TeenHealthFX - Answers - Obese And Thirteen

Underweight/Overweight: Affecting Your Mind And body / Question
Published: November 27, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I am a 13 year old girl and I weigh 150 pounds. I feel I am grossly obese and I feel I am very ugly. Lately I have been showing some signs of depression. I wake up at night and cry my eyes out cuz I hate the way I look. I am alone in the dark in my room 75 percent of my leisure time. I hate me and I want to sleep and never wake up again. I look in the mirror and all I see is a pack of fat. I hate my flabby things and my flabby bum and me eyes and my hair and everything about me. Please help.

Signed: Obese And Thirteen

Dear Obese And Thirteen,

TeenHealthFX hears how upset you are and is very concerned about you. Struggling with your weight like this must be really hard for you. Try to remember that beauty and how you feel about yourself comes from within and when you are not happy with this, it can affect how you feel about your life.

Please know that although it may seem like it, you are not alone. Many teenagers have concerns about their weight and how they look. People's feelings about this range from a general dislike for their bodies to feeling the way that you do. A weight issue is something that you need medical help with. Your doctor can advise you on proper weight management techniques and may even have you see a nutritionist and/or a counselor.

While you are waiting to see your doctor, eat healthy using the food pyramid and exercise 3 - 5 times a week. Do not try starvation or fad dieting because these are not healthy ways of losing weight.

TeenHealthFX is concerned about you feeling so depressed. It is important for you to get help. Try talking to your parents about how you are feeling. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your parents, try to reach out to an adult you trust. If you live in the Northern New Jersey area, you can call Atlantic Behavioral Health's Access Center at Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888.247.1400. They can refer you to professionals who treat depression like psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. A professional can talk to you and recommend what kind of treatment that will be best for you. As you know from reading our other questions, there is definitely a way to help you to feel better.

If you begin to feel out of control with your feelings and cannot deal with life or are in danger of hurting yourself, please seek immediate assistance. If you live in Northern New Jersey, call Atlantic Behavioral Health's 24-hour CRISIS HOTLINE at (973) 540.0100. If you live outside Northern New Jersey, call the National Hope Line at (800) SUICIDE.

Signed: TeenHealthFX