TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Me and my boyfriend have been together for six and a half months, lately he gets mad over everything real easily. Last night over the phone we were talking and he asked if he could come to my house at night if i would let him in my room so we could be together and I said no, and ever since then he barely even wants to get close to me or hug me or anything else so now i feel really sad and i dont know if "you know what" is all he wants from me.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey,

Thanks so much for reaching out to TEEN LINE. It sounds like you're feeling sad and pressured by your relationship with your boyfriend because of the ways he's been acting. It must be really confusing for you when he acts like this, especially when you're contemplating if he's just wants sex (I'm assuming that's what you mean by "you know what") out of the relationship. Have you thought about talking to him about this? Sometimes talking to someone about your feelings is a good way to clear anything up, particularly if you're confused about what he's feeling. Or, if you just want to talk to someone, have you considered talking to a friend about your confusion? If you want to talk more about this, please don't hesitate to call us here at TEEN LINE. We're open every night from 6pm to 10pm PST and our number is 310-855-4673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I was manually raped almost a year ago and I'm having flashbacks and nightmares preventing me from sleeping

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Wow I can only imagine how scary that must be to have to relive such an awful event through flashbacks and nightmares. I'm so glad you decided to e-mail us. Have you told anyone about this? Sexual abuse is a serious issue and it may help to share what you've gone through with a trusted friend, adult, family member, school counselor or therapist. If you would be comfortable with it, there are a lot of hotlines and support groups available for people who have been sexually abused. You are not alone. I'm not sure where you are located but if you google different sexual abuse support groups, you may be able to find one locally. The Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network is a 24 hour confidential hotline that may be able to offer you some help as well. Their number is (800) 656-4673. Also please feel free to call us here at TEEN LINE. We're open every night from 6pm-10pm PST and the number is (310) 855-4673. We're here to listen.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Ive been with this guy for almost five years. He completly stole my heart. He was amazing he would have done anything for me. He was nice as can be. Never yelled at me, nothing. The he started telling me who an who i could and couldnt hangout with. Started pushing me, hittin me in the back of the head, grabbing my cheecks an screaming in my face while spitting in my face. We have a 7 month old son, hes pushed me around while im holding him, he screams an hits me, calls me names with our son right there. I love him I do andi want us to be together for the sake of our son an i dont want him growijng up without a father like i did. But he also needs to help me out with him..he dont change diapers, fed him, play with him, get up with him in the middle of the night. IM SO STRESSED. I need to leave him an not put up with it. But im scared of what he could do if i leave him.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi, thanks for emailing us here at TEEN LINE.
Wow, it really sounds like you've been experiencing a lot! This guy has become abusive, and you shouldn't have to deal with that. It isn't your fault that he does these things to you, and you deserve to feel safe and so does your son. Do you have anyone you can talk to and get support from in your life? You said that you want to be with him for the sake of your son because you don't want him growing up without a father, and I'm curious if the risk of this guy hurting your son and you is worth it? It seems like you're in a tough situation, and worrying about what he could do if you leave him is scary. There is this really great website called http://peaceoverviolence.org/ where you can get some really great information, and support. They have some hot lines you can call and they'll be able to assist you in getting safe. Also, feel free to call us here at TEEN LINE every night from 6PM-10PM PST at (310) 855-4673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
My family argues alot and i'm always the one trying to fix everything. I get really depressed whenever they argue and i never tell anyone. When my dad left us, i was depressed. All i remember is my mom and dad arguing and me and my sister upstairs crying. Now, my mom and jim(stepdad) argue and all it does is bring back those memories. I'm afraid that Jim is going to leave us and there's nothing i can do about it. I'm always depressed when it happens and I dont know what to do about it. What can I do?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting us here at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are in a really overwhelming situation. It must be really stressful to be dealing with all the arguing and all of the bad memories involving your dad. I wonder if you have tried talking to a friend about everything that is going on. Maybe even talking to your mom about these feelings or another family member? Or also a school counselor may help? It may help to have support and someone to talk to during a time like this. If you would like to talk to a teen, I want to encourage you to call or chat with us here at TEEN LINE. We are open from 6 to 10pm PST and our number is (310) 855-2673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
My family argues alot and i'm always the one trying to fix everything. I get really depressed whenever they argue and i never tell anyone. When my dad left us, i was depressed. All i remember is my mom and dad arguing and me and my sister upstairs crying. Now, my mom and _____(stepdad) argue and all it does is bring back those memories. I'm afraid that Jim is going to leave us and there's nothing i can do about it. I'm always depressed when it happens and I dont know what to do about it. What can I do?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting us here at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are in a really overwhelming situation. It must be really stressful to be dealing with all the arguing and all of the bad memories involving your dad. I wonder if you have tried talking to a friend about everything that is going on. Maybe even talking to your mom about these feelings or another family member? Or also a school counselor may help? It may help to have support and someone to talk to during a time like this. If you would like to talk to a teen, I want to encourage you to call or chat with us here at TEEN LINE. We are open from 6 to 10pm PST and our number is (310) 855-2673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
When i was 16 it was the first time i was raped no one knows because i have a very big problem with dealing with my problems and act like they dont exist but now at 18 i was walkin out of a party and was raped and beat by 3 guys.. but many word got out because of my best friend and people talking bout it and accusing me of lieing and all that and i just cant handle it anymore i want to cry all the time.. the first time after i was raped i became addicted to drugs and then stopped all tht and just started handling my problems with alchol. but its not helping no more and i want to handle my problems the rite way

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, Wow. It sounds like you are going through some really rough things right now. This must be so painful for you. I'm happy to hear that you want to handle your problems the right way instead of depending on drugs and alcohol like you used to. It seems like you are very sad and lonely. I wonder if you've told any dependable adults about what has happened and how you are feeling. You could try talking to your mom, dad, an older sibling or your school counselor. If you don't feel comfortable talking to any of those people, I have some great referrals for you to try. There is the Rape, Abuse, and Incest Network (RAINN). Their number is 1800 656 4673 and they are open 24 hours a day. Also, you can try calling Project Sister (909 626 4357). They are open Mondays-Friday from 9am-5pm. Both of these hotlines can be very helpful. Also, you are always welcome to call us here at TEEN LINE (310 855 4673). We're open from 6-10pm every night and we'd love to hear from you.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
My dad just died this past november, and nobody really undestands what im going through. im just looking to find some one else that knows what i am going through. knows the loneliness im feeling

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi,
Thank you so much for contacting TEEN LINE. I am so sorry that your dad died. It is normal to feel lonely and misunderstood when a you lose a parent. Maybe it would help if you tried talking to your school conselor or a trusted adult about the way you are feeling. I don't know where you live in TX, but i found grief support that might be close to you. It's The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas at 210-736-4847. If they aren't close, you could ask them for a referral near your area . It can really help to share the way you are feeling with other teens who have may have lost a parent as well. Also, you can call us here at TEEN LINE from 6:00pm-10:00pm pst every day if you just want to talk. Our number is 310-855-4673.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I need help, there's this girl I like and she might like me back but in my class you get bugged non-stop, to the point where you get bullied. There's been couples in my class before and they got bugged alot. It's either I get something that's been bugging me for over two years off my chest or forget it. I've known her as a friend, she's funny, and am even getting to the point where I think I love her. But people say it's dumb to love somebody at my age. But I beg to differ. I'm very loving and I think I made my point of loving her. It's just I don't think I have anyone to talk to.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thank you for emailing TEEN LINE. Sounds like your feeling confused and maybe a bit lonely. Sometimes it's hard to talk to someone your age about a more mature topic, and that can be frustrating. If you think it's a good idea, you might want to get to know her better so that you can decide what you want to do. If you don't have a friend to talk to about this, you can call us at 310 855 4673 from 6 to 10 pm PST. You can also chat online with us during that same time.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
My friend committed Suicide. It's so hard to deal with.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi, thanks for trusting TEEN LINE with this. It must be so painful to lose your friend from suicide. Do you have any good support in your life right now, someone who you can talk to about this, like a trusted friend, therapist, or close family member? Talking about it with someone else can help ease the pain. You can go to http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com/ for referrals and resources on suicide loss support. You can also visit this website, http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=AC750B90-C071-D45F-5334E87E75BBB6DF, which has support groups and hotline numbers you can call in South Carolina. Also, give us a call here at TEEN LINE at 310-855-4673. We're here to talk with you about any of your challenges and feelings, and we're here for you from 6 to 10 pm PST.

a TEEN LINE listener

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
well my problem is that Im to shy and passive. I often have problems putting myself out there. I feel like I don't have a voice. This often makes me sad , actuslly iv been sad for awhile ( 4 yrs). Part of me wants to lossen up , but I still get stuck on oh she's '' the shy girl''. I never used to be like this.i used to be assertive and had many friends, now Im just all alone and don't know what to do. I feel like crying most of the time bc I know that this is not who I am. I'm not the same person I once loved to be. I wany to regain my life back and be happy bc I'm not. I don't want to grow up being walked all over bc I cldnt let go of the past (being teased n middle school) or bc I get intimidated. Please someone help me get my life bck! Please!i

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thanks for trusting us with your problem here at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are feeling frustrated with this shy part of your personality and how it's your affecting your life. You mentioned that you are all alone now and want to regain your life back , so it also seems that you feel lonely. From reading this email, I can really tell that you want to change your life in a new way. Have you tried talking to a close friend, family member, or a therapist about your feelings? Talking about your feelings can help you clarify them and make it easier to work them out. Also, maybe you could join a club or team that you would enjoy spending time in and that could help you get more confidence in yourself. You can also always call us here at TEEN LINE to talk about this or any other problems at 310-855-4673 from 6 to 10 pm PST.

a TEEN LINE listener