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...

replies: 4

I'm new to this like many before me and I don't really know what I'm doing but I suffer from anxiety and it seems to be getting worse. I don't generally talk to people about anxiety but thought opening up to people might be able to help me or I might... View more

Hi, I’m new here

replies: 6

I was going to start this message with a fluffy opener like “Hi, I’m Spacefiasco I’m grieving, have anxiety and like walks in the park”. Something noncommittal that says a bit while not saying anything at all. But I don’t think I’m going to get better without learning how to be vulnerable. I think I might have something called “complicated grief”. Sometimes the thoughts and memories are so intense and invasive I can’t get myself out of re-experiencing things again. It makes it hard to move forward, to accept change, and to form meaningful connections with people. I’ve found it’s also a hard thing to talk about with family/friends because people don’t seem to understand persistent grief. Yes, it hurts just as much as the first day. No, that’s not something I’m choosing. No, I can’t “just move on”. No, “trying to stay positive” doesn’t help. And no, saying “but that was ages ago!” in disbelief is not the right thing to say. I’ve always been someone that hides when I’m going through something hard anyway. I was someone who found it difficult to trust people and be vulnerable before this sh*t show, and now with all my triggers it seems unsafe to open up at all. I’m still so triggered by everything: new places, old places, most music, food, buying new things, changes in general etc etc. It happens a lot everyday, and before you know it I’m on the train to Invasive Thoughts And Memories Town. The memories are intense, persistent, invasive and feel like a punch in the gut. Even feeling better/healthy/happy can be triggering. Seriously, wtf?? That’s just… 🤷‍🤦‍ I’ve been seeing a therapist. That has been profoundly helpful. She has been away since Christmas though, and that’s how I’ve found myself here. Playing word games on this forum over the last few days has been a lifeline. It has felt safe and has stopped my brain from spiralling. This forum seems like a really inclusive, non-judgey, safe place to connect with other people who have experienced or are experiencing some hard things. Even if that connection is as simple as playing A-Z of animals. If you’ve read this far, I’m amazed and grateful!

Anxiety going on holidays with Covid

replies: 4

Hi, my name is Kirsty and I wonder if others maybe feeling the same if away on holidays..what works for you? I think too mixing with others even just one other family with kids for me-I take time to adjust.

Hi

replies: 2

Hi, I’m new here. tbh I don’t really know what to say. I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Moon, or atleast I’m looking at it. When I’m tired or having ‘a day’ I tend to look at the sky and watch the clouds, moon and stars. I’m not officially diagnosed with anything but I’m fairly sure I have depression, anxiety, selective mutism and maybe some other stuff. I use he/him pronouns and I’m transgender. My parents don’t know but their transphobic. I like reading, writing and art, even if I’m terrible at it. I use to want to be an author but I’m not sure anymore. Truthfully, I’m not sure where my life’s going anymore, I’m just struggling to get through life at the moment. I’ve overshared a bit so I’ll sign off here. So hi, nice to meet you, bye.

Anyone else have same sensations?

replies: 11

Hi all, Last 3 to 4 weeks has been a rollercoaster for me. I'm hoping I'm not alone on this. It all started after my ears blocked up from wearing airpods, or at least I assume that is the cause. My ears got better, but I became impatient and stuck a cotton tip in my ear and felt like I pushed wax back in and got a sudden ringing in my ear. Sometimes I think I hear it in my other ear also. One side of my face felt numb and also that side of my head. I went to the emergency and they said they couldn't see my ear drum but I had a lot of wax in it. They checked the nerves in my mouth, eyes and ears and all was fine. They told me the sensation feelings where normal. I saw a doctor a few days later and they told me it was normal also and prescribed me antibacterial drops incase of infection for 7 seven days. I moved to Adelaide in the meantime, and decided to see another doctor who syringed my ear and said I had a pimple and scratch in my ear and give it time for the ringing to go. He also said the numbness feeling in my head was normal. Since the ringing, I feel like I'm coming down with all these symptoms and I'm constantly thinking or stressing over it. Sometimes, I feel like my head feels normal but then it goes back to how it was slightly numb or I get a what feels like tension. I googled my symptoms and the worse results came back which put me in panic mode. Saw another doctor and they said I had fluid behind my ear drum and it could take up to 6/8 weeks to go away. I Explained everything else and she said it's cause of anxiety/stress, which I have a history of but Ive never felt some of these symptoms before. - tight jaw - tight nose - eyes feel funny - sometimes I get aches in legs and one arm - head gets tight - but mostly I have this slight numbness feeling on one side of my head. Most of these come and go but has anyone ever had a tension or numbness feeling in one side of the head? Sometimes it feels like it's always there and then for moments it feels like it is gone. The doctor has told me it's nothing serious and if she believed it was, she would do the tests but believes it's normal and all signs of stress and anxiety. She has put me on anti depressants and set up a mental health plan. Just want to know if anything else gets funny head sensations. My thoughts keep going back to my head all the time.

Boredom

replies: 10

I have nothing to ,and I’ve lost motivation to do anything.That’s how hopeless I feel.

Hello, I'm new here.

replies: 12

Heya! I'm Bee. I decided to join the forum to get support, as I've been really struggling lately. I have been diagnosed with depression for around 3 years now but it recently hit much harder so I thought I could use the extra support. I'm excited to ... View more

Hello, nice to meet you. This is why I am here

replies: 8

Hi All, nice to meet you. I will put this at the end too but also at the start in case anyone doesn't read to the end! I wish anyone in these forums all the best with theirjourneys and return to peak fitness. You all deserve it, I'm sure. Quick Summary: I wouldn't say I'd strike you as someone who's struggling. I've had a pretty fortunate life. I often semi-joke that I wish things hadn't been quite so easy because I've not toughened up to the world I sometimes end up struggling in. That's not to say I haven't done anything tough. Anyway, I am kind of starting in the middle here with what I wanted to say. I find myself this year at 40 years of age in the midst of a lot of change. New job I'm not sure I like (or will be good at), new colleagues who I'm not convinceed I'll get along with (or will get along with me), about to become a father again, only 18 months after the first which brings a lot of happiness - but at the same time makes me feel incredibly trapped in a way. So much I did in life allowed for escape but marriage and children, despite how in love I am with all of them, stresses me out due to how permanent it is. I like choice and I guess as I get older, I feel my choices are narrowing and the conequences of making mistakes get higher and higher. I am also sadly, someone who can see the good and bad in everything, which means even the parts of my life that are near-on perfect I can easily spoil for myself. I am a realist (I don't live in a dream) but not always someone that can cope well with reality. I'm also quite self aware which again might seem like a good thing, but again means I know most of what's wrong with me, understand what I've done wrong in my life and also the consequences of that but also am quite stubborn & often repeat the same mistakes again (over-eat, don't exercise enough, don't try hard enough at work, drink too much). So I am a great observer and critic of myself. And at the moment with so much change in my life, I think my base happiness and ability to cope with the knocks and blows I am dealt (and deal myself) is getting shaken. Add Covid to that and some of the issues that has created for me and my family and yes, I feel like I'm at a low point and I am worried my resilience will drop to a point where I won't recover. And that's why I am here. So, thanks in advance for any support or advice on offer. And again for anyone that did read to the end, all the best with your own journeys and recoveries.

Lost

replies: 6

I was seeing a guy for a few months and we ended just recently. I am beside my self and completely heart broken, I am really struggling to get out of bed and have lost my appetite. My family is trying to be there for me but I lock my self In my room and shut everyone out, I know this isn’t normal because some people prefer to be surrounded by loved ones at times like this although I just want to be alone, even though I know it’s not helping me at all. I’m extremely conflicted at the moment and I’m denial that it is over between myself and this guy, I have not contacted him nor tried to reach out in anyway although he calls each day then hangs up instantly and tells me to “just block my number” I don’t get it and it’s really affecting my mental health, we proceed to send around 6 messages each way then he leaves me on read until he decides to call the next day or whenever it may be. What does this mean ? Has any one experienced the same thing ? Please help

New to this Forum

replies: 4

Hi Everyone I am Amanda and I suffer from Social Anxiety. I am tired of suffering alone and no-one understands how I am feeling. I just want to connect with people who feel the same.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello... replies: 4

Hi, I’m new here replies: 6

Anxiety going on holidays with Covid replies: 4

Hi replies: 2

Anyone else have same sensations? replies: 11

Boredom replies: 10

Hello, I'm new here. replies: 12

Hello, nice to meet you. This is why I am here replies: 8

Lost replies: 6

New to this Forum replies: 4