Significant Others: Girlfriends & Boyfriends / Question
Published: July 26, 2005
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My long-term boyfriend and I broke up recently and I can’t eat or sleep. I've been losing a lot of weight and it's quite noticeable now. If I see him or think about him, I get really nauseous and can't eat and feel like throwing up. My grades are falling too cuz I can’t focus. I don’t know what to do; I hurt a lot inside. Nobody notices and I KNOW this behavior isn’t healthy or normal. Please tell me how I can make this stop hurting and how I can start sleeping and eating normally again. I’ve had long-term boyfriends before, but the breakups never affected me like this. I'm scared I’ll do something really stupid.
Signed: Broken Up And Want To Stop Hurting
Dear Broken Up And Want To Stop Hurting,
TeenHealthFX is very concerned about you and is glad that you wrote. Breaking up with a long-term boyfriend that you care deeply about is never easy and it is normal to feel sad. But you are right -- your weight-loss, nausea and falling grades are all strong signs that your feelings have gotten to a point where you are having trouble dealing with them on your own.
As difficult as it may be, you need to talk to someone about what you are going through so that you can get the support you need to get you through this difficult time. You were brave and smart to write to us – now take the next step and try reaching out to an adult you trust like your parents, a guidance counselor, a school nurse or teacher. They can refer you to a counselor who deals with teenagers that have experienced similar feelings. A counselor can help work through the issues that are causing you to feel upset.
If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.
