Members new and old, introduce yourselves here

Chris_B · ‎01-07-2014

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.

Nico_Chick · ‎11-06-2015

Hi all,

Thought I would give this a shot. Hoping to understand anxiety a little more and how I can manage my thoughts and feelings. It's going to be a big year, and there are so many exciting things happening in my life but I can't help shake my feelings of emptiness...or like I'm waiting for my life to happen. I am 23, finished uni a couple of years ago and have been working in the public sector since. I recently moved jobs and thought it would be the cherry on top of the cake (getting married and building a house in November) but still find myself not wanting to get out of bed in the morning and wishing I could just be normal.

Why am I like this and how can I change?

Narniakid · ‎11-06-2015

Hi everyone!

I'm Crystal, I'm 18, and I've been battling severe depression and anxiety for 5 years. After a long battle, I'm finally in recovery after finishing high school, and things are finally starting to turn around for me.

A year ago I attempted suicide, after really struggling through school and feeling like there was nothing worth living for in my life. Since then, I've completed my HSC, got my provisional driver's license, got a part-time job, stumbled across the man of my dreams, and I'm currently studying and volunteering in radio.

I didn't think I'd ever be here today, let alone with everything I've managed to achieve. I can't say I don't still suffer the symptoms of depression and anxiety, but after recognising and cutting out the negative people and things in my life, and learning how to cope with the thoughts and feelings through breathing exercises and various art forms, I can finally say that I am happy with my life and who I am. I am here to share my experiences, and if I can help just one person turn their life around, that's enough for me. Stay strong! You CAN get through it!

White_Rose · ‎11-06-2015

Dear Guest 144

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Good to see you are working on your problem. It's never easy with any mental health issue so many congratulations for starting out along the road.

I see Pipsy has already responded to you and offered a couple of suggestions. I also see she refers to your husband but I wonder if this should read wife.. Not that it matters much, just helps us when we offer suggestions. Despite gender equality, men and women do tend to act differently.

I hope you manage to find this post and I suggest you start your own thread on one of the other forums. That way all your posts and replies will stay together and be easier to find and read. I hope to find you there.

White Rose

DefiantPanda · ‎11-06-2015

Wow so many people here who are depressed, can't believe it's this common.

Often when I wake up in the morning my thoughts are already racing, the same thoughts I always have when I start to feel down and lose the motivation to do things. Often I try to control things in my life and find I have no control over them at all. And often I feel that I haven't done all that I wanted to do, that I've failed, and that compared to other people I am awful, terrible, bad.

I haven't been in a romantic relationship for a long time and I have terrible self esteem...

The medication I started to take, funnily enough, makes me want to stay in bed EVEN MORE! It makes me want to sleep all day! It's not so good....

Zelig · ‎13-06-2015

Hi all.

Depression creeps in every 6 years or so. I've had it for 30 years.

Have run a business, married, had 3 kids.

This time it's different. I'm older, I've stopped working (always worked through before) and my teens are driving me insane and exhibiting their own social phobia/ depression symptoms. And greater stressors are on me then any other time.

Hopefully it passes.

Meds are making me feel distant, slow and stupid this time too. I don't think they can actually help this time. Real problems need real solutions this time.

Going to have a look around

Z

FifthElement · ‎14-06-2015

Hi, New to the Forum as I am trying to start somewhere in dealing with a cycle of depression/anxiety that comes and goes approximately every 2 years or with major situation changes (starting a degree, moving country, Job etc.). I realize it is a pattern that started at Uni, then first job, moving overseas, changing relationships regularly. I think I run away from the stress and find new busy activities to distract me, pull me out somehow. I am going into a deep one now and decided I need to start something more drastic this time. It is not fair on my wife having to deal with this.

The frustrating part is everyone else thinks I am successful and cant understand why I would feel like this - good family, great job, healthy kids etc.. So, it feels quite lonely.

I would like to understand the resources on how to manage this in the workplace - e.g. if I need to admit the illness, get diagnosed and then how to get time off to get healthy or not. What are the workplace laws and protections we have. And it is quite urgent as my division is getting acquired and so this change may not be healthy!!

Where too from here? Off to the GP when back from travel and interviewing with the new business owners - anxious times but with no other job, I cant run away. Trapped!

Dolfin · ‎14-06-2015

Hello everyone. Im new to the forums. I am hoping to connect and talk to others who may be going through similar experiences to myself. I am glad that there is somewhere to go to talk to others and listen to others and because of this I instantly feel a bit better.Cheers

Beryl · ‎15-06-2015

Hi twarbs, when i read your message i thought it looked like it was written by me. I understand all the feelings you expressed and i think you are very brave and are also hurting very badly to be able to be so candid. I admire that. Youve told it just how it is. One of the many annoying things i have found with my depression is that it dmpens your will power to the point where its just so hard to get a grip on yourself. Every day theres good intentions todo all the right things we know we should do for a healthy life, diet, excercise, grooming, keeping the place tidy, attending to mail and all the rest of it and then by 3.30 or earlier it all falls to bits and before you know where you are youve scoffed off a packet of biscuits,and havnt even got organised enough to have a shower. Then you feel terrible and start knocking yourself, and the self loathing thing you mentioned kicks in and you end the day in a ball of misery and cant wait to go to bed to sleep and blot it all out. Then you wake up and it all starts again. Does any of that sound familiar?

You are not alone, lots of us in here are struggling with this kind of stuff. Im quite new here too and im finding its very helpfull to talk about what your going through with a great big family of people who really care about YOU and actually know what your going through. We dont judge you or loathe you, your a worthwhile valuable human being, worthy of respect and gentleness. Welcome to this amazing big family. Keep talking to us, Beryl.

Chris_B · ‎15-06-2015

Hi FifthElement, welcome to the forums. A couple of things:

1. Start a new thread in our Employment & Workplaces forum, you'll be able to speak to other members about workplace issues there.

2. Have a look at our Heads Up website, which has resources to help you make decisions about disclosing in the workplace and managing your mental health.

percy1984 · ‎15-06-2015

hello there everyone my first eposide was late last november i was out at the club and started getting pulpitatitions in heart thinking it was bad got taken to ememergency couldnt find noting wrong with me got checked for everything was all good then two days later back home same thing happend again rang ambos got taken to emergency couldnt find nothing wrong wid me , then docter there told me i had an anxiety problem. and been on medication since then i have my ups and downs nearly everyday from then but have more downs , the story i read on here about anxiety is exactly me . i only just started reading the axniety forums this week and im feeling alot more beta when i read peoples story on here that i have bad case of axiety .