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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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Clair67 Anxiety is ruining my prospective relationships
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. I am 21 and I have had social anxiety and general anxiety all my life. I have had some big changes in my life; we immigrated when I was 14 and I left a very big family behind in my home country. I lost an aunt and cousin close to me a co... View more

Hi everyone. I am 21 and I have had social anxiety and general anxiety all my life. I have had some big changes in my life; we immigrated when I was 14 and I left a very big family behind in my home country. I lost an aunt and cousin close to me a couple of years ago which led to heightened anxiety. I have been in two abusive relationships, one emotional and one sexual. After the sexual one ended, I was depressed and first started going on antidepressants. Both relationships made me feel worthless and insecure. About two years ago I met this lovely guy who I get along with very well. He had a girlfriend at the time. After a year, we both realised we were very close and might have feelings for each other. This is when I started to let my anxiety from previous relationships poison our relationship. I couldn't believe anyone as great as him would want me. He has put up with alot from me. He recently left his girlfriend, and wanting to keep talking to me was a main influence. But this happened at the same time his dad passed away suddenly. Instead of being helpful, my mood swings and anxiety about the two of us kicked into over drive. I couldn't concentrate, would get angry at him all the time and just couldn't stop myself even though I knew I was being irrational. Recently he told me that he just wants to be friends for the forseeable future because he cannot deal with my anxiety and moods while coping with the loss of his dad. I understand completely and I feel absolutely terrible for the burden I've placed on him. I love him and the thought that I might lose the chance of being with him because of my anxiety and mood problems just kills me. I am on anti anxiety medicaton again and am looking to seek counselling. Any advice on what I should do from here, or anyone with similar experiences? I don't want to lose this person and I don't want my anxiety to keep me from healthy relationships with other people. Any help will be appreciated

tbhalii I need someone
  • replies: 3

I feel so alone, I just need a friend to talk to

I feel so alone, I just need a friend to talk to

sn6991 stuck between a rock and a hard place
  • replies: 1

So I am doing a gap year course this year and it hasn't turned out the way I expected it to. My anxiety has never been so extreme as it has been this year, which is the opposite to what I thought this year would be. This course seems extremely unorga... View more

So I am doing a gap year course this year and it hasn't turned out the way I expected it to. My anxiety has never been so extreme as it has been this year, which is the opposite to what I thought this year would be. This course seems extremely unorganized and we don't know details till the day before for community engagement things and I don't live close to any of the places they go to, this alone sends my anxiety through the roof trying to figure out means of transportation! However the place where my anxiety has been at it's worst is for an overseas culture exposure trip we are meant to be going on. It's an awesome opportunity don't get me wrong, I have hardly seen any of the world, however, I have a severe phobia of needles and this trip requires that I get at least 1. If I was really passionate about this trip I would try and find a way around it, however like community engagement days, we know hardly anything. There seems to be no direct purpose or intent behind this trip apart from exploring a different culture. From what we do know, has not left me to enthused either. To summarize it briefly and discretely, there will be a high lack of sanitation, this is not appealing to me at all. I already don't enjoy this course, not so much the content as I have grown so much in my knowledge. However entering this year I was more focused and excited for friendships and relationships, and I just don't feel like I belong there. I look different and act different, same beliefs but seemingly differing everything else. So, I don't know what to do. My rock is that I really do not want to go overseas, get these needles and go without any idea of where I am going or what I will be doing, however my hard place, is that I still need to pay for it, even if I don't go, and I possibly won't pass the course without this trip, which is a substantial amount of money down the drain, which could not be put on hex. I'm only a student and my parents have been financially assisting me, and I hate putting that burden on them. I just need an outsiders opinion and possible guidance to what I should do, I hate where I'm at and have never felt more anxious and overwhelmed in my life, but this whole situation is filled with anxiety. Appreciate the help xx

Guest_10383 Alone
  • replies: 6

I guess I started feeling depressed when I was being bullied in school, and it never really went away. I've now graduated, and I feel so alone, I don't see anyone except my family-who don't really talk to me. They don't really believe depression/anxi... View more

I guess I started feeling depressed when I was being bullied in school, and it never really went away. I've now graduated, and I feel so alone, I don't see anyone except my family-who don't really talk to me. They don't really believe depression/anxiety are 'real' illnesses. I had a few friends a couple of years who were really helpful, and seemed to understand and love me, and now they barely speak to me, like everyone does. I am so alone all the time, it's hard to see a future at all. Recently, I lost 2 of my 3 grandparents in a month, and not long before that, a friend also passed away. The last year or so has been absolutely terrible and as much as I try to ask for help, nobody is interested and I feel like I'm suffocating in this emptiness. I have tried counselling and such, but they got expensive and didn't listen to me when I asked them not to involve my parents(I'm

MaeM Frenzying? Going crazy? OCD? Threatening myself?
  • replies: 13

Whenever I am anxious I seem to go into this mode where I just clean or sort things out. A few weeks ago I went through my wardrobe 3 times and throughout clothes I never wear and folded everything up all over again (Keeping in mind this what at 10pm... View more

Whenever I am anxious I seem to go into this mode where I just clean or sort things out. A few weeks ago I went through my wardrobe 3 times and throughout clothes I never wear and folded everything up all over again (Keeping in mind this what at 10pm). I will vacuum my carpet, take everything off shelves and put it back neat, clean my rabbits cage, wipe down cupboards and mop floors. I never noticed it until my mum pointed it out to me and started worrying about it. If I don't complete what I wanted to do I start freaking out aswell my mind is set on getting it done right then and there. Another thing I do is go shopping or online shopping. I never buy anything online though. Im always checking online to see if anything is cheaper than the day before and if it is I don't even buy it. I go shopping and don't find anything that I like but I feel horrible if I don't go and check. I don't know whats going on with it. Never really been the kind of person to shop all the time. Im not very girly either so I don't know why I seem to feel obliged to just go to the shops. Sometimes I even ask my parents at 9:00pm to take me to the supermarket. I don't know what I am getting there but I just feel like going. Am I going crazy? Is it frenzy? Kind of seems like OCD I suppose? Another thing I do which I have been told by a counsellor seems a lot like OCD is threaten myself with the most random things for example, I'll tell myself in my head to look at the time or myself or something I love will die somehow. It can be the most stupid of things like straightening a picture frame, eating a bit of food, changing the channel, picking something up off the floor, patting my rabbit or dogs, asking my parents a question or saying something. Im always telling myself to do things like this and always threatening "or _____ will die" I don't know what is happening!?

MaeM Over worrying..
  • replies: 5

I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years and even before then we were best friends. He is the most loyal person I have ever met to the point where he looks away when an underwear ad comes on TV. But my anxiety just loves to kick in. He knows everyth... View more

I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years and even before then we were best friends. He is the most loyal person I have ever met to the point where he looks away when an underwear ad comes on TV. But my anxiety just loves to kick in. He knows everything about me including all my thoughts and feelings, we don't hide anything from each other. My depression and anxiety was caused by something that affects my trust towards mostly men and I know that has something to do with it. Im always worried that he is looking at other girls or doing things that he knows im scared of. And I know he doesn't but I worry anyway! Im too scared to go on his ipod, phone or computer because I feel like im going to come across something. I even get angry and upset when he laughs or makes a dirty joke (Which is rare!). I don't know what to do and I am sick of hearing "It will push him away". He knows why I do it and he understands. I know it can push him away and I cant keep bottling it in because it is soo hard to control my depression when I keep it in. I don't know what to do.

Lisa_C can't handle being yelled at
  • replies: 7

Why do I get strong thoughts of suicide/self harm when my partner yells at me, he doesn't even have to be "yelling" just when he gets frustrated at me and raises his voice. I know that he shouldn't speak to me like that but why can't I handle it? Sen... View more

Why do I get strong thoughts of suicide/self harm when my partner yells at me, he doesn't even have to be "yelling" just when he gets frustrated at me and raises his voice. I know that he shouldn't speak to me like that but why can't I handle it? Sensitive obviously but to have those thoughts is just so dramatic.Why do I get strong thoughts of suicide/self harm when my partner yells at me, he doesn't even have to be "yelling" just when he gets frustrated at me and raises his voice. I know that he shouldn't speak to me like that but why can't I handle it? Sensitive obviously but to have those thoughts is just so dramatic.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.

Violet_hope I can' t do this anymore.
  • replies: 3

Someoneplease help me. I've never been diagnosed with depression before but I'm just so sad all the time. I'm a 16 year old who has entered year 11 recently. I just can't deal with the stress of everything. I have no clue what I'm going to do when I ... View more

Someoneplease help me. I've never been diagnosed with depression before but I'm just so sad all the time. I'm a 16 year old who has entered year 11 recently. I just can't deal with the stress of everything. I have no clue what I'm going to do when I finish school and it scares me so much. I just don't see the point? I just wish I could leave this world and enter a fantasy world. I watch movies and tv shows and play video games and I just wish I could live there. In that world. I wish I could be apart of the cute little communities in there little town In a cartoon world. where it's so care free and everyone knows everyone and they're happy, or be a princess in a fantasy world! It's so ridiculous I no. But just thinking about those worlds and then zoning back into this reality makes me burst into tears and leaves me spiralling back into a black hole. I hate this society. It's full of war and hate and judgemental people. Please just get me out of here. I've felt like this for atleast two years now and I wish I could enjoy life again.

Ellcrys Does it ever get easier?
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with depression in early 2011 and since then I have been all over the place. Good days and bad days come and go but there are times when I have manic stages where I just can't seem to shut my brain off at all and I'm totally wired... ... View more

I was diagnosed with depression in early 2011 and since then I have been all over the place. Good days and bad days come and go but there are times when I have manic stages where I just can't seem to shut my brain off at all and I'm totally wired... Can't sleep, feel like I'm invincible, send my partner a bunch of texts because I get fixated on the idea that I've done something wrong when I know deep down that I haven't and that I'm just being paranoid. I get so bad that I literally feel like I am going crazy. I'm medicated at the moment because when I'm not medicated I'm horrible to be around. I keep wondering if it will ever get easier, I get so tired, constantly fighting a battle that I feel like I can never win. I'm 23 and I feel like I've lost my own way while all this stuff has been going on, most people I know have their act together but I don't even know what I'm going to be doing with my life in six months time. Being in relationships is difficult too, but I have a great partner right now and he supports me which helps but I can be self destructive. I don't have a lot of friends anymore because one of my previous partners was mentally abusive and very possessive so I pushed away my friends in order to satisfy him. Sometimes my family will argue or I will hear my neighbours (complete strangers) having a fight and my anxiety will skyrocket. I can't be around people when there's tension because confrontation is a huge fear of mine and even though it's not directed at me, it still freaks me out completely. I feel guilty for being mentally ill. Like people will think I'm this way for attention or so that I can get out of working. I can only talk to my mum or my best friend, my boyfriend about this topic so many times before it just gets stale but I'm seeing a psychologist tomorrow so fingers crossed that helps me somewhat control my anxiety at least. Sorry my post is so all over the place, it's just hard to get it all out at once without making it too long of a story for others to read.

Dyl Please help me work out whats wrong with me
  • replies: 2

Hey friends, I am desperate for help, here's my story;I'm 18 years old and have suffered from anxiety for about 4 years and have been taking medication daily to tackle it.My anxiety is seriosuly unusual, I do get the common symptoms, worrying about r... View more

Hey friends, I am desperate for help, here's my story;I'm 18 years old and have suffered from anxiety for about 4 years and have been taking medication daily to tackle it.My anxiety is seriosuly unusual, I do get the common symptoms, worrying about relationships etc, But my most serious problem is I have the most unusual fears, things like thinking of someone trying to tear a phonebook in half, large things that are not heavy or small things that are, I can't even describe this, The feeling I get is like a severe version of fear of height. I've asked my psychologist about it, and he shrugged it off (Am now getting a new psych this week). But I'm desperate guys, please, if you have any idea of what or why I am suffering from this?Though I feel that the medication has mildly helped me, I can tell that it's still hitting me.Recently I was quite ill with glandular fever and this made my anxiety much worse. Months later I was starting to recover from this however as a result, with a lack of cooperation from my school, I had to drop out of year 12.Things were starting to look up about a month later, however I was then hospitalized with Salmonella poisoning and extremely ill for a few days.Two weeks later I'm home and physically recovering. Though my anxiety has taken a turn for the worse. I havn't eaten in days because all I eat I throw up. Thinking about almost anything negative makes my heart beat quickly and I feel sick. Often I can't calm down and feel forced to take medication.I can't sleep without sleeping medication and have lost over 10 kg, If my new psych doesn't know what it is, I feel that I'm only going to get worse.Please guys, does anyone know anything that may be helpful?