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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Musicgirl Mother's emotional abuse has triggered my depression
  • replies: 2

Heyya, so I'm 19 and still living at home with my mum. I have Generalised anxiety disorder and depression, and am on medication as well as seeing a psychologist. Im struggling so much at the moment! I went throught a good couple of weeks where it see... View more

Heyya, so I'm 19 and still living at home with my mum. I have Generalised anxiety disorder and depression, and am on medication as well as seeing a psychologist. Im struggling so much at the moment! I went throught a good couple of weeks where it seemed like everything was getting better and i was genuinely getting through the day without any bad or anxious thoughts, and was sleeping properly and everything! It was amazing!! However, depression has hit me like a brick again. Im struggling to keep down food because of the anxious stomach ive got going on, and struggling to sleep because my thoughts wont stop. It was all triggered I think because I've recently started piecing parts of my life together and have realised my mother is emotionally abusive. We argue about silly things, and then she turns everything around to ensure i take the blame for whatever has happened. She makes me feel guilty for spending money to buy things for myself, even though I work ridiculously hard for my money and i end up paying for most of OUR groceries and living costs because she has a massive gambling problem and loses all her pay. She does things like tell me im selfish because i refuse to gamble with her and then doesnt talk to me and doesnt come home until a ridiculous hour of the morning. anyway, I spoke to my psych about all of this yesterday and normally that would automatically make me feel so much better but i think i might have opened a huge can of worms. I feel like complete crap and i dont really know what to do. I ended up leaving her office and crying the entire train trip home at everything I saw, like happy families, 'normal' families. Everything I wish I had Ive also got another appointment for next week rather than waiting a fortnight, and as much as i want to go im worried that i wont have enough to talk about and ill just be repeating myself. But even if I do repeat myself it just feels so nice to vent. I dont know Im just stressing about that on top of everything else because I dont want to waste my psych's time. Thanks so much for reading xx sorry its so long

Kic I cry every day
  • replies: 2

I guess I could say I have 1 true friend today I found out I have to get braces and I already have had glasses sice I was 6 months old. I have one sister that ruins my life. I cry every day. No one knows except me sharing this here. It's like having ... View more

I guess I could say I have 1 true friend today I found out I have to get braces and I already have had glasses sice I was 6 months old. I have one sister that ruins my life. I cry every day. No one knows except me sharing this here. It's like having a knife cut up all your happiness and I feel gifted when I am happy. My life is a reck and I am still crying

Wolf76 new anxiety symptoms? need advice
  • replies: 4

To cut a long story short, i was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome about 2 years ago. this would cause me to get a large variety of symptoms like skipped heartbeats, palpatations and abnormally fast heart rate. This caused me t... View more

To cut a long story short, i was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome about 2 years ago. this would cause me to get a large variety of symptoms like skipped heartbeats, palpatations and abnormally fast heart rate. This caused me to develop anxieties regarding health, which has now progressed to a generalized anxiety disorder. over the last two years i have handled my anxietys reasonably well, having only a handful of panic attacks however anxiety is always at the back of my head.majority of my anxiety is me being anxious about having anxiety and panic attacks or health anxieties. in the last two weeks i have been experiencing new symptoms. yesterday when zipping my bag up i thought my zip was a cockroach then when i looked again it was a zip. a few days ago i saw an enzelope on the floor and then looked back to see nothing but a lighter colouring on that part of the cement. i have been seeing shadows out the corner of my eye and so on. last night i woke up to a sound that was as if it was in my room, it said the name 'harry'. while im certain it was in my dream i heard the sound when becoming conscious apon waking. has any experienced this before?? any help or advice would be great.

Liz90 Anxiety first timer...
  • replies: 13

Hi,I've decided to get onto beyondblue as a means of direction, reassurance, even distraction.I'm a 24 year old uni student, only just completed my first semester.My mind is CONSTANTLY racing though. I constantly had my phone in my hand, trying to se... View more

Hi,I've decided to get onto beyondblue as a means of direction, reassurance, even distraction.I'm a 24 year old uni student, only just completed my first semester.My mind is CONSTANTLY racing though. I constantly had my phone in my hand, trying to seem keep up with everyone else, comparing myself. If I saw a young pretty thing out partying on fb, I'd go crazy on my phone trying to organise a drinking sesh with "friends", just in order to feel like a carefree 18 year old again. I've had my share of crap relationships, I'm scared to death that I won't be accepted for me?The constant worry of finances, my house, my mums health, my job, my education etc... All these responsibilities that you really don't even understand until they all hit you like a train as an adult.Which is what has happened to me!So many things go on in my head. Constantly. My mind never stops. For the past 6 months I've always felt anxious, but wasn't sure what the hell it was..I just thought I was sick? Until this past Thursday happened.I went to trivia at my local (something I do EVERY thurs with family and friends).And then it hit me. The worst panic attack. I simply couldn't be there. I fell into a heap in the carpark, could barely compose myself. Never been so scared in my life.Friday I got worse. Lost it in my drs office, he prescribed an anti depressant that would calm my mind down over time (serotonin). I kept crying "This isnt me! I'm a strong confident person! what is happening to me!"...But I just couldn't cope. I didn't work all weekend (the bar I've worked at for 3 years). I just COULDNT shake this EXTREME anxiety. In an effort to give me a few hours of relief, my mum gave me some of her medication. A quick fix at most. The most simple exercises like going to the shops, work, getting the mail have me crippled with fear.A 7 hr shift last night ended 2.5hrs in when get this, I felt FINE. then my brain said "But how will you feel when you get home?". BOOM. Panic attack from hell.Today I saw a psychologist, which has left me feeling a TINY bit better.My biggest fear? Is the fear itself. Will I ever overcome this? Will I EVER be normal? I have a cruise in 3 weeks, will I manage it? The idea of a few cocktails has me panic stricken because I know alcohol and anxiety don't mix.Is my life as I know it over? I would do ANYTHING to make it go away for good. I hate how I feel. I hate the fear of fear. I cant eat or sleep.I need to wake up from this nightmare

Bb23 Three years, seven medications
  • replies: 11

In the past 3.5 years, I have been on seven different anti-depressants, seen many counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and dietitians. Nothing has ever made me feel happier or better in any way. No sign of improvement either. I just want to kno... View more

In the past 3.5 years, I have been on seven different anti-depressants, seen many counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and dietitians. Nothing has ever made me feel happier or better in any way. No sign of improvement either. I just want to know what it's like to feel happy again. The hope I have for getting better is diminishing and I just don't know what to do anymore. Any advice would be appreciated!

Francesco I am new and would like to say hello! :)
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, I am Francesco. I have recently become a member here. I am very interested in what this has to offer myself and everyone here. I have been battling anxiety for quite along time but after some years of counselling it has become a bit more man... View more

Hi guys, I am Francesco. I have recently become a member here. I am very interested in what this has to offer myself and everyone here. I have been battling anxiety for quite along time but after some years of counselling it has become a bit more manageable however I still have my bad days. I have had a lot of social issues which I am trying to work through and at the moment I am searching for the meaning in my life. Here is a little something about myself. I am currently studying Psychology (Honours) and wish to become a counselling psychologist. My aim in life to work to help others and allow others to see the uniqueness in themselves. I am a music and TV show fanatic and I welcome any fun discussions on the topics, haha! I am so amazed at the work that goes on in this organisation and am so happy that i decided to become a part of it. Most of all, I am here to help. Thank you! Francesco.

shay2 I need him now more than ever
  • replies: 6

So I'm 15 and I have been depressed for about 4 years now and only 1 or 2 people know about it. Since I was 13 I was with this boy who treated me like crap and emotionally abused and manipulated me to do things with him, a couple of months ago he tol... View more

So I'm 15 and I have been depressed for about 4 years now and only 1 or 2 people know about it. Since I was 13 I was with this boy who treated me like crap and emotionally abused and manipulated me to do things with him, a couple of months ago he told me he never cared about me and I was heartbroken. Then I got a new job and hit it off with this new guy and I completely fell for him, he is so sweet and kind and stable. I really thought we had something and then he started dating another girl from our work and kissed her in-front of me. It isn't his fault because I never told him how I felt but now its agony to watch them together and I'm happy that he's happy but I need him. He was the first good thing in my life for 4 years. When I first found out that he was dating someone else, ​I cried for about 3 days. When you love someone; you have to be brave, brave enough to tell them how you feel, or brave enough to watch them love someone else. I really don't know what to do because I still like my job and cherish my friendship with him and she is a nice girl so I know he isn't unhappy but I feel so down about it. I know I'm young or whatever but he was my world, the minute we started talking we just clicked and he made me so genuinely happy about myself, now when I look at myself in the mirror I just see everything wrong with me and how I'm not her and he will never see me as more than a friend. She is a bit older than him and has a kid, she is 21 and he is 17 and I just feel like a 17 year old boy has to really love her to help look after her kid and pretty much live with her. He lives with his mum but spends every night at his girlfriends and then they go to uni together and work together all night before repeating this process. I know I want him to be happy but is it wrong that I kind of hope it ends? I'm sorry you had to read my petty teenage drama, I hope some of you can relate or give me advice. I will try to reply to all the advice. -Shay xx

tal21 Loss of hope and guilt
  • replies: 2

hello, im a female in highschool and I kind of just feel 'done' with everything?Ive been seeing a psychologist for over a year, and I think that this persona everyone disregards and calls 'clinical depression' is just apart of me and something that a... View more

hello, im a female in highschool and I kind of just feel 'done' with everything?Ive been seeing a psychologist for over a year, and I think that this persona everyone disregards and calls 'clinical depression' is just apart of me and something that always will be.. I get these darn migraines every night and they drive me insane, and my skin.. oh gosh my skin is always itching. Not mosquito type itching.. It causes me to scratch myself and leave scabs, but I can't control it. I've stopped doing all the things I love, I've lost my dreams, aspirations and goals, I've been in association with self mutilation for various reasons and I just want to go. want to leave. want to sleep for a long while.. But I can't and I try so hard not to let myself for my mum and my dad and my sister but it's so hard. it's so so hard. there's nothing for me now, just the guilt of always hurting people which is all I ever seem to do. I feel like my mind is going against my body.. 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;}

Sezza94 How to cope with my anxiety?
  • replies: 13

I'm new to this forum type thing but thought I'd give it a try. I suffer from severe anxiety which causes me to be depressed. I have anxiety attacks all the time which causes me to miss work and other commitments. I find it hard to breathe, get reall... View more

I'm new to this forum type thing but thought I'd give it a try. I suffer from severe anxiety which causes me to be depressed. I have anxiety attacks all the time which causes me to miss work and other commitments. I find it hard to breathe, get really hot and most of the time throw up as a result. I see a psychologist and am on medication but I'm just having trouble finding suitable coping strategies for when I have an attack. I was hoping someone might be able to make some suggestions. Thank you.

guest_13 Not sure if just extremely apathetic and lazy, or just who I am?
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I'm new here and I'm just having some conflict on whether I should seek help or not for depression/anxiety. I know your probably thinking "just go there, they'll diagnose you and see if it is or isn't" but the thing is, no matter how much pro... View more

Hi all, I'm new here and I'm just having some conflict on whether I should seek help or not for depression/anxiety. I know your probably thinking "just go there, they'll diagnose you and see if it is or isn't" but the thing is, no matter how much problems I have, I believe I'm just extremely apathetic and lazy. Ive lived like this for about a year or so, so no matter how much I look back and acknowledge how depressed I am, my lack of emotion and feeling numb, my isolation and withdrawal for everything and just my constant lack of interest or motivation with anything, I still can't acknowledge that something is wrong, for some reason. Maybe it's just that since it's been like this for a while, I believe its who I am and it's just my personality? Is it just me that has this issue? I did talk to a counsellor but my self-doubt and the belief that I was making up everything I said made it too hard to get my idea across, because I just can't trust my own word