| Really Big Assignment | School | Really Big Assignment | <div class="ExternalClassC3A08EED078240F689D3FB36EF388781"><p style="font-family:georgia;font-size:16px;"><span>I had a really big assignment due this morning
so I woke up at 4 am. I felt so anxious that I couldn't work on the essay. Then
I started to feel hopeless and depressed and I started crying uncontrollably. I
didn't want my parents to know what I was really stressed out. I've been having
trouble sleeping for about two weeks and I was really tired from that too. I
thought about cutting to calm down so I could finish my homework but I decided
that I was so anxious that even cutting might not help and there wasn't enough
time to finish the essay anyway. I was worried that I'd cry at school and
couldn't bear to go to the classes I had today so I made myself throw up on the floor
and told my mom that I wanted to stay home because I was sick. So I'm in bed
right now but I'm not sure if what I did was right and I'm anxious about going
to school tomorrow. </span></p>
<span style="font-size:16px;">
</span></div> | <div class="ExternalClassACF46A336E22413AB43E7B7E77BEF58C"><div><div class="ExternalClassC3A08EED078240F689D3FB36EF388781"><p style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>We are glad
that you are reaching out for help. Are you going to be able to complete
the "really big assignment" now that you are at home today? We
certainly hope so or it is likely you will feel the same way tomorrow and days
after that. Stress comes at us from many directions, academic, family,
social pressures from friends and society in general. The key to handling
it and not allowing the stress to control you, is to develop some
strategies and coping skills that will reduce the physical effects that stress
causes.</span></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>You are already
experiencing one of the common effects and that is not being able to
sleep. Another that typically follows is stomach problems and problems
with digestion and appetite. Physical health and emotional health are
very closely connected and when one is weakened the other follows. Don't
let this continue with you. Talk with your Mom or your parents about what
is going on and then do some problem solving.</span><br></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>If your
academic load is too much for you, meet with your counselor and see if some
changes can be made. Perhaps you have activities outside of school that
are requiring too much of your time and energy and you can reduce those
demands. Your parents can be a great resource with suggestions because
they likely experienced some of the same pressures when they were growing
up. </span><br></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>You need help
with this. Turn to your family and school counselor for that help. We will do whatever
we can to help so lets stay in touch.</span><br></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>Sincerely,</span><br></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:tahoma;font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);"><span>Pat, Counsleor </span></p>
<span style="color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(63, 63, 63);">
</span>
<span style="font-size:16px;">
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