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A space for people aged 12-25 to discuss life. If you’re over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect.

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romantic_thi3f Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies
  • replies: 51

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are i... View more

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are important. Your grades don’t define you. (support) Studying can feel isolating but know you’re not alone! Reach out – and find or make friends that can support you along the way. If you’re having trouble finding some friends, join some local communities or clubs! They have lots at Uni’s and even stuff like open days are great ways to meet new people and find out what’s happening. Study groups can also be a great way to meet people and stay motivated. Also remind yourself why you’re doing this; inspirational wallpapers or quotes can be super inspiring. Remember the saying about the oxygen mask? If you can’t take care of yourself first studying will be harder. You are important. You know the drill - water, food, exercise, sleep. Try to stay calm. Stuff that might be able to help include mindfulness, breathing exercises, colouring in, going for walks, journaling, listening to music… If you’re struggling – reach out. See a therapist. Talk to your student counsellor. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also lots of Universities and TAFE offer disability services – which includes conditions like Depression and Anxiety. (study) Find the right study space for you. Maybe that’s in your room, or a coffee shop, or the library. Some people find that noise helps; other people not so much. If you like particular kinds of noise, you can find ‘coffee shop’ noise or ‘rain sounds’ to help concentrate. Make a plan. It helps to do it often so it becomes a habit. Anytime you get a due date, write it down. Maybe you could use a diary, planner, bullet journal or an app. I find the 30/30 App helpful - study for a bit and then break for a bit. You can also get add-on’s for your computer to block sites like Facebook if you find them too distracting. Find out what study technique works for you. Do you like cue cards? Mind maps? Colour coding? Does highlighting stuff help you remember? Charts, maps, diagrams? Recorded lectures? Goals! These are so important – not just writing down deadlines but rewarding yourself for meeting them. Even making smaller goals like ‘read two pages from a textbook’ can help. Break it down into bite size pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself after!

Sophie_M NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first
  • replies: 0

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindfu... View more

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this forum is a space for younger people to connect and provide peer support for each other. 2. Content from this sub-forum is displayed on both the beyondblue and youthbeyondblue websites. 3. Please bear in mind that some members find content relating to suicide and/or self-harm distressing or triggering. If you would like to post on these topics, please do so in our Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm section. Please see also our guidelines for making posts on this topic. Posts made here in the Young People sub-forum containing content relating to suicide and/or self-harm will be moved. 4. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straightaway. Information on how our system works can be found here. Being familiar with our community rules can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. 5. This is a peer support community, and to get the best out of being here we recommend that you 'give support to receive support'. More on how that works here.

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Charlotte_apos_sPain Sinking again..
  • replies: 2

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. I have had depression since I was about 12 or 13. But this year I finally went to the doctor and spoke to someone about it, because I could feel myself slipping into that d... View more

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. I have had depression since I was about 12 or 13. But this year I finally went to the doctor and spoke to someone about it, because I could feel myself slipping into that dark hole that has, over the years, become home. The biggest impact it had on me was a lack of sleep. At first, I felt relieved that I didn't have to hide it anymore, that I wouldn't have to pretend I was happy when I wasn't. But that's not the case. I don't want to mope around all the time. I haven't told everyone in my family, especially my mum. It's not too hard to hide because I don't live with her anymore. But I just cant tell her, even though I want to. It's hard to be depressed enough that I need to speak to a counselor and take medication, but still 'normal' enough that I have to go through every day like I'm fine. I'm not fine. About a month ago I stopped taking my medication, which was okay for a few days but since then I have felt more anxious and depressed than ever. And recently I have started to feel like anything good that might come in the future is not worth the pain I am going through now. I used to be able to be lonely and depressed and hold it in. It's harder now, and maybe that's because it's not a secret anymore. Being alone used to be my safe haven.

ellie123 I just want someone to talk to
  • replies: 3

I have had depression for 6 years now and I've only just turned 20. It sparked from my OCD and anxiety disorder and as one of the three gets worse the other follow. I just can't seem to get on top of it and I've been trying so hard. I haven't ever to... View more

I have had depression for 6 years now and I've only just turned 20. It sparked from my OCD and anxiety disorder and as one of the three gets worse the other follow. I just can't seem to get on top of it and I've been trying so hard. I haven't ever told anyone that I am depressed because it would hurt them too much. Ive had a cousin commit suicide when I was in Yr 12 and i watched it destroy her family and i could never do that to my family and friends. Ive always pretended I'm okay and appear to everyone else that I'm happy. Constantly helping others and talking to them and helping them out with things in their lives. Now i just feel like I've lied to them for so long that its too late to tell them. I was also raped last year. this took everything i had left. Im so empty and lonely, and exhausted from putting on my smile. The past few months I've been at my lowest point. Im so close to giving up but i know i can't. I don't low what else to do, I've tried anti depressants and they didn't help. Ive started held harming.Like i siad, i would NEVER commitsuicide, but i think about it constantly. Im so trapped inside my own head and i just don' t know what to do anymore.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.

sonsofanarchy I feel like a damn loser
  • replies: 9

I'm a male 23 years old, never kissed anyone, never dated anyone, never had sex with anyone. I've never even had a real female friend. I hate it, I hate it so much it makes me want to punch holes through the wall. I am so angry, so frustrated, and it... View more

I'm a male 23 years old, never kissed anyone, never dated anyone, never had sex with anyone. I've never even had a real female friend. I hate it, I hate it so much it makes me want to punch holes through the wall. I am so angry, so frustrated, and it makes me almost want to cry. I know what I'm feeling is only temporary and it will go away next week, but it doesn't change the facts! I am successful in everything I need except this one part of life, I am a miserable failure. I feel so lonely and I worry that I'll be like this forever. Don't say that I am still very young; the past 3 years went by in a second for me, another 10 is nothing. What I have failed to achieved, 95% of the population would have easily achieved. I see everyone around me happy with their partners and some even becoming engaged. I feel like an inferior product, a genetic failure, and a person that no one could love. It's pathetic. I'm seriously thinking about going to a brothel but I fear this would be a waste of money and that it would brand me a loser for life.

Andrew5 Not really sure what to do anymore
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I am a 21 year old uni student and I have lost all motivation and drive in my life. I feel alone and unwanted most days and feel like i am drifting away from my family and friends. This is my first time speaking out about my health and feel... View more

Hi there, I am a 21 year old uni student and I have lost all motivation and drive in my life. I feel alone and unwanted most days and feel like i am drifting away from my family and friends. This is my first time speaking out about my health and feelings. Most days out of the week I find myself thinking about suicide. I really need help and someone to talk to 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;}

BazM Feeling exhausted and lost
  • replies: 3

Hi, my name is Baz, Im an 18 yr old university student and I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder with panic attacks about 3 months ago. I have actually been suffering from anxiety for over 3 years but I managed to keep it to myself for a ... View more

Hi, my name is Baz, Im an 18 yr old university student and I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder with panic attacks about 3 months ago. I have actually been suffering from anxiety for over 3 years but I managed to keep it to myself for a very long time because i didnt know how to explain it to those around me. At the start of this year, my anxiety became much worse to the point that I couldn't hide it anymore. I found it difficult if not impossible to leave the house and I was always coming with excuses to stay at home. I have become more and more isolated to the point I havent seen my friends in over 6 months. I can only concentrate on my study and even that is becoming hard to do. When i decided to seek medical help 4 months ago, my GP referred to me to a psychologist who I have been seeing since. For the first month, I thought i was getting better but after such a long time of suffering, it becomes almost easy to tell when you're lying to yourself. Now, Im on medication to help me but I still feel like im getting worse by the day. I feel like im just getting through each day just so i can go to sleep at night and forget about everything for a few hours. Lately, the anxiety has made me feel helpless and depressed. I go to see my psychologist because I have to and not because its actually helping me. Im so very exhausted, so so so tired. I'd be lying once again if i said suicidal thoughts havent crossed my mind. When the thought comes to mind, it almost catches me off guard and I try to quickly think of something else. I dont know what to do because i feel that even medical help is not having much of an effect. Thanks.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 224636.

Little_Rascal sleep in the old days
  • replies: 3

I recently read an article about how people used to have split sleep cycle, 4 hours sleep then a 4 hour awake period then sleep untill the sun came up. We then cut out the awake period for efficiency. It's funny how many people with "mental illness" ... View more

I recently read an article about how people used to have split sleep cycle, 4 hours sleep then a 4 hour awake period then sleep untill the sun came up. We then cut out the awake period for efficiency. It's funny how many people with "mental illness" have a similar sleep cycle .. well I do at least. ..

Little_Rascal email to a family member
  • replies: 9

m looking for advice I suppose ... My counselor is a passive woth this topic and my bf and mother are too opinionated. A family wedding is coming up and after rsvping i realized an uncle who was inappropriate will be there, my aunt knows what happene... View more

m looking for advice I suppose ... My counselor is a passive woth this topic and my bf and mother are too opinionated. A family wedding is coming up and after rsvping i realized an uncle who was inappropriate will be there, my aunt knows what happened he admitted it, she didn't believe me and asked me not to tell anyone so it didn't tear the family apart. I feel it's necessary for my healing to make it clear to her that I would not have been ok with him being there. But after a fight with my dad (sperm donor, also knows what happened and my aunt is his sister) he told my cousin who is organizing the wedding that i wont be there before I got a chance to finish the email or come up with a decent excuse. The sperm donor will be very vocal about my issues with him and our fight so the family will think im not going because I have daddy issues. .. I have finished the email and was wondering of I could get spme advice on it? I don't want to cause problems in the family but I need to make my point heard. Please let me know of someone is willing to read it and give me advice

sar89 Am I depressed?
  • replies: 4

I don't even know if I have the right to be posting. Am I depressed? Do I just need to toughen up and be grateful for what I do have? Basically I had an excellent childhood (probably too good, maybe I expect too much), followed by getting on the wron... View more

I don't even know if I have the right to be posting. Am I depressed? Do I just need to toughen up and be grateful for what I do have? Basically I had an excellent childhood (probably too good, maybe I expect too much), followed by getting on the wrong side of a 'popular' girl at school which lead to me being depressed. It changed my personality and destroyed my confidence. But I bounced back and over the next 6 years I was generally happy, although the smallest thing would make me feel down, self conscious, etc. I expected life to continue to get better and it did for a while, I went overseas and had a long term relationship. The relationship failed (which is fine) but once it was over, I realised all my friends from before the relationship had left town, I had no one. To make matters worse I had recently got a chronic illness, which was part of the reason my ex bf left me too, which has made me incredibly self conscious about it to this day. I aimed to start fresh this year. I had a new job and 'knew' I would meet many single, like minded people. Wrong, 6 months in and I've realised the workplace is too busy for social relationships and 99% of the people are in serious relationships, having kids, etc. They aren't interested in single people activities. The realisation has set in that this could be my life forever, boring, alone and wishing for more and that's depressing. I do just feel weak though, I mean I don't really have anything, other than a lack of friends, to get upset about. But I guess I want to be enjoying my 20's, having fun with friends, travelling, finding a husband and having kids, but I cant do any of this as I don't want to/can't alone and I have lost the confidence to initiate anything due to rejection. Eg, invite 20 people to b'day, only 3 show up. I'm starting to lose interest and motivation to even try and have a social life, which just makes me even more miserable. So I guess my issues are a lack of social group and an ever growing reduction in confidence. With confidence I have got to the point where I am too self conscious to go on a date or mingle with new people, so it doesn't exactly help the social group issue. I should also mention I live in a small town, no matter where I go or what I do there is always someone from my past with some gossip, which is hard to deal with when confidence is already low. So am I depressed or on the verge of? Or just miserable? And any advice?

Nicolitared Gone all red
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have never experienced anxiety before so this is overwhelming for me. for the past year i have experienced feelings of nervousness, agitation and becoming easily embarrassed! When i get nervous or stressed by chest becomes red and blotchy, my f... View more

Hi, I have never experienced anxiety before so this is overwhelming for me. for the past year i have experienced feelings of nervousness, agitation and becoming easily embarrassed! When i get nervous or stressed by chest becomes red and blotchy, my face becomes red like im massively blushing, i feel really hot and uncomfortable! Socially its very awkward and i hate it! i used to never have a problem with public speaking and being in a large group, now i just cant handle it. Im always consciously thinking "is my face red?" " dont say anything or walk away otherwise you will go red" i have good and bad days sometimes im confident and dont care sometimes im so self conscience. I know its a conscious thing i have to control my thoughts but how do i do this? Its all i think about everyday! What do i do???

dazedandconfused15 finding it hard to cope
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am currently finding it very hard to cope with my everyday life. It seems as though everything i do is pointless or a waste of time. I have no motivation for my studies or my work. Getting out of bed everyday is a struggle. I find to be sec... View more

Hi all, I am currently finding it very hard to cope with my everyday life. It seems as though everything i do is pointless or a waste of time. I have no motivation for my studies or my work. Getting out of bed everyday is a struggle. I find to be second guessing myself with everything i think or say, i even find my self thinking that people i should be the closest to are against and would like nothing better than to see me fail at everything i try. i have no one to talk to this stuff about, my parents live over 300 kilometers away from and being a 20 year old male it feels like it is something none of friends would understand or want to talk about. i just want to start feeling better about myself as a person, as i'm not sure how much longer i can go on feeling worthless everyday. regards, A broken and lost man.