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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I feel selfish even posting here

replies: 3

Good evening everyone I didn’t even know where to start with dealing with what I feel is depression and severe anxiety issues. I’m struggling to adapt to city life, myself and my wife have spent several years living a remote lifestyle but city temptations such as drinking, gambling and losing control of my finances are all creeping into my life. I’m extremely good at hiding my feelings. I cry behind closed doors, I drink to hide pain I seriously don’t know where to turn or where to start. I have a family and friends that love me and I know will support me but I feel scared, selfish, hopeless. Help

"Doing Best to Stay Well"

replies: 10

Hello Beyond Blue People, Joined up again.

New to forums - Just diagnosed Bipolar 2

replies: 11

Hi Everyone, This is my first post so I thought I would say hello and see how this works. After a period of severe anxiety and 5 months on medication, I have just been diagnosed as suffering from Bipolar 2 disorder. On the one hand it has come as a bit of a shock but on the other it makes perfect sense and explains so many things about my life. I work in a very creative field and am also a very driven type of person so my symptoms,which I have covered for many years, have gone unnoticed. I am very curious to know if anyone else out there is more of an extrovert who suffers from anxiety or Bipolar. It surprises me that no-one ever asked of I was ok or noticed that anything was wrong even though I was, at times, in the depths of despair. Medication has given me some breathing space over the past few months so I feel more stable but I have been told that I will need to go on a mood stabiliser. Not sure what that means? Thanks for reading and I hope to hear back from anyone else in a similar situation. Joamy

I'm new

replies: 2

Hi all I'm new to this. I have been suffering from depression for many years. This year I now have anxiety and panic attacks. My fiance of 10 years broke up with me on New Years day, I then was bullied at work so left the job which was his family business, I now have a part time job which I hate. I have pressure from my elderly mum who I care for not to work and care for her. I am so confused and don't know what to do. I am alone. I am on medication.

Don’t know how to ask for help with anxiety

replies: 6

Hi, I’m new to bb. I struggle with anxiety at times, not everyday. I find it difficult to reach out for help/support as I am usually the support person. I work in healthcare and feel that I’m letting people down/being judged bc I should be able to cope with stressors and anxiety. Just writing this is a huge step for me. Not really coming to terms with it. I feel like I need to be the “strong “ one. I hide it and put on a facade

Morning glory

replies: 2

This is my very first ‘contribution’ to a thread! I’m a 73 year old grandmother - and retired health professional. There seem to be many days at the moment, where life appears bleak. A mix of anxiety & depression. I feel concern for the future - especially relating to my grandkids. I had felt that our lives would be filled with countless success stories - but instead, broken dreams & disillusionment.

Hey

replies: 3

Feeling like I don't belong anywhere

Really struggling today

replies: 1

Hi, I'm new to Beyond Blue but not new to mental health struggles. My main issues are dealing with quite severe depression and complex PTSD. I've had many hospitalisations and the last one was 2 months ago. This is the longest period of relative stability I've had this year. However the past few days have been really hard. I've made it to work today (don't have sick leave and I need the money) but I'm not sure how I'm going to get through the day. Hopefully I can just hide in my office and no one will notice anything. I'm feeling very flat, low and empty. I don't usually sleep well and have lots of nightmares, and the last few nights have been particularly bad so maybe that's why this is happening. Thankfully tomorrow is the weekend. I'm planning to withdraw from the world and stay at home. I know that that is probably not going to help, but I'm not sure what else to do. I don't have much support. I live alone and my main sources of support are my medical professionals (and of course they don't work on the weekends). I don't have any family. I do have a couple of friends but I don't let them in too close as I've lost quite a few friends in the past because they see me as too much of a "burden". Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

When life gives you lemons

replies: 2

Hi I'm new to this forum & just signed up as a member. I joined because I like reading other experiences & would like to share some of my own. I was abit scared at first to join. But I feel this a good move to share my thoughts & feelings. It's good to know I'm not alone on the rollercoaster ride of depression, anxiety & PTSD. I'm currently learning how to handle the episodes I go through. I also see a psych & on meds. It has been a rough road but still getting up every morning doing my best. Currently a stay at home mum with a beautiful boy. He is my reason to keep fighting through my battles. Also have a patient partner who has been through all my ups & downs with me & is very supportive. But I tend to shut him out at times & lose my cool. So I'm still a work in progress. Loleini

New member. Introduction

replies: 4

Hi, I'd rather not use my real name as it is quite unique, even though I've put up a profile picture. Go figure. 43 year old male, suffering from mild depression and extreme anxiety. Just thought joining this forum might help somehow.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

I feel selfish even posting here replies: 3

"Doing Best to Stay Well" replies: 10

New to forums - Just diagnosed Bipolar 2 replies: 11

I'm new replies: 2

Don’t know how to ask for help with anxiety replies: 6

Morning glory replies: 2

Hey replies: 3

Really struggling today replies: 1

When life gives you lemons replies: 2

New member. Introduction replies: 4