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.

[Brady-Aj]

Yeh well, 

Hi, just joined not sure adout this stuff. Im 38 with two awesome boys and a partner who trys to support me the best she can. Was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and stuff about 8 years ago. Do take stuff for it and it helps a little. Tried to talk to someone once but never went back. Well thats me.

[myownworstenemy]

Hello all,

I am a new member and wish to introduce myself.  I have been suffering from severe anxiety, depression and P.T.S.D. for many years.  This is because of childhood trauma and abuse and chronic illness (with pain).  Some of the mental health issues are organic in origin due to a small tumor in the right medial temporal lobe of my brain.

This tumor caused epilepsy which did not respond to medication, which in turn caused some brain damage.  I recently had surgery to remove the tumor.  This has had a profound psychological and emotional effect on me, making the anxiety much more severe.  I now suffer from panic disorder and the P.T.S.D. is worse.  Since having surgery I discovered that I become very agitated and distressed when confronted by strangers and large groups of people.  I also became extremely paranoid and life became a bit of a nightmare (not to mention how painful it is to have a craniotomy and lobectomy).  On top of all that I was blessed with a brain infection.  What a headache that was (literally).   I am healing well with support from close friends and my brother, who is my only family and my carer.  I go to the gym regularly where I feel safe and supported and I lost some weight (thank God!).  Things are not how I would like them to be but I am determined to get better and lose more weight so I set goals for myself and reaching each goal gets easier and easier.  It is amazing what determination and self-motivation can do for a person.  So nice to meet you all and I look forward to having some interesting conversations.

[Rusty_52]

Hi all My name is rusty52 I have been suffering with depression for more than ten years. I have been working with it all this time I have gone from working 38 hours a week to where I am now working twenty one hours a week.

I find that at this stage I am very down as I have not been at work for four weeks and I do not know when I will be going back. I am married and have 2 Children and 7 grand children. I am finding it very hard to keep a smile on my face at this moment in time. I have been listening to my favorite music and I still find that I am down in the dumps and this is also worrying me as it is upsetting my wife.

[Miami]

Hi, I am a 41 y.o separated Mum. I was diagnosed with depression close to 10 years back in life before parenthood. My husband, I felt didn't understand my struggle with depression, however in fairness, looking back, I was a difficult person to live with in many respects. Since our separation we have developed a really good relationship & he is very supportive in many ways & I am enormously grateful for that. I have treated my depression with medication and whilst it brings about some balance it alone is by no means the answer. I find I am in a better head space when I am excercising regularly. I haven't been well lately and that has fed into me starting to feel flat and struggling with everyday tasks & routines. I'm feeling tired and just want to feel in control of my world again. I have so much to be grateful for, yet some days I feel it's all just an huge effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know we all have our own story, and mine hasn't been all roses. although I have to admit reading some of your stories here makes me realise that there are others with far greater crosses to bare. I'm hoping to connect with people that understand what living with depression means and hopefully offer support to others through sharing.

[Kree]

Counselling might help you figure out the cause of your anxiety and you might then be able to work on fixing it. You should tell your wife, otherwise she may think it's her. Believe me: a man who reaches out for help is not weak, but stronger than he thinks. And she might relish the fact that for once, she can offer a shoulder. Good luck

[geoff]

dear Miami, I can really relate to exactly what you have said, because I too was a terrible person to live with, and now my wife and I are divorced the relationship has now become one where we can talk and see each other just as it was before we married.

It's no different except that we aren't married and living together, but we have achieved so much, just you and your husband would have done while being married, but our marriage couldn't last because of my depression, which was one of a couple reasons, but I always hoped that she and I would grow old together, but not to be.

Can I just say to you that there will be many days where you feel as though nothing has improved, but really it has, it's just having to get used to living apart from one another.

There were many times when I was grocery shopping and suddenly realised that I have to get what one person needs, that's me by myself, and tears came to my eyes, and it is a terrible experience at first, but I had to get used to it, however there was a bonus here, that I only bought the items I wanted, and not buying items that our partner/husband wanted to eat and I hated.

I hope that you post your comment on the main board. L Geoff. x

[CMF]

Hey  Geoff,

its good that you and your wife are in a better place.  I just can't seem to get there with my daughter's father.  he is trying, I know he would like some sort of relationship/friendship but I just cant do it.  anyway I don't know what the future holds.  im just sick of everything at the moment.

[farns]

Hi my names Jason and I'm 45 happily married with 2 kids

I have depression and anxiety and have been struggling the last 2months, we cant really pinpoint it but I've had 3 back operations so myself thinks it has finally triggered the depression, I have great family and friends around me helping me also seeing a psychologist and counsellor has helped.

I'm finding it very hard at the moment, going from good days to down days...not knowing how I'm going to wake up is the hardest, I know I'm not the only suffering from this but I thought I'd share my little story........I didn't think it would be this difficult.

Cheers Jason 

[farns]

Hi Ghengis, 

When I read your post it was exactly what I went through, my employer was and is fantastic and arranged counselling for me, I'm glad you have reached out and told your wife.

It is a bizarre feeling having these symptoms and that's why I've joined BB to talk to people who are suffering the same as me....as my wife keeps telling me Fake it till you make it and that is ever so true.

[Chris_B]

unicorncass said:Hi, I'm new here, I hope this shows up but I've uhm been really bad lately and I need help. I don't like asking for help it, makes me feel weak but I am weak now and I, just need help.

Hi unicorncass and others, welcome to the forums. Please remember this thread is for introductions only - if you would like to talk ongoing with our members then please start a new thread.