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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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mental rough day
  • replies: 2

had a long day,  been fighting with every one..  

had a long day,  been fighting with every one..  

Choppy I can't touch my phone screen.
  • replies: 5

Hi. I am a teenager and nowadays, all teenagers have a phone and with technology and stuff....I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Anyway, I have an apple iPhone and I've had it for years now. But I cannot touch my screen specifically otherwise I freak out and h... View more

Hi. I am a teenager and nowadays, all teenagers have a phone and with technology and stuff....I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Anyway, I have an apple iPhone and I've had it for years now. But I cannot touch my screen specifically otherwise I freak out and have to clean it. Other people's phones are fine to touch as I want to keep my stylus clean and touching my stylus with someone else's screen would make my stylus dirty and unusable unless I bathe it in vinegar. I don't know if this is OCD. I don't know why I won't touch it. It just doesn't feel right, even when I touch other's screens. I feel uncomfortable and I must clean it. My current stylus is currently wearing down and I have to buy new ones that'll take forever to arrive. But a crappy stylus is better than no stylus. Sigh. I screamed in class today because my friend touched the screen after eating. It was so embarrassing. I didn't even mean to. But alas, thank you for reading anyway.

Jess_Black Depression Diagnoses
  • replies: 2

I have recently been clinically diagnosed with depression , and when I found out, I felt even worse in myself, and cried the whole night and next day, is it normal? Or am I even worse than they originally thought?

I have recently been clinically diagnosed with depression , and when I found out, I felt even worse in myself, and cried the whole night and next day, is it normal? Or am I even worse than they originally thought?

kelliew I can't handle the social anxiety anymore
  • replies: 2

I've been struggling with social anxiety for about 3 years now. It got bad when I started university, it was a whole new environment and i couldn't handle it. Everyday was a constant battle with myself and I felt i had no control over my life. I cons... View more

I've been struggling with social anxiety for about 3 years now. It got bad when I started university, it was a whole new environment and i couldn't handle it. Everyday was a constant battle with myself and I felt i had no control over my life. I constantly thought people were judging me and criticising me, i was paranoid all the time. It got worse and i started getting panic attacks. I realised that the way i was feeling and acting wasn't normal, so i went and saw a psychologist. He taught me some good relaxing techniques to calm me down and helped me control the bad thoughts. And i got a bit better after that, i had a good period, i tried really hard to get out of my comfort zone. But then it just slowly built up again and the next year i dropped out of university. Not just because of the social anxiety but also because i didn't like it. Up until now my social anxiety hasn't gotten worse but its still always there, i still struggle with it everyday i have just gotten use to it i guess, I try to block it out. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a bit over a year ago, which has been quite hard to deal with, its always in the back of my mind. Its just another thing about my body that I have no control over. Im now in college studying again. Ive always been ambitious, i wanted to go back to school and get a good job because my future freaks me out a lot. If I'm going to get a good job etc. Im also a perfectionist which stresses me out a lot, especially when it comes to school and my grades. I have made a few friends, but not close ones. I sit with them in some of my classes but not the lectures. We don't speak that much, i find it so hard to make small talk or keep the conversation going. Its exhausting! I hate going to college sometimes because I'm just scared that I'm going to embarrass myself or say something stupid. And I'm scared that the teacher is going to ask me a question because my mind goes blank and i feel everyone stares at me and is judging me and i start sweating. Its just been building up and i can't talk to anyone about it because I'm embarrassed that I'm like this way. I just don't want to be like this anymore, and i try so hard to switch the negative thoughts off but i just can't. What scares me the most is how long am I going to be like this. How am i going to meet people, get a job, finish university? I have tried everything. I was wondering what someones thoughts on antidepressants is, and if it might help me?

Jukee Social Anxiety
  • replies: 4

So for the past 6 years close to 7 ever since I've left school I left early as it wasn't for me and ever since I've really never left my house I lost all my friends and haven't really got anyone I can really call a friend besides my dog, I don't exac... View more

So for the past 6 years close to 7 ever since I've left school I left early as it wasn't for me and ever since I've really never left my house I lost all my friends and haven't really got anyone I can really call a friend besides my dog, I don't exactly know what the issue is but I feel as if its some sort of anxiety I find it really hard leaving the house I feel like everybody is just looking at me and judging and I can't handle it to the point I didn't even want to be the niece and nephews god father because I was too scared to get up in front of people I really find it hard doing things a normal 19 year old should be doing I've never worked a day in my life and have only ever had one interview I physically cannot go out and talk to people I find it really difficult and it saddens me some days I feel down and think I'm stupid and worthless I haven't exactly told my parents much of this they believe it's just "Confidence" and keep trying to push me into things I physically know that I cannot do and I just find it extremely difficult and it's putting a lot of stress on me and I don't think i'd ever tell them I don't know why I just can't do that and I don't think I would ever be able to tell them my mother wants me to go see a doctor but I just can't do that I feel as if i'm weak seeking help for 4 years now I've told myself that I can fix this on my own but I feel as if nothings going anywhere I'm still sitting in my house doing nothing with my life I don't even know what's wrong I just want to be a normal 19 year old. If I go out I have to be drinking and had a good amount of alcohol to socialize with anyone otherwise I'll sit there on my own too scared to talk to anyone. Sorry for the thread being very long but if there's anyone else out there that is also going through something like this I'd love to know so I know i'm not the only one or if anyone thinks they may have an idea as to what I may be going through that'd also be great.

kellbby Beat depression?
  • replies: 2

hey guys just wondering if I could have some tips on how to get my mind positive, and keep it off the thought of depression?

hey guys just wondering if I could have some tips on how to get my mind positive, and keep it off the thought of depression?

Daisyv33 Trapped in depression and loneliness
  • replies: 9

My heart is smashed into a million pieces and it can never be fixed. I held this depression for 9 years and still i can't accept that i don't belong to the community. I'm always lonely, must mean that i don't have a good personality or something that... View more

My heart is smashed into a million pieces and it can never be fixed. I held this depression for 9 years and still i can't accept that i don't belong to the community. I'm always lonely, must mean that i don't have a good personality or something that i'm just not accepted for. I can never meet someone who would understand me, maybe i did but they moved schools and this always have to end the friendship. I even explained to some classmates but they didn't bother to help and they think i'm over reacting. I try to follow my classmates just to allow myself feel belong like everyone but all that happens in the end is i'm replace but someone else. I've heard some stories that staring a youtube channel will make you feel special, but that didn't help me. I tried speaking to counsellors but all i'm given is the respond to exactly how i feel, the points about how to feel better didn't help me much. I'm still trapped. Everyone hates me, i don't belong, i don't understand why i'm alive, i wish i wasn't born in the first place. 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;}

hann1805 Things are going downhill fast
  • replies: 7

I've been suffering anxiety and depression for years now, I went through a really rough patch mid last year and after nearly 6 years of going without medical help I finally plucked up the courage to talk to a GP about everything and it helped a lot. ... View more

I've been suffering anxiety and depression for years now, I went through a really rough patch mid last year and after nearly 6 years of going without medical help I finally plucked up the courage to talk to a GP about everything and it helped a lot. I even got to the point where my doc was okay with lowering and eventually stopping my medication. In December last year, the store my boyfriend and I worked at went under and over 40 people lost their jobs along with us. We were looking at apartments to finally move out together and then all the money we saved to move out suddenly moved to keeping ourselves afloat until one of us could get a job, we also discussed that I would finish my diploma as I am eligible for gov benefits but he isn't so he would look for a job. Nearly 5 months later and he still hasn't found a job and I am almost finished studying. I'm finding my anxiety and depression is the worst it's been in my life. I cannot for the life of me get out of bed in the morning anymore, I'm only a subject away from finishing my diploma but have no motivation to do anything. I'm finding nothing I do makes me happy anymore, I unfortunately snap at my boyfriend over petty things, my self esteem is at an all time low, I have trouble accepting the fact that he really does love me. I live with him and his parents because I can't support myself and I honestly feel paranoid that they're talking behind my back about me, regardless of whether I'm pulling my weight or not. I feel like I'm just a burden on them. I know I need to see my GP again and I will next week but I just don't know what else to do anymore, I just can't seem to find happiness in anything anymore.

Belle1994 Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 4

This is my first time posting. I guess I just want to write down how I'm feeling somewhere Ive never told anyone that I feel this way and when I try they tell me that I'm just over reacting and that I need to get over it. For years Ive told myself I ... View more

This is my first time posting. I guess I just want to write down how I'm feeling somewhere Ive never told anyone that I feel this way and when I try they tell me that I'm just over reacting and that I need to get over it. For years Ive told myself I don't actually have a mental condition and that I was just seeking attention. But after eight years of feeling this way I know it can't be that. I think I have dysthymia (chronic depression) I've done lots of research and it describes me perfectly. Im constantly sad and tired. I feel hopeless and like I can't ever be bothered doing anything. I don't really enjoy anything. I'm scared that if I don't get help I'll just stay this way forever, being alive but not actually living or really feeling anything. I also believe that I have anxiety. I get anxiety over just about anything but its mainly triggered by social encounters. My friends and family think I'm just shy and anti-social its more than that. Going to class or answering my phone gives me anxiety attacks. This usually happens at least once a day. I can't breathe, my heart starts beating really fast, I get really hot and I feel like I'm going to throw up. They happen so regularly that I can carry on a conversation while one is happening because Im so used to it. I know I need to change my life if I have any chance of actually being happy. But I'm not sure how. I know I want to drop out of university because I hate it and I'm not even interested in the career path I'm on. I know I want to leave where I'm living now and move back home with my parents. I know I need help. I just don't know how. I don't know how to talk to the people around me and I don't know how to get professional help. If anyone can give me any tips on how to get any sort of help that would be really great. Otherwise I know it would be helpful to hear from anyone going through something similar who can give me any kind of advice Thanks Belle x

talen Depression's the norm, not the exception.
  • replies: 3

I've been "depressed" for about 4 years now—I'm using quotes because, well...my experience with it has been completely bizarre. If you looked at my life on paper, you'd never think I was depressed. Relatively speaking, things are good (and not just i... View more

I've been "depressed" for about 4 years now—I'm using quotes because, well...my experience with it has been completely bizarre. If you looked at my life on paper, you'd never think I was depressed. Relatively speaking, things are good (and not just in a superficial way). I have longtime friends, a caring family, I've accomplished a lot of things that I know are meaningful. But on the inside, it's like someone dunked me in bleach. Emotionally, I'm completely blank 95% of the time. I don't feel sad or angry. Just empty. I don't know why it started. It just kind of crept up on me. At first it was really hard. I'd just sit around doing nothing, because I had no sense of emotional motivation/direction—for big things (life goals), or even small things (interacting with people). For example, someone at school would tell a joke. I would normally expect to laugh. Instead, it was like the feeling just never came. Like someone had gone in and snipped wires in my brain. Now I'm better at it. Essentially, I just fake everything. It works. But it's exhausting. I have to think about every decision I make and everything I do rationally. And even though I do all the things that should help me feel better (tons of exercise, playing in a band, reading, talking to lots of different people), none of it has the slightest effect on me. Even though I'm fine on the surface, I can't make emotional connections with anything or anyone (even though they might be connected to me). Overall, I'm just completely burned out and I'm not sure what to do about it.