On this page:
Health Guides
A
- Alcoholic Parent
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Apologizing: How to Say “I’m Sorry”
B
- Bipolar Disorder
- Breakups
- Bullying
C
- Cliques
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- College Health: Mental Health Issues
- Consent
- Coping with Loss
- Coping with Quarantine during COVID-19
- Counseling and Therapy
- Cyberbullying and Bullying
D
- Dating Violence: General Information
- Dating Violence: How to get help
- Dating Violence: Quizzes
- Dealing with a Parent who Has an Alcohol Problem
- Dealing with Cliques
- Dealing with Divorce and Separation
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Depression
- Divorce
E
- Eating Disorders: Causes and Risk Factors
- Eating Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment Team
- Eating Disorders: General Information
- Eating Disorders: Glossary
- Eating Disorders: Healthy Eating
- Eating Disorders: Myths
- Eating Disorders: Symptoms
- Eating Disorders: Treatment and Therapy Options
F
- Friendships
- Friendships: A Guide for Tween Girls
H
- Hair Pulling Disorder (Trichotillomania)
- Healthy Body Image and Self-Esteem for Teens with Facial Differences
- Healthy Communication: Quiz
- Healthy Relationships
- How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet
- How to Talk to Your Parents
- Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
J
- Jealousy
L
- LGBTQ: Gender Identity
- LGBTQ: Sexual Orientation
- LGBTQ: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Mental Health and Resources
- LGBTQ: Transgender Terminology
- Loss
O
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
P
- Panic Attacks
- Peer Pressure
- Preparing for College: Interview Tips
- Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU)
R
- Rape and Sexual Assault
- Reiki
- Relationships
- Relationships: How to Deal with a Breakup
S
- Safety in Relationships
- Schizophrenia
- School Violence
- Self-Esteem and Body Image
- Self-Harm
- Sexual Assault and Rape
- Sexual Consent
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Social Media and Body Image
- Speaking Up for Yourself
- Stress and How to Lower It
- Suicide Prevention
T
- Test Anxiety
- Transgender Terminology
- Trichotillomania
Guías de la Salud
- Abuso Sexual y Violación
- Afrontar la cuarentena durante el COVID-19
- Ansiedad
- Asma: Diagnóstico y Tratamiento
- Asma: Plan de Acción y Cómo Obtener Ayuda
- Ataques de Pánico
- Autoestima e Imagen Corporal
- Autolesión
- Cómo Hablar con tus Padres
- Consejería Psicológica y Terapia
- Depresión
- Estrés y Cómo Bajarlo
- Lidiando con padres con problemas con el alcohol
- Lidiar con una Pérdida
- Meditación
- MRKH: Hablar con tu Pareja Sobre MRKH
- MRKH: Tus Sentimientos Sobre MRKH
- Prevención del suicidio
- Trastorno Bipolar
- Trastorno de Ansiedad Social
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Alimentación Saludable
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Causas y Factores de Riesgo
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Evaluación y Equipo de Tratamiento
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Glosario
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Información General
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Mitos
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Síntomas
- Trastornos Alimenticios: Tratamiento y Opciones de Terapia
- Violencia en el Noviazgo: ¿Cómo Buscar Ayuda?
- Violencia en el Noviazgo: Información General
- Violencia en el Noviazgo: Pruebas
Ask Us Questions
- I feel I have quite a large stomach compared to kids at my school and it makes me uncomfortable to wear crop tops or pants that don’t cover my mid area. Especially after I eat, why is my stomach so big and hard to the touch? (3/25/2024)
- I constantly feel the urge to pick at my face/acne. I think this could be considered a skin-picking disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Do you have any advice on how to stop? It gets in the way of my daily activities and makes me feel bad about myself. (12/4/2023)
- I’ve always felt like a woman and I believe I am, but I don’t like my genitals, I would rather have nothing there. What is wrong with me? (9/5/2023)
- I ruined my relationship with my parents unintentionally. A trusted family member manipulated me into agreeing to say bad things about my parents and blamed it on me and pretend to show concern. What should I do to fix it? They hate me now. (8/21/2023)
- I’m upset because I have a friend who keeps getting into fights with me. I don’t know how to stop this. My parents told me to ignore her, but when I do she gets madder at me! I’m really sad as this is affecting my mental health. (8/14/2023)
- I’m a girl and I’ve been having romantic thoughts about other girls and boys. I’ve also been questioning my gender. I like being a girl but sometimes I wanna be a boy and then I’ll wanna be a girl again, then I feel like I have no gender. Am I a freak? (8/7/2023)
- I am 5’7 and underweight, but my doctor has told me I am at a “healthy” weight. If this is all true, then why is my butt covered in stretch marks?!? (7/31/2023)
- Is it weird that I have sexual dreams? (7/24/2023)
- How do I know if I have a mental health problem? Lately, I feel like something’s not quite right but I don’t know if it’s bad enough to get professional help. Overall, my life is well and I don’t want to waste time and worry people. (6/19/2023)
- I’ve recently started smoking weed and getting high. I think that I’ve developed derealization/depersonalization disorder as result. I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what it feels like to be real anymore and I can’t tell anyone. what can I do? (6/12/2023)
- Recently I have been dreaming about having romantic feelings and kissing girls. Yet, I also dream about the same thing with boys! Does this mean I am “bi” (bi-sexual)? The thing is I prefer to be with boys in a romantic relationship, help please! (4/14/2023)
- How can I get my family to stop piling everything on me? I feel like Luisa from Encanto, where she has to take everything on. (4/3/2023)
- I have a hard time focusing, and I end up procrastinating assignments because I don’t know how to start them. I submit a lot of late work and get overwhelmed/stressed in the end of the semester. I don’t know what to do, I feel so out of control. (3/20/2023)
- How will a child’s future be carved if he or she is grow in between family problems and stress… (9/9/2022)
- There are some girls that when I’m around them, I feel this excitement and I don’t know if I have crush on them. I just don’t feel attracted to boys the way my friends do. Does this make me lesbian? (8/12/2022)
- I’m fourteen years old. I am a lesbian, but I don’t know how to tell my parents. I have felt this way since I was eleven years old. I also have a crush, but I don’t know how to tell her either. I think my parents will accept me, but I don’t know what to do. Can you help me? (4/22/2022)
- Why do you guys call this site youngwomenshealth.org, when you talk about female health, including biological females (who identify as female), non-binary individuals, and trans men? Is this a welcoming space for trans people? (4/12/2022)
- I think of ending my life every single day. Things have gotten a lot worse since I failed math. It made everything a lot worse. I have lost hope in everything and I even stopped praying. I never thought I would grow up to be such a burden. I need someone to talk to, help. (4/1/2022)
- Lately, I have had a lot of questions about my gender identity. I was recently diagnosed with MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome) and it has caused me to question my gender. When I was 15 years old, they put me on testosterone, which made me feel like a male going through puberty. Then they switched me to the birth control pill. Could the different hormones play a role in why I am questioning my gender? (2/4/2022)
- Lately my younger sister has been watching videos about self-harm and reading (even writing) stories involving suicide. She’s only 9 years old. Naturally my family is very concerned for her mental health. How do we help her? (1/7/2022)
- I think I’m becoming depressed. I really hate myself and I have no motivation to socialize or to do work. My parents don’t believe in me and just aren’t supportive. Are there ways I could go to therapy without them knowing? (12/17/2021)
- I’ve just arrived at college very far away from home, and although nothing is wrong with school, I feel too far and want to go home. I’m sad and crying all the time, but I don’t want my family to think I’m quitting. I don’t know what to do. (9/30/2021)
- How do I get a full 8 hours of sleep? (9/29/2021)
- I don’t understand if I have been sober why do I always revert to my old habits no matter how long I do stay sober? (9/23/2021)
- I found out a few months ago my mom died of leukemia cancer. I felt horrible about it, I cried a lot, I have been feeling quiet and kinda sad lately. What can I do? (9/17/2021)
- One of my parent’s male friends grabbed the back of my neck when he was sitting next to me. Another time, he gave me a side huge and seemed to have a firm grip on my waist, but also my breast. Is this affectionate or sexual? (7/13/2021)
- I am underweight, but feel like my thighs are too big and I want to lose fat there. I can’t stop thinking about it and feel very guilty and disgusted with myself after eating a dessert or on a day that I don’t exercise. Any advice? (6/15/2021)
- Is it common for a teenager to talk about their first sexual experience with their parents/guardians? Assumedly in a good relationship with parents/guardians? Thank you! (5/26/2021)
- Is it normal to not want children when I grow up? I think I would be more happy adopting a pet than having kids. (5/21/2021)
- When I was younger, I was touched inappropriately by a male friend. I didn’t remember or understand that his behavior was wrong until I was older. Is this considered sexual assault? (4/6/2021)
- I really want to go out on a date with my crush, but I can’t because of COVID. Can you help me? (3/5/2021)
- I was recently prescribed the birth control pill and I am wondering if it could increase my anxiety? I know that sometimes it can cause mood swings, but is the risk higher if you already have a mental health condition? (3/1/2021)
- I have bulimia, and I’m not sure if I should tell my parents. They would probably get mad at me. (2/1/2021)
- I was having a hard time sleeping at night sometimes, I can’t see any reasons why it’s happening to me. Are they are possible things that can be the reason why I’m having insomnia? (1/20/2021)
- I am 17 years old and bisexual. I have always avoided anything that has to do with sex, because it made me uncomfortable. Recently, I decided that I would like to learn more about sex. What is OK to read and/or look at that is also developmentally/psychologically safe? (1/5/2021)
- I’m going to start going to therapy soon. I know there’s nothing wrong with going to therapy and there’s nothing wrong with me because of it. But it feels wrong with the stigma and all. How do I deal with the stigma and stay cool and all that? (12/31/2020)
- I have a large birth mark on my face. I am really worried that I will never find true love? Will I find someone who loves me even though I have a birth mark? (12/21/2020)
- It’s now autumn, and I always feel sorrowful and morose during this season. Plus now, with the coronavirus I feel even more depressed. What can I do in order to cheer me up? (11/9/2020)
- I recently became friends with a new classmate. I really like them, but they constantly ask me to send dirty (nude) pictures. I did send one and now I feel really guilty. Is it OK to send a picture of myself in my bra and underwear? How can I get my friend to stop asking for these pictures? (10/19/2020)
- I’m really concerned, depressed and scared at the state of the world and what my life is turning into, with the coronavirus and wildfires and all the violence and hate in the world and it’s really hurting my mental health. I’m terrified of going back to school in-person with the coronavirus and being infected with something that I could bring home that could kill my family. I had 2 panic attacks this week because I thought school was happening in-person. I’m feeling really really anxious and depressed, and I feel like there’s no hope. I don’t know what’s happening except that it’s bad. What can I do to cope with it all? Please help! (10/16/2020)
- Can you help me be less insecure? I’ve seen many other female bodies and cry about how much better they look compared to mine. I don’t want to feel like that anymore. (10/15/2020)
- I’ve been questioning my sexuality for years and really think I’m asexual. I don’t feel safe coming out and feel like I can’t tell my doctor or even my family right now. If I tell my therapist, will they be understanding, and will it be confidential? (10/5/2020)
- When I watch needle injections on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok I get an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). This causes me to hurt myself sometimes with pens and tacks. Is it sterile? Should I stop? (9/30/2020)
- Remote learning is making me incredibly stressed, sad, miserable, furious, bipolar, and depressed. Sometimes even suicidal. How should I cope? (9/28/2020)
- I have been fat since childhood. I think I might have an eating disorder. I feel guilty after eating my meal, and then weigh myself like 100 times in an hour. I want to lose about 10 kg. What is your advice? (9/17/2020)
- My “friend with benefits” sent a picture of his used condom and my bra to his friends, while I was in bathroom. I feel kind of weird about it, but do I have a right to be mad? (8/20/2020)
- When I went to my annual doctor appointment, my doctor asked me about stuff like how the school year went, how my classes were, if I liked remote schooling, how I communicated with my friends, where I volunteered, and such. Why did she ask me that? (8/5/2020)
- I have a partner, but it seems they are drifting away. Is there anything I can do? (7/28/2020)
- I have had trichotillomania for around 4-5 years and my mom wants to sign me up for a support group, but I kinda freak out when I talk in front of large groups even if it’s online and you can remain anonymous and not show your face. What should I do? (7/23/2020)
- I was recently treated for a yeast infection that I think I had for about a month. Ever since I received treatment I have lost sexual interest, which was never a problem for me before. I don’t think I’m asexual, but I don’t know what is happening. How can I get the feeling of sexual attraction back? (7/21/2020)
- I think I have trichotillomania. When I was 12 years old, I started pulling my hair out of my head to the point where I developed a bald spot. My parents are both doctors, but I don’t think they know what trichotillomania is because they’ve noticed, but haven’t really done anything to help me. I am really insecure about it…help! (7/7/2020)
- I am in anorexia recovery right now. I am scared that I am going to lose control and gain too much weight because of my metabolism and not eating anything. Will my metabolism speed up and burn enough calories as I recover? (6/22/2020)
- On most days, I have a really hard time concentrating and sitting still. I have been struggling with this for a long time and I am beginning to wonder if I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Do you recommend that I see someone once COVID-19 calms down a bit? (6/15/2020)
- How am I supposed to cope? How do I live with this now and for the rest of my life? I’m a senior and this week should have been my last week of school. No goodbyes. No graduation. No senior baseball season. No senior play. No senior prom. Nothing. (5/26/2020)
- My stomach sticks out but I’m not technically overweight. I’ve been doing 50 sit-ups in bed every night for about 5 months. It doesn’t seem to be helping. Should I tell my parents about my secret exercise, and how do I get rid of belly fat? (5/14/2020)
- I’ve been staying up past midnight and not getting out of bed until the afternoon recently. How can I start going to sleep and waking up earlier? (4/27/2020)
- Is it possible to still have Anorexia even though I am not underweight? I have some symptoms, but I am overweight. Should I talk to my doctor? (4/13/2020)
- How do I deal with burnout in school? (4/8/2020)
- I have some symptoms of depression. Should I contact someone to test me for depression? (4/2/2020)
- How can I overcome panic attacks? I’m a usually nervous person, but three panic attacks in two months seems like a lot and I don’t want my friends or my parents to know. (1/15/2020)
- My parents recently separated because my father had an affair. I love my dad but I am angry with him at the same time. I’m not sure how to deal with my feelings. What should I do? (11/1/2019)
- I feel very insecure about everything from my own labia, my sexuality, and the topic of sex. It fuels my depression and I need to talk it out. Is it okay to tell my therapist, even if I go into detail? (10/29/2019)
- Lately my body image has been poor about myself. I honestly feel so ugly and it makes me sad and depressed. I honestly feel like no one will think I’m cute or even pretty, and compliments I do get I throw down. How can this feeling be stopped? (10/7/2019)
- I feel that I am extremely nervous this year. I will suddenly feel overwhelmed by school, the prospect of college, or something in the news (particularly school shootings) and my stomach will feel sick and I can’t stop shaking. What should I do? (9/30/2019)
- I have severe depression and I got horrible grades last year. I want to do well in school but it’s hard when I’m always sad and tired. What are some tips to succeed? (9/18/2019)
- My boyfriend asked if I wanted to try something new during sex and I said no. Even though I continued to say no he wouldn’t stop. Afterwards, he apologized and begged me to forgive him and said that he just got “caught up in the moment but it keeps happening.” I’m really at a loss here because I have severe PTSD and have been molested as a child and he knows this yet he’s repeatedly gone against my wishes. What should I do? (6/6/2019)
- My parents are divorced and I hadn’t talked to my dad for several years. He just died. I don’t really know how to feel, and I don’t feel anything in particular. Is this normal? (5/14/2019)
- I’m 15 and my parents fight ALL the time and it really upsets me. I’ve seen them growing apart over the years and it seems like they want to get a divorce but they’re staying together for me and my sister. How do I tell them that it’s okay to split up? (4/25/2019)
- I have trichotillomania and I pull my hair all the time without even thinking about it. My mom gets frustrated about it but I tell her I cannot help it. Any advice on how to stop my hair pulling? (2/5/2019)
- I can’t go to sleep. I’ve tried teas, meditation, music, worry dolls and just about anything else I could think of. Falling asleep between 12:30-4:00 is common for me, and once I do fall asleep it’s only for just over an hour. What can I do? (1/7/2019)
- How many places in your body can hair grow? (1/2/2019)
- So my nudes (pics) are getting shown everywhere and I can’t tell my parents about it, so what do I do, please help me!! (12/17/2018)
- I have chronic anxiety, a poor appetite and low grades which I feel are due to my low self-esteem. How do I overcome this? (12/5/2018)
- When I’m stressed, I just want to go back to being little, when there wasn’t work to do and all I had to do was play. How can I get over feeling so nostalgic? (11/21/2018)
- How can I get better at not taking small situations and making them a big problem for no reason? It’s really getting in the way of my relationships. (10/31/2018)
- What is sexuality and sexual orientation? (10/26/2018)
- I have been waking up every night at 3:00am and I am awake until my alarm goes off at 7:30. I stopped watching TV or going on the web after dinner and I also tried drinking chamomile tea but it hasn’t helped me sleep through the night. I am very tired during school and I feel like l cannot bear this lack of sleep during the entire school year. Please, can you help me? (10/16/2018)
- I have a lot of panic attacks for instance before exams or an oral presentation. I did some yoga exercises to learn how to breathe calmly but it didn’t help. It isn’t easy to live with panic attacks. What can I do? (9/5/2018)
- I’m bisexual and my grandparents are super against gay people. I have a girlfriend and I want her to meet my family but I’m afraid that my grandparents won’t love me anymore. What should I do? (8/24/2018)
- I can’t stop eating. Is this normal, or should I be concerned? (7/11/2018)
- I know so many people who have 800 or so followers on Instagram, I also know that they have only met about 50 of those people in person. Having a bunch of people who I don’t know look at my photos makes me uncomfortable, but I feel bad if I only have 50 followers when everyone else has hundreds, any suggestions? (6/5/2018)
- Recently I have stopped experiencing emotions and am having weird and scary thoughts. I am not experiencing any guilt. My friends think I am getting really manipulative. Is something wrong with me? (5/14/2018)
- Hi, lately I have been feeling sad, lonely, suicidal and tired. It’s been two years since my parents got a divorce but my parents still fight (in court) for custody of me and my siblings. I just started a new school and I kinda like it, but most of the time I feel empty like there is no purpose of living life. (11/27/2017)
- My best friend had a crush. She was in love. We thought they were going to get married. But she just found out that he’s dating another girl. How can I help my best friend to cope? (10/25/2017)
- Why do I feel such guilt about masturbating? My religion doesn’t prevent me from doing it, my mom has even said it is normal, and I want to really badly but I know I will feel horrible if I do! Please help! (8/22/2017)
- I’m 19 years old and so scared of needles and shots that when I even think about them too much, I get so scared I break down crying. I don’t know what to do! (7/10/2017)
- Is it normal to feel depressed and suicidal before your period? (6/20/2017)
- I need help building a positive body image. Because I am skinny, lack curves, and still wear a size A. I feel like boys aren’t attracted to me. What should I do? (2/16/2017)
- I’m not sure when or how to apologize for something I did. Can you help? (2/10/2017)
- I’ve had bulimia for almost 3 years, and now I’m in the recovery process. Some days I’m fine and other days I feel fat and terrible about myself, especially before/during my period (I bloat badly during that time). Is there anything I can do to lessen the bloating during my periods? And is there anything I can do to take my mind off of all the food I ate when I feel fat? (1/31/2017)
- I’m usually a happy person, but sometimes I feel upset and inclined to self-harm. However, since I’m not diagnosed with Bi-Polar depression I don’t feel like I deserve help. Is it just a phase? How can I get over this if I’m not validated? (1/20/2017)
- I am always depressed. If I was told that I got an A+ in math, or if a was told I was going to get a cat, I’d still be depressed. Am I okay? (11/16/2016)
- I’m 13 and have Bipolar disorder, Social Anxiety, and ADHD. Will life change more during puberty? (8/12/2016)
- I have been dating a guy for a while but no one knows since he is much older and my parents would be upset if they found out. I have never been to the gynecologist, and I have never had sexual intercourse. I don’t really communicate about this issue, with my boyfriend but lately, I’m feeling pressure from him to have sex. What should I do? (5/31/2016)
- Hello, I been feeling very depressed for the past two years and I’ve turned to cutting & burning myself to escape these tough feelings. But my main question is: How do I stop? (1/11/2016)
- How can I manage sleep so that I don’t feel down?? (12/7/2015)
- My bf and I broke up recently. He has a new girlfriend now but I am still so in love with him. I told him how I felt and he said he still loved me but he wanted to be with his girlfriend and since has been asking me for relationship advice. I feel so heartbroken and disrespected but I don’t know what to do. (8/17/2015)
- Lately I’m forever sad, I cry a lot and I don’t talk to anyone. I need help as this is affecting my health too. (7/13/2015)
- I have a boyfriend and it’s been 6 months since we have been dating. We haven’t kissed or had sexual contact. Is he gay? (7/2/2015)
- Someone from my high school committed suicide last week. I didn’t know her very well, but we were Facebook friends. Her posts were always so upbeat and happy, and I had no idea she was even depressed. What did I miss? (5/13/2015)
- Is there a counselor that specializes in both stress and self-esteem? (5/12/2015)
- My friend just turned 14 and she and her way older boyfriend who is in high school want to have a baby. I’m so worried but I don’t know what to do! I don’t want to get her in trouble, but I want her to understand the dangers involved. What should I do?! (5/5/2015)
- I just saw the movie Fifty Shades of Grey – is the kind of relationship the two main characters have healthy? (4/8/2015)
- I want to go on the pill but don’t want my mom to know – what do I do? (3/2/2015)
- I think that I am depressed and I told my best friend, but I don’t know who else or how I should tell someone, or even what to do. Please help!!!! (2/19/2015)
- Lately I’ve been feeling very sad and it won’t stop. At one point I thought about ending my life and I have also self-harmed myself multiple times. I really want to get help, but I’m too scared to tell my mom. Please help. (12/18/2014)
- I usually go 2-3 days without sleeping and then I only sleep a couple of hours and then the cycle repeats. I know this isn’t healthy but what can I do? (8/27/2014)
- Is eating cotton balls dipped in juice going to help me lose weight? (8/13/2014)
- My mom and dad broke up when I was eight, but I still can’t seem to get over it. What should I do? (8/5/2014)
- How do you tell your parents that you’re pregnant? (7/15/2014)
- Why do I have such a bad temper? (6/24/2014)
- My parents are getting divorced. Is it normal to feel relieved and not sad about it? (2/26/2014)
- My mom and dad are really over protective. I can’t date until I’m 16. What should I do? (8/28/2013)
- My mom is trying to get me to break up with my boyfriend, but I don’t want to. What should I do? (4/3/2013)
- My parents have no respect for me and talk about about me behind my back. My grades are down and I feel depressed, too. What should I do? (1/30/2013)
- There are no females in my house, and it’s really hard to explain how I’m feeling to my dad. Who should I talk to? (8/15/2012)
- I want to be popular but I don’t want to be in a clique. What should I do? (6/19/2012)
- I think I’m fat, but my friends say I’m not. How do I know who is right? (5/16/2012)
- I cut myself. How do I get help without telling my parents? (8/31/2011)
- I’m scared about coming out. What can I do? (3/2/2011)
- Is watching porn OK? (2/23/2011)
- I’m a boy who wants to be a girl. What do I do? (12/22/2010)
- Is being stressed out a symptom of being bipolar? (12/1/2010)
Parents’ Guides
- ADHD
- Be There for Teens
- Depression
- Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
- Talking to your Teen about Weight in a Healthy Way
- Talking to Your Teen/Young Adult About Sexual Relationships
- Teen Dating Violence