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.

Grindle · ‎11-08-2015

Hello all, I am not sure if I have done this right, never been on an online forum before. Been feeling not so great lately and feeling I really need to connect with others who understand mental illness. Roughly a year ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2, after many years of dealing with massive depression and weird moods. The birth of my daughter in 2012 is what I believed triggered my mental state to move up a gear or two - hormones and sleep deprivation I discover are two of the most common triggers for Bipolar episodes....!! Anyway I have been feeling lonely regarding this diagnosis and at times I play down how I feel because I don't want others to feel like they are always taking care of me. Can anyone relate? I felt like I was so messy, unpredictable, unmotivated, disorganised, scattered, for so many years and I always felt childlike and that others had to take care of me. So now I have a diagnosis and other medication, there is a part of me that feels I should just pull my socks up and grow up now, time to start living like a 41 year old. I can't even explain how I really feel, I am not even able to articulate it for myself or my counsellor, who is amazing, but I have to admit, I don't feel fully understood by her. Do others find that? Anyway, just feeling blue on a Tuesday night and decided it was time to find some people who I could connect with and especially when I do not want to leave the house or look someone in the eye. Thank goodness for online forums!! Hope all are as well as can be and may there always just be even the tiniest sliver of love and light in your world (some days really feel like "sliver" days...)

RiddlerRight · ‎11-08-2015

Hi All,

I'm new here and suffering from stress and anxiety. Mostly from work. It would be great to just talk stuff and help each other asking the way as we cope and deal with our situations.

I'm seeing a psychologist now along with a career coach too. I'm just constantly overwhelmed at work and getting little to no support especially from my boss.

I'll reach out in other topics more appropriate but thought I'd say hi here.

Chris_B · ‎13-08-2015

Grindle said:Hello all, I am not sure if I have done this right, never been on an online forum before. Been feeling not so great lately and feeling I really need to connect with others who understand mental illness.

Hi Grindle, welcome, you're in the right place for finding people who get it. If you'd like to talk further and have some of your questions answered, please start a new thread in the most appropriate section.

Johnno1402 · ‎13-08-2015

Hi

this is the first time I ever been on a forum like this. I am a 46 yr old secondary school teacher. I have had depression for about 17 years I been dependent on a variety of medical drugs for a very long time. I work closely with my psychiatrist and family for support, I love my family very much Wife X 2 kids. I don't talk about my illness much as don't want people to treat me differently. My Principal and some close friends at school know about my situation but that's about all. Some days are great and 'I'm up and about' other days I'm not so good ' I feel people are talking about me and no one likes Me'. This is so strange people think I'm happy go lucky and a funny cool guy, but inside I feel like a fake and lonely.

Anyway that's my story

Any_Annie · ‎13-08-2015

Hi, I'm not sure where to start... I've got a toddler and twin babies all close in age and the babies are not sleeping through the night yet so needless to say all of my emotions are heightened at the moment. I've gone from working a job that I love to being a vomit covered Mum who can't even find the energy to brush my hair most mornings. I've got a loving husband who I try not to hate (I've promised myself not to make any rash decisions while sleep deprived) and a sister who is terminally ill. Feeling lost.

janazantar · ‎14-08-2015

Had a pretty bad and seemingly quick relapse with depression today. I was diagnosed 20 years ago and have had therapy and medication over those years with varying success and real progress in the last year or so. Last couple of weeks I've had about 4 days of sadness. I felt like crying which I did and it actually gave relief which is new for me. Not fighting the tears or hiding them was, I thought a pretty positive step since on my previous medication even when I felt like crying I just never actually did. Changed medication about 6 months ago and wasn't initially suspecting a depressive event since the feeling didn't overwhelm me or last more than a night so. Today however I really went down hill fast and far. Not sure what's going on considering I had started to think I had found acceptance of this disease and implemented really useful tools like Mindfulness, exercise and little achievable goals. Today I was humiliated by my boss, not for the first time but I'm quite surprised by my reaction and the speed it seems to have left me feeling fractured. Luckily I have an appointment with my psychologist tomorrow but that seems quite a long way away right now and although I've talked to family and accept it may be a long night I thought why not try this avenue to see if it helped the night along. Pretty tired from the day so hopefully it may not be too long a night after all. Realise that the forum check has to occur so likely I won't get any feedback right now but maybe that doesn't matter.

starshine · ‎15-08-2015

Hi. I'm in my 50s and I don't remember a time when I've been depression free. I have issues around some past bereavements from a very young age and, in recent years, I was badly bullied at work. I was out of work for over three years (recovering) and have just started a new job (well, I'm three months in).

I grew up in a household with one alcoholic parent and the other who was judgmental. There was a lot of sadness for me about whether I was really wanted. There were other adults who helped me here and there and it made my childhood more bearable.

I see a psychologist every fortnight. I've seen other therapists over the years and I find it helpful. This is the first time a therapist has told me that I demonstrate aspects of having been traumatised. I think he said that trauma can linger in our bodies. ... Sometimes I feel a bit fuzzy about our discussions once I'm out of there.

I've belonged to other depression forums. I'm thinking it's time to make a fresh start. Maybe it's a chance to tell the story over again but with difference in perspective.

Hello, I'm starshine.

starshine · ‎16-08-2015

Hi Johnno. It is healthy to have somewhere safe to talk. Psychiatrists and such are obvious for these conversations, but I think it is useful to talk to people who are going through similar issues. I hope that this forum works out for you. I'm glad that you took the step.

starshine · ‎16-08-2015

Hey there. I just want you to know that I'm reading. You are carrying an incredible load & i'm glad that you are reaching out here at BB.

You are right not to make rash decisions when you're sleep deprived.

White_Rose · ‎16-08-2015

Dear Starshine

Hello and welcome. Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate to much of it. I went through a dreadful bullying episode a couple of years ago. It knocked me for six and I feel I am only begining to recover now. Also had an abusive husband who I stayed with for too long. Just started counselling for that part, but have counselling for the bullying for several years. Like you I often feel fuzzy about the discussion afterwards. I try and write it down when I get home because I forget so much. Then I remember in bits and pieces.

There are a number of threads in the Depression forum that you can read and perhaps join in the conversations. You can also start your own thread if you want to talk about your own experiences. This is better than looking for answers in the Orientation forum where your posts and replies get lost in the other posts.

I hope to hear from you at some time.

Mary