TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I just feel indifferent all the time. Rarely do I ever have a smile on my face, or sadness in my heart. Actually, the last one was not true, I do experience frequent sadness, especially at night. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I think its an eating disorder I have. I just don't see myself as a person who is good looking, and I guess that's the reason I don't have any luck with girls, or confidence to talk to them. I want to live, but I don't see a real point to it. We live, we die, and time goes on and on, so why does it really matter? I don't have much confidence, and I always feel inadequate compared to everyone else, either because I'm not as smart, or not as handsome. I'm not depressed, just indifferent, but is it because of my possible eating disorder?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi

Thanks for talking to TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are feeling lonely and self-conscious about your appearance. You mentioned that you don't have the confidence to talk to girls. Have you thought about joining a club or team to help boost your self-confidence? Maybe you can write down your positive traits or the things you are good at on a list. You mentioned that you thought you might have an eating disorder. Certainly that can affect your mood. I highly recommend you call the National Eating Disorder Association, a hotline that can help you with this. You can call them at 800-931-2237 or reach them at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. You can also call us here at TEEN LINE at 310-855-4673 between 6-10pm pst .

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I have a very close friend who I think is struggling with anorexia. She's stopped eating her lunch, and whenever she goes out with us, she never eats or anything. She's lost a *lot* of weight and is incredibly thin. She had an anorexia scare last year, so a few of us called her mom and told her about it. Her mom barely believed us! My friend also cuts herself, and when I talked to her about this, she said that she alternates between cutting and not eating. "It's something that I can't control" Her parents aren't worried about her cutting, and she barely spends anytime with them. How can I help her out?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting TEEN LINE. I see that you care so much about your friend. I am worried that this could potentially turn into something really dangerous if she continues to act the way she does. It is great that you are already there for her, because it seems like that is really what she needs right now. Maybe there is something painful going on in her life that is causing her to cut and starve herself. I am going to give you referalls for a self injury and eating disorder hotline that might be able to help her. The website for self injury information is www.self-injury.net and the number the National Eating Disorder Association is 800-931-2237. I can imagine how difficult this must be for you... watching your friend go through all of this. I encourage you to talk to someone about this just to help you get through it as well. Maybe a school counselor or a trusted adult. If you ever want to talk feel free to call us. We are open from 6 to 10 Pacific Standard Time and our number is 310 855 4673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
All my friend will eat at school is salad, and sometimes another side. Some other girls already went to our guidance counselor about it but I don't think it helped. I'm afraid that this is going to turn into anerexia.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, Thanks for emailing us here at TEENLINE. I think that its really great that you care so much about your friend and are concerned for her. She is lucky to have a friend like you. Have you talked to her about your concerns? If you are really worried, a great thing to do is talk to an adult you are close with about this, so you can have their support. If you want to learn more about eating disorders, you can go to edap.org, the website of EDAP(Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention.) You can call them at 1-800-931-2237. You can call us, as well, at 1-310-855-4673, every night from 6 to 10 PST.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
i wont eat and im fat every one that does not like me is telling me im fat but the people that love me are telling me to eat and there telling me that i look like a stick and my bones are sticking out thats what they are telling me what should i do

TEEN LINE WROTE:
I'm really glad that you contacted us here at TEEN LINE. I totally get how overwhelming and confusing this may be for you. I would also think you may be feeling angry and judged. Maybe talking to a friend or a trusted adult to share your feelings would help? Everyone has certain qualities that make them feel different and can cause loneliness, but we all also have certain qualities that are so beautiful. How about talking to a school counselor that you're comfortable with? Here is a referral that may be able to help you as well: National Eating Disorder Association, (800)931-2237. If you feel comfortable talking to a teen here at TEEN LINE, you can call us at (310)855-4673, our hours are from 6-10 PM (PST). You are not alone, and we are here to listen to you if you would like to call us.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I realy need help. i have bulimia.I am currently seeing a counsler, but i hate it and its painful and i am extremley ashamed and embarassed.Its not helping. i stopped purging for a couple of days and try to eat healthy but then when i eat somethign junk food i just start throwing up again. i hate it.... i hate myself, im disqusting. i totally idolize thin beautiful girls i have a strong desire to be them im afraid im going to only get worse and struggle with this my whole life and i rea;y dont want to. i hate feeling hatred disquist and unhappy with myself. i just want to be skinny!please help me i feel like no one understands my mom makes me feel stupid for being like this my family thinks im crazy! they are all skinny im the only over weight one. gosh, if only i was someone else.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thank you so much for opening up to us at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are feeling a lot of self-doubt right now and that you are really struggling. I think it is great that you are seeing counselor, but like with any realtionship, you may not be seeing a person who you truely connect with. It is normal for people to switch counselors numerous times before finding a suitable match; counseling should be relief, not a burden. It is important for you to understand that you are not crazy, you are dealing with a disorder that can be treated and dealt with over time. Many teenage girls are dealing with the struggle against Bullemia, and you are not alone. If you are interested in recieving specialized help and counseling, I strongly encourage you to call the National Eating Disorder Association (800-931-2237). Also, please feel free to call our hotline, one of our listeners would be happy to speak with you. We are open everyday from 6 to 10 pm PST and our number is 1-800-852-8336.

a TEEN LINE listener