Welcome and Orientation

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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 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

Introducing...the community champions

replies: 22

Hi everyone, Some of you may have noticed that a few of our members are labelled ‘Community champion’ and have a beyondblue National Roadshow bus badge, like this: This thread explains who these members are and what they do. Community champions are volunteers within the forums who: Have the time, skills and empathy to support other members Make an effort to welcome new members Are regularly and actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community as a place of hope and recovery. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! As this is a peer support community that includes members under the age of 18, it is important that we ensure our peer support community leaders have a current 'working with children' check as part of due diligence. In an online environment with anonymous posters, it also provides Beyond Blue (and the community) with some security as to the identity of who is posting as a community champion. We ask our community champions to spend at least 2-3 hours a week posting and responding in the forums, but in reality they go far above and beyond this. Like me, they’re not psychologists or counsellors, just regular folk like yourselves who have experience with anxiety and depression. I’ll leave it to our champion volunteers to reply below and let you know a bit about themselves. PS. If this is your first time on the forums and you'd like to introduce yourself, please start a new thread rather than replying in here.

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Grief and anxiety

replies: 0

Hi, my situation has been complex and very sad after the passing of my dad.I never expected so much struggle and sadness after 3 and half year of this event. Every day is difficult to reduce the gigantic anxiety even I'm taking medication seen a psyc... View more

Wife suffering from persecutory delusions, can they eventually forgive the wrongly accused?

replies: 1

My wife of nearly 20 years has always suffered from depression but the past 4 years have been the hardest on me due to the amplification of her hypervigilance/judgemental-ness/persecutory beliefs based on past unresolved trauma. She has seen a psychiatrist for many years but they never seem to delve into the cause and over the past 4 years her paranoia regarding people close to me has escalated.I have had to part way for numerous friends, minimal contact with my family and I am now more isolated than ever. I have given up sports that I enjoyed due to the clubs being part of the conspiracy. These people are accused of sharing emails or texts, hacking accounts, passing on information to media outlets and general gaslighting in an effort to get her to return to a past workplace (one source of her past trauma).Like many people suffering the above, jumping to conclusions with minimal evidence, not believing her Dr and being angry at needing medication (antidepressant and a mild antipsychotic) when she believes it's all these people who need to stop and apologise.Can someone who believes in these things so strongly ever get to a point where they realise that these people have not done what her mind has convinced her of or is it 'locked in'.I guess I am at a point where I am assessing our future as a family unit. We have children and it is really starting to impact them and my lust for life is also at an all-time low.I read all the help guides regarding caring for someone suffering from this, but I fear catching up with people (who have not been accused) as I may lose them too.It's not a great way to live and if things are set in her mind, even if she gets things under control, I miss all my friends and catching up with family regularly without the crippling anxiety it brings me.Thanks

Suddenly feel insufferably lonely

replies: 45

this is how I feel right now, not sure if this is the best place to post this... these kinds of intrusive thoughts are scary, they are not the facts but they are linked to reality. Because I'm really lonely.

Where to turn

replies: 7

Hi Everyone, please excuse the length of my first post but I am desperate. I am here to ask if anyone has been in the same situation as I currently find myself in. I have been struggling to get a GP to help me and have been suffering with a plethora of symptoms for many years now. I am currently on my 7th GP (who has also asked me to find another GP). I am very sensitive to medications and was diagnosed last year with Serotonin Syndrome (SS) by my psychiatrist but GP had no clue how to treat this and hence told me to find another GP. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes shortly after commencing SSRIs years ago as my blood glucose levels spiked but since then (after a change in antidepressants in 2019) my blood glucose levels have always been in the non diabetic range. I ceased SSRIs in Dec22 and many of my symptoms/side effects have dissapeared. Jan 23 I started an MAO and in March I ceased 'all' meds incl MAO due to side effects. However, I still have many symptoms. I can't sleep, I still have constant headaches, my eyes feel like they are bulging out of my head, my joints and muscles ache and have now been told I now have peripheral neuropathy. I have been complaining about low blood oxygen levels for years but GPs didn't believe me but have never checked. They still don't believe me yet my feet and toes are hurting . I have an appt with an endocrinologist in a couple of weeks. I have had over 200 medical appt's in the last few years and don't know where to turn to get someone to believe me. Is there a doctor (anywhere in Australia, yes I am that desperate I am willing to travel) that deals in the aftermath of years of SS or even knows what it is? I read everywhere, to seek advice from a 'health professional' but I seriously cannot find one. I am extremely desperate for help as my future is not looking bright.Again sorry for the long post.

Just call me iNKi

replies: 3

Hello everyone! My name is Inki. My new here and this is my very first time to write/post/intereact to others via forum. I'm still unsure on what to say, really. But please bear with me and be kind . The reason why I'm here is that I'm seeking for an organisation where I can offer my help as a volunteer. Gladly, I found this site - Beyond Blue. I'm being diagnosed with Severe Depression and Anxiety. About few years ago, I experienced a horrible bullying and injury at work. This happened a year after a lost my granddad, my life's strongest pillar. I also lost few friends since then because a lot of them just didn't seem to understand my struggles back then. I think they just saw me as someone who was omce a cheerful, confident and loving woman that turned into a a different kind of person. That's what they thought, sadly. But actually, I didn't change really. I was just a person whose wounded and in such pain (physically and mentally). Only few stayed for me. Most of them turned their backs on me. I even felt hurt but after a while I realised that I shouldn't be. Because through that experience, I was able to open my eyes and knew who were the genuine ones and who weren't. I should say, it was indeed a blessing of disguise. It was a tough year/s, I may say. It was incomparable and honestly I wouldn't even wish for any one to experience what happened to me. I was even on meds. Human as I am, I got vulnerable. I cried, cried and cried. But hey, maybe I'm a still a strong person though because I'm proud to say that I got big improvements from the previous years and I'm proud of it. It wasn't east, still, not easy but everyday I'm doing my very best to regain my old self. Old self that I'm also aiming to improve and be the best version of me. Baby steps. I'm getting there, slowly but surely.

How to let go the past

replies: 3

Where do I start , how many times that little white pill has taken 1st place instead of his mother .

So much help out there

replies: 3

Hi. Posting here for the first time. Just got off the helpline which helped so much. Also watched some really helpful videos on YouTube this afternoon too. I’ve slept badly since Friday which has stressed me out - anxiety following mania. I hope I ca... View more

Newbie

replies: 3

Hello Everyone,I am new to the blue voices so am here to introduce myself. I am a mum, wife and psychology honours student. I found myself on this path after suffering a sudden and extreme PTSD attack after the birth of my second child. If it weren't for my husband advocating for me then, I don't know where I would be now. As well as finding out that I had been living with PTSD, undiagnosed for over 20 years, I learnt that my "quirks" were actually severe anxiety and OCD. I wasn't actually a high-achieving, leader type, I just operated out of fight or flight constantly making me a chronic people pleaser. There is a lot more to this story, but suffice to say, through this I felt called to study psychology, and I love it. I can not wait for the day I can help others and I hope that this will afford me the opportunity to do that in a meaningful way, as well as advocate for mental health by telling my story.

Tired of treading the same water...

replies: 9

I call it the churn. Helplessness, inability to break the cycle, always finding the same rut again. Like it's inevitable. I'm a male in my 40s, feeling like I've missed a stack of opportunities, and ruined relationships with plenty of good women. I'm well educated, never really made anything of myself though. Started and didn't finish every uni degree or certificate I attempted. Rest of my family are massively successful, loved me to bits, and I disappeared in my stubbornness and inability to grow the f up. I've missed the bus on starting a family. I haven't honoured my Dad who passed when I was young. I found success in music and threw it away with drug use and lack of commitment. I floated through life while I was given the golden ticket, now it's passed me by. I don't have the respect if my peers. I'm a decent person, that never achieved much. And now I'm writing this here. Feeling like I'm still acting without purpose. Embarrassed. A failure. Wondering who would bother reaching out to someone that had it all, and fucked it up. I don't even have the balls to be suicidal. To anyone reading this going through your own version of hell, I hope this place helps you find some peace.

Busy mind

replies: 7

Hi all,I am new here,I am a wife,mother of 3 and grandmother of 3.lately I my mind has been so busy with everything that is going on in my life.i have fears of things that I need to do during the week or events coming up,it's like a work myself up wo... View more

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

Introducing...the community champions replies: 22

Grief and anxiety replies: 0

Wife suffering from persecutory delusions, can they eventually forgive the wrongly accused? replies: 1

Suddenly feel insufferably lonely replies: 45

Where to turn replies: 7

Just call me iNKi replies: 3

How to let go the past replies: 3

So much help out there replies: 3

Newbie replies: 3

Tired of treading the same water... replies: 9

Busy mind replies: 7