Just need an ear.

I cut myself a bit when I was about that age - it was sort of like a tally for the nights when I felt the absolute worst and it was easier to have the pain on the outside instead of the inside. I hope you csan stop soon.
I think your school counsellor has been numbed by the spoilt brats who whinge about stupid things that I seem to see these days. Please keep looking for someone to help! I went to my doctor, did a little paper test thingie and he sent me to a counsellor that I didn't have to pay for. It was the biggest and best step I ever took (even if it did take me about 11 years!)
You are not worthless or any of the things you ahve said - you matter and you are not alone.

I'm 18 years old. I'm graduating in a week. Things are moving very quickly and changing a lot... more than I thought was possible. I'm okay with all of that, that isn't the issue.. I need to speak up, and I need a little support. I hope this is okay to say.

I've been a self harming for seven months. I hate myself. I am the world's ugliest, stupidest, most moronic fool and I can't stand to live in my body. I'm not fishing for compliments, I just really want to disappear. I've felt like this for the past year and a half, and waiting for it to let up isn't really very effective. I spoke to a counselor at my high school, who kind of just waved it off and told me I'd be fine if I just smiled more. I want to be happy, I want to be glad I'm alive and feel good about life. What happened to me? This isn't me.

I came to this site in January when I decided I'd rather run than cut, and I wanted to change my outlook; I got so sick of hating myself. It worked for a little while... the distraction was nice. But I feel like I'm losing it. I'm so sorry to rant to all of you and whine about my stupid teenage problems, but I'm begging for support. This community is so helpful and uplifting, I just want to be a part of it. I'm sorry if this post bothers anyone, it wasn't my intention to be offensive.

I was like that when I was in high school as well, it wasn't that long ago, (6 years?) and I was depressed, I felt the only way to feel better and have control was to self harm. It wasn't right, and at the time I didn't see how negatively it was effecting my every day life. I have scars all along my arms because of it and before, it used to bother me, but now I have let go. Hopefully you can make a Dr appointment to talk about this. A counselor at school is going to do nothing. I can tell you from experience. I had to find other ways to deal, I wrote poems and wrote in a journal.
Depression hit me hard again, I had a baby 2 years ago, and all was fine until she was 9 months old and my life came shattering down and I spiraled into a deep depression, to the point where I was severely depressed, I noticed when I started exercising more I felt so much better about myself... Hopefully you can get back to running or some other type of exercise to start feeling better, but I do recommend you see a dr.
Don't think that your issues are just "silly teen" issues. They aren't, you matter, your problems matter, and there are people out there who can help you deal....
*hugs*

I know exactly how you feel. That is all.

In addition to talking to someone and getting medical help, try focusing on helping someone else or volunteering in an animal shelter or something like that. I suffer from seasonal affective disorder in the winter time, and I know that it can help me to focus my time and attention off of myself for a while.

I can't offer any words of advice unfortunately because I haven't solved my problems yet...but I am doing the same things to myself
I hate myself because I'm 23 and everyone I know is getting married, buying houses and living fantastic lives....and I live with my sister in an apartment my parents pay for...
I feel like an epic loser and I don't know why I feel this way about myself but you're not alone

You look like my little cousin and I think she's beautiful, I actually had to look at your profile before I was sure that you are not her because you are the same age as her and look like her twin! Don't hate yourself, you're gorgeous!

As hard and scary as it may be you NEED to sit with your mom or someone else your trust that can help you and tell them what is going on and that you need help. I looked online and there is a program called S.A.F.E. alternatives for people who self injury. You and your mom or the other person should check it out. The first step is admitting you have a problem. The next step is getting help. I hope this information helps you.

Contact
S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES®
Phone: 800-DONTCUT®
800-366-8288
Fax: 888-296-7988
Email: info@selfinjury.com
Web: www.selfinjury.com

I have been where you are. I wasn't a "whiny teenager" at the time - I was in my mid 20's and in grad school - so I don't think you're being a whiny teenager at all. What you're feeling can happen to anyone - it sucks, but it's legitimate, and you need to do something to deal with it.

Seriously consider talking to a therapist - there are many who specialize in young adult stress issues, or even women's stress issues. When I was going through this, I found one through my college's psych services. Calling to make that initial appointment was one of the scariest, most difficult things I ever did in my life (I cried like an idiot on the phone and my hands were shaking so badly), but it was one of the *best* decisions of my life. In the end, I spent a year in talk therapy - one session per week, no drugs prescribed or any of that - with a "generalized anxiety disorder" diagnosis (for what it's worth, I used to cut occasionally, but mostly I suffered from panic attacks related to work/school, and I would have times when nothing was really "wrong" and I would randomly just start crying because I was so generally stressed out; I wasn't eating right, and I wasn't sleeping well, and all of that together made me feel generally "on edge")...but TALKING to somebody neutral who could help me figure out why certain things in my life were causing me so much stress was incredible and lifted such a weight off my shoulders.

A lot of people stigmatize mental healthcare, but clearly you are dealing with things that are difficult and stressful, and you shouldn't have to go through that by yourself. At the very least, having somebody outside of your family and friends who you can talk to might be very liberating and help you figure out what YOU need to be the happiest, healthiest person you can be. A professional therapist might be the best way to go, because they are *really* well-qualified to deal with the type of stress you're under. That first step is really tough, but if you choose to look for professional help, I think you'll see that it's incredibly worthwhile.

If you have questions about what therapy is like, feel free to shoot me a message. The idea of therapy may sound scary, but when I was going I actually looked forward to my sessions every week - the young woman who was my therapist was awesome and really easy to talk to. So, again, the first step is the hardest, but if you can make it past that it really does get better.

:flowerforyou:

Being a teenager is the hardest thing ever. I didn't cut (but I was close) but I battled untreated depression for years as a teen. I didn't like myself or anyone around me. I felt utterly alone. I was expected to be the perfect daughter and the perfect student and I knew I didn't measure up.
It does get better. It really does. College was a little better. If nothing else the hormones started to level off and I didn't feel quite so out of control of myself. I got more control over my life.
It keeps getting better. You can be comfortable in your own skin. I now have a husband I love, my dogs, a good job. It didn't happen overnight. I've been in therapy. I've had to learn that it's okay to ask for help. It's still hard sometimes. A good counselor made a huge difference for me.
I just wish someone would have told the teenage me that life does get better. So I'm telling you, life does get better.

I can't offer any words of advice unfortunately because I haven't solved my problems yet...but I am doing the same things to myself
I hate myself because I'm 23 and everyone I know is getting married, buying houses and living fantastic lives....and I live with my sister in an apartment my parents pay for...
I feel like an epic loser and I don't know why I feel this way about myself but you're not alone

The reason I say this to you is because I was the same. Focusing so much on what others had that I didnt and getting depressed over it. A friend pointed out that I was wasting time agonising over what I didnt have and not appreciating what I did have. I felt so sad that I was taking what I DID have for granted. Friends, family, a roof over my head, food in my tummy, a job.......so much to be grateful for