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Sophie_M How are you feeling about the social media restrictions in Australia for under 16s?
  • replies: 14

Hey everyone With the upcoming Australian social media restriction for under 16-year-olds coming up we want to know what this means for you and maybe even the young people in your life. This conversation is a place for all of us to share how we are f... View more

Hey everyone With the upcoming Australian social media restriction for under 16-year-olds coming up we want to know what this means for you and maybe even the young people in your life. This conversation is a place for all of us to share how we are feeling and what we think the challenges and benefits might be for you or the wonderful young people in our community. Have you thought about how to stay connected with friends you’ve met online? Are you focused mostly on the positives, or the negatives? What do your parents think, and what could they do to support you? Importantly the Beyond Blue Forums are not impacted by these restrictions, we're here for anyone under 16. In short, from December 10 Social Media companies will need to ensure that only people over 16 actively engage with their platforms. There is a lot of information out there which can make it tricky to know what to expect on when it comes into effect. To learn more we think these are a helpful place to start eSafety commissioner + Headspace FAQs. We know this change will impact some more than others, QLife provide anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ support and 13YARN are here for all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. We want to hear your thoughts on how this might impact the mental health of under 16s in both a positive and negative way. The Beyond Blue Forums are a place for constructive and helpful conversation and the regular moderation rules apply which means we look forward to a kind and understanding discussion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings Sophie M

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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JazM Everything at once...
  • replies: 2

I feel like i have had a realisation of how many things i am sick of living with. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the end of 2012 (having just graduated high school), and since then i have had a seizure every 6 months or so, so as a result i have no... View more

I feel like i have had a realisation of how many things i am sick of living with. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the end of 2012 (having just graduated high school), and since then i have had a seizure every 6 months or so, so as a result i have not been able to get my license to drive, meaning i have to rely on other people to drive me around, or catch public transport, or get ubers. My seizures have also severely affected my memory, both long and short term (i forget memories from years ago, and its hard to retain information and i will quickly forget things, which makes it hard to learn new things), after talking to my neurologist about it, he said that we just have to stop the seizures and it shouldnt get worse. It also makes my hands quite shaky. The fact that it is so hard to get to many places by buses/trains means usually i have to pay for an uber, or pitch in petrol money for friends (which is way more than it should be, they have become less sympathetic over the years), and now that i have no income it makes these things so much harder. Every job ive ever had has been through my mum, so the fact that i cant even get a job by myself makes me feel pretty down. My dream career is vet nursing, i did a course for it and (after eventually getting a job) loved it, i love animals and it was so rewarding. But my memory was greatly impacting my work and i had to quit before i forgot anything that could be crucial for a patient's survival. (I also am terribly allergic to animals which is another way my body lets me down) Im terrible at making friends and keeping them, the only "friends" i still have are from highschool (i thought i had made a few friends during my tafe course, but they disappeared pretty quick after the course ended). And even my current friends are catching up behind my back, noone ever wants to catch up with just me, im only there when the whole group is there). Makes me question whether im even worth hanging out with tbh. I used to be able to get by when i had a job, but my hours just got reduced to 0 and i have no driving force in life anymore. The things i used to love doing dont make me happy anymore (i loved sketching, but with my shaky hands im much worse at it, i love video games but i feel like its wasting time, i love learning but its almost impossible anymore). I just want to be independent for once in my life and not have to rely on everyone around me for everything. I feel useless and cant see my life going anywhere..

peachy101 Separation Anxiety within a relationship
  • replies: 5

Firstly I'll give an insight into my relationship to help base your advice around. My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years. We are very close and have helped each other go through good and bad times. We do argue over silly things however mo... View more

Firstly I'll give an insight into my relationship to help base your advice around. My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years. We are very close and have helped each other go through good and bad times. We do argue over silly things however most of the time we are completely happy in every aspect and we love to be in each other's company. However for the last 6 months, I become depressed or anxious whenever I am not with him. I'm currently in Year 12 (VCE) and I love having someone to be completely free with but on Sunday nights when we part (for work and school), I start to become overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to see him until the weekend (or sometimes I see him Wednesday nights). He is usually at work, gym, soccer etc and he doesn't seem to have the separation anxiety that I suffer from. He does miss me and he values the time we spend together however I seem to become very anxious whenever I'm not with him. I don't know how to deal with things if he's not with me. If I'm home alone (because mums at work) I can't do homework, I can't practise dancing... I go into shutdown and just lay in bed on my phone waiting until I can call him or text him etc. It's so unhealthy especially when I have so much on and I feel that my anxiety is getting in the way of me achieving my goals in school and dancing etc. I just want an explanation or ways that I could deal with this. I have so many things that 'should' keep me occupied but I get too upset and overwhelmed by not having him with me that I can't physically or mentally do any of the important things such as chores, dancing, homework, working out etc. Any suggestions or thoughts please??

collectivecreative University
  • replies: 6

So I like uni. Ive made a tonne of friends I actually like (unlike many of my friends from school who say they can't find friends at uni) and I enjoy going to classes/discussing topics of real importance to me. But I've always suffered from depressio... View more

So I like uni. Ive made a tonne of friends I actually like (unlike many of my friends from school who say they can't find friends at uni) and I enjoy going to classes/discussing topics of real importance to me. But I've always suffered from depression/anxiety (since primary school) and I have an intense phobia of studying that I've developed. I just can't do the work. So right now I'm avoiding classes which I enjoy and have stopped attempting assessments as I know I can't complete them. I have the option of pulling out of class this semester but I've already put so much time into it and my parents will be disappointed. I don't know what to do and I don't want to ruin my future by deferring from uni for a bit.

TaylorK How to leave the love of your life?
  • replies: 3

I suffered from anxiety for about two years and right now I'm reaching a breaking point that I can't return from. My boyfriend has supported me through my recent depressive explosions these past months. I had problems keeping my previous jobs as I wo... View more

I suffered from anxiety for about two years and right now I'm reaching a breaking point that I can't return from. My boyfriend has supported me through my recent depressive explosions these past months. I had problems keeping my previous jobs as I would have anxiety attacks and faint at work. I have had various interviews and been offered multiple jobs but when it comes to the night before the first day I spend the entire night throwing up, shaking and in tears. My boyfriend is working two jobs trying to keep us a float. His friends are going out to concerts and trips camping and he says no because he has to work and I just can't get out of bed in the morning. He has been my rock through all of this. He has such bad days but I know he puts on a brave face for me but it breaks my heart to think I can no longer be an adequate partner and I'm not meeting his emotional needs. I'm wondering if it would be better to move back in with my parents (I'm only 19 and they are hoping I will move back home for support) so they can support me financially and emotionally. I love this boy with all my heart and couldn't imagine life with out him. But I've become so dependant on him, when he's not here I'm alone and really bad thoughts take over and I throw up and have panic attacks. He would never leave me alone he loves me so much and only wants what's best for me. But I'm think maybe I should leave the relationship until I'm able to stand for myself again. Let him go out to the parties (so he only needs to support himself) until I'm able to give him my best and be a better girlfriend for him. i would appreciate thoughts on this I'm at a very sad crossroads and I only want this feeling of hopelessness to end so he can be proud to call me his girlfriend.

Mmack How do I tell my friends?
  • replies: 4

Hello, I have been battling depression for the last 3 years and have recently opened up to my Mum about how I am feeling..She is supportive and has encouraged me to talk to someone, whether it is a counsellor or close friend. I know that I don't talk... View more

Hello, I have been battling depression for the last 3 years and have recently opened up to my Mum about how I am feeling..She is supportive and has encouraged me to talk to someone, whether it is a counsellor or close friend. I know that I don't talk to my friends about the deep feelings and challenges I'm having but I really need to and I want to talk to them about it...but I don't know how to initiate it? if I start I'll probably just burst out in tears. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. I need to increase my support base, I know its there if I reach out but I just can't get myself to do it.

Erin1010101 Depression is impacting my school work
  • replies: 3

I feel constantly depressed and it's impacting on my school work. I have already failed two subjects and I'm in year 12. Is there a way I can resist these exams?

I feel constantly depressed and it's impacting on my school work. I have already failed two subjects and I'm in year 12. Is there a way I can resist these exams?

dream98 I'm a mess right now.
  • replies: 6

Hi there. All my emotions and thoughts have been kept inside of me for a long time and I know I have been suffering from severe depression for many years. It's been about 7 years now and the past year or so, all those feelings bottled up have gotten ... View more

Hi there. All my emotions and thoughts have been kept inside of me for a long time and I know I have been suffering from severe depression for many years. It's been about 7 years now and the past year or so, all those feelings bottled up have gotten to me and now are affecting how I live my day-to-day life. Even when I was suffering, I never thought it would get in the way of what I really prioritise and find really important. What I find the most important to me is my education and my friends and family. Having depression for all those years have tarnished the way that I feel about myself. I guess my self-esteem is as low as it can be and my self-concept, I just think I’m a failure and just worthless. I'm gay, got teased about it since I was 12 until the end of year 10 or so. I know theres nothing wrong with that, but those around me or my 'friends' made it out as though you were that guy that there was something wrong with and would never get anywhere. All I wanted was to be accepted so I did try and change my demeanour and the way that I am to fit in, but it never worked. I no longer get teased and I really want to accept myself for who I am. Coming to the end of my high school years in year 12, I truly struggled to do simple tasks, completing homework until it got to the point where I got far behind and was too afraid to attend class. Not only did this happen, but I isolated myself from the world and stopped talking to my friends and didn't check social media as I was too afraid of what they would think of me. Now that I am in University, it seems that these feelings of depression are still with me. I have no motivation and no sense of urgency to do anything work related. I'm in exam period now and have not started studying. I don't know what to do.

alexhope I don't even know.
  • replies: 3

I feel like I am going insane. I can’t think I can’t breathe I can’t eat… at least not properly. I either eat too much or not enough. My head feels like it’s racing 100 miles per second and my body is consumed with all these emotions; sadness, numbne... View more

I feel like I am going insane. I can’t think I can’t breathe I can’t eat… at least not properly. I either eat too much or not enough. My head feels like it’s racing 100 miles per second and my body is consumed with all these emotions; sadness, numbness... Some days I’m more than great and I do anything I want to do. Some days I’m the happiest person on earth. Other days all I want is to roll up in a ball, binge watching movies and eating stuffing my body with poison. (not literal poison) I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Am I just a “teenager”? Is this just part of “growing up”? I just want to feel normal. I don’t even remember how that feels. Or means. All I've felt in the past few months are horrible mood swings mixed with highs and lows.. I wouldn’t mind if the world decided to stop. To rest… to just, take a break. I'm just overwhelmed at how fast the world seems to move.

JitteryBug Work experience anxiety!
  • replies: 2

Hi, so I haven't written one of these before... Basically, I'm starting work experience at a veterinary clinic/hospital on Monday and I'm panicking. I'm assuming it's some form of social anxiety maybe, but I keep worrying about every possible scenari... View more

Hi, so I haven't written one of these before... Basically, I'm starting work experience at a veterinary clinic/hospital on Monday and I'm panicking. I'm assuming it's some form of social anxiety maybe, but I keep worrying about every possible scenario. I always feel so stupid for worrying! At the moment it's about what I have to wear. The sheet that the clinic gave me said to wear jeans and a shirt, but some reason I'm stressing about what type of shirt. Just typing this makes me feel insane. The sheet says that we're supposed to look neat and tidy, so my mum and dad both said just wear a long-sleeved plain top, but I'm scared I'll turn up and they'll look at me and say (or even just think) I'm wearing the wrong thing. I keep getting scared that by "shirt" they mean button-down shirt or polo top or something along those lines. I'm also terrified of phone calls as I always feel so awkward and really don't want to have to call the clinic again as I called them yesterday about times etc. AND on top of this all, I keep having little panicky moments where I imagine what will have to happen during the half-hour lunch breaks. I don't know who I'm going to talk to! I always feel so embarrassed when trying to hold a conversation with someone I've just recently met, and I feel so uncomfortable. How am I going to pretend I'm not cringing on the inside when I'm talking to staff etc.? I don't know what I'm even saying, but all I know is I have an exam tomorrow but the thing that's stressing me most is what top I'm going to wear to work experience in a week's time. Am I insane?

kalechips Do I have anxiety??
  • replies: 14

i think i am suffering from anxiety. i keep getting panic attacks and am nervous about the most simple things, like homework or doing hpe or going to a friends house. i know i may seem a bit paranoid compared to some people who actually have serious ... View more

i think i am suffering from anxiety. i keep getting panic attacks and am nervous about the most simple things, like homework or doing hpe or going to a friends house. i know i may seem a bit paranoid compared to some people who actually have serious issues so i am sorry if i appear that way. truth is, i don't really talk to my parents that much - i love them and i get along, but i just don't tell them much. i don't want to express my concerns to my friends because one of them has a serious medical condition - epilepsy - and i am scared they'll think i am trying to get attention when she actually has an issue. my friends make fun of me, without realising their impact, about me stressing about tests and assignments and homework etc., but they don't know that i am constantly scared that i will screw up, scared about... well, everything. i second guess everything i do, everything i say, everything i think. i have always been really anxious, but last year my cousin took her own life due to depression. i hadn't spoken to her in a long time, and it was out of the blue. i drew back from my friends, i lost interest in things that used to excite me, and i got more and more anxious. i started worrying about my families safety, my safety, my mental health.... none of my friends new but one, and she was really supportive. the one day that she was away, the day after the funeral, my friends were asking a lot of questions and making stupid jokes, one relating to suicide, and i lost it and ran from the room to the nearest bathroom and cried and cried. i came back 5 minutes late, and they were worried, but they kept pressuring me so i made an excuse and left. anyway, i am really scared i have anxiety - what do i do? who do i tell? how can i ask my parents for help? i don't sleep, i never sit still, i am always worried, i second guess everything, i am scared of being judged. i have done a lot of research and taken many online tests, as many as i can find, and all say that i have high anxiety and strong anxiety disorders etc. i guess i am just asking for help.... - who do i trust? - who do i tell? - how do i know? - how do i ask for help? it is affecting my life, and i don't even know if i have anxiety. am i just being paranoid?