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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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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.

cpater01 i can't cope anymore
  • replies: 13

I have been abused at home and due to that I have been having a lot of trouble at school at home. I think have depressionI have been abused at home a lot and have been screamed at, sworn at. Hit a couple of times, teased and told I am worthless. Hen ... View more

I have been abused at home and due to that I have been having a lot of trouble at school at home. I think have depressionI have been abused at home a lot and have been screamed at, sworn at. Hit a couple of times, teased and told I am worthless. Hen this happens I getvery upset and depressed and cry and scream at myself and blame everythingon myself. At school since I am so depressed, I have been wagging ormissing classes and have been failing all test and have gotten bad gradesbecause of what's happening at home. When I wag I go to my secret hide outwhere I feel safe and calm. I haven't got caught yet but I think I willget caught one day. Sometimes during class I go to the toilet to calm downinstead of staying in class and take it out on other people or teachers. Acouple of nights ago I tried self harm and found relief. I have doneit twice but am trying not to do it again since every time I am sad anddepressed that's all I think about. My home group teacher only knows aboutthe screaming and the swearing and hitting. She doesn't know about the self harm the wagging and bad grades and how I don't do my work inclass all I think about is self harm how do I tell her. I can't copeanymore. I'm not sure I want to commit suicide but all I know is I think I have depression. I don't know whether self harming is right or wrongbeyondblue’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.

Blue_ Anxiety is rising
  • replies: 30

Hello, I've been on beyond blue for a while but I was actually posting on the depression forum. I was diagnosed with depression AND anxiety probably 2 years ago and not done much about it because I'm used to having it but I didn't realise how much of... View more

Hello, I've been on beyond blue for a while but I was actually posting on the depression forum. I was diagnosed with depression AND anxiety probably 2 years ago and not done much about it because I'm used to having it but I didn't realise how much of an effect it's had on my life. I had been depressed for quite.a while and didn't really believe that I had anxiety at all but now I just realised I really do have some frustrating symptoms and how does anyone deal with it? I hate being around people and feel like I'm not welcome or wanted and stressing about things and not being able to relax or sleep as well as others. Also I'm so constantly irritable around people or really nervous. I can't hold a job down and the smallest tasks scare me. I feel like I've gotten on top of my depression a bit but if I don't kind of get a grip on this anxiety that I have no hope of the depression not coming back and I actually feel like the anxiety is worse than the depression. Any tips please? I'm in a room full of 20 people right now like feeling pretty panicked.

hann1805 Don't know what to do
  • replies: 2

Well, I had my appointment with my GP earlier today and yesterday...I was so nervous as I've never had any form of help from a psychologist or GP about this before. My GP prescribed me with a couple of AD's one for during the day and one to help me s... View more

Well, I had my appointment with my GP earlier today and yesterday...I was so nervous as I've never had any form of help from a psychologist or GP about this before. My GP prescribed me with a couple of AD's one for during the day and one to help me sleep. After looking up the one to help me sleep at night, I was quite uncomfortable with taking that one. I have a mental health plan set out for me. Another thing is that I can't receive free consultations with a psychologist because I don't have a health care card. But apparently I'll be only $20-$30 out of pocket under Medicare. I just don't know anymore, I feel terrible even though I've taken the most vital step towards recovery. I'm just so confused and scared about this whole thing.

ThousandMiles Comfort eating?
  • replies: 1

Sorry for multiple posts lately everyone, I'm just having a really hard time with everything :c I think I might be an emotional eater, and that really scares me. I've always been at the top of the healthy weight range, or just over, and the fact that... View more

Sorry for multiple posts lately everyone, I'm just having a really hard time with everything :c I think I might be an emotional eater, and that really scares me. I've always been at the top of the healthy weight range, or just over, and the fact that I'm still the lightest in my family probably tells you about my genetics and stuff :') I did manage to lose 10kg a couple of years ago, but that took a lot of effort, and in those 2 years, no matter how well I eat, it takes so much exercise to see even the slightest amount of progress So naturally, having noticed I crave sugary things when I'm going through bad periods of depression and anxiety (like right now) really stresses me out. Also after a long day at school I crave soup noodles (weird, I know...). I wouldn't say I'm out of control, but I do worry about my self-control. And it's not that I eat ridiculous amounts, I just do eat things I don't need to. And regret it afterwards. Does anybody have any advice for emotional eating? Am I right in saying that it's alright to have things like watermelon or dark chocolate or fruity tea to try and deal with cravings? Or is that bad as well? Please help. My weight already bothers me so much as it is, I want to know how to stop eating whenever I feel depressed and anxious

Darkcatboy69 Depression and stress badly effecting uni...
  • replies: 3

Just feeling so overwhelmed with uni at the moment. Assignments just pile up because I get too stressed to deal with them and put it off...by then its 4 assignments due in the next week or 2 and not enough time to get anything over a pass. Sometimes ... View more

Just feeling so overwhelmed with uni at the moment. Assignments just pile up because I get too stressed to deal with them and put it off...by then its 4 assignments due in the next week or 2 and not enough time to get anything over a pass. Sometimes the uni language is far too complicated (and I'm an Aussie born that has always had an advanced reading level even at 5) and I am expected to have a certain level of skill without that ever been mentioned like a year 12 level of math, an ability to read tables, ability to use word like a pro (trust me getting word to use APA is harder than it sounds!) and general abilities that I never learned while I was younger. Plus my attention span is about 5 mins unless I am really invested like when I am painting or writing. Basically I pay attention to fun brightly coloured stuff but anything else is impossible. I go to a prestigious private uni so I don't want to be kicked out for not being good enough. I am afraid that if I get disability assistance for depression, anxiety or stress the uni will kick me out for not being up to standard. I know I don't belong with the smart kids that don't struggle with basic concepts. My field is psychology so its competitive from the start and you get no where later in your life if you fail at the start. The fact my parents pay for it and I have no debts only makes it worse. I have to prove its worth the money they pay. In my opinion its worse than oweing money. I am an introvert and contact with other poeple is scary so I have no idea how to make friends. I couldn't tell you what a friend was. So aside from a friend I don't want to trouble, I have no one. When stress gets too much I self harm. I don't really have any other way when I am in the moment. I do see a psychologist but its effecting uni badly. I take days off uni when I am too depressed or stressed to handle it. Too much unexplained lateness means I fail. 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.

ducky5897 How do i help her!?
  • replies: 2

My girlfriend is severely depressed and is in a constant battle with herself to keep from self harming and on occasion committing suicide. She wont talk to me about it or anyone else because she finds it embarrassing to let other people know her pers... View more

My girlfriend is severely depressed and is in a constant battle with herself to keep from self harming and on occasion committing suicide. She wont talk to me about it or anyone else because she finds it embarrassing to let other people know her personal life. We often have periods in our relationship where we don't talk because when we are at school its like we are just friends and not even good friends, just the friends that acknowledge that the other is there. I really don't know how to help her when I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to help herself. She wont see a doctor or even someone she trusts to talk about it. what do i do!!!!????

Joy_ I don't know if I can keep this up
  • replies: 1

I'm sorry. I just need to get this out and this seems like the safest place to do so. Before I start, I am 15 and currently in grade 10. Towards the end of grade 2, my dad divorced my mum. My 'best friend' left me saying she was never my friend in th... View more

I'm sorry. I just need to get this out and this seems like the safest place to do so. Before I start, I am 15 and currently in grade 10. Towards the end of grade 2, my dad divorced my mum. My 'best friend' left me saying she was never my friend in the first place and I started being bullied. After my dad left, I was made to see a psychologist but stopped seeing her not long after. In grade 4, I saw another psychologist with depression and thoughts of suicide. Not long afterwards, I stopped seeing her. About this time I started talking to the school chaplain as well as having several 'father' figures step into my life - so I had someone to talk to. I was told I was 'better'. But the bullying wasn't over. I began to retreat into books. They were my escape. In grade 6, I saw yet another psychologist but stopped not long after. But I never really got better. I kept going downhill and in grade 7 I started seeing another psychologist and saw her throughout the rest of that year, grade 8 and the beginnings of grade 9. Then she moved away and I started seeing another person at the same place. I still see the same person. Throughout most of this - in particular grade 7 - my mum wanted to move back to England with my sister and myself but dad had said no and it had been taken to court. I remember one day we were both pulled out of school and chucked in a cab to go up to court. Now they have agreed on their custody terms and I effectively live out of a suitcase - being at one house for 5 days in a fortnight. I was told I had a dissociative disorder when I started seeing her and I slowly got better. I was fine through most of grade 9 and this year. But I suddenly got worse. I couldn't sleep. I was woken in the middle of the night and it took me at least an hour to fall asleep. If my phone got a notification before I fell asleep I had to check it - and the process restarted. I didn't want to eat and I lost my motivation at school. I coudn't concentrate and my memory was lacking. The wall I had built around myself was starting to crumble and I pushed away those close to me. I was also feeling really down and was - yet again - considering alternatives. Anyway, now I keep having like anxiety attacks, I have a phobia of ants and I had an argument with my mum just this afternoon. No one knows I don't cope. I had cut off my emotions before and couldn't recognise them at all. Also my mum is a recovering alcholic and also suffers from anxiety and depression. I'm so tired.

Vitam Fear and sorrow rule my life now
  • replies: 1

Hello, it took me a long time to find the courage to post this, I am 18 and in high school in year 12, I have Asperger Syndrome and a family history of depression. Last year in the final weeks of school I came to a realization that I had very low sel... View more

Hello, it took me a long time to find the courage to post this, I am 18 and in high school in year 12, I have Asperger Syndrome and a family history of depression. Last year in the final weeks of school I came to a realization that I had very low self-esteem. I thought I conquered it later but then year 12 began, everything got so much worse but I never really noticed it until it was too late, I did a outer school course which was great in the beginning weeks and I felt so alive like I had a bright future ahead of me. Loneliness happened about 5 months ago, I found as if I had nothing or very little in common with everybody around me they all seemed to ignore me or when they did take notice of me it was mainly intended to mock me for what I find enjoyable or that I am too different. I failed at virtually everything and always repeated my mistakes and it eventually got so bad that I became apathetic towards my course, on my 18th birthday I had to go but I down right refused. I have a hobby which I enjoyed so much but now I find it pointless, two weeks and a half ago is when this all started to get really bad I started to feel apathetic towards everything, I slept so much or never slept at all and stayed up for whole days on end. I began to worry about everything more than I usually did, I didn't really notice it since I always usually felt sad but I became sadder by the day and I began to hate myself. I told people that I would fail, that my accomplishments are meaningless and ignored the advice of others with frequency if any was provided. It has now gotten so bad that I am afraid of doing any work at all in fear of failure, I am getting detentions because of it and I am too anxious about informing my parents. I don't know what to do, I feel so alone in this world , I feel like a total failure and I am afraid to do anything related to school or even my hobby that I loved so much in fear of more failure. The school faculty likes to tell us year 12s about failure and it just hammers it home, my parents tell me I am going to fail year 12, its all I hear just me failing something, I don't even remember the last time I heard anything positive about me. I remember crying myself to sleep earlier this year wishing for a best friend. Fear and sorrow rule my life now, I don't think I can make it like this I will fail year 12 and that is something I fear may drive me down farther.

Medow Ever Felt Worthless?
  • replies: 1

Sometimes it's hard to feel as if you belong in a community or if life is worth it. Sometimes I feel as if my parents being divorced if purely my fault that all the issues that occur between me and my family is all me. It's hard knowing you have clin... View more

Sometimes it's hard to feel as if you belong in a community or if life is worth it. Sometimes I feel as if my parents being divorced if purely my fault that all the issues that occur between me and my family is all me. It's hard knowing you have clinical depression and the rest is just your mind screwing with you until you think nothings worth it anymore. Life plays tough you have just gotta push through until the sunshine reaches your dim corner, but what if that lights never coming what if i'm gonna suffer in the dark forever is it worth continuing or giving in to the feeling that fulls you so far down there's no coming back? Whats your thoughts?