Young people

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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 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

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!

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One step forward, two steps back

replies: 4

Hi everyone. I'm 24 and have been struggling with anxiety and depression since I was in my mid teens, but the last 6 years or so have been pretty hard and I'm scared that things will be this way forever.I feel like anxiety and depression have ruined some of the most important years of my life. I'm 24 and still struggling through university- I've dropped out of 3 different degrees over the past few years because it's been so hard to drag myself to uni and maintain the motivation to study. As you can imagine my HECS debt is pretty big at this point, and I worry about it a lot. I've lost contact with most of my friends because they understandably got sick of me making excuses for not going out with them. I've managed to hold down a job this entire time, which is something I'm proud of. But I'm just incredibly tired and lonely and sometimes I just want to give up. I can't stop comparing myself to other women my age and feeling like I'm so far behind. I've been taking antidepressants for a few months and it has helped a lot. I don't have suicidal thoughts anywhere near as much as I did, and my anxiety is a lot better. Lately I've been feeling increasingly bad again, and I feel like I can't tell my family about it because they've had to deal with me breaking down so many times before and they're probably sick of it. I've found a lot of comfort reading the posts people have made here, so just thought I'd join in. Thanks for reading. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

I'm moving schools, but I'm scared its a bad choice

replies: 2

I've been having a lot of friendship issues at my school right now and it has gotten to the point where I am miserable to come to school. So I spoke to my parents and I am in the process of moving schools. I am going to be moving to a school where I do know some people and I will be happier, but I'm scared that I'm making a bad choice. I'm scared that moving schools will be a bad thing and that I will regret it once it happens. I have no idea what to do.

Are my emotions situational?

replies: 1

I have not been formally diagnosed and I am wary to go to a GP because I am not sure if I am just feeling a normal response to my life or not. I don't feel like counseling or medication etc can help as long as my situation does not change. My current life situation: I have had no friends for quite a few years. When I try to reach out to people I am often blown off, but then these same people will still talk to me if they have something they want from me, which makes me frustrated. I am now 20 years old and since I was 14 years old my birthday has in my head literally only served to prove how unloved I am. I have a relatively high position at my part-time job for my age, that I only took because I am super passionate. However, I feel like no one appreciates the sacrifices I make this job as a full-time uni student and there is a particular thing (not going to go into details) on which the manager and I disagree, and whenever I see her I feel like I am being attacked and that she constantly refuses to see things from a different perspective. I feel like I am not wanted or my efforts acknowledged. I am currently in the process of deciding whether to resign. My response: I am usually okay. About once every two-three weeks I might have a cry, but then I will feel better soon. Things are getting particularly bad at my job, coupled again with the fact that no one wants to hang out with me and feeling like my sacrifices were meaningless, that for the past week I have had trouble sleeping (can only fall asleep at 1-2am and then wake up again 4-5am) and am constantly crying. I also cannot find motivation to do study or exercise. I started feeling bad 3 weeks ago but only at a mild level- it has only gotten bad recently. Are my feelings because of the stress of my situation? Should I wait and see if things get better? Or is not and I would be better off going to a GP? Thanks

Help

replies: 3

My mother doesn’t understand my situation. I seek advice. I’ve never thought of registering on a website where I would obtain some advice since I thought I knew how to handle my situations. Well, this one, I can’t really handle. My mother doesn’t really understand my problems especially how I described school as being useless (because all you do is memorise a test and then forget it the next day) and that I had other goals. I feel that I will be able to use my full potential on something I liked to do instead of being forced into doing a curriculum, passing a test and then forgetting it all the next day. I’m not going to go in depth of why I think school is useless but I’ll start out my story. I told my mother that school was useless and I had a decline of my marks from A to B – C. I showed her a video of Sir Ken Robinson’s video of Schools killing creativity and it did show the points clearly but somehow my mother doesn’t understand. She thinks that my problems will be solved if I ‘work’ harder in school. She believes that if I took the route I was taking, I will most likely never be successful but how is she to know, when I haven’t even started. As a result, whenever she came to me, she wants me to ‘study’ hard. As I have told her repeatedly to not worry about me she still does but doesn’t solve anything. She wants me to study hard. Anyways, recently, early last term I said that I didn’t want to go for my science tuition anymore, as I feel that it isn’t helping me, and I told them not to pay for the next term. My dad refused and said I had to go for this science tuition and he couldn’t get a refund. I said no. He told me that he has already booked a term of Science, regardless of me telling him that I didn’t want a science term. I declined. Eventually, he threw his tantrum at me and shouted at me numerous times continuously and I finally shouted back at him. He called the police. There was no violence. The next day, they wanted me to go for the science tuition. So I went on the website and I saw that you could get a 1000$ refund if you are not satisfied with the lesson. I was not satisfied. I told my mother that you can refund the lesson and then she said to go for the science tuition or I would need to work for the $1000. I denied and she got really pissed and shouted to just drop out school, all my tuitions and all of my sports. I am not sure what to do next. I need advice. I feel that I am the victim of all of this.

When the best years of your life are the worst

replies: 3

I have noticed latley no matter how nice a day it is I constantly feel that empty sad feeling inside of me, my life is not enjoyable and i dont know what to do. Growing up in my teen years my father was physically & mentally abusive which has effected me alot, although I have moved out for a few years now I waste my twentys doing nothing as I do not have the confidence do anything but watch people enjoy their life through social media while I sit on my couch. I often feel as the world keeps moving foward along with the people around me but I keep falling further & further backwards. I feel so low all the time & the only person who knows about my deppression & anxiety is my psychologist but I am to scared to see her again because I feel selfish & stupid as there are people worse off then me & I dont want to annoy her or anyone else.

Bit about my self

replies: 2

Hi my name is Taylor I am 22 years old I suffer with a disability. Which life has been hard for me. i have a suffer with depression, gone though family domestic violence, bullying,and a lot morelooking for some people out their who has gone though th... View more

Need help!

replies: 3

Hi, My name is Lauren and I am 25 year old female. Last year in January, I put in a complaint at my work against an older gentleman manager. The workplace turned evil against me and after a few months of meetings etc. I was then disciplined for non related matters. As a consequence of this, for the first time in my life I started getting anxiety. I have always been an anxious thinker, but never to the point of it being an issue for me before. I can't be sure if it was this alone that caused me to have basically a mental breakdown, or this just contributed to already existing mental health issues. I couldn't work, sleep, eat or function AT ALL for about 2 months. I lost 10 kg's and every day was sinking deeper and deeper into a state of depression/anxiety. My parents decided they would no longer help me and I was admitted to a private mental facility for treatment. I was diagnosed with Major Depression and anxiety and stayed in the facility for 6 weeks. Since I was discharged, I have been on antidepressant medications. Although this was 15 months ago, I am still not back at work. In this time I have moved back out of my parents, am living in an apartment with my cousin, gotten into a relationship - and tried to get my life back on track. In 2013, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, I thought I coped quite well with this diagnoses but recently I have been quite sick and feel all those depression and anxiety feelings coming back. I've been thinking about EVERYTHING and it's driving me insane. I really need to talk to someone who can give me some positive steps to feel like I'm getting myself back on track and looking after myself again. The last place I want to go back to is that deep dark hole of depression and anxiety, which I fear I will sink back there everyday. I've realised through this time that my 'boyfriend' doesn't understand what I'm going through, so I feel hurt by that, thinking he knew my issues with anxiety and depression, but maybe he only wanted to be with me when I was well enough to put on a happy face. Thanks for reading & look forward to chatting soon, Lauren

A bit about Lou

replies: 3

Hey hey hey, thanks for having me BeyondBlue. My name is Louise, I'm 21 and living in beautiful Melbourne. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and mild PTSD in 2012 (year 12). That was definitely my lowest point so far: crying myself to sleep as well as random outbursts during even the most inappropriate times, numerous panic attacks at school, fighting with my friends and family, not eating for days followed by binge eating episodes, withdrawing from social, sporting and schooling commitments (when it's all happening) and worst of all - suicidal thoughts that lingered for weeks. I was taking meds for around 2 years however due to them taking away all my feelings until I felt literally empty, I decided to ween myself off of them. Of late, I've been feeling my anxiety is progressively getting worse. I've often found myself with a rapid heartbeat, short of breath and feeling extremely worried for no reason. I've stressed over normal things like meeting with friends, work or studying. I have no motivation to do anything other than the bare minimum to function and I've noticed the gaps between my 'sad times' has been getting shorter. I know I need to go back to the doctor but I'm worried I'll need to go back on medication - I don't like the thought of needing medication to function daily, possibly becoming dependent or the thought of feeling empty again, at this stage I'd rather these feelings than none at all. If it weren't for my boyfriend I wouldn't bother going but I don't want this to affect him/us and I know that it is all for my own good. I am looking to read other similar stories on here from others in my age group, with depression/anxiety, with supportive partners who don't want depression to be a main consideration in life. I would also love to think I can help someone who is of a similar age who might have some concerns of their own! I'm super friendly and ready to talk and listen, please feel free to reach out - that's why we're all here I guess! Thanks for reading my dribble, keep doing your thing guys!! Love Lou xx

My mum is not understanding and school is terrifying

replies: 9

My mum knows that I experience depression and anxiety, yet she is not understanding. When I told her I broke down, she said to not let it affect your grades,and think positively. It's actually quite demeaning and the opposite of being helpful. I don't feel comfortable talking to my mum when I am at my worst. School does have its positives, but when i get lots of questions wrong, I feel a lump in my throat, like I'm about to cry, but what usually happens is that it stays there for a while, and makes feel short of breath. Does anyone else experience this?

Hi, new here

replies: 3

Hello everyone! I joined Beyond Blue today hopefully to seek some support in my recovery and maybe just some guidance/advice in my everyday life aswell. I am 17 and suffering from depression and social anxiety for 3 years now. I have been in and out of school ever since due to the mental illness and social problems aswell. However it wasn't until recently I got into a nice school where I felt comfortable enough to be in and to continue my study. I'm trying to focus on my recovery by going through a treatment plan and also with the support of my school counsellor. I'm also trying to focus and improve on my studying, social life and my wellbeing in general. The school is great, the students are decent, mature and accepting and things were okay until recently. The last month has been unstable, frustrating and confusing. The recovery is tough and mentally draining. I've been going through some social problems and I'm so confused about what I'm feeling and why I'm feeling it. I'm struggling with school work because I have been procrastinating a lot and it is just so tiring when I do it. I also have been questioning a lot about myself such as who am I and what do I want out of life. I understand that these things are normal for my age but I just don't know what to do. I feel like I can't talk about this with anyone because they will either not understand or the fact that I don't trust them in general.

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

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

One step forward, two steps back replies: 4

I'm moving schools, but I'm scared its a bad choice replies: 2

Are my emotions situational? replies: 1

Help replies: 3

When the best years of your life are the worst replies: 3

Bit about my self replies: 2

Need help! replies: 3

A bit about Lou replies: 3

My mum is not understanding and school is terrifying replies: 9

Hi, new here replies: 3