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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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Yak_Yak Feeling like a drain on the health system
  • replies: 5

Hi there. I've had OCD for a long time, diagnosed about 2 years ago and with a little bit of progress made since then. I've been going through a symptom flare-up lately and today I hit a huge trigger and the ol' anxiety and depression have been off t... View more

Hi there. I've had OCD for a long time, diagnosed about 2 years ago and with a little bit of progress made since then. I've been going through a symptom flare-up lately and today I hit a huge trigger and the ol' anxiety and depression have been off the charts since. It's at the point where I'm thinking I need to go back on meds and maybe do a psychiatric review, but I hate going in to see my GP because I feel like I'm wasting his time and taxpayer money. I understand this is profoundly ridiculous but I just hate being a drain on yet more people. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just skip away into the bush and live a hermitic lifestyle until I die of cholera aged 22. Anyway, I guess I'm wondering if anyone else feels like they aren't worth the investment of the healthcare system, and if so, how do you deal with it?

musicastellae Anxiety: don't know what to do
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone. I'm new here and a little nervous about posting. I have always been getting stressed about every little thing for as long as I can remember, however I have only recently discovered that I have anxiety and that the way I have been feeling... View more

Hi everyone. I'm new here and a little nervous about posting. I have always been getting stressed about every little thing for as long as I can remember, however I have only recently discovered that I have anxiety and that the way I have been feeling the past few years is no where near normal. Unfortunately moving into year 12 it only seems to be increasing. Now every day at some point I will feel panicked out of control. Despite the fact that I do pretty well at school I will be awake all night worrying about test results and expectations to the point I feel sick and my heart is beating so fast. When I was younger I had a habit of pushing my nails into my hand as a way of distraction, never bad or serious. But now with the increase of anxiety the pain needs to be increased to match and I am worried that it is getting worse and will continue. I don't know who to talk to about it and don't know what to do. Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks.

lostelle LOST ABOUT UNI AND SCARED FOR FUTURE
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, this is my first post so I guess I'll just get into it. So I'm currently in year 12 and I graduate in a week which is causing me some serious anxiety - I wake up every night at 3am with knots in my stomach, heart beating fast and just w... View more

Hey everyone, this is my first post so I guess I'll just get into it. So I'm currently in year 12 and I graduate in a week which is causing me some serious anxiety - I wake up every night at 3am with knots in my stomach, heart beating fast and just wanting to cry. I guess I'm scared about leaving somewhere I feel so comfortable into this unknown of Uni, which is causing me so much stress and anxiety. I'm scared of a few things 1. Not seeing my few friends ever again, 2. I have no idea what course I want to do so I'm scared I'll choose one that isn't right for me and then hate it and thus have to transfer, 3. Not making friends at Uni (because noone from my school is going to the Uni I'm thinking of going to, which is making me want to go somewhere else just so I have friends and wont be alone. I know these things sound silly but I'm not the best at making new friends - like I am a party person but walking into a room where I know noone and everyone else has at least one friend terrifies me. I really am tempted to just go to a Uni where I know I will have people because of the fear of not making friends and all that. On top of all that I have no idea what course I want to do - so I'm just doing something very general, but what if I hate it? I don't want to be there for 6 months then transfer courses and then transfer Uni's and have to be at Uni longer than I planned especially with no friends. I honestly have no idea what to do and I get so much more anxiety when my friends talk about what they are going to do - they seem to all know the exact course and exact job and the group of people they will be studying with and I have none of that which makes me cry often and I'm in a permanent state of anxiety. You would think that choosing the course is the most stressful thing but if I'm completely honest, the thought of going to university and not knowing anyone scares me the most and gives me the most anxiety. I honestly have no clue what to do, so I guess any help would be appreciated.

LiamG 21 year old male never had a girlfriend and never been kissed
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I'm a 21 year old male and I've never been kissed or had a girlfriend. Almost all of my friends have girlfriends. I'm not the best looking guy out there so I haven't had many girls call me attractive, but I'm terrible when it comes to girls, ... View more

Hi all, I'm a 21 year old male and I've never been kissed or had a girlfriend. Almost all of my friends have girlfriends. I'm not the best looking guy out there so I haven't had many girls call me attractive, but I'm terrible when it comes to girls, I just don't really know how to talk to them and I don't think I'm able to make them laugh either. I'm born with a condition called Russell silver syndrome and it brings me down. It's not such a common disease. Just look it up, if you wanna see what it means. But I think I look hideous because of it, I have really dark circles under my eyes because I suffer from insomnia, I have a overbite, I hate my voice and I'm a short guy because of my condition I'm 5'3. However I am a nice guy and I am not in it for sex and just want a relationship. I sometimes look at beautiful girls and they look at me like, whys he looking at me??? I have many crushes throughout my life and I ended up knowing they wouldn't love me back, one made me feel depressed for quite a while. I feel so ashamed because I see all these guys around me that have girlfriends and they seem to be charming somehow and good looking. I try to dress my best although I always wear the same sort of shirts like band shirts or pop culture shirts with shorts and a pair of vans, although girls never really comment on my shirts or anything. I shave almost everyday and wash my hair everyday and keep it tidy. I've never even hung out with a girl unless it's been with a friends girlfriend, by myself. It's not fair and I wasted my high school years not doing this instead isolating myself away playing video games, even though then I wish I had a girlfriend. I feel like I'm just going to grow into a lonely old man, being a virgin and never kissing a girl. I'm thinking going out to a bar with a friend of mine sometime soon to try and find girls although I don't know how they will work because I have tried apps and they have worked zero percent for me, no matter how many girls profiles I like, I get nothing back. Yet my friend met his girlfriend on one and I had a friend that was being liked girls on it all the time and they were messaging him. I've tried messaging girls before and they ask what I look like and I show them and then they're out, they don't wanna talk to me.

amara_star Car crash
  • replies: 3

Last week my dad died, he was in a car crash... I'm having a really hard time. I feel like I'm always on the verge of tears and school is the hardest thing because i always cry in classes. Im having a really hard time and can't concentrate on anythin... View more

Last week my dad died, he was in a car crash... I'm having a really hard time. I feel like I'm always on the verge of tears and school is the hardest thing because i always cry in classes. Im having a really hard time and can't concentrate on anything...

Chelsea95 Why doesn't my boyfriend understand
  • replies: 2

my boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years, a year ago I started having terrible anxiety attacks to the point of shaking and vomitting but not only that I would spend hour and hours laying in bed and crying. I find it so hard to leave the hous... View more

my boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years, a year ago I started having terrible anxiety attacks to the point of shaking and vomitting but not only that I would spend hour and hours laying in bed and crying. I find it so hard to leave the house and socialise with people at times without having an anxiety attack I'm taking medication and trying to work on it now. This has made it so hard on my relationship as I find my partner is never understanding of how I feel at these times he often thinks I 'put on an act' so I don't have to go anywhere. I find it so hard to trust him because he never takes me seriously and think I always over react. I'm alway so paranoid his cheating on me, he always seems to be so secretive and I don't leave the house or see/talk to people very often. I'm so confused

Officer_Unicorn I can't be honest with my therapist
  • replies: 3

My therapist is trying to help me and I know that but every time they ask me a question about something thing to do with my mental health and how I feel almost like a reflex I deny any negative feelings I have, I say I'm fine I'm ok nothing's wrong, ... View more

My therapist is trying to help me and I know that but every time they ask me a question about something thing to do with my mental health and how I feel almost like a reflex I deny any negative feelings I have, I say I'm fine I'm ok nothing's wrong, I can hear my self shouting in my head I'm not ok I need help but when I try to say something my throat dries up my jaw clenches shut and I feel a cold sweat rush over my body and I can't say anything or barely move. I don't know what to do I want help and to be honest but I feel like I'm fighting myself and I can't win.

Guest_3072 Anxious About Dating
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, So I don't want to sound like a player or anything but I have around five guys that are interested in me. All of them are different in their own way and they all intrigue me in different ways also, if that makes sense. I am just a little... View more

Hi everyone, So I don't want to sound like a player or anything but I have around five guys that are interested in me. All of them are different in their own way and they all intrigue me in different ways also, if that makes sense. I am just a little bit confused about how to go about picking which one to date more seriously as we are all just in the talking and hanging out and flirty banter stage currently. For example, do I choose the guy that caught my attention from day one but who is a little shy and slow to make a move but who I can tell has a very vulnerable side to him or the guy that is a charming smooth talker but who I always have a fun time with? Do I choose the guy who I can be my most "myself" with but with whom I am least attracted to physically? Do I let things just grow and develop naturally? I don't want to waste anyone's time but I still want to give everyone a chance if that makes sense! If any of you guys have partners can you please tell me what went through your mind to pursue them or choose them over others just so I can get a clearer picture in my head please? Like how much should I follow my head and my heart with these things?

Sharon_S I feel intimidated by meeting new people
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone! It is 2am and my brain won't switch off. I'm sure we all know that feeling! I am new to the Forums and am unsure what to write here but I'll give it a go. I'm an introvert. Always have been. Like a lot of people when I am comfortable ... View more

Hello everyone! It is 2am and my brain won't switch off. I'm sure we all know that feeling! I am new to the Forums and am unsure what to write here but I'll give it a go. I'm an introvert. Always have been. Like a lot of people when I am comfortable around people I will be my happy, easy going self that likes to have a laugh and have fun. I have a fun side...well I think I can be fun anyway. I have always found it difficult to make new friends and meet new people because of my anxiety ( I was diagnosed with Depression & Anxiety back in 2012), I get intimidated quite easily and feel judged by the people I am meeting- it could be by a facial expression or tone of voice, this is when I go into my shell or seem to say something ridiculous (not be myself) it just never seems natural to meet new people unless they are on the same level as me socially. If they are loud and outgoing, it is easy for me to become intimidated and quiet - sometimes I feel THAT intimidated that I go off to cry because I just do not know what to say or how to react to fit in with them. I feel like I am disliked by a lot of people, just judging by the way I get spoken to sometimes or looked at. I am very sensitive so I am aware it could just be my mind being silly, however it feels like people don't really want to push past that 1st impression to get to know the real me. I was bullied/put down in school for what seemed like absolutely NO reason whatsoever, I hadn't even spoken to these people before. I was ignored, tormented and called names however, these people would speak to my friends right in front of me. To this day I still ask the question: "why?" and I will never know the answer...not unless I ask these people directly, but even then they probably wouldn't speak to me. All I know is, my mind can't turn this off, I relive these experiences over and over. I don't think I can turn it off until I get an answer as to WHY these people wanted to put me down and make me feel worthless. It's not just the school experiences, it's from all kinds of things. Past and present. I am almost 25 years old, don't have too many friends or much in common with people these days. I just want to be happy and not give a crap about what people think, I envy people who can do that. Does anyone else go through similar stuff? Is there a way you can switch off to not think of the things that make you upset or anxious? Would love to hear about others' experiences and help each other out Thanks guys.

McarP Homesick whilst Backpacking
  • replies: 1

Hi all! I'm 19 and have been backpacking Asia for just over 2 months. I've always had a good home life and I love my family and where I live, so I was prepared to feel a little bit homesick during my travels. What I wasn't prepared for was feeling ho... View more

Hi all! I'm 19 and have been backpacking Asia for just over 2 months. I've always had a good home life and I love my family and where I live, so I was prepared to feel a little bit homesick during my travels. What I wasn't prepared for was feeling homesick for 2 months straight. Other travellers I've met told me that it would pass, but it hasn't and I think now I've resigned to the fact that it will probably stick with me throughout the rest of my travels (I have two months left). Usually I feel less homesick when I keep busy, and it helps not to have contact with home (but I can only keep this up for a few days, I love talking to my family and keeping them updated!). It's very frustrating - I'm enjoying myself but always sad at the same time, constantly feel on the verge of tears and it's not only affecting my happiness but that of my travel buddy as well, who doesn't feel homesick at all. The annoying thing is I don't WANT to be at home, I like travelling and it's not that long till I'll be home anyway. It's just a frustrating feeling that won't go away. I'm interested to know of other people's experiences with homesickness and any coping methods you may have. Thanks!