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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Hello, First Time Poster

replies: 8

Hi, my GP recommended that I join this forum, so here I am I'm not really sure what to say: I've been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and I'm also likely to have borderline personality disorder. I'm also a femal... View more

Changing 'mark this post as helpful' to 'thank you' VOTING CONCLUDED

replies: 35

Hi everyone, we've had a suggestion in the forum improvements thread about changing the title of the button below each post called 'mark this post as helpful'. It has been suggested that we change the title of this button to 'thank you'. Thoughts? View more

Reasonable adjustment does anyone know?

replies: 3

HiI have returned to work after an extended period of leave due to anxiety and depression. While it was work related I am still going through the appeals process with workcover so had to use my own leave. Part of the reason I was off work for so long was my employer insisting on their own assessment before I returned, despite my doctor having cleared me to return albeit with a restriction/ reasonable adjustment. Getting back to work was a nightmare and involved having to raise a level 2 complaint with workcover (who I must say were fantastic). My problem is that my restriction involves not working under the same management team as they are the source of my anxiety, so at the moment I am on a temporary placement elsewhere but its not my substantive position and unless my employer changes my reporting line I face the prospect of successive temporary placements, probably with weeks between them when i will again be forced to use my own leave or go without pay. What I am wondering is under the DD Act, is my employer required to comply and move me to another manager? Reporting to the section manager is the only inherant requirement of my position that I am unable to meet but would be able to if this adjustment was made. There are 3 other positions exactly the same as mine, all reporting to their own manager. My workplace is undergoing a restructure right now and as part of that it should be possible to change my reporting line but my employer is still not agreeing to comply with my adjustment. Are they required to comply? My employer is not covered by the Fair Work ombudsman so I cant get assistance from them and the constant battle with HR and uncertainty around my future is steadily increasing my anxiety levels again. While I dont think Ive been rude to HR I have certainly expressed my frustration at being constantly passed back and forth between people and being given conflicting and unhelpful advice while being kept in the dark about whats going on. The best they can come up with is find another job in the cluster. Im in my mid 50s and with a recruitment freeze on thats just not possible. The other piece of advice is talk to your manager....the very person who is the source of my anxiety!

Hi Everyone- My first post

replies: 3

Hi everyone, Just now I found myself in a desperate situation to talk. I am in my late 20's and over the past year and a half my life took a dramatic turn. In my late teens (2009/2010) I got involved with someone and had a wonderful relationship. Just over a year and a half later, the relationship ended and I hit rock bottom. Lost 13kg in 4 days, drank all weekend and if I wasnt doing either of those I became a gym junkie. I went from 175cm approx and 85kg (im female) to 60kg. I was super happy and loved life, but always longed to have my ex back. We kept it casual and he knew how I felt. 8 months after him breaking up with me and keeping it causal he got with someone else. A year later so did I. As soon as I got with my new boyfriend, he wanted me back but I had moved on. I seemingly broke up with that boyfriend a few weeks later because of differences and found myself back together with the ex. 2 months later I was pregnant, and it was planned. 3 months later he proposed. 6 months after that we bought a house and our child was born. Got married some time after that and lived happily for several months. Mid 2016 while I was pregnant with our second child, he destroyed our marriage. Via text, the day before my birthday, for a girl he met at work. With the same name as me. I had to move from our home, he ignored everything I said to him and still to this day there has been no change. My family think that depression and anxiety are a choice. That medication will make it vanish. Other times its "you dont want to get better". If I say "I'M..." they turn it around to themselves. Like I'm never important enough to consider. I have 2 young children whom I am now a single parent to. My ex plays happily families with the homewrecker and my family is crowding me expecting me to want to talk about it all the time. Help.

Getting worse

replies: 3

Hi there, I'm a 44 yr old male, first time posting. I don't know whether I'm here for help or advice as nothing in the past 9 years at least has helped. I'm sure like everyone else on here, their lives have taken a turn for the worse. I too am in that category. From someone who had his life in somewhat control, to utter disarray. From a warehouse manager to unemployed for the last 2 years. Just scraping on savings. Got a beautiful wife (who doesn't know how to help but has been supportive as much as she could) and 2 beautiful young girls which is the only reason why I haven't committed anything silly as yet. Although I have been close twice! I'm really hanging on a thread. My depression and anxiety levels must be at an all time high. I believe I have fibromyalgia. Although no GP will diagnose me that way. My body (muscles) are in constant pain from head to toe! Find it extremely difficult to do anything. My memory is pretty much shot. I smoke a packet of cigarettes a day, and gave gambled 100's of thousands away. I can only attribute it to my depression! In saying that there is no excuse for what I have put my family through! Only problem is, I don't know what to do to turn my life around, nor do I have the energy! It's a vicious cycle I've put myself in, in which I can't escape. If someone has gone through similar and can lend advice, or help me, it would be greatly appreciated...

Hello

replies: 5

Hi everyone It's nice to be part of a group supporting people. I am new here and looking for some support since I've been quite unwell lately with depression and anxiety. I'd appreciate any tips on how to deal with endless lethargic low moods where I literally cannot move. Also my self esteem is practically non existent so I'm finding it really hard to like myself at all! thanks heaps

First post Hi

replies: 3

Hi, I’m 26 years old, I have three amazing children (aged 8, 6 and 3 yrs), a wonderful fiancée and suffer from, PTSD, Acute anxiety, depression and am on the autism spectrum, my 6yr old was also diagnosed with severe anxiety, earlier this year and both my 8 and 6 year olds are also on the autism spectrum, I am seeking specialist therapy at the moment and am currently medicated and seeing a family councillor, I just feel very alone and needed an outlet besides my fiancée, although his support has been amazing I feel like I need to know I’m not alone with having these issues, I think we all need that. Remember you’re worthy.

First post

replies: 2

Hi all I am extremely hopeful that joining this community will be a starting point for me. I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and at the moment I feel like I have a dark cloud surrounding me most of the time. I don't understand why.. But recently I just don't feel that I belong anywhere. Home no longer feels like home. I can be surrounded by my adult kids & grand daughters but still feel very much alone. I often leave & just drive... With no destination... And sleep in my car as I feel that I don't want to burden anyone.

New to this.

replies: 2

Hey everyone, I'm a 19 year old male and I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for a couple years now but I think has gotten worse over the past say 9-10 months and I haven't spoken to anyone on the phone or even left my front yard and it has been becoming debilitating to the point I can't visit my doctors very often, and was wondering if any of you out there's could help me with a few coping strategies. Thanks, TP.

Just my introduction

replies: 2

Hi. As I'm writing this it is 10:53 pm. I'm feeling down, and I'm not sure if I've truly felt happy in quite some time now. I guess that in the time being, this will be my way to relieve some of that, a sort of reprieve. I don't know how long it will take until I start to feel better about myself and feel happy again. This feeling comes and goes, but I feel like some day it's not ever going to leave me. I want to be happy, and I'm really trying hard. I want this world to be a better place, for everyone. No matter who they are, no matter their colour, their religion, their sexual orientation or age. I want everyone to be happy, because everyone deserves it. I may not deserve it, but I'm working towards changing that mindset. This is my first thing, I hope you all are having or will have a good day.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello, First Time Poster replies: 8

Changing 'mark this post as helpful' to 'thank you' VOTING CONCLUDED replies: 35

Reasonable adjustment does anyone know? replies: 3

Hi Everyone- My first post replies: 3

Getting worse replies: 3

Hello replies: 5

First post Hi replies: 3

First post replies: 2

New to this. replies: 2

Just my introduction replies: 2