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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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Tulra I don't know what to do.
  • replies: 1

I'm almost 15 and lately I have been feeling like everything I used to be good at I am now terrible at, I can't focus in what used to be my favourite subjects in school (Science and Maths), my spelling has been getting worse and worse lately to the p... View more

I'm almost 15 and lately I have been feeling like everything I used to be good at I am now terrible at, I can't focus in what used to be my favourite subjects in school (Science and Maths), my spelling has been getting worse and worse lately to the point where I can't even tell if I am spelling words correctly or incorrectly. Sometimes I just feel so out of it that I can't bother even pretending to be ok, but when my friends ask me what's wrong I just lie at tell them that everything is wrong, but this doesn't work of course and they can tell I am lying, but it sort of feels like they just don't care enough to dig deeper, or maybe they are and I am just pushing them away, and among many other things, (rapid changes in appetite, extreme tiredness 24/7, lying to get out of social situations, that sinking feeling whenever someone calls my family that the call might be for me, not having the energy to do things that I used to enjoy such as videogames and drawing, etc.) the worst part is that I can't tell anyone that I am feeling this way because if I do I know they will think I am lying because my sister was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety disorder and my best friend was diagnosed with extreme OCD, Anxiety, and severe manic depression to the point of self harm. It's not worth telling anyone because among the reasons in the paragraph above, if I tell someone they will just dismiss it as me thinking I have a disease because I used to be a very bubbly and charismatic child, but lately I have just had a quiet and false front that is a poor attempt at feigning kindness. I just feel so bad at what makes me ME, I feel like I have lost my identity.

Idonteven Nothing interests me anymore
  • replies: 1

First time posting in a forum like this. I am a 23y/o male, work full time for a big company that looks after me, currently renting an apartment by myself in a great location. I feel like I have a great life and in no way should be complaining, but I... View more

First time posting in a forum like this. I am a 23y/o male, work full time for a big company that looks after me, currently renting an apartment by myself in a great location. I feel like I have a great life and in no way should be complaining, but I don't enjoy anything. Nothing interests me and there is nothing that I look forward to. Not really sure what to write so I guess I will just share my story that I think has led to me feeling this way. I guess I really started feeling this way a couple years ago. I was still with my girlfriend (we dated for just over 2 years, broke up in December 2014), we rented a place together, had a couple cats, she got along with my family really well. Then all of a sudden my girlfriend and sister stopped talking to each other over something really stupid and everything started going downhill. Family get togethers always became fights and when we did go it would just be awkward. We stopped going for a while to let my GF and sister get over it, that never happened. Anyway, all of this resulted in a heap of fights. Each fight would usually end with me wanting to end the relationship and her never letting me leave. Eventually I just had enough and I never came back. My GF was taken off the lease and I stayed in the house with the cats for a few months. I was handling it really well, then the lease ended and they didn't want to renew the lease. I wasn't really expecting this, I always kept the place tidy and never once missed a payment in 12 months. I started getting really stressed about this because I would now have to find a new place and move by myself, while coping with work (which we have a big project happening so is crazy busy). But the thing that stressed me most was that I would have to get rid of the cats. Eventually I found a new place and found a home for the cats (I didnt really like where they went but it was that or the RSPCA..). I feel like I am on top of work for once, have a good relationship with my friends and family, but I still cant enjoy anything. I just feel like there is nothing I look forward to and I dont enjoy anything that I do. The last time I remember looking forward to anything was when I could go home and tell my GF about my day. I want nothing more than to talk to her and see how she is, but I know that will just make things harder and we will be back to square one. I have tried meeting other people but I am hopeless and have no idea what I am doing, all I know is what I did when I was with my GF.

melly06 Is the depressed leading the depressed really just the blind leading the blind? - Depressed Relationship
  • replies: 3

I was diagnosed with depression at 12 and later diagnosed with anxiety at 16. I am now 21 and have struggled with these for most of my memory. I'm from NZ. I met my (aussie) boyfriend while holidaying in Sydney and ended up staying here to be with hi... View more

I was diagnosed with depression at 12 and later diagnosed with anxiety at 16. I am now 21 and have struggled with these for most of my memory. I'm from NZ. I met my (aussie) boyfriend while holidaying in Sydney and ended up staying here to be with him. He also has depression as well as anger management issues that are becoming increasingly hard for me to deal with At the moment there is a lot going wrong in both of our lives. We are really trying to hold each other up and support each other, but it’s hard when we are both feeling so desolate. I don’t like living in Sydney and want to be closer to my family. His work contract ended a month ago and he hasn’t had the energy to job hunt. Because of thi, he is moving out of his apartment and in with me as I can no longer afford both the rents on my receptionist salary. I don’t want this. I detest my job and want something less stressful. His Pop died which has sent him spiralling down. His family are having severe issues and we are both struggling with the fallouts from that. I have also torn my ankle ligament, and as someone whose passions and emotion-control have always included soccer and running I don’t have enthusiasm for anything in Sydney anymore. I am so lonely here in Sydney, and he doesn’t understand you can be loved by someone and be lonely in all other aspects of your life I am used to dealing with my depression solo as I know how to calm myself down when I am panicking and can’t breathe, or when I am crying so much I am wailing. Together with councillors I developed coping mechanisms, which all have to be done by myself in order to calm down. Problem – If I am really struggling, so is he. I want to be left alone when depressed however he can’t stand the thought of being by himself. It got to the peak last night at 2am after I had a depressive episode and I wanted to go for a walk to breathe, and he forcibly held me in his arms and refused to let me go, even when I struggled and fought back, because he didn’t want me to leave him, even for 10 minutes. Should I have put his needs above what I know is best for me? What do I do when it contrasts so directly with what he needs? My boyfriend and I's emotions are both so connected, if one of us is struggling we drag the other down. It really does feel like the blind leading the blind, because we are both so unstable in our emotions. I was wondering if anyone else is in a relationship where both people have a mental illness? How do you cope with this?

fastgirl_36 Wanted: Boyfriend Help.
  • replies: 6

First time forum. I have recently been diagnosed with severe depression. I am a final year University student, highly successful in my chosen sport as well as managing my own part-time catering business, part-time job and also a boyfriend of a year a... View more

First time forum. I have recently been diagnosed with severe depression. I am a final year University student, highly successful in my chosen sport as well as managing my own part-time catering business, part-time job and also a boyfriend of a year and a half. My boyfriend is the most bright, bubbly, funny and caring guy. One of those gems you find once every blue moon and I adore him. Though with my serious depression he seems to cop a lot which worrys me. Lately I have been having some very bad days. Crying beyond control, lack of sleep and eating. I can see its worrying him though most days I tend to try and push him away. I constantly worry that he won't love me anymore because of my depression and that its a burden on him. I try and push him away when all he wants to do is help. He doesn't know what to do and neither do I. I have constant thoughts of wanting to break up with him just so he doesn't have to deal with my depression baggage. Please help me

Vb Dont swim to close, i am drowning.
  • replies: 3

Im 21 year old male, and i dont know what to do. im getting help but im just getting worse. Tonight is the third time in a row ive cried myself to sleep, i have no friends my roommate hates me. I live off a couple sandwiches a day, but i guess i dont... View more

Im 21 year old male, and i dont know what to do. im getting help but im just getting worse. Tonight is the third time in a row ive cried myself to sleep, i have no friends my roommate hates me. I live off a couple sandwiches a day, but i guess i dont really need energy if i never leave my room. Ive just started to drink on a regular basis just to numb how i feel. i moved to the gold coast from Tasmania to get away from all my familys issues and to find a job but who wants to hire someone with no experience or a licence. my room mate hates me because i wont clean or do anything and ive given up trying to find work and she knows it. She has put the fridge, microwave, toaster, plates everything you can think of in her room and i have nothing. I want to leave but i have no where to go, i dont want to live with someone i dont know because ill just be the same there. At this point living on the street is looking viable, the lease runs out in 2 months so ill have no choice soon enough. I have no one, i dont tell anyone about how i feel and i know it might help but i already feel like im below everyone i dont want to be looked at like more of a downer. Most people have girlfriends to help them through things but not me, only ever been in one relationship and it lasted three days.

Saber14 I feel like I'm slipping
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and depression a couple of years ago and did see a psychologist a few times; I did like her and she understood me but I always try and soldier through my hard times without trying to rely on anyone. I... View more

I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and depression a couple of years ago and did see a psychologist a few times; I did like her and she understood me but I always try and soldier through my hard times without trying to rely on anyone. I have been suffering with flair ups that occur every few months, I haven't had one for a while - since I started my medication. I am however having a hard time at the moment and I'm really disappointed that my medication doesn't seem to be helping anymore. I thought I was one of the lucky ones who found a good match the first time round. Up until a couple of months ago I worked in a call centre which made my anxiety a lot worse than it ever was before. I would constantly feel sick, light headed, my heart would race. Towards the end of my time there, I would have crying episodes where I would be set off by the smallest of things; someone's tone of voice etc. I've started to get these feelings again where I feel like people are angry at me or look down on me etc. I started a new job recently which is fine, I've worked for this company before so I'm familiar with the job and work. I felt physically ill for the first 3 weeks every day before I started work and I'm actually feeling my heart racing now as I'm writing this. I thought I was leaving a job that made me feel this way and now I've gotten myself into another one. I just don't think I'm ever going to be happy. I have my wedding coming up later this year and I'm really excited about it but I always stress about money and we never seem to have enough no matter how hard we try, so it always puts a dampener on it. I seem to be easily set off these days, my temper has always been short but lately it's worse, like it used to be before I started my medication. I feel like my attitude, my moods affect my relationship. He loves me and would do anything for me but sometimes I feel like I don't deserve it. I wonder why someone would want to be with someone like me. I often feel like he'll find someone better than me and will leave me. I don't like it when he talks to some girls because I'm afraid he'll replace me. I've discussed this with him and of course he's understanding of why I am the way I am and reinforces that he loves me. I don't doubt this at all but I've had so much distrust in my past that it's hard to give myself any self worth. I feel so helpless and like I will always been dealing with being this way and I don't know what to do. Thank you.

rino looking for some people to connect with
  • replies: 2

hi allim a nearly 20 year old male. recently im coming out of some hard times and looking too connect with some people. i think its really important for me to try an be social, as for a long time i havent been. ive had too many fake people and snakes... View more

hi allim a nearly 20 year old male. recently im coming out of some hard times and looking too connect with some people. i think its really important for me to try an be social, as for a long time i havent been. ive had too many fake people and snakes in my life and really want to have real connections with people, when i was in a hazy mind state i didnt identify these problems at all. now im left with no one, times change people change. im very independent guy, i like to think of myself as a down to earth that dosent bother with drama and just tells it howit is. what im lacking is connecting with others and healthy relationships. my social skills are not fantastic im a bit awkward at times but i need to start somewhere.thankyou

Madara121 I have a problem with trust.
  • replies: 2

I'm in year 9 right now and although i have a myriad of other issues, the one that holds me back most is trust. this year i've been approached by both romantic interests, and people who want to be my friend several times. I always turn them down. The... View more

I'm in year 9 right now and although i have a myriad of other issues, the one that holds me back most is trust. this year i've been approached by both romantic interests, and people who want to be my friend several times. I always turn them down. They're either to popular, pretty, or smart to even give me the time of day, which is why it doesn't make sense that they care about me. the most popular girl in the grade asked me out today and i turned her down because her friends were with her and i thought that it was a setup for some sick joke. later that day i overheard her friends trying to comfort her after the rejection. the problem i need help in though isn't my relationship with her. it's my tendency to never trust people early on. i know what it stems from but i don't know how to handle my lack of trust and it's made me make terrible decisions i can never take back please help me try and be more trusting.

nicegirl93 in need of some girlfriends and guy friends
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone my names Cassie ad I'm 22 years old I'm really struggling with things I don't want to talk about because they make me down I joined this forum as a last resort tonight like you all probably have too.. I'm hoping to chat and make friendsh... View more

Hey everyone my names Cassie ad I'm 22 years old I'm really struggling with things I don't want to talk about because they make me down I joined this forum as a last resort tonight like you all probably have too.. I'm hoping to chat and make friendships like meet up for coffees and stuff like that with anyone that's willing to talk and stuff if you want to know a bit about me I like clothes travel I'm kind of girly I also drink and smoke

Anonymouz Given up.
  • replies: 5

Hi all, still surprised I'm actually writing this I guess I just had to get it off my chest since I don't really talk about it only to a psychologist which hasn't helped.. I'm just so done, everyone annoys me ( they only have to say the littlest thin... View more

Hi all, still surprised I'm actually writing this I guess I just had to get it off my chest since I don't really talk about it only to a psychologist which hasn't helped.. I'm just so done, everyone annoys me ( they only have to say the littlest thing ) , I have nothing to live for, no job, never happy. can't keep distracting my depressing mind with a computer/tv anymore. Only a couple friends which I'm to much of a snob to even talk to due to anxiety/depression so they're just drifting away...I've been on different antidepressants for a few years now also and no luck...Safe to say that I don't think any will work and if so I'm just losing patience...I've read about people on here having depression for 5 years+ and just know that'll be me.. Sad thing is I'm only 20 too so you'd think I'd have a whole life ahead of me but nope...Sorry for wasting your time reading this.. 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.