I can't believe that some animals actually exist and aren't photoshopped. I'm not too sure. I only found out I was allergic to them when I had an allergy test. They tested me for about 20 common allergens but out of them, I was only mildly allergic to dogs. It triggered a minor rash. It was weird though because we didn't have a dog, so we aren't sure what are causing a lot of my allergy symptoms. I think a lot of is due to the weather. I have reacted to dogs in a pet store before and it made my eyes water and nose run, like my usual allergy-like symptoms. They were so cute though. My neighbour's dogs are apparently hypoallergenic but I haven't really got close to them to be able to tell if I'm allergic to them or not. ... View more

What does sharing your story mean to you? I think sharing my story empowers me, gives me a voice and allows me to help others, perhaps even encouraging them to tell their own. I feel proud of myself whenever I tell people my story. It has also taught me that good things can come out of having bad experiences. Sometimes it can also be a relief to get something off my chest. ... View more

He's not just any Pomeranian. He's a 'top Pomeranian' (although this might be biased because it's according to the great Missile himself). 'The only thing I'm really good at is... That's it! BARKING! There really isn't much else in life!' Although Missile was really good for a lot of things in the game... I really should replay it! The story was so addictive. I think it only took us a short time to finish. I'm pretty sure someone could finish it in a day if they binge-played it. Have you seen any photos or videos of Pomeranian puppies? I showed someone once and we couldn't decide if what we were seeing was real or not. They just look like giant balls of fluff to me. Those dogs look adorable! I wish I could have a dog. Some of my family members really want to get one. The only problem is I'm allergic to them. I'm glad that you're proud of being autistic! There's nothing wrong with loving who you are. ... View more

Have you heard of a game called Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective? There is a dog character in it called Missile and I wish I had him as a dog! He's so loyal and loving to his owners! It was pretty heartbreaking to see him die (and return) a few times over the course of the game. My sister and I played through it and we both fell in love with him. I think he was based on a real dog that passed away recently. I think this is the real life version: ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  You could be onto something there. I've noticed how it's usually the in-home equipment and home modifications that people have trouble getting from the NDIS. I think they also denied him an adjustable bed (like a hospital bed) that he would have been able to get in and out of better. I feel really sorry for that family. It's a shame because people don't ask to be disabled and the NDIS is supposed to make things easier for people, not add to their stress. Awww! That picture is so cute! I remember that movie (only seen it once I think). Dug is so adorable. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  Wow, that's too bad. I feel sorry for you. That's so frustrating the NDIS won't fund a service dog. I've heard that going through the NDIS is like 'trying to get blood out of a stone'. I've heard of a lot of people who have had bad experiences with them. I know someone whose doctors seemed to have botched his back surgery leaving him disabled (I think they're in the process of taking legal action against them). He now has to walk with crutches, use a catheter, cannot drive or work and has muscle spasms and jerking. He tried to get the NDIS to fund equipment for his home but all they would fund were the crutches. I have also heard of someone with multiple sclerosis and needing care not being able to get anything from the NDIS. We are trying to go through the NDIS to get equipment for my sister but I doubt they will end up funding the full cost. I've heard that there are other schemes that people can go through but I don't know much about them. I personally find it really crazy that they would pay for things like chiropractors but deny people things like guide dogs and some home modifications. My sister's occupational therapist was really knowledgeable and helpful about these kinds of things and backed up our applications to the NDIS. Getting the opinion of an OT could be an option and might help support your funding applications. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  According to one of my family members, you can also pay a doctor directly rather than having it bulk billed. I think the rate varies but one of my family members who is a GP charges $40 per consultation. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  Wow, I've been thinking about getting my own medicare card too. I didn't realise you needed to show a visa. I thought it would be just proof of identity. Why would the gender options matter to the healthcare provider anyway? I'm sorry to hear about your family situation. It's kind of similar in my family. A lot of them are in the healthcare profession themselves but hold the attitude that unless one of us is on death's door, visibly very unwell or they have the same condition themselves, referrals and treatment are unnecessary. I think a lot of people forget that pain and a lot of conditions are subjective and invisible, so they shouldn't be quick to judge. I hope your family will end up changing their attitudes and treat you better. Maybe like some of my family members, they will just need to hear from the specialist themselves. Even though I'm older than you, I still often  take a family member with me when I see a doctor because they help me remember information and can provide observations of my symptoms. Do you have any members of your extended family or a friend who can give you a lift to a doctor? There are also home doctor services, although I think they're available on medicare and might not be available in certain areas. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  I'm pretty sure the cat is what killed the big mama blue tongue skink that lived in our yard because she had been lurking near that area. We've seen her eating lizards before. She always looks at you menacingly and growls as well. She doesn't fear anything. This cat is really something else. Awww! That's so cute about the bobtails! We've seen our lizards mating. It wasn't a pretty sight. I totally get how frustrating it can be about the huge waiting lists, especially if you're seeing someone at a public hospital. Hopefully it will end up being worth the wait. I probably need to see my ophthalmologist to ask about getting a prescription for something we've previously discussed and the wait is probably going to take months as usual unless someone cancels. I'm kind of dreading the wait. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  I love mac and cheese too! I haven't made it in a mug yet but I should. I know a lot of people who struggle to tell when they've had too much to eat. I find that eating something minty can help with resisting the urge to eat more when you're already full. Eating foods that need utensils can also help people eat more slowly. Some people also practice something called mindful eating. ... View more

@Tiny_leafSome of those recipes look delish! I didn't know that you could make pizza in a mug! There are also lots of microwave gadgets that can help you cook things like pasta, bacon, potatoes and eggs in the microwave. I love using the microwave to cook. ... View more

Penne pasta with vegetarian bean meatballs and a tomato sauce! ... View more

Hi @Hozzles! I'm sad that you've been struggling so much. It sounds like you're going through a really tough time at the moment and struggling with your self-confidence. I'm sorry to hear about your breakup. That really stinks. I'm sure you'll end up finding someone new eventually though. I know lots of people with mental health issues who have been in happy, fulfilling relationships. There are lots of supportive people out there. Your breakup may actually end up being a blessing in disguise, because you might be able to use this time to focus on yourself. I think it's a really brave step to discuss these issues with your new psychologist. I hope you'll end up finding the sessions useful. I'm wondering whether it would be helpful to ask your psychologist for tips about talking to people and feeling confident. Sometimes when we don't feel confident in a social setting, it can show, which might reinforce negative feelings about yourself. When I feel like people are ignoring or not talking to me, it also helps to change my thoughts about potential reasons why this could be the case. For example, when I'm talking to someone online and they're taking a while to respond, it could be because they are taking a phone call or have to attend to a personal issue. The way we think about these types of situations can really impact on how we feel about ourselves. I am currently feeling similarly in that I am very exhausted and end up spending a lot of time in bed. When I wake up, it's hard to stop myself from going back to sleep again and I usually end up having a nap as soon as I come back home from somewhere. In my case, there is a medical reason contributing to it, as well as stress and staying up late due to being a carer. I have to take medication for it. I think it's a good idea to talk to your GP about it because mine was really helpful. I also found exercise and gradually doing more each day to be useful. ... View more

Hi @smileandwave! I'm sorry to hear that you've been going through a tough time but well done for going to counselling! It can be really hard to work up the courage to take that first step. I don't think that it's strange to not tell anyone that you're in counselling. There were times when I didn't tell anyone that I was going through counselling either. I think it's up to you whether you want to tell people or not. It could depend on how supportive your friends and loved ones are and whether you have a good relationship with them. Sometimes it can be easier telling strangers rather than people you know well. It can sometimes help to make a list of the pros and cons of telling people. Groups for people going through similar experiences can also be really helpful. ... View more

What a great thread @Tiny_leaf! - My family and I find that preparing some meals in advance can be really helpful, especially when we're too stressed or don't have much time to cook. We always have something in the fridge that we can just heat up. You can find a lot of free guides and recipes that are suitable for this online. In some cases, this can also save you money and you can use reusable food storage methods. - I echo @queenP's advice about getting someone to eat with you. Sometimes being around people can encourage you to eat more. - There are lots of ways you can use a microwave to make meals, which might be helpful if you're a student, don't have a lot of time, are on a budget or aren't a great cook. I have made soup and cake in the microwave using mugs, for example. You can also steam vegetables quickly and easily this way. There are a lot of recipes online which are really good. - Some people struggle to swallow food. Foods like macaroni and cheese, yogurt, jelly, baked beans, bananas, avocados, and smoothies might be helpful for days like this. You can also make your own vegetable purees and spreads and flavour them with garlic or herbs. ... View more

Hi @Anonymus-1287! Welcome to the forums! Moving can be really stressful and hard, especially when you can't stay in touch with your old friends. Are you able to keep in contact with your old friends via social media, mail, or phone? Joining extracurricular activities or clubs at your new school can also be a way of making new friends. Maybe your teachers can help with introducing you to people who share similar interests to you too. I can't tell you what to do about your relationship. It can be really tough when you're getting mixed signals from a person you're dating or from an ex. I think @Andrea-RO's advice is really good though. In my experience, these types of issues tend to be temporary and have a way of working out eventually. The move could end up giving you a newfound perspective about your relationship and help you decide whether to pursue your ex or not. ... View more

@Cheeseburger  I'm sorry you two broke up. Breakups can be really devastating. I think it's a good idea to surround yourself with family and friends during this time. If he was trying to hurt you, it could even be a good thing the relationship ended. It can be really hard getting people out of your life or ending relationships, but sometimes it can make you happier focusing on yourself. It can be better being single than being unhappy in a relationship. I know that a lot of people do self-care activities after a breakup, such as eating their favourite foods, watching their favourite shows, going shopping, etc. Do these kinds of things help you? Sending you a big virtual hug ... View more

Hi @missep! If you like Overcooked, you might also like Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime and Snipperclips because they're also good co-op games. By the way, I love Overcooked 1 and 2 too! Another good series we like to play when friends are over is the Jackbox Party Pack! Some of the games need at least two players and some need at least three. We also like playing the PS4 Playlink games as a group or pair. I remember playing the original Crash Bandicoot and Spyro games. I was so excited when they were remade! I'd recommend them because I think they are pretty good value and you can replay them again and again. My sister and I love the Sims too! What consoles do you own? ... View more

@Tiny_leafThat's strange! Maybe it's a glitch. The slime and dough sounds fun! The DVD selection also sounds awesome! Once I was in hospital for day surgery and the hospital played The Little Vampire on the TVs nonstop. I had to be kept in recovery longer than expected so one of my family members had to wait in the waiting room. They ended up having to watch the movie about three times due to the delay. Then when I was taken to a larger recovery room, I got to watch The Incredibles on the TV. I had been given laughing gas which was still in effect and it made me really excited and euphoric watching it. It was such a weird experience. ... View more

Hi @mspaceK and @Tiny_leaf! I have also been to a mental health care hospital but as an outpatient many years ago because my psychologist wanted to get a second opinion. I saw a psychiatrist who interviewed me and diagnosed me with PTSD and low depression. Then she decided that it would be best if I continued seeing my psychologist but using a different type of therapy. I never ended up seeing the psychiatrist again. Whether the symptoms were impacting on functioning at work or school seemed to be the main factor in whether to treat patients with medication. @Tiny_leaf like you I had hallucinations but the psychiatrist thought that they were not psychotic in nature and were stemming from the nightmares from my PTSD. The psychiatrist seemed nice. I didn't get very far into the hospital but I remember looking up pictures later and the rooms seemed very nice. They also had gardening and art therapy. It was very clean and modern. I think it's important to do some research on the psych hospitals in your area if you do end up deciding to go because from what I've heard, some seem to be better than others. ... View more

I think it's beautiful how everyone is sharing their stories in this thread. ... View more

Has somebody ever shared part of their story with you? What was it like? How does finding out someone has a similar story to you make you feel? A lot of people have confided in me over the years. I think these experiences have been positive overall and made us closer. I feel that some people in my life have been more able to find solutions to problems when they've reached out for support and we've been able to talk through the issues together rather than bottling up their emotions. Sometimes it can be stressful to know that my loved ones and friends have been hurting or going through a difficult time though. I think that someone sharing part of their story with me shows that they trust me and think that I'm a loyal confidant or friend. That makes me feel proud of my positive qualities. Knowing that I'm not alone and that other people have gone through similar things has validated my feelings and made me feel a lot better when I'm feeling down. It's not that I want people to go through bad experiences but I feel that empathy can be really helpful, especially because feelings of isolation can be physically painful. I think people can sometimes be more equipped to listen to and help others when they've gone through similar experiences themselves. ... View more

@mspaceK  I'm glad that you're spending time with your family. I hope you can seek support from them. Maybe you could do some self-care for the rest of the day. You deserve it! ... View more

@Cheeseburger  I'm so sad to hear that you're so upset. It must be really painful to think that your boyfriend isn't listening to you. It's important that all couples have rough patches from time to time and your relationship could still work out. It could be that he's unaware of how much he is hurting you because he's young and might not be that good at communication in relationships yet. This might feel terrible right now, but you're strong and I know that you'll get through it. ... View more

Hi @mspaceK, I hope you're feeling better from the hangover. I also hope that the appointments went well ... View more

Hi @Charlie-29-1999! Wow, I'm really sorry about what happened to you. It sounds very scary. I think anyone would find the thought of just going about their day, only to suddenly find themselves in hospital being told that they could have died, extremely frightening. I'm glad you survived though! I find it really amazing that you had the courage to call an ambulance and wait for so long with no one around. I think it's a great example of your toughness and strength. What happened to you could happen to anyone. It sounds like an extremely rare event. That day, you just happened to be unlucky. Hopefully the blood thinning medication will decrease the chances of it happening again. Are you able to talk to your specialists about your concerns? Maybe they can provide some reassurance, especially about the risk of it happening again. Additionally, they might be able to suggest ways of minimising the risk. You might be able to reassure yourself that as you are following the doctors' instructions and are more aware of the warning signs and being monitored often, the chance of it happening again will most likely be even lower. I hope you have a speedy recovery. ... View more

I hope you can feel better tomorrow @mspaceK  I'll be thinking of you. Take care. ... View more

@mspaceK  Well done for reaching out and telling someone! I'm proud of you. Hopefully someone will pick up soon. Is there anything you can do while you're on hold with them? Maybe you can play an online game or do one of the activities on this thread. ... View more

@mspaceK  Are you able to tell someone you're feeling this way? My heart goes out to you. I think it would be helpful to call Lifeline, Kids Helpline or the Suicide Callback Service and let them know what's going on. Are you safe right now? ... View more

@mspaceK  Well done for not drinking any more! I think you're so strong and resilient. It's okay to cry. I think many people have moments like this from time to time. Is there anything that can make you feel better? Has anything helped you during other times you've felt like this? ... View more