Question:
Hi Paul. I'm only 16, but I feel I'm right in doing this. In the past few months, I have not been able to sleep before 12am, no matter how hard I try and I just can't get up in the morning. Also, in the past few months, I have eaten more snack foods than anything else. The last actual meal I can remember eating was a burger about three weeks ago and I ate a slice of pizza the other day. If my mum makes me a meal, I'll only eat a fraction of it, but I can eat tonnes of snack foods. I'll get up in the morning, skip breakfast, have a milkshake or coffee at lunch but no solid foods, get home and just scoff my face with snack food before attempting to eat a meal. I have also been very snappy. The other day, for example, I had a really bad argument with one of my closest friends over the most pathetic thing. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I always get headaches and rib pains — although they're not that bad. I find that I can rarely concentrate and always feel tired, no matter how much sleep I've had. Also, when I walk around, I'm always paranoid that everyone is staring at me, or constantly calling me names behind my back. I don't know if it's just me being stupid, or if it has anything to do with having to cope with three deaths in the past year: my granddad died not long ago of bone cancer, C-diff and pneumonia; my close friend died in October 2006 of a rare form of meningitis and my mama died last December. Can you please tell me if all of the above is just me being stupid, or if I'm letting my mind get the better of me and developing some sort of mental problem? Thank you so much for replying

Answer:

It sounds like you've been going through a rough patch over the past year, but the important thing is you recognise the effect this is having on you and want to do something about it.

When it's added up — your disturbed sleeping pattern, changed eating habits, poor concentration, worrying, and physical aches and pains — talking to your GP would be a worthwhile option. Ask for a longer appointment (so there is time to talk), make some notes to take along as a reminder (we all know what it's like to go blank at times like this), and be completely frank with the doctor — they can only help if you are completely open about what is troubling you.

After an assessment, the doctor can make a diagnosis. They may talk to you about depression, for example, which has many of the symptoms you describe. A GP can prepare a Mental Health Plan for you, which may include a referral for psychotherapy or medication, where these are appropriate.

You can find out more about mental health problems and how they can be treated by calling the free and confidential SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE or by visiting the SANE website or call freecall 1800 18 SANE.