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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NEW* ~ Teenage miscarriage

replies: 1

I'm fairly new to this but am hoping that I can find some people on here with similar situations as myself I've suffered from depression for 3 years. I was getting better until 5 months ago when I had a miscarriage (3 months into pregnancy) . Ever since this has happened I just feel a sense of grief and loneliness and feeling like it's my fault this has happened. It's also very difficult to deal with as I obviously don't know anybody who's gone through the same thing as myself and am uncomfortable with telling most of my friends about what happened in fear of being judged. The birthday of my unborn baby is also coming up fairly soon (21st May) and the closer the date comes the more upset and grief-stricken I become. I was just wondering if there is anyone else on here that has been through a miscarriage or something similar to this. It would be very comforting to know that what I'm feeling is normal or not as well as how other people have found ways to cope. anything would be greatly appreciated xx

Trying to find a purpose in life.

replies: 9

Hello, my name is Katy and I am a 19 year old female with PTSD, depression, anorexia nervosa, agoraphobia, anxieties, constant stiffness - causing pain and so many more medical conditions. This is my first time posting on Beyond Blue and I am hoping to gain an understanding how others deal with their trauma and chronic physical illnesses as I am struggling to deal with my own. I have also been encouraged to reach out to others, who have an understanding on how difficult it is to be an independent person. All of my life, I have been socially awkward, struggling to fit in with people my own age as I have always had low self-esteem. I am shy by nature, and I have always found to be a target for bullies, dominating and controlling people. Now, I am just socially awkward around everyone, (excluding my mother and brother). My anxieties flare to the extreme (panic and asthma attack) when I am present near another person or child, which makes a normal life impossible. I have been through so many traumatic experiences and these experiences haunt me constantly, during my waking and sleeping moments. I feel in the last 15 months, since my health issues escalated, that I am a failure in life and a test rat for medical science. As my medications are changed constantly due to unaffectedness or the side effects are too extreme. I have been seeing a doctor and psychologist, who have both being supportive, unfortunately they do not understand all my concerns. I also see a psychiatrist who I no longer have faith in, as his prescription’s in medication has left me feeling worse than ever. I do not feel that he takes all my medical history into consideration and I no longer trust his advice. I have no true friends, due to my illnesses and I feel that my worth is nil from experiences. Feeling lost, beyond belief.

Things feel surreal??

replies: 3

For the past few weeks I've been feeling really down, the kind of down I feel post-break up with someone. I was seeing someone I felt very connected to- I found a solace in this person- and now we are no longer. I thought I was fine because I wasn't crying much or anything but now I know something is up because I haven't felt like seeing many people at all. I have people offering to come and keep me company because they know I'm down and yet I don't feel like seeing them at all. I almost feel panicked at the idea of it. Most of all I know something is up because I've experienced a total loss of libido. I hardly even feel like touching anyone. It's totally out of character for me- usually when I'm sad, I'll jump at the chance for someone to come and bring me food and keep me company and to like, kiss someone cute. I feel like crying and I want these people to stay away from me incase they 'want more' (romantically, sexually etc) This morning I woke up feeling the way you do when you've broken up with someone. You know when you're laying in bed and for a few seconds you're fine because reality hasn't hit you yet? And then bam- the reality of this person being gone hits you? That's how I felt. But nothing came flooding back to 'hit me' as I was waiting for it. I'm now stuck in this inbetween feeling. Like something has significantly changed and I'm waiting for that crushing reality to come swinging. But nothing is coming. I just feel anxious. And things feel really surreal. It feels exactly how a comedown does for me. Waves of anxiety, colours feel brighter, my head and body is exhausted and sore, I can't read too much information on a screen because it makes my head hurt. I feel like I'm on drugs. It's really weird and I've never felt this way before. anyone have any ideas what's going on????

Social life after depression

replies: 3

After suffering from severe depression for over two years I have begun to notice that at school I make a conscious effort to be happy. I have predominately over come depression now but I am still left with the forced hysterical happiness that I used to seem happy while I had depression. I no longer normally feel the extreme self hatred, suicidal thoughts and just over all black numb mood yet I still have the extreme forced happiness I used when I used to pretend I was fine. I feel as though I now need to be extremely happy so as not to fall back into depression or that I still need to prove I'm not depressed. I feel as though in order to be like I need to be overly silly and happy instead of the shy quiet person I was before depression. It's like I can never be sad around my friends now in case they don't like me but or think I'm depressed again so I just act insanely happy the whole time and can't stop. Does anyone else do this, even after managing to finally stop the worst of depression?

I'm ok/im not ok

replies: 6

Hi there BB Friends, Last couple of days I'v just been feeling lonely, feels like my mind and everything at the moment is cloudy amd back in the position where I'm finding it hard to find a path way to start. Mentally I feel trapped and stuck as I'm not sure what to do or where to go and it's hard to take the steps I need to help me as when I'm low and in this state it's hard to get up again and seems like an effort. I'm scared to be on own for a certain amount of time but I am trying to look for some sort of company bit is hard when at times like this I feel that there isn't that many people who will really understand the emotions I'm going through so I'm feeling a bit lost and lonely. At the moment I'm trying to take baby steps and hopefully oneday I'll have a clear mind of life and where to head but atm I feel stuck. I'm hoping to also meet new ppl and make new friends that can help me and can share experiences and support as I'm hoping to give the same. What I hate at the moment is when I wake up of a morning when I can sort of eventually get to sleep is waking up with that hit in the face after a sec that I'v woken up and feelings/emotions and mental state as what I did when I went to bed, that's what I hate waking up to as when I'm asleep I feel bit better as it gives me a brake in dealing with whaty emotions are everyday...

Bullying housemates, Loneliness and Losing Friends in a New City

replies: 2

Hi everyone, This is my first post here, my name is Laura and I am a 23year old studying at uni who comes across as this bubbly, happy person but most nights/most days lately (as in the past 8 months) I have been feeling more and more drained, anxious and depressed to the point where I come home and just cry in a ball on my boyfriend's lap. I have lost all of my best friends (3) over the past 2 years, each of which I have tried my utmost to stay connected with but have decided they were more destructive in my life than positive so have ultimately left myself isolated... Quick lo-down on the situation: they were all 'demanding' people who I gave my entire self to, to the point where I was exhausted and left sad/empty so I had to put my foot down and say "enough is enough" and they walked on out of my life. Nowadays, it's not that I don't want friends, heck! I would love someone, anyone to talk to these days besides my boyfriend (whom I live with now as a result of being isolated by those people) and my toxic housemates (who despite being able to hear them say hurtful things about me through the walls I still try to be kind and friendly to) because I feel like I have so much love and attention to give to people... I want to find a special friend who I can just shower with kindness; I'd get a puppy if I could but I'm renting so that's out; but I keep meeting people who just don't seem interested or want to put effort in anymore. Everyone is always 'busy' or 'caught up' in their own worlds. I'm beginning to think maybe I'm the horrible person and I deserve to be alone and maybe I drove my friends away, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm a good, decent person who has every right to friendship and equality, it's just disheartening... Has anyone got any advice or similar experiences?

Sad, lonely, unmotivated, melancholy glum, down. Whatever you call. I feel it.

replies: 8

I have been kind of down lately. I can not place it on something specifically- it is just an overall feeling. The things that usually make me feel happy barely please me. My motivation and commitment to my work is wavering and I don't feel like focussing on anything just drifting day by day. I have no reason to feel like this: I have family and friends, I have future plans and prospects, I have a safe and supportive environment, I have no dire stress or complications. The only thing that is really missing is a steady partner, but I am not distraught about this- just lonely. I have been self treating with comfort food and crappy TV but I don't think I can go on like this. I have no idea what to do. Maybe it is just a mood that will eventually go away? I would love some advice or anything to make me feel better!

Really need answers and help.

replies: 3

Hi, I am new to this community and I am hoping to get as much help as I can. I am 22 and have been suffering with Anxiety for 3 years. It started as a dizzy spell, which contributed every single day, this causing extreme anxiety to the point where I had to stop driving, took lots of time off work, scared to go outside and virtually every medical test you can get. It subsided after a few months, and I was able to do things without this dizziness type feeling getting in the way. It started again nearly 4 weeks ago, and yet again, I have had to stop driving of the fear of passing out, absolute brain fog every single day including, fatigue, feel like I am drugged, severe anxiety, shaking hands, pressure in sinus. I have been to so many doctors, currently seeing a great doctor who wanted blood work done, which I had last week and get results this coming Monday. Also getting a CT scan on my sinuses tomorrow, but I don't see how pro longed lightheadedness (and all the above mentioned) is caused by that. Who knows it could be. I am so down about it now, I only feel good when I am sleeping, It has literally stopped me from studying for the past three years, so I can't do anything that I want to do at the moment. I've also started seeing a psychologist, and he is really great and given me breathing techniques, and other forms of relief. I was really reluctant to get anti depressants, because of the fear of major side effects. It's got to the point that if nothing is wrong with me, I am going to have to go on them. My question is, does this all sound like anxiety? if you suffered from what I have mentioned brain fog...etc, what anti depressants helped you with clearing that? I am at my all point low, my boyfriend doesn't understand what I am going through and I feel like I am not being taken serious or making it up. I feel so down and out of reality, I don't want to live like this anymore, it's absolute torture and has changed me from somebody who would put their hand up first to go bungee jumping, to someone who can't even go into a public place without panicking. I'd love to hear your stories and other recommendations in terms of forums to read. Thank you so much for reading!

Maybe I'm just going crazy?

replies: 1

Hi there, As an introduction I am a 22 year old female who has had previous mental illness. I don't know if this is a certain anxiety or what is happening here, maybe a phobia. It's relationship orientated. I meet someone, they are attracted, I am attracted, we talk for about a week and then I notice this pattern, they start talking less, and I panic! I mean panic, why aren't they responding, why is it short, what have I done. Then I send some crazy message explaining how I am as a person, that I'm upfront and I can come on strong and tell them I'm not trying to scare them away. Which makes things worse. I look insane and after 10 days I generally never hear from them again. I believe this stems from growing up with a single mother, my mother was always afraid she would never find someone. I watched her go from one horrible encounter to another and then she passed away, after telling me she didn't want to die alone. I understand this is irrational and what I am doing is being needy, and that just scares people and I can totally understand why. I don't continuely message after I don't hear from them anymore. Not at all. But after a month I messaged one of them after this happening nearly half a dozen times simply asking what happened and they said "look I wasn't looking for anything serious, and I was going to be your friend, but you got attached too quickly and I felt suffocated and I didn't even know you really, you were explaining things to me about yourself that weren't necessary, and rooted from you overthinking. I found this behaviour unhealthy and you should probably see someone about that" So basically, my symptoms are emotional and mental: needyness, being clingy, overthinking, hopelessness, irrational and emotional, compulsive behaviour, panic, blowing things out of scope. Physically: intense heart beat, tightening of the chest, trouble breathing, dizziness, Is there something wrong with me? Or Is this how I am as a person? I have asked for advice elsewhere and everyone just says, stop worrying you're 22 not 60 someone will come along. But they don't actually understand that's not my problem. My problem is how I react to finding someone nice, I get anxiety and panic and I almost intentionally push them away and can't stop it. I don't get anxiety about any other aspect of my life, but this consumes me, it's 24hours a day panic. Please give me some insight if you have any, thank you, would be much appreciated!

Hey, a new member.

replies: 6

I've heard of this site/organisation plenty of times before, but I was just doing some research on depression and thought I might as well sign up. I've had depression for as long as I can remember, I'm 23 now, and have always felt as if life was hopeless and held negative feelings because of that. I was on anti-depressive medication for 2 and a half years, and it did some good. I think some people are born with a deficiency of certain chemicals which may lead them to be naturally depressed, and a lot of people have scoffed at this. I definitely believe that I'm just a naturally depressed person, it sucks. I'm actually surprised that there hasn't been any research on this, if anyone could direct me/link me to something similar to what I've talked about then that would be awesome

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

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

NEW* ~ Teenage miscarriage replies: 1

Trying to find a purpose in life. replies: 9

Things feel surreal?? replies: 3

Social life after depression replies: 3

I'm ok/im not ok replies: 6

Bullying housemates, Loneliness and Losing Friends in a New City replies: 2

Sad, lonely, unmotivated, melancholy glum, down. Whatever you call. I feel it. replies: 8

Really need answers and help. replies: 3

Maybe I'm just going crazy? replies: 1

Hey, a new member. replies: 6