Hi

[Chiggy]

Hello, I'm not sure what to post about but my friends has been asking me to seek help for some time. I'm not quite sure what for, I'm too afraid of my family finding out about me going to counselors, so I resorted to going here and trying to learn more about what is wrong with me, It might not be the best way, but it's a step ahead from keeping myself in the dark.

Thank God forums like these exists.

[PamelaR]

Hello Chiggy

You sound very frightened. I'd like to welcome you and say it's really good that your friends suggested you come to look at Beyond Blue forums.There is quite a lot of mental illness information available on the website too.

I'm not a counsellor, though if you want to speak to someone call the BB Support Service on 1300 22 4636 or you can chat on line between 3pm and 12am.

I've have PTSD, anxiety and depression and can give you hints and tips about these if you'd like.

It would be good to have a bit more information about what you'd like to talk about so I can focus my post to you. So I'll ask a couple of questions - there is no pressure at all for you to say anything if you don't want.

What has brought you to BB? Or why have your friends suggested this to you?

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[geoff]

Hello Chiggy, please let me welcome you to the forum.

You must have friends who have been worried about you for a long time, try and keep these friends they want to look out for you and certainly help you.

I'm sorry that you're afraid if your family know, I think this may happen quite often because you could be pretending to everyone that all is OK, but eventually this becomes too exhausting.

Crying when you're in the bedroom or anywhere by yourself is difficult to hold back, because how many times have you just wanted to burst out in tears so the support you want will be there for you.

You are more than welcome to reply to any other comment and also to add on to your comment.

Geoff.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Chiggy,

Your friends sound as though they’ve picked up that maybe you’re not feeling your best...I take it that things have been difficult for you...

I suppose some people are hesitant/don’t want to open up to family members for a whole range of reasons. I can relate as I tend to tell my family the bare minimum.

I suppose one of the benefits of this forum plus helplines that PamelaR and Geoff have mentioned is anonymity. In addition to the BeyondBlue helpline, which is great, there are also other helplines and websites under “National helplines and websites” on the BeyondBlue page. I thought that I might just add that so you have multiple options to explore 🙂

Hopefully we hear from you again as there are caring people who would like to support you here. Granted, there’s no pressure or obligation but if you would like talk some more, we are here.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[White_Rose]

Dear Chiggy

Hello and welcome. You obviously have some caring friends as they have steered you to Beyond Blue. Congratulations.

I get the impression you are still at school or perhaps attending a tertiary institution. If you are 25 or younger I want to suggest you look at the Kids Helpline, https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Do a copy and paste. They also have a 24/7 helpline, 1800 55 1800, which is geared entirely for young people. I think they also offer counselling.

I am sad for you that you feel unable to talk with your parents and family about how you feel. Have you had a good look around BB? Look under The Facts tab at the top of the page. The Facts/Anxiety and Depression checklist K10. Complete the test for yourself and see where you are. You may like to complete it several times at different times of the day, when you feel happy/unhappy. It may give you an idea of why your friends are concerned. You can take it to your GP or talk about it with the Kids Helpline.

Let us know how you get on with this information.

Mary

[startingnew]

Hi Chiggy i too would like to welcome you to the forums.

i dont have alot to add to what our loveley members here have already written.

another service if your under 25 is called Headspace- ive used this before and was a good service. they offer counselling, gps, group activities and so much more as well as online/phone/email counselling as well. if you type in 'headspace' into google itll bring it up for you.

please keep talking , we are here for you

[Chiggy]

Ah, thank you so much for the warm welcome!

My friends have told me that I 'don't seem all there anymore'. I'm not sure what that means, but I have a feeling it isn't something that should be embraced. They have been repeating the same things to me for over one and a half years now, but I thought I was pretty engaged in conversations and classes. Maybe I daydream without realising haha.

My friends think that having other people and seeing other's experiences would make me feel a little more better and make me feel less alone (it's been a positive experience so far).

I have a lot of respect for those who go through these mental battles and still is able to keep moving.Thank you so much for your kindness.

[startingnew]

Hi Chiggy nice to hear from you again.

do you think youll be comfortable in speaking to your school counsellor at all or having regular sessions with kidshelpline? they offer free weekly online therapy sessions (with a qualified therapist) and you stick with the same one as well so it runs as if you were going to a counsellor offline.

theres a chance your parents might already know somethings wrong if your friends have noticed it as well. tey might be waiting for you to approach them. everyone here has given some really good advice. perhaps reread some of the suggestions theyve made and see if any of them would help or you would be up for trying like the K10 test...