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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So scared to start. No one has ever noticed.

replies: 5

I feel like im here because I am the invisible person who helps every one. I actually dont know how Im suppose to feel or if I am allowed to ask for help. I have come to this disorientated zone of are you allowed to talk about your feelings because noone wants to listen. My husband either gets aggressive or pretends its not happenning. My favourite is snap out of it. I guess I want to know what am I allowed to ask of people or is that an inconvenience amd keep it shut down I do not know what is normal. Thanks for listening.

The Trials and Tribulations of Skadi

replies: 1

Hi everyone, My name is Skadi, and I'm a 27yr old female living in Sydney. I have struggled with severe depression, anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder for as long as I can remember. Recent life changes have made life incredibly difficult (I lost my job, fell massively into debt, and my ex moved on with a friend of mine). I have a very limited support group, namely just my best friend and my new boyfriend (I have no family in this country), and it has been incredibly hard not only on myself, but them too. Being so deep in debt, I can't afford to see a psychiatrist either, which is something I hope to do to tackle these demons. I truly, truly hope I can find some answers here, or some way to make the dark days that little bit brighter. S x

Hiya peeps <3 Mixed up feels.

replies: 5

I'm probly gonna be posting in the lgbtqi sub-thingie at some point soon, but... it seemed like a good idea to say hi here and collect feelings. since this is an introducty place, um, I guess some background might be interesting? First, I have inattentive type ADHD, medicated on and off since youth. it has an effect on moods and emotions, swingy. second, on the inside, I am female. it took a long time to get as far as admitting this to myself... it'll take longer to find the words and confidence to open up to family. I still have doubts and fears, but recently opened up to my ADHD psych about those feelings. First time I've ever said them out loud, in person. I sobbed a bit. The future is unclear. I'm scared of many things. Of being wrong. Of the dangers present in transitioning. And of what might be impossible to change. I started finding stuff that resonated, explained the badfeels, a few years ago. I listened, comforted, tried to be there for a close and wonderfully kind friend online, who was mid-transition. ... for a lot of friends, actually, for various reasons. just... have that desperate need to make everything feel better, to be the quiet, unjudging shoulder and ear everyone else needed. I think I might have neglected my own feelings. I first came out to friends online about genderfeels, uncertainly... more than one said they had suspected for a while (in a nice way). That was... it was lovely, like a hug filling the void I'd become used to ignoring inside, the source of horrible feelings that made me avoid mirrors and my own voice (which I hate more than any other feature of my sex. Yes, even that one. I can escape some things for a while with enough imagination, but the voice is such a constant and jarring reminder -_-). I have been playing Dungeons & Dragons with some of those friends. Had to mute my mic the first time they casually started referring to my adopted gender, my adopted name, just... normally, casually. Like nothing had changed. If gender euphoria is a thing, that was the day it made me cry from happiness. not all feels are good feelings, though. lately, the mood swings have been lingering on the downside. Other stuff has added to stress, including helpless lack of words to tell mum. And opening up to my GP I've seen since high school, who was... surprised when I asked about hormone tests and endocrinology. And TAFE, and drivers Ed. ...Ok, I'm cutting the life story short before I run out of space ~Jean

Greetings!

replies: 8

Hello everyone! I'm CatInABox or at least I feel like one way most of my waking hours. I'm currently looking at ways to better myself and get on with normal life. Unfortunately, that also means that I'll have to (eventually) come out of my box which I don't think I can actually handle yet. I am a (sort) young woman dealing with - and not dealing with - living with Panic disorder and long bouts of depression. I've already seen my GP and he's referred me to a nice psychologist, so I'm already going somewhere I think. I'm trying to do things little by little but sometimes the simplest tasks seem so hard. I always feel confused and my brain isn't nearly as sharp as it should be. I easily lose focus and can be forgetful sometimes. I also find that I tend to get obsessed and then get over hobbies very quickly. I'm also trying to get back into the workforce after a long absence. I've got to admit that it is painful since every time I look at an online job listing site, I end up with either palpitations or I hyperventilate - sometimes both at the same time. Anyhoo, I think I've said all that needed to be said so I'm gonna go and explore the forums for awhile. See you guys around!

Where to now

replies: 3

Hi, I am new to this and don't really know where to start. I have lost everything and I don't know how t get it back. things that I have no control over seem to rip me in 2, It has effected my family to the point of me losing my wife and 4 children. Being in a lonely place has really opened my eyes to my faults. I don't know how to deal with my aggression. My first reaction is to blow a fuse and that only pushes everyone away from me. There is only so many times you can say sorry and before you know it you have pushed everyone away that loves you.

Confused

replies: 2

Hi there i think i must be depressed. I find it a daily challenge to want to continue being. Most times i can think optimistically and get some motivation but then there are those other times i know i just don't belong here. I am confused

Reaching out

replies: 2

Hi I've been sitting at my computer for an hour or so staring at this page that says sign up and I hope it won't take me as long to post this I don't really know how this go's and plz forgive the grammar and there will be no real structure to this as it's just a jumble in my head and I'm trying to me sence of it idon't want to sound like I'm just "complaining about my life" that's basically what people tell when I try and talk about this but I need to talk to people and I don't know where else I can go without getting prescribed drugs or being told to suck it up but over the past 6 months I have become incredibly obsessed with the idea that I'm not living in my actually reality everything has changed I used to enjoy my job my partner and my life but I woke up one morning hating everything and everyone I pick fights with my partner over nothing and will keep it going till she walks out I'm driving her away and don't know how to stop it brakes my heart every time she walks out but as soon as I calm down and she comes back I push her away by starting a fight it has got to the stage she has moved out why am I doing this to us.

Hello all -New to this and any forum.

replies: 1

Hello to everyone, I am a middle aged man almost 50 years old. I have always felt depressed for a long as i can remember, almost no real friends nearby-no close family,single etc. Recently though things have gotten a lot harder, without details i have been into hospital and my health has begun to suffer. Once i held off feeling low and down by walking and being in public now that brings on new troubles in its self. The few friends i have (less than fingers on one hand) have their own family's and so on to deal with. The only time i see most of them is when they need something or i offer to cook or buy take away and so on. Also not helping there is my job it involves shift work so when I'm working they are not and visa versa. After multiple visits to various doctors going to see them usually makes me feel even worse because of my recent medical worries. This post i hope will help me to sort out things but even typing it makes me feel sad and very very worthless. To anyone who reads this thank you.

lonely

replies: 8

Feeling weak n lonely tday .Have been living a lie and its eating me away

Lost

replies: 2

Hi, this is my first post. I have been reading lots of other treads and feel that I have no reason to be depressed. I have supportive family and an amazing group of friends who are always there for me. I have a good job and a beautiful home. BUT I have completely lost myself. I feel i cant continue to put all this nothing s*&t on to my family and friends. Most days I feel so lost and alone. I wonder why do I let myself get so low. Why am I not stronger. I know this is something I need to fix myself - others cant do it for me, but I dont know how. The hole is so deep and I just keep digging it deeper, that I no longer can see the top. Top, bottom it doesnt seem to matter anymore.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

So scared to start. No one has ever noticed. replies: 5

The Trials and Tribulations of Skadi replies: 1

Hiya peeps <3 Mixed up feels. replies: 5

Greetings! replies: 8

Where to now replies: 3

Confused replies: 2

Reaching out replies: 2

Hello all -New to this and any forum. replies: 1

lonely replies: 8

Lost replies: 2