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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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Teenager_1997 Scared of medication
  • replies: 4

I've been having issues with depression and anxiety for a number of years now (5ish years) and spent three years talking to a psychologist and really haven't come out feeling better. I finished up seeing her right before I graduated from high school ... View more

I've been having issues with depression and anxiety for a number of years now (5ish years) and spent three years talking to a psychologist and really haven't come out feeling better. I finished up seeing her right before I graduated from high school (she went to have a baby, so no real choice) and haven't been seeing anyone since then (October 2014). I went to the doctors a few months ago and got another referral to go back to her, but had kind of decided I didn't want to go anymore. It made me anxious and for some reason I just couldn't quite handle the idea of going. So flash forward a few months and I went to the doctors today and was prescribed with medication to try and help. For some reason, the idea of taking the medication scares me. I can't pinpoint why, I don't think its side effects, I think it might be to do with the fact that I'm not really 'normal' and that medication seems to be the way to fix that. I'm not sure, it's just freaking me out a bit..... But apart from that I have a few questions: 1. I'm scared? I don't know what to do about that or how to make myself feel better about that? 2. The doctor kept saying it would make me feel 'normal', how do I know what 'normal' is in order to communicate that the medication is working? (I have to go back in four weeks) 3. Is there anything I should be doing alongside the medication to 'help' it? Like things with diet/exercise that has helped people? I'm pretty new to the idea of medicating this and am still coming to terms with it all, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance x

Jocey Derealisation- struggling with reality
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am a young person suffering with my mental health. I have experienced psychotic episodes before and for the past year I have been experiencing what I think is a form of derealisation. It is quite scary.. And at times very difficult to ... View more

Hi everyone, I am a young person suffering with my mental health. I have experienced psychotic episodes before and for the past year I have been experiencing what I think is a form of derealisation. It is quite scary.. And at times very difficult to cope with. Sometimes just making it through the day is an accomplishment. I am currently taking antipsychotics but unsure if they are working effectively. I notice the world around me differently to how I use to and I sometimes feel overwhelmed in a busy setting.. I can see movement all around me happening and notice every detail, every flinch. If that makes sense. I tend to think about what I am going through a lot which probably makes things worse. It's difficult having something wrong with your mind and having to put on a brave face everyday when no one knows what your dealing with.. I am only young and I have so many dreams and aspirations for my life I don't want to be set back by my mental state. I think the hardest part is just focusing on the now and present moment and not worrying about what lies ahead. Is anybody else having a similar experience? Feel free to pass on some wisdom or support to me it would be very appreciated. Thanks

FallenSky Scared of the side effects
  • replies: 2

Hello. I am currently studying for my final exam (HSC) and my doctor prescribed me with a new antidepressants. I have taken antidepressants before and the side effects was absolutely terrible to the point where I got a heart attack. I am afraid that ... View more

Hello. I am currently studying for my final exam (HSC) and my doctor prescribed me with a new antidepressants. I have taken antidepressants before and the side effects was absolutely terrible to the point where I got a heart attack. I am afraid that this new antidepressants will cause me to have side effects during the exam which is in a week. I worried because the most common side effects is headche and increased thoughts on suicide.

Follies Help
  • replies: 2

I was seeing a guy for 5 weeks and I developed really strong feelings for him. He was really keen on me too and pursued me, held my hand as we walked, cooked me a dinner, always kissed me and acted like we would become gf and bf. then he tells me he ... View more

I was seeing a guy for 5 weeks and I developed really strong feelings for him. He was really keen on me too and pursued me, held my hand as we walked, cooked me a dinner, always kissed me and acted like we would become gf and bf. then he tells me he doesn't want a long term relationship and just wants to have fun but that contradicted everything he had been doing and what he told mutual friends just days before. He said all was going well and as soon as I said something about cuddles and kisses he freaked. i was finally happy that I had met someone I liked and then he hit me with that and made me feel like there's something wrong with me. He told me I'm nice and pretty and sweet and fun etc and that he does like me and is attracted to me but he doesn't 'get the feeling' that it could work out long term. i don't even know what that means when he acted like all was fine and how can you even know what will happen in the long term i haven't been able to eat or go to work. He made me feel loved and good enough and now I feel like I'm not

Kiseki Difficulty thinking positively, lack of friends, etc.
  • replies: 2

Recently, my parents have noticed that I have a tendency to take everything negatively, from the smallest criticism to the slightest mistake. Everything I don't do 100% correct is a waste of time, a redundant effort, a stupid move on my part. My pare... View more

Recently, my parents have noticed that I have a tendency to take everything negatively, from the smallest criticism to the slightest mistake. Everything I don't do 100% correct is a waste of time, a redundant effort, a stupid move on my part. My parents try to give my advice, but my brain interprets that as a personal attack against me, and I get really defensive. I tried to talk to my dad about it yesterday, and he listened, but he doesn't really get it. I find that's a problem with almost everyone I open up to: they don't understand how my mind works. I don't want to see everything as a negative, but I also don't want to be lost in a fantasy world of happiness and ignore everything else. I see all of these articles saying 'love yourself' or 'be yourself', but I don't know how to do those things, and the instructions just repeat the same thing over and over again. On another note, at school, I have 2 people who I'd consider friends, but I don't see them all too often. There are other people I hang out with, but only within school-hours. I tried to join a group that already had about 8 people in it, and I kept on getting drowned out, so I stopped meeting with them. I want to make more friends, but groups have already been established, and I feel that if I try to wedge my way into these groups, I'll just be seen as a nuisance. There's hardly anyone else who shares my interests, either, so I just sit by myself in breaks. I'm also going to be in year 12 soon, so I'm cautious and wary about making friends, since university is just over one year away, and that means the any friends I make could be lost by then. I don't make friends too easily, but I also can't remember how I became friends with the 2 I have now. It's like it just happened. I also don't like to just approach people, because I feel that I'm intruding and unwanted. The school holidays also end this Tuesday, but because current year 12 students are sitting their final exams, there will only be this year's year 11 students at school this term. I know that these are really minor problems, but I express myself through writing/typing better than I do with words.

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!!

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