Anger / Question
Published: March 12, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I've have been real miserable at school. None of my friends pay attention to me when they are around popular kids and I get angry. When I go home I go up to my room and cry every night because my friends do not care about me. I have had headaches and stomachaches almost everyday I have not eaten in 3 days. I feel tried and irratable I don't know what happening to my body please help me find out what is happening to me?
Signed: I Have Not Eaten In 3 Days
Dear I Have Not Eaten In 3 Days,
We cannot tell over the internet what exactly is happening to your body, but we can tell you that it is very important that you eat something. The headaches and stomachaches are probably the result of starving your body. If you are worried there is something else wrong with you, please see a doctor right away.
If you do not have a doctor and you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If you live elsewhere, get in touch with your local adolescent health center or clinic.
We can understand why you are feeling upset - it must be very painful to feel like your friends do not care about you. We recommend you try talking to them about how you feel. If that does not help, we recommend looking more closely at your relationships with them. Friendships should be sources of support in your life, they should not make you feel miserable. And your friends should not pay less attention to you just because they are trying to win the attention of popular girls. If you find that they continue to neglect you, you may want to try making new friends. Try and look for people that share your similar interests and goals. You may want to join an activity or club at school or in your community.
Talking about friendship issues like this is helpful, too. Many schools offer peer counselors and mentoring groups that deal with these sorts of issues. You may also make a few friends doing it.
Whatever happens, it is important to take care of your body now matter how upset you feel. If this pattern of not eating and feeling ill continues, FX suggests you speak with your parents, or a trusted adult like a teacher or school counselor.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet 80% of teens with depression can be successfully treated if they seek help from a doctor or therapist.
