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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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Mr__Brightside Lonely but crowded.
  • replies: 6

OK. Where to start. This is my first post. I'm almost eighteenth. I'm studying year twelve and the past month has gone from bad to worse. My mood goes up and down in general. (half the family is bipolar) never been diagnosed but I wouldn't be surpris... View more

OK. Where to start. This is my first post. I'm almost eighteenth. I'm studying year twelve and the past month has gone from bad to worse. My mood goes up and down in general. (half the family is bipolar) never been diagnosed but I wouldn't be surprised. Anyway, my more depressed states are happening more frequently and lasting longer. I worry that I'm a sociopath, and I feel so lonely but everyone Is so loud. At my school, I get along well with the others. Most people there have some issues. I only really talk about my problems with this one girl. She's nice but I feel guilty for forcing my issues on her, since I can tell she has her own. I worry about her and lately I feel like I'm only making her more stressed. Not pleasant. I have a problem trusting people and she's one of the few I do. Things no longer interest me. At my worst, I feel like a horrible person who isn't deserving of happiness. My question is has anyone been in a similar position? And what are your suggestions on getting out of this funk? Just a heads up, I am morally against most antidepressants, since I consider them nothing more than sedatives. Thank you all for listening. I'll leave you with a small part of a text I wrote which set off alarm bells and made me decide to join this community. "I am the embodiment of poison. Deadly, painful, silent and unwanted. And so I sit down and watch the world burn. It's pretty boring."

AJ12 Had fight with friend
  • replies: 4

I have a friend I met online 8 years ago and talk regularly online to every day. I'm 23, she's 19. We have seen each other in person 2 times over the last month for the first time (she lives in Perth, I live in Sydney). We are fairly close friends an... View more

I have a friend I met online 8 years ago and talk regularly online to every day. I'm 23, she's 19. We have seen each other in person 2 times over the last month for the first time (she lives in Perth, I live in Sydney). We are fairly close friends and I really like her and want to be in a relationship with her. She knows I like her. She has a boyfriend so it is not possible to be in a relationship currently. However she said they don't plan on being together forever and I told her when she breaks up I will try to show her we should be in a relationship. When she came to my house for one night we had a fairly close night in bed where we touched each other but didn't go further. She is very good to me letting me get close to her because I have never had a partner or had sex and she said she was letting me get close to her so that I wouldn't feel weird getting close to someone if I ever did in the future. We have been talking about the night that happened nearly every day since it happened and sometimes I ask if we might be able to do it again in future if I see her or go even further and she says maybe. Yesterday I was talking to her about it again and she said we might be able to have sex one day, but she also said I only wanted her for that. She had been drinking at the time and abit drunk. The next day I again told her how much I wanted to be with her and she said she didn't think we would be suitable because we are different and she wouldn't want to get into a new relationship straight after finishing one. I stupidly asked her if we might still be able to have sex one day. She got angry about it and said I was only using her for that. While I really want to have sex because I have never had it before, I also really like her and want to be in a relationship with her. I didn't want to use her for sex, I wanted to do it because I really like her. Now it seems that she is not talking to me at all (she said she would ignore my Facebook messages, which she is doing). I'm not sure what to do now. I still really like her and want a relationship or anything. But at the same time I like talking to her as a friend so that would be better than nothing if we can't do anything, but now she won't talk at all. I'm feeling very upset about the situation. I don't know if I should just give her space and she might talk to me again when she isn't annoyed. At the same time I get anxious not knowing what will happen and I can't concentrate on things I have to do like work and university.

auschic I think im depressed- how do I talk to a doctor?
  • replies: 3

I thought I could fight this feeling but it has been going on for too long and I can feel it getting worse. Ive held this in for so long and im finally finding the courage to seek help. Im 19 year old female. I recently had 2 weeks holidays off work,... View more

I thought I could fight this feeling but it has been going on for too long and I can feel it getting worse. Ive held this in for so long and im finally finding the courage to seek help. Im 19 year old female. I recently had 2 weeks holidays off work, you would think that the average person would be out doing stuff. My routine for the whole 2 weeks was: wake up>watch movies/play video games>sleep> repeat. I just stayed in bed the whole time, id eat maybe 1 meal a day. I feel so crappy about it because I took time off work to specifically look for another job, improve my resume, catch up on study and see some friends/go out. I haven't done any of that. When my co workers asked what I did, i made up some lie because why would I say the truth? It sounds so depressing. What makes me feel even worse is Ive been invited out by friends and turned it down every time. Mainly because I just feel as if I have no motivation, I want to go and do these things but I just cant find the motivation to do it therefore I just stay in bed as it requires as little energy as possible. I feel this is becoming a problem and my friends are slowly stopping inviting me places as they know ill say no. Its not because I dont like them, I love them but I just dont feel well. ive had this sick feeling for a long time and I dont know if they understand, to be honest, i dont even know if I myself understand. Its also a real struggle going to work, i know i have to go but somewhere inside is telling me to just stay in bed. I used to be so lively, out going and crazy but i feel myself slowly deteriorating inside. I cant explain it, I just feel nothing and I dont know why. Can anyone else relate and maybe know what my problem is? All I know is im sick of feeling like this, after a long time and I need to fix it because its causing me to miss out on 'the best years of my life' Ive taken the test on beyond blue and I scored high for depression. I just want this feeling to go away and I want to live my life. I know i need to talk to a doctor but I dont know how. What do i say? Do i just go in and say 'hey i think im depressed'? Will they say no im not? The thought terrifies me to be honest. Its all too overwhelming and its just easier to sleep all day. on the topic of sleep, i sleep 11-12 hours at a time. If thats not depressing i dont know what is.

Black_Moonlight Hey, Wanna talk?
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, I am current going through something and i don't know if i am going to ever be the same. What do you guys think i should do ?

Hey guys, I am current going through something and i don't know if i am going to ever be the same. What do you guys think i should do ?

lynalli I don't know what is going on. I think I may be crazy.
  • replies: 21

Hi, For some reason I want to be depressed. I know this is stupid and I shouldn't, but I can't help it. My head hurts when I try to comprehend why I could possibly want to be depressed. I do not mean to devalue anyone else by saying this, but I just ... View more

Hi, For some reason I want to be depressed. I know this is stupid and I shouldn't, but I can't help it. My head hurts when I try to comprehend why I could possibly want to be depressed. I do not mean to devalue anyone else by saying this, but I just can't help it. I think I've lost my mind. Surely someone wouldn't wish to have depression? Yet I do wish that. It's a crazy thought. I have times when I feel down, and times when I'm extremely happy and normal, however I always seem to have that worm in the back of my head wishing I was depressed - even when I'm feeling down. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not crazy, losing my sanity. Common sense tells me no I shouldn't do such and such, but my heart tells me something else. I'm just so confused and don't know what to do! Is this attention seeking without knowing it? I've asked myself that but I've never been an attention. seeking person and do not wish for attention. Once again, I do not mean to offend anyone. I'm sorry if I have but I am genuinely wondering what is going on here. I understand how serious things like this are/can be so please don't perceive this as something it's not. Thanks, Lillian (Also, I don't know if I put this I. the right category - I'm new. If the spacing is messed up, that's because I copied and pasted from Notes on my phone)

Rosie_W Dealing with anxiety and depression at school
  • replies: 4

Hi all, As suggested in the title, I am a school kid still (in year 12) and I have particularly struggled this year with both my social anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I struggle to walk into classrooms, have panic attacks whilst in there and ... View more

Hi all, As suggested in the title, I am a school kid still (in year 12) and I have particularly struggled this year with both my social anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I struggle to walk into classrooms, have panic attacks whilst in there and I am in danger of stuffing up the HSC. I have days where I won't talk at school because I am too down and then I worry that I am being rude and ignoring my friends. It has got to the point where I have been truanting certain classes which is really not ideal! I have many strategies for dealing with this at home (eg deep breathing, ripping up paper, literally wrapping myself in a little blanket and many more) but what are some useful strategies for dealing with panic and depression in a more public setting (such as school)?? Preferably things that don't involve walking out of a room or drawing attention to myself. I would love for suggestions to be related to not just me, but for this thread to generally address ways to deal with anxiety and depression at school so that this can be a place for lots of people to benefit from a range of strategies. Thanks so much in advance for contributing to this thread

-headintheclouds- Anxiety and living in someone's shadow
  • replies: 3

um, so hi. im sorta new here and dont know if anyone will reply to my simple call for help and understanding. so the last year or so has been really hard for me. im the oldest of three kids, and my sister has always been the star of the family. im sm... View more

um, so hi. im sorta new here and dont know if anyone will reply to my simple call for help and understanding. so the last year or so has been really hard for me. im the oldest of three kids, and my sister has always been the star of the family. im smart, but she's smarter. im sorta sporty, but there arent many sports she cant do. even though im older than her by 2 and a hlf years, i feel like im living in her shadow. people always hint or say straight up: "why cant you be more like your sister". my parents have made it worse by always expecting too much of me, always expecting me to be smarter, stronger, sportier. and of lately my depression and anxiety has been getting worse. i try to talk to them, but when i mention getting help, or something like that, they always shut me down and say im faking, or overreacting, and that i just need some sleep or something like that. i had a school debate the other week, and one of my friends had backed out. i was expected to take her spot, but she hadnt given her speech. everyone was pressing me to write it 40mins before the debate, and i couldnt handle all the pressure. i had a severe anxiety attack, but the worst part was, even though my dad was there, when i broke down, he didnt try to comfort me, or anything to help me. he walked away. and it hurt. it hurt that he didnt help me, and it hurt that he was my own father, but he didnt believe me when i said i needed help. after my attack i then had to still sit through the debate because my dad wanted to see how we went. it was also pretty bad because he never even brought it up. when we got home, i nearly started crying because he pretended nothing had happened. i then attempted to tell my mum, but my golden sister decided that then was a great time to start complaining about school and a specific teacher she didnt like. again, i was pushed into the background. no one noticed when i went to my room and cried. im not saying i hate my sister or anything. i just wished my family would notice that im not always the strong older sister they want me to be thanks for listening

proudmum how do i cope when i try doing the right thing and it seems to be still the wrong thing to do?
  • replies: 1

I feel pregnant at 17 i felt alone and so many things happened before i fell pregnant that i am not proud of but should not be the only one suffering . im not sure who my little boys father is because after my ex boyfriend i loved him he was my first... View more

I feel pregnant at 17 i felt alone and so many things happened before i fell pregnant that i am not proud of but should not be the only one suffering . im not sure who my little boys father is because after my ex boyfriend i loved him he was my first and done things i later on regreated im trying to make things right and get a dna test done to finally clear the air but my partner now is making me feel guilty for doing it even though i reassure him that everything will be okay and he has no reason to be worried as i do not feel that way about my ex now i have another baby to this man but he offends me and says that im a gronk and that i will never see my kids again and that i have no rights even if i stood up in court its just offends me and makes me feel really upset , and stressed and depressed im trying to do the right thing but the more i try to fix my path the more i feel like even if i do things still will be wrong anyway but i am doing it for my son not for them so he knows who hes dad is best to do it know rather then later i thought id right to vent and see if anyone has been in this situation what was the outcome? what advice do you have for me ? and also wrote this as i have no one to talk to hope to hear from use soon

Annabel_two_worlds Telling my friend what I'm going through
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, I've been struggling with depression for the last 7 or 8 months at least and its only gotten worse as time goes by, particularly these last couple of months. I think a lot of the reason I'm getting worse is because I feel so alone and b... View more

Hey everyone, I've been struggling with depression for the last 7 or 8 months at least and its only gotten worse as time goes by, particularly these last couple of months. I think a lot of the reason I'm getting worse is because I feel so alone and by myself because I haven't told anyone what I'm going through. I want to tell one of my really close friends who I know I can trust and I know she'll be accepting of it and will only want to do what she can to help me. I just think it'll be good to get off my chest and to have someone checking in on me to see how I'm going, as well as having someone I can talk to about it so I don't feel like I'm struggling through this completely alone. The only thing is I have no idea how to bring it up to her. I mentioned to her that I've been feeling pretty crappy lately and that I'm not having the best time, but I think she meant I was just referring to a bit of a bad week, not a more serious situation. How do I bring up that I'm depressed? And if any of you have had this experience of telling people about your depression how did you approach it, what did you say and did you feel better afterwards? thanks for your responses

Elking Finding my own footing is hurting my friend?
  • replies: 1

My friend and I have a ten year relationship that has fluctuated and grown between dating, friends, platonic life partners. Through a lot of this I have been a very socially anxious person who has had trouble connecting with others in a meaningful wa... View more

My friend and I have a ten year relationship that has fluctuated and grown between dating, friends, platonic life partners. Through a lot of this I have been a very socially anxious person who has had trouble connecting with others in a meaningful way, and a lot of my other friendships were facilitated by their extroverted companionship and encouragement. They've dated other people in this time, which never bothered me or impacted on the strength of our friendship. Last year, while my life was spent between online time and with this friend, I came to recognise how much I was leaning on them and how reliant I had become on them without letting anyone else in- lamenting on the other relationships they were capable of forming. So I challenged myself to work on this. I'm honestly doing really well, I think- it's hard and scary but my world seems so much broader for these steps. I met someone during this- a romantic partner who I came to love very quickly, in a polyamorous relationship. But that is another adventure. This one is about the downward spiral that my long-time friend has fallen into. They've expressed feelings of intruding no matter how much we try to include them and I focus time between just the two of us too. They also express a lot of guilt and self-loathing that derails any conversation about life from a bigger perspective. They very much want to be a part of my life (and I in theirs), but they close off at any sign of change. They're unhappy now, unhappy about future ideas, unhappy about expressing what they want/ say they do not know what they want. I know they spend a lot of energy and effort in tackling their negative feelings towards themself, and I bear no resentment or judgement on this process. But it impacts all of us, all the same. I want to be supportive without pushing them, or pushing my own agenda on them. At the same time, I can't give up my own progress to create the comfort zone we just came from. I'm lost for ideas but I understand I can't force them into finding professional help. Are there other ideas on what to suggest, or a new way to approach this? I love both my romantic partner and my platonic partner so much- but it feels like anything I do that isn't avoiding change/the future/ etc is twisting my friend's arm or dragging them along. I feel so exhausted, hurt and empty handed- would love to hear from anyone's thoughts!