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.

[paperangel]

Hi...

My name is Alaska and I'm new to forums.. I was diagnosed a year ago with depression and social anxiety. I've been looking for help for a while, and my parents and guidance officers don't help. Because I am 13, they say it is a phase and I'll get over it. It feels more than that, but anyway. I just want to try out forums for a while and see if anything helps 🙂

[Chris_B]

Hi Alaska,

Welcome to the forums. Glad you were able to find your way here, you are definitely not alone in dealing with social anxiety. Have a look through some of the threads below to start with, and feel free to jump in when you're ready!

Social anxiety - by Katie101

Social anxiety at school - by Gtwow

Social anxiety - by clouise

Social anxiety - by Jukee

I can't handle the social anxiety anymore - by kelliew

Social anxiety - by sarah272

[Trying_to_sort_it_out]

Hi, I suffered the loss of my last close family member about a year ago and have struggled with it since.

About four days before her death,  I started my first relationship in about 15 years but it has been plagued by issues and I'm trying to work through those issues along with the grief, as well as having only recently finished two years of studying, whilst holding down a full-time job.

I appreciate that this was a lot for one person to deal with and there will be residue stresses but I'm now trying to work out if my current 'mind-miles' are grief, a natural reaction to too much stress, a sign that the relationship should end, or one or all of the aforementioned.

I'm really trying to get some clarity, stop the hamster wheel of thoughts and highs and lows and just get some perspective on it all. I'm hoping that being able to share with other people will help me decide on what actions, if any, will help.

Thanks for reading.

[Jacko777]

Hi Tryin To Sort It Out,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums. I have replied to your post in your original thread, others will too. I certainly think you can improve your situation. (I tried pasting the link for you but it aint working) Click the 'My Posts' tab on Online Forums.

Jacko

[Passionfruit]

HI Everyone

I never thought I would join an online website, but it reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. I have lived with anxiety for many years, and often it can really bother me without any reason. It's interesting how a person can feel so sad or highly sensitive for no reason as well. It has gotten much better over the years, but as I have moved to Australia a few months ago, I am still trying to adjust

[Jacko777]

Hi Passionfruit,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums and welcome to Oz! There are plenty of resources for you to check out here and if you feel like it you can start a thread in the forums. All the best.

Jacko

[Aria86]

Hi all,

New here. Late 20's female that feels like an empty shell. I'm not sure exactly what is wrong, but think it's a combination of depression, low self esteem and social phobia/anxiety. I had a strict child hood and never felt supported. My mother was a dictator and I was raised to follow orders and not have a voice. She kicked me out of home when I was 18 with nothing but a bag of clothes and constantly humiliated me in front of people. We somewhat get along now, and the humiliation and put downs have stopped, but the memories still remain. I  am excluded socially by a lot of women, particularly by my husband's mates wives, husband's sister and women at work. I am scared to go out because I get so self conscious and feel like I don't have a right to be there. I am always angry and don't enjoy anything anymore. I can't engage in any sort of meaningful conversation in person because I just don't have enough to say and my brain doesn't think properly to keep a conversation flowing like it once did. Most people think I'm very quiet and weird although there are occasionally people I hit it off with and can talk to.

I'm going to have a read around. I've thought of suicide, but too gutless to go through with it. I really do want to get help and live a normal life not feeling like this.

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

[Jacko777]

Hi Aria86,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums, we are really glad you have posted. Have a read around of the resources and other people's posts and when you are ready and if you feel like it you could start a thread. Your story will resonate with many of us and I can safely say that we send you much love at this time. As you are probably aware Beyond Blue operates a terrific phone service and/or web chat, it would be a good place for you to start your journey of recovery. It's time to start filling that empty shell. Love to you.

Jacko

[stormyhike]

Thanks Mary your post means a lot. I dont have much answers for you right now but in short, i guess you would say the online thing seems to be a trigger for me, it reminds me of how vulnerable i am, how desperate i am for approval, and to be reminded that there are people who just like to cause distress for little or no reasonn,  it just flips me off the edge where im living anyway.

i suppose my only interactioms socially are online (except work). So i keep going back fro more. I should just learn to shutup. Even better, just dissapear from it all. Anyway i cant quite form the words im trying to express right now so ill sign off for today and hopefully collect my thoughts a bit better. Tha ks for reading

[PrincessButtercup13]

Hi, I'm Alexandra, people call me Lexy or Alex (and lots of other variations of my name). I'm new to the forums. I have used BB's email support last year but I have just been introduced to the website again after a recent visit to the doctors. I find that being able to talk to people online is much easier than talking to 'friends'. Recent events had me at the hospital and had been referred to the Mental Health people. I followed through and I am taking necessary steps to try and find out if I'm suffering from clinical depression or not. I have never felt so fearful of being alone since this incident a couple of weeks ago. I never thought that I would reach the point where I was completely giving up on everything. I hope signing up to the community allows me to connect with people who are going through similar things and be able to offer support, too. I found out that sometimes even if you think you can manage the dark thoughts, when you're pushed through the deeper depths of it, it's actually really scary.

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636