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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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Dori My story (depression & anxiety)
  • replies: 3

Well it's been now 3yrs andI've had some family issues and with school 1st year if year 7 I already started self harming and got suicide thoughts I didn't want to be here I was bullied at school and at home but it all got worse When I was in year 8 a... View more

Well it's been now 3yrs andI've had some family issues and with school 1st year if year 7 I already started self harming and got suicide thoughts I didn't want to be here I was bullied at school and at home but it all got worse When I was in year 8 and I was told my horse had to be out down it was heartbreaking but I knew she was very sick and she didn't need to be in pain any longer so that week she was put down and it still hurts thinking about it. Anyways my 2nd week of school I seen my foal died and that took so time for me to think that he was gone. Later into the 1st term things started to get bad at home I was starting to feel very bad about myself I was always being put down at home i was always told I was: lazy, attention seeker, idiot, fat, cow, and many more my self esteem was low and I didn't know what to think of myself all my thoughts were always negative I than knew I had depression, I started having troubles at school my behaviour was getting bad, I starting picking wrong choices I knew I was bad with stress, I always worry and stress about everything I do which didn't help me I started getting panic attacks at school in class I had trouble breathing, i was sweating a lot it scared me many times. Term 2 of school than things got worse at school and home i was getting cyber bullied, girls were spreading rumours and taking all my friends and telling them all kinds of things, things between me and my mum got worse I started smoking I couldn't handle my stress anymore I needed something to help me cope everyday, then i was caught I lost all my trust with my mum, things got even harder I couldn't talk to her, she would hurt me if I did something wrong I always felt not good enough or hopeless I didn't feel safe at home or at school I didn't know what to do i was lost and afraid of life. But I had this friend (adult) I talked to her all the time she kept me going, she kept me thinking there's things ahead of me then I knew self harming and suicide and not an answer but I still smoke, don't know why the girls still spread rumours i am having troubles with boys they tend to use me all the time and break my heart I'm not even half way through year 8 and it's been really tough I've had rumours going around other schools I cried a lot at school at home but I always tried to find a time to smile because i knew one day things could be better just not yet but try think.

Anon71 How i'm feeling
  • replies: 2

I feel as if i am mostly just living in continuity. My life does not really have any meaning for me any more, this is not to say that i am never enjoying myself because i do sometimes. But more often than not i just feel pointless, i don't want to ta... View more

I feel as if i am mostly just living in continuity. My life does not really have any meaning for me any more, this is not to say that i am never enjoying myself because i do sometimes. But more often than not i just feel pointless, i don't want to talk to people and i can spend hours watching things as an escapism from whatever. I am only 17 but i already often wish i wasn't alive (or just that i lived a different life), sometimes i feel as if i wish i was just dead, but my sister attempted suicide last year and after what that put my family through that is absolutely never something i want to do. I don't have friends that i can talk to about these things -or if i do i don't trust them enough to relay this information to them- I don't really trust anyone anymore. And i feel as if i spend half my life crying these days. The other day i was on a bus and i laughed at something and then i just started crying and i kept crying without being able to stop for about half an hour after this. I see a therapist but i find it extremely hard to talk to people about myself (this is my first time using a forum) and i don't feel like that is really helping. If anyone could give me any advice on what i could do to stop feeling sad all the time i would appreciate it!

IAMTHEONE 22 year old and my Feelings for a girl
  • replies: 5

Hello This is the first time im seeking help on the matter, so my apologies if this post is a bit confusing. For the past two years iv had sorta a thing for this girl, she like myself, both suffer from depression and anxiety. we only get a chance to ... View more

Hello This is the first time im seeking help on the matter, so my apologies if this post is a bit confusing. For the past two years iv had sorta a thing for this girl, she like myself, both suffer from depression and anxiety. we only get a chance to meet in person once a month due to distance, shes not that far away, its just we don't have any reason to meet up any other time other than this event we go to. i guess the thing is, i really have absolutely no idea what to do, i want to get to know her better and perhaps even be more than friends, but i just don't know how to go about it. I properly should mention that we are friends, and im afraid of loosing that if i she were to know how i feel about her. I properly should mention that we are friends, and im afraid of loosing that if i she were to know how i feel about her, because i don't know how she'll react. So im posting on here so maybe someone with a bit more experience in these matters might be able to give me some advice. Thank you

Bec_Luke Having a wired emotional like rollercoster
  • replies: 1

Sooo..last couple of days been feeling low and then today/tonight more like it i seem to be slightly high on life in away...it's wired I haven't done anything different iv just all of a sudden have had this wired feeling of greatness again i think it... View more

Sooo..last couple of days been feeling low and then today/tonight more like it i seem to be slightly high on life in away...it's wired I haven't done anything different iv just all of a sudden have had this wired feeling of greatness again i think its just this random outburst that I haven't felt in ages...but I dunno if it's a one off thing... Bit wired but there you go...not really sure how to feel really... Bec.

Suffering_Anxiety_Samanth First Time At This
  • replies: 3

This is the first time I've decided to write on here, although the idea has floated through my mind a few times prior to now. I guess I never really figured out what I'd say. So I guess I should start with a little about myself... gee, that sounds ch... View more

This is the first time I've decided to write on here, although the idea has floated through my mind a few times prior to now. I guess I never really figured out what I'd say. So I guess I should start with a little about myself... gee, that sounds cheesy. Diagnosed Anxiety, Depression and OCD here at 21. Mental health issues run in my family quite a bit so it was just luck of the draw really. I realised there was a slight problem with the way I thought, processed, analysed, however you want to put it, from a young age but my family (and I) just put it down to teenage angst. Wouldn't it be nice if that was all it was. It got worse over time, as it does. Until eventually I just had a breakdown and realised that I needed help. I'm seeing the psychiatrist and psychologist regularly to try and sort through my various issues. Just hitting a bump in the road I suppose. I know, I know... perfectly normal. Even though I'm sure most of you will agree that it most certainly doesn't feel normal at the time when you are having a slight setback. I guess that's why I'm writing on here, regardless of whether anyone actually reads this, venting to people that don't have a medical degree, that don't tell me that it's perfectly normal, that don't try to make me feel better about it.. people that may just get it. Maybe without having to even say anything in return. This "bump in the road to recovery" has been a big one - like those ridiculous speed bumps that have three bumps in a row. Just endlessly pointless, but you feel each bump all the same and they still slow you down. It started a few weeks ago when I had a lot of pressure on me at work. I was run down and constantly stressed. I let it start to get to my head (mistake number one). Then it was the first anniversary of my Grandad's passing from bowel cancer. I focused on that and it became a daily battle to try to focus on anything else (mistake number two). And then the insecurities started niggling in, the doubts, those thoughts that you so desperately try not to think, but still get in there regardless (mistake number three). And now, here I am, feeling rock bottom writing on a forum probably sounding quite whiney to a bunch of strangers - and that's assuming anyone even reads this in the first place. The neurotic tapping, counting, repetitive habits starting to kick in. The nagging thoughts that I just can't kick. The feeling of being kicked to the gut, that feeling of general emptiness, wondering when this "bump in the road" will end. And the worst part? I know that there are so many people who love me who I could easily be talking to about this. I have a loving family who would do anything for me, a partner that loves me to the moon and back, a supportive group of friends and generally positive people around me. But I just feel like a let down explaining these feelings to them, they all think I'm going so well with my, well, recovery I guess. So it's hard to open up about the times that don't necessarily go quite so well. Well, now I'm rambling. This is that part of writing that I never really got the hang of - the conclusion. So, I suppose I'll just leave it at that. If you're reading this thank you for taking the time to read my story.

MelodyWasHer2ndName Need Help and Advice
  • replies: 2

I posted here a while ago about falling into another spell of depression and being terrified of making an appointment to see a GP to get a referral to a physiologist I finally mustered up the courage to go see my GP and got a referral, however she to... View more

I posted here a while ago about falling into another spell of depression and being terrified of making an appointment to see a GP to get a referral to a physiologist I finally mustered up the courage to go see my GP and got a referral, however she told me she thinks it would be better if I saw a psychiatrist instead. This surprised me a little, I didn’t think I really qualified for that, but obviously I’m worse than what I thought. I’m just waiting for the psychiatrist to get in touch with me to make an appointment, but it’s been nearly 3 weeks now and I’m starting to unravel a bit. I’m just feeling so incredibly alone; there is literally no one I can talk to about this. I’m good at hiding my problems, my ex-boyfriend is the only person in the world who knows I’ve got depression. I’m very shy and talking to my friends about this is just not an option, I’m too scared they won’t understand, they are all happy and normal people with no experience with depression. I find myself feeling tired every moment of the day; all I want to do is sleep. There is nothing in my life that makes me happy or gets me excited. I just feel like an empty shell. I’m beginning to worry because, although I’ve had depression before, I’ve always been able to carry on with day to day life ie. going to work, looking after myself. But lately I’ve been calling into sick to work for no good reason other than I just can’t get out of bed. I’ve also found it hard to make myself eat, it just seems too much of an effort. I’m scared that I’m getting worse and I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. I just really need some support until I start seeing this psychiatrist, but I don’t know where to turn. This site is very helpful, but I’m wondering if anyone knows of any support groups in the Brisbane area that I can go to. I just feel I need to interact with people in person and force myself to leave my room. Being shutup all the time in my room and nothing doing anything active is starting to take its toll, I feel so lethargic and alone. I’m very scared of social interactions, but I know I have to deal with this if I’m ever going to recover. I don’t really have any hobbies or interests (which is something I dwell on a lot because it makes me feel like a boring, useless person) but if there was some sort of depression support group that got together for social activities I might be inclined to go because I feel I could relate to the people in the group. I hope someone out there can help.

Lisa_C anxiety and depression- wish I was different
  • replies: 10

Why can't I just enjoy life? I'm not interested in doing anything, have no hobbies and no friends. Everything seems like such an effort and I feel so disconnected from the world. I really don't think I belong. I don't know who I am, im lost and empty... View more

Why can't I just enjoy life? I'm not interested in doing anything, have no hobbies and no friends. Everything seems like such an effort and I feel so disconnected from the world. I really don't think I belong. I don't know who I am, im lost and empty. I hate myself, inside and out. I feel like I have been like this my whole life and everything is just a blur. I can't remember when the last time I was truly happy or if I ever was? I suffer from social anxiety and depression. But I'm so use to it that its just completey normal to me and its just who I am and nothing can change me. I forget that I even have these disorders. I never liked school because I wasn't good at anything, I struggled so badly with school work and making friends. I was always playing up and getting into trouble because I couldn't understand the school work even with extra help. Teachers always just told me I'm not trying hard enough but I litterly struggled to understand. I quit school in year 9 just after a month or so. I could not cope with the anxiety and the struggle. Anxiety or depression was never even brought up in high school I was just a 'misbehaved child' who didn't do good enough. I don't know what casued my anxiety and depression. I haven't had it tough like some people have. I had and still have a loving mum who would always put me first but I didn't have my Dad to grow up with, he lives far away and I barely ever saw him or spoke to him because he never answered his phone and its still the same but I don't bother calling him anymore. I'm 20 years old, living with my partner and our 14 month old son. My son is the only thing that makes me happy and keeps me going but I want to be able to be a better mother to him and enjoy more time with him out of the house. I need to see some light for my future, I feel like im going to be like this forever and it's scary. I feel like I have this big hole in my heart and its painful, its there everyday, I can't feel it has much when I'm keeping busy but its still there with me and it just keeps coming back. It has been a few years since I saw a psychologist but I speak to a telephone counselor now and on antidepressants and will be going back to see a counsler but no matter how better things get I always end up back to square one. Maybe this is just who I am and I'm suppose to end up nowhere in life? But I really don't want to live like this, its too hard and it hurts too much.

Dark_skies Can't get over anything
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I'm new to this so forgive me for any mistakes. so, I have depression and I have major issues at school, home and with other people. My mums an alcoholic and says really horrible stuff to me when she's drunk, my dad constantly says horrible ... View more

Hi guys, I'm new to this so forgive me for any mistakes. so, I have depression and I have major issues at school, home and with other people. My mums an alcoholic and says really horrible stuff to me when she's drunk, my dad constantly says horrible stuff to me and thinks my depression is just some common cold type of a disease and that I will get over it. Schools getting to become really stressful for me as the work just likes up and my anxiety goes through the roof, I just broke up with my boyfriend and I feel like everything's caving in. I see a psychologist and take medication for my depression but I've been on it for 7 weeks and it doesn't help. I feel terrible constantly and I never get sleep. I feel as if there is no escape for me, and to be honest I'm done with everything. This is the last resort. Please help

xDariix Help Me.
  • replies: 2

I'm 21 years old and for as long as I can remember, I've had problems with socializing with people, organizing my life and motivation. I'm extremely self-conscious and I always have trouble speaking my mind. I've recently started seeing a psychologis... View more

I'm 21 years old and for as long as I can remember, I've had problems with socializing with people, organizing my life and motivation. I'm extremely self-conscious and I always have trouble speaking my mind. I've recently started seeing a psychologist thinking that I might have had ADHD. But she believes that I probably have Depression and Anxiety. I've taken a lot of online tests and a majority of those symptoms are positive. Okay, I understand that and I accept it. What I need help with is...what am I supposed to do? If I am diagnosed with Depression or something, what do I do then? All I know is failure, how to be good at letting others and myself down. I know I don't do it on purpose, but I feel like I'm doing it just to hurt myself. And I want to stop but I don't know how. I feel like I'm in a hole and I just can't pull myself out of it. I'm never satisfied with myself and everything I do is wrong in everyone's eyes, including myself. People say that motivation is enough. But when I get motivated to do something, when I start, it's gone, because it's just not right. Nothing is right and I just want it all to end because I hate living like this. I've never thought of suicide, but I've imagined how much better off the world would be without me. Sometimes, I want to grab a couple of my belongings and just leave, because I tend to feel better when I'm alone. But I don't want to be alone. I want to have people to turn to and I want there to be nothing wrong with me, but I've felt like this for so long and I've only recently started to acknowledge how horrible I feel on a day to day basis and that there is probably something wrong with me and can it just stop? I feel like there's more to life than this. I want to be something better and be proud of myself and I want to stop feeling sorry for myself. Please help.

Luxie Hopeless
  • replies: 8

Hi,I don't really know where to start as this has been going on for so long now. I guess I'm here because I've been suffering from depression in the last 4 years. I'm 21 now and I feel like my depression is the worst its ever been. I have lost intere... View more

Hi,I don't really know where to start as this has been going on for so long now. I guess I'm here because I've been suffering from depression in the last 4 years. I'm 21 now and I feel like my depression is the worst its ever been. I have lost interest in almost everything. I can't even remember the last time I was happy. Lately I've been feeling more depressed than ever. The smallest things set me off and cause me to break down. Whenever this happens I lose all hope and think of ways to end my life. I was hospitalized over the weekend for getting drunk and attempting suicide. I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm barely holding on... 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.