Looking After your Mental Health

Depression, Anxiety and Stress

Growing older as a teenager can feel like a roller-coaster, full of ups and downs.

When you have a kidney condition, it can make things even harder and sometimes feel overwhelming.

It’s Okay to Feel This Way:
What to Look Out For

You might notice changes in how you feel, think, or act. Some common signs include:

Feeling sad, down, or having low mood, you might not want to get out of bed or do things you usually enjoy
Feeling anxious or stressed, it can be hard to sit still or concentrate
Being forgetful or having trouble remembering things
Feeling confused or struggling to understand things that used to be easy
Feeling moody, angry, frustrated, or irritable
Feeling tired all the time, low on energy, or having trouble sleeping

Some of these feelings can be linked to:

Changes in your body caused by kidney disease
Build-up of waste in your blood if your kidneys aren’t working well
Side effects from medications

You’re not alone, and these feelings are valid. If you’re finding things hard, talking to someone you trust like your doctor, social worker, or a family member, can really help.

Getting Support When You're Feeling Low

If you’re feeling sad, anxious, or stressed, it’s important to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. You’re not alone, and help is available.

You can speak to:

Your nephrologist, who can check if your feelings might be linked to your medications
Your GP, who can set up a Mental Health Care Plan so you can talk to a psychologist
A renal social worker or psychologist, who understands what it’s like to live with kidney disease

Online Support

If you don’t feel ready to talk to someone in person, or can’t get support straight away, there are online tools and resources to help you work through your feelings.

Beyond Blue: A 24/7 webchat is available for people 12-25 years old through Youth and mental health – Beyond Blue

headspace: headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

Sometimes, reading or doing something on your own can be a good first step.