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.

[teacherman64316]

Hi all,

 I only signed up to the forum today. Last Friday, my wife was hospitalised for suspected bipolar disorder. For our entire marriage my wife has suffered from mental illness, but in the last few months it's become evident that it was far worse than either of us ever expected.

 I know she is getting the care she needs in hospital but my anxiety is through the roof. I'm terrified I will not be able to help her when she gets out and my actions will exasperate her condition. 

A friend of my suggested I join this forum to try and talk to others and gain a better understanding of a life with mental illness.

Cheers.

[Chris_B]

Hi Anthony, welcome in. Congratulations on starting your university degree! Have a look through some of the threads in our Men's forum, in particular the one below from Country guy - I think you guys are going through some similar stuff.

First time here

[Ksaavvy]

Thank you Chris B.

 I shall do some reading and see what i can do to help myself 🙂

[Chris_B]

Hi Crumb, welcome to the forums. Everyone's feelings and problems are just as important, so no need to apologise. Some threads you might be interested in, first a couple from members who have scoliosis:

Battling chronic pain and depression

Recovering from setbacks

And another couple from members who have struggled with depressed/anxious feelings and falling behind in schoolwork:

I don't know if I have depression of it's just life

Feeing guilty, stupid, lazy and like a burden

In terms of resources, have a look at the Understand what's going on page of our website here, it will help you make an assessment about how you're feeling.

Also, I can recommend our webchat (link at the top right of the page) which operates between 3pm and midnight, our counsellors talk to a lot of younger people like yourself and that might be a good place for you to reach out if you're not comfortable speaking face to face just yet.

Hope to see you post again soon.

[Chris_B]

Hi mesophiaanika, welcome to the forums. Sounds like you've been through an awful lot, and are still struggling. Please remember our support service is available 24 hours if you would like to call and speak to a professional counsellor.

Here on the forums you'll find many people who can relate to the different aspects of what you're going through. Below are some threads you might find helpful. First with regards to the eating issue:

Over eating

Binge eating as a coping mechanism for anxiety

Binge eating

And some more about abusive relationships:

Letting go after an abusive relationship

Anxiety and abusive relationship

How to deal with an abusive partner

Finding it tough after ending a difficult/emotionally abusive relationship

Take care and hope to see you posting again soon.

[Chris_B]

Hi teacherman64316,

Thanks for joining the forums, you've come to the right place if you're after insights from people who are walking a similar journey to you. We have a few threads on partners with bipolar at the moment, feel free to read and contribute to these:

Who can I turn to get help when my partner has Bipolar

Dealing with a partner with undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder

Struggling with a partner with bipolar

There are also a couple of threads here from the perspective of a person with bipolar:

Bipolar diagnosis

Just diagnosed with bipolar

[Special_K1]

Hi I am 31 and have suffered from depression, anxiety and OCD since I was a teen.  I find it hard to lose weight while on medication and wanted to see if anyone else had the same problem.

 I am also wanting to have a family in the next few years and wanted to find out how others like me have coped and what they did the get through the delicate pregnancy and first year time.

 Thanks xx

[Chris_B]

Hi Special K,

Welcome to the forums. Weight gain from medication does come up on the forums a fair bit. Here are some threads you can participate in:

Weight gain by ThousandMiles

Weight gain by Ashtay

Weight gain on meds by Missmuppet

Many of the stories you might find on here around pregnancy tend to be from people who are struggling, but if you look on our Just Speak Up website here there are some positive stories. You can also start your own thread in our Staying Well forum if you like. There are also some useful resources on our Emotional health during pregnancy page.

[Special_K1]

Thanks Chris B 🙂

[mesophiaanika]

Hi Chris, thank you very much for the warm welcome and for the links, I shall check them out 👍