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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New to forum - seeking study tips from adults diagnosed with ADHD

replies: 1

Hi there, I've never been part of a forum before so I'm not exactly sure how they work. I have a few chronic conditions (anxiety, type 1 diabetes, CPTSD to name a few) but the thing I am struggling most with at the moment is my ADHD. I was diagnosed when I was 23 and I am medicated. I recently left my job to commence a fully-online university course and I'm continually brought to my knees in tears of frustration because though I want to do the work, I just can't. I am interested in the topics, I'm quite capable of learning the content and demonstrating my understanding but I just cannot seem to 'sit and do'. I have upped my medication and tried so many tips, tricks and hacks - timers, lists, sit/stand desk, fidgets, concentration music, library study, study buddy, removing distractions, do not disturb sign, headphones with music, headphones without music, turning study into a game/challenge, using a text-to-speech app, being kind to myself, being hard on myself, verbalising my goals/to do's to others, visually displayed my 'why' - and nothing has worked. I have a support plan from the university which gives me an extra week to complete assignments (thankful!) but I'm really concerned that I'm still not going to make it even with the extensions. My ADHD was manageable in the workplace but this is just next level and I'm not sure what else I can do to help myself. Please, if you have any ideas or suggestions, I'd be most grateful. Thank you

Young, lost, confused and hopeless in a pandemic

replies: 1

Hey gang, Welcome to my first post. Since the pandemic started it has just heightened everything that I was brushing under the rug in my life. I completed my University degree last year and completed my placements in big Melbourne hospitals and then I would return back to my essential job to be abused by the public. I hate my job and the degree I studied but I am just so burnt out that I have no ambition to do anything with my life. I struggle to just do basic things like eating, showering and brushing my hair. Growing up I was really creative, bubbly, out going and ambitious, which I still have those qualities, but for years I have just felt this dullness over me. It doesn't matter how good of a day I am having or how much I am enjoying the company around me, I still have this dullness. I honestly thought those feelings were just a sense that I was growing up and that it was normal or maybe it is because of the pandemic. Growing up I always felt off with my mental health and though it was depression. I would reach out but I was always put down and told I was "asking for attention" or "doctor shopping". So I have always found it difficult to ask for help. I struggled in school so I thought maybe I could have a learning disability and it wasn't until a couple of years ago (when I was nineteen) that my parents thought the same thing but "couldn't be bothered" getting my tested. All I know is that the only thing that brings me joy and certainty in my life is my boyfriend and my dog, but sometimes I don't know if that is enough.

Ugly

replies: 3

Hello, this is my first time sharing on this forum. I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression in March of this year. Prior to this diagnosis, I thought of myself as a very strong woman, both physically and mentally. Being indigenous of New Zealand, the woman carry themselves with so much strength and considered the back bone to there family and community. I worked for an organisation for 10.6 years in the community sector, working with young people in care.. I loved my job so much. In Oct of 2019, we had a new House manager that started with us. Cut a long story short, from Oct 2019 to March 2021, I was subjected to work place bullying. For the 10+ years working with young people of complex behaviour and high needs, I coped with the constant verbal abuse and the behaviours, because I loved what I did and built a great rapport with all young people I worked with. Our new house manager, I felt, broke me in every way through her work place bullying, not just me, other workers and our clients. As a Maori woman, who are bought up to be strong, I felt weak at the hands of this woman. I worked with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts from my clients. I had empathy for there mental state of mind. I thought I had some understanding of what they were going through, and I did,until I ended up in a similar situation to them. I have sought help through my GP, who I have a close relationship with, I was on work cover for 3 months, my organisation cancelled that and througout this, I finally resigned from my job. I started drinking alot, even went back on having a joint once and a while, so I can sleep. I have lost a lot of weight during this time. Wearing my 11 year old grandaughters clothes and finding it very difficult putting weight back on. I understand I need to eat for me to put weight on, I feel like a n unintentional anorexic. I also have social anxiety, I will only leave home if necessary and I was a very socially person. I have had suicidal thoughts as I hate how I'm feeling. I have a house full of people living with me, but still feel lonely, I have next to no confidance anymore, believing I am ugly. I no longer have access to a psychologis, due to being cut off from work cover and I can't afford one. I am now on centrelink payments, which has taken from me my self worth. I feel so exhausted from all these ugly feelings and I'm so tired of feeling tired.

chronic depression

replies: 3

What's one thing that you have tried that has helped you with Chronic Depression even a little?

Help

replies: 1

Really it all started losing our takeaway business to covidThen the rental we where in the owner tried doing us for 15k it got dismissed then Feb of this year I Had a work place accident im left with permanent disability in my shoulder and now 15 years in the construction down the drain and left not knowing what the future holds To which my employer bullied me and belittled me too the point I almost did something silly I now have adjustment disorder and anxiety as a result which I beat my self up inside every day over Now my car died a week ago its going to be 6k to fix now I received a phone call today saying our landlord is selling our house which i Honestly don't know what I have done wrong to the universe wish someone could tell so i can fix it There is only a certain amount of punches I can take im ready to not get back up again

hello!

replies: 3

hi all just wanted to introduce myself, not too sure what to say but I just needed somewhere to come for support because I feel bad when in moments like now when I can’t sleep I don’t want to annoy people. I am battling an eating disorder and over recent months i have consistently been numb, unmotivated and always have a fear of being abandonment and just being useless. i feel as if nothing I used to do makes me fulfilled or worth doing anymore. I have my first appointment at headspace thursday and hope I can get the help I need and perhaps get a better understanding of what I’m experiencing. much love to you all

Argos Z

replies: 3

I'm a new person who would love some support right now, but as a 65 yo who has managed mental and physical ill health all my life, I don't want to discourage other people or tread on their hope by talking about my issues. As an older person, one of the few remaining roles and influences I have in the world is to support my children, grandchildren and others to remain hopeful for change individually, and globally. Yet, I feel my own life has gone full circle, and there is not much more I am able to do, mentally or physically, and very little has changed on that journey. The journey for the journey's sake is no longer appealing. I anticipated I might face such a dilemma as I grew older - that doesn't mean I want to work through it...I'm tired of the constant "work". I was born "philosophizing" but I have no one to talk to on these subjects.

New to all this but seeking help

replies: 5

Hi all I’m a mother of 3 wife and in my 40 s I am a career for my husband and I work partime as a cleaner I have bi polar 2 and been diagnosed about 6 hrs ago but had it all my life miss diagnosis of depression instead . So am on meds and struggling to overcome this depression attempt on my life 2 mths ago and I’m still waiting to see a new dr as I do not like my old phychaitrist. I am struggling everyday with no support as my husband doesn’t know how to help me . I am in bed most days and don’t even want to get up I really am so down and don’t see a light it’s just so hard to explain to another person who has never been in my shoes what it feels like . It’s the most horrible thing to have this disorder.

Loneliness

replies: 4

66 yo widower struggling with loneliness ,what are some Answers?

Constantly Running Away From Anything Threatening

replies: 6

Hello . My name is Running Foot. Joined the beyond blue forums with the intent to support others where can and be supported. I suffer from ptsd but do not wish to talk about to much about my past as most of it has been addressed by Dr's physcologists. On meds. Browsed the forums for many years and finally have the courage to join. Am interested in the staying well section. That section hopefully may be of more help to me than any other section. I do hope that I can contribute to support others too.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New to forum - seeking study tips from adults diagnosed with ADHD replies: 1

Young, lost, confused and hopeless in a pandemic replies: 1

Ugly replies: 3

chronic depression replies: 3

Help replies: 1

hello! replies: 3

Argos Z replies: 3

New to all this but seeking help replies: 5

Loneliness replies: 4

Constantly Running Away From Anything Threatening replies: 6