Bulletin Board Post

Feelings

I Feel Like Complete Trash

<div class="ExternalClass96C720A9C43B40E89C2513927EAC5129">Recently, I have been feeling like complete trash. Kids at school make fun of me, even if they think it's funny, I do not. But life at home isn't any better. Or just with myself. I feel ugly and I just hate myself. I have talked to my parents about how I am pretty sure I have social anxiety, along with depression but all they say is, "Oh, every teenager is like this, you're fine." When I asked if I could go to a doctor and talk about my problems, my dad yelled at me and said that I was fine, and that I am overreacting. My mom is always telling me to stop overreacting, too. But it's just that I WANT to talk to someone who can understand me, and actually talk to me. I want to just let it out, I want to know what it is that I'm going through. I already know I have social anxiety, and depression. I just want to know how I can treat it, before I think that weed is the answer. And the thing is, is that when I tell people I want to smoke weed they think I'm all crazy or whatever. And it really is NOT because I want to do it to be cool. I just want something to escape reality from. Nothing is helping at all. I read a lot about it, so that I can find out what I'm planning to get myself into. Please help. </div>

<div class="ExternalClassED099AAA7E9047328AF0913809EF8445"><div><div class="ExternalClass96C720A9C43B40E89C2513927EAC5129">We are glad you decided to reach out for support. You made a brave and wise decision. We all need someone to talk to from time to time. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot of hurt from what has been said to you, and some lack of self-esteem. That must have felt pretty awful to feel like your parents were not supporting you. Sure, we do all go through stages of anxiety, sadness, or feeling less than adequate but it is always nice to have someone to listen or a way to get those feelings out in a healthy way. It can be frustrating when you are wanting someone to talk to so you are able to cope, but are not provided that opportunity. Even though you may feel like you have some social anxiety and depression, it is best to not assume a diagnosis or to self-medicate. Self-medicating or wrongly self-labeling can actually cause more negative effects, and be harmful instead of providing positive results. Using any kinds of drugs or alcohol can lead to addictions, which start a much bigger lifelong dependency that you may battle. It might be a good choice to start journaling, and reach out to your school counselor to talk about what is going on. The school counselor may be able to help provide some additional insight and even assist you with talking to your parents about getting you additional support. These both can be positive and healthy coping skills to assist you with working through what you are experiencing. If you are feeling that you are having some difficulties with social anxiety, depression and self-esteem; it may be best for the time being to find healthy coping skills that allow you to learn how to work through these feelings instead of pushing them down or hiding from them. Self-medicating or ignoring them does not help anything, it just allows the issues to sit within you and grow. When you deal with feelings like these utilizing healthy coping skills, it allows you to learn how to manage these feelings when they come around and deal with them. Sometimes using healthy coping skills will help even reduce the amount of episodes you experience. Below I have provided some articles from our website, ylyv.org that I think may be helpful to you: <a href="/Pages/tip-your-self-esteem.aspx" style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-your-self-esteem.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-the-mirror-rule.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-the-mirror-rule.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-101-positive-things-to-say-to-myself.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-101-positive-things-to-say-to-myself.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-Emotional-Health-Checklist.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-Emotional-Health-Checklist.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-tips-for-journaling.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-tips-for-journaling.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-why-care-about-coping-skills.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-why-care-about-coping-skills.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-99-coping-skills.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-99-coping-skills.aspx</a> <a href="/Pages/tip-not-feeling-support-from-parents.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-not-feeling-support-from-parents.aspx</a> I gave you quite a few, and there are even many more that you can review on the ‘Tips’ section of the ylyv.org page. We hope you continue to reach out for support as you need. We are here to talk to you about what is going on and offer support. Please reach out to us either by calling 1-800-448-3000, chat, text, or email us back. We will respond to emails within 24-48 hours. We are here to offer you support 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. Stay Strong! Brittany, Counselor </div></div> </div>

You don't have to face your problems alone!

Counselors are standing by.

Ways to Get Help