Name That Symptom / Question
Published: March 30, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Im a 17 year old female, and this is a health issue, which i was wondering if you could help me. I always feel sick. Im EXTREMLY tired all of the time, have back and neck pains, which causes headaches all day, My glands always feel swollen, but they dont look it, and it feels like i cant breath. My heart sometimes feels weird, like its beating irregularly. I feel dizzy sometimes, I just always feel like im dying, which is weird right? I had mono last jan of 2008, and all of this has been going on for about a year now. I went to the doctors and got tested for anemia, mono again, and my thyroid, all came back clear. I've been searching desperately for an answer. Take in mind that sometimes i do have anxiety, I did have an eating disorder for only two weeks... like 4 months ago, but this has happened before then. It just seems like its getting worse. My question for you, is do you possibly know what this could be? and if its normal.. Could it be depression? because my family fights alot. I just cant do things like i used to. Im not overweight or underweight, im 143 for 5'4, and i eat VERY healthy now, and exercise regularly Im also sexually active, so could that be it? Thanks so much if you take the time to read this and help.
Signed: 17 Year Old Female Who Always Feels Sick
Dear 17 Year Old Female Who Always Feels Sick,
If your doctor has given you a thorough physical and is unable to find anything medically wrong with you, you can do one of two things. You can meet with another medical health professional to get a second opinion as to whether or not there might be any underlying medical issues going on, or you could meet with a mental health professional to see if emotional issues are the underlying cause of your physical symptoms. Dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and difficulty breathing could be signs of various physical ailments, but they can also be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. If you regularly experience anxiety, you briefly had an eating disorder, and you are living in a house with a lot of conflict, it is absolutely possible that you are dealing with emotional issues that are affecting you physically.
That said, speak to your doctor about whether you should consider meeting with a mental health professional, or get a second opinion from another doctor about whether there could be something medically going on or this is probably more of a mental health issue.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
If you live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
About a third of women who seek services related to unprotected sex, such as pregnancy testing or emergency contraception, do not receive STD counseling, testing, or treatment.
