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Young people

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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Jolene Need a friend who understands
  • replies: 1

Hi, my name is Chelsea. I am 23. Canadian. And don't have a lot of friends. I feel like it's so hard to make relationships and that's why my recovery has been taking so long and has been so hard. I have had depression for ten years. I am in therapy a... View more

Hi, my name is Chelsea. I am 23. Canadian. And don't have a lot of friends. I feel like it's so hard to make relationships and that's why my recovery has been taking so long and has been so hard. I have had depression for ten years. I am in therapy and have been working hard to get a normal life. I don't have much for close family and it's hard to make friends here for some reason. If anyone wants to chat about their experiences I would love just a person I can talk to. Other than my therapist. Would be so lovley. Thanks, these forums are so helpful. I feel much less alone when I read them.

Suffering_Anxiety_Samanth Trying but failing.
  • replies: 2

I've had depression for as long as I remember. I don't remember a time when I haven't had this aching hole of emptiness inside of me. I try to take it one day at a time and consider even the littlest steps forward a big achievement. But then there's ... View more

I've had depression for as long as I remember. I don't remember a time when I haven't had this aching hole of emptiness inside of me. I try to take it one day at a time and consider even the littlest steps forward a big achievement. But then there's the steps backwards (although I wouldn't call them that, I'd call them being shoved backwards). People say not to dwell on them, but how can you not? I have moments when I... Struggle more than I'd care to admit. I feel defeated. I don't really know where to go from here. I'm at a crossroads in my life and I need to decide where to from here. Because the way I'm thinking lately, the niggling thoughts... They're pretty hard to deal with. "you're fat", "you're not pretty enough", "why would anyone like you?" and, my personal favourite, "well no one would care if you were gone anyway". I know in my head that it's not the truth, but you just feel so alone that it becomes the reality. Maybe it would be easier. I know it would be easier on me if I didn't have to feel this way... If I didn't have to feel. I wish the thoughts would disappear, and sometimes it appears that they have... And then they return. What to do?

_Huski_ Help with reality
  • replies: 2

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone could relate or give me advice with what I'm going through I'm a 16 year old girl, I never really had any problems, I was a happy child and was extremely care free up until about half way through last year. I went ... View more

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone could relate or give me advice with what I'm going through I'm a 16 year old girl, I never really had any problems, I was a happy child and was extremely care free up until about half way through last year. I went through a stage where I wanted to know more about my surroundings and the world itself, I've always been into science and everything that was weird and wacky. During this time, I started to wonder and think more, to the point where I was lost in my own world of thoughts and couldn't stop thinking and thinking, and not about normal things like boys and friends, it was all about reality and how things work, why the universe doesnt fall apart, what are black holes, how exactly does the human body word and the speed of light when it hits water and just random stuff. I was so caught up in my own thoughts, that everything and everyone around me, I just lost sudden interest in. I felt numb and that I had no compassion or care for anything. I felt horrible, I would try and talk to one of my friends about it, but she would basically brush it off and then talk about her problems, like why her boyfriend wouldn't go out for dinner with her and crap. Given that I wasn't a very open person, I assumed that my problem was dumb. Eventually, I couldnt relate to anyone. The girls I was once close to, wouldnt even try to talk to me because I couldnt understand why they were feeling that way or complaining. I ended up getting called emotionless and heartless as a joke, It did hurt me, but of course I wouldn't say anything. The last 8 months or so, I've been feeling as if I'm in a dream. My surroundings and myself, just dont seem real enough. I have melt downs from being so overwhelmed by my own reflection because I dont feel that Im here. I doubt and over think everything. I've convinced myself that I'm in a dream, and that nothing is real. Everything is just so mind blowing to me and I dont understand why. I've talked to my mother about some of this but she doesnt know much. I try and talk to her but her response is "You're just different. I think you're a very intelligent girl but you need help to understand" I hear things, see people, but I try not to think about it because I dont want to know Im crazy. I'm seeing a counselor, but its hard to explain what the hell is going on and how im feeling, but I dont even know what Im feeling. I'm just emotionless and dont feel anything but neutral Everything is a dream to me

just_let_go Anxiety suddenly worse than ever
  • replies: 20

Me again! Starting around Sunday, my symptoms have worsened.. Right now it feels like someone is pressing down on my temples and I feel extremely uneasy. Last week for about 2 - 3 days I felt like my old self again, and I thought It may have been ove... View more

Me again! Starting around Sunday, my symptoms have worsened.. Right now it feels like someone is pressing down on my temples and I feel extremely uneasy. Last week for about 2 - 3 days I felt like my old self again, and I thought It may have been over! It's like this week my anxiety has just said, "Don't kid yourself, I'm still here, and watch this, I can make you feel worse than ever!" I am having huge troubles sleeping. I have this uneasy anxious feeling that goes on all night. Then I wake up ever more anxious than before which perfectly describes today. It's at the point where I dread going to bed. Whenever I start to feel like I'm starting to get on top of this I just get thrown back another 2 steps. And when I'm not anxious I'm depressed. Yesterday I got a referral to a psychiatrist to talk about medication. I've tried beating this without it but it's clearly not working. The more I read about medication the more I'm unsure about it. People talk about things like becoming chemically dependent, or missing one pill makes your depression and anxiety twice as bad. I can't even imaging how bad that is. I suppose I'm just tired of trying so hard to overcome all this and just getting defeated every time. The fact that I'm feeling worse than ever right now just proves I've gone no where. I'm really hoping medication helps. If I don't get a good night sleep soon I might lose my mind!

Arsenal New to depression
  • replies: 1

During the week I went to the doctor and he confirmed what I already thought. I am suffering from depression. I recently moved out of home, and far away from any friends and loved ones for work. For the first month and so I thought I was just homesic... View more

During the week I went to the doctor and he confirmed what I already thought. I am suffering from depression. I recently moved out of home, and far away from any friends and loved ones for work. For the first month and so I thought I was just homesick. But it nose dived. I now cant eat, cant have a good sleep and I wake up feeling nervous and scared. Its gotten harder since the doctor told me I have it. I don't really understand it. Its something I never thought id have to deal with it personally. I'm struggling. I don't know how to get myself out of this hole. I'm so alone. I feel as though this feeling will last forever. I have nothing to look forward to yet my whole life is ahead of him. How do I change these feelings? How do I move on?

Sophjay why me?
  • replies: 7

My name is Sophie I'm 22 and unfortunately I have no life. Almost every morning I wake up wishing the day was over before it has even begun. If I get invited out I make up some excuse so I don't have to go, the thought of being around people I don't ... View more

My name is Sophie I'm 22 and unfortunately I have no life. Almost every morning I wake up wishing the day was over before it has even begun. If I get invited out I make up some excuse so I don't have to go, the thought of being around people I don't know and crowds makes me feel very nervous so I avoid having to be put in awkward situations. I don't have any friends, my bestfriend since childhood lives in a different state and again the thought of getting on a plane scares me so much I avoid it even though my very best friend is at the other end. Everything to do with being in public scares me it worries me I get nervous I start to feel sick and sometimes dizzy. Who wants to live like this. No one. Its horrible not being able to do anything because you have anxiety controlling you. The sad part is people around me, my loved ones, think I want to be like this I don't have support i have people calling me lazy and telling me to grow up. Which only makes me feel worse. Its been this way for some years now I'm not 100% sure when this started but recently (June 2014) I decided to talk to my doctor about how I've been feeling, I started to cry and she handed me a tissue and said I'm not a mind reader you should have told me sooner. Isnt it weird how you can look completely fine on the outside but your a total mess on the inside and no one would ever know if you didn't tell them? But even then, I have tried talking to others and some think its just "attention seeking" when all you want is someone to talk to, a friend. I was meant to start taking anti depressants and see a counsellor as I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I haven't taken my pills or seen the counsellor yet. I've been trying to do it on my own after speaking with my doctor I have became a little better being in public but still have my problems. Its hard going through almost everyday worrying about things I shouldn't worry about or getting nervous over being in public when people do it everyday with no worries at all. I just want to be a normal 22 year old girl who is happy and loves life.

Beardy91 Struggling to cope
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, Not sure where to start...I have had mild depression for 4 years now (triggered by a very strong inspirational mother figure passing away) and in the last two weeks have been put on medication. Up until 4 weeks ago I used to get myself ... View more

Hey everyone, Not sure where to start...I have had mild depression for 4 years now (triggered by a very strong inspirational mother figure passing away) and in the last two weeks have been put on medication. Up until 4 weeks ago I used to get myself out of "ruts" with music or delving deep into an activity, then work happened, and September happened, family tension heightened and being a world away from my fiancé has brought my coping mechanisms to an all time low. I have openly come out and admitted I have depression and I have found that has helped me cope with it...until family turn around and tell me people with depression don't confess to having it. I have been pushed and pushed to my breaking point so much so I have had suicidal thoughts and become so introverted my grandfather is the only person I hang out with now. I know I shouldn't let people's words affect me, but I feel as though I have tried and tried to ask for help or even an ear to hear and have been shut down by the people I love the most. Because of what people have said in the past I don't do things for myself, I can't eat in front of family, and as I said I only really hang out with my grandfather (not that that's really a bad thing). I have one goal that I am working towards, that has pulled me out of my darkest points and that's to move to overseas to start my life and family with my fiancé and I am trying very very hard to focus on that. i'm not really asking for advice, I just needed to share with someone what's going on, as I said (I think) i talk things out as a coping mechanism. cheers, beardy

Little_Rascal anxiety ruining my friendships
  • replies: 4

I feel as of there is a physical wall when I try and leave to see friends, I feel so distressed, im 24 and should be able to go hang out with friends lr answer a phone call, feeling anxious. Wondering of anyone else feels like this and how they comba... View more

I feel as of there is a physical wall when I try and leave to see friends, I feel so distressed, im 24 and should be able to go hang out with friends lr answer a phone call, feeling anxious. Wondering of anyone else feels like this and how they combat it? When im out im so energetic, I feed off other people's emotions so when I'm alone it's just worries

BenD Dating Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I've been over a whole gamut of anxiety related issues on here already so I see no point in stopping now. Thankyou in advance for allowing me this space to do so. This edition is focused on dating when dealing with anxiety. A few weeks a... View more

Hi everyone, I've been over a whole gamut of anxiety related issues on here already so I see no point in stopping now. Thankyou in advance for allowing me this space to do so. This edition is focused on dating when dealing with anxiety. A few weeks ago I got contacted out of the blue by a girl that I'd met once and hadn't spoken to in a few months.We chatted for a bit before she asked if I wanted to go for a drink - I said yes - and all seemed fine at the time. But having made that plan to catch up my head started going into overdrive thinking about all the 'what-if' scenarios: what if she doesn't like me? what if I make a fool of myself? if we don't get on then what is wrong with me? It ended up OK, I dropped her home and gave her a kiss goodbye at the door. We ended up catching up again 2 weeks later, with a similar scenario playing out. I've asked her if she's free this week but unfortunately she's away. Now, I hardly know her, find her interesting without being completely infatuated, and recognise that connection is as much to do with the other person as it is with you. But, despite saying these factual, rational, common-sensical things, I still feel a twinge of self-doubt and anxiety. BenD

jbubble Sick of carrying this with me..
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone,I'm new here, but certainly not new to depression and anxiety. I have had depression and anxiety for about 10 years (I'm 24) and have had very good patches of good days/weeks/months. However, recently I have plummeted again and I don't kn... View more

Hi Everyone,I'm new here, but certainly not new to depression and anxiety. I have had depression and anxiety for about 10 years (I'm 24) and have had very good patches of good days/weeks/months. However, recently I have plummeted again and I don't know what to do. I am off my anti depressants - I do not want to go back on them - and have recently started having the suicidal thoughts and overall crappy feeling. I very regularly feel like bursting into tears for no reason, or just going to hide under the bed covers. But the worst thing I am finding hard to deal with is the strain on my relationship. I have been in a very loving relationship for 2 years and it is very good for my mental state. But, whenmy anxiety and depression hit an all time high I know that the relationship suffers with it. I'm no fun to be around, I mope, have no energy and I never want to have sex with my boyfriend. When he knows something is wrong he tries to ask, but I can't give him a straight answer because technically there is "no one problem" to talk about, it's just that overall feeling of numbness and as I try to describe to him: "a suffocating blanket of anxiety and pain". He doesn't really know how to deal with my low times and I feel so lost... To make it worse he has just left for a bucks party in Thailand. My head tells me I can trust him (and he has never done anything to hurt me in the past), but my anxiety likes to wreck havoc with my emotions and mind, and I'm finding it difficult. Anyway, I guess I just need some support from people who understand and have been through the same feelings and who can listen and offer some suggestions for me to overcome this little hurdle. 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 22 4636.