1/12/2506-I feel stuck
Hello, my name is ------. Something happened between my mom and I late 2024 and I haven't felt the same since. I'm living with my dad now and he's supporting me to the best of his ability, but I don't really feel seen by him, or by anyone I know for that matter. I was diagnosed with MDD, GAD, ADHD, Autism, and Panic Disorder just a few years ago, but I have struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember. Every day I have to continuously distract myself otherwise I get incredibly strong urges to hurt myself. I try my best not to act on these urges because I understand that they're not healthy, however I haven't been able to find a better alternative that works for me. I've tried therapy before and it didn't help me much, I'm not very good at putting my feelings into words or remembering what's wrong when put on-the-spot. I attend online school and I don't have many friends because of that, only online friends. I rarely leave my house or do things mostly because I don't have a reliable form of transportation and I have no way of obtaining one because I cannot find a job, therefore I cannot afford a car. These are just a few examples of problems that I know affect my mental health, yet I haven't been able to find a solution for them. It's hard for me to find the motivation to go outside without reason, without people to talk to. I don't know where to find friends. I've just been waiting until I get hired to hopefully find some sort of community, but I haven't had any luck. I hope this was written well enough that you can understand and give me some advice. Jan 12/2026 Thanks for messaging Ask Peppy. We see your post and we’re really glad you reached out. A few of our volunteers wanted to take a little extra time to write back with care and thoughtfulness. Please check back in a week and we will post our volunteer responses. You matter, and we’re here for you. Thanks again for sharing with us. 12/23/2025- Please please have people who relate respond to this
Hey!
I wanted to say a couple things before i get into this, I am a --year old female that is really struggling with body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more ( I know its a lot I hate it) Anyways, When I was 8 years old my mom and dad got a divorce that honestly broke me so badly. I now live with other family members. I have had a lot of different problems from losing my partner in crime to hating myself where I don't see anything left in me. ( not suicidal btw) I pretty much lost everything that meant the world to me when I was young and should of been exploring the world not suffering so bad I couldn't breathe. This one has been more resent- My body has been bothering me SO badly. I used to love my body and the way i look, before I got badly bullied and harassed. When I started getting called fat,ugly,annoying,nightmeare ect. That's when it really hit on how bad I actually look and feel, It took me a while to figure out what really started it. Yes sense i'm a teenager everyone's just like " it happens to everyone" or " You're overdramatic" Is what i got told when i tried to express how i felt about it. Next thing- Anxiety, I feel like my anxiety isn't that bad compared to others. It's only really bad when like I get flash backs or like I see one of my friends struggling so bad like I was and see the signs. That's all I really got to say about that. Depression- I honestly just feel really alone, helpless, scared, unloved, unwanted. OCD- My OCD is SOO bad. I can't handle things being like being placed wrong and stuff like that, then I just feel stupid and overdramatic. There was this one time I reached out over text, to you guys. I don't remember her name. She made me feel so good at that moment. anyways if you can respond i would literally cry. ADHD- I just honestly shake my leg a lot and be annoying as people say. I really hope you can post this and give me advice, I'd really appreciate it. I will look back next week. Thanks for doing what you do and taking the time to read this. ***Some identifying information was removed from this message for this person's privacy. from marley
Hey! Thank you for reaching out, it can be hard sometimes so I beyond admire your bravery. Body dysmorphia is a hard thing to experience no matter where you are in life, so it means a lot that you feel safe enough in this space to reach out. I used to experience similar feelings about the way I looked when I was younger, and I always felt like I was going through it alone, so if there’s anything I can tell you, it’s that you’re never alone in how you feel. It may sound silly, but something that helped me feel happy in my body was telling myself, at least once or so a day, something positive I liked about myself. Whether it was the color I painted my nails, my hair, or the outfit I chose for the day, little things over time helped me feel more confident, and after a while I was able to realize just how beautiful my body was, regardless of what other people’s opinions on it were. Anxiety and depression are things I’ve also had my own experiences with as well, so while I may not know exactly how you feel, I sympathize with you beyond words. Anxiety can hit in so many different ways, and it’s always difficult when triggers come and go in waves. Something that might help could be letting your friends know that although you want to be there to support them, sometimes there are things that might trigger an anxiety attack or flashback that make it hard for you to help them and keep yourself safe and calm. It’s not always the easiest thing to express, but identifying what brings you anxiety is a big step, and I’m proud of you for looking after yourself in that way. Another few things you mentioned in your Ask Peppy were your OCD and ADHD. In all honesty, I have a lot less personal experience with these two, but I have a few people in my life who’ve experienced them as well, and I want you to know that everything you feel and experience is valid and deserves to be seen, regardless of what people might have to say about it. Thank you again for reaching out, I hope you know how strong and resilient you are! Your friend at TeenTalk, Marley from kit
Hello, thank you for reaching out to teen talk. It's really brave of you to open up about your struggles and be so honest about what has been on your mind. I struggle a lot with body dysmorphia too. It can be really hard and you are not being dramatic or overreacting. It sucks not feeling comfortable in your own skin. Your anxiety, adhd, and ocd sound like they might be related to trauma especially some of those things you talked about. Sometimes trauma can manifest in different ways like shaking your leg and having nervous energy or needing things to be placed a certain way. I'm no professional but as someone who also had some trauma from childhood I have a lot of these struggles as well. Maybe taking with a therapist could help you if you have the resources to do that. Sometimes doing things like mindfulness or meditation can help you to clear your mind and find a peaceful space to live in. I'm really sorry though that things have been so hard. I really hope things can get better and start to look up. If you ever need to talk feel free to reach out to teen talk. Me and any of the other volunteers would be happy to talk. -Kit from Payton
Hi there! Thank you so much for reaching out, you should be proud of yourself and the fact that you are reaching out and putting yourself out there! Im really sorry you are feeling so many feelings, Im sure it’s very overwhelming. I want to express that you are a very strong person, dealing with so much at once is so hard and the fact that you are able to reach out for help just proves your strength. I can relate to feeling bad in your own body, it sucks and it really just ruins your whole day. I think a few things can help, to reach out to some kind of support like a mentor or someone you trust, or to just try to start not caring, which I know sounds really hard, but it makes such a difference. The people around you are so focused on themselves that if you try to implant that in your mind, i think it might take some of the load off. My biggest piece of advice for everything is to just really talk to someone about how you’re feeling, whether that is a friend or an adult you trust, just to get your feelings out there, like you are doing now, is something that can help so much. I really hope that everything and all of your feelings start to really loosen and everything eases up because I’m sure it’s so overwhelming. I want you to know that you can write in or text or call anytime and there will be someone there to talk to about how you’re feeling. I hope to hear from you again! 6/20/2025- hi, im really Upset and need someone to talk to
struggling with self-harm, self-hate, past and current trauma, and suicidal ideation.
6/20/2025 Thank you so much for reaching out and trusting us with what you’re going through. We want you to know that your message has been received, and our TeenTalk volunteers will be responding with care and support next week. In the meantime, please know this: you are not alone. It takes a lot of courage to speak up about pain, self-harm, self-hate, and trauma. You deserve support and safety. If things feel overwhelming or you need someone to talk to sooner, please consider reaching out to one of these 24/7 resources:
from eric
Thank you for reaching out, I am so sorry that you're feeling these things and are going through this. Obviously I don't know your exact situation, but I have been in a place where I have been having similar thoughts as well as doing and feeling similar things. Just know, you are not alone, and people love and truly care for you. Like I said, I don't know your situation, I know when I felt similar to how you do, I just imagined the pain that I was feeling, and realized that it was nothing compared to the pain I was causing/would cause to the people I cared most about when I would hurt myself. Just a thought. I truly hope things get better, and you're able to talk with someone. If you want, you can call or text the crisis line at 988, or call the SW Washington Crisis Line at 1.800.626.8137. -Eric
from dahlia
Hello, I am Dahlia from Teentalk! Thank you for feeling comfortable to share your feelings and what you are going through. You have gone through a lot, and I am proud of you for trying to work through the struggles. However, you shouldn't work through them alone. Your traumas and feelings are not things that need to be fixed like a flaw, rather, they are things that need to be healed because they were affected by something that left you in pain. I understand these feelings can be overwhelming, and I know you only want to be happy and feel like yourself. Therefore, I definitely suggest you reach out to the suicide & crisis line at 988; you can call or chat with them. I don't want anything to happen to you, so please reach out to them if you feel you may harm yourself. The number connects you to counselors that can offer support to your needs. Remember, your journey to healing will be a bumpy road, but it is always good to take the first step, which is often very difficult. I hope nothing but love and happiness for you. I am here for you, as well is everyone else at Teentalk. Please reach out to us again if you need someone to talk to or want to update us on your journey. from May
Hi there! Thanks so much for reaching out! I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling, but you've already taken an awesome first step in asking for help! We're always here for you, no matter what. If you're looking for someone to talk to on the phone, or text, we're open Monday through Thursday, 4-9pm, and 4-7pm on Fridays. For self harm, something I've heard works for people I know personally is finding a way to simulate harmless pain. So like, whenever you get the urge to hurt yourself, hold an ice cube in your hand, and let it melt, focusing on the cold feeling. There are plenty of other ways to do this, that's just what I could think of off the top of my head. As for self hate, I completely understand where you're coming from. We don't do a very good job as humans of reminding each other how unique and wonderful and amazing we all are in our own ways. Something I do personally to help my own mental health and view of myself is to limit my time on social media. I set parental controls on my phone so that I can only be on, say, Instagram for half an hour a day, so that I can spend my time talking to friends and people I love, not worrying about not feeling good enough. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to deal with trauma. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to overcome, especially when you don't really know where to turn for help. Something that's really helped me in my personal journey has been journaling. I even bought myself a new journal last week, because I filled up my last one. Writing about what you're feeling and going through, just getting it all out onto a page, can be really rewarding, and can help you subconsciously process your trauma. As for suicidal ideation, I'm not really sure what to tell you other than that it gets better, and that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I know it doesn't seem like it, but your situation will get better. I'm sorry that you feel like it has to be an option. Like I said, we're always here if you need us, and I promise you, it's going to be okay. Quinn from quinn
Hello! thank you for reaching out, it can be really scary and vulnerable but I'm really glad I heard from you. all of the things you mentioned is really hard, I don't know your situation, but may people struggle with similar things. I know all of our volunteers would love to talk to you and be there to support you. If you want to talk you can always submit questions through the ask peppy, but if you want to have a conversation you can text us at 360.984.0936. or you can call at 360.397.2428. you can email [email protected]. we also have social media out @PeppyPenerson. We would love to talk to you; we are open Monday-Thursday 4-9 and Friday 4-7. Thank you for messaging! Quinn from marley
Hi! Thank you for reaching out. It can take a lot of strength and courage to message in and ask for help especially when it comes to heavy topics. It definitely sounds like you are carrying a lot of weight, and I hope you know how much you're cared about and just how much you truly matter. If you ever need to talk to someone about some feelings that feel bigger than yourself a TeenTalker is always here for you and in your corner with the best intentions. You deserve to know how amazing and strong you are, and I hope you hear it. 2/5/2025- ?? (Breakup)
Very recently I went through a semi-sorta break up with a guy that shared mutual feelings with me that lives on the other side of the country. Sadly we said “I love you” a lot and it was real and suddenly just the previous night he had texted me very late in his time and that’s when I found out what he truly was going through. He was suffering more than I am with heavy family situations and tried to take his life. In that same moment he said he found another girl. So I really just need help on how to process this, I’m scared to talk to others, I need help to get over this and I don’t know how.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available. You are not alone. Please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or our local SW Washington Crisis Line at 1.800.626.8137 from dahlia
Hi there! I'm Dahlia from Teentalk. You went through a difficult situation, one in which you were left hurt and maybe even confused. With any breakup, you need to go through the stages of grief. At first you may seem fine, but then you will cry and maybe even get upset. These steps to healing may be uncomfortable, but they are necessary to acknowledge the situation and your emotions. It is saddening to hear about everything he has gone through, and hearing the news may make you feel overwhelmed, so I hope you will take good care of yourself. Do not try to ignore your emotions or feel ashamed of them. They are normal because you were hurt. Also, a long-distance relationship can be difficult to maintain, but even face-to-face relationships face similar issues; break-ups can seem to come suddenly, and your partner may hide things from you. I believe he should prioritize healing first. If you are dealing with a difficulty, it can really make your social life difficult, thus romantic relationships may fail. Therefore, I hope you don't think you are not worthy or good enough because that is not true at all. Sometimes, people just find distractions to try and see if it will help them fill in a gap. In this case, he may be trying to find different ways to deal with his stress. If you have someone near you that you trust, do not be afraid to tell them about your situation and how you feel. It really does help to tell someone about what you are going through. Even telling a teacher can help. I also want you to know that I hope the best for you. Even if it seems someone may be dealing with more difficulties than you, it does not mean your problems are less important. Your feelings matter. from sage
Hi there! thank you so much for writing to Ask Peppy. I'm so sorry to hear about your breakup, it's hard to understand each person's side when you live across the country from one another. To be honest, I've never been in a relationship that was long distance myself, but I do understand how it feels to go through a breakup as well as dealing with a loved one struggling with thoughts of suicide and even attempts. From my perspective it sounds like you are trying your best to process what you have just gone through, I know when I was struggling with a breakup, I would spend time with my friends and family to kind of distract myself from the thought of them, this can exclude talking about them and just focusing on things you like. If you do feel like you can warm up a bit it is also helpful just to sit down and talk with someone you trust about the whole situation, kind of like a therapy sesh. If you ever feel like talking more about it to help process it, feel free to respond back or call/text. I wish you luck with whatever you do next, and just know you are strong for even talking about it here. Much thanks, Sage fom eric
Hi, thank you so much for reaching out! I am so sorry that you're going through something so hard and stressful. Just know, that none of what he is going through is in any way your fault. To me, the fact that he said he found another girl, does sound like it's over. In that case, I know it's going to be really hard, but you can get through it! The fact that he is going through such intense emotions and events in his life, and yet he "found another girl" in the process, shows his true character. Reaching out to us is already a really brave thing to do, so you should be really proud of yourself for that. I would try talking with someone you trust the most to start out, and slowly if you feel more comfortable, open up to the other people in your life you'd want help/support from. It is going to be a very tough, long, and emotional process, and you can take it at your own pace. But in the end, you can get through it! I really hope this helps, and I hope you're able to get really good support! We are always here as well. -Eric 9/25/2024-fATHER
All the time I get stressed and havd trauma from my dad its an ongoing thing and ruins my sleep because I wake up crying from night mares I don't wanna deal with it anymore
from Kit
Thank you for writing in to teen talk and I’m sorry that things have been so difficult for you. It must be really hard struggling with sleep and nightmares due to the trauma from your dad.
I’m really proud of you for reaching out and talking about this, I’ve had where people in my life have caused me trauma and it can be really hard to open up about it. When I was going through that it took me a long time to open up but it really did help me to start healing once I did. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having nightmares about it. It really sucks having to deal with the trauma in the day but also at night when it’s time to rest. It can be frustrating wanting to just sleep but having to deal with unwanted emotions and anxiety that come after nightmares. Something that may help with the nightmares is to try something called Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT). It’s where you reimagine the nightmare but change the details and the ending. I found this to be helpful when I woke up and was really shaken up by my Dreams I would go through the dream in my head but change anything that bothered me about it. I could rewrite the dream and by doing this it helped me to have power over the trauma and take away some of the helplessness I felt after reliving a scary or traumatic experience. You can also always write in or call us at teen talk if you need any support or just want someone to talk to. You can also call or text 988 or reach out to 1.800.626.8137 which is the Southwest Washington Crisis Line. Thank you for writing to us and I really hope that you can get better rest. You are amazing and strong! -Kit from heather
Hi! I’m so glad that you reached out to us! I’m really sorry that you’re going through this. I know that it’s hard. It’s 100% valid to not want to go through this anymore. I wish I could make this easier for you, but everything will be okay. It may feel like your life is in shambles, but you will find a way to get through this. I believe in you. Do you have a safe space at home, or somewhere else, to go to when you’re feeling stressed? Having your own safe space can really help with taking a break from all of the bad and stressful things in your life.
I’m so sorry you’re having nightmares. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can take a huge toll on your physical and mental health. If you keep having nightmares, it may help to talk to a doctor that can help you overcome them. But I really hope you’ll be able to get in some good nightmare-free sleep! We’ll be here for you, every step of the way. You got this. Keep fighting! -Heather from stella
Hey, I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through such a tough time with your dad. It’s totally understandable to feel stressed and overwhelmed, especially when it affects your sleep. If you need resources to deal with the stress and anxiety, our website has a ton of resources specifically regarding coping with stuff like that. Remember, you’re not alone in this, and reaching out for support can really make a difference. If you feel comfortable, talking to a trusted friend or a counselor could help too. You deserve to feel safe and supported! Have an amazing day, and keep being awesome, Stella <3 8/26/2024-Best ways to help my son
Maybe TeenTalk has advice for me. My son sees a counselor each week for his depression. He says he doesn’t need it, and he says it doesn’t help. I know though that his depression has been really bad for the last couple of years. I am going to keep taking him to the appointments but maybe the teens there have other ideas about things I can do to be helpful?
From Dahlia
Hello, I am Dahlia. Thank you for reaching out to discuss this situation. As a teen struggling with anxiety and who has been in therapy before, I understand why your son would say therapy does not help. A lot of times, mental health issues cannot simply be resolved by talking to someone, which in a lot of cases, is what therapy feels like; it feels as if you are not getting the help you need because all you do is talk about your feelings. I believe it is great that you notice he is dealing with depression though. Having a support system is important for every individual, especially those in difficult situations. I highly suggest you try and figure out where his depression stems from; Does he feel lonely? Does he feel insecure? This can help you figure out why therapy may not be working for him, as well as what triggers his depression. I advise you to discuss this with him, and if that does not work, you could ask the therapist about it, but only if your son gives permission to disclose the conversations he has with the therapist. You are doing a great job at trying to help your son, and I am sure he is grateful for your help. Please reach out to us again if you need further advice or if anything else comes up.
from eric
Hi, thank you so much for reaching out! I think I have a pretty good idea of what he's going through, I used to be the exact same way. My problem was I just didn't have the right fit of a counselor. It took a few, but I eventually found the right fit and they helped me a lot! I would suggest asking your son how he feels about his counselor first, and if it's generally positive, then I think he just needs more time. However, if he answers neutrally, negatively, or stand-offish, I would highly suggest switching counselors. I hope this helps! -Eric from sarah
Hello my name is Sarah, thank you so much for taking the time to reach out! The fact that you asked TeenTalk about this really shows that you care a lot about your son. I believe that counseling is a good thing and can help to improve a kid's mental health in many cases, but if your son is against it and says that it is not helping, that is a different story. Something that can help a lot if your son does not want to opt for counseling to seek help is just generally providing him with multiple options and plans of action to seek help. Resources such as support groups, therapy, and other counseling options can help. Vocalizing feelings is a great thing as well and asking him about what he wants to do in order to help to find someone to aid him in his struggle with depression will allow for great communication and achieve what he actually wants to do. Again, thank you for reaching out to us and please keep us updated about what happens, and also on what outcome or resources you decided to turn to. Thanks, Sarah. From Emma
Heyy! I’m Emma, thank you for reaching out to us! It is amazing if you reach out and try to find a solution for your son. Personally I felt therapy is a great choice to battle depression. But for some teenagers being in therapy can make them feel like they have some kind of problem, so it can lead them to feel uncomfortable and somewhat annoyed. Some ways to help are to try to take baby steps, talk to them first of how they are feeling about therapy, you can reach out to some people that they are close to and are able to talk about their issue. During that time, always check up on them if they are doing alright, after they open up a bit, talk to them about therapy and how you care about them. You can always reach out to teentalk if they want to talk with someone their age! Once again thank you for racing out to us if you have more questions, don’t hesitate and contact us again!!! -Emma-
from may
Hi! I’m May. I’m so glad you reached out, I think it’s really wise of you to seek advice from the youth at TeenTalk, and I find it really admirable that you’re doing so. In my opinion, therapy has helped me and I think going to therapy can be helpful for anyone, so it’s good that he’s doing so. One thing that I know could help is just letting him know that you’re there for him and that there’s other people there for him if he wants someone to talk to. You could always refer him to TeenTalk, his counselors and teachers at school, and anyone else in his life that you think he may feel comfortable talking to about his depression. I’m sure it’s something you’ve thought about before, but it’s also good to know the warning signs of when he’s struggling. Things like isolating himself, not taking care of himself (not eating/sleeping enough, poor hygiene etc.), and decreased interest in activities that he enjoys are all examples of that. Another thing I think may be helpful is to make sure that he has peers he can talk to as well. Making friends can be hard so it’s understandable if he has trouble with friends. There’s a lot of resources in the area to make friends, and I will link some below. I wish you luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else! Resources: https://ccteentalk.clark.wa.gov/resources/category/friends -May 8/12/2024- Nightmares
i've been having nightmares on and off for about 2 weeks now, almost having them every single day. i don't know why but every time I go to sleep it's like a gamble as to wether i'll wake up disoriented and completely off for the rest of my day. hell, even right now I'm writing this to avoid going back to bed because I know they happen in my second half of sleep, and I don't want to have another one. I've told a few of my friends, but I just don't want their pity. I don't want to just be told “Im sorry” and think that'll fix it. One of my friends brought up that there's probably a bigger underlying issue, which there probably is, but it just feels like 1-2 weeks isn't really enough to say. Granted that friend also just has a chronic nightmare disorder, so I understand where they're coming from. I know it sounds lazy but I don't necessarily want to put in the work to get better, I just want them to stop. I don't want to wake up feeling like I have to vomit every night because of how sick these dreams make me. I don't want to have to check to make sure that, no, those bad things didn't actually happen, your brain just likes lying to you. I had to check wether or not I had shingles last night because that was part of my dream. I still will put in the work, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to. and I don't want to keep telling my friends the same thing. when they ask how'd I sleep, I don't want to constantly tell them that, I didn't sleep well. and when they ask why, I have to give them the same answer. and I know how depressing that is to hear! I don't want to do that to my friends! and it's barely something any of them can help with. I've told family, friends, my partner, but I guess sharing it doesn't make it go away. Augh. I should probably go back to bed before the sun rises. from heather
Hi! I really appreciate you reaching out. Your feelings about this are valid and it’s okay if you feel like sharing isn’t helping you feel better. Everyone is different and sometimes people prefer to problem-solve than talk it out with someone. Both are valid ways to cope with your struggles! I don’t think it sounds lazy for you to just want the nightmares to stop. They’re really frustrating and frightening, and it’s totally okay if it feels too overwhelming to put in the work to tackle your nightmares. I’m not educated on nightmares so I can’t offer much advice, but I hear your struggles and care about your well-being. If your nightmares continue to persist and you’d like some help dealing with them, you could bring it up to a medical professional and see what they recommend. We’re always here to provide a listening ear or to offer resources that may be helpful. I hope you have an amazing day and I wish you the best of luck :) from stella
Hi there! Thank you so much for reaching out! The first thing you should know is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you, and this isn’t your fault, whatsoever. Nightmares are unfortunately a really common thing for some people. As someone with insomnia, I can relate to having issues with sleep, to an extent. Personally, when I’m having trouble falling asleep, whether from insomnia or recovering from a nightmare, I try to practice self care, and do something that makes me happy. Whether it be listening to music, reading, or playing with my dog. Psychologically speaking, most people’s nightmares happen as a result of unresolved trauma, and can really be helped by talking through the content with a therapist. If you aren’t quite comfortable with a recurring therapist, there are plenty of helplines, both on a local and national scale, that you can call, text, DM, or email into for support. Of course we’re here, but if you’re looking for something else, you can text the national crisis hotline at 741-741, or call at 988, or any other resource of your choice. We have a whole list on our website, if you’re looking for a place to start. As for your friends, I know trying to talk to them can sound really hard, but if you tell them, they can be there for you. Just know, no matter what you choose to do, this does not define you. You are an amazing, strong, brave person. If you ever need a reminder of that, feel free to reach back out. We’ll be here, ready to support you in any way you need. Sincerely, Stella <3
from quinn
Hello, I'm Quinn! Thank you so much for writing, it takes a lot of courage to reach out to us. Those nightmares seem really frightening and difficult. I don't have many tips because I don't know any of the details, but if you want to share more you can text or call a volunteer. You can call at 300.397.2428 and text at 360.984.0936. We also have an email [email protected] and we have facebook, instagram, snapchat, and twitter @peppypenerson. We are open Monday through Thursday 4-9 and Friday 4-7. Talking might still be helpful, we could give further advice, or if you just wanted to vent. You could try to calm down before you go to bed by listening to relaxing music with our words or reading a book, or anything else you like to relax. But mainly steering away from things that could be used in your nightmares, like action packed shows or video games. I know that you don't want to bother your friends but they probably don't mind hearing about your nightmares. If you're really concerned you could ask them if it bothers them and ask them to stop asking about your sleep. My shift is Monday 4-7 if you want to talk! I hope any of this helps, good luck! from vanessa
My name is Vanessa and I think you're really brave for reaching out. I don't really understand the frustration of having consistent nightmares but I do know they are scary, so I've tried wrapping up all my favorite blankets and stuffed animals and that works for me. We have resources on our websites for mental health which can give you an outlet to talk through your nightmares and hopefully can help. Your friends care about you and want the best for you, and that doesn't mean they don't want to hear about your tough times. You are brave and I believe you have the strength to get past the bad dreams. Love, Vanessa from mia
Hello, thank you for reaching out! I understand how tough it can be to deal with nightmares. It can be difficult to get over this but it can be started by taking some steps in that direction where you slowly get over having these nightmares. I think that the first step could be to identify what is causing these nightmares. I’m not an expert, but sometimes dreams can correlate with issues that you have in your real life that may not seem to have an obvious correlation. Once you identify the issue, figuring out ways to solve the issue could reduce the amount of nightmares you have. Another way you could help yourself is by doing things before bed that distract you from your nightmares. It could be watching TV, reading a book, or anything that gets your mind away from the fear of having another nightmare each night. It definitely is hard to move in the right direction, but it will take effort and time. Don’t worry though, I’m sure it will go away slowly with time. Mia
from marley
Heyyy, thank you for messaging us. This sounds like it really must be difficult and I can see why you may feel beyond disoriented and upset, it’s incredibly valid to feel that way and I can’t imagine how difficult it might be to deal with something like this so suddenly. However, I do think it’s important to establish that everything you’re feeling right now IS normal even though this is a difficult and likely incredibly stress-inducing, everything you’re feeling and experiencing is valid and rational. And while I may not know what it’s like to experience vivid nightmares like this, I do know what it’s like to experience anxieties regarding similar things and I know that’s never a fun thing to deal with. I hope you know this is a safe place to reach out to and a volunteer here is always here to talk to you if you ever need/want and further support! I wish you the best, Marley. 05/02/2024 - HELP
Recently I was sexually assaulted. I don’t know what to do. I haven’t told anyone. What if I’m pregnant, it’s too early to know but considering the situation it’s very likely that i am. Even though it’s completely irrational I feel like it’s my fault or because of something I did. I don’t even know I just feel lost. I got home after and didn’t tell anyone about what happened and I threw away the clothes I was wearing and took a shower. My skin is still irritated because no matter how much i scrubbed my body I didn’t feel clean. I just feel fucking lost i don’t know what to do.
from may
Hi! I'm so glad you contacted us. That sounds like an incredibly hard situation and it is so brave of you to ask for help. I understand how hard it is, but I think it would be best that you speak with someone about what happened. Whether it is a professional or a close friend, talking to someone you know could help you a lot. You could also talk to your school counselor, or another trusted adult at school. I understand you're worried about pregnancy, that's a really hard situation and I'm sorry. I know if you need a pregnancy test, Walmart and Dollar Tree have cheap ones for only a dollar or two. In addition, there are also several pregnancy clinics where you could get cheap or free pregnancy testing. One is Planned Parenthood, and another is called Options 360 and they offer free pregnancy testing. Keep in mind that if you are over the age of 13 and live in Washington state, you have access to reproductive and mental health care without permission from your parents. It may also be a good idea to get tested for STDs/STIs, which you can do at those two clinics I mentioned. I am so sorry that you're going through this and I wish you luck and that you feel better. If you want to get more support, the YWCA has resources for survivors of sexual assault. They have support groups that are awesome as well. I've found that it's nice to make friends and have a support system that has been through similar things to you can help, so I think that would be a great option for you! I really hope you feel better and I hope I could help. Thank you and I hope you can contact us if you need further support 😊 From ash
Hey, you are not to blame, it’s not your fault. You aren’t being irrational or crazy, it’s a natural response by your brain to try and connect your actions with a traumatic event so it can try to avoid the event again, but that doesn’t make it your fault, it’s just your brain trying to find patterns even when there aren’t any. I’m really proud of you for being brave enough to tell us about this. Feeling lost is normal, and even if it doesn’t feel like it, eventually you’ll be able to heal and recover from this. It’s scary, but I think that you should see a medical professional, not just because of a possible pregnancy, but also to treat any injuries from the assault and refer you to a specialist for recovering from such an event, and your options if you are pregnant. I believe that you can do it, even if it seems small, just reaching out to us was a big step, and I’m incredibly proud and grateful. I don’t know what city you’re in, but you should be able to get more support from any of these organizations I found. You deserve more help and support that we at TeenTalk alone can provide without any further details. We would love to hear from you again, to vent, get specific resources, talk about your day or the TV show you’re watching right now. Even if everything feels overwhelming, confusing, or frightening right now, I promise that one day you will be okay, and TeenTalk will always be here to listen and share resources and advice. <3 Ash |
