Jeanne PhillipsDEAR ABBY: I’m a 13-year-old girl in the eighth grade. I moved in with my father and his girlfriend five months ago. My mom is estranged.
They are very strict and controlling. I’m not allowed to go anywhere, have friends over or be in my room with my phone for any amount of time.
I know I can be disrespectful at times, but I don’t get into trouble and I don’t understand why they act like they do. I’m really stressed out. In the past I have gotten so upset I cut myself on the wrist, and I have drunk liquid pain medicine. (I know it was stupid.) But sometimes I seriously think about killing myself. So, what should I do, Abby? – IT’S UNFAIR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
DEAR UNFAIR: What you should do – and right away – is talk to a counselor at school and tell that person everything you have told me. I don’t know your father and his girlfriend, what conditions you were living under previously, or why you are being treated the way you are. But if you are so depressed that you are harming yourself or contemplating suicide, you need more help than I can give you here. I repeat, PLEASE DON’T WAIT.
DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend, whom I have been dating for more than a year, has isolated herself from me and all her friends because her makeup came off while she was in a hot tub and everyone saw her without it. She’s insecure about her appearance and has worn heavy makeup every day since she was 12. When she went into the hot tub, the heat melted it off, and when she saw it was gone, she started crying and left the party early.