Why am I SO sad?!

I’ve been feeling blue for some reason and it’s torturing me. I have no idea why or what my problem is, but I’m just sad. I’ve cried over this unknown reason and have been really mellow in an unemotional way.

This problem has been around ever since the first day of seventh grade, but I didn’t notice it because it was small. Now it’s really getting to me and I don’t know what's causing it. Please help.

I’m sorry to hear that you have been feeling so down. Although you might not think so, it is fairly common for people to go through small bouts of sadness for no reason at different times in their lives.

I wish I could tell you that things will perk up right away, but it sounds to me like you might be suffering from a bit of depression. Don’t panic, you can and will get out of this slump. Depression can be a heavy word, but once you start addressing your sadness and start working to feel like your old self again, you will be grateful that you understand and know how to combat the world of depression.

Depression has several triggers and causes. It can be brought on by a major life change, as well as a small change that might have gone unnoticed despite feelings of sorrow and a few added tears to everyday life. Your trigger might have been feeling nervous, anxious and scared about starting seventh grade without even realizing it.

Learn the signs and triggers of depression to get more of a clear understanding of the disease and to know if it is what you are suffering from. These signs include: loss of energy, irritability, inability to concentrate, constant feelings of sadness, decreased interest in everyday activities, tiredness, change in diet, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide or death.

Talk to someone you trust: a close friend, a sibling, a neighbor, a parent or a guidance counselor. Tell them how you're feeling even though you don’t know the causes of your sadness. Once you start talking about your emotions, you will begin to recognize the root of your sadness and possible reasons for it.

Do things to clear your head. Go for a run or walk. Listen to music or read inspiring books. Get journaling or crafty by learning how to knit or scrapbook. Paint. Make sure that you are eating well and getting enough rest.

If you continue to feel like your sadness is affecting your life, schoolwork and relationships with your friends and family talk to your doctor.

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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/19/2009 7:00:00 AM 53 COMMENTS

So scared to speak in class

 

I have a problem and it's controlling my life. I get panic attacks at school when I get called on to read out loud. I can barely talk when the teacher calls on me. I can hardly breathe.

I'm embarrassed about the whole situation. Ever since it happened once, I get a panic attack every time I get called on because I'm scared I'll have another and embarrass myself. It's making me nervous to come to school each day. Help me, please!

Hey girl, sorry to hear that you're going through this. Reading out loud is already nerve-racking enough without having to worry about panic attacks, so I can only imagine how stressed you must be. When I was younger, I hated being called on or reading out loud. I would always get way nervous and mess up when I read, so you’re def not alone. But the good news is that you can change that.

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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/12/2009 7:00:00 AM 86 COMMENTS

Pill-swallowing problem

I can't swallow pills. Every night I try to take my vitamin, but I can never actually get it down. I have tried so many different ways to swallow it and it just won't go down.

I'm 14, so my parents wont get me chewables and I really just need a way to take my vitamins.

Hey babe, this is a common problem, so def don't think you're alone in this! I know plenty of adults who still have difficulty swallowing pills, but have no fear, there are some tricks that help.

First, talk to your parents about your issue. Let them know that it's a common problem and if there are any alternatives then they should consider letting you try. There are teen and adult vitamins out there in chewable, liquid, gummy, chewing gum and even chocolate forms. If you don't HAVE to take a pill, see if an alternative vitamin would work for you.

If you wanna just bite the bullet and nix this pill phobia, then these techniques might work for you. First, try using a dull knife to chop the pill in half (or even quarters, depending on how big it is), by putting down pressure right in the middle of the pill. It you cut it into smaller parts, it will be easier to swallow with several separate water gulps. If the idea of swallowing more than
once bothers you though, then maybe this technique isn't right for you.

You can also try to crush the pill into powder form and putting the powder into a spoonful of yogurt or pudding. Ask your parents to help you with this first just so you can see how it works. There are several ways to do this, but using the flat side of a dull knife and gently pushing down on the pill should crush it. Then, sprinkle it onto a spoonful of goo. And don't worry, you can't taste the powder if you have enough pudding or yogurt on the spoon. My mom used this trick to sneak me meds this way when I was a kid and it always worked!

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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/5/2009 7:00:00 AM 71 COMMENTS

Eek! I can't stop lying...

Ever since I entered middle school, everything has changed about me! Some things I'm happy about and some I'm not. Like how much I lie. In fifth grade I was so popular and had all the attention on me. I was so honest then. In sixth grade I was a little popular but now, in seventh grade, I'm absolutely nothing.

Hey girl, change is constant, especially as you’re getting older. It’s hard to think about how much I’ve changed in the past five years and how much you have (and will!). Middle school is a big stepping stone to high school, and you’re learning more about who you are and what you want to be. That said, you won’t be able to find out who you really are if you bury your true self under lies.

Telling a fib can be way easy and just slip out naturally. Sometimes it seems like the polite thing to do. If your bestie gets a horrendous haircut or your BF gets you a gift you just don’t dig, you let a li'l white lie slip... "thank you" or "you look great" even if it’s not true. You’re trying not to hurt their feelings, but you should use even THOSE lies sparingly.

The thing is, chica, your friends want to get to know the real you. Your parents want to trust the real you. It’s time to break the habit of lying before you get in over your head. You’ll find it isn’t that hard either if you stick to one central idea: Honesty is the best policy. First off, try to think about WHY you're lying. Are you uncomfy 'cause you've changed? Upset since you're not as popular? Try to think about what types of sitches spark lies and why you could be letting fibs fly. Keep a journal and jot down what you lie about, when you lie and how you feel after. Then, make a list of all the TRUE, REAL reasons why you absolutely rock. Cross out all of your lies, or rip 'em up. Put the positive list in a place where you can easily see it to remind yourself of the reasons why you should be happy being you.

It's gonna be hard to break the old habit at first, though. So, wear a rubber band and snap it every time you lie to catch yourself in the act. Those first few weeks, it’ll be a matter of making yourself tell the truth. If you aren’t really going to your friend’s house, tell your parents where you’re going so they won’t worry. When you do lie, counter the lie with a "just kidding" and force yourself to tell the truth. For a while, it’ll be self-correction, but after a couple weeks, you’ll find yourself lying less and less. Get your friends to help, too. Tell them to call you out when you start to fabricate or when something just doesn’t seem real anymore. With a good core team, you’ll get to the bottom of your icky prob.

Remember girlie, you can correct this prob, no lie there! All it takes is a little work on your part and realizing that the truth is better almost every time! Best of luck!

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BY CAITLIN R. ON 9/28/2009 7:00:00 AM 31 COMMENTS