Helping Friends And Loved Ones With Their Emotional Issues / Question
Published: September 30, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Recently, my ex-girlfriend had become my friend. I'm very glad at that, but she's very pale. You see, she isn't very big in size, but that's because she was on Steroids for her Eczema. Also, I have found that she has this disease called Fugue. I have no clue what this is, and she won't tell me. The strange thing is, she is VERY pale. She doesn't even need make up. Also, I was wondering on what I could do to make her feel better? And if you could, can you explain what Fugue is?
Signed: Explain What Fugue Is
Dear Explain What Fugue Is,
Fugue is a dissociative disorder characterized by an episode in which an individual forgets his past, assumes a partial or complete new identity, and travels away from home or work, in some cases taking up a new name, occupation, and lifestyle. During the fugue, patients are unaware that they have forgotten anything and seem to other people to be behaving normally. Following recovery, they recall nothing that happened during the fugue. The disorder is usually related to emotional conflicts due to some traumatic, stressful, or overwhelming event, remits spontaneously, and rarely recurs.
Your friend's Fugue should not have any effect on her stature, or skin color and condition. Many adolescents take medications for different skin conditions like acne or eczema. What's more, her small stature may be perfectly normal for her and nothing to be alarmed about.
TeenHealthFX believes that one of the best things a true friend can do for another is to simply be there. Let her know that you are there to support her if and when she needs it, and then step back and let her come to you. If she is not comfortable discussing her condition with you, then as her friend, you need to respect that and give her space.
You can also let her know that if she does want to talk to a doctor about anything she is going through, she can call the Adolescent/young Adult Center For Health at 973.971.6475 for an appointment.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
30% of teens with depression also have a substance abuse problem.
