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.

[the_motorcycle_boy]

Hi Hideaway,

Thanks for your warm welcome, much appreciated but I'm afraid I don't ride a motor cycle. I never got around to getting my licence. My member name, "The Motorcycle Boy", comes from a character in one of my favourite films. I just liked the title.

I'm not, however, a complete stranger to motorcycles, having been  on the back of a Ducati 900 for a 200 mile trip in Australia. I also toured a lot of Europe as a navigator/passenger on a Kwaka 750, many years ago.

Excuse my ignorance but I think the "Pre Unit Trumpy Bonny" you refer to is a type of Triumph Bonniville? I know they are held in highest regard.

Nice talking to you

All the Best

TMB

[HA1]

Hi TMB - yep, thats right.  Essentially a Triumph nearly as old as me!!

[Seraph_6th]

Hi all

I am a 35 year old male who is just recovering from a big hit of anxiety and depression over the last year. It was a really hard time for me as I am sure it is for everyone but I am managing my condition and I want to come on here and connect with others as well.

I am a family man first with a beautiful wife and a crazy 2 year old son who is the sunshine of my life. My condition was kickstarted by my working conditions and was exacerbated by an unsupportive workplace but mainly my own loss of focus on what made me happy and what I cherished.

I have left this workplace and had some time off in different temp roles but I am starting a new role next week. It is scary as I am still finding new ways to manage my condition and I sort of feel like I may be taking the car for a spin before it is roadworthy. Apart from that I am a lover of films and books and hope to be involved in both someday. Mainly thought, I am a lover of people and life. This can be a downside as I have ran into people who are willing to take advantage and act without remorse or empathy. I refuse to give in and become them so I will go on loving but mainly I will ensure the right people are with me and for the right reasons.

So that is me really, I am new here and I am feeling nervous and weird to the whole support network but I have this feeling that this will help me grow more and that I will find other lovers of life to join me in helping one another.

I hope to talk to you all soon.

[mysharona]

Hi my name is Sharon and I am 56 years old. I have suffered with Complex PTSD for an extremely long time. I believe from the age of around 5 years of age as I experienced hand tremors waking up from nightmares feeling pins and needles in my hands and feeling like they looked like 10 times bigger than what they were. Mum would sit and rub them whilst I cried and cried til the feeling came. Back. Later on I started experiencing other symptoms of PTSD til now. I will either look at something, hear something and I will suddenly feel dissociated with where I am. I feel like I am reliving a moment. At the time it is so real and it's not just a matter of snapping out of it like some people think one should. I sink into my body, I can shake as I am reliving the moment. I can feel nauseaus or even vomit. I feel weak and find it difficult to talk for a few minutes. I so feel in the moment at the time but when all is said and done I cannot remember what I have seen in my vision. It is extremely frustrating. I have had many many counselling, psychology and a couple of psychiatrists sessions and no-one has an answer for me apart from the psychologist saying that the trauma I must have experienced must have been so bad that they would not risk hypnotising me. I am hoping that someone of this forum can give me insight after 51 years of trying to deal with this.

[Rain81]

I am a new member, 33 year old female, I have suffered from depression and anxiety since I was about 15. Feeling anxious just writing about myself, I believe my problems stem from some fairly traumatic occurrences that have happened throughout my life. Thinking about writing my story here on the site, the thought makes me nervous but I think I may find it helpful, confusing! I believe reading others stories and posts has helped x

[JaneLee]

Hi Sharon - I read your post with interest and compassion.  I too have Complex PTSD and I was relieved to hear that you have some similar symptoms as I do (tremors, pins and needles, nausea with flashbacks, disassociation).  I've been struggling with my condition for the last 2 1/2 years - prior to that I had kept a "lid on" the trauma that occurred during the first 20 years of my life.  I sought help for my demons when my first daughter was born at the age of 26.  I was told at the time that I wasn't a drug addict or a prostitute so what was I worried about?  I tried many times to seek help but I presented too well for anyone to see the demons behind the front.  Only now after a trauma 2/12 years ago did I find a psychiatrist that listened and helped me to unpack the many demons.  I'm 46 now and am constantly frustrated by how long this process takes ... it takes so much energy and there are times where it all seems hopeless.  I am on medication and have also been hospitalised many times.  To the world I'm seen as successful - but more often than not I feel like a failure who is dirty and unclean.

My best advice is to keep searching for that person who will listen to your story - with compassion and understanding.  That person also needs to be there consistently for you as trust is very hard.  I have found prazosin really helps with the nightmares and I take medication to help me get to sleep (as I found the more tired I am the more likely the demons will attack).  I feel incredibly guilty of the toll this illness has taken on my family - as a Mother and a wife I have let down the people I love the most.  But I am truly trying every day to be better than I was yesterday.  It is a cliché but the road is long and you have to treat yourself with kindness and love.

I hope you are doing OK.  I have not spoken to another woman with Complex PTSD so I'd be interested in sharing more.  Stay well Jane x

[choocha]

HI, I'm Choocha.

I'm in Adelaide. I used to belong to PsychCentral but found that most of the members were American, hardly any from Australia. My mentor connected me to this site so I thought I'd give it a go.

I have BP, BPD, MDD, GAD & BDD. I am just about to become homeless and file for bankruptcy but I'm surprisingly happy.

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, who keep me alive. I love them to bits and spend lots of time with them. I enjoy reading, watching tv and being online.

I try to stay positive and am a good listener. Are there any chatrooms I can join that are Australian? I like real-time chatting.

I love music and food. I would like to talk to anyone who likes a chat. I can talk about pretty much anything. Bye for now.

[mum_of_young_adult]

Hi, I'm NOR in Perth.

I have suffered from depression for approximately 20 years, i control it with medication and mostly cope well, i have great support from my husband which is a blessing.

I have recently round out my 20 year old daughter is suffering from anxiety and depression which as a parent hurts to the core.

She is seeking help and i have encouraged her to come on to the forum in the hope she can chat to like minded people around her age.

Thanks for reading

Xx

[gautama]

G'day. I have over 40yrs of involvement in the Psychiatric system accumulating a number of daignosis along the way. At 62yo I find myself  in much the same situation as when that involvement began. Pharmaceutically there is nowhere left to go and ECT was ineffectual but along the way I met with some wonderful therapists who did try to help as best they could.             But I would rather make the most of where I find myself than dwell on the past, and hope that contact with others, could provide mutual benefit in learning to live as effectively as is possible. Philip.

[KellyPisces30]

Hello all.  I am 30, mother of three children with autism.  I have just been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.  While I'm relieved to have a diagnosis (here I was just thinking I was broken beyond repair) it has floored me too.  People often have such negative connotations of mental illness that I find myself scared to admit it.  It explains so much, so much of my life has been ruled by this disorder.  Such horrific anxiety, panic, depression and impulsive behaviour.  My mother was also diagnosed when I was a teenager, with bipolar type II, however she ignored the diagnosis and continues to act in a self destructive way.  I'm so scared of failing my children, and I have no one I can talk to.