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.

[Lala1349]

Hi everyone,

I'm 32 and have just this past week gotten medication for anxiety and depression that I have been suffering from for a long time now.

I have been seeing a counsellor for the past year or so, after I got PND, but haven't been able to turn myself around. I feel so stupid for leaving it so long but am hopeful. 

I hope I can connect to some other people who have had similar struggles, and would love some advice on coping with work (I am the main income earner atm) and normal life while I get better. 

D

[geoff]

dear Nightangel, welcome to the site, and this goes to all the above and below people who have posted a comment and I do hope that all of you can post your own comment on the main board, so that you can get any replies to your concerns. Geoff.

[mrkd1991]

Hi,

I'm 23 years old and currently living with my partner and a few friends due to financial struggles. 

I've been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder type 2, borderline personality disorder, possible post traumatic stress disorder and countless others over the past 10+ years. I've seen countless professionals from school counsellors to psychologist and psychiatrists.

I've been on a countless number and combination of different medications, and at current I am taking medication unmonitored.

They seem to be somewhat helpful, but it is difficult to tell because I cycle a lot. My BPD throws me through different cycles, from violent drunk to wimpy school kid. It will even cycle me into bipolar, which cycles itself so that's quite difficult as well. The guy people know today, isn't around tomorrow.

 My biggest issue I believe with my medication is that I have become so "comfortable" with being uncomfortable, that I don't even know what I am supposed to feel from the medications.

Anyway, that's probably enough rambling for my introduction. I hope to find some form of help from this forum, as well as providing help and support for others. Despite how many people label me, I do feel strongly about helping others and gain some feeling of "achievement" and "satisfaction" from doing so.

Thanks for reading,

Mark

[Murrigirl]

Hi My name is Bon.  I am 46 years old, mother and grandmother.  I have suffered depression and anxiety for my entire life.  I have been on and off medication throuyghout (usually coming off medication as it inhibits all feelings for me -regardless of type or strength)

I am really struggling at the moment with many factors hitting my life.

- two close family deaths (mother and niece) in three days

- discovery that my parents were not my parents at age of 45

- divorce

- bankcrupcy

- supporting my drug addict brother

- raising my grandson

- my 21 year old daughter cancer

- loss of job

- sexual abuse as a child

I am expected to hold evertything together for everyone when all I want to do is curl up and disappear.  I would like most to connect with aboriginal people suffering the same problems that can maybe giove me somer advice sometimes.  Talking to people about the disconnection I have not knowing my country my mob my blood would help one aspect of my mess.  I also would love to talk to people who have faced the loss or near loss of a child - because this is really just not fair and I am not able to come to terms with this at the moment.

I am currenlty NOT on medication, coming off cod turkey last month.  It was a horific experience and not recommended to anyone.  Why? did I do it that way?  I buried two of my loved ones and could not shed a tear, nor get angry nor go through the grief process.  Months I tried, and it just built up and up.  I stopped medication and for a week I seriously cried. I released the pain. 

I want to get through the rest of this without making my mind feel like it is not belonging to me.I am looking at natural help if anyone has some pointers.

[Lars]

Hi, B, I understand completely what you are dealing with - my depression / anxiety followed a similar path. I was a national level athlete with hopes to make it internationally but injuries and life just took me elsewhere. I think it's particularly hard for people who don't reach the sporting goal they aspire to, especially when it has been their whole life as a young person - whether consciously or subconsciously, I think we often measure our whole self-esteem and success in life around one thing. Finding work that you have a passion for is difficult as none of it gives the feelings you get from high-level sporting achievement. I've been teaching for 20+ years, still hate it and still struggle to go to work each day. The only advice I can give you is to find something outside of work that becomes a passion and makes your life just that bit more enjoyable. Music is mine - I play and write music constantly at home and even though it doesn't make work any easier, it is something that I try to improve on and can get a feeling of success with and even get the extrinsic praise that, if I'm honest, I miss from high-level sport. As much as I hate my work, I do my best at it and treat it as a means to an end, I'm afgraid there's not many jobs around that you can get passionate about. Keep looking - I hope things start to brighten soon.

[Lars]

Hi Scarlet88, the one thing you must not bow to is the belief that you have no real reason to feel this way. One of those incongruous things about depression is that we feel like crap but then tell ourselves we have no reason to feel that way and thus start that cycle even further downwards. Our problems are our problems and no-one can tell you you shouldn't feel that way about things. My counsellor said to me the other day that no matter what other people can deal with or put up with, it doesn't mean that you should be able to as well. We are all different. Some people can tolerate more physical stress and pain without wilting while others can't. Mental health is the same.

Take care.

[Maroonbur44]

Hi, am new to this forum, my name is Tanya a married 41 year old with 4 children range in age from 10 to 23. Have travelled my journey through depression and anxiety for about 20 years.  I am very lucky to have a very supportive family and friend network with the workplace also very good.  I'm wanting to help others where I can and assist with getting the message out to the world that depression and related disorders are common and we are not freaks. 

[Big_Blue]

Thank you White Rose, I appreciate your thoughts. I'm off to start a new thread, so 'ready, set, go' I guess!

[fabulousme]

hello, not sure where to start, so I am Peita, am 52, never married, no children two beautiful R Ridgeback dogs, a brand new home, big piece of dirt involved - no neighbours all is right in my world........yet.  So am here to listen, learn, help and be helped. I need something to change, cheers

[stormyhike]

Hey all. I came to BB for some info or something to help but i dont remember forums before,  a nice addition 🙂

Im a early 30s male from NSW not too far from Sydney. I live a fairly ordinary life, a job, wife and 2 kids (plus one on the way).

Ive lived with depression for all my adult life and while i had some good months, its been pretty miserable for most of it. Its getting worse now. Ive seen doctors a few years ago but no help.

anyway these days lots of pressure, being sole income earner and we dont have much, still renting, my youngest has medical issues so can never get ahead.

one thing thats really started tk get to me lately is online bullying. You would think it shoukdnt matter to a grown adult male but it stresses me the hell out and starts downward spirals. Im a member of a large forum and i am opinionated, sure,  but respectful. Im sick of being called things though like 'welfare dad (im not!), bludger, lazy, parasite, breeder etc. All because i have kids, get some govt help and dont own a house. Yes, scum of the world.

anyway sorry thats a long intro i will try to visit more as cyberbullying is really sstarting to hit me hard and i need ways to deal with it myself so i dont go over the edge.

thanks