AboutDaryl Taylor, BSc(Hons) Psychology Expertise As a former youth worker, working in the UK and as a Camp Counsellor in the US, I have volunteered and helped young people from all over the world. I have worked for two or three websites like this in the past since I was about 13/14 and I continue to do so now at the age of 23. I can answer problems on a whole range of issues from friends and family, to drugs, sex, alcohol and relationships etc.
Experience I have worked as a youth worker for local organisations, volunteered on this and other websites giving out information for about 8 years, volunteered at my college and university doing face to face counselling and I have recently worked for an organisation in the UK which specialises in helping young people aged 13-19 to make positive decisions in their lives. I have featured in a UK based magazine called Aim Higher as a case study to show triumpth through adversity and I have recieved an Adult Learner's Award for my pioneering work at college.
Question Ok well, when I was 7 years old, I was taken away from my birth mother. I was adopted at 9. Well, I'm 17 and on May 1, 2008, I was taken away from that family too. I hurt and I have mood swings that are horrible, sometimes I just eat and don't stop, other times I don't to even want to look at it. I have nightmares, I toss and turn, and feel tired all the time even though I go to bed good and on time. I get these giant migranes and headaches and stomach aches and I'm breaking out like I haven't ever before. Please... tell me what is wrong with me?
Answer Hey there Meggan,
It is no surprise that you having some difficulties learning to find an identity and be happy with who you are when you have constantly been moved around. It must be difficult and I can only imagine, incredibly draining upon your energy and your self-esteem when this keeps happening. Previously, as you have been growing up, you have had little control over what happens to you, over where you go and when you go and consequently, you have just had to let whatever happens happen. But now, possibly through food, you have found something that you can control and something that you can choose to have as much or as little involvement with as possible. This is usually the first stages of developing a possible eating disorder and you have to be careful this is not what you end up with.
If you are eating irregularly, taking in large amounts of sugar in one sitting and then not eating for a couple of hours etc then you will have sugar rushes that crash, causing your moods to plummit and your body to feel lacking in energy and feeling tired. Similarly, if you are not eating much at all or much of the right food, it doesn't matter how much sleep you get, you will always feel tired because of the lack of vitamins and minerals etc you are missing. That is why it is important, that no matter how you feel, you do eat regularly and you try to eat healthily. Fruit and vegetables may not be the nicest things in the world but they can help you to feel better.
In terms of your migraines and headaches, followed with stomach aches and pains, these all sound like stress and anxiety related disorders. When we become worried or stressed or have a lot of change in our lives, it can take its toll not only on our minds, but also, our bodies; and usually this occurs as the symptoms that you have described. All of these symptoms, if stress related, should go away or reduce if you practice some breathing exercises and try and remove your mind from always thinking about things you are concerned about. If things do not change and you are getting worse or feel weaker, then I cannot stress this enough...GO AND SEE A DOCTOR.
You have had a lot to deal with and as I mentioned before, if you are not careful, you may end up using things that you can control to feel in control of your life. Sometimes this is healthy, but not when it involves something as important as food. I think you could benefit from talking to someone face to face and although this may sound scarey, from personal experience once you start talking you just cannot stop. Talking about what has happened to you may help you with closure and may help to remove the burden that is making you feel ill and tired...if you don't talk about it, it may end up eating away at you and turning you into someone you do not like.
