Young people

Social Isolation, University Worries, mental state gradually getting worse

replies: 3

Hey everyone. I'm a 20 year old male university student. I figured I needed to get this out somewhere. Since beginning university a couple of years ago, I've gradually become more and more socially isolated, and my mental state has been getting worse... View more

Hey everyone. I'm a 20 year old male university student. I figured I needed to get this out somewhere. Since beginning university a couple of years ago, I've gradually become more and more socially isolated, and my mental state has been getting worse. I wasn't hugely popular back in high school, but I had a good circle of 5 close friends, and was friends with a lot of other people as well. As time has gone on in university, I've drifted away from all of them. Right now I only keep in regular contact with one friend, who moved away to another state at the beginning of this year. It's been several months since I've had a face to face conversation with a friend. I feel awkward about trying to message any of my previous friends. They haven't made any effort to reach out to me, and I know they're all still in contact with each other. I don't want to force my way in if I'm not wanted, and I'm not sure I could cope if I they ended up rejecting me. I haven't made any new friends in my time at university as well. I've never been a socially confident person, and having not made any friends in several years has reinforced the negative thoughts I have about my own social ability. I've never had the confidence to meet new people because of fear of rejection. I don't want to feel like I'm imposing myself where I'm not wanted. I'm well aware that I'm isolating myself in order to prevent any negative experiences. I want to change this but I don't know how. The last 2 years have really taken a toll on my mental health. Along with the isolation, I've struggled with anxiety surrounding university. I've struggled to keep up with the work, at times skipping classes out of embarrassment of being behind on projects. I've become pretty depressed as well. My social situation, the ongoing struggles at uni and the feeling that I don't have a positive impact on anyone's life have caused me to have a very low sense of self-worth. I really don't like myself right now, and it has a significant impact on my motivation and energy. I figure seeing a therapist would probably be the best way to start fighting against these issues, but that's a step I'm not comfortable with taking, because I'm not comfortable with my family knowing about these issues. I feel uncomfortable and pressured around them as it is. Having them know that I'm anxious and depressed would just make me feel more uncomfortable around them. If you've read this, thanks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Anti-depressants, Depression and Apprehensiveness

replies: 2

Hi guys, So I've recently started taking antidepressants - my psychologist says my behaviour shows that I'm dealing with major depressive disorder and anxiety mostly. Tbh, I'm in a lot of denial about the fact of labelling myself as someone who is de... View more

Hi guys, So I've recently started taking antidepressants - my psychologist says my behaviour shows that I'm dealing with major depressive disorder and anxiety mostly. Tbh, I'm in a lot of denial about the fact of labelling myself as someone who is depressed - I think mostly because I feel a lot of pressure from family to "be okay". For example, this whole year, I've felt the need to keep pushing forward with meaningless jobs, even though I have no idea where I'm going since graduating uni earlier this year. Even when I finally told my mum about taking meds yesterday - the first thing she said "be careful not to get addicted". I know she means well - but I can never show a sense of weakness at home - let alone open up to say I'm broken and hurt. Its unfortunate, but thats just how my home is. I want better for myself and my future - but being in this slump as been undeniably hard. Ive tried to do it the natural way - positive self talk, exercise etc but the effect never last long. I just hope I'm not giving in by taking a pill to help fix my problem (< I know that's stupid to say..antidepressants aren't sign of weakness) - but in my small little world I feel like I'm being weak due to continuous anxiety I have of other people's perception of me. I guess I'm just having trouble coming to terms with stigma and dealing with the fact that things have happened to me which have led me to this state of mind. Has anyone else felt the same way?

Need advice for Year 12 formal

replies: 4

Hi all, just a quick question or topic of discussion. So my Year 12 formal is this year and I really don't want to go and it's causing me a lot of worries and anxiety I know the decision is mine and everything but I'm just asking for opinions Would y... View more

Hi all, just a quick question or topic of discussion. So my Year 12 formal is this year and I really don't want to go and it's causing me a lot of worries and anxiety I know the decision is mine and everything but I'm just asking for opinions Would you consider the Year 12 formal important? I don't want to go, but is it wrong to not want to go? Just a question

Depression from emotional abuse

replies: 5

I really need some advice. First time poster. I have been with my bf for around 14 months. The start of the relationship was great until i found he was on dating sites and msging 4 other girls with explicit content for the first 3 months of the relat... View more

I really need some advice. First time poster. I have been with my bf for around 14 months. The start of the relationship was great until i found he was on dating sites and msging 4 other girls with explicit content for the first 3 months of the relationship. Despite this we eventually worked things out and has been faithful ever since. I still find it hard to trust him. My biggest problem now is emotional abuse. Around 4 months ago he quit his job. I have been supporting him since even though i work and study at uni whilst raising a toddler from a previous relatioship. Me and the bf do not live together. He still lives with his parents or stays at mates houses. Lately he has become so far in debt and is on the brink of losing his car. Instead of finding another job he is trying to make quick money and has now taken up smoking weed with his friend that he sees all the time. I have tried to sympathise that things aren't good right now. Ive tried being there. He often goes days without proper contact and i rarely get to see him. I never truely know what he is doing and alot of his stories are really hard to believe. Ive been questioning him about where he is and what he is doing. He makes promises and doesnt commit to them. Lately we argue non stop because i feel so disconnected with him. He will resort to name calling and telling me im mentally fucked because i cant understand he is trying to sort his life and there are more important things then me in his life. Im so anxious and upset all the time because of him. I dont know what to do! He is supposed to be coming over tonight to talk about our relationship. I dont know what direction to take. I feel all these emotions because of him. He makes me feel so alone and will reduce me to tears nearly everyday. I feel like i need to let him go because i dont want to be with someone like that. We had such a deep understanding and now thats lost. Im still here because im so negelect and im waiting that same connection we had. I dont know what to do. I dont want to be cruel. I just want to be appriciated. Ive done so much for him and he is never there for me when i need it. Please someone just give me some strength anc advice so i can move on. Its so hard for me for some reason and i feel really sick to my stomach.

Coming to terms with anxiety and OCD

replies: 12

Hello everyone! I am 13 years old and this is my first ever post on a forum. I have anxiety and OCD, and although it is undiagnosed, I have done some research and as soon as I came across the symptoms of OCD, I immediately connected. I am a bit nervo... View more

Hello everyone! I am 13 years old and this is my first ever post on a forum. I have anxiety and OCD, and although it is undiagnosed, I have done some research and as soon as I came across the symptoms of OCD, I immediately connected. I am a bit nervous posting to a forum, but I'm really hoping to be able to talk to others in my situation and maybe get some support. As I look back, I can see that I have had anxiety and OCD since early childhood. I would often get told that I mothered my older brother too much, and I was constantly panicking over the possibility of a natural disaster occurring. It has really only been this year that I have really known that I had a mental illness, as it has been getting a lot worse. I had never really thought that I had OCD because the stereotypical stance on the condition is that people affected by it must always have things neat and tidy, which isn't me. Recently through some research, I discovered that there are several different types of OCD. I was extremely scared when I found out. I felt insane and alone. Most mental illnesses that I knew of people having were anxiety or depression, or even PTSD. But OCD I'd never really thought of along with those conditions. My mum is aware of my anxiety and has scheduled an appointment with a GP, but that isn't for another month, which scares me what will happen between now and then. I have also tried some online self-help programs, which have helped slightly, but I know that I need professional help. I'm wondering whether anyone else might have OCD or be in a similar situation, or maybe if anyone has any advice for me. I'm sorry that this post is a bit of a mess, but as I said this is my first ever forum post. I hope that maybe I can help others, or others can help me here, and that this can be a safe space for people to discuss their thoughts and feelings - Cerise547

Me Myself and I

replies: 2

Im alex, and i have no friends. Im about to enter year 12 and i have lost the few "friends" i had. I put friends in quotation marks because they would treat me like rubbish. I suspect i may have social anxiety disorder because i struggle to interact ... View more

Im alex, and i have no friends. Im about to enter year 12 and i have lost the few "friends" i had. I put friends in quotation marks because they would treat me like rubbish. I suspect i may have social anxiety disorder because i struggle to interact with people for simple things like hold a conversation, and always feel awkward the thing is im a really social person and im really happy when doing things with friends/people but that dosent happen anymore. I have an eating problem and since having no mates im putting on the weight. And also im far from perfect, i have a habbit of being sarcastic all the time and making unfunny jokes i just try to fit in but i just make things worse and cant seem to inprove. A fast food job i hate, failing school, falling out with parents. What should i do about making friends and with the social anxiety, who can help me such as doctor ect. Thanks for your time.

Dealing with Grief

replies: 4

Hi Everyone, I am an 18 year old girl who is dealing with grief and loneliness. I lost my older brother on the 8th of December 2015. He was only 18 when he committed suicide. We were always so close, we would always tell each other anything and talk ... View more

Hi Everyone, I am an 18 year old girl who is dealing with grief and loneliness. I lost my older brother on the 8th of December 2015. He was only 18 when he committed suicide. We were always so close, we would always tell each other anything and talk about the world. It's nearly been two years and I'm struggling to cope. I function like a normal human during the days and then at night I'm a complete wreck. I will stare at the wall for hours, I will zone out, not think and feel quite numb. I live with my partner, but even living with someone I feel so lonely. I've talked to professional and other loved ones but nothing seems to help. I feel like no one understands me and I just want someone who has dealt or been through some sort of grief to help or give advice. As I said throughout the day I go to work and I'm currently studying a diploma but when I get home I just lose it completely and I feel so damn lonely. I'm not big on friends and I'm not social either but in saying that I've never felt this lonely. I would really appreciate the reply from anyone on this.

Overly Restrictive Parents

replies: 3

So herein lyes my problem: The other day, I was in ebgames specifically with the intention of buying fallout 4 : GOTY edition, which was half price on special, and I had discussed with my mum before leaving, and as I showed her the cover, she for som... View more

So herein lyes my problem: The other day, I was in ebgames specifically with the intention of buying fallout 4 : GOTY edition, which was half price on special, and I had discussed with my mum before leaving, and as I showed her the cover, she for some reason immediately had a lot of convenient phone calls to make. So, after a few calls, I ask her to confirm to the cashier that she was in fact my mother and 15 or over, and she says no, not now, I will talk to dad about it later. This has been the case many times previously, and in all of them, I never ended up getting the item(s). Does anybody know a solution to this?

Personality and mood switches to opposite of one's self.

replies: 4

Hello. Again.. I have returned myself because of a discovery I've recently made with my unstable self. I'll probably spew out info and hope someone has any idea what is going on. This community is pretty good at making me feel better I realise that a... View more

Hello. Again.. I have returned myself because of a discovery I've recently made with my unstable self. I'll probably spew out info and hope someone has any idea what is going on. This community is pretty good at making me feel better I realise that at any time, in my head is a voice. It's my voice, not loud but it's like a thought. Except it doesn't feel like it belongs to me. I might be having the greatest of times and then suddenly I snap into a straight face without emotion and think horrible things like "They mean nothing", "Obviously they're just all idiots", "SILENCE", "ONLY I MATTER". These thoughts often happen and often trigger a sudden switch into what I refer to with my psychologist as "it". I turn into an emotionless egotistical anarchist who only wants to rise to power, kinda like a psychopath. I become rather intelligent and analytical, unlike my usual self. This often occurs in isolation or when I'm not near my friends. This bothers me because sometimes this can affect how I interact with the world and it's people, because I can be so rude and nasty. Even without a switch, those 'thought voices' can affect my moods, and often give me a bad reputation. This 'it' often wants to be in control of my body and be the almighty controller of my mind, being in control permanently, and it sometimes freaks me out because I feel like i might hurt someone I really care about, and it feels wrong to switch into the narcissist psychopath bent on world domination. Does anyone have any thoughts or info? I really like labelling my issues for some reason..

Dear diary this is me

replies: 2

I have never done this before. I owmed a few diaries over my time but they were about my day not about myself. As of late I am noticing my bad traits. My reflex to lie to new people I meet in order to improve my image or story telling. My lust for se... View more

I have never done this before. I owmed a few diaries over my time but they were about my day not about myself. As of late I am noticing my bad traits. My reflex to lie to new people I meet in order to improve my image or story telling. My lust for sex and enjoyment in flirting whilst being in a relationship and my general disorganization at home. I am in my early 20s and my life has been quite a ride since I can remember. I never had a father and I was bullied throughout high school even by people I considered friends. I didnt really know what it was. I got over it by fighting back. I kicked their asses for waht I thought they deserved. Why are you treating me badly physcially and mentally when I did nothing to you. My mum was never as angry as I thought she would be when I got suspended for hittong someone who bullied me. She was proud but also told me their are other ways. Looking back I really enjoyed primary school and although highschool was a challenge and intense at times Im glad I got through it. In year 9 (13yrsold) my school counseler asked me if I had considered I might have depression. I cried a lot all the time and O was lonely. I was scared when she told me it might he a possibility. I ignored it and focused on making friends. From then until I was 19 I never felt depressed again. What came after highschool was like another life. Everythong i had worked hard for I lost within a year and a half. I graduated with poor grades but I had a dream to be a personal trainer. I did really well over the summer in the study and I graduated at the top of my class. Sadly I fell into a poorly organised contract with a gym. I took advice to get a second job. I did and it was fun. My first hospitality job. Then I met a guy who had an aura about him. I wanted to be his friend. We went out to clubs every friday. I did MDMA for the first time with him and some people he knew. I loved ot at the time. He ended up being a fake friend. I lost my job because I was always late or hangover. I was unemployed for 4 months following. Everyday I played games and smoked. I womdered if the MDMA had changed how my brain worked forever. I met a girl who was so unique and so attracrive. We casually saw each other for 6 months. She encouraged me to get a job along with my mums friends support. We went well for a while she knew of this bad friend and kept me in order and disciplined. Her discipline later turned into a control complex I would say and she made me feel pressured.

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All discussions

Social Isolation, University Worries, mental state gradually getting worse

replies: 3

Anti-depressants, Depression and Apprehensiveness

replies: 2

Need advice for Year 12 formal

replies: 4

Depression from emotional abuse

replies: 5

Coming to terms with anxiety and OCD

replies: 12

Me Myself and I

replies: 2

Dealing with Grief

replies: 4

Overly Restrictive Parents

replies: 3

Personality and mood switches to opposite of one's self.

replies: 4

Dear diary this is me

replies: 2

Young people

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

Social Isolation, University Worries, mental state gradually getting worse replies: 3

Anti-depressants, Depression and Apprehensiveness replies: 2

Need advice for Year 12 formal replies: 4

Depression from emotional abuse replies: 5

Coming to terms with anxiety and OCD replies: 12

Me Myself and I replies: 2

Dealing with Grief replies: 4

Overly Restrictive Parents replies: 3

Personality and mood switches to opposite of one's self. replies: 4

Dear diary this is me replies: 2

New to this Forum? Please read this first!

replies: 0

Social Isolation, University Worries, mental state gradually getting worse

replies: 3

Anti-depressants, Depression and Apprehensiveness

replies: 2

Need advice for Year 12 formal

replies: 4

Depression from emotional abuse

replies: 5

Coming to terms with anxiety and OCD

replies: 12

Me Myself and I

replies: 2

Dealing with Grief

replies: 4

Overly Restrictive Parents

replies: 3

Personality and mood switches to opposite of one's self.

replies: 4

Dear diary this is me

replies: 2