Young people

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Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies

replies: 51

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are important. Your grades don’t define you. (support) Studying can feel isolating but know you’re not alone! Reach out – and find or make friends that can support you along the way. If you’re having trouble finding some friends, join some local communities or clubs! They have lots at Uni’s and even stuff like open days are great ways to meet new people and find out what’s happening. Study groups can also be a great way to meet people and stay motivated. Also remind yourself why you’re doing this; inspirational wallpapers or quotes can be super inspiring. Remember the saying about the oxygen mask? If you can’t take care of yourself first studying will be harder. You are important. You know the drill - water, food, exercise, sleep. Try to stay calm. Stuff that might be able to help include mindfulness, breathing exercises, colouring in, going for walks, journaling, listening to music… If you’re struggling – reach out. See a therapist. Talk to your student counsellor. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also lots of Universities and TAFE offer disability services – which includes conditions like Depression and Anxiety. (study) Find the right study space for you. Maybe that’s in your room, or a coffee shop, or the library. Some people find that noise helps; other people not so much. If you like particular kinds of noise, you can find ‘coffee shop’ noise or ‘rain sounds’ to help concentrate. Make a plan. It helps to do it often so it becomes a habit. Anytime you get a due date, write it down. Maybe you could use a diary, planner, bullet journal or an app. I find the 30/30 App helpful - study for a bit and then break for a bit. You can also get add-on’s for your computer to block sites like Facebook if you find them too distracting. Find out what study technique works for you. Do you like cue cards? Mind maps? Colour coding? Does highlighting stuff help you remember? Charts, maps, diagrams? Recorded lectures? Goals! These are so important – not just writing down deadlines but rewarding yourself for meeting them. Even making smaller goals like ‘read two pages from a textbook’ can help. Break it down into bite size pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself after!

NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first

replies: 0

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this forum is a space for younger people to connect and provide peer support for each other. 2. Content from this sub-forum is displayed on both the beyondblue and youthbeyondblue websites. 3. Please bear in mind that some members find content relating to suicide and/or self-harm distressing or triggering. If you would like to post on these topics, please do so in our Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm section. Please see also our guidelines for making posts on this topic. Posts made here in the Young People sub-forum containing content relating to suicide and/or self-harm will be moved. 4. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straightaway. Information on how our system works can be found here. Being familiar with our community rules can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. 5. This is a peer support community, and to get the best out of being here we recommend that you 'give support to receive support'. More on how that works here.

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Advice? - Anxiety Attack

replies: 2

I had an anxiety attack for the first time last night. My boyfriend and I have been going out for a few months now and we have had a few issues. In the past, we have had fights because he flirts with other girls and doesn't prioritise our relationship. Last night he told me that he was going to another girl's formal and asked if it was okay. I didn't reply and went into shock. I was shaking and trying to laugh it off, but then began to cry. I tried to go to bed but I couldn't because my heart was racing and I was feeling really overwhelmed with negative emotions. Mentally, I was not in a good state. It seems really stupid to get so anxious over something so small and I don't know why I felt so bad.

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious a lot of the time

replies: 2

Hey I'm new and I'm not really sure what I'm doing here and don't know where to start. I had trouble with a phobia of birds last year though I think that I have that partially under control now after seeing the school counsellor and no longer feel that it impinges on my daily life. However now I've been feeling really stressed and anxious even though most of my exams and assessments are over for the term. I get extremely nervous and stressed before, during and even after social situations/events. I worry about if I'm dressed right, if I'm in the right place and if I'm on time. When I'm running late I become overwhelmed and try to contain it though I start sweating, especially in my palms, become shaky and feel the need to fidget with something to distract myself - whether it be a hair elastic or my necklace. Lately I've been feeling a weight on my chest and feel like I've just constantly been needing to take a deep breath, but when I try it doesn't help. When I don't have school work to do and have lots of spare time on my hands I feel at a loss for something to do and waste hours on the internet sitting in my bed. Sometimes I start to feel anxious for no reason and I become overwhelmed easily, feeling the need to cry. I have trouble expressing myself to my parents and friends, generally being quite a private person, I become extremely embarrassed when I cry, even in front of my mum and will do whatever I can to hide it. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well at school, being on a scholarship, and worry that they will take it away from me. If I don't do well in everything I do I become extremely sad and don't feel like I have to give it up but I blame myself for not trying hard enough and if other people can do it I should be able to. I've told my mum that I thought I might have a problem with anxiety but she just said that lots of people feel anxious sometimes, I'm worried that if I tell her again and tell her everything that's happening she will say the same thing or that if I tell someone else they will dismiss it and I find it extremely embarrassing. I don't want to go back to the school counsellor because someone might see me walking towards her office. I find myself feeling quite anxious even posting on this forum in case someone I know finds it and works out it was me. I also worry that my problems are nothing compared to others and I'm blowing them out of proportion and being extremely self-centered. Wishing you well, Lily

My feelings are affecting my relationships

replies: 4

I had a lovely weekend. Had an apartment on the beach with some friends and surrounded by family. The first day was great, in fact it was the best day I've had in about 2 months. I didn't cry at all either. However, by the second day something inside me just flipped. Nothing had really changed, except the way i was feeling mentally. My therapist has been teaching me tactics on how to pull myself out of my sadness if i don't feel i can control myself. But halfway through the day i began to get seriously angry, and upset. I made my way back to the apartment alone. When my mum called, i was short with her and rude. I couldn't control this overwhelming frustration, (This happens often). On top of that, i started getting angry with myself. I was alone, sitting in a dark apartment. All whilst my friends were outside at the beach having fun. And i had chosen it. It was kind of funny actually. It completely represented how i was feeling inside my own head. Like all my friends were outside having fun, and i was wrapped up inside, drowning in my own numbness...Anyways, i knew that choosing to have a break was going to be good for me, but my parents and friends saw it as me being obnoxious...and quite frankly i didn't have the energy to explain that i was trying to distance myself before i broke down. These emotions are effecting my friends AND my family, but its so hard trying to explain why I'm doing the things i do, or why I'm feeling certain ways. I wish they could understand, because i am too lost and tired to try and explain. Does anyone else feel this way?? Sorry for the rant.

Problems with dysthemia

replies: 6

My General Practioner diagnosed me with Moderate Chronic Depression a while back. I have so many problems like I am always living in the future and along with everybody else living in the present. This affected my relationship with my girlfriend. I asked for a bit of a break and not see her for a week or two to find myself mentally. I found myself, but we her and I we can't find time together because I have school work and so does she. I really want it to work out. The only reason why I'm living right now is because I have hope in the present with her. A song that sets my mood right up is the I need you the Beatles. Can someone please give me guidance because it may happen and I'm afraid I won't live anymore.

living with depression

replies: 2

my name is keahana and i'm 18 and and a month ago i found out i have depression and i'm getting help for it. but everyday i wake up not want to wake up. not having the energy to do the things i use to love, not being able to sleep when i want. but reseal people have just been walking out of my life and i don't know what to do anymore, i though the friends i had were my real friends but trues out that they were never my real friends and that i only have a few and that is my boyfriend i love to death and would do anything for, my best friend and my two close friend.living with depression is not easy. i use to put a mastek on to hide it from everyone and act like i was okay when i knew i wasn't. with me i can't open up to people that i love not even my boyfriend and my mum knows what is going on, i just wish i could open up to them and tell then everything and be total that everything will be okay. that is all i want to hear.

HELP ME OUT, my anxiety is getting out of control

replies: 3

Hi guys, Its currently 2:10 am and i am wide awake. I was meant to have work in a few hours which requires me to wake up in an hour however there is no way I could do it especially with no sleep at all. the thing is, I have tried to go to bed early last night around 9;30 and managed to fix everything on time. I tried heaps of things just to fall asleep but none if it did work. - In this case I knew my anxiety is getting worse. I had this a week ago, literally did not sleep at all and woke up at 3am to get ready for work. With no sleep I went to work really exhausted and physically and mentall drained... So today i tried not having any nap at all JUST to make sure it wont happen again. Unfortunately it did.. In fact i felt my anxiety kicked in at around 7 pm, feeling so anxious going to work and stuff. At some point, i also believe that because Ive had very frustrating moments in the past weeks and months, the effect of them was my anxiety has gotten worst. Probably its all these stress thats keeping me awake. My mind just doesnt stop thinking literally about everything that happened or whats going to happen. im planning on seeing my gp real soon. I cant handle this anymore. Its ruining my life and career. im only 20yrs old and just started my new job and I dont want to lose it despite of how anxious I get most of the time. if anyone of you could give me some advice, i would really appreciate it. Thank you so much -Arden

Confused

replies: 5

Hello, It is my first time at this so bear with me. I'm so confused. Something 'traumatic' happened to me about a month ago, and i was supplied with an over-the-phone therapist. Since then, I have started getting over the event. However, i am struggling with what i think is depression now. My over-the-phone therapist thinks it has to do with the event, but I really don't believe that. I'm constantly crying, angry inside, feel tired and sick, always want to give up, i have even self-harmed for the first time. I don't know whats going on, but absolutely no-one seems to understand; despite the endless "you are not alone" talks (which frankly I think lack any depth or truth, because it is one thing to say you are there for someone, but to actually be there is another). I can't do school work, I find it hard to concentrate etc. Im seeing a therapist face-to-face for the first time tomorrow and I'm scared. Also, I'm leaving home for a week for a school trip soon and I'm anxious, upset and worried because right now I think i need some stability and i fear that being away will not help. I do not worry about the traumatic event very much anymore, but I feel like some sort of depression has stemmed from it, and no one can help. I don't know. I feel petty and stupid for being so sad when i know i have such a blessed life. Everything is just a big "?" right now. I am unsure of how i feel. And to make matters a little worse, my father has started being rather bitter and unsupportive. I know how he must feel. Asking someone "if they are okay" and knowing they aren't, but being told "everything is fine" must be frustrating for him. Any advice or thoughts?

Dealing with borderline personality disorder

replies: 3

A little about myself I'm a 24 year old female, who was diagnosed with bpd in the year 2010. I've been to numorious psychologist, as well as medications. But I know deep down that this is going to be a lifetime battle I'm going to struggle with. I know I've come a long way from what I was in the year 2010 from the suicide attempts to the implosive behaviour. As years have gone on those behaviours have diminished, but others have surfaced more as my anxiety has gotten to the point were I can barely leave the house, I have to mentally prepare my self for social situations a day or two in advance other wise I'll go into melt down, My relationship with my partner is very up and down due to my moods, I have no trust in anyone. Also did a lot of reading on the mental illness and was sad to read a lot of negative articles about females with bpd, and to avoid relationships with. I've got a few questions out there who are suffering and going through the long process of healing; what treatments worked best for you? Any long term relationships, what suggestions do you have to me and my non bpd affected partner. What has worked for you to make you relasionship work? Little tips for either him or me. This is the first time I've spoken so openly about my mental illness and I've realised its nothing to be ashamed off no more. Will be great to hear back from any off you dealing with the same issue. I'd love to hear any advice, stories, and tips. xxx

Suspected Anxiety, Bipolar and Depression, however undiagnosed

replies: 5

Let me just start off by saying that I am a 14 year old male. For a while now I've suspected that something has been "wrong" with me mentally. I tend to have constant mood swings that heavily switch between hyperactivity and happiness - often leaving me with a massive smile and not caring what people think, however during my happy periods I have a feeling of agitation and uncomfortableness deep within, dull periods of "depression"? where I think negatively about myself and often (if at school), sit by myself and stare into an open window thinking about all the bad things that have happened in my life and all the things that I feel like people are saying about me because I have low self esteem and always feel like people don't want to be around me and/or judge me. If I'm at home, however, I might usually just crawl into bed and just think about random negative thoughts. Keeping in mind, I've never had any suicidal thoughts (fortunately), as I don't feel the need to remove myself from the world. There are also times where I feel on edge and the slightest thing can tick me off, setting off a massive rage or sudden annoyance which is obvious as people around me have noted that I have unstable "anger issues". Another thing that I want to talk about is my incapability of socialisation and my lack of social skills. I am, of course, able to easily talk to people however I find it difficult to keep a conversation going and while I'm speaking and listening to the other person(s), I always feel like they don't want to be around me and it often leaves me lost for words because I am unmotivated to converse with such thoughts. I also struggle with simple tasks such as walking to the shops, as I feel like people are constantly judging my clothing and hairstyle - both which I know are not true, but I cannot stop thinking about it. I usually wag casual dress days at school and simple interactions such as asking a shopkeeper for a specific item, etc, leaves me uncomfortable and I'm hesitant before doing it. I've recently also had an argument with my friends so I am currently alone and feel lost like I don't belong. Before the argument I had a friend to talk to about this stuff but it never seemed like he cared. I find friends hard to make and even harder to keep because I feel like I annoy them to death. So now I just wander around by myself at lunches and sit by myself in class. I'm scared to seek assistance (GP, school counsellor, etc) so here's my anonymous post.

Some advice please?

replies: 2

I debated for a while about whether or not i should post this so please dont judge me. Im 14 years old and i think most of my problems come from school. in primary school i was a bullied by a peer. There may or may not have been a reason for it but it affected me badly. it was in the form of isolation. i had discovered a love for books and spent my breaks reading so the bullying did not bother me. However, i the fact that i didnt enjoy school was undeniable. i decided to take the OC test in an attempt to start my school life again. i did my best but unfortunately i failed but my grades were a lot higher then my peers. Parents would approach my mum and ask how my grades were so high and complimented me. Although this was a good thing, when my grades dropped my mum would seem angry at me and did not show the same emotion as when i achieve high marks. This led to me believing that i would not be loved if i did not. I studied extremely hard and i got into one of the top selective schools (my mothers greatest pride). At first i had top grades but my marks started to drop and causing stress. Everyone thinks of me as a cheerful girl with perfect manners and a kind personality. They always compliment me for it and i keep up the facade in fear that if they knew the real me they would not like me anymore. I never speak my thoughts and always try to read the situation, the other person's mood and personality, and am always trying to make people like me. However this isnt the real me and i have a horrible personality which i hate. how would anyone like me. I have this fear of people just pretending to like me and actually talking behind my back. i am scared of people judging me and i am horrible in social situations. Recently i have been thinking that my life is pointless. I had one goal which i am failing at. There is nothing i like about my self either. I am obese (based on actual figures) and ugly. I loved singing and dancing but my love for it has never really been supported nor do i have a talent for them. i have no other talents such as musical or sport. I dont know what im going to do with my life I know that my mum sounds like a really bad parent in this post but she just wants the best for me and i know that. She has had her own share of struggling as she raised me by herself after my father passed away when i was six months To be honest i do not know what im feeling. I dont know what kind of advice i need but if you have any at all please leave me some

Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies replies: 51

NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first replies: 0

Advice? - Anxiety Attack replies: 2

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious a lot of the time replies: 2

My feelings are affecting my relationships replies: 4

Problems with dysthemia replies: 6

living with depression replies: 2

HELP ME OUT, my anxiety is getting out of control replies: 3

Confused replies: 5

Dealing with borderline personality disorder replies: 3

Suspected Anxiety, Bipolar and Depression, however undiagnosed replies: 5

Some advice please? replies: 2