Green_Machine's advice column | Green_Machine's Advice About Mental health

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Q: what would you tell a very close friend who is cutting herself?
not in a life threatening way, but in a cosmetic type. like scratching, or minor cuts, like from a razor.
I'm worried.
thanks if you can help.

Hmm...this is tough. I would say, talk to her. Ask her why she does it. It sounds like she enjoys drawing on herself and might be enjoying the pain. Tell her that you're worried about her.

If you want to talk more about it, or let me know how it goes, feel free to email me. My email address is on my column.

-- Green_Machine

Q: I hate the way my body looks and I have for-pretty-much-ever. I've tried so many diets, and working out, but nothing has ever worked. the thing is, I'm really not fat. I'm just chubby. I'm 5'3 and weigh 140.

I've had an eating disorder before, and it wasn't really that bad. I was anorexic when I was younger, I finally got over it, and now I'm buimic. Now just trying to eat makes me throw up.

How bad is bulimia? And how do I get over it?

Love,

Arlo

You just need to realize how bad it is and, also, that you're fine. Your body sounds pretty average to me. I'm 5'5" and weigh 135.

I've heard that things like that are like drugs. They're addictive, so your body thinks you have to do it and they are extremely bad for you. you should definetly talk to your doctor and/or a councilor.

Q: This question has been bothering me for quite sometime now...

If someone is depressed why wouldn't they want to reach out and get help?

Thanks

It's not always quite that easy. I had depression and most of my problem was that I didn't want to talk to anyone because every time I tried to talk to someone, I would just get frustrated. My therapist always always tried to say things she really knew nothing about. She even talked about my mom once. I didn't want help. In my mind, I didn't need help. But I can see now that I really needed it.

Q: im sooo freked out. my best friend is scaring me. he is running away and not telling anyone. i just found out that he has threatened to kill himself. im scared. hes like a brother. i love him to death. if anything happened to him id go crazy. how can i approach him about it? or how can i just stop freaking out? my sister is dating him and she is scared to. pleeze help me. im very worried about him. help!

The best thing you can do is talk to him. Seeing as how you tow are close, he should come around. But when you talk to him, don't get upset and freak out. Be calm.

If he doesn't come around, have a talk with his parents about them talking to him, or getting a therapist/councilor.

Q: ok well i think i have social anxiety disorder because when ever people whisper i always thnk there talking bad about me and i always think that im getting negativly judged everywhere i go its weird then i get all self concioncion and then now i never go out and i always think my friends are mad at me and i dont know whats wrong with me...HELP!!

if you give good advice then i rate fives no smart alecs and

also im 13/f

The best thing to do is to get it into your head that nobody is talking about you. Also, even you are being negatively judged, it doesn't matter. You shouldn't care about what others think.

bio

I'm Rachel, I'm 16, and I'm from Maryland, USA. I love to read, play video games, and above all, music! I'm bisexual and I'm pretty open about it, so if you question your sexuality don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one unasked.
Update 1/19/07 - I'm finally a mod!! ^_^