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.

[HA1]

No worries Pappy

This illness makes us tired beyond belief sometimes.  So, yes, I fully understand.  

Ok, to start your own thread go to All Posts, and select a category that fits your situation, e.g. "depression", anxiety", etc.  Then go to the top right hand corner and click on "New Thread".  

Please get back to us when you have rested.

K

[sorbent]

Hello everyone, i'm a 30 year old guy currently in a career change (back to studying).

 I haven't really talked to anyone about this so its a good time as any to start.

 My first time on here and glad (considering the situation) seeing that I am not alone, I'm currently going through anxiety and trying to get on the right track to get it sorted, When ever my mind isnt distracted I get the urge to worry about every little thing and its starting to get unbearable. I get the feeling of loneliness too at times and i just want the feelings to go away.

I get a bit of relief that there are people that can relate and that we can work through it together. 

 Cheers.

[Rmcd]

Hi 78....I have only joined this site today and have suffered from anxiety and depression for 2 months now which is all work related but can see myself pulling out of it because my employer is trying to pay me off instead of me using work cover. What caught my attention was your ex pat comment. My family and I have been in Adelaide for 12 years and are from the UK, I understand what you are saying about the pressures from the move and the loss of connection with friends and family. We as a family have helped many families try an settle since being here which gives us great pleasure. If you need to talk or ask questions then please don't hesitate to ask or talk through this site and yes I was very poor with my emotions and kept them all in like most men do but o broke and broke big time. I have learnt in a short time that it's ok to talk with people you trust and to let go, just because we are men doesn't mean we are hard as nails, we are human like everyone else. Hope this helps 

[White_Rose]

Dear Sorbent

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Anxiety is a worrying illness (sorry about that). But I am sincere about the effects of anxiety. I remember my father used to get very anxious about various things and as children we used to be impatient with him. "Oh dad, what are you worrying for? There's nothing wrong." Well I know heaps better these day and I hope we can help you.

You are right in that it is time to start talking to someone. Keeping your mind active with other thoughts is great but very exhausting. We all need to rest our minds and do those things we enjoy without being plagued by concerns about the other aspects of our lives. When you add loneliness to the mix it can be a dreadful situation.

What are you studying? Is this something that will add to your career prospects or something for pleasure? I hope you are enjoying the study. Do you get out of the house much while you are studying? I wonder if you have enough exercise/fresh air/interactions with others. When we are at work we do talk to others during the day, both socially and about work and this helps to keep us grounded. I wonder if you are missing out on this aspect of your life. If so this will intensify the feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

I do suggest you go and have a chat with your GP who can point you in the right direction. Doesn't necessarily mean medication or visits to a psychologist. Many GPs are skilled in managing anxiety, mine certainly is.

I also suggest you start your own thread so that responders can find you easily and all the posts will be in one place.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Mary

[postagepaid]

Hi,

Don't really know what to say here. I am a 40 y/o male. Married. Two kids (boys). Work full time. Been feeling pretty crappy since my kids were born (5 years ago), depressed and anxious. Always tired, low libido. Anger. All my feelings are always aimed at myself, never at my family.

I exercise regularly (2-3 times a week for up to 2 hours), I drink only socially and moderately, I smoke a few cigarettes a year, no drugs.

I've always been prone to anxiety, since I was much younger,  but could manage it better.  I've tried counseling a number of times but I always seem to stall and stop going.

I am seeing a GP next week and we (me and my wife) have decided I try medication, if a Dr. agrees. I'm hoping this avenue will work. My relationship has suffered a lot from this, of course and I am finding it hard to separate whether that is now a cause or an effect of my mental state.....

 Anyway, I have also contacted one of the new access coaches, see what happens. I need to deal with this before     

[postagepaid]

sorry, I pressed post by mistake I meant to say before my marriage falls apart and I end up worse than I am now.

[twarbs]

Hi there

 This is my first time in any type of forum and not quite sure how it all works so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong place.

So here I am again in the black hole. 
I have no one else to blame except myself
For the past six months I have been driving myself on the very road to this point of self destruction.
I have been sleeping irradically
I have been binge eating and all the wrong foods, nothing that is nurturing
Every sight of myself leaves self loathing
Every thought is one of self hatred and criticism
The mornings are a dread and I while out the days hoping night will come quickly so I can retreat into my black hole deep inside my mattress.

Why cant I be naturally disciplined and consistent?
I know what I need to do to stay healthy and yet all I ever do is this roller coaster ride of in and out of depression.
Why can I not do what is good and healthy for me?  Or when I am looking after myself and I reap the benefits I still manage to fall off the wagon and land back in this self loathing and hatred of life.
The depression is always there, even at my healthiest the depression sits in the back of my every being building its case to destroy me.  It gathers momentum over time because I cannot keep fighting and eventually it wins.  It wins all the time!

[Lost_in_Space]

Thank you Bluebird for sharing.  My dear Aunt lost her first daughter to what today is simple surgery - a hole in the heart.  But in the 70's it wasn't.  She learnt quickly that others just don't get the long haul of grief for a child.  You move on in most aspects of your life, but part of you never will and we as females have to figure out how to live with this.  So many want to advise and direct you, but you have to do this for yourself, at your pace, when your ready.  All I can say is I miss my dear Aunt, she became a heavy smoker and drinker and past away in her mid 60's.  She never met some of her grandchildren and she never saw them grow.  She didn't want to be here the last few years of her life, and although not suicidal, was very detrimental to herself through the smoking and drinking.  I guess, I wish she was still here.  I hope this post provides another view for you.  Take care.

[Rmcd]

Hi Sorbant........the best thing I done was go to my GP who then wrote a report out for a phycologist. I then entered onto the government mental health care plan which is heavily subsidised by Medicare. This give me at least six sessions with him. The medication has helped me get through these troubled times and talking about it to friends. I'm now over the I am man phase and scared to admit it. All my friends now know and that helps me greatly. Hope this is of some help. 

[Lost_1_Mind]

Hi all.

Again I find myself back in the grip of my life long companion, depression. I have probably had depression most of my life and on medication on and off for the last 10 years (I'm 47). Since my divorce four years ago I have experienced reoccurring bouts of anxiety and depression. So tired of coming back to this point. I realise I suffer low self esteem and a lack of assertiveness and I have been working to try and overcome that.

I am in a new relationship and it was great to start with but now my depression has resurfaced and although my partner is very understanding I feel the dynamic has changed. Whether its recoverable remains to be seen. I hope so.

Reading the many posts here is both thought provoking and reassuring. I know that I may never completely get rid of the beast that is depression but I do believe that it must be manageable to the point where we can lead 'normal' lives. I just want to be at that point, today would be good but realise it will take time.

Wishing us all the best in our journeys.