Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Hello from a health anxious newbie

replies: 12

Hi forums. First time here for me. This week I have been struggling with health anxiety. I've had some really bad nights' sleep, digestion problems, random pains. It's so hard for me to believe the real symptoms I experience are put there by my brain. But I'm learning. I was even in the ED on Friday. I had chest pains after the mRNA booster. I had blood tests and a chest x-ray (clear) and was eventually sent home, but with a warning that if I get shortness of breath and dizziness to go back. So I lay in best last night, examining every breath, feeling every twinge. It can be so hard in the wee hours to figure out what's real. I've come to these forums in the hope that I can read about other people's similar experiences, and to learn how to deal with it better. Thanks for reading. Take care.

Hey everyone... feeling of loneliness, regret and unaccomplished

replies: 1

Hey everyone, My name is Lochlan and I'm a 22 years old from Perth, Western Australia. I'm into fashion, music, investing, going out, netflix and gaming. I studied fashion design after finishing high-school, but dropped out and have been stuck working fulltime since. I have plans to study a degree at university this or the following year. I joined the forum today hoping to connect to similar people, hearing them out and possibly hoping to be heard. My mental health has been an up and down problem. I'm currently okay apart from going through a rough break up which I caused and having deep feelings of regret, disappointment, depression and not understanding why I did it. I know I can't undo the past but I'm stuck on that thought, If I had just thought for 1 second or had done something else, the relationship with the girl I love would still be there. The only good thing is this was a massive wake up call and life lesson to be learnt. I realized what I was becoming and have began to change for the better. But I can't go back and undo this, and that's eating at me. I won't go into detail here, but I messaged another girl, realized what I was doing and informed my girlfriend straight away. People said not to tell her, but I'm built on honesty and I messed up and should not have done that. She still wants to be friends, but isn't ready for a relationship now. Aside from that I have self diagnosed OCD, general anxiety and depression (doctor sent me to some teen forums and I never went back when I went in for anxiety and depression) and possibly a bit of a hypochondriac (start getting symptoms after researching a scary disease lol). But most of these are in control by myself. My main issues currently are having no "friends", I love being a social person, however I don't really have any friends who are very social as well. My past girlfriends have all been social, seem to just be able to message "the girls" and have a plan for every weekend. Where I'm lucky to message a friend and get anything apart from "come over and chill" or a slow reply. I had very bad depression from 16 - 21 and didn't leave the house very often, missing out on a lot of those activities and friendship groups. Just finding it hard to connect to people I get along with, as gaming, fashion, etc don't really have many clubs or activities for people my age to go to. Thanks for listening and sorry for being all about me! But this is my introduction I guess

Not coping

replies: 2

No money, in debt, health problems really getting to me..

Missing Pet Memorial Stone!

replies: 3

NO NO NO!! Dec 2021 and my dog Caes wondered onto the road and was hit by a car 來 His doctor and nurse tried to keep him alive unfortunately they couldn’t do anything and I lost Caesar. I lost Mia and Caesar in 2021! I have cremated my furbabies I ha... View more

NO NO NO!! Dec 2021 and my dog Caes wondered onto the road and was hit by a car 🤭 His doctor and nurse tried to keep him alive unfortunately they couldn’t do anything and I lost Caesar. I lost Mia and Caesar in 2021! I have cremated my furbabies I have their paw prints nose prints pendants with some ashes inside them and something which is new a MEMORIAL STONE. a beautifully handmade glass swirled bursts of little bubbles with a heavy base anyway with a fuschia colour and most importantly my Caesar’s ashes twirl through it. THIS part that breaks me, I made a clear spot on the cupboard for Caes the ashes the memorial stone the pendants the photo frames and a candle from the AWL. I stayed with a friend who is aware of everything happening with me. I had never stayed away from my habitat for 3 weeks straight before. I returned home 3 days ago I noticed odd things out of place I turned to look at the dogs photos paw prints and I felt my eyes looking harder and faster back forth up across down WHERE ARE CAESARS ITEMS? His ashes are swirling in the memorial stone ITs GONE! How Why What do I do…. I asked the person I share house with if he knew anything about my dog Caesar’s memorial glass he said he doesn’t know anything he has no idea. I asked if he had people over whilst I was on my 3 week hiatus he said nobody was at the house he then said something like ‘someone’ going around the back of my property and getting into the house??!! Like a break in!!?? I have no idea what he’s on about. I can’t imagine what type of person would do this to my son Caes? No one can gain from taking my babies glass swirled ashes but it’s priceless to me! I can’t say the words I want to, I’m beside myself this has thrown me back to Dec 2021.. I can’t move forward, guilt has been paramount in the 20 + years I’m so so sorry . I DO NOT KNOW OF THIS HURTFUL BEHAVIOUR! Why does this behaviour exist it’s cruel, I am hurting and wanting my boys ashes back! xx

Taking charge of my life

replies: 2

As much as i feel depressed, anxious and lonely i have been reaching out and seeking help. I have a great support network but i feel the need to share some of my writing in a safe place. I thought that maybe some people can relate and i just want to be able to share my writing without feeling like a burden. So a little bit about me... I have been battling my problems for as long as i can remember. I have had really good days and bad days. Sometimes it would last just that day, or weeks and even months. I find it hard to understand why i am the way i am. A lot of the time it comes back to all the trauma I've come across in my life. I have faced many challenges in life which has probably made my brain think the way it does. I find it hard to keep motivated and interested in things i use to absolutely love. I find it hard to find the positives in a negative situation. Life is this one big obstacle course with each of its challenges. As much as i feel depressed i have a son that looks up to me. I am his safe place and comfort. He is a big reason that I'm seeking help to find myself again. My mind is a constant battle between the two things i think, but i know i can get through this. I have before and will continue to fight until

Hello - Here for more happiness

replies: 12

Hi All, OK here goes. I feel like I'm one of those people that is extremely lucky yet I'm still unhappy which feels very broken to me. I have a great family (wife & 2 kids), all healthy, and between us, my wife and I have good paying jobs that has meant money has never been a problem for us. I have a couple of good friends and relationships are solid with my family (parents & brother) and my wife's family. ...yet im still unhappy, and where that comes to is career. While im not one of thise people trying to rush my way to the top of the corporate ladder, I do want my career to progress, and recently completed an MBA. My performance has been strong pretty much everywhere I've been, but what I keep finding is that people issues really upset me and in turn disrupts everything else. I got a bit sick of large corporates and so this year I've started at a global tech start up. The onboarding has been the best I've ever experienced but recently had a meeting with an indirect superior (I have a dotted reporting line to them) which really bothered me. It wasn't an aggressive confrontation by any means, but I left that meeting very deflated as I felt I have now entered a very junior role compared to what I was expecting. I give this not as a specific problem to solve but a good example of something that really got me down. I've thought about leaving the role at least a dozen times today, and I've been a real downer on my family the whole day. Just to help, I rarely face scenarios of conflict and Ive received a lot of positive feedback about my leadership style. I feel my problem is I let events like my recent work example really upset me. Hoping to learn a lot from this forum so I can build the techniques to be more resilient so this stuff doesn't affect my home life. Thanks for reading!

Interstate Move Anxiety

replies: 4

Hi, I'm new to this, so not sure if I am doing this correctly, first timer. My family and I have just moved interstate and I'm struggling with the move, feeling really depressed and anxious about starting a new school and making new friends. Everything is overwhelming, miss my old house, the weather, my friends, my school. I just feel sad all the time and have lost interest in everything, even things I use to enjoy. the only thing I am interested in is moving back but I cant for awhile and I just feel like I cant do anything. I don't even see the point in existence any more when I'm not happy and I'm not caring about where I am. I just want to go home its all I want to do because if I went home I would be fixed, I would be happy. it doesn't matter what I am told unless I am told I am moving back my emotions just end up in the same place every time I have no clue what to do besides move back.

New and anxious about privacy

replies: 24

Hey guys, just created my account. I’ve been reading these forums for months now, and I’ve always wanted to start “venting”about my depression and social anxiety but my psychologist is discouraging me from doing so because she reckons I’m going to keep my negative thoughts “in front of my face” if I read and post on these forums. The other thing is I’m really scared about privacy. What if I get identified by either the authorities or anyone? It would ruin my reputation. I’m even scared of signing off with my first name at the end of my post ;/

Helpless wife

replies: 6

Hello everyone, thank you for letting me join this group. I am looking for some guidance. My husband is suffering major depression. He has moved out of our family home, which we share with our 2 young children as he says he feels uncomfortable here. I will add that he’s a FIFO worker. His roster is 2 weeks away, 2 weeks home. He has moved into a donga on his parents property, much like his accommodation at work. I am terrified that he won’t come home. We do speak, but it’s nothing like it used to be. We’ve gone from speaking 3 - 4 times a day, to only talking once (if that) and it’s usually only about our children. We were so happy and in love only a few months ago. He tells me that he still loves me and wants the feelings to come back, but feeling differently about me and doesn’t feel right when he’s with me or in our home. He feels confused because nothing feels the same anymore. He tells me everything is hard. I am respecting his need for space, but am heartbroken. My feelings haven’t changed, I am still madly in love with him, and I miss my best friend. I miss the life I had only a few months ago. Is this normal? Is him removing himself from the home normal, or should I worry that he won’t ever come back. He has started seeing a psychologist (he’s only been seeing him a couple of weeks, but likes him, so I’m hopeful). He doesn’t want to give up his work, because he feels ok there, it’s when he’s home that he struggles. He barely responds to my messages, yesterday we didn’t speak at all. What can I do? I worry if I don’t contact him he’ll think I don’t care, I worry if I do he’ll feel like I’m suffocating him.

Feeling Lost in The Dust Strom

replies: 3

Feeling of Emptyness, Low Energy, Unwanted Hope, Nothingmore to Believe, Turn away all idea of Creation Body Heart Soul no sound of exciting Lost way direction meaningless getting there Reduce work ability low interest activity Divorce 2 time including Broken heart many Family give nolove but ask help with money Do Good have Good ending up no where Not Rich, Not Poor, Not in Hell, Not Bad Human, Not Sad, Not Cry, Not Scream, Not Jeariosy, Something Missing

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello from a health anxious newbie replies: 12

Hey everyone... feeling of loneliness, regret and unaccomplished replies: 1

Not coping replies: 2

Missing Pet Memorial Stone! replies: 3

Taking charge of my life replies: 2

Hello - Here for more happiness replies: 12

Interstate Move Anxiety replies: 4

New and anxious about privacy replies: 24

Helpless wife replies: 6

Feeling Lost in The Dust Strom replies: 3