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.

[BigBrown_eyes]

Hi All, My name is Chris, I am 51 and have suffered from Depression and anxiety for nearly 20 years. I got it under control just over a year ago, with medication and life was good for me, but in the last few months things are bad, Some days I don't leave my bed,  I am suffering from bad headaches. My Mum had a fall last week and broke her hip and is now in hospital, I have been running around after her going to visit her in hospital because my sisters and brother hardly go and the thought of my mum on her own upsets me. My husband was made redundant in April, he has done one temp job for 4 weeks working in another state and he is now home always picking at me to start a fight. Tonight was bad I told him that my depression is bad, that he doesn't make me feel secure, his answer was

" that's it I'm to blame again, sort your self out and he said you and your family are a bunch of C*&#s" that hurt me big time. I also have my cousin from overseas staying with me she has been over a year she is on a student visa and she is always moaning to me about her job. I am going to go and see my doctor this week to see if I can go on another Mental Health Plan. I really need to talk to someone to get this all of my chest and have some advise how to handle it all.

[patsta17]

Hi all,

Well, what can I say....I thought my days of reading and posting on forums were long one, but...here I am once again.  I am 46 yrs old.  Started suffering from anxiety just over 13 years ago after a marriage breakup....I won't go into details just now, but you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.  So, I am remarried, have a wonderful husband, 2 kids from my previous marriage, 3 stepkids and one of our own...yes....the Brady Bunch....we were one short...so we just had one.  Anyway....life is tough....its a struggle, I struggle more so now with adult kids than when they were younger.....still 5 at home....ages 27, 24, 19, 17 and 10, plus partners on occassions......like there aren't enough to look after!  Anyway....so my 19 yr old son(my first from my first marriage)  today comes home from helping out in the family business and is not right, quite teary....i've not seen him like this before, he always so laid back and calm.....so when I asked him what was wrong he broke down and started crying uncontrolably saying that he is depressed!  So, then I start crying...and start asking a lot of questions...how do you know.etc.....why etc.....when did you start feeling like this etc....He googled his symptoms, called Beyond Blue, they gave him some contacts etc....Smart cookie...my boy is!  So here I am....back on the forums, I have just booked him to see my psychologist....(thank someone looking out for us) she had a cancellation tomorrow evening.  It breaks my heart to see him so down...he is 19...he should be out having fun with his friends, meeting girls etc.....not sitting at home crying.  Geez.....I can babble......I'm hoping I can chat with others in this situation with young adult kids going through the same thing and advice on how they help them through it.  Thanks for reading!  Cheers!

[Kathryne]

Hi,

I am interested in mental health and what can be done to assist people currently experiencing issues. I have had family members who have suffered with depression and anxiety. I am glad there are more support services available these days.

I look forward to interacting on the forums.

[SpongCake]

Hi- although I'm in the same boat with chronic depression coming back I would recommend seeing your GP about getting one of the new antidepressants that perk you up. I find the combo SSRI-NRIs much more motivating than the old-style ones. If only some of us could meet up IRL for lunch or a coffee! All the best with getting lively again.

[Pixie15]

Hi Kathryne,

Welcome to the bb forums. I also have family members with health issues and had my own brush with anxiety because I did not have good coping skills. There is a lot of really good information on the site here. It is also good to hear stories of recovery from both sufferers and carers. I think participating here has helped me understand my own family members a lot better.

Cheers,

Pixie.

[Simona]

Hello  🙂   I feel pretty shy typing this.  I'm here because...I get pretty lonely. Also I have these anxiety attacks because people freak me out.  Like sometimes there's just too many of them and many are in couples/groups.   Plus they talk at the same time and they make too much noise.  If one looks at me I look at the ground quickly or at a wall.  My sunglasses help a lot but I just want to be normal because I want to make friends.  I want to know what it is like to have coffee with someone and talk and maybe walk around discussing stuff.

I have three children and a partner. He is like a recluse spider and aside from his business he doesn't go anywhere with me because...well he has sore back and likes this game on his Iphone . I think he is rather addicted because entire evenings he is in a war. he is very serious about it.

ps-  I write/read poetry/stories and I love music & my ipod nano.  I really love dancing around and pretending stuff in my head.

[Chris_B]

Hi Chris, you're in the right place if you need to talk through what's happening. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment.  The best thing to do is to start a new thread of your own in the Relationship and family issues section and our members will come back to you.

[pipsy]

Hi Simona.  I feel you want something from your partner/spouse that he's unable to give you.  The company you crave is real, his is 'false'.  I think you may have to just make a life for yourself, lots of married people have separate lives because of work commitments.  You say you have 'panic' attacks when you're in the company of other people.  Do you work?  I think you have the need to feel you're as good as the people who's company you're in.  You are as good.  You seem to have this idea that if you wear sunglasses, people won't 'see' you.  Take them off, you have a lot to offer, you enjoy reading poetry, listening to music, dancing.  There are heaps of places you can go where you'll mix with like-minded people.  Have you thought about joining a church.  They have craft workshops, they have social evenings for members and non-members.   No-one will make you feel out of place.

Let your husband enjoy his solitary life till he sees you out and about joining people who make you welcome, he will soon want to be with you, but if he doesn't, it doesn't matter.  My husband and I have been married 25 years, I have 'my' life, he has his.  We now enjoy each others company more because when we are together, we talk.  You need to be with people who will 'draw' you out. 

[the_spell]

Hello.  Jumping online to beyond blue for the first time.  Just getting a feel for how this works.  I am curious about the beneficial aspects of this online forum and curious about how being isolated without being isolated works.  Here goes.

[marsbars]

Hi guys,

So I'm new here, and nervous about sharing my experiences... I've been dealing with depression and anxiety for several years. My most recent major depressive episode was pretty severe and I was too scared to seek help for a long, long time. My ex resented and judged me for my depression, and has used it as an excuse for seeking a divorce, just a few months after getting married...My family are supportive, but ashamed, and don't understand why I can't just suck it up and stay positive... It's been a terrible time, but has also forced me to face my demons and accept professional help/treatment.

Im on medication now, and very slowly starting to recover, but I'm curious to hear about how depression/anxiety has affected or changed your relationships with partners/friends/family? Do you have any tips, or are there resources that you've found useful for explaining what it's like? Or how to explain how people can help?