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

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mouseketeer26 How to open up to your friends
  • replies: 5

I'm new to beyondblue, so hopefully I'm posting this correctly. Growing up, I had a plethora of family issues, largely centering around my father who is for all intents and purposes an abusive sociopath. My mother was incredibly supportive, however g... View more

I'm new to beyondblue, so hopefully I'm posting this correctly. Growing up, I had a plethora of family issues, largely centering around my father who is for all intents and purposes an abusive sociopath. My mother was incredibly supportive, however growing up with my father (who is divorced from my mother), gave me many issues to deal with, many of which I have not shared with my mother or other family members due to the issues they are all still dealing with and also in the interest of allowing my family to heal. My father was abusive physically but predominantly mentally, and I have not spoken to him for two years. However, he's recently managed to upend my family's life- including mine- from a distance and has continued to try to essentially ruin the life I have made for myself outside of his influence. My family are all experiencing the difficulty this has caused, but due to them not understanding the extent of which this man has affected me, I have found myself unable to confide in them the effect the situation has had on my health, mostly because I am not able to express to them the extent of the damage he caused to me in my younger years. Although I feel comfortable and stable in how I'm dealing with the situation and have no serious or immediate concerns for my health, I find myself for the first time feeling as though I really need to talk to someone about what has happened to me, and bring these things that are holding me back out into the open so I can finally move on. Several friends have expressed that I should talk to them if I want to as they know I am struggling with a family related situation, however firstly I don't know how to approach them and ask if I can talk about what I'm struggling with, and secondly I am unsure whether it would be fair of me to ask them to hear my problems, as I would never want to cause difficulty to any of my friends. I also don't feel comfortable speaking to a counsellor or therapist and I don't feel I am in a place where that is necessary, so I am hoping to avoid that if possible. Does anyone have any advice for opening up to friends/whether I even should?

brokenbeyondrepair knowing you have no one there for you
  • replies: 7

I just realized i have no friends, and my siblings don't know but they wouldn't really care otherwise they are too into there own lives, but i'm just so sick of continuously asking people how they are, being there counselor when they know i'm going t... View more

I just realized i have no friends, and my siblings don't know but they wouldn't really care otherwise they are too into there own lives, but i'm just so sick of continuously asking people how they are, being there counselor when they know i'm going through so much stuff right now, a few even knowing that i want to end my life i never get asked how i am or even talk too anymore, i'm just tired of this, i have no one there for me, if I died, they'd be sitting there crying and telling everyone we were such good friends

DarkwolfDia Disability support help
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm 18 and currently going through year 12. I suffer from depression and heavy anxiety. I want to apply for DSP due to the anxiety. Although i have never done actual work, i have done some work experience, only 2 hours on Mondays for 4 or 5 weeks... View more

Hi, I'm 18 and currently going through year 12. I suffer from depression and heavy anxiety. I want to apply for DSP due to the anxiety. Although i have never done actual work, i have done some work experience, only 2 hours on Mondays for 4 or 5 weeks. That alone made my anxiety so bad i felt like i was going to die. I will have to complete another 40 hours of work experience for a course i'm doing to get my VET credit. I've been doing a lot of research into DSP, mainly due to ending school soon and the anxiety of getting work has sent me into a depression. I've already cut school back as I now only go 3 days a week. Since then my anxiety has been getting worse each year, and all the things i've read about DSP has just made it even worse, with the biggest fear of it not going through. My anxiety has gotten so bad that the mere mention of jobs makes me feel sick. I hate feeling like this and i just want some sort of security. I know even on DSP i wouldn't be able to live on my own, so me and some close friends have been planning on sharing a house. Only problem is my friend has a bit of home troubles and wants to move out as soon as possible. Preferably for her end of this year or early next year. I fear i wont have any support by then and i won't be able to do it, and thus causing even more anxiety and depression. I want to try to get DSP as soon as possible so i can save some money for when i move out, but I fear that won't happen. Everything's gotten so bad i just want to crawl into bed and die. I would appreciate any advice i can get as i don't know how long i can deal with this anxiety anymore.

LuveniA My parents don't believe in depression
  • replies: 12

Hi, This... feels weird to be on this site as I'm not even sure I even have depression but, it's either writing on this forum or keeping silent. My name is Robyn and currently, I am in high school. I constantly feel sad and worthless all the time, no... View more

Hi, This... feels weird to be on this site as I'm not even sure I even have depression but, it's either writing on this forum or keeping silent. My name is Robyn and currently, I am in high school. I constantly feel sad and worthless all the time, not being able to live up to the expectations of those around me. I cry very easily and my eyes are always sore from just trying to hold back tears each day. My parents don't believe in depression and think it's just the fact that I'm not bothered to do anything. I try really, to get up each day and just go to school, tutoring and homework, it's just, I have no motivation, even saying out what I need to finish out loud is pointless. Then I start to believe that I can't do the work up to a good standard and just start thinking about sleeping 'permanently', thinking how nice that I could be at peace forever. I don't want to go the doctor because my mum will think I'm just stupid and irrational. So am I really just pathetic, look for attention around me or is the possibility of me being depressed real? Thank you very much for reading this. Have a nice day. Robyn beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Lonely_Tree Difficulty Connecting with people
  • replies: 6

Hi friends, Just though I'd share my current dilemma for those who are going through the same thing to realise that they aren't alone. I'm 19 and I have no close friends. I'm talking about the type of friends who you know you can count on and they fe... View more

Hi friends, Just though I'd share my current dilemma for those who are going through the same thing to realise that they aren't alone. I'm 19 and I have no close friends. I'm talking about the type of friends who you know you can count on and they feel the same way. I'm highly academic and into my team sports. But, in both aspects of my life I've watched as my peers formed strong relationships while I remained an acquaintance. I did try my best to introduce myself and start conversation but in the end I felt like the person who no body wants to be friends with. In a team full of people I feel like the one who has no place on it. If anyone has a similar experience and would like to share or give advice please do. I would greatly appreciate a good insight.

IsaacV Wanting tips and tricks to get through depression and anxiety [Trigger Warning: sexual assault]
  • replies: 7

Hi, so I'm Isaac and I've been bipolar since the age of 12, I'm 14 now and I'm really needing some ways to control stuff or at least make things easier. The last 6 months haven't been good because I lost both my dad and my older brother near the end ... View more

Hi, so I'm Isaac and I've been bipolar since the age of 12, I'm 14 now and I'm really needing some ways to control stuff or at least make things easier. The last 6 months haven't been good because I lost both my dad and my older brother near the end of last year, and just two months ago i became a victim of sexual assault and rape. I'm just needing some ways to cope with really bad days so that I can attend more school and don't get too bad marks and fail, and also so that I can be a nicer person to my friends and my mum because they deserve better than what im giving them, so if you have anything that could help it would be amazing, thank you xo.

Brooke__ how do I stop feeling so anxious?
  • replies: 2

I always feel anxious and I'm scared of the future, instead of being excited for it. I ruin everything by being scared and I hate it. everything is so daunting to me, people know I am a cautious person, but they don't know the extreme thoughts and th... View more

I always feel anxious and I'm scared of the future, instead of being excited for it. I ruin everything by being scared and I hate it. everything is so daunting to me, people know I am a cautious person, but they don't know the extreme thoughts and the worry I think everyday and night. I just want to think positive for once, but how?

nevergiveup245 Anxiety when doing my work everyday
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I have struggled with anxiety and intrusive thoughts for many years. I am doing Uni at the moment and the pace is really fast at uni, so there’s a lot of work to do everyday. Because of my anxiety and fear of failure, of making mistakes,... View more

Hi everyone, I have struggled with anxiety and intrusive thoughts for many years. I am doing Uni at the moment and the pace is really fast at uni, so there’s a lot of work to do everyday. Because of my anxiety and fear of failure, of making mistakes, of getting things wrong, I procrastinate a lot and to the point I can’t do anything or have a mental breakdown sometimes... I see my psychologist about monthly, so have to cope in between. Everyday I struggle between fighting my negative thoughts to continue my day/life VS succumbing to what my mind tells me which is to avoid my work as much as possible. The latter usually leads to deep depression.. So am trying to avoid that as much as possible. i have been off meds for a few years, but have been thinking of going on them again. But also am thinking if exercising would help. anyone found exercising help anxiety? I am not sure how to cope with anxiety everyday. Any suggestions are appreciated.

emily2 Scared i am losing my boyfriend to mental illness
  • replies: 4

About 2 months ago my boyfriend started experiencing psychotic episodes abruptly ever since its been a rollercoaster of him going to somewhat stable to relapsing. he is on medication i am not sure if they just arent the right does he has a dr appoint... View more

About 2 months ago my boyfriend started experiencing psychotic episodes abruptly ever since its been a rollercoaster of him going to somewhat stable to relapsing. he is on medication i am not sure if they just arent the right does he has a dr appointment Tuesday but anyways i am struggling immensly. This is the person i love most in my life he is my bestfriend and at times he seems completely insane. I understand schizophrenia though he hasnt been properly diagnosed he has pretty much every symptom. I am just at a dead end i want my best friend back i have been trying so hard i am basically his carer now but some of things he does says during an acute episode are scary. This isnt the person i know. I feel so lost im not suicidal but this makes life so unbearable. The hard part is that he doesnt even have any insight into his condition which i think will make it extremely hard for him to recover. He has had about 4 psychotic episodes now i am so scared that if this keeps happening i am just going to lose him all together to this illness. I am not expecting and real help to come out of this i am just venting i am so lost, I feel lost in myself i dont even know who i am anymore i just feel like my life is consumed by my boyfriends illness but i cant leave this is the person i love who i wanted to marry eventually and start a family with. I just dont understand why this has happened to him and i were so happy before this. Please if anyone with a partner thats going through this/ been throgh this let me know how things panned out.

BBUser25 I don’t know what to do anymore.
  • replies: 5

As a school student, I’m constantly pressured by studies, grades etc. But my problem is, I’m absorbing myself into everyone else’s problems. What I mean is: If someone is having a rough time, I’ll offer support, but it’s gotten to the point, where I ... View more

As a school student, I’m constantly pressured by studies, grades etc. But my problem is, I’m absorbing myself into everyone else’s problems. What I mean is: If someone is having a rough time, I’ll offer support, but it’s gotten to the point, where I am being everyone else’s emotional anchor... It’s taking its toll on me, because I have problems of my own, but automatically I throw myself into everyone else’s feelings. According to relatives, I’m empathetic. I don’t know how to handle all this, I’m stuck in a constant limbo, because I can’t bring myself to say “No” instead, I be the “strong one.” I put on a mask to appear happy, and to try and manage a happy atmosphere. It feels like there’s a gaping hole in my chest, I emotionally attach to one person, I devote my everything to this person... Yet they still leave. I understand why the first victim of this attaching left; it may be because I would sit at his fence 30 minutes before we would walk to school. To this day, I’ve attached to 6 people, all but one has left me, because this one is my newest person I’ve attached to. I’m constantly being accused of being gay, (Now before you think I have anything against any of the sexualities, I don’t, infact I believe that a person has the right to love WHOEVER they love.) now the reason why being called gay is something I get offended by is because I’m getting called something that I’m not. My best friends father has left her household, and so I’m trying to be her emotional anchor, people have left her side because she’s gotten depression and anger issues, this has made her feel isolated. This is my problem, and I’m sorry for rambling.