Welcome and Orientation

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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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My name is Zane I'm not sure what is wrong with me

replies: 3

Hey guys, i wrote this on monday night. I wanted to tell somebody, however i have nobody to tell it to. I also do not want to tell my parents. So i thought i would post it here. hello my name is zane and i think i have a problem. I'm worried and afraid of what most people consider normal events in everyday life. I think about the worst case scenario for every event that occurs during the day...even for the most mundane of things. just to give you an example, i'm worried when an energy or water bill does not arrive in the mail. My mind jumps to the conclusion that they will cut my electrcity or water. When a bank statement does not arrive, i would think that someone has stolen my mail to comit identity theft. Recently my fears were realised when i logged onto my bank account and saw that my accounts password were reset...they did not gain access but they tried. Now i'm constantly checking my online accounts. during highschool, i had very low self esteem and was bullied. During university, i just didn't know how to socialise or make friends. For the last 10 years (after graduation), i have been alone. The only people i talk to are my parents. However being alone gives me plenty of time to think about things. Plenty of time to think about worst case scenarios. i desperately want to change. I do not want to be alone. I want friends to talk to, so that i can gain in confidence. I do not want to worry as that is very tiring. Thank you guys for taking the time to read my post...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Newbie Intro - old hand at depression, new to GAD & social phobia

replies: 6

Hi people, I'm in a pretty bad way right now, could use some help. I've been dealing with depression for yonks, and thought I had a bit of a grip on it, but recently (December) I changed meds and my anxiety has gone though the roof. I'm having trouble with my normal social media because I am convinced that I will say something wrong and the troupe will throw me out to be eaten by lions or something. So oh joy, I'm in extra iso in this time of COVID iso. I'm having trouble with finding any anxiety soothing exercises; I'm so hyped up nothing seems to work (except drugs). I have ME/CFS (aka chronic fatigue) so I can't go exercise, which used to be my go to for depression. Suggestions welcome, I've probably heard them all before, but you never know. Is there a place I can go to talk about medication? Because I see you're not supposed to name them here, and I'm trying to prep for a psychiatrist consult in 3 weeks. OMG it is going to cost me $500 for an hour so I need it to be useful.

Introduction and coping through a tough year

replies: 6

Hi, all. I'm Noel, 20 and currently a third-year international student at university. I'm not sure how to begin with introductions and all. My counsellor suggested me this site and I decided to give it a try. It's been a very tough year for me. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable enough to go into details about it, but needless to say I feel very lost and hopeless. I've been losing confidence in myself more and more, anxious than ever especially in the middle of this pandemic. Uncertainty of the future scares me a lot. There are plenty of other things happening at home that put me under a lot of pressure as well. It's just too much for me to handle and I am scared. I'm not so sure as to what I'm expecting out of this site, but the very least I'd love to find people who can relate with how I'm feeling and offer support through this tough times. Heck, let's support each other through it all even. Slightly off the track but my interests include writing (screenplays and creative writing mostly), reading, drawing and filmmaking (a career I'm trying to pursue). It'd be great if we happen to share the same interests or at least one or two! To be perfectly honest, I don't want to make this post too upsetting, but it's really hard for me to even write this without breaking into tears just because I'm so lost without any answers or certainty. It has made me quite depressed. I've never really checked with a psychiatrist whether I'm clinically depressed or not, so I don't want to specifically say I have depression. It's just the right term to describe how I'm feeling these past couple of months. I thank you all for making the time and effort to read through this, whoever you are. I sincerely wish you well especially in these times. Any words of advice, replies or comments are much appreciated.

New to the site

replies: 3

Hi everyone Newbie here I have 6 kids I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, dissociative disorder, clinical depression Anyways.....I look forward to chatting with everyone

family and moving out

replies: 8

sorry it is my first time on here. don't get me wrong I love my family and all, I just feel like im ready to move out of home now. my dad is proud of me that I want to move out and all but my mum doesn't want to let me go. and its really hard because we get into big arguments about it and its starting to hurt a lot. I don't want to cut my family off completely I still want to see them and all but its hard when mum doesn't want to let go of me and do my own thing. I just don't really know what to do anymore and just feel like im constantly disappointing her and I hate it. sometimes she doesn't really like me going anywhere and I hate having to feel like lying to her or getting upset cause I cant go anywhere. I don't like to be stuck at home all day I like to go out a lot and do my own thing with friends, footy, basketball and work. just need some advice...

NEW ON HERE

replies: 2

Hi I am alone with CPTSD since Covid19 happened it is worse for me as I live in a small unit by myself. I try and walk every day for exercise but live with an autoimmune disease so I have to live in the moment. I love listening to yoga/relaxation music, find it very calming and also been doing some deep peace meditation online which has been very helpful. The walls feel like they are closing in on me here its a tiny unit I live in. I live with chronic pain which I manage with physio when I have the energy and walking/sometimes ride the push bike is nice. My life has been so abnormal sometimes I feel like ET trying to phone home.

Hi I'm new to the forum

replies: 2

Hi there, I have decided to sign up for this forum hoping to get some ideas from the community on how I can improve my recovery. I am a 38 year old male who has suffered with social anxiety and depression since I was about 18. I have a good career as an IT professional and I have a lovely family consisting of my wife and amazing daughter who is 5. I have been on one type of medication for about 12 years but they stopped working a year or so ago. The doctor then supplemented it with another medication at night which helped a little and I tapered first medication to every second day. It now makes me feel worse the days I take it but if I don't I get brain zaps. I'm thinking of trying to switch to another antidepressant and looking for some advice. I'm also working on changing my job as I've been unhappy with the work I'm doing for a while. Thanks so much for any advice. Cheers Steve

New to the forum

replies: 2

Hello, like a lot of people I am currently working from home. I get out and exercise most days for a run or walk. I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful girlfriend and our 5 month baby daughter here to, so very grateful I get to spend more time with them as I love them dearly. I’m feeling very frustrated and mad at myself though, despite having them to brighten my day, I find I am feeling very grumpy and flat all the time and it has meant I’m not giving my all as a partner. I feel like I should be feeling happier at the end of the day, but instead I don’t really feel like talking and just want to be quiet. Just cannot seem to get out of this funk and I would like my partner to know how much I love her but i can’t express that as much as she would like and I’m feel mad at myself that I can’t when I’m feeling this flat. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, new to this

replies: 7

hi there, i am new to this. the virus isnt the cause of my lonelyness or depression. i been on my own since 2009 and tried the GP thing but i cant trust a person if i only get 5 visits a year. really dont know what i expect here but maybe put things ... View more

New & Needing help/advice.

replies: 7

Hi I’m new here and have been hesitant to make a post. But I’ve been struggling. I’ve recently lost my pop who passed away. I have been eating or sleeping properly. I’ve lost work due to covid-19. I feel lonely and down so much I feel as though I’m Getting upset and angry at the littlest things. I have no one to talk to who would be able to understand or help me. I’m 24 and have two loving kids and husband. when I get upset around him, he just makes it feel like it’s my fault. I have spoken him about the issue I have, but he always turns is around on me, making it feel like it’s my fault. he said he doesn’t know how to help me. Social media plays a big part in this but he’s always getting mad and defensive, as if he’s done nothing wrong. I feel insecure, not good enough, hopeless, and guilty for bringing these issues up with him. I feel like I’m letting my kids down constantly, which then makes me feel horrible. I’m struggling to be happy I feel. I can’t eat a full meal like I used to or sometimes I go without, I can’t sleep properly which makes me always tired. I don’t know what’s wrong or how I can help myself, and I’m honestly terrified to go to the doctors about my issues. I just want someone to talk to, someone to listen who understands, because I have no one

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

My name is Zane I'm not sure what is wrong with me replies: 3

Newbie Intro - old hand at depression, new to GAD & social phobia replies: 6

Introduction and coping through a tough year replies: 6

New to the site replies: 3

family and moving out replies: 8

NEW ON HERE replies: 2

Hi I'm new to the forum replies: 2

New to the forum replies: 2

Hi, new to this replies: 7

New & Needing help/advice. replies: 7