now.

regards eggy

FearisPower · ‎05-08-2015

Hi my name is Liz,

I am a 26 year old uni student from Sydney. I have been suffering from Agoraphobia/Social Anxiety for the past three years. I have not tried to seek any help until now. I cant go anywhere without feeling uneasy and a hyper-real sensation. Sometimes if I expose myself to public places with a lot of people which I intensely feel uncomfortable about, if I do it many times I sort of get use to it and feel better but once I'm out of a public zone for a few days it comes back intense again. I cant even sit in my classroom without the phobic thoughts of embarrassing myself and fainting infront of everyone go through my head. I have tried every herbal supplement you can think of, chamomile, valerian etc and have even read self help books and audio tapes. There seems no way out of this feeling, for the rest of my life it seems as long as I leave my house I am going to have a panic attack everywhere I go if its near people. Airport queues, or queues where it would be obvious for you to flee is what heightens my anxiety the most. I'm nervous to get help from a GP because I'm scared they will say "yeah try this behavioural thinking questions and see how you go" and out the door I go. I don't know if the doctor will really be able to understand whats going on in my head because its hard to explain to someone who hasn't felt it before. I really hope I can get help here. All I want to do is just go out as normal anywhere, to a shopping centre, stand in a woolworths queue line without feeling the fear and need to escape. I don't want to fear anymore.
I hope theres other people out there that understand me.

Thank you