Hey @Eden1717    I totally get wanting validation and comfort from your mum, and it sucks that you don't always get that. I think it's really great that you've seen it from her perspective though. That is, you know she means well and know that her making a joke is her way of coping with a difficult situation. It sounds like you know her really well!    You mention wanting to tell someone but you're feeling scared. I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Can you elaborate a little bit? Are you wanting to speak to someone about your mental health or? ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04    You're an amazing person as evidenced by the way you support people on here and the care you show for your mother. We can all beat ourselves up at the best of times, but it's important to take a step back and to let things go. Sometimes I think back to things in my past and think "oh I wish I would've behaved differently" and feel shame, embarrassment, or regret. But we can't change the past. It is what it is. However, we can take note of it, learn from it, and implement what we've learnt in the future.      Can you tell me a little bit about your day?    Also, what are you up to tonight? ... View more

Hi @Jamiefitzy - thanks for joining ReachOut and sharing what's going on for you. It must be scary to feel that way and not know what's causing it. I'm glad you reached out and managed to find someone else who has experienced something similar.  I'm wondering - have you spoken to anyone in your life about this?    Also, I noticed from checking your IP address that you're an international user.As per our Community Guidelines, ReachOut forums are only for users within Australia and therefore we will ban your account in 24-48 hours. We'll leave it active so that you can receive some support in the interim. Also regarding our community guidelines - I had to remove the email address you shared because we do not allow the sharing of personal details on this site. I hope this is okay with you.    Even if we do ban your account, you will still be able to access to our forum as a guest and read articles on our website - just remember that the linked services might not be accessible in your country.  I've linked you a list of potential services that we have created for international users like yourself here.   Sorry if this message has disappointed you. We encourage you to look up similar services in your country  . We want you to get the support you deserve. Thanks again for sharing  ... View more

That's okay @Bananatime04    It must really suck to feel that way  - I am about to log off soon so I can't go into detail about your posts but I can respond next time I'm on if you like. Just ask me via email when I'm on and I can help.    You definitely aren't a horrible person and do not deserve horrible things. The next time you think this sort of stuff try telling yourself "no...that is not true...that is just my mental state/condition telling me that". Try and distance yourself from those thoughts if you can. It's may be your hormones exacerbating your emotions too.    I have to go now but I know that you know what supports you can use if you escalate/ get worse throughout the night. If you need a reminder just see our urgent help page here. I know you can get through this night without self-harming, just like you've gotten through tough nights in the past. You're stronger than you think!      ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04    Some of what you've mentioned is really concerning. I'm worried about you  . I've also noticed you haven't mentioned safety. What are you going to do to look after yourself tonight? Do you think you can keep yourself safe?    Also, I edited out a sentence from a few posts back.  ... View more

Hey @wolvesrunfree    That sounds quite dangerous. Thanks @WheresMySquishy for the quick response - you have asked all the right questions.    I'd encourage you to chat with a parent or teacher about this if you can. It is not okay for someone to be hurting someone else - whether it be physical or mental etc. I know you're worried about it escalating but at the same time, one's safety comes first.    Also, just letting you know that I removed some aspects of your post as they were a bit too graphic, and therefore against our guidelines. They can be read here.    Also, thought I'd inform you that if we believe that a person is in immediate/ serious danger then we have a duty of care to report it to the relevant authorities as also explained in our guidelines. I just have to let you know this so you have informed consent about what you share going forward.  ... View more

Hi @Paijache    Welcome to the forums and thank you so much for sharing. It must have been really hard to write that all down and share that with us - that takes a lot of strength. I'm really glad you found our forums and hopefully we can be of assistance. We have a lovely community of accepting and helpful people here    It sounds like you've been through a lot - feeling nervous about spending time with your dad, feeling unloved or unprioritised by your mum, and issues with attending school/work and completing your goals... it seems like your emotions are really getting in the way of you doing what you want to, and I can really understand how that might leave you feeling trapped    I think it's really great that you sought professional support at some stage (I'm guessing this is the case given then you started taking antidepressants). I'm wondering whether you've ever received talking therapy, or if that's something you'd be open to. Is it?    Dealing with mental health issues can be really tough, but it's important to know that there is help out there, and you can get better. A lot of the time it involves learning what works for you, and how to best manage your mental health. You've taken the right step by posting on here for support    Throughout your post I noticed how reflective and insightful you are, which I think will really help you with your journey towards better well-being.    Also just letting you know that I had to edit out some of your post - the name of the medication you take and also the illicit drugs you have used. I also removed your first name from the end of the post. The reason I have done this is because these things go against the set of guidelines that we have, which can be found here. It's okay by the way, most new users do not know about these guidelines when they first join    Also - sorry that your post took a while to appear on the forums. For some strange reason it went into our "spam" section and we only just noticed it.  ... View more

Hi @Topito    Welcome to ReachOut! I noticed you created a thread with no body of text. I'm not sure if this was purposeful or a technical issue. Feel free to share what's going on with you. We're here to listen  ... View more

Aw @Tiny_leaf    You're really having a hard time, aren't you? It must suck to have to question what you're doing wrong. It sounds like you're trying so hard, but that not much is working out for you right now. And I really get how that would be frustrating for you. You're probably feeling quite defeated . Please know that you are deserving of kindness, both online and offline. You're a very important part of the community here, @Tiny_leaf, and you deserve to be treated well in all aspects of life  . I remember how good you were coping when I first joined R/O, and I believe you can reach that place again. As hard as it is, hang in there . ... View more

Hey @keezeik  Thanks for sharing what is going on for you . I think a lot of people can relate to what you're saying, myself included! It can be easy to over-eat, especially when the food is TASTY.    On a nutritional podcast I listen to, they say that if you want to eating better/more nutritious goods, then a good way to start is by eating 5 vegetables and 2 pieces of fruit a day. They also suggest "eating the rainbow" - so eating fruits/veg of all different colours. Also, for information on what foods you should be eating, it might be a good idea to check out the World Health Organisation website, particularly this page here, which provides info on what a healthy diet looks like based on scientific evidence.    If you're wanting healthy recipe ideas, it might be a good idea to google them. There are so many good resources on the internet.    In terms of eating less, or not over-eating, I'm not entirely sure. It might be a good idea to speak with a professional nutritionist, as they should be able to tell you how much you should be eating to maintain a healthy weight for your height, age, gender etc. A nutritionist will be able to help you with recipe ideas too. Is seeing a nutritionist something you'd consider?  ... View more

Hey @MB95  - I'm sorry to hear about your bad dreams. You're right, dreams can feel SO real. Talking about dreams, I thought I'd share something that I find kind of funny. My boyfriend got upset at me for the first time last Friday night. P.s. he rarely ever gets upset at anyone so it was really out of character for him, and what he was upset about was really out of character too (he's never been upset about this thing before). Anyway, when I spoke to him on the phone I said "is something else upsetting you? Have I done anything else that you're not telling me?" and he said "well no, not in real life." He had a bad dream about me that morning, that I broke up with him in a cold manner. Anyway, I'm (and I think even he is) convinced that the bad dream subconsciously made him more sensitive towards my actions that day. So yes, dreams definitely have an impact even once they're over.    Anyway, good luck with your GP appointment. Please let us know how you go.    ... View more

Hi @Gurasis05    Thanks for joining ReachOut and sharing what's going on for you. It was really brave of you to post on here. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot at the moment, including understanding your sexuality, wanting a partner like others at school, but also not feeling ready to come out. It must suck to feel ready to date but having something holding you back (i.e., the need to come out).    If you don't mind me asking - what is stopping you from coming out?   Also, I noticed that you posted this on somebody else's thread and so I have moved your post so that it's now its own thread, which should increase the amount of support you receive  . I hope you don't mind.      ... View more

Aw @Eden1717  You're trying so hard at the moment and it sucks that the comment has affected you a lot.  It seems like you've taken all you can take, and that you don't have any internal resources left right now, which must be a real struggle. It also must be really difficult to feel like you're constantly screwing things up . It sounds like you're feeling quite defeated, overwhelmed, and like everything is just too much of an effort at the moment - is that right? Just know that I really do feel for you  and hope that things get better soon.  ... View more

@SomeoneNADJS    Hey A, it sounds like switching in today was really hard for you. It also sounds like you're really understanding how R feels, which I'm guessing they'd appreciate in a sense because it validates their feelings.    It must be annoying to listen to someone nagging/reminding you of things when you're not feeling 100%, especially if you're only half awake. All in all, it does sound your mum wants the best for you despite going about it in unhelpful ways at times. Do other system members find your mum untrustworthy?   My mum gets on my nerves too sometimes...   I'm glad you're safe. What have you got planned for today? ... View more

Hey @SomeoneNADJS    That sounds really tough. I'm really sorry to hear that you're struggling with class attendance and that this is getting to you. It's important to remember that you are going through a lot at the moment,  so don't be too hard on yourself. It's great that you're seeking the support of your school counselor and that your parents are also being really supportive.    Starting any medication can be really scary. It's fear of the unknown isn't it!? I guess you just need to consider all potential pros and cons of starting medication and then do what is right for you. It might be best to see a psychiatrist because they are medically trained and can potentially tell you whether it will impact your system.   You're in a tricky position because you're at a point where professional advice regarding medication and plurality would be useful, but you don't want to open up to a professional face-to-face, but at the same time you're feeling quite distressed and even suicidal at times. So, it might be a good time sit down and really ask yourself - what do I need to do to help myself at the moment? Is getting the right/ tailored support worth opening up about your plurality to a professional? This is something only you know the answer to  . Keep in mind that psychologists/psychiatrists are bound by confidentiality - there are some exceptions though which you could discuss with them in a session.    We're here for you  ... View more

Hey @DruidChild    It's great to see you back on the forums!  I can hear your frustration in having to find housing for 5 months before you make another move, however as you said, this is a great achievement to have a job and be moving out of home. You should feel proud and know that you have worked hard for this.    I can hear the love you have for your family (and the love they have for you!) but I can understand how suffocating it would be to have them very involved in this process of moving.    What you are going through is something I can really relate to. Sometimes in these situations I choose to not divulge any information that I think may stress them out (and in turn stress me out!). I do this with my grandma in particular. Sometimes when I say I'm going out for lunch and my grandma asks "where", I often lie and say a suburb that she is familiar with so that she feels more comfortable. Obviously you don't have to lie if it makes you feel uncomfortable or if you feel it is inappropriate, but this is just something that I personally do. Another option might be to vocalise that their stress is actually causing you stress and remind them that you are an adult and capable of looking after yourself.    It might be a good idea to take some time for yourself to help relieve some stress. Do you think going for a walk might help? What are some things you can do to de-stress?      ... View more

Hey @Mya    Welcome to the forums! Thank you for sharing your story with us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out.    Given that you have been struggling with these symptoms for a while it might be best if you seek professional support. You should not have to go through this alone. I think it's really great that your mum asked if you wanted to see a therapist. It sounds to me like you said no (or didn't say yes) back then, and that you are slightly regretting your decision. Is that correct? If so, it might be worth bringing this topic up again with your mum and telling her how you have been feeling.    Also just wanted to let you know that there are some free counselling services available for people like yourself. If you haven't already, it might be a good idea to get in touch with Kids Helpline. They operate 24/7 and can provide counseling via the phone or chat/online. Feel free to check out their details on our urgent help page here.   Thanks again for sharing. Please keep us updated on how you are going  ... View more

Hi @BlueEleven,   It's so nice to meet you, welcome to the forums!   It's really great to hear that you have a a close group of friends that you can be yourself around.  When it comes to friends, I really do think that quality is better than quantity!   It also sounds like you're already taking some really big steps outside of your comfort zone by being a part of a sports team and charity club. You should be really proud of yourself for that, it is not an easy thing to do when anxious.   One strategy that you may find helpful when you are feeling quite stressed when interacting with others (and feeling your heart rate increasing) may be to focus on your breathing. Taking 5 nice long breaths in and out to help calm your body. There are some apps to help you practice this - like the "breathe" app here. There's actually a huge bunch of tools/apps listed and reviewed here which you can check out in your free time.     It's awesome to hear that you have some great support offline too! Your GP sounds like they have been really understanding and helpful, and I hope your appointment with the psychiatrist goes really well! It's also really lovely hearing that you've found Reach Out so supportive  ... View more

My notebook    Cobalt blue? ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf  Sorry we spoke so briefly yesterday.   It sounds like you're feeling really betrayed at the moment which sucks. It's never nice to feel like you've been spoken about . If you don't mind me asking, what did they know about exactly? Was it your pre-diagnosis?   ... View more

That's okay. I'll be on tomorrow night. Chat then?    ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf    I am at the moment but will be off soon (my shift ends at 11pm- already 5 mins overtime).    Just wanted to check that you're okay? I'm sorry to hear you've had such a crappy day  ... View more

Hey @BlueEleven    Welcome to ReachOut  and thanks for creating a new game thread .    I'm going to take a complete guess and say C -  1539 feet?   Which band released an song called "Doom Days"  last year ?    A) Bastille B) Two Door Cinema Club C) The Wombats     ... View more

Welcome to our forums @Daisy17 - I know exactly what you mean. Going to the gym is great for my mental health / well-being too. Good on you for practicing some self-care    ... View more

@SomeoneNADJS it sounds like your mum is doing the right thing to support you. Does your system generally find it easier to communicate these sort of things with your mum over text as opposed to in person?   Yeah - that's definitely is an advantage of being plural. It'd be nice if I could switch to another person when doing things I dislike... such as pubilc speaking. What are some of the other benefits?  ... View more

Hey @scared01 it sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment which I imagine would be overwhelming  . Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear that the doctors know what is causing you pain and are providing you with treatment. Being physically in pain can also impact our mental health, because being in pain is far from fun and can really get in the way of us doing things we enjoy. So I'm guessing having a plan re. the pain moving forward has put your mind at ease in that respect. Has it?    You mentioned speaking to health professionals - what sort of health professional are you thinking of contacting? Have you got an existing psychologist or?  ... View more

Hey @MB95    I think it is completely valid to not want to get into a relationship if you don't feel ready for it. It's a reasonable/ responsible decision, and shows that you really know what is right/wrong for you and your mental health at the moment, which is great. I understand that familial pressure to get into a relationship as it is something I experienced myself as it took quite a while for me to find the right person. It's important to take your time with these things and do what is right for you    It sounds like you are really bothered by people's potential opinions of you which is quite common I think. It's not good if it's consuming your thoughts though  especially because 1) there's no way of knowing (with any certainty) what other's think about us and so we could potentially spend all day worrying about something that's not even there... and 2) there's always going to be people who have certain opinions of us that we can't necessarily change, and that's okay. What do you think you could tell yourself to make you worry less the next time these sort of thoughts pop up? If you can think of some things, do you mind sharing?   Thanks so much for sharing this with us by the way . It's awesome that you feel comfortable enough with us to talk about it.  ... View more

Hey @xXLexi_Lou122Xx    The corona virus is pretty scary, especially for the people in China at the moment. I think in Australia we're pretty - my boyfriend's dad is a doctor and he was saying the chances of contracting the virus right now are very low. So continue practicing good hygiene and statistics suggest you should be okay  . Hopefully this virus situation is over sooner rather than later  - I really empathise with the Chinese! @Tiny_leaf has offered some really good points which should also ease your distress.    I'm so glad to hear that you've made some awesome new friends and that you've taken a liking to your teachers. That's fantastic! I'm sure your GO will be in touch soon - hang in there! They're probably just super busy.  ... View more

Hey @Pasta    I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling lonely. Disliking your job doesn't help either.   I really feel for you regarding your friend situation. It is never nice to feel like you're constantly the one initiating plans. Humans are social beings, and it really gets to us when we don't feel liked or accepted by others. Just know that you aren't alone and most people have experienced times of loneliness or feeling left out etc. Nevertheless, it doesn't make it easier.   If you don't mind me asking, what are your existing supports? Do you have any family you can lean on, or any professional supports in place?   If you feel your social life is lacking, it might be an idea to get some social skills training to help with making friendships. It might also be worth calling helplines to practice talking to other people - you might just want to tell them at the start of the call that you just want to talk to someone to practice socializing.  ... View more

Hey @SomeoneNADJS    Is R feeling better? How'd your mum react? Good on L for telling her    I find wetting myself with a cloth to be really helpful when I'm hot... especially if you can sit underneath a fan/air con. I did that in Europe when I was sleeping on 7th floor of a hostel in 40 degree heat without any air-conditioner or fan - torture!    If researching things related to plurality upsets you - do you think it might be a good idea to avoid researching it in future? Or if you do research it, maybe try sticking to reputable sources? There's a lot of misinformation on the internet...and a lot of negative opinions that are purely unhelpful...  ... View more