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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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Seekparadise I don't know what's going on with me
  • replies: 4

I just moved into my own place after the end of a 2 year relationship and a short stint living with a (now former) friend of mine. Everything was great for a while- I'd weeded out the bad friends from good, seeing my family regularly, working, writin... View more

I just moved into my own place after the end of a 2 year relationship and a short stint living with a (now former) friend of mine. Everything was great for a while- I'd weeded out the bad friends from good, seeing my family regularly, working, writing & made plans to move Interstate for postgrad. I also had ideas for a small online business to make some money as its tight atm. But the past few weeks haven't been so great. I started thinking about a guy I used to be involved him, someone I was really in love with. Over the past 2 1/2 years since dating he has returned a lot to my mind to the point I go out of my way to 'run into him.' The problem is, it used to be fun liking him again and trying to contact him etc, like it was a game. But recently i realised how much he messed me around, and how he didn't actually love me the way I loved him. I feel so sad and pathetic and my heart hurts but I can barely seem to cry. I feel like I'm in pain but at the same time I wonder if I am at all because I'm not crying.. the point is, there's always something consuming my thoughts & I seem to escape into fantasies when I should be focused on my real life. When people bring up things I know I should be doing like looking for a job, applying for unis, unpacking, I avoid it & get angry I would be less obsessive if I had something to take up my life. The problem is, I have no motivation. It's like I'm sitting, stagnant, consumed by the past and unable to let go or move on but I'm not even motivated to take charge and change my life. I stay up all night and sleep in until noon, barely do anything with my days, and when I do do something, it's listening to music and fantasising. I can spend time writing, but only about how I feel, which just feels like another way to obsess. At night I drink and smoke, way way more than I ever used to, and at night all I do is eat dinner and watch TV shows all night. I don't know what I feel. I just feel stuck. I feel like there's nothing to look forward to unless it's the opportunity to run into or impress the guy or seeing a friend and I feel like an idiot for It. It feels like every few weeks I'm on the phone to my mum having a breakdown going from angry to crying to snapping to nothing. sometimes being in public feels horrible and I hate when people are near me and I feel paranoid at night. I don't feel good about myself and sometimes I get so irritable and bored and wish my life was completely different. Help?

Krausey92 I don't know what to do
  • replies: 4

Hi.. My Name Is Chris. I'm 23 and am having lots of problems with my life. I regularly feel like I'm not good enough and that it doesn't matter what I try to do, I will fail or give up. I can't seem to keep my mind occupied on anything long enough to... View more

Hi.. My Name Is Chris. I'm 23 and am having lots of problems with my life. I regularly feel like I'm not good enough and that it doesn't matter what I try to do, I will fail or give up. I can't seem to keep my mind occupied on anything long enough to finish it. I have type 1 diabetes and since I was 18 I've been pretty neglectful of fully managing it. I'm trying harder now but it feels like I can't get on top of it. I also have 2 young children who live with my ex partner. I don't get to see them at all, and a part of me feels like they could have a better father as I can't do anything for them or even tell them I love them. I have felt like I don't deserve to continue living quite often as well. I know I shouldn't feel that way but it always comes to mind. I've attempted doing study in a few courses but I got so behind that I just give up and throw it away. I can't find work and I don't apply for anymore because I am sick of been turned down and it hurts knowing I never have a chance. My friend thinks I should see a doctor but I feel too embarrassed to go see anyone. I don't know what to do anymore. I couldn't even bring myself to go to work for the dole today, I just stayed in bed like every other day I hate feeling like I'm not enough for everyone, including myself I don't have much in the way of friends and most of my family is distant to me. I've made so many bad decisions over the years and its just getting worse with no sign of it getting any better. I think I've always been this way, just too afraid to do anything about it.Mmmm I'm over crying in the shower because I don't feel good in any way about myself. 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:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; 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-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Margo7 Alone and sad
  • replies: 3

Hi I am new to this but I feel I have no one to turn to so this is it. i am 18 this month for for the last two years I've been dealing with on and off depression and anxiety.. I've felt this slow worsening of my issues lately. Things with friends at ... View more

Hi I am new to this but I feel I have no one to turn to so this is it. i am 18 this month for for the last two years I've been dealing with on and off depression and anxiety.. I've felt this slow worsening of my issues lately. Things with friends at school have changed my closest friends are now distant and I feel like I have no one, I've lost so many friends and I don't know what's wrong with me for this to be happening, I can't talk to anyone. My dad's been distant since I was 10 he moved 500 Km away and we've not had a relationship since. My two sisters are amazing but are so closed minded, they don't understand anything different to them, I think this was because as children we were only ever exposed to our way of life which also meant me being not myself ever. I am not me, I am not sure what is but I know I am not happy and I haven't found myself. I don't like to express myself by wearing what I want or doing or saying things that are me because I am so afraid of being judged. i have no reason to feel so low I have an amazing family and a few friends yet I feel so isolated so different and so alone. I feel selfish for my feelings because I know so many people have it worse! I am so thankful for the people I have but no me of them know anything, they don't know how much it hurts inside and how often all of my pieces crumble. I just feel I can't tell them, I don't know why I just can't. This forum is amazing and I hope it helps other people who also feel this way!

flower_girl1 Moving abroad/challenges
  • replies: 3

Hi all, So I haven't been on here for a while, reason is I have just moved to London in the UK. I have been here for about six weeks and I'm definitely coming up against some challenges. Firstly I have a new job, doing interior design for a small bus... View more

Hi all, So I haven't been on here for a while, reason is I have just moved to London in the UK. I have been here for about six weeks and I'm definitely coming up against some challenges. Firstly I have a new job, doing interior design for a small business for the very high end of the market. I have only been there now for 2 weeks and I have lots of big clients which is seriously scary. My challenge is with how I behave and present myself to people. We all act a bit different at work and since I started I have been very guarded with my personality I am not really showing them who I am. This is because I got very badly hurt at my last job and I feel that this happened because I was to open about myself. But this has left me feeling very isolated because I have no one to be myself with. Secondly I am way far out of my comfort zone. I didn't think London would be this different but there is very little familiar about it. I have always been happiest when I am in a settled routine and right now I am still in hostels, have no routine and also no privacy to just mope about having no routine. I don't know how long it's going to take me to find a place so I also don't know how I am going to keep myself calm until I am in somewhere. I haven't been reading or drawing or doing any of the things that normally make me happy and I guess it's just hitting me now as to how hard this is. Coming here and living abroad has been a dream for a long time, but it's just not feeling the way I thought it would, and I suppose that's just getting me down because, well, what's life for if you can't enjoy living your dream. I don't know that I really piped on here for any advise, I just wanted to vent. Thanks for reading. flower_girl

Amber1991 Feel worthless
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I've never been on a forum before but I'm feeling like I need to vent. I'm so sick of feeling like I don't know where I belong and at this point I feel like I will never get ahead in life. Nothing ever seems to go right Im currently unemplo... View more

Hi there, I've never been on a forum before but I'm feeling like I need to vent. I'm so sick of feeling like I don't know where I belong and at this point I feel like I will never get ahead in life. Nothing ever seems to go right Im currently unemployed and have interview after interview but never seem to be good enough. I can't get the motivation to get out of bed in the morning so I always end up waking up around lunchtime or later and when I do wake up all I feel is a sinking worthless feeling. I've had depression since I was 13 and I'm now 24 and starting to think that this is just how my life will always be. I cant study even though I'm not stupid I just can't mentally do it. I don't feel like I belong anywhere and have no idea where my life is heading. I Feel like everyone around me is moving on having children and getting married and I'm stuck, I've always felt different to everyone else and I don't understand how people can just get on with their lives so easily, I struggle to have a shower half the time. Anyway thanks for listening.

GG15Rose First job struggling to cope because of anxiety
  • replies: 10

Hi, I'm 16 years old soon to turn 17 and I would love if anyone here could help me! I have recently gotten a job as my parents have asked me too. I know I need one and I also don't mind he idea of earning my own money. Although, this new job I have i... View more

Hi, I'm 16 years old soon to turn 17 and I would love if anyone here could help me! I have recently gotten a job as my parents have asked me too. I know I need one and I also don't mind he idea of earning my own money. Although, this new job I have is causing me lots of anxiety. I have been woken up by panic attacks and I struggle to convince my self to walk into the job. It is a one on one environment and I have received no proper training. I get very scared that I will do the wrong thing and I am very afraid to serve customers as I fear I will mess up the order as there are many products I do not know. There is a lot of pressure from the boss who I am frequently working with in a one on one environment. The anxiety building up to the day I have to work and before I walk in is getting worse with each shift. I feel sick in my stomach and it puts me in tears. I think the right thing to do is quit the job and find another that is more suitable for me, one that is more structured and has proper training. This anxiety is affecting my daily life and thinking about it makes me feel really sick. I have to tell my parents and I fear they will be mad so I was just hoping maybe someone could tell me whether I am doing the right thing or not?

EKRM Always feel like crying
  • replies: 6

I am 23 and feel so alone. I have family that love me and amazing friends but I can't help but still feel alone. Any guy I have ever gotten close to always ends in "I'm not ready for a relationship". It's just something about me. I just want someone ... View more

I am 23 and feel so alone. I have family that love me and amazing friends but I can't help but still feel alone. Any guy I have ever gotten close to always ends in "I'm not ready for a relationship". It's just something about me. I just want someone to want me, to want to spend time with me, want to see me. I don't really have the courage to talk about it with my friends and family- I guess I'm embarrassed..

sidsthename Depression making doing homework hard
  • replies: 5

Hello, I'm new here. I'm B. So I've lived with anxiety & depression for a number of years (11 years) and my life has involved waves of one, the other, or sometimes a short period (max 2 months) of stability and happiness. I have an incredibly support... View more

Hello, I'm new here. I'm B. So I've lived with anxiety & depression for a number of years (11 years) and my life has involved waves of one, the other, or sometimes a short period (max 2 months) of stability and happiness. I have an incredibly supportive family (my mum is my rock) however they are currently away in Europe, and my sister although she lives at home is rarely actually at home. I have a great treatment team (outreach worker & psychiatrist) who are both seeing me weekly and doing everything they can, but I am still struggling quite a bit at the moment. At the moment my anxiety isn't really an issue, the depression is. I'm so apathetic, unmotivated, lack of concentration, and I am finding it extremely hard to finish my final few assignments. I finish my diploma this week (already finished classes) so got lots of time at home to try and complete my final 3 (HUGE!!!!!) assignments, and I can't even bring myself to do them. Or when I do, I can only concentrate for 5-10 minutes before my brain just does the thing you know in the video YBB made; It's incredibly frustrating, and so I'm finding assignments which should take max 8 hours are taking 5 days. I have one due tomorrow, and another due Tuesday, plus my final one due Thursday and my brain is just ughhhhhhhhhhhh I know I need to keep trying to do them, it's just all really hard.

Mikaela_21 Anxiety - Hot Flashes
  • replies: 5

All through my highschooling life, I've had anxiety someway. In grade 8 I wasn't that bad with my anxiety, I would go red with every presentation in front of the class but that was mainly it, I seemed fairly confident. I did get bullied from time to ... View more

All through my highschooling life, I've had anxiety someway. In grade 8 I wasn't that bad with my anxiety, I would go red with every presentation in front of the class but that was mainly it, I seemed fairly confident. I did get bullied from time to time by mainly popular kids and that would always make me angry and sad. By now my anxiety has gotten bad. I'm in grade 10 and at first my confidence was at an all time high and I was not caring about what people thought about me until this one time in History, some girl was getting in trouble in front of me and everybody in the class was looking and then I started to go really really red. I wanted to run out of the class and right as I looked up as the teacher stopped yelling at the girl one of the really popular guys was looking at me and sort of smiling like; wtf is with her?? . Ever since that moment in History, I've been avoiding that class. My hot flashes are ruining my education and my life. I go red presenting something at school, or even when a teacher asks me a question or when any attention is drawn to or near me. I go red at the supermarket when walking out in the open or at the checkouts. I go red when seeing family like when I say hi when we first get there. I feel so angry and upset with myself that I can't stop doing this. I feel all panicky whenever I go red, my heart beats faster and I get shorter breaths and disconnected from the real world as I feel I'm standing in fire. This feels weird but relieving to talk about my anxiety out in the open. Every night I pray to God about my anxiety, I'm not a religious person but it feels good to talk to somebody. I never talk about my emotions or feelings because of people and my family ignoring me or talking over me etc.. If I were confident I wouldn't ever ever eveeeer take it for granted I would be the happiest girl ever, seriously. I guess I'll never be that confident amazing datable girl, and I have to accept that...

Enigma5555 Paranoia over relationships.
  • replies: 7

Hey guys,I constantly feel like everyone despises me and that I'm a burden to society. People tend to dislike me without reason (especially girls - I'm a female myself), and I was bullied frequently throughout my schooling. Nowadays, I'm terrified th... View more

Hey guys,I constantly feel like everyone despises me and that I'm a burden to society. People tend to dislike me without reason (especially girls - I'm a female myself), and I was bullied frequently throughout my schooling. Nowadays, I'm terrified that my friends only talk to me still because they feel sorry for me. However, this year I met and befriended a guy who I eventually developed a crush on and now, after months of friendship, we're in a relationship. I like him a lot - he's my first ever boyfriend (I'm 18) and we get along really well. But, I feel inadequate around him. I don't understand why he likes me and I've convinced myself that it's only a matter of time before he breaks up with me because I'm really not worth it. He's second guessing this relationship, even though he doesn't appear to be in person. I've essentially just conjured up this entire scenario in my head to make myself feel miserable...I hope. It's hard to separate feelings from fact. And then the fact that I suffer from these episodes of deep depression and self-loathing make me feel obligated to break up with him, because I mean why should I burden him with my mental instability? I'm a mess! This is why I don't think I should ever be in a relationship. In fact, I had previously convinced myself that I would never get into a relationship for this sole reason. Normal people aren't as 'unstable' (at times) as myself.I haven't ever been for a formal diagnosis, but I know that the constant feelings of unworthiness (which have lasted for years) and occasional suicidal thoughts are not healthy, nor are they normal. I just need help with getting over this relationship paranoia, especially around my boyfriend. I hate that when I'm not around him I just succumb to my insecurities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much xxbeyondblue'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.