But what is depression, and how do you know if you’re depressed or just pretty sad? Doctors use a checklist to diagnose depression (yes, doctors, because it’s a medical condition!), and it’s a handy one to refer to if you think you or someone you care about might be battling depression. The nine things they look for are:

* A bummed out mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning like you can’t bear the idea of getting out of bed

* Feeling exhausted or just really sluggish almost every day

* Feeling guilty or like you don’t matter almost every day

* Not being able to concentrate or make a decision

* Gaining or losing a lot of weight

* Weird sleeping patterns, like not being able to sleep or sleeping way more than usual almost every day

* Feeling restless

* Not being able to enjoy stuff you used to really like

* Any thoughts of death or suicide

First off, if you even for a second think about hurting yourself or ending your life, STOP and call a help line like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Your life is important, even if you don’t think so right now. You do not have to face this alone.

And if you haven’t ever thought about hurting yourself, but still match up with lots of things on that list, talk to someone. Anyone. Your teacher. Your dad. A counselor or even your boss. If you are, in fact, clinically depressed, you could be feeling a lot better if you reached out and got some help. Your smile is too pretty to go into hiding like this, girl.

Seeing A Therapist Doesn’t Have To Suck

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School’s a source for anxiety of all types – it’s hard to concentrate on already-difficult work if people are gossiping. | Source: Shutterstock

Anxiety can be felt both emotionally and physically. Some of us say it feels like butterflies in our stomachs. some of us get sweaty palms, feel our hearts pounding, our fingers tremble, we can’t sit still, we even want to cry or yell. Generally, we have the anxiety for a short period of time, and although it’s annoying, we get through it and move on–it’s a normal part of life. But sometimes anxiety isn’t such a small thing.

Facts about anxiety:

* Symptoms of anxiety that are beyond what the typical person experiences can include: constantly feeling anxious for no reason, worrying about everyday things, panic to a degree where you can’t get through normal events (like a test, completing homework, or even a peaceful family dinner), or a general feeling of doom.

* When anxiety gets to a really high point, some people get panic attacks, which is a situation in which anxiety becomes so overwhelming that it temporarily, and completely, takes control. Panic attacks can be really scary, so much so that some people who experience them become afraid to go out, period. It’s most common to begin experiencing panic attacks between the ages of 15-19.

* Girls are twice as likely to experience anxiety than boys. Studies show it may be because of cultural stressors like body image and the expectation to people-please. One study revealed that of high school seniors, nearly 4 out of 10 girls (compared to fewer than 2 in 10 boys) reported being “frequently overwhelmed.” Among college students seeking mental health services on campus, 60 percent are female.

* Most of us experience social anxiety at some point – like going to a party where you barely know anyone and feel shy or awkward – but some people are so fearful of doing something embarrassing in front of others that they aren’t comfortable in public or with strangers, period. This is called Social Anxiety Disorder, and can isolate people with it because they feel too self-conscious to interact.

* Sometimes anxiety affects our bodies as well as our minds. Common physical problems stemming from anxiety include chest pain, headaches, tiredness, tight muscles, stomachaches, or vomiting. Using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco can worsen this.

* While short-term anxiety can be caused by everyday events like homework or an upcoming date, some people suffer from long-term anxiety caused by trauma in their past, like an assault, a natural disaster, or having someone important die. This anxiety, called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, can last years if not dealt with.

Supportive friends can make an enormous difference in lessening anxiety. | Source: Shutterstock

* If you think you might have a serious problem with anxiety, TELL SOMEONE. A parent or other relative, teacher, coach, or religious figure may be able to help. See a doctor to check if the anxiety may be related to a health problem, and make sure you’re eating healthily and getting enough sleep. If using relaxation skills like the ones above don’t help, consider talking to a therapist who specializes in anxiety.

Do you ever have anxiety? When do you feel most anxious, and what do you do to calm yourself down? Tell me in the comments!

Are You Depressed?

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Sometimes it feels like our emotions drown us; talking to someone could pull you to safety. | Source: Shutterstock

Cut to a few years later, when I realized I was having problems and needed someone to talk to, someone who wasn’t a friend or family member, who wouldn’t judge me, and who I wouldn’t feel I was burdening with my problems. Turns out that’s exactly what a therapist is for, so I went to one. You absolutely don’t have to be “crazy” to see a therapist, and the VAST majority of people who go to therapy aren’t wearing tinfoil hats or convinced that traffic lights talk to them. They’re average people, like you and me, only something’s happened in their lives that they can’t quite handle on their own, and they need someone to talk to.

There are about a billion situations in which therapy can be helpful, including ones many of us go through: depression, anxiety, the death of a loved one, moving, school stress, rough relationships with family members, sexual identity issues, dealing with parents’ divorce or remarriage, and also things like eating disorders, self harm, sexual assault, chronic illness, or experiencing something traumatic. Some people think it’s weird to go and talk to someone you don’t know, but I think in some ways, it’s almost easier: this is someone you go to just to talk, and they’re 100% there to listen to and support YOU. You don’t see this person in class or at family gatherings, and due to therapist-client confidentiality, even if you’re a minor and your parent takes you to every appointment, your therapist still can’t repeat what you’ve said, unless you or someone else is in danger (so stuff like you and your sweetie fooling around or your ditching class isn’t gonna make it outside the therapist’s door. Your therapist might tell your parent or guardian something – or have you do it in session – if there’s a concern you may be in serious trouble, like if you’re about to run away, or you’ve started drinking a LOT).

Going to therapy can help you feel a lot better. | Source: Shutterstock

Getting help is a great thing, and I wish I’d known to ask for a different therapist when I was 14; it might’ve made a big difference. I’m glad I know the benefits of therapy now and I’m not afraid to get help if I need it.

Have you ever thought about seeing a therapist? If you’ve seen a therapist, was it helpful? Tell us about it in the comments!

Feeling Down? You’re NOT Alone

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Yeast infections MAJORLY suck. |

So, we’ve all seen the ads for Monistat and other “lady medications,” but what exactly are they for? Well, if you don’t knowyet, consider yourself lucky.

Monistat and other treatments like it are for yeast infections, which are irritations in your vagina and the tissues around the opening to your vagina–the vulva.

I know, it’s really ick to think of an infection getting literally up in your business, but since roughly three out of four women will get at least one yeast infection in her lifetime (most ladies get two or more . . . blah!) it’s probs good to know what’s going on and how to deal.

So, without further delay, here are some important facts about yeast infections:

* If you notice thick cottage cheese-like discharge and feel major itchiness up in your vagina and around your vulva, you’ve probably got a yeast infection.

* Yeast infections can be transmitted via oral sex, but you don’t have to have sex (or have ever had sex!) to get one.

* Taking antibiotics and douching can both cause yeast infections, since they both mess with the natural balance of bacteria up in Lady Land.

* If you’re having yeast infection symptoms, call your doctor right away. You can probably treat it with an over-the-counter treatment, but you want to make sure you know what’s really going on before you start self-medicating!

For more on yeast infections, click here.

Have you ever had a yeast infection? Did you know what a yeast infection was? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Ever Had A UTI? Know What It Is?!

This thing? Probably not your BFF. |

Who’s with me, girls? Who runs, works out, or plays a sport mainly just because it makes them feel good? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Yes, People Judge You On Your Weight. Here’s Why

This. Is. The. WORST! | Source: Shutterstock

UTI stands for “urinary tract infection,” which means it’s a bacterial infection of your urinary tract (the part that you pee out of). In our book, though, it may as well stand for “ugh, torture, impossible” because of just how awful a UTI can make you feel.

But what can you do to fix a UTI . . . or better yet, how can you just not get one in the first place? We’ve got you covered with all the facts about UTIs:

* Most UTIs are caused by E.Coli, a bacteria that’s usually found in your gastrointestinal tract (i.e. your rear), getting all up in your urinary tract.

* Having sex can bring on a UTI, but so can holding your pee for too long. So if you need to go, GO!

* Girls are way more likely to get UTIs than guys, because the places where we poo and pee are way closer together than on dudes.

* You’ll know you’ve got a UTI if it feels like you have to pee all the time, but then not very much comes out–and it burns when you pee.

* Sometimes when you have a UTI, blood can show up in your urine.

* Cranberry juice is one of the most commonly used remedies for a UTI, and although it’s not scientifically proven to cure these infections, studies show that drinking it does help.

* Your best bet, if you’ve got a UTI, is to call your doctor right away. She may have you come in to see her, or she may just prescribe antibiotics over the phone. Most UTIs can be cleared up in a day or two with antibiotics.

* When you’ve got a UTI, avoid coffee, tea, or soda with caffeine. Those will only make your symptoms worse. Ouch!

* To avoid getting a UTI in the first place, do not wait to go to the bathroom when you need to go, always pee right after having sex, wipe from front to back when you go to the bathroom, never douche, and drink plenty of water to help your body keep flushing any dangerous bacteria from your system.

For even more on UTIs, click here.

Have you ever had a UTI? Do you have any tips for dealing with one? Tell us in the comments!

Why Is It So Taboo To Say VAGINA?! Find Out Here

Being organized doesn't mean you have OCD. | Source: Shutterstock

Here are a few facts on what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder really is:

* OCD is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (those are the obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (those are the compulsions). Carrying out the behaviors to get rid of the thoughts will only provide temporary relief for people with OCD. People with compulsive behaviors are often aware that their behavior is detrimental to their lives, but still can’t stop their actions.

* OCD symptoms usually appear before a person is 30 years old.

* Symptoms include: Obsessions or compulsions that are not due to medical illness or drug use, and cause major distress or interfere with everyday life.

Excessive hand washing is a common compulsion. | Source: Shutterstock

*Treatments include medications and therapy, particularly exposure therapy, where the person with OCD is repeatedly exposed to situations in which the obsessive thoughts occur, then learns to deal with the thoughts. With treatment, people with OCD can make huge improvements, which will allow them to live with a lot less stress.

If you think you may have OCD, don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor or therapist. Starting with a parent or guidance counselor at school could help if you don’t know what to do. This site also has plenty of resources.

Do you know anyone with OCD? Do you ever joke about having OCD, but know that you’re just super organized? Tell me what’s what in the comments!

Do You Know Someone Who Hurts Herself? Here’s Help

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Watch out, guys! Especially you in the black shorts . . . OUCH! | Source: Shutterstock

And since my shoulders are currently lobster red, I thought this might be the perfect time to talk about sunburns.

Here are just a few facts I think everybody (even you tan girls!) should know about sunburns before heading outside this summer:

* Wear sunblock, even if you tan. The more unprotected sun exposure and sunburns you get when you’re young, the more deep wrinkles you’ll have when you’re old!

* SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the number before SPF tells you how well that sunblock can protect you from damaging sun rays and the sunburns they give you. The higher the number, the better off you’ll be!

* You don’t have to be out in the sun for long to get a sunburn. Some people burn in just a few minutes!

* If you’ve got a sunburn, put aloe vera gel on it to help speed healing, and see your dermatologist if you can.

* Under no circumstances should you put butter or a heavy cream on sunburns. It will actually make your sunburn worse. NOT what you want.

* Peeling is good for you if you’ve had a sunburn. It’s your body’s way of getting rid of damaged (and potentially cancerous!) cells on your skin. It might look nasty, but it’s better than that skin staying on your body and turning into full-blown skin cancer.

* Every sunburn you get ups your chance of getting skin cancer later in life. It’s no joke, ladies. You can look cute on the beach even in a big floppy beach hat, spray on some SPF 80!

Summer should be about fun–not sunburns. Take care and have an awesome time!

Have you ever had a bad sunburn? Do you get a lot of sunburns? Tell me everything in the comments!

Now, Here’s What You’re Really Thinking Hanging Out By The Pool!

There are so many other ways to cope. | Source: Shutterstock

Self harm is obviously destructive, but it serves many purposes for those who engage in it: it’s a way to make emotional pain physical and easier to deal with, it’s a way to force out some sort of feeling, it’s a way to calm down, it’s a way to bring themselves back to the here and now. And while harming may start as a quick way to find relief, it’s likely to become a habit: much like alcoholics and drug addicts, who find that they can evade feelings or thoughts by getting drunk or high, harmers do so because it brings temporary relief. The thing is, once someone learns it works, they may want to use it as a quick fix again and again, until they’ve managed to not deal with your feelings and problems at all, and may not even remember how.

Now that you know a little, here are a few more facts about self harm to ponder:

* Studies suggest that about 13 to 25 percent of teens and young adults surveyed in schools have some history of self-injury, even if they’ve only done it once or twice.

* The average age for people who self-harm is 14-16; but self harm habits affect people of all ages.

* Self harm frequently goes hand-in-hand with eating disorders.

Self harm is one of the most severe punishments: your mom can ground you, your coach can bench you, your teacher can fail you, your friends can be mad at you, but when we’re already our own worst critics, hating yourself goes above and beyond what’s healthy. Harmers often take events (a low grade on a test, an argument with a parent) and turn them into proof that, as a whole, they are “A Bad Person,” or a total failure.

Once someone is focused on harming herself or himself, it can be very hard to change mindsets, because the thought can be extremely consuming, and the desire for the action overwhelming. Because self harm is so addictive, it’s also really hard to stop doing. However? It’s totally possible to get help and recover from self harming habits. The key to avoiding self harm is to prepare to do anything else in its place before the thought to hurt yourself even occurs. Avoid situations that make you want to harm, if possible. Make a list of alternatives to harming yourself (call a friend, punch or yell into a pillow, listen to music that doesn’t make you feel mad or sad, write in a journal, watch a funny TV show, go for a run, throw ice cubes at the sidewalk, draw, anything that you find distracting). Keep that list handy. When you get upset with yourself, ask yourself questions about how realistic your thinking is: don’t generalize a single incident (say, forgetting to call your friend back or doing your homework incorrectly) into “I can’t do anything right.”

More than anything, when you feel like self harming, talk to someone you trust: a parent or other family member, a friend, a teacher, your school counselor. And if you’re the one a harmer is talking to, be patient. Expecting to change this person’s mind completely or stop the harming immediately isn’t going to happen. Be empathic. You can see the detriment self harm is causing, but your friend might not be able to–-yet. If you feel like you’re in over your head, it’s okay to suggest your friend may want to talk to an adult, or a therapist.

If you are harming yourself, remember that emotions are temporary – you may feel very bad right now, but it will pass – and that learning to deal with emotions is going to help you throughout your life, even though learning to look your pain in the eye is going to be a difficult process. You are worth more than you think, and you deserve help. Take a chance and reach out.

Do you know anyone who deals with self harm? What would you do if you found out a friend was hurting herself? Talk about it in the comments.

Dealing With Something Heavy? Read This. It Might Help.

Going through puberty is ALWAYS awkward! | Source: Shutterstock

I was roughly the age that most of my friends got their periods–totally normal–but I still felt like a total freak.

Last week, the New York Times ran a big story about “early puberty,” focusing on how a ton of 6, 7, and 8-year-old girls are starting to grow breasts and pubic hair before the average girl. Overall, the article was packed with information, but I do have one major problem with it–and that’s the term “early puberty.” If a girl is hitting puberty in the third grade, that might not be “normal” compared to the rest of the world, but it certainly is normal for her, and I can’t see how freaking out about it and schlepping her around to specialist doctors will do anything but freak her out more.

Growing up is hard enough! | Source: Shutterstock

Apparently, some parents are insisting on their daughters getting hormone shots to slow down the progress of puberty–but the scary thing is that these same shots that can keep a little girl “little” can also cause things like osteoperosis, a serious condition that involves the weakening of your bones. Is that worth it? I don’t think so, and I bet if girls were given a choice, they’d say they didn’t want the shots, either!

Nobody knows for sure what’s causing really young girls to start developing breasts, but if I know anything about girls, I know that when we start getting breasts or our period starts or–whatever–it’s mortifying, and we just want to be left alone about it.

It seems like there are some things parents can do when their daughters are babies and toddlers that might help prevent early puberty–like making sure their kids eat healthy food without hormones, that they exercise, and that they do not become obese–but once a girl is already hitting puberty, no matter how old she is, isn’t that time to just accept it and try to support her the best you can? I think so, especially since girls who develop early are already at higher risk of having low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. Youch! Girls who hit puberty early need extra love and hugs–not prescription drugs!

So if you started developing early, maybe even before all your friends, try not to freak out. It’s actually pretty normal now. No, it’s not super fun to go through all these changes, but we all go through it sometime. You are not alone!

How old were you when you started developing? Did you feel kind of embarrassed about it? How old were you when you got your first period? Do you think early puberty is something we should freak out about? Tell me everything in the comments!

Still Waiting To Get Your Period? Don’t Stress About It, Girl!