Young people

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BeyondBlue New to this Forum? Please read this first!
  • replies: 0

Hey there! Welcome to the Young People section of the Beyond Blue Forums. The purpose of this section is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss life issues, tricky situations and the difficult emotions and feelings that come with tho... View more

Hey there! Welcome to the Young People section of the Beyond Blue Forums. The purpose of this section is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss life issues, tricky situations and the difficult emotions and feelings that come with those. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect and provide support for each other. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straight away. Information on moderation on the Forums can be found here. Being familiar with our Community Guidelines can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. If we have concerns about your wellbeing, one of our friendly moderators will check in with you privately to make sure you get the support you need. If you need more immediate support, we recommend reaching out to the following: Beyond Blue Support Service – any time, chat online to a counsellor or call 1300 22 4636 Headspace – between 9am and 1am (AEST), chat online to a mental health clinician or call 1800 650 890 Kids Helpline – any time, chat online to a counsellor or call 1800 55 1800 Thank you for being here. We’re glad you’ve found us here and hope this can be a supportive space for you Beyond Blue

All discussions

Chelsea l HELP! My school is trying to force me into getting up on stage
  • replies: 10

I’m new to this, so hi I’m chelsea, I was diagnosed with Depression and anxiety 3 years ago, when I was 15 years old,I’m 18 now and my school is trying to force me into getting up on stage with all the other graduates and I’m not ready for it. I’ve s... View more

I’m new to this, so hi I’m chelsea, I was diagnosed with Depression and anxiety 3 years ago, when I was 15 years old,I’m 18 now and my school is trying to force me into getting up on stage with all the other graduates and I’m not ready for it. I’ve slowly been able to help myself so now I have no issues with getting up in front of 15-20 people, but their trying to make me get up infront of my entire school, which goes from ages 15-18, which calculated, is about 400 people, I’m literally struggling to write this because I’m crying and shaking, And I’m annoyed because I’ve had 2 anxiety attacks this year, when I haven’t had any issues with it since I was 16, even with moving to a completely new school at 17. I just would really appreciate if somebody could give me some advice on how to explain this to my principle, cause it’s nit just the anxiety, I hate having to get up on stage because I don’t like the way I look.

IsolatedStudent Mixed feelings about social interactions
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm a First Year University student and, as the title suggests, feel confused about my social interactions. I know there are people who describe themselves as either an extrovert or an introvert, but I have no idea. I feel completely fine bei... View more

Hi all, I'm a First Year University student and, as the title suggests, feel confused about my social interactions. I know there are people who describe themselves as either an extrovert or an introvert, but I have no idea. I feel completely fine being in a solitary environment, but when I see people I recognise hanging out with their own group of friends, I feel a small pang of jealousy for not being a part of that. Some days I feel like I can talk to anyone, while others I just feel like hiding in my room. I also find that my mood is heavily affected by my social interactions. Although I said earlier that I'm fine in solitude, sometimes I get a sudden sense of loneliness and just long for social interactions. However, depending on how that interaction goes, it can either make or break my day. If I think a social interaction went well, I'd be happy for the rest of the day. If not, then vice versa. I just feel so confused right now! What's wrong with me?? I feel so abnormal about this simple concept. Sorry if this seemed like a rant. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Elizabeth_H I'm in love with my engaged ex best friend
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm Elizabeth. Before I get started about my story I'm going to warn you it is something that feels like it is out of a movie and it sucks. Alright, it all starts back in high school when I met my best friend. Let's call him (James). We were best... View more

Hi, I'm Elizabeth. Before I get started about my story I'm going to warn you it is something that feels like it is out of a movie and it sucks. Alright, it all starts back in high school when I met my best friend. Let's call him (James). We were best friends when we were 15 all up until we were 20. At first, I didn't have feelings for him (or at least I don't think I did). At the end of our last year of high school, he told me he was gay. Which I was and still totally fine with. However, everything changed when we went to college and we met a few more friends (that were all girls). A year went past and it was great I don't think I could've been happier with my group of friends. That was until our final year in college where James and our other friend (one of the girls, let's call her Sera) started doing a VET course together, Which was fine with. Until they started getting really close with one another. I didn't think anything of it at first and I might just be a tad jealous because I was his best friend. Then out of the blue James was in a relationship with Sera!! I felt so hurt and I thought that was because I felt he lied to me. Fast forward a month into their relationship and they decided the next year they would be having a baby. I got angry and told them it was a bad idea due to none of them had an income and they both still lived with their parents. (and they were 18) So Sera and I had a falling out for a year where we didn't talk to one another. But James and I were still best friends. After a year Sera and I made up. Because James had a hard time separating his life. I fixed it for him. Fast forward another year and Sera and James are engaged......that hurt really bad. I hated my 20th birthday because they got engaged a few days before. It was terrible.....that's when it occurred to me...I was in love with James. Fast forward another year...tensions in our friend group were rising. I knew Sera always saw me as a threat and it was no surprise when my other friend in the group told me about how everyone else gossiped about how I loved James... I don't think he believed it. A fight broke out over inbox, so I decided to address the problem. By the end of it, I left the group. I didn't tell anyone that they were right. but I was just so done with it. I don't think I could have watched him marry her...I think my heart would've just shattered. Now it's been nearly nine months and I miss him so much. Does anyone have any tips to make it go away?

firstname_lastname I just opened up notepad and started writing
  • replies: 1

i feel like im scared to lose her but only when she wants to end it and im not happy with her when im with her because she bosses me around and i never have my say but its not her fault because i never say anything it just my problem, i also like to ... View more

i feel like im scared to lose her but only when she wants to end it and im not happy with her when im with her because she bosses me around and i never have my say but its not her fault because i never say anything it just my problem, i also like to think i have a problem so people will care about me and i dont like her because shes put on weight and i feel like a bad person because i think that way and now im just saying im a bad person so people will care about me and im only writing this part because i want someone to read it and sympathise with me. i want everyone to like me even though im a very judgmental person and i aslo lie alot to try and make myself feel good and look perfect in other peoples eyes. i think i am a fake, everytime i say something bad about myself i think it is just so someone will care for me. I expect her to be perfect even though im not. I don't think i have anything wrong with me because i just make this stuff up in my head so people will care. I am the biggest coward anyone wil ever meet i can bully people when im in a group but on my own id be scared and run i could never stick up for myself verbally or physically, I think im better than everyone else. i dont feel any emotion to anything im just cold. Im generally an upbeat person but once something goes slightly negative i just crumble into a pile of shit. I hate the word love i think is so cringy im sweating so much while writing this. I know people will read this and think i have a problem but i don't im just a bad person. I keep thinking about posting this somewher but it would only be for attention anyway. oh well screw it

sdona49 Struggling with Health Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone I am 24 and have been struggling recently with health anxiety. I have always struggled with anxiety and stress all my life but this time it feels like nothing before. I am currently medicated and going in for CT scans do to neck pain and... View more

Hey everyone I am 24 and have been struggling recently with health anxiety. I have always struggled with anxiety and stress all my life but this time it feels like nothing before. I am currently medicated and going in for CT scans do to neck pain and headaches. I have also gotten a care plan for physio for my neck which has been plaguing me for 2 months now. It started 2 months ago when I underwent a medication change due to unwelcome symptoms of then and current anti depressant. I tried a new anti depressant that did nothing for my anxiety and led me down a spiral of panic attacks and unmanageable anxiety. After 4 weeks of suffering I went back to my old anti depressant and made an appointment with a psychiatrist. Due to that experience I underwent extreme stress as well which led to all these new aches and pains I was not aware of before. That then led to me self diagnosing and more anxiety. I have done my best to manage and try stay away from Dr Google but I must share my symptoms as they make we worrisome. I have noticed of recent that when reading with my mind eye I will finish a sentence and get stuck on the last word. It will be a struggle to get that last word read with my minds eye. Like pushing against a wall and it will take a few seconds to overcome that wall. It doesn't happen with all sentences but enough to make me anxious. Due to this I have convinced myself of having Brain cancer or CJD. I'm on the verge of trying to get a spinal tap just for anxieties sake. I have also noticed I push my tongue on the roof of my mouth and clench my jaw. I feel like my concentration is being hindered at times and my attention is easily lost. My forearms feel weak and sometimes struggle to find the words to say, stuttering or mispronouncing words. My mind just feels like it is not like it was before this experience. A little mushy at times. It does bring me some relief writing all this but I need to find better ways to manage this experience if it is stress and anxiety related. I would like to know if some people out there experience similar symptoms as this would bring me the most comfort knowing I'm not alone. Thank you for hearing me out!

kebabeater Feeling Alone and Insecure...
  • replies: 1

I am a 17 year old girl and recently I broke up with my boyfriend of one and a half years. I am really struggling not only to move on as I have so many insecurities from within myself but I am struggling to fall out of love because despite all the fi... View more

I am a 17 year old girl and recently I broke up with my boyfriend of one and a half years. I am really struggling not only to move on as I have so many insecurities from within myself but I am struggling to fall out of love because despite all the fighting between me and him and the verbal abuse he put me through I still love him and can't seem to get him out of my head as I feel like I will never be able to get any better than him.

pluro Responsibility & Freedom
  • replies: 5

Hello, I'm just curious about a few things and confused as to what I should do about them. I've never had any issues with my parents before, and we've never really fought before, but I don't think my relationship with them is very good. We're not clo... View more

Hello, I'm just curious about a few things and confused as to what I should do about them. I've never had any issues with my parents before, and we've never really fought before, but I don't think my relationship with them is very good. We're not close at all, and I tell my parents basically nothing that's going on within my life. I'm trying to fix that part, like telling them about my friends and school stuff, etc. One of the issues from this however is that I don't really have any responsibility. They don't and have never given me chores my entire life, they don't really put restrictions on many things I do (they let me stay on the internet as long as I want, let me sleep as long as I want, even let me take random days off school, and many other things). They don't let me clean my own room, they just say they'll do it themselves at some point. I don't get bad consequences for anything I do either (usually just a warning to not do it again). I've always thought this was a good thing I guess, but they also never taught me much. I'm only realising this now because many of my peers in my grade have certain skill sets that I lack, and I'm struggling to keep up in school because of it. I'm trying to teach all these things to myself, but I'm struggling a lot. I have no time management skills, it's terrible because I can't get enough stuff done and my grades are suffering because of it. I know how to cook a few things, sew a button, do my laundry, and other things but I learnt all that by myself or from the internet. Thinking about it now, if I didn't have the internet, I'd probably be a brainless blob, so I'm grateful for that. Something I find really weird though is that they don't let me do many things when it comes to going outside the house. They don't let me walk to school on my own (my school is a kilometre away, very close), they don't let me cook if they're not in the house, they don't let me anywhere outside of my house unless it's school, they're with me, or I'm at a friend's house that they dropped me off to. And they have to know the exact time to be picked up, constantly calling me and stuff like that. I've never found it strange until now, when I hear about my friends getting more freedom in regards to that sort of thing. It can get frustrating. Is this something I should be worried about? Am I over-exaggerating? Is this an issue I should discuss with my parents or figure out on my own? My word count's running out sooo... (thanks if you reply)

picklesnme Wanting to leave my depressed partner
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, I really need some advise, I’m so conflicted at the moment. ive been with my partner for 7 years, I knew he had depression when we got together and me being the happy-go-lucky person I was, I was very accepting and understanding of his mood... View more

Hey guys, I really need some advise, I’m so conflicted at the moment. ive been with my partner for 7 years, I knew he had depression when we got together and me being the happy-go-lucky person I was, I was very accepting and understanding of his moods and would often be the only person who could cheer him up and get him through the hard days. Fast forward to now, and I just don’t know if I can do it anymore. He has always taken medication to treat his depression and severe social anxiety - or so I thought. I found out earlier this year that he stopped taking his meds about 2 years ago! He used to be an occasional weed smoker, but now he relies on it to function. He insists it works better than his meds ever did, and if he has to go without it he becomes irrational, verbally aggressive, highly irritable and all the other good stuff. He takes his moods out on me and our 3 year old, and I just can’t handle it anymore. I myself am now on antidepressants and feel like he has dragged me down to the point where people don’t recognise me as the happy person I used to be, now I’m just a tired, stressed, grump. I have begged my partner to seek professional help, go to therapy, get back on his meds, and he always promises after a huge fight that he will change, but he never has. He refuses to work, so despite my longing to ne home with my daughter and eventually have more babies I am stuck in a job that I hate in order to keep a roof over our heads, and all our spare income is spent on funding his smoking habit. I want better for myself, for my daughter, but I am so worried about calling it quits and what it may lead to. He has threatened suicide before, he doesn’t have any friends, his family aren’t very understanding, I feel like if I leave him he will literally have no one to turn to and he will either kill himself or guilt me into going back to him. I’m ready to walk away, but I know it will destroy him. Please help!

Suzie_Paige I need advice because i think i have anxiety
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So im a 13 yr old female, and i think that i might have anxiety. i always stress when friends go off in groups, or want to talk alone without me. I havent talked to anyone about it, but i just want opinions from other people. I can never get to sleep... View more

So im a 13 yr old female, and i think that i might have anxiety. i always stress when friends go off in groups, or want to talk alone without me. I havent talked to anyone about it, but i just want opinions from other people. I can never get to sleep at night until 12:00 and i always worry about people leaving me and abandoning me and talking behind my back. i dont know what to do thanks for any help or advice

J___ need help, am i alone?
  • replies: 1

Recently Ive had an other whelming feeling that im on the verge of disater. i feel like im a time bomb and at any second i may go off. i experince anger attacks where i just get so annoyed at my self and other people. luckily ive only had one in publ... View more

Recently Ive had an other whelming feeling that im on the verge of disater. i feel like im a time bomb and at any second i may go off. i experince anger attacks where i just get so annoyed at my self and other people. luckily ive only had one in public because when it happens i just feel like hurt people. i also feel like im putting on a show. its not that im being fake around people persea its more like im just hiding all my problems despite they are getting worse. im worried that this acting will eventually run out (if that makes sense). am i insane? does any one feel like this. what can i do? sorry for the bad grammar. J