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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Hi, I’m new!

replies: 2

Hi there, I’m new to this so forgive me if I do this wrong. I’m “pheobe” and was diagnosed with GA and depression about 12yrs ago and have on meds since which took a while but ultimately saved me. Over the years I’ve had small downs but nothing major till now. Had a major episode a month ago for 5 days and this one 6 days ago. Have now increased meds slightly to see if it helps. Which of course comes with side affects and the doubt and worry it won’t work and things will get worse. So I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. Ive had to take today off to give my body time to adjust as I knew there was a potential to burst into unstoppable tears in front of my coworkers which would be devastating and even more distressing. Thankfully I’ve only had tears once today and in the comfort of my home. But I can’t stay home forever. I’ve been reading a lot about natural treatments for depression and find it overwhelming. I know nothing is immediate but if anyone knows of any techniques that can help reduce my symptoms I’d be very grateful. Thanks. Pheobe

In a nutshell...

replies: 2

Its hard to know where to begin as there is so much going on that there isn't enough place to put it all down, so here is a really high level summary just to get it out there. I have no family, both of my adoptive parents have now passed away and my "family" disappeared when my mother passed, which I can only assume is because they never really considered me family. I have no brothers or sisters and have no children. I have been married to my wife for 10 years now, she has 4 children to a previous marriage she never sees because her ex alienated them from her, her family have always been abusive towards her and mistreat her but she keeps going back for more. So we really only have each other. She has a history of BPD, depression and trauma and it hasn't been easy dealing with all of this but ultimately I have always been there for her. Something happened a few years ago when she was in a clinic, she just didn't come home & didn't tell me. Then she went through abuse where she was staying so she isn't doing well. Its now been 2 years and we have limited contact with each other, messages here and there and she eventually agreed to go to counselling with me but wont go more than 1 hour a month. She wont tell me anything, wont talk to me, wont even give me the rough outline. She keeps going out of her way to do things for strangers and has been slowly pushing me more and more away. Its like I just dont matter to her any more. What is confusing is that she keeps "saying" she wants us to work it out, but her "actions" never match what she says. At what point does trying to be understanding turn into being the idiot who isn't getting the hint? I am trying so hard not to give up, but i dont know if she is being honest with me any more. All it would take to make things different is for her to genuinely talk to me, to explain where she is at and what is going on in her head... but she just keeps giving me nothing & expecting me to be there no matter how much her actions say I really dont matter to her any more.

Proper Intro.

replies: 2

Hello, so I wanted to do a proper intro. My name here is my nickname I was given by my Dad because I'm 'short like a weed'. It has no other meaning but that, I use my nickname a lot as I don't like my real name. I don't have a relationship with my Mother, I'm ok with that, I'm a Daddy's girl. I have five siblings only talk to one, fell out with the other, but honestly doesn't bother me either. I live in the Mainland but am a proud Tasmanian, I was brought up and lived in Tassie for most of my life. I have no friends, but have 2 kittens, I adore more than anything. Never had any kind of alcoholic beverage, and never smoked. I have zero self worth, I can't spell, don't know grammar well, I was sick a lot as a kid, I liked school but didn't get to go much. I hate promises, made one to my Nan, and didn't get to follow through with it before she passed away, so I don't do promises. I like to write stories and draw, I'm very bad at both and well I've no motivation to do anything lately though.

Anxiety

replies: 5

Good morning, i suffer from general anxiety. At times it has been so debilitating we have had to change family plans and cancel. Have you ever felt your anxiety has let others down & does it get you down? i felt a tad down today because my anxiety is... View more

Intro - new professional member

replies: 2

Hi there! My forum or "stage name" is Yonath, who is named after one of Lord Dunsany's most sympathetic characters. He is my favourite fantasy writer. During the day I usually work as a psychiatrist in Tasmania. I am also an Addiction Medicine Specialist. I have never been diagnosed by another doctor as having bipolar disorder, but I recognise in myself the typical symptoms of hypomania having occurred during two separate episodes 18 years apart, with a low-grade depressed picture in-between during which I am a hard-working sort. My current symptoms are; heightened creativity (now with several really good guitar tunes composed), ability to rally my psychiatrist colleagues behind a shared and important cause, impudence, improved sense of humour, rapid processing, ability to dominate a conversation when indicated, increased speech, general randiness, and some vaguely mystical experiences here and there. The current episode is still ongoing but started a couple of months ago without major consequences to my employment or livelihood. Being more sociable than usual I am happy to post about it in these forums. Given that I am very much enjoying my current state, I am hoping to maintain it for several years into the future! I am going to see my GP tomorrow because there has been a lot of stress at work recently and I need a few days off before going back Monday next week.

Aged care /nursing home/centerlink/lonely

replies: 2

My husband is 50 and in a nursing home, I am 45 and I have been on wife’s pension for 27 years. On the 20th March they are axing the wife’s pension and because my husband is in a nursing home I’m going to be put strait onto Jobseekers payment because I am not a carer anymore and not of age pension age. I are still very involved with my husbands finances and care as far as visiting him daily and sorting most of his affairs out . I am a total mess now because of my own health and I feel I have been thrown to the wolf’s . I’m also very lonely and have 2 children that don’t give a crap about me . I’m struggling to keep it together and I’m very depressed .

Hi

replies: 6

I’m new but it just feels weird complaining about myself, guess I will just check out other posts

What am i doing?

replies: 4

I am a 49 year old woman who gave up everything to help my mother out who has vascular dementia and now i have nothing. I am living off my super to pay the rent. I have absolutely no one to help me. I left a violent marriage 2 years ago and because my name is on the mortgage i don't qualify for assistance. I injured my knee and i am on a waiting list so i can't work. I am at my wits end. I can't afford a solicitor and I am terrified of what will happen to me. I have not one friend or family who can help. I moved up north a year ago to help out with my mother but she's now in care. I have a sister close by but she won't let me stay with her while i find some place to live. I have no way out and it frightens me. I have never felt so alone in my life. I can't even afford to eat. I have nothing at all except the plastic bags that i came here with. I don't understand why people can be so cruel. The pain in my knee never stops. I am ready to give up. I really don't see a way out. I have cried for the last 3 days . I don't know who to turn to. I have not one friend. Domestic violence does that. Please i just want someone to tell me i am worth the struggle.

Hi, I'm new and don't know what to do anymore.

replies: 3

Hi, my name's Emily and I'm from Perth. Honestly, I think I'm here due to the fact that I don't know what to do. I'm at a stage of my life where I'm supposed to be taking responsibility for my actions and grow up. The whole thing is I don't know how and it's taking its toll on my family. I'm scared of the future and it's gotten to the point that I keep running further away from it. This has caused many arguments in my family and it's not every once in a while it's every day. From the past into the present its become a habit to dodge it all, especially growing up at the moment. I feel like its some iron wall that I can't scale over and it is looming over me with malicious intent. I want to change but on some subconscious level, I won't allow myself to. If that's the way to put it. I've never been motivated to do anything in my life either and have just scraped by, by the skin of my teeth. I feel like I cannot change. I look at myself in the mirror and just see someone who's a disappointment, who is unable to do a thing, a fountain of negativity and broken dreams that I haven't even thought due to the fact that - I know I can't. I hate my personality and my physical being. It's even worse when your family points it out you every week. It's either "Emily! Can't you do something for once in your life?!" or "Emily, you need to lose weight!" I keep on saying "I know, I know!" But what I say and do are two entirely different things. I wish for once that I could and would stand by my words. Especially because my weight needs to be lost due to hereditary medical problems and I have the symptoms for it. I know I've just spouted a whole lot of stupid things and maybe it's not as bad as I think it is, but what I will say it's my fault for all of this. But thank you for reading this and this is my desperate plea (of sorts). Anyways thank you so much, Emily

Anxious, Alone and need people to talk to.

replies: 3

Hi guys, Im new to this sort of thing. Recently I have suffered some real life stress and loss. I now suffer anxiety since the first loss about 12 months ago. I have been to one psychology appointment and i cant afford to keep going to get help. I th... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi, I’m new! replies: 2

In a nutshell... replies: 2

Proper Intro. replies: 2

Anxiety replies: 5

Intro - new professional member replies: 2

Aged care /nursing home/centerlink/lonely replies: 2

Hi replies: 6

What am i doing? replies: 4

Hi, I'm new and don't know what to do anymore. replies: 3

Anxious, Alone and need people to talk to. replies: 3