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.

[Mr_Yoyo]

Hi Shimmerone. Like you, I'm new to this forum too.

I've experienced depression and anxiety in one form or another as long as I can remember, in fact, my earliest childhood memory is when I had (as I now understand) a fully blown anxiety attack. I'm over blaming my childhood. Ok, I didn't have an ideal childhood, but I moved on.

When I sit down and critically analyse my life, it is pretty good. Wonderful, supporting wife, two great kids, a job I love (that gives me a real sense of belonging and purpose), a nice home... so why do I feel so miserable so often? The meds help for a while, they even take away that big black hole inside..at least for a bit, but then, either through one of life's normal stresses, a trigger or seemingly for no reason I fall in a heap and cannot function in my day to day life. Talk therapy, doctors, psychiatrists, CBT, meditation have all been helpful to a point. But I'm sooooo tired of it all. I have very few friends (coz I don't cope well socially) but I do have a strong network of work colleagues and family who I can talk to. But I would just like to be able to talk to someone who actually knows what it's like to live life the way I do. Scrolling through the posts, your entry resonated with me for some reason. I would really appreciate you replying to me.

[fromoverthesea]

Hello all,

I am nineteen years old. I've been borderline anorexic and overweight. I'm battling with eating disorders, along with severe depression and anxiety, and have been since I was in my very early teenage years. I'm great at giving support and advice to others, but I find I am terrible at taking my own advice. I've seen doctors and a few professionals - I've left them concerned and thus was put on medication to help me. I went through a phase a ditched the medication. I feel like a death man walking and I do not enjoy life, despite wonderful friends, a great partner and job. I am desperately working on losing weight, and more so, finally beating my depression and anxiety for once and for all. I'm not having much luck, though. I don't want to be relying on medication - I want to seek support to be able to fight my battles by changing my life around and by becoming the happiest version of myself naturally.

That's why I am here. I want to put myself amongst battlers and survivors, and work with you all to get better. I can only hope that I help others on the way. I've been so inspired by this wonderful community. I am currently working in childcare and studying my diploma - I don't know what my dream career is, but counselling of some form has always been on my mind. I want to beat this and help others do the same. I think that's my calling.

So, hello again! Let's do this, together. Xx

[Doolhof]

Hi to you Fromoverthesea,

Thanks for your post and your story. It is wonderful you feel comfortable with the "community" here and that you want be a part of it. Wishing you a warm welcome!

Maybe you would like to start up your own post so people can respond to you and you can further encourage people contributing to your thoughts.

By using your own words, you could call your post something like "Becoming the happiest version of myself naturally".

I'm sure there are a lot of people who would be very interested in reading your thoughts and ideas.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Mr. Yoyo,

Thanks for sharing your story with us all and welcome to Beyond Blue and the community here. I am not sure if Shimmerone will answer your post, but you can certainly start up your own post under Depression or Anxiety and I am sure there will be a lot of people responding and understanding how you are feeling.

People don't always respond to these posts where people are introducing themselves, so a new thread from you under a topic of your choice will help get you communication with others.

Or you could join one of the other discussions already happening and branch out from there.

Hope this helps. Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Mystic Connections,

Thanks for joining the forum and welcome to the Beyond Blue Community.

I am not sure how far you have ventured into the site, but hopefully you have found your way around okay.

If you find a post you find particularly interesting, then please feel free and welcome to join in the communication, or you could start your own post and let us know a little more about how you are feeling, so people may be able to come up with suggestions for you.

Hope this helps you make a start to find help and assistance here.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[LozzieNan]

Hi all

I am new here and have been reading some posts today.

I am 58 have 2 children in early 30's and 3 grandchildren under 3.  I have suffered anxiety and depression on and off for most of my life. First anxiety attack at 8 years old after losing grandfather and then the birth of sibling within 2 weeks of each other.  At 8 years old I didn't understand how to make sense of this and felt alone  and that I did not belong, also reinforced by having critical and 'unavailable' parents.

This pattern has played out during my life in many different forms from withdrawing, rebeliousness in my teens, several sublte abusive relationships,  passive aggresive behaviour (me),  being betrayed by young sibling  and ex hubby and now coming to terms with my children not wanting to know or talk about my 'issues' and feeling blamed for issues emerging in their relationships.

I channeled a lot of my anger energy into study and work for about 15 years after marriage breakdown and then burnout and have been trying to maintain stability for the past 7 years.

From the outside people see me as smart, intelligent, caring, helpful, easy going and coping well. However on the inside I am hurting and very sensitive to what people say or at least how I interpret things. 

I see a psychologist when I need to and I cope without drugs often. Since I can't talk to my family about anything and I don't want to burden my bestie,  I am hoping this community can assist and I can also give.

I look forward to more chats.

LozzieNan

[Elly13]

Hi I am hoping to connect with people who are similar to me. I have depression and anxiety and I just want to hide from the world but I know I can't. Nothing scares me more than socialising with other people, even going to work scares me. I have no friends only acquaintances I have been like this most of my adult life. I don't know why this is? 

[Chris_B]

Hi Kat010101, welcome to the forums and thanks for introducing yourself.

If you'd like to chat further, please have a look through some of the threads in our Young People section, and feel free to reply in there - or to start a new thread if you would like some answers. Below also are some videos you might find helpful:

[Chris_B]

Hi Elly13, welcome to the forums. You're not alone in feeling like you want to hide from the world, and this is a great place to reach out to others who are feeling similar.

Have a look through some of the threads in the Depression and Anxiety sections, and feel free to start your own if you would like to talk more about your situation.

[Chris_B]

Hi StitchLost, welcome to the forums and thanks for posting an introduction.  If you'd like to chat further with our members about your situation, you're welcome to start a new thread in the Depression or Women section, you will get some replies there.