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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 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.

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

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Hello from Perth

replies: 4

Hi I am new here and I could do with some help. I am a 56-year-old woman with ADHD and am on the spectrum. Diagnosed 3 years ago so life has been difficult, depression and anxiety have been my companions for as long as I can remember. I have a husband and daughter who are both so busy with work and university. I had a hip replacement on my right side 2 years ago and recovery was good, and I was able to continue working and get on with it. Left hip fracture and replacement of left hip in January 2023. I have spent the last 10 months in and out of hospital. The short version of a long story has been rough, 6 total dislocations and 3 hip replacements. Multiple hospital stays and visits with the longest stay being a month. After much investigation, I was diagnosed with Myelopathy which is compressed nerves that were causing spasms and spasticity which was causing my hip to dislocate. The only surgery option was a C5 dissection and fusion, I had x-rays, CT scans, and an MRI. Perth's finest surgeons meet weekly to discuss severe or complex cases, and it was agreed that in my case it has progressed to the point where surgery will not give any positive results. So here I am with not many options available to me, and I am struggling. The pain is intense and non-stop. I don't want to overload my daughter and hubby as they are struggling too. Any advice is welcome and thanks in advance. Toni62ej

Brand new

replies: 6

Hi this is my first time here. I am just starting my mental health journey and I am scared to death of the next few weeks and months.

Surviving survival

replies: 3

I know how to survive as a victim, however, I do not know how to survive survival. To exist is easy. To live is unknown territory for me. It’s confusing to know how to live once surviving and to no longer be a victim. I feel lost and unimportant. How to find self-love when I despise the reflection in the mirror. To believe in my own self worth, when I don’t feel worthy or have reason to keep looking for my worth. To understand my purpose. To see a light. To trust love when I have no love for myself.It is exhausting. When I open my eyes every morning, I hope it’s the day I finally feel even a fraction better than the day before. Then I go to bed, feeling less hopeful. I don’t know how to quieten my own self hatred. Waiting for the end to come, is like I’m living in the waiting room to death or to live life. No longer do I want to be in limbo. Drugs were the bandaid fix and now without the bandaid, I can still feel that the wounds have not healed, but I don’t want the bandaid fix any more yet I cannot heal my wounds. How do I start to find love and respect for myself? Words are just words. Action and a form of positivity is what I seek, yet I have no idea where to find it within myself.Everyone has a backstory, now I need my future story that I cannot see happening as another day comes and goes. To even like myself is as important as having food daily. To keep strong and have faith that when the new day starts, I’m strong enough to keep going. But my internal pantry is empty.

Introducing me

replies: 4

Hello, I've been feeling lonely and wanted a safe space to talk about my struggles with loneliness and navigating your 20s.

It just feels all really pointless

replies: 3

I'm not really sure where to post this but for the past couple of weeks I've just felt like I've been in a sinking pit I can't get out of, I've had bouts where I haven't felt happy and would just like to hide in the house for a week any not talk to anyone, but this has been going on for weeks now and just keeps feels like I have this sinking feeling in my heart which I don't really have an explanation for. I have a good life, good career and family but everything just feels so pointless, like in the end nothing will really matter, it's all going to end the same way so what's the point in trying, I could never bring myself to ending it all as it would hurt people around me and I'd never want that, I'm not really sure what to do or where to start, so thought this was the right place to get my thoughts out of my head.

Support help

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I’m new here and looking for some peer support or suggestions. Life long anxiety and depression sufferer. 20 years on various meds. Most recent medication for 10 years. Tapered off and stoped 3 months ago. Started again 3 weeks ago to every side effect in the book. Unable to eat or drink for 3 weeks. Only now starting small bits. Spent a day in hospital on iv fluid and anti nausea. Anyway… It’s also caused havoc with my mental health. Im living in a constant state of anxiety. Right now I am anxious about waking up tomorrow in another panic for a bad day. My depression is also the worst it’s been. To the point of me not wanting to continue like this. It’s hard to see the point in all this struggle when I’m only ever going to feel like crap. I’m fighting my brain constantly trying to tell it this is only temporary and I will settle and life will get back to normal but it’s so bloody hard and exhausting for me and my family that are trying all they can to help. I guess I’m just looking for some encouragement and support from others who have been here and some strategies for getting through it. Nothing in my tool kit is working. Thanks all and sorry for the long post! Hoping it helps to get it all out.

Boxed In

replies: 3

Hi all, I am a 50 year old that has got myself into a state of mind where I cannot seem to get out of. I have had a couple of health scares in the last 6mths, but I don't know if that has triggered the way that I am or not. I used to be a very out there kind of person now I feel I am just a shell of who I was. I am anxious all the time I am on antidepressants and I know I have a loving family that want to support me and do all the time, but I cannot seem to bring myself to stop worrying about what is going to happen if I leave my house and I am always worried about my adult daughter and something happening to her. Life has just got me so scared that every time I talk with my family and I agree with what they are saying about trying to make friends and getting out, my head just goes to a place where I think that if I was to do that something will happen to me. With all the things that are happening around this country at the moment I am scared and I am living my life being scared and I do not understand why. I have the most amazing loving family, I have the most amazing boss and a bunch of work mates who would do anything for me, but again I cannot get my head to think that I am safe to socialise. Please someone help!!!

Dealing with my mums mental health

replies: 1

Hi alli am struggling right now. I live with my mum and at times it is very hard. We’ve both had of issues particularly recently (both physical and mental). My mum has had throat clearing issues for the last couple of years. She has been to ent and gastro specialists who have cleared her sinuses and believe it could be reflux related. On top of that, in the last 6 weeks she has been without a car (thats another story). i have tried to be supportive as best i can. I have been calm (mostly) in my responses but if the answer is not what she wants to hear, she gets upset/rants or goes quiet. She has come out and said it wont be long, i wont be here long, Im fed up with life. im after some advice in how to respond to that. She has been eating less and less lately too (which i guess is normal at her age of 76). Im worried and have suggested she talk to someone again. (She said that they didnt help last time). i dont know what else to do. She has become very anxious, depressed and bitter. Appreciate any advice. i live in adelaide.

Car Accident Trauma

replies: 3

Hello, My daughter and I were recently involved in a high impact car accident 4 days ago. We are both okay thankfully. The person hit us from behind at 80km/h, my daughter was in the back seat behind me and absorbed the majority of the impact. We were stationary on a main road waiting for a family of ducks to cross the road. The person behind us didn't see us and hit us at full impact. Although we are okay (the ducks unfortunately were not ), I am struggling to cope. I had surgery weeks prior, the seatbelt ripped my surgery incision open, and also caused seatbelt bruising. My daughter had swelling to her spine and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. Again, we are okay but the flashbacks won't stop, and the awful sounds of my daughters screams keep me up all night. The doctors have prescribed sleeping tablets, which aren't helping. I am also receiving trauma counselling, I have a lot of resources and I have a lot of supports in place. I tried driving for the first time today which ended up in a panic attack on the freeway. Is it just one of those things that takes time to recover from, or does this sort of thing stay with you for life? I am struggling with depression, anxiety and general motivation to get up and go. I feel like I am in danger 24/7 but I am not. I am in the safety of my home with my little girl who is happy and healthy. I don't understand why this feels so hard. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

MDD with anxious distress

replies: 3

Hello, Im a 40-45 year old person who has been diagnosed with MDD with anxious distress after prolonged exposure to stress (that could have been managed if my workplace actually listened to me when I told them that my workload was too high and I was struggling to cope over the period of 8 months before my brain snapped and I stopped functioning or being able to function) I'm currently receiving treatment with a psychologist and in group therapy. I've been unable to work for several months now and it's really hard. Factually I know I'm not a terrible person, but it feels like everything else seems to validate that I AM a burden, that I can't take my share of the load, that I'm useless. I try and see friends but find this exhausting to be constantly assessing my every word and behaviour and struggle with not following conversations or not remembering important details of other people's lives, I keep cancelling on them short notice because the anxiety of leaving the house becomes debilitating. I can't find arousal and oomph for life anymore and my partner feels rejected and lonely (they have told me this) and keep telling me they "need to lower their expectations" and when they are frustrated they stomp around, slam things and make statements like "I guess I'll just do it myself, as always" I try really hard to make sure that I am cooking meals for us, doing our laundry, house chores for a minimimum of 5-6 days a week and when I express that this is hurtful to me, they tell me that they are entitled to feel emotions and I am invalidating them by being defensive and taking their feelings personally. I know their feelings are valid and understandable. But it hurts and I don't know how to fix it and afraid it won't get better. I often feel like it would just be better to go away and let people live without this depressed blob weighing them down because I literally feel like I can't help it. I've never had these feelings before, I've been depressed in the past but none of my coping strategies work for this and I'm exhausted. I'm so afraid it won't get better. I feel like if I could just put only "big person pants" or "have a better mask" it would be ok, but I can't make my brain come to the table and just do what needs to be done. Sorry I am not sure what to say or ask. Thank you for listening.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello from Perth replies: 4

Brand new replies: 6

Surviving survival replies: 3

Introducing me replies: 4

It just feels all really pointless replies: 3

Support help replies: 2

Boxed In replies: 3

Dealing with my mums mental health replies: 1

Car Accident Trauma replies: 3

MDD with anxious distress replies: 3