TeenHealthFX - Answers - How To Make Myself Feel Better

Suicide / Question
Published: October 16, 2007

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Hi, I'm 16 and a female. I just wanted to get some advice from you guys, ok so here goes life has been so difficult for me these last 2 years, life sucks and I feel that everything I do is worthless, my little brother was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 and then I lost my best friend in the whole world, and I was 13 years old, and then I started to throw up more than 4 times a day and then I started eating 300-500 calories a day and I would exercise a lot I lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks. things went downhill from then I got bad grades and didn’t pass my classes everything was a nightmare and I wanted to kill myself and I have tried to kill myself, I always thought that if I died my life would be so much better because I would be in peace and not have to worry about anything, I still want to die, but sometimes I restrain myself and try not to, I have no idea why I even exist I’m just a worthless fat cow making the world even heavier. I don’t want to see a therapist or anybody because!

use I don’t feel the need to tell them my personal stuff, just because they are specialists doesn’t mean they can help me, anyways all I’m asking for is advice on how to make myself feel better, please answer back!

Signed: How To Make Myself Feel Better

Dear How To Make Myself Feel Better,

TeenHealthFX is certainly sorry to hear that so many things have been feeling so difficult for you lately. However, our advice is that you do what you do not want to – which is to go and meet with a mental health professional, preferably one who specializes in working with people with eating disorders. The fact that you are making yourself throw up, are restricting your caloric intake so severely, and are over-exercising are definite indications of an eating disorder. In addition, your suicidal feelings may be connected to a mood disorder, such as depression. Mental illnesses, such as eating disorders and mood disorders, are diseases that require the attention of a professional. Just as you would see certain kinds of medical specialists if you had cancer or diabetes, it is important see specialists when dealing with mental health illnesses. As much as it can feel difficult to think of opening up to a mental health professional about such personal issues, it is important because a therapist can provide you with the following:

An accurate diagnosis of the mental health illness you are dealing with an education about that illness.
Guidance about a treatment plan that will be effective in addressing the symptoms associated with your mental health issues.
Support, encouragement and guidance as you work in therapy at dealing with the issues at hand.
A way to feel that there is someone out there who cares about you, is really there for you, and is a positive influence on helping you to get to a healthier place in your life.

TeenHealthFX does think that your life is worth living – and we have hope that things can feel better for you with time. But we do feel strongly that to feel better, it is important for you to reach out to others and build up a support system for yourself of people who can be there for you in a positive, helpful, and loving way.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact the Eating Disorders Program at Atlantic Health at 908-522-5757 for more information and to set up an evaluation.

You can also contact the National Eating Disorders Association at 1-800-931-2237 for more information and referral services.

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