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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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Gravios1243 I don't know what to do.
  • replies: 5

Hi my name is jack and im 16 years old.I recently started having panic attacks and anxiety and i don' t know what to do. I'm always nervous about school and everything i have to do and im always trying to take on the problems of my friends and help t... View more

Hi my name is jack and im 16 years old.I recently started having panic attacks and anxiety and i don' t know what to do. I'm always nervous about school and everything i have to do and im always trying to take on the problems of my friends and help them out. By doing that i've always just pushed my problems back and tried to forget about them but it's getting worse and i cant do that anymore. I've noticed that i always have panic attacks in my music class, mainly when i need to perform, but its the subject that i tend to think the most in. My dad knows i have panic attacks but he doesnt know how bad it is and i've spoken to a few of my friends about it and my year advisor but i've never spoken to them about what triggers it. I don't know if i should start talking to people more about what is happening as for me it is peaceful being alone but i hate it at the same. I've never thought that i would have the thoughts that i had today and as much as i don't want to i've been contemplating self-harming. I don't want to but right now i feel it is the only way to get my mind off of everything going on right now. I can't sleep anymore and i can't concentrate on work in class or at home anymore and it's causing me to fall behind in class which is making me feel worse. I don' t know what to do but i felt i had to let it all out for once instead of bottling it all up.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.

Mileena17 I feel like i have depression and that everything about me is just disgusting but i dont know if its just teenage hormones?
  • replies: 3

For a while now i have felt really depressed and i was worried i might have depression but i'm not sure if its just a teenage thing, i don't want to go see my doctor and find out that its just some teenage thing, but i'm really worried. Recently my m... View more

For a while now i have felt really depressed and i was worried i might have depression but i'm not sure if its just a teenage thing, i don't want to go see my doctor and find out that its just some teenage thing, but i'm really worried. Recently my mum kicked me out and i had to move states to live with my dad and that just made things worse. My whole life I've been a really anxious and nervous person, always thinking people are judging me 24/7 and i haven't had the worse life but i haven't had the best, ive been through some pretty traumatic stages. I've been constantly doing test on the internet for depression and all have said there is a possibility but im still worried im just exaggerating things. I feel like i cant talk to anyone about because i feel like they might think im being ridiculous and over-exaggerating everything. I don't always feel depressed, im really happy and enjoy life when im with my friends but other times i feel sad and don't want to do anything i just want sleep or cry and i don't know why, i cant sleep properly and its frustrating, i cant be bothered to do anything especially when it comes to school, ive lost interest in playing soccer (ive played it my life and i really enjoyed playing but know i just feel anxious and nervous, i feel like people will judge everything i do), i get irritated easily and its really bad and gets me in trouble because i usually end up getting in full on arguments or getting in fights with my brother. Sometimes i just hate my life and want to lie down and pretend that i don't need to worry about everything and that im perfect but i usually just end up more depressed knowing nothing will ever be perfect. I probably sound like an over dramatic teenage girl but i just want to know if this is normal for a teenager or not because, i beat myself everyday over it, i just want to feel normal, i don't want to judge myself and feel like people are judging me all the time, i want to be able to talk to someone but not feel like im wasting there time. i really want to know if there is anything wrong with me that i need t tell someone about and get help or im just being a teenager.

DaenOwens96 Someone be kind and message me.
  • replies: 4

The reason I have decided to come on here tonight is because the past few days/nights I have been feeling really down and depressed.I suffer from depression and are taking Anti-Depressants but it doesn't help that I hardly take them. I feel as if i a... View more

The reason I have decided to come on here tonight is because the past few days/nights I have been feeling really down and depressed.I suffer from depression and are taking Anti-Depressants but it doesn't help that I hardly take them. I feel as if i am alone in this world and have no one, no friends, no one there for me when i need someone the most. I am fine being alone most of the time but it's the feeling of having no one to talk too literally having no one to talk too is very depressing. I currently do not work, go to school or tafe. I spend most of my life at home doing nothing and you can imagine that doesn't help one bit. If I was busy I am sure I wouldn't feel this way but there is nothing for me to do, I try my best to find work but it's very had especially since i dropped out of school.AllI need Is someone to talk too anyone.

Emily22 Is this anxiety and if so what should I do?
  • replies: 1

I'm 22 and previously have felt really good about my life; doing really well at university studying law, FANTASTIC family, good job, just moved into my own apartment, etc. I know some of what I am going to say sounds ridiculous, but I just want to be... View more

I'm 22 and previously have felt really good about my life; doing really well at university studying law, FANTASTIC family, good job, just moved into my own apartment, etc. I know some of what I am going to say sounds ridiculous, but I just want to be truthful about what is going on in my head.I've really been struggling with extreme worry. Largely I think it relates to my law studies... for example, I was previously involved on the board of a Cambodian charity which I got to know through Rotary. As part of my law studies we researched Australia's terrorism laws which include huge penalties for people who finance terrorism, obviously. It mentioned overseas aid organisations. Now, this is an organisation which is registered with the relevant bodies in Aus and Cambodia and has an Australian Rotarian overseeing all finances. All expenditure is accounted for. However, I have this absolute paranoia that somehow, in several years, something could happen and I'll go to jail. I've now left the board for various reasons but largely because I felt I couldn't cope with the responsibility with my current mental health.This is one example of several absolutely awful "worst case" scenarios I have come up with in my head about a range of things. They usually relate to legal problems and criminal charges. It is worsened partly because my partner lives OS and I am hoping to move there in a year, and need a "clean record" for the visa.I am well aware that this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but this worry is taking over my life. A lot of days I just lie in bed and try to sleep so I don't have to think about it which for obvious reasons is impacting my studies. I have even had suicidal thoughts relating to this as I so totally convince myself it is going to happen and so I should just "end it now". In my head the risk is SO REAL even though even I know it sounds crazy on paper. I try to tell myself I am being ridiculous, hundreds of these organisations operate and we have done everything very carefully. But it doesn't help. Plus, I "solve" one problem and just move on to the next. I am literally completely terrified most of the time. Honestly,I don' t know what to do about it. I am seeing a counsellor but I don't think they understand just how bad my worry is. I feel like she tends to laugh it off as my concerns seem so far-fetched, but they are real to me. I don't even know if this is anxiety or something else. Please can someone help/advise? 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;}

Walle I don't want to be like this
  • replies: 1

I think something is wrong with me. I don't like who I am. I have a really amazing life, with an amazing family and amazing boyfriend and friends. Yet, I still feel so alone and often dislike myself. I think I really screwed things up with my boyfrie... View more

I think something is wrong with me. I don't like who I am. I have a really amazing life, with an amazing family and amazing boyfriend and friends. Yet, I still feel so alone and often dislike myself. I think I really screwed things up with my boyfriend tonight. I got upset about something and then I got really emotional, I couldn't control it and I couldn't think straight and I just acted completely crazy and unlike myself. It wasn't until a few hours later that I could think rationally again. I don't want to be like this, and I really don't know why I can't control my emotions. I hate myself for making my boyfriends life hard, and for putting strain on our relationship. I think I was suffering from depression last year, and I saw a counsellor at uni for a while which I think helped, but I felt like I couldn't completely open up. I feel like I've been so good lately until the past few days. Although, I can always feel depression in the background, like it's always tugging at me and I'm constantly trying to ignore it and fight it off. I don't want to be like this forever. It's so hard and I just don't know what to do.

GirlLost I don't know how I got here, lost!
  • replies: 2

Hello :3 I worry all the time, I'm nervous, I cry daily (sometimes for no good reason at all), I feel empty - nothing brings me joy like it used to, I'm pushing friends and family away, I have become very self critical and stress like no one else. Th... View more

Hello :3 I worry all the time, I'm nervous, I cry daily (sometimes for no good reason at all), I feel empty - nothing brings me joy like it used to, I'm pushing friends and family away, I have become very self critical and stress like no one else. This has all become strongly apparent to me in the last month, however looking back on things a lot of this started mildly over the last year. I had a fantastic childhood, growing up with my parents and older brother. I had many friends and best friends, participated in school activities and danced after school daily. My grades we average or slightly above, I had a real artsy side to me yet was also on the sports teams. I loved primary and high school. I was lucky enough to get my first uni preference and am currently finishing the last semester of my 4 year degree. Additionally I work part time as an assistant in the field I am studying, and just celebrated my 5th anniversary with my boyfriend. This is what makes me so frustrated!! I have no legitimate reason to feel the way I do! I could sleep for days, every morning is a struggle to get out of bed, I eat to fill the emptiness emptiness inside, which leaves me feeling guilty and angry at myself. I have bailed on all Social outings and love the excuse of 'I'm not feeling well' to get me out of any human interaction. I have given up on my personal appearance and spend every day in my sweatpants and gym clothes ( not that I have time or motivation to go to the gym). The pressure of uni and work makes me snap at everyone, and leaves me with heart racing hen ever I think about my stressors. I cant tell you the last time I have smiled or laughed. Everyday is a grudging battle leaving me tired and drained. How did I get here? Someone like me shouldn't be feeling this way. Help x

freemefrommydemons What is wrong with me?
  • replies: 4

I don't actually know where to post this, and if it is okay to post but basically I feel as if I NEED to be sicker then what I already am. For example, getting my blood test results back and having low iron, vitamins etc.. and now I feel like by the ... View more

I don't actually know where to post this, and if it is okay to post but basically I feel as if I NEED to be sicker then what I already am. For example, getting my blood test results back and having low iron, vitamins etc.. and now I feel like by the next time I have blood tests done I should have the numbers lower, and I dont know why. Is it related to bpd? Anorexia? Im confused. I always feel like I must be sicker, or have something wrong with me. Not to see health proffesionals but maybe just so I have something to fall back on? I dont know

jespancakes Major Anxiety Struggles, help?
  • replies: 3

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for quite some time and now I'm currently in year 12 so my anxiety has just hit the roof. I get so frustrated, angry and panicky all the time, to the point where I hurt myself, just cry or break down over m... View more

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for quite some time and now I'm currently in year 12 so my anxiety has just hit the roof. I get so frustrated, angry and panicky all the time, to the point where I hurt myself, just cry or break down over my homework and myself. I see a psychologist and a support group yet I find it very hard to open up about my feelings as I hate to cry infront of people. Does anyone have any good coping methods, I truely am at breaking point? Thankyou.

freemefrommydemons Bpd lapse..
  • replies: 3

I feel ashamed. Today and I woke up, and I had that feeling that it was going to be a hard day. It took me an hour to get out of bed, but I did it. I got up, and I made breakfast, and caught the bus to uni and this is itself was an accomplishment as ... View more

I feel ashamed. Today and I woke up, and I had that feeling that it was going to be a hard day. It took me an hour to get out of bed, but I did it. I got up, and I made breakfast, and caught the bus to uni and this is itself was an accomplishment as I had such big issues catching buses ever since the middle of 2012. I made it to uni and put on my 'mask' smiled and laughed, and made sure the new friends I have made in uni wouldnt think I was different. I finished my uni class almost breaking into tears half wa through, and went into town. I caught up with my best friend, and normally that makes me so happy and energetic and ready to fight, but today I felt horrid. Like I was being replaced, and even though she told me I will always be her best friend I felt as if I was trying so hard to make sure she still liked me, and becoming clingy and a tad psychotic. She left to go to work and I was still walking around town trying to think about what I was doing, and this is when I did the bad part. In the past I had a huge problem with alcohol, and with the help of my psychologist I managed to cut down on my alcohol, but today I just couldnt hold back and went straight for it. So I have been drinking, and I have more to drink just to make me pass out. I feel horrible tonight and I have no one to talk to, im trying to positive self talk and tell myself that it will be okay, but honestly my mind is going crazy, it wont calm down and this scares me so much. Unstability scares me. Loss of control scares me. I scare myself and I do not want to become addicted to alcohol, and self harm again. Sorry, I just needed to vent

brandaela14 How can I overcome severe anxiety?
  • replies: 1

Hi! I am a 19 year old mother of one, stepmother of one, and I have one on the way. I have dealt with SEVERE depression and anxiety since I was around 12 years old. I have had a few traumatic type experiences in my life that have definitely contribut... View more

Hi! I am a 19 year old mother of one, stepmother of one, and I have one on the way. I have dealt with SEVERE depression and anxiety since I was around 12 years old. I have had a few traumatic type experiences in my life that have definitely contributed to my mental health state. I have gotten over my depression as much as possible, with the aide of mental health professionals, as well as people in my life that are doing their best to support me. I have come to realize that my anxiety is getting worse. I cannot watch the news, because of what is going on in the world, I cannot think about the future, sometimes I cant even leave the house because it gets so bad. After a while, I just forget about it, and Im alright until the next thing gets inside my head. Does anyone have any ideas that could help me? I need to live my life and not be so afraid of everything.