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.

[eddiepsg]

hi all

i am 35 and single. i came from Pakistan about 5 years ago and currently doing two jobs so i don't get much time to socialize with people other then those who i work with and i have been doing those two jobs for about 4 years but still i get the cold look from every body every day maybe because i am Muslim and from Pakistan but still i try to talk to them and they just avoid talking to me.

i know the impression of Pakistani

Muslim is not good but why people treat every body as they all are extremest. i am not sure i got depression but it is very sad and makes me lonely and i am not even sure how is this forum gonna help me or support me i don't know but just giving a try as every body here shared their experiences i thought i should try too and i am not sure that these problems or these issues makes a person sick or whatever but it definitely makes us alone

[entropy_dad]

Hello all, I have decided to join this board today as I have finally come to realise I am in an abusive marriage to a woman of 8 years, I assume she has BPD as all the literature I have found on line seems to point to that being what the cause of this turmoil & her hate and anger towards me is attributed to. In 8 short years I have been reduced from a healthy & fit successful man with his own business, to a quivering unhealthy sad looking individual who basically has no life or friends and lives in fear inside his own house. Today I am taking the first step to trying to extricate myself from this misery by joining here and doing as much reading as possible. 

If anyone can help me with contact details for lawyers, counselors, therapists etc in Sydney I would be very very grateful. After today I am going to go and seek whatever information I can from the police and community services..

 thanks..

[Indigo_K]

Hi

My name is K, I'm 28 and I'm studying full time. I have always considered myself to be strong and self-sufficient, but I've really been struggling just to hold on lately. I find it hard to talk to people around about what is going on (I'm terrified about what they'll think of me). This seemed liked the safest option to talk with people and start a conversation. So I'm looking forward talking with people on here. 

[Kali]

Hi AGrace, and thankyou for replying and welcoming here.

It took me a while to get back here, as I got a bit distracted and sideswept with all the crappy news that's been happening lately in the world. I've started to notice my thoughts are occasionally steering towards being in a depressed place again...like thinking I'm a failure and that no one likes me and all that kind of thing, though my appetite is still pretty regular and good, and I can sleep, so I am not really sure, but I've been feeling a bit down lately..and asked my friend for a hug yesterday which really helped. I'm feeling more able to connect with my appreciative side and can appreciate the people in my life again, and the things that make life good, so I'm grateful for that. I thought I'd connect again tonight, after the news of robin Williams saddened me, and reminded me of the suicidal place I've been in in the past, and the way I was treated at the time. Lots of articles about suicide and depression have been doing the rounds on social media, and it's amazing how much of an impact he had on so many people. I don't get upset by most celebrities dying, but he really affected me, his passing.

I faced a lot of the classic stereotypical unhelpful things that people say, most hurtfully from my own mother, but from people in general for the last 20 years, and it just made everything worse. I experienced so much rejection, but I kept going...no idea why? Now I have the cat so I can't just leave him to fend for himself. And I love him too much to leave. I don't think I'm suicidal, but it was triggering to read about robin and the decision he made. Can't say I blame him though...I know how painful it can be in those headspaces.

[RedG78]

Hello out there

I'm new here, struggling with a partner with depression, not to mention having depression myself.

My partner is struggling and I don't know what to do to help him, and its making me feel horrible. Google led me here.

RedG78

[jonjones]

Hi everyone,

my name´s Jon. Im 29 years old and have suffered from anxiety since I was 11 when I was bullied at school.

I started

suffering from agoraphobia, my legs would shake when I tried to walk down the street. I didnt know what was wrong with me. It was absolutely horrible. I started being tense all the time. Constantly had anxious thoughts. And I was just a kid. I didnt even know what anxiety was!

I started getting counselling when I was 15 because my

mother died. I was seeing both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. And I was taking antidepressants every morning before going to school. I was a mess. I felt absolutely terrible.

However I have overcome

my depression, no longer have the agoraphobia, and dont get panic attacks anymore. My confidence has probably never been higher. And my self-esteem has grown so much too.

All I have now is a little bit of tension from time to time. I think it is because I am still a little adrenally fatigued.

Anyway, I want to help other

sufferers. I have been at rock-bottom, and considered suicide a few times, although I never attempted it. So I can relate to you guys, and how you are feeling.

I hope I can offer some support and advice to you all!

My best wishes!

Jon

[Jo3]

Hi Jon

Welcome to the forum.  It is a great place to chat to others who are in similar positions.

Congratulations on achieving amazing results in overcoming your depression and anxiety.  Can I ask? - How long did it take? Were you having professional therapy and did you have family support?

Sorry for questions, just interested to know how you achieved this.

Again, welcome, looking forward to hearing from you again

Jo

[Silver_Bell]

Hi my name Sylvia and I have been diagnosed with critical depression and  apparently I have had it for sometime and was not aware of it until I started reading about it. It explains a lot of on how I feel.

I am on meds but I hate the weight gain. I will need to talk to the Dr. I have been in a verbal and mental abusive relationship for quote some time. And I have finally found the strength to leave. The relationship has effected my health so much. The breaking point was when I went to my partner to tell him that I have depression he betrayed my privacy and told friends and his work colligues. I was so upset and hurt. He is a very heavy drinker and tjen started to yell at me calling me physico. I went to him for support and and I got the opposite.  I have had had other health issues this year and its been hard. I get so angry and find I so sensitive. But  the only way I feal woth it as I always have is just dont talk or eat. I smoke and used to drink but I cant do that as much anymore due to medical reasons. So I am packed up  ready to start again and of course its raining. But I figure that its karmar as I told my ex I hated him

[shyviolet79]

Hello 🙂 I am a single mum of four kiddies in my mid-30's...I have a severe anxiety disorder (recently diagnosed with Anxious Avoidant personality disorder, which basically just means I am very shy and my anxiety seriously interferes with my ability to function), and I also struggle a lot with depression and the remnants of an eating disorder...I have been in counselling for many years, and still keep trying to improve, but tend to fall in a heap after any attempt to study or socialise, etc...At my worst I have been hospitalised involuntarily, but at my best I have persevered through it all to raise my four kids on my own over the last ten years...I write about my journey through mental illness on my blog when I'm feeling brave enough, as I sincerely hope to be able to help anyone else out there feel less alone...And I believe that by bring more open and honest, we are all working together to break down the barriers of stigma towards mental health issues ~ awareness is the key 🙂

[CMF]

I'm 44, 3 kids, divorced, accused wrongly of infidelity by  partner (father of my 3rd child). obviously I have reacted to these accusation in a way that has brought out another side of me, like anyone would, so now I have a "certain character" blah blah blah.  anyway I'm tired, depressed, angry and all the rest.  I have other posts which go into more detail.  when I read other peoples struggles I realise mine isnt that bad, there are many amazing people on here, your courage blows me away.