[londongirl111]

I suffer and have suffered from a low self esteem and zero confidence for a long time, I thought I was getting better however for the past couple of weeks I feel terrible, today is the worst of all. I am needy, sad, and all I want to do is lay in my bed watch TV or sleep. I don't feel like seeing anyone or talking to anyone, I hate myself and my body so much it scares me sometimes. I am not fat but a little overweight but I just hate my body and the way I look. I started going to the gym, it is not making me feel better but worse about myself. I constantly think that people are looking at me and judging my body. I don't ever think that I will meet a guy who will give me a chance and actually treat me well. I live in a country where looks are everything and the girls are super stylish and skinny... I know confidenence is key but when u don't have any its hard. How do I become confident?

There are probably many factors that have started these feelings for instance I am in love with someone who is playing with my feelings, my dad was diagnosed with cancer about 1 month ago and many more, but today as I hate the world and everything in it, but I can't pinpoint what is making me so depressed today. I have good days and bad days.

I need to know what I can do to snap out of the way I am feeling, do I stay in bed and sleep it off hoping that I only wake up in a week or so and when I do wake up I will feel better or do I get out there and do stuff?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated

[Wondergirl]

What are you good at? What do you like to do? What are your passions?

[Jake2008]

Sounds like you have 'the blues', which is a situational, or temporary period that you feel depressed. You have identified this very well, and good for you for being smart enough to pay attention to the symptoms.

When things go beyond a reasonable amount of time, and get worse, or coping skills are becoming non effective, or if your life is in a downward spiral and you are continuously feeling more and more depressed, it is time to go and see your Doctor. This does not mean that you are clinically depressed, only that the symptoms are becoming worse, and there are many things your Doctor could do or suggest to help.

Why not try keeping a diary, daily, of events, and thoughts and emotions. It may sound corny, but I do this all the time, and usually have more than one on the go. When you are having a down day, write it out, no matter how it reads, and see if you can identify any themes, or triggers that cause the feelings of depression. It may be that your life is clouded with worry over your father, and it is when you think about that, that your mood changes, or, maybe it is changes in your relationship with your boyfriend, that are affecting how you feel about yourself and your future. It is sometimes impossible to see the forest for the trees! Until you get out that chainsaw, and uncover a few roots.

Another suggestion is to make a calendar, just for one week at a time. Put in the things you have to do (work, school, laundry, etc.), and see what time you have open. Slot in a small amount of activity to start, say a bike ride Tuesday and Thursday evening. Whether you feel like it or not, hop on the wheels, and go for a spin. Whatever other things you are putting off, or not doing because you just feel not up to it, mark them in too. Maybe visiting your mom, taking your sister out for lunch, visiting a friend for coffee. Something that has you with other people.

The busier you are, the better able you are not to sit and stew, or sit and decide upon what is causing you to be so down. It is what it is, you feel down, time to get back up again, even though it is sooooo much easier not to. Justifying the inactivity is something we all do. One day my hair hurt...

Continue to be aware, and when you are feeling things are so out of your personal control that nothing is making you feel better, and/or situations are having you feeling afraid of facing the world on a day to day basis, then it is time to see your Doctor for some advice.