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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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6anna Unsure if depressed
  • replies: 1

I've recently started full time work, and over the last year and a bit have felt almost continuously stressed, upset and thinking I'm a failure. When I picture the future, it's hard to see past my current stresses and the idea that this career just i... View more

I've recently started full time work, and over the last year and a bit have felt almost continuously stressed, upset and thinking I'm a failure. When I picture the future, it's hard to see past my current stresses and the idea that this career just isn't for me (either because it's not fulfilling or I'm just plain not good enough). I have definitely felt happy in this time. I have also slowly lost interest in doing things. To some extent, despite it stressing me out, I wanted to fill my evenings with work because I wouldn't know what else to do. I'll get home, have a nap because of exhaustion, and spend the rest of my nights waiting to go to bed, often spending time in between wasting time because books, tv and other tasks don't interest me. This has bothered me, but aside from increased stress, those are things I've experienced for periods of time before. I think with the new stresses, it's more noticeable. In the past month, I've also been plagued with frequent headaches and feel constantly irritated, which gets me down, and I find it hard to get up in the morning. The day feels like a write off from the get go. I'm also forgetful and can't concentrate (technology is a far easier occupier than conversations or tv etc) In addition, I feel acutely aware of relationship issues I have with my family (we are quite distant). I feel extremely guilty that I'm just not a good enough family member, and that this is my doing. I want to enjoy life, and I feel as if I'm trying very hard, but keep having a door closed on me. I worry about going to the GP and being suggested to that I am just being lazy, or making a big deal out of nothing. I've had people who have had depression say much to the same effect.

Lili01 I can't deal with my depression
  • replies: 6

My entire self is consumed by depression. Every thought I have makes me want to cry, I'm so stuck and I desperately need a distraction. I don't know what to do.

My entire self is consumed by depression. Every thought I have makes me want to cry, I'm so stuck and I desperately need a distraction. I don't know what to do.

Thunderdog My social life is almost dead
  • replies: 7

Hi, So I've been out of uni for 18 months with a great job but I feel like my job is the only worthwhile thing in my life. My friends are dwindling and I seem to have to work so much harder to make new friends in a new town. Like I have to pretend to... View more

Hi, So I've been out of uni for 18 months with a great job but I feel like my job is the only worthwhile thing in my life. My friends are dwindling and I seem to have to work so much harder to make new friends in a new town. Like I have to pretend to be someone else. I have always been a shy sort of person who gets anxious talking to people but in the last maybe 3 years I had gained a lot more confidence and starting going out and doing things I wanted to like parties and the local horse racing days or just to the pub on a weekend with friends. I stopped being so self conscious and really worked hard on being more confident. Fake it till you make it does work! But now I have moved away and only made 1 friend in 18 months. I have no one to go out with anymore. I'm too scared to go out on a weekend on my own without friends. There are people I have tried to get to know but I feel like they are not interested in me because I am not interesting enough because I have no life because I have no friends. I see photos on facebook or snapchat of people I know going to events or night outs and I just can't help but burst out crying... I feel so excluded. I now feel really unattractive because I am really skinny, always have been, and I have lost my confidence because I feel like my life sucks. I keep completely giving up on finding a girl because even I don't like me, how could I ever find someone else who finds me attractive, inside or out? I'm a genuine, nice and caring person but I think no one can see it because I just don't have the energy anymore to care This has taken me ages to come out, I'm just so embarrassed but I feel so lost. I just physically can't tell anyone close to me in person and I'm sick of putting on the brave face. Thanks

Nervybella Employment and mental illness
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately and thought I would make a post- I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders this... I am in my early 20s, not long out of school. I have no real passions or hobbies. At the moment I'm w... View more

Hi everyone, Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately and thought I would make a post- I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders this... I am in my early 20s, not long out of school. I have no real passions or hobbies. At the moment I'm working full time in an office. I have anxiety relating to working (after a bad work environment) and what I'm wondering is...from experience what sort of jobs/professions are the best for people struggling with mental illness? The job I'm in now has me travelling an hour each way to/from work, working 9-5 five days a week, with the occasional Saturday. It can get quite busy in the office and I find it very stressful at times. I'm constantly tired and wondering if I'm doing the right thing with my life. I don't really have any qualifications to live jobs just yet- and I don't hate my job, but can't see myself doing it forever. Would really like to hear from people who have worked in different industries. This has been playing on my mind a lot lately because I just don't know what I can do with my life while anxiety is niggling at the back of my brain Thanks for reading, Bella

Ruby2 Online School is Incredibly Isolating
  • replies: 2

If anyone is ready this, Hi! My name is Ruby and I've been struggling with depression for many years now. (I've been diagnosed and a currently seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist yay!) Personally, my depression was brought on by an illness if been suf... View more

If anyone is ready this, Hi! My name is Ruby and I've been struggling with depression for many years now. (I've been diagnosed and a currently seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist yay!) Personally, my depression was brought on by an illness if been suffering from for 4 years of my life. It's is incredibly aggravating and despite numorous treatments nothing has improved my condition. As a result of this sickness I've finally dropped out of mainstream schooling and have started online schooling. But I'm losing all of my real/life friends along the way. Honeschooling is incredibly isolating. I think it would be nice to hear some opinions from people in a similar position to me, and maybe I won't feel so alone. thanks, Ruby x

Aud Social phobia
  • replies: 2

Im going to therapy to overcome my social phobia which ive had for 9 years. The psychologist is trying CBT with me but I feel the anxiety is too stubborn to get any effect with this.. I'm really tired of fighting it and having people react angrily to... View more

Im going to therapy to overcome my social phobia which ive had for 9 years. The psychologist is trying CBT with me but I feel the anxiety is too stubborn to get any effect with this.. I'm really tired of fighting it and having people react angrily to my problems...just wish it would end. Has anyone tried CBT??

DarcysHuman Study Struggles
  • replies: 15

I'm really struggling with rounding up any sort of motivation/focus to study. I have an assignment that I'm now on my second extension for, which is actually due today and I have yet to even start writing it let alone doing all the research for it. I... View more

I'm really struggling with rounding up any sort of motivation/focus to study. I have an assignment that I'm now on my second extension for, which is actually due today and I have yet to even start writing it let alone doing all the research for it. I'm too scared to get into contact with my tutor again because I'm ashamed at the lack of work I've done and I'm starting to considering leaving uni this semester again (which would be mean a tonne of extra paper work and a strong feeling of failure). I'm so disappointed in myself because despite all the stress uni causes me I truly love it and the subjects I have done/am doing, it gives me a sense of purpose and self improvement and I really enjoy it most of the time. Any tips/suggestions that anyone has would be great. Even if they seem obvious I'm hoping reading them might help me a little. (I have depression/anxiety if that is at all relevant to any advice. Also I'm not going to leave the house so please don't suggest anything involving going out anywhere, thank you!) ...and yes, this is definitely a form of procrastination.

artlover performance anxiety regarding university
  • replies: 4

Hello, I am currently in my last semester of university. I really love my degree and the area of study I am immersed in, however, as much as I love my degree I have been really struggling this semester to stay motivated and 'on-top' of assignments. I... View more

Hello, I am currently in my last semester of university. I really love my degree and the area of study I am immersed in, however, as much as I love my degree I have been really struggling this semester to stay motivated and 'on-top' of assignments. I have become really anxious when it comes to completing my assignments, which has resulted in numerous panic attacks. I always get the sense that what I am writing isn't good enough, and that I am not on track to answer the assignment's question. I don't really understand why I get so anxious, as throughout my degree I have achieved relatively good grades.The one assignment I have submitted so far this semester, I also received a good grade- despite my feelings of anxiety and stress. I think part of the reason as to why I feel so anxious is because I am a perfectionist when it comes to my assignments. It got so bad the other night that I was even contemplating dropping out of university all together. I think this 'giving up' attitude is driven by my anxiety,and not my own person. Because this is my last semester, I love what I am doing, and have worked very hard to get to the point of study that I am at today- I don't want to drop out, but I am really tired of the chatter in my head telling me that it is a plausible option and an easy way out. Has anybody else experienced similar feelings in regards to their studies or work? I am really tired of putting myself through this self-destructing cycle where I seem to beat myself up all the time. I keep telling myself not to place such an emphasis on study, as I don't need to get high grades all the time- but just pass. But for some reason, despite telling myself this, I can't seem to budge the negative though patterns and the pulsing, clamped feelings of anxiety. Any advice would be really appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read my post.

issy93 Should I lessen my study load or not :/
  • replies: 2

Hi! I'm currently studying part time at uni. I've been really struggling due to not being able to balance my study with personal problems. It got to a point where i wasn't eating well, sleeping well (staying up late to study, waking up early to go to... View more

Hi! I'm currently studying part time at uni. I've been really struggling due to not being able to balance my study with personal problems. It got to a point where i wasn't eating well, sleeping well (staying up late to study, waking up early to go to class, only getting average 4 hours sleep), just to try to get more study done. I've now fallen behind. I need help in deciding if I should reduce my study load for the sake of addressing my health problems (getting professional help for my stress and depression), or try to continue and balance everything. I'm worried that if I continue with my current study load, I'll stay in this bad pattern. But I'm also worried because if I reduce my study load, it affects my study plan. I will only be able to study one unit next semester and the semester afterwards, as I won't have completed the prerequisite for many units. I feel like a failure if I do that help please!

user_90 Struggle
  • replies: 3

Hello, This is my first time posting here and would really appreciate some advice. I have suffered with mostly anxiety/OCD since I was 17, now I am 20 and things haven't really changed much. I think depression has now come into the picture. I left al... View more

Hello, This is my first time posting here and would really appreciate some advice. I have suffered with mostly anxiety/OCD since I was 17, now I am 20 and things haven't really changed much. I think depression has now come into the picture. I left all my friends from high school and really haven't made any new ones since. It's funny, the older I get, the harder I find it to interact with people and get to know someone. It has been rough these past few months also, as I came out to my family only a few mouths ago, so I'm finding this new transition difficult, as I kept it in for so long. I'm not the most confident person out there and the scary thing is, I feel fine being alone, cause its easier, but I am wasting my youth at the same time. My mind manipulates me, if that makes sense. I am a over thinker too, always analysing people, and also in my head, questioning things which is exhausting, that makes is hard to meet people. I'm not going to go into any more detail as its just too difficult to explain, even I can't understand it. Just venting I guess, thanks for taking the time to read.

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