Adolescent Inferiority... how do you cope with it?

Everyone feels a little self-conscious every now and then, I think the reason it's worse when you're a teenager is because you're still finding yourself, and your body / appearance is constantly changing. My biggest problem, growing up, was my weight, and I suffered with anorexia for years, on and off. Eventually, I sought out help from my GP, but I think the fact that my father wasn't around, and my mother suffered from depression, meant that I didn't REALLY have anyone to rely on. I think the best thing anyone can offer to a teen suffering with such insecurities is reassurance and support.

dear ahgong, make sure the child or adolescent is grounded in his/her self first on the inside not the outside, that will see them beyond the teenage years and into adulthood well. all teens will see their flaws in the mirror, but they will recover from these with a lot of encouragement from us parents. we can also help them by bringing them to a good hair stylist, purchasing them up-to-date clothes, making sure they have good things to eat, and good hygiene habits to stay healthy. make sure that we do alot of outside activities with them, to keep a healthy glow in their cheeks, and inside activities with them ie board games etc. to help sharpen their intelligenc. and above all, keep a sense of humor with them, so they can look at themselves too, and laugh at themselves, if you notice them taking themselves too seriously...stanzi