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romantic_thi3f 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 i... View more

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!

Sophie_M 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 mindfu... View more

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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Yarraway What should I do?
  • replies: 1

Hey, Im a 17 year old male currently doing the HSC, I guess im writing this just to see what others would do if they were put in a similar siduation. This may sound like an exaggeration and or chiche, but I want to put my exact siduation to get some ... View more

Hey, Im a 17 year old male currently doing the HSC, I guess im writing this just to see what others would do if they were put in a similar siduation. This may sound like an exaggeration and or chiche, but I want to put my exact siduation to get some personal results. I will start from where I begun to think I had depression. Well here goes... This year has been a bit of a roller coaster in dealing with my suspected depression and HSC and I understand that the HSC is a very stressful time however I dont believe that its just the HSC that is causing these emotions. What started as maybe a week here and there of feeling down has begun to get alot more constant and alot stronger. The first time I began to think I was depressed was on a 2 week holiday where I basically just stayed inside at our accomdation laying around whilst the rest of my family was at the beach etc. Some time went by and I would go through Good and bad phases where I would be happy for a period and then just Crash and this would vary in how long I was Good and or bad. I noticed changes in a complete loss of interest in all the things I enjoyed even the subjects I liked in school. I began to not care about anything, School and my job. And this took effect on my grades going from winning awards to almost flunking everything. I used to want to become a paramedic and goto uni and any passion to do so is now lost. I feel as though my life has no direction and im going to end up working a full time job I hate. Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and being a general loser have become more constant. A few times now I have broken down and just begin to cry (usually when I try to goto sleep). Guilt has also been huge even though I have done nothing wrong or bad! I hate it! and lastly last night at work (Causal job in fast food) A woman came into pick up her order which wasnt ready yet, As I finished the order I froze up and felt extremely nervous, I had never had this happen before I was shocked, it was so intence and I didnt know what to do, I just remember being worried she was going to be angry even though she had been waiting not long at all. I took a deep breath in and was able to calm myself however. I havent spoken to anyone about this (Not even my mum) out of fear of how they will react. What should I do? Is this normal and how do I ask my mum for help

KazzW New to this: issues with bipolar and general well being. is someone able to empathize or understand?
  • replies: 1

Completely new, so i'll just jump right in i guess. I am known to all as Kazz. 24 years old, and i was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder 18 months ago.While the initial diagnose was a shock and difficult to wrap my head around, i believe i ha... View more

Completely new, so i'll just jump right in i guess. I am known to all as Kazz. 24 years old, and i was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder 18 months ago.While the initial diagnose was a shock and difficult to wrap my head around, i believe i have accepted it to the best of my ability. However, i feel a little lost right now.I lost my job due to this... problem, and i'm trying to fix it. Doctor and psychiatrist have been very supportive and effective in making treatment and recovery plan for me so i am able to return to some sense of normality.But i am currently experiencing severe anxiety issues and a current depressive phase. Even as i try my hardest, i feel the most important people in my life dont understand that it is a struggle, and my mother in particular, doesn't seem to want to understand. She thinks that because i am now on medications i should just be able to go back to work, or study, preferably both. I dont know how to explain why this is a struggle, and every time i have tried, the comments are the same "people have to get over their issues and do what they need to do. grow up and get a job"How can anyone understand that its a struggle for me to even leave my bedroom when i feel like this? Little everyday tasks that everyone is capable of doing, i cant seem to find the energy for. Unless i'm manic or hypo-manic, i am seen as 'lazy' or 'immature'I almost crave the moments when i am hypo-manic. at least then i can manage to do something with my life. Is there a solution to this? because i just dont see it.Am i going to feel like this for the rest of my life, even if the medications are working (which they seem to be since i have started the new medication which consist of mood stabilizer, anti depressant and quick release medication as a PRN for 'rescue' when needed.I feel better, sort of, but everyone keeps saying i need to be better, how can i get better quicker so i stop letting my family down?And if this message comes off as whiny, i apologize. i do. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.With love to all who have these issue or many more who are trying to support someone who isn't well.

Bodey294 too alone and withdrawn
  • replies: 1

my anxiety and depression are both holding me back from life and interacting with other people. i don't see any of my old high-school friends because by comparison i know that they're lives are automatically better and awesome and are a typical energ... View more

my anxiety and depression are both holding me back from life and interacting with other people. i don't see any of my old high-school friends because by comparison i know that they're lives are automatically better and awesome and are a typical energetic, curious, always confident post-high-school uni-student or young apprentice . i even avoid my family because i know they wouldn't understand how i feel. i don't want patronising sympathy, i want empathy. i guess i get that from my dad, (being overly stoic) he has a tendency (understatement, actually all the time) to block off emotions and let it build up. its like I'm playing emotional chicken with my dad of who can suppress their emotions the longest. i don't know very much about my dad except that he had a rough childhood himself, growing up to be the man he is now and that has influenced a lot onto me. i guess i cant seem to open up and make new relationships because if i open up ill break down and cry or punch a wall. i feel as well as see socialisation as an obligation not a flowing inherent expression of speech. I've been alone for tool long, inside my own head. there's no linear train of thought, just a over complication of emotional taunting thoughts of anxiety and negativity . also Netflix has done more harm than good.

victoria97 Will my depression ever go away ?
  • replies: 8

I've had depression for 4 years now and initially i did seek help from a psychologist but everyone around me just thought i was lying that i have depression. I'm now 18 I have no friends, im alienated from my family and most of the time I just sit at... View more

I've had depression for 4 years now and initially i did seek help from a psychologist but everyone around me just thought i was lying that i have depression. I'm now 18 I have no friends, im alienated from my family and most of the time I just sit at home all day. I have extreme social anxiety and the thought of even having to go to the supermarket makes me get into a panic, I feel like i can't go to a psychologist because of what happened last time I went and as well as that i cant go anywhere without my mum following me even into public toilets to wait for me, I just feel so trapped and like im just dying slowly and there's no way out. I feel like I was making progress lately doing things to make me feel even a little better and then something happened that just made me spiral back to where I started and it drove me to come to this site and do this which is a big deal because i'm usually so ashamed of what I'm going through. Will my depression ever go away or do i have to live with this ?

mel22 Independence help needed!
  • replies: 3

Hi guys! I've been in a relationship for 2 years now, but instead of the healthy balanced relationship it used to be I believe it has become quite toxic. I definitely think I am the issue. I used to be independent, happy and worry free, but now I've ... View more

Hi guys! I've been in a relationship for 2 years now, but instead of the healthy balanced relationship it used to be I believe it has become quite toxic. I definitely think I am the issue. I used to be independent, happy and worry free, but now I've turned clingy, demanding and lonely. I know the feelings are still extremely strong and I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but a few months after we started going out he stopped trying to hang out with me and started taking me for granted. I confront him about it and he tells me he is sorry and he will try and be better, but it happens continually. I was good friends with his friends as well and after we got together they pretty much acted like we barely had that friendship and it began to make me feel really insecure and bad about myself. Anyway these feelings of insecurity, the stress from my weaning motivation at school and the scares from my families health has led to me being in and out of depression and anxiety symptoms for quite awhile. I'd love some strong advice on how I can stop being so dependent because i truly believe this is the first step in helping myself become happier, more confident and more focused. Thank you!!

jessica1 Pushing people away?
  • replies: 2

Hello, I'm new to this Forum so I'm hoping this goes okay. I've suffered with severe anxiety and depression since I was around 8 years old and I'm currently 20. I feel so alone, I can't do things like I used to. I get extreme anxiety with some of the... View more

Hello, I'm new to this Forum so I'm hoping this goes okay. I've suffered with severe anxiety and depression since I was around 8 years old and I'm currently 20. I feel so alone, I can't do things like I used to. I get extreme anxiety with some of the smallest things like catching a public bus or chucking rubbish in a bin in front of someone. I have good days and extremely bad ones like today. I do things I don't understand myself, like pushing people away. I push the closest people away and try to avoid them without even realising I'm doing it, and then it's too late. I don't feel judged with these people and no thoughts go through my head to make me do this. I just don't understand, once it ends up happening I end up feeling even more alone then ever and I never have anyone to be there for me because I manage to push them away and they just give up. It's been happening for years and it's a continuous cycle that just repeats. I've seen various councillors and psychologists and nothing has helped. Does anyone else do this or have done so in the past? Thank you for your time.

rayofsunshine123 Moving School-Anxiety is Really bad
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, so I have had anxiety for ages and it got so bad at my current school that I'm moving, I've had countless issues and panic attacks this year and have this girl at my old school who is moving there a term before me. She and I hate each other... View more

Hey guys, so I have had anxiety for ages and it got so bad at my current school that I'm moving, I've had countless issues and panic attacks this year and have this girl at my old school who is moving there a term before me. She and I hate each other and I'm worried she's going to ruin my chances and my panic attacks are going to keep happening! What should I do? thanks in advance

hopeless1622 Lost and confused, cant find purpose in life.
  • replies: 1

Hey all, i want to start this off by saying im not suicidal and dont have those types of thoughts. Over the past few years i have tried tertiary study to try to get stuck into my career, coming out of year 12 my teachers were filling my heads with dr... View more

Hey all, i want to start this off by saying im not suicidal and dont have those types of thoughts. Over the past few years i have tried tertiary study to try to get stuck into my career, coming out of year 12 my teachers were filling my heads with dream job ideas and planting expectations of a university degree. Everything i have tried over the past few years hasnt stuck with me, i get part of the way through and get the feeling that i dont want to be doing that particular thing for 10 hours a day. I get normal job woes of nobody wants to and that is why it is called work, but it has really struck fear in me, ive become really concealed to myself and cant tell anyone. I have a hard time admitting that i am struggling to my family members because they have such high expectations of me, but lately i havent had the motivation to do anything, even something as simple as having a shower has become a massive chore for me, as well as eating and sleeping. I have tried doing career tests and distracting myself with something fun, but things that were fun just sort of make me feel bored and uninterested, i always have a voice in the back of my head telling me im a failure and im never going to get anywhere. I have tried to also get into traineeship positions but because i have no prior professional experience they dont really give me a second look in. I feel like i learn better when i have a mentor, specifically assigned to me, i do not work well in a class environment as i pretend im doing ok when im not most of the time and the teachers cant see that. I find it really hard to admit that i am struggling because i have lived my whole life with people thinking that i have been ok, that i am some bright student that things just come naturally to, when im not. I like doing things practically and seeing how things work not just being told that is the way it is. Im just wondering what should i do in my position, it has gotten to the point where i have sealed off my friends, since year 12 i havent really talked to anyone, the only real friends i have are online and i have stopped going outside unless i need to do something. I want to change but i dont know how because this burden of anxiety and depression just feels like it is weighing me down.

queen___g_ My depression and anxiety is ruining my relationship
  • replies: 3

I have suffered with depression and anxiety since i was 14, i am now 19. I am in my first long term, serious relationship, and in the last month my depression has altered me drastically, i am sensitive, moody, disconnected, ( all your usual symptoms ... View more

I have suffered with depression and anxiety since i was 14, i am now 19. I am in my first long term, serious relationship, and in the last month my depression has altered me drastically, i am sensitive, moody, disconnected, ( all your usual symptoms of depression ) although, this is the first time in my life that my depression is impacting someone else.... my wonderful boyfriend. who doesn't quite seem to understand mental illnesses, and that as much as he hates the way i behave, - i hate it 100 times more. As much as he hates how upset and moody i am, i hate being upset and moody. i love him so much.. but being in a relationship with depression is by far the hardest thing i have ever had to do.

Bodey294 no sense of purpose and always slump
  • replies: 3

Hi There, i guess my depression is getting worse for me. without anxiety there is no depression and vise versa. both go hand in hand. I'm finding it extremely difficult openly talking to people and make friends. thats the anxiety and as a result depr... View more

Hi There, i guess my depression is getting worse for me. without anxiety there is no depression and vise versa. both go hand in hand. I'm finding it extremely difficult openly talking to people and make friends. thats the anxiety and as a result depression has almost entirely consumed me. Im halfway through the first year of university and only made one "friend" more of an acquaintance. i literally avoid everyone else. It takes hours for me to get to sleep, sometimes not at all, i get up mostly in the afternoons from oversleeping and i find it hard concentrating in lectures. you know how they say that your most likely to grow up like your parents. both true and unfortunate. my father is a committed stoic pessimist in which case he avoids emotions so well but at the cost of literally looking like a oblivious warn out old man struggling to hold on. he has hobbies (laborious jobs: gardening, fixing up gutters and fences, that are not made for his physical stamina by the looks of it) but not many friends. he's too out of touch with the people around him. this has influenced me a lot. my feelings have been bottled up for too long and don't know how long i can keep going like this. as a kid i used to be care free but i guess relationship problems with my family and peers got in the way.