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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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Anoos Medication
  • replies: 5

I want to get medication to help me because I'm always feeling angry or depressed but I don't want to go to a doctor. Is there a way around seeing someone?

I want to get medication to help me because I'm always feeling angry or depressed but I don't want to go to a doctor. Is there a way around seeing someone?

Rea Social Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi and thanks for clicking, I suppose. I'm a 23 year old female who has been experiencing social anxiety since childhood. When I was 10 I would burst into tears if I had to give a presentation and my voice and knees would shake uncontrollably. As the... View more

Hi and thanks for clicking, I suppose. I'm a 23 year old female who has been experiencing social anxiety since childhood. When I was 10 I would burst into tears if I had to give a presentation and my voice and knees would shake uncontrollably. As the years went by I assumed it was just a 'phase' that I would outgrow however it only worsened and affected my schooling greatly. When I was 18 I finally saw a psychologist to deal with some issues I was having after my father passed away and ended up telling them about the severe stress I experience when out in public, dealing with daily social interactions and my low self esteem. It turned out to be a case of "you've had X amount of sessions, good luck, adios" type of thing. Now that I'm in my 20s I find it harder to reach out for professional help. If somebody tries to chat or befriend me I automatically push them away without realising it and I've found myself gradually dwindling down my number of friends to zero. I have almost no dating experience, the only numbers I have in my phone are of old friends who are less than acquaintances now and I don't go out anymore. My feeling of self worth has been incredibly low ever since I can remember - I have always hated everything about my body and my appearance, I know people hardly notice me yet I always feel like people are judging me and think I'm repulsive and on the rare occasion that a man speaks to me and sounds like he's asking me out or even asks for my number I immediately question his intentions in my head and assume it's some sort of sick joke or he's being nice out of pity. My family life has been rocky at times and I have had my trust broken over the years which doesn't help opening up to people (my idea of opening up is a discussion beyond general interests and pets). To get help I need to talk to a stranger about my fear of strangers to overcome my fear of strangers, it feels impossible. I know they are professionals but baring all is terrifying considering I have enough trouble going down to the local corner shop. I didn't mean for this to be a pity party, I think I may have needed a bit of a 'vent'. I suppose I'd like to know if anybody here is or has also experienced severe social anxiety and how you built up the courage to seek professional help? How did you go about getting help? Can you ever totally conquer social anxiety disorder? Are there any daily living tips you can share? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for listening (well, reading).

alana-jane not sure
  • replies: 2

Hi im new to this so dont really know how to start so ill just start , im 21 years old with 2 kids married and have my own house i literally have nothing to complain about in that market except having no life whatsoever i have no close friends due to... View more

Hi im new to this so dont really know how to start so ill just start , im 21 years old with 2 kids married and have my own house i literally have nothing to complain about in that market except having no life whatsoever i have no close friends due to me converting to islam 4 years ago when i married my husband also most of my family have disowned me including my own mother only family i talk to is my grandmother who i go to once a week and the rest of the time im home literally 24/7 i feel like i have no connection with my husband anymore because hes never home hes always at work at the gym or out with friends i try to tell him how i feel then i just dont because i feel like im just complaining to much ,then it comes out in rage after it builds up after a while .. i feel as if i need to go out and just get out of my own head but then i just sit and think i have nowhere to go anyway so i stay home and then my mind just wanders again , theres alot more things on my mind but i think ill stop there for now..

carpathia New here, overwhelmed by everything.
  • replies: 2

I'm really not good at writing these things. I've been trying to write this for over three hours now (even forums trigger my social anxiety, it's ridiculous). Sorry if it seems messy and incoherent. I've been in and out of psychologists and psychiatr... View more

I'm really not good at writing these things. I've been trying to write this for over three hours now (even forums trigger my social anxiety, it's ridiculous). Sorry if it seems messy and incoherent. I've been in and out of psychologists and psychiatrists for almost a decade now, since I was 11. My mental illness has long been the only sure-thing in my life. Honestly, I'm not sure what sort of person I'd be without it. It's hard to imagine. Depression, anxiety and insomnia are my primary issues. At this point they've made it impossible to go to uni (and I mean impossible, just being on campus triggers severe panic attacks), work, just exist as a "normal" 20-year-old. I really want to get better, and now that I'm an adult I'm trying to... take the reigns, do things that work best for me rather than my parents (I'd definitely exceed the character limit if I went into that, so I'm just going to say that situation is Not Good, emotionally abusive, etc). There's a couple things in particular that I have no idea how to approach and I'm hoping someone here has some insight. 1) Medication. I've never been on it. My mother in particular was deadset against it when I was younger (I don't really blame her there) but it's never been offered to me as an adult. It's something I'm interested in trying, but I just don't know how to bring it up to my (or, a) doctor. I guess I'm afraid of looking like I'm just looking for drugs and not being taken seriously. If anyone has advice about this, it would be greatly appreciated. 2) The dreaded centrelink. I've seen a fair share of threads here about how frustrating they are, so I hope someone might be able to help me out here, too. I'm so, so worried about money. Currently, I'm receiving youth allowance as a student and a dependent. As I really have to leave uni (I just can't do it in my current situation, and I can't have another year of failing every single class). I know I'm going to have to switch over to "job seekers", and I'll probably have to be assessed as to whether or not I have a "partial capacity to work". I was wondering if anyone has had an assessment like this, and what it involved? Do you speak to one of their psychologists? Would severe anxiety qualify me for something like that? Logically, with my symptoms, I think it would, but I also logically know that the government wants to spend as little money as possible. Thank you guys so much. I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear in all this.

balletgirl101 I am new soo..
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, I have just joined and I guess I just wanted some advice from other people that might have a different perspective. I have had depression and anxiety for just over three years now. The past 6 months it has gotten a lot worse. Last month my ... View more

Hey guys, I have just joined and I guess I just wanted some advice from other people that might have a different perspective. I have had depression and anxiety for just over three years now. The past 6 months it has gotten a lot worse. Last month my boyfriend of almost two years broke up with me. Before he broke up with me he was constantly being told by his best friends that "He deserves better and that I was a bad girlfriend." I'm struggling to let go of the hope that he will want me back and I really want him back. During this semester my grades dropped dramatically and more pressure was put on me by mum. Other things have occurred as well but I don't want to say to much on my first post. I guess my main question is... How am I meant to cope with everything going on?

jusrob10 How can I be open and comfortable with those around me
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I have found myself in a bit if a situation which I am not looking forward to or having in positive thoughts about how I can deal with it. I have suffered from mental illness for years now, and at the beginning of 2015 I met my current g... View more

Hi Everyone, I have found myself in a bit if a situation which I am not looking forward to or having in positive thoughts about how I can deal with it. I have suffered from mental illness for years now, and at the beginning of 2015 I met my current girlfriend and threw away my life and some friendships to live overseas. Due to visa issues, I am returning back home, and I am worried about the level of support available to me. I have never felt like I have people around me that understand what I am dealing with, or at least accept that sometimes I can't do things. It seems contradictory, but I moved away for a fresh start because of the lack of support and pain that I was feeling, but now as I am about to return, I don't want to return to the same situation. Can anyone offer suggestions or advice on how I can make friends that are understanding of my illness, who have the same passion to fight it, or that are just great people? I have always struggled making friends, communicating, all those things that matter in a social life, and I am worried if I can't find a solution, that i'll fall back into that rut I was in before I left.

BH97 Severe Depression - Running out of options.
  • replies: 1

Hi, my name is Ben, and I came to this site to talk about my ongoing battle with severe depression and body dysmorphic disorder. I have tried so many SSRI Medications, all of which haven done nothing but fail with me and cause a few side effects to m... View more

Hi, my name is Ben, and I came to this site to talk about my ongoing battle with severe depression and body dysmorphic disorder. I have tried so many SSRI Medications, all of which haven done nothing but fail with me and cause a few side effects to my body. I have been off them for a year now and I'm too skeptical to go back on them, because I am sick and tired of booking doctors appointments only to end up feeling disappointed that they didn't do anything for me. I'm at the state where I'm so fed up and angry with everything, I just feel like crying. I have so many arguments with my parents about the lifestyle I live because it's like they don't understand why I'm house ridden for almost a week. I know deep down that I need to kick start my life but it is so stressful and hard that I feel like everyday is a constant battle and that nothing will ever change. I've lost an interest in a lot of the things I use to do, and now all that's flooding my brain is negative thoughts. Deep down this is killing me emotionally day by day, almost to the fact where I feel like dying. I'm not even sure why I'm typing this because I just feel like every time I make an effort to do something, I always feel emotionally exhausted. I'm completely lost with the state of how I'm suppose to feel, so much that I struggle to make my own decisions and function like a normal person would. Every time people ask me to come out with them, I deny it because of the way I feel at that time, when I refuse to go anywhere, I feel as though everything is my fault and I'm going insane. Sometimes I feel incredibly psychotic that I end up thinking what the hell is wrong with me? I just can't stand this anymore. What should I do? ... any advice would be greatly appreciated.

JustMe99 A girlfriend with depression
  • replies: 1

My girlfriend has depression and anxiety. Lately she has a feeling of numbness towards everyone. She knows she loves me and her sister and everyone and she can feel it, she just has a feeling of numbness like a barrier keeping her from loving anyone ... View more

My girlfriend has depression and anxiety. Lately she has a feeling of numbness towards everyone. She knows she loves me and her sister and everyone and she can feel it, she just has a feeling of numbness like a barrier keeping her from loving anyone to the full extent. She takes her depression tablets and is doing well its just that feeling she has. Everything is good between us, we still see each other a lot, i would just want to know what that might be and how to help her? Is it something that triggered it or what can it be? Any help would be appreciated. I am new to this site and just signed up right now to find some advice on how to handle it and what might help. Thank you

chap10 Dark Empty Place
  • replies: 2

I'm a 22 year old man with severe clinical depression and panic disorder. I have always been sensitivite to the notion of emptiness, meaninglessness, and futility. My father died when I was 16 and his death gave rise to a whole new dimension of these... View more

I'm a 22 year old man with severe clinical depression and panic disorder. I have always been sensitivite to the notion of emptiness, meaninglessness, and futility. My father died when I was 16 and his death gave rise to a whole new dimension of these feelings of hopelessness. The last 6 years has seen me gradually slide into an addiction problem- with alcohol keeping me company most nights. I just feel that I've had enough. I'm smart enough to know the things that I can do for myself to improve my condition , I just don't have that care-factor anymore. It is like my willpower has snapt like a rubber band being pulled at and stretched for too long. If life is simply about survival, and fixing problems, I don't know if I want it.However-- there must be something inside me, some version of myself that still wants to live and still believes it's possible, as I have booked a psychiatrist appointment and will be heading there tomorrow. I'm going to change meds, grit my teeth, get sober and just take it a day at a time. I'm lonelier than I have ever been. I have gradually isolated myself away from my friends and am too depressed to do anything. I hope this psychiatrist has all the answers. 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.

lilbitlovesick I don't think I am critically depressed but I surely know I'm not alright
  • replies: 1

I'm a fifteen year old who likes to watch cartoons, read extensively and widely, paint and play music. I don't really think my life is as bad as other people's, I know others have far more misfortune than I do. However, that doesn't change the fact t... View more

I'm a fifteen year old who likes to watch cartoons, read extensively and widely, paint and play music. I don't really think my life is as bad as other people's, I know others have far more misfortune than I do. However, that doesn't change the fact that I come home from school everyday feeling nowadays more tired than usual, as if I am being forced to be there. This says a lot about me because I adore going to school. It doesn't change the fact that I constantly have been excluded from my major group of friends because of my interests. It doesn't change the amount of stress I have loaded upon me to be successful in my studies. Growing up with Asian parents who believe that maths and sciences, my two weakest subjects, are the life determiners while my strengths lie in creative areas like English, music and visual arts can be difficult to bear with. It's hard to watch everyone move on with their lives while I have just been stuck in the past wishing to be somewhat important to someone again. I was told by a person in my class that I was "fantasising about having sex with book characters because I could never have the real experience". These kinds of rumours people say we should learn to ignore but it's hard to ignore something that is personally attacked. I found beyondblue and I saw the positivity that people had here regardless of the extremes of each others' stories and I decided maybe I should share my own. I may just make a new friend or have advice that will get me somewhere. This is a basic summary of who I am but I will firstly ask if there is a way I can stop feeling so negatively about what I like to do and to be more optimistic about things like relationships with people at school and with my family as well as with schoolwork. Thank you for reading, sincerely, Lina