Dealing with depression

[Jgrace]

Hey!

im currently studying year 12 at school, doing dance after school and working. I’m starting to suffer from some serious depression and anxiety to the point where I can’t keep up and go to school dance or work. I feel like I’m spiralling and can concentrate on anything that I used to be able to do easily. I’m just isolating myslef laying in my bed and crying and I don’t know how to get out of it. Any first steps I should take? I feel sick of having to be that person who is always upset

[Sophie_M]

Hi there, Jgrace!

We hope you feel genuinely proud of yourself for finding the courage to post this and reach out! We are very grateful to have you as a member of this forum community.

Balancing life towards the end of school, and all the frustrations that come with it, can be a truly challenging point in our lives, and you have described the feeling and impact of it getting on top of us elloquently. I have no doubt so many of us can relate deeply, either right now or looking back on our time when we were facing that battle. 

We wanted to make sure you were aware of a couple of helpful reach out points - especially Headspace, which you can find more on here - www.headspace.org.au
You can also stay in touch with Kids Helpline (no you are not too old - yet) - 1800 55 1800
And sometimes, just to chat with people who can offer emapthy, try Friendline: www.friendline.org.au

We have many more insights we can help with here, so remember that you can reach out to us at anytime, 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 (consider our webchat too)

In the meantime - we have no doubt that many of our Community Champions will be happy to talk to you soon, and many of your peers will be along to cheer for you.

Good Luck,

Sophie M

[geoff]

Hello Jgrace, doing year 12 is a very competitive year, lots of study, assignments and being ready for spot exams, trying to achieve the marks you need to accomplish your desired career, so this puts a great deal of pressure on you.

While you are able to do dancing may be relaxing but it also involves competing against other people and whether this creates problems for you or whether it's something you love doing is a decision you have made.

Include in all of this is by having a job, the money is always good, but I hope it's not too stressful because if it is, then this also creates problems in not being able to study as well as dancing, as you've said 'you can’t keep up and go to school dance or work'.

Feeling this way must be disappointing for you, and I'm so very sorry.

Can I ask you whether dancing is part of your year 12 studies as this is important in helping you.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[Mark Z.]

Hi Jgrace,

I'm sorry for your challenge, it must be very hard for you.

If you want you can share your experience with your family so that they can support your emotionally and help you access relative resources.

Alternatively you can see your GP, talk to the GP about your mental and physical challenge, they may help you directly or refer other professionals such as a psychologist.

Calling Beyondblue hotline (as Sophie mentioned, 24/7 on 1300 22 4636) is also a good idea.

Hope you'll get back to the right track soon.

Mark