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.

[CMF]

Hi,

Thanks for introducing yourself. The best way to get more people to see your post and be able to respond and help is to start a new one, your own one. Just paste the above post into it.

CMF

[Misdem]

Hi.  I've joined this site because I think Beyond Blue does great work with people suffering depression and other mental illnesses.  And I suffer from one of those, namely depression.  Like many other people I find having a mental illness a two edged sword.  I live with it every day.  At 47, I've got better at living with something I've had for 31 years.  On the plus side, I work with people in human services everyday and my own experience has helped me help others.  I don't share with the people I work with professionally but I find that empathy and my knowledge of services helps.  

I'm hard on myself and don't accept excuses.   

[HA1]

Hello Misdem, and welcome to the forum.

We look forward to hearing more about your story, and sharing your issues and concerns.  If you have any specific issues you would like to address or share start your own new thread in the appropriate section.  Otherwise join the discussions in anyone of the active threads.  Sounds like you have a lot to contribute.

look forward to hearing from you.

take care

K

[Jessie394]

Hi,

I'm Jessie and I'm 23 years old and I've been married for 2 years.

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 15 and the pressures of school and the "perfect" body image became too much for me to cope with. I sought medical help and learned to control my debilitating panic attacks.

3 years later I was involved in an accident and was badly scarred on my right leg. A couple of months after I was diagnosed with PTSD. It was, and still can be, a real struggle for me to be seen in public with scarring. It feels as though everyone is looking at you and judging you.

I joined this site to be able to talk to other people who are in similar situations to myself. It's a great feeling - being able to talk to people who have experienced similar situations and emotions to myself.

I'm looking forward to receiving the support that I need and in return supporting others.

It's a wonderful community that you have created here and I'm glad to be a part of it.

J x

[white knight]

Hi Birdographer,  CMF is correct, to encourage you to start a new thread.

Often we can help you here. Cut and paste your post to "other illnesses".  Welcome.

[Guest_5809]

Hi I am a 40 something mum of 2 boys 11 and 12. I have been a single parent for 7 years. My ex is a narcissist  who has turned my last 14 years since I met him hell, up an down all the time. My younger son us being assessed for mental health issues currently I too have depression and anxiety and live constantly feeling like I have no worth stemming from my marriage and since. I get so low and I tell people I can't do this any more. I am done. I am exhausted. The kids are with me 24/7 there is no respite. No body gets it. I feel so alone. 

[Polaris]

Hey there,

This is my first time here. I've been diagnosed with social anxiety in high school but times are better now. It still gives me a lot of bad times though. I'm a university student.

Looking forward to talking to you all 🙂

[Blackdogshadow]

Hi, I am 36 years old, married with two children. I have suffered from diagnosed depression and anxiety for 16 years and who knows how long before that. I am in an okay place at the moment where I feel I can speak up and speak out but obviously it's not always like this. 

[MPH]

Hi, new here, am desperate for someone to talk to, am not in a good way. Are there any support groups in the south east of Melbourne.

[bluecookie]

I'm Blue Cookie and I'm 24 yo, from Melbourne. I've been struggling with being a very passive person, having anxiety, some level of depression,and low self esteem as long as I can remember. My mother always told me I used to be very confident as a child and I do pinpoint it to 5 years old. When I often try deal with addressing my issues, I remember my sister humiliating me in front of her friends when I was 6, that it emotionally scarred me, which is most likely the reason why I have confidence problems, which has led to other emotional/mental problems. After 4 years of unemployment and trying to get off welfare benefits, I finally got myself a decent job in which stirred some form of happiness as I thought it would stop me feeling like a failure at life. But  no, it just made my anxiety skyrocket. Everyday now, I just feel incompetent, find it extremely hard to wake up and get out of bed every morning. When I arrive at work, my heart just races, I sit for a while and stare at blank space, wanting to drive off and go home and crawl under a rock. The thought of dealing with an angry customer frightens me or even calling one and thinking they'll get angry at me for no reason..I just, get really stressed , that it makes me either hostile or very passive. Sometimes I don't know how to respond.

Other than my anxiety problems, I feel like I don't enjoy life anymore. I just don't know how to have fun, I just feel miserable. This is the real reason why I joined this forum and why I plan on seeking professional help.