#mhanathan

[mental-health-advice]

just a quick question, what colour is the mental health awareness ribbon? or could you guys maybe upload a photo of it? please and thankyou :)

Hey there!

According to Wikipedia (normally I wouldn't trust it, but it seems to be backed up by other sources also) the ribbon for mental health awareness is just regular green. You'll be able to find loads of pictures of it if you google image search 'mental health awareness ribbon'!

-Nathan

[mental-health-advice]

one half of me feels like there's something wrong with me, and the other half of me feels like i'm faking all these emotions. I feel like i'm making it up in my head because i feel inclined to label myself. -S(part 1/2)

I feel like I don’t matter if I don’t have something wrong with me. I end up screaming&crying because I just go around in circles in my head, trying to figure out whats real emotionally&whats not. could you shed any light on my situation?-S (part2/2)

Hey there!

It sounds like all the pressure you’re putting yourself under to find a label is what’s causing you to doubt their validity. Would you consider speaking to your doctor (or therapist if you have one) to see if they could help you by diagnosis you? And remember that even if it ends up that it’s nothing that can be labeled, that doesn’t mean you’re any less than somebody with a label. Everybody matters just as much as everybody else, nobody is worth more just because they have a mental/physical illness or something else that gives them a special label.

- Nathan

[mental-health-advice]

Hi. I'm currently really stressed and confused, a week or two ago a guy friend of mines kissed me and it caught me off guard. He further on told me he has a crush on me and I feel the same way but I've had a history of always regretting and worrying so I'm worried he may be just playing with my heart even though we are pretty close,I just have trust issues. Plus this is my 1st relationship ever. Currently the day of my father's death is coming up and I just I'm really stressed lately. Advice?

Hey there!

I doubt that he'd be playing with you i he's a friend, but if it's something you're worried about then tell him and I'm sure he'll understand. Just because he's told you how he feels doesn't mean you're required to give him an answer straight away, and especially with the anniversary of your fathers death coming up I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you some time to think everything over.

-Nathan.

[mental-health-advice]

Sometimes I will be laying in bed & ill scratch my face or arms & I cant feel it,I can feel my fingers touching my face but my face cant feel my fingers if that makes sence?Its weird & it happens alot during the night & sometimes during the day -Mari

Hey there!

Do you know the reason why you scratch? Do you do it for the pain it causes? Or is it or another reason? Either way I would suggest that for whatever reason you do it, if it’s causing you pain or discomfort or even if it just annoys you, please talk to your doctor/therapist about this. Scratching can actually get quite bad and we don’t want you to hurt yourself.

-Nathan.

[mental-health-advice]

to the anon about OCD and nail biting: with OCD, it all depends on why you are doing a compulsion, if you're doing it just because habit then more often than not, it won't be OCD. OCD compulsions are associated with a particular thought or idea that would happen if you didn't do the compulsion (but that can include anxiety itself) so if you feel like you don't bite your nails it will make you anxious then that 'could' be OCD related <3

TO THE ANON ABOUT OCD AND NAIL BITING!!

Thanks for your input!

-Nathan.

[mental-health-advice]

Today was my 8th grade dance and I was really excited. I was supposed to be going with my boyfriend but he never showed up or said anything. He didn't tell his friends either and I felt rly stupid when people asked where he was and I didn't know. His friends were nice about it and danced with me and hung out with me and stuff but I wanted to be with him. It just rly pissed me off and idk what to do?

Hey there!

Have you spoken to your boyfriend and found out why he didn't turn up? I don't want to make excuses for him, because he should have let you know, but maybe he's ill and completely forgot to let you know? Whatever his reason you have every right to be pissed, but don't be pissed for the wrong reasons. Find out why he wasn't there first before you get mad at him and discover that he actually had a valid excuse.

-Nathan.

[mental-health-advice]

I have GAD and am taking A-level English. I am going for an A and its really hard,I am in school till 5-7pm just to revise. I have to get near full marks in my exam to get the A as my coursework isnt as high as I want. Even though I love English I am not going to get the A which some days triggers my anxiety and I cut and other days I just feel numb. My teachers know about my GAD & one of them got involved in my self harm back in December but since then ive relapsed. But they still don't care &

Every friend I've ever gotten close with either moves away, or I move away from them. I'm so sick of always being alone. And once again my best friend is moving and I'm about to lose it. Maybe I just don't deserve friends. Or a life. I'm so sick of seeing people with all their friends and parties and events on social media. I want that. Life is so unfair. I can't even get a job to save up money. I just want some hope that things eventually won't suck so badly. Sorry this is so random -xvxvx0

Hey there!

I'm actually taking A Level English as well, but that's besides the point really... As far as not getting the grade is concerned, there's always the option of taking the class again next year, that way you get a whole year to basically revise and improve your coursework grade, that way, hen the exam comes around you won't be piled under so much pressure. And whenever you see those people that upload pictures of them out with friends and partying just remember that although they might be having ore fun, you're the one that's actually focusing on your education and doing well, and that during summer you'll be able to do all those things and you'll be able to spend so much longer looking for jobs that I'm sure you'll be able to find one!

-Nathan.

[mental-health-advice]

I have anxiety and caffeine seems to increase levels of anxiety and cause more anxiety/panic attacks. I know that I should not consume much caffeine, but it feels as though I can't start or get through my day without it. I need it, but it doesn't really help the whole anxiety thing. Are there any other things I could try that could wake me up/keep me awake during the day? Feel free to publish this in case anyone else may have the same problem.

Hey there!

I have exactly the same issue as this! I normally used to drink a lot of coffee in the morning to wake me up and then realised that the caffeine was just making my anxiety worse.

I was always told that tea had a lot more caffeine in it that coffee, so when I stopped drinking coffee I also stopped drinking tea, but when I actually researched into it a little further I found out that a cup of tea only had half the amount of caffeine as a cup of instant coffee, so I would just drink a mug of tea in the morning and it gave me that little caffeine buzz to make up, but wouldn't set off my anxiety.

And if you're not a big an of tea, then another great alternative is apparently Ginseng, I've never tried it myself but I've heard that it's really good because it increases blood flow and has the same stimulating effect of coffee without the caffeine. You can get it in tea form if you like fruit teas, or you can buy it as capsules or tincture (but they normally cost a little more)

-Nathan