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Sophie_M Meet your community champions!
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Be... View more

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Beyond Blue Forums who: have the time, skills and empathy to support other members regularly; help to welcome new members; are actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community. Our Community Champions are regular contributors to many conversations across the forums. They are a consistent and friendly voice that have committed to sharing their experience and expertise with this community. They are not health care professionals or clinicians. Like you, they have an experience with a mental health challenge or diagnosis – either for themselves or someone they care for. This forum is for people who understand what it feels like and have a lived and living experience of mental health challenges. Our Community Champions help everyone feel comfortable and confident by demonstrating what excellent peer support is all about. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! This incredible team are excited to introduce themselves below, and we are sure you’ll see them around the forums in conversations important to you.

Aaronsis HELP..Am I posting in the right section?
  • replies: 10

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried th... View more

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried that they are posting "the wrong thing". 1.A good title makes the difference Just like a headline in a newspaper, when scanning the dozens of threads to click into, it’s only natural that people will choose the ones that resonate with them most. A title that entices the reader, or asks a question, is likely to get a better result than something non-descriptive like “Depression” or “I don't know what to do”. If you think you’re not good at choosing titles, leave it till last. Spend time writing your post, then perhaps choose a sentence from what you’ve written as the title. 2.Join in threads that have already been posted We all have our own unique stories, but part of the reason for joining a forum like this one is because you know that you will have a lot in common with others who are posting. Before starting a new thread, have a look through the current topics being discussed and see if there’s a conversation you can join in with. It can be quite common to have a handful of very similar threads happening at any one time, with members seemingly unaware that there are others right there who are going through the same thing. Talking to other members on their threads is a great way of getting yourself known so that when you post a thread of your own, people may respond quicker because they recognize your name. 3.Choose the most appropriate section for your post Many people browse the forums looking for stories specifically to do with pregnancy and parenting, employment, grief, loss, separation etc. Going straight for the “Depression” section may seem like the easiest option, but this section is often the busiest, so your post is more likely to get lost among the threads. Making good use of the different forum sections not only helps keep the forum relevant, but you’re more likely to find others who are going through the same experiences as you. Also, if you're wanting to discuss issues of trauma, abuse, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it's really important you post in the designated section to avoid triggering others who may not wish to read about these topics. Mostly..just come and chat, we are here for you. Our amazing wizards in the background will see your message ends up in the right spot. Sarah

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Choices_Matter 42 and Sad, depressed and frightened.
  • replies: 1

I'm Peter, Male 42 and i hate my life. I didn't do well at school, i could never keep jobs, i have never had a girlfriend, all i do is stay home. I was born with a rare muscle decease where i can lose the use of my limbs in certain conditions such as... View more

I'm Peter, Male 42 and i hate my life. I didn't do well at school, i could never keep jobs, i have never had a girlfriend, all i do is stay home. I was born with a rare muscle decease where i can lose the use of my limbs in certain conditions such as cold weather, anything cold or if i over exert myself. I live at home with my Dad and Brother who are the 2 most boring and miserable people you could live with. I would have done anything to have been normal in life, i wanted to be successful, i wanted to be strong. I wanted to be somebody in life but i wasn't built right. From the moment i was born into the world i was destined to be a nobody, a good for nothing loser. I hate who i am and what i am, every morning i wake up and look at myself in the mirror and i despise what i see. I am lonely and have no one to talk to. I battle with things on my own, I suffer with sever depression and my mind never shuts off. I am constantly thinking about what could have been if i was this or had been that and it's exhausting. I don't think i would ever end my own life but the thoughts are there, i am always wishing for something to happen to me, something quick and painless so i didn't have to deal with all this anymore. I hate getting older, i dread birthdays. I cry so much now, i exist in a world where i don't belong and it's getting harder to cope with it. Life is extremely unfair. I am frightened for my future, i am not independent, all my life i've had people doing everything for me and i feel useless. I worry for what happens to me when they pass and what is to become of me. I am so scared. I also suffer with Anxiety and i have a phobia where i am scared to look up at the blue sky, i know how silly it sounds, i know it can't hurt me. It's as if i have a fear of heights but looking up instead of down. This phobia greatly effects my daily life and again it is exhausting.

EvaMaria New girl
  • replies: 1

Hello, This is my first time here, and i want to vent out my frustrations while also getting some advice if anyone has any. I have recently moved states and (although i have some family here) my parents and siblings are a little bit scattered around ... View more

Hello, This is my first time here, and i want to vent out my frustrations while also getting some advice if anyone has any. I have recently moved states and (although i have some family here) my parents and siblings are a little bit scattered around QLD to Sydney, and Perth. Also all of my friends are back in Perth (where i lived since i was 5yo). But anyway, i have been having issues seeing myself worth, relying on social media to give me some kind of guidances and maybe even some stability. While also filling up my quiet days with tv or movies that i have watched a million times. At this point idk what I'm doing with myself throughout the day and at this point in my life, bc i always wanted to get out of Perth and expand my horizons but right now i feel stuck. The only place i go to outside of work and home (and all the shopping i do), is my painting class, but by December that will be finished and moneys a little tight for next term (maybe term 2).. forgive me for all the rambling, but that is mostly it. i am hoping maybe someone might have a different perspective, because i can only see negativity right now. Thank you

Guest_99272670 Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I been suffering everyday for 4 months now I also have Parkinson’s disease

I been suffering everyday for 4 months now I also have Parkinson’s disease

Nath666 Mr N
  • replies: 2

Hi all,We all here to support each other. Always happy to chat. Keep as cool as you can. Nath

Hi all,We all here to support each other. Always happy to chat. Keep as cool as you can. Nath

E_B_just_trying New to Autism at 51!
  • replies: 3

I don't actually have a formal diagnosis(?) however two psychiatrist, a psychologist and my new G.P. all tell me Autism with ADHD has been my problem for the last 50 years. I never did any good at life but this makes sense why. Failed at school, no j... View more

I don't actually have a formal diagnosis(?) however two psychiatrist, a psychologist and my new G.P. all tell me Autism with ADHD has been my problem for the last 50 years. I never did any good at life but this makes sense why. Failed at school, no job past a few years before meltdown, no longer working and living only on the generosity of others. I would assess my general mood as despairing. See I REALLY want a new motorbike I can't afford it and it's causing me a great deal of "pain" for want of a better word. I tried a group therapy thing for ADHD but I swear a lot which breaks their rules. I can't tolerate rules I disagree with so I gave that up! I'm fortunate to have good access to mental health treatment however none of them seem to understand me. I'm told I have very black and white thinking but, for the life of me, I just don't understand this "grey" that everyone else seems to get. I'm looking to start a dance group. I can't dance but I like music LOUD! I was planning on just cranking up the music in my shed and start moving. For exercise. I'm pretty over weight and have lots of injuries from when I was younger. At least I can move at my own pace. I'm sort of hoping people in my neighbourhood might feel encouraged to join me. Like a social exercise group. I'm not really sure how to reach out but I think people are sadder than they make out. Maybe we can all be a little silly and have a laugh at ourselves! I am finding the whole Autism experience a little daunting. I always believed one day I'd find the "magic pill" and "get better". Now I know that's not possible I'm not sure where to turn. Well that's me introduced. I'm not complicated but I have been struggling. Maybe some people here can share a joke so we can have a laugh. I can start with a funny story. I bake cookies for a lady whose husband has dementia. They are to help the gentleman suffering to sleep better. My Dad was staying at my place one night, looking after my dog, when he found the cookies I was to deliver in a few days. Not knowing, he had a few with a cuppa. I received a phone call from my mother the next morning explaining how Dad had a stroke and was in hospital. They thought it was strange he could pass some tests, and he seemed a lot better the next morning. So I had to explain my cookies to my Mum, a Cardiologist, two nurses and a General Physician! Everybody laughed except the Cardiologist who wanted a cookie "for research!"

not_dead_yet not understanding
  • replies: 2

Hello, I am a high school student pls call me Ani. I don't know if this will be too heavy for a intoduction (got zero social skills) so forgive me if it is (also sorry if it doesn't make sense it is 2am for me). I feel very attention seeking no matte... View more

Hello, I am a high school student pls call me Ani. I don't know if this will be too heavy for a intoduction (got zero social skills) so forgive me if it is (also sorry if it doesn't make sense it is 2am for me). I feel very attention seeking no matter what i do. When it comes to self harm and crying, even if i don't tell anyone i feel like i am only doing it for attention. Even posting this feels like its attention seeking. This is a problem at school as well, when im eating and when im not, when i answer questions or if i disappear in a corner. Literally everything feels attention seeking. I am constantly sleeping in class because i feel like everything is a big effort and it feels attention seeking too (i think you get it). When i am talking with friends, if they respond well to a topic i will bring it up again and again because i feel like they will leave for other people if i don't. I get very very anxious about it. sometimes i think that my stomach aches are from this (or maybe cinnamon).If they respond to me negatively i go through a spiral. Even right now i don't know if they are my friends or not. With my personalities and well, im sure this is a common thing but i feel it tailored to every single person and its so tiring to keep up. I don't even know what my original personality is supposed to be anymore. I also have lots of issues with family which i also don't understand. I am yapping oops. i feel like i don't have the right to feel anything at all and if i do its attention seeking. (how many times have i said attention seeking). I feel like i overthink alot and never have my mind set on something. I think i'm gonna go sleep now. Welp this is me, good night.

Guest_28905738 Agoraphobic with DPD
  • replies: 1

i'm new in here...but i have had agoraphobia and DPD for a long time...sometimes i get angry with annoying people and it affects my mood...i wish i didn't meet annoying people...then i wouldn't get so angry...Australia is so stuffed up right now...th... View more

i'm new in here...but i have had agoraphobia and DPD for a long time...sometimes i get angry with annoying people and it affects my mood...i wish i didn't meet annoying people...then i wouldn't get so angry...Australia is so stuffed up right now...that is depressing as well...i try not to watch the news....all rubbish ...lately about the CFMEU and that...before that the Neo Nazis....i wish they didn't exist..racists should be deported

60Incon_ Asexual,depressed anxious Parkinsons suffer
  • replies: 5

hello everyone I am keeping up a brave face my life is less fun than before neurological disorder really changed my life Friends and kind people who are interacting with me really do help alotI am bladder incontinent I am wearing nappies for incontin... View more

hello everyone I am keeping up a brave face my life is less fun than before neurological disorder really changed my life Friends and kind people who are interacting with me really do help alotI am bladder incontinent I am wearing nappies for incontinence so l can share advice on products that I have worn over the decades I love to hear from people that have overcome similar challenges

Guest_86659108 Down the parenting rabbit hole after Covid
  • replies: 2

Hi,I have been struggling lately, two weeks after getting COVID. I’m still feeling fatigued but have been doing things like cooking and walking the dog and trying to pace myself with down time. My daughter (8 yrs) has also recently had Covid and sinc... View more

Hi,I have been struggling lately, two weeks after getting COVID. I’m still feeling fatigued but have been doing things like cooking and walking the dog and trying to pace myself with down time. My daughter (8 yrs) has also recently had Covid and since then has been obsessed with the iPad, watching it throughout the day, not washing, not eating without it. My partner and I are feeling very drained and isolated. My daughter has autism and can get quite obsessed with watching the tv. It causes alot of conflict if we try and limit it. Just feel sad to see her world shrink as she disappears into her screen.

Azaira New here
  • replies: 3

Hi my names Sue, and I’m 66, I’m struggling with the loss of both of my parents. It all happened quite fast, mum in November 2024, and dad exactly 6wks later. It’s been almost a year, but I feel like I’m getting worse, it’s hard to even leave the hou... View more

Hi my names Sue, and I’m 66, I’m struggling with the loss of both of my parents. It all happened quite fast, mum in November 2024, and dad exactly 6wks later. It’s been almost a year, but I feel like I’m getting worse, it’s hard to even leave the house, I have no enthusiasm for anything and I just feel so sad.