Hey Miss_Lil_J, I can totally relate to this feeling... I like what Benny has suggested. :) Getting out and meeting new people is a great way to feel more at ease with fitting in. It can be really challenging though! Good luck. :) ... View more

This is great to hear. :) Glad everything is looking a brighter for you! :) ... View more

Unfortunately I think this happens to everyone at some point or another. Whether it's because you are moving or the professional is moving, it's quite a "normal" thing and it's totally normal to feel a uneasy about it especially if you have a fairly good "connection" with that person. Unfortunately the first time this happened with me was when I was in high school, I had a great relationship with my school counsellor and when I finished school, I had to finish up with her. It was SO tough. But we tried to work on it a bit before the end of year 12. But it was still awfully difficult on me. I've been seeing my current psychiatrist for 3 and a half years now and he moved practices at one point (it was further away for me), he gave me the option of him referring me on to someone else or following him to his new practice (I obviously chose the latter). Is it possible that if you choose to stop seeing your current counsellor that she can write a letter to your new counsellor explaining some of the things that you have discussed (if you feel comfortable with this)? It might help with the "going over stuff" problem. This would probably be "easy" to do if you choose to see another counsellor at the same university. I am fairly sure they are able to do this as long as you give them consent. :) I really hope you make the right decision for you... but remember you are not alone in feeling a bit vulnerable knowing you might have to change counsellors. MM. ... View more

Hey Doris, There are times that we all feel as though things are not going so well in sessions with our therapists. And it's SO important we share what we like and don't like about the sessions we have. It might be only small things but they all add up! And if you have a good therapist, they'll be open to changing to suit what YOU want! It's YOUR sessions after all! I am not a very "vocal" person so I would probably write a letter explaining what I like and what I dislike about sessions. I REALLY think it's important to include both the good and bad. I hope this helps... ... View more

Hey snuffles, Sometimes we all get a bit "cranky" but it's important that we talk to someone about how we are feeling - which you seem to be doing - so well done! :) Make sure you take some deep breaths when you feel yourself getting volatile. MM. :) ... View more

Hey, I'm sorry to hear you've been dealing with this for a long time... but am so glad to hear that your counsellor last time was extremely helpful! That's really positive to hear. :) It sounds as though you've made some great positive steps with making an appointment to see a new counsellor. It's understandable that you don't want to relive it and tell someone new, but I think it's probably important for your new counsellor to know what helped in the past and what didn't. Maybe you could write some stuff down so that way you don't have to say it to them out loud instead just hand them the piece of paper? Or just have those notes ready in case you go blank when you see the new person. I'm really glad you've made an appointment with the counsellor and I really hope it goes well for you! Let us know how it goes (if you feel comfortable doing that!). MM. ... View more

I demand that you upload a photo of the cute foal!!! :D (Just no identifying images, so it can't have any people in it - but if it's just of the foal (and other horses), it's completely fine!) ... View more

Hello Miss_Lil_J,   Firstly, welcome to Reach Out! It's great to have you here. :) I hope you will find these forums helpful.   It sounds as though things are really tough for you at the moment and I'm so sorry to hear that. :( It sounds as though you are quite stressed at the moment.   But it's important that you understand that things CAN get better. Often a good way for things to improve is to talk to someone about what's going on. Getting everything out in the open can be really helpful! It seems as though you have a good bunch of friends and family, could you talk to them about how you are feeling? It can be as simple as saying to one of them... "I am feeling really stressed and need to talk about how I am feeling". Or writing them a letter explaining what's going on?   I don't know if you are at school or uni or tafe, but either way, you should have a counsellor of some type at all of those institutions, could you make an appointment to see them? Or maybe you could talk to the teacher of the subject where the assignment is due? Another option is to give Kids Help Line (for up to 25 year olds) a call - they are available 24/7 and are free (1800 551 800). They also offer online counselling: http://www.kidshelpline.com.au . eHeadspace is another option too: http://www.eheadspace.org.au - they offer online counselling too.   Other ideas that might help include making sure you are eating a well balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. Also finding a hobby that you enjoy - whether this is drawing, painting, listening to music etc. All of these things can help pick your mood up!   Here are some great factsheets to read as well: http://au.reachout.com/All-about-feeling-crap and http://au.reachout.com/Im-feeling-overwhelmed   Take care of yourself and it's really great you've come on here to get some help. :)   MM. ... View more

My dog means the world to me and I honestly credit him with saving my life in my darkest moments. There were many times in the past when I've been very upset, feeling very alone, and some instances where I've been very close to hurting myself... but I always remembered that I had this beautiful dog sitting outside my bedroom window and that he loved me. These days just having him in the same room as me when I am feeling down, helps me feel less alone and picks my mood up a bit. He isn't the most cuddly dog (he is a labrador, so not a lap dog!) but he will let me rest my head on him at times and I think he does pick up when I'm in a good mood and when I need a bit of extra comfort. He will always let me hug him too (unless he's in a particularly playful mood!). It also picks my mood up when I see him so happy when I throw him a ball - he is ALWAYS in the mood for playing!! Another benefit is that seeing him makes me feel guilty for not walking him so I get more regular exercise (exercise = endorphins = happy chemicals!). I think pets are amazing for improving mental health - I know SO many people whose pets mean the world to them and help keep them going. I really think more research should be done to determine the full benefits! ... View more

Best of luck lokifish! Let us know how it goes (if you feel comfortable doing that!). And I'm SO thankful this thread has helped you feel more at ease! Shadow, I am so glad that you look forward to going to see your psychiatrist... I do as well. :) It's a great opportunity to get everything "off my chest". ... View more

School counsellors are great at talking to parents - unfortunately it is an important part of their job, because there are times when they need to contact parents for duty of care (happened to me in year 11). I think it would be great as Birdeye suggested to get your mum to come into the school and talk to your school counsellor face to face. You can probably organise it so that you get a chance to talk to your school counsellor beforehand and make it clear to them what you would like discussed with your mum and what you would prefer not to be discussed. That way it's only the things you feel comfortable discussing with your mum will be discussed in the session. I feel as though I've just used the word "discuss" wayy too much! Best of luck with it... You can do it! I am so proud of you for taking these small, but very positive steps. :) MM ... View more

This is an amazing post on so many levels. I am so proud of you for accessing help when you needed it and now being able to see the positives of your journey. You are an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing! (And how amazing that you delivered a foal! I'm so jealous!) ... View more

That IS interesting! It really surprises me that faggot is more common than "so gay". I hear "so gay" much more than faggot in everyday life! I wonder how much the numbers would increase if the word "fag" was included too?! Think before you post, guys!   And it kind of freaks me out that they are tracking this... But interesting all the same! ... View more

omg. Some of these are great! Someone said Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I haven't watched that show in FOREVER, but it was my fave when I was growing up.   Golden Girls is also amazing. So hilarious!   And I loved Puberty Blues too! I have ordered the book online now!   I don't watch much tv so I don't think I can come up with 5... NCIS (it's always my top...) Law & Order: SVU (this is pretty much always up there too - though nowhere near as good as it was when Stabler was in it!) The Big Bang Theory I also like Can of Worms (so much controversy). Friends! (I never get sick of it).   ... View more

This post made me smile so much, Tay! Well done for going, even when your anxiety was high! And I am SO glad it went well. :) Definitely makes me feel more confident in referring other young people to headspace now! :) I'm so happy for you. :) I hope you have done something kind to yourself tonight as a reward for going to the appointment. :) ... View more

Hey switch, This is a bit of a dilemma, hey? It's really tough when we feel as though a friend is using us and we don't want to offend them by telling them but we are sick of them using us too! Such a complex problem! It seems to me as though he doesn't have much income at the moment? I don't know how much professional skateboarding pays but I imagine unless you are Tony Hawk, it would be really tough when you are just starting up. So maybe the best way to approach it is to talk to him about his money issues. Even just casually, ask him about whether he has any sponsership deals and if the money is okay, and then if he admits he is struggling with money, tell him that you have noticed he doesn't pay for much when going out. BUT emphasize that you are more so concerned than anything else and that you want to help him but can't afford to keep paying for everything. And then have a bit of a discussion with him about how he can earn some money while still following his skateboarding dreams (maybe getting a night job might be a good option if he skates during the day?). I also love the suggestions from shadow on "cheaper" options when spending time with him. Maybe you could even ask to have lunch at his place one time and see what he says? I hope this helps, I don't know how much sense I've made! You sound like a great friend though so I hope everything works out for you both! MM ... View more

Hey SS, Welcome to the forums. Sophie and Ruenhonx have both given you some great advice. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are very strong and I KNOW you can get through this, but you DO need to reach out for help. It's SO tough reaching out for help but it IS worth it. I'd really recommend you going to see your GP. You might be surprised at how helpful they are and they are the best person to refer you on to a counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist (if they feel it's needed). Stay strong, use the supports around you and don't let the destructive voices win! MM. ... View more