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From: (Not Displayed) Received: 7:34 pm on Nov. 19, 2008 Return to Inbox
Subject: stressed
my life has seemed to have been an up and down roller coaster the past 5 years... I am lost and depression is starting to hit really hard these past few months, screwing up everything. I try to be strong, I try to be happy but out of no where I break down and cry and I get mean and it's like I explode and take it out on the people closest to me... My father is bipolar, and my mom has been off and on zanex (sp?) for over the past 10 years that I know of. It is known for anxiety to run in my family and 2 people on my maternal side have had bad breakdowns that they didn't know who they were or anything, and one was institutionalized for a while... I'm not sure what is going on. in 2004 my step dad passed away and we were close.

My problems started then I think... soo many times I improve and do better with myself but I keep finding myself to repeat old habits and back on the path of self destruction. I have a 2 year old daughter, and I hate it. I love my daughter and hate her all at the same time. Randomly I get stressed out by absolutely nothing and I can't cope. I send her away to stay with other people so I don't have to deal with her, and lately that's been more and more. My boyfriend and I had a big fall out, but since monday we've been back together, and he makes me soo happy.

He has a great aura but I feel empty when he's not beside me. I don't want to burden him to think I need him beside me at all times. My mother suggests that I go get on cymbalta but I hate medications. I don't want to feel NUMB. I like my ups, and alcohol is a great way for me to feel up, I've been relying on it a little more lately... but I realize I can't afford to drink my life away... so I LOVE to go shopping, I feel a little bit of a release when I can buy new clothes, but then I spend all my money and can't pay my bills so that stresses me out with cancellation notices and disconnection notices, bill collectors calling...

So that just adds to my stress more than it does any good for the hour I am shopping. And I love my daughter to death, I love to kiss her and cuddle with her... but too often anymore she is crying so much, I think maybe feeding off my stress and negative energy... but everytime she acts up (terrible twos) I lose it and don't know how to react or what to turn to. I try relaxing and breathing and enjoying her, but the past few weeks that's not been helping... I am not much of a talker to the people I know, they are all quick to judge, nobody will just listen and comfort me and let me cry... my boyfriend will but he has a life and stresses of his own.

I don't dare tell him and burden him with all of this, I don't want to stress him out anymore than he already is. I know he'd be here for me but I want him to kind of stay in the dark about this... I didn't know what else to do. I tried to lock myself in the bathroom to get a minute away from my daughter - who was doing nothing wrong really - but she was crying for me... and that was it. I was crying looking at the bathtub wanting to get it and just drown... then I cried more at even the thought of it...

then I remembered all the people who talked about cutting and how relieving it was. I don't want to kill myself, just release endorphins, release stress and feel better. so I searched and searched. I didn't want to use a knife and I didn't want to slit my wrists... I just wanted to know if it helped, to bleed... so I worked hard to tear apart a razor... and I cut myself.

4 times on the top of the arm... and it felt kind of good doing it... the burn and then seeing the blood red drip down... they weren't deep gashes... just 4 small cuts each about an inch long and quarter inch apart... not very deep just enough to bleed and to know that it wasn't too deep... I only wanted to bleed long enough for a release and I wanted a wound that would scab up so I didn't have to go to the hospital....

it felt good. cutting... this was the first time i've ever cut myself... but now an hour later I am sitting here and my daughter is stressing me out again... and I am thinking... cut more?? I don't want this to become an addiction. the cutting felt good, the burn, it took my mind off of it just staring at the blood...

I know we all have scars and I know some of our wounds are deeper than others... how else can I really deal with this stress? I don't want to turn to drugs, and breathing obviously isn't cutting it for me. I am totally stressed... even this exact moment, my 2 year old is being an angel but she is wanting to cuddle and I am just wanting my space. inside I am screaming.

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You seem to be going through a tough time right now, which is understandable. I know if I were in your position, I'd feel the same way. Not only that, but anxiety and depression runs thick in your family which can only add to the problems you are having.

You mentioned your mother telling you to start taking Cymbalta. I'd take your mother's advice into consideration. She's been through the depression you're going through right now and if she thinks you need medication, at least talk to a doctor about it. Medication doesn't always make you feel numb. From experience, I've had nothing but great things come from anxiety medication. Personally, I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders since I've started my medication, so you should really think about it. Also, alcohol is no substitute for medication. Alcohol makes you numb, and to be honest, that is the high you're feeling. You have no worries when you're drunk, and allowing your drinking to become a habit will lead you into alcoholism.

Shopping is also not a good outlet. Shopping only causes more financial problems and more stress. I know as a girl, it feels good to go and treat yourself to something new. It really does make you feel better, too. But as you said, that hour of shopping isn't worth the financial problems you face later.

As far as your daughter goes, I think you need to get some help with her. If you decide medication is the best choice for you, I think the situation with her will get better. You must remember that it's not her fault. She's just a child and it's not her fault you're going through a tough time. Try to spend time with her. If you send her away too much, it may effect your future relationship with her.

Suicidal thoughts are normal. As normal as the thoughts may be, it's never okay to act on them or harm yourself. Cutting is NOT the answer. You mentioned not wanting to talk to your boyfriend about these problems. I can't force you into talking to him, but if he really does care, he'll try his best to be there and help you through all this. However, if you don't want to risk your relationship, try finding someone else to talk to. If you're in college, most campuses offer free counseling. If not, most doctors are always there to talk. Hey, I'm even here to talk if you need me. Just don't let that cutting become a habit. It leads to nothing but trouble.

If you need anything else or just want to talk, feel free to PM me.

Posted at 6:47 pm on Dec. 1, 2008

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