I JUST KEEP ON GETTING MORE UGLY

Dear Coleen

I’m still at school and have no selfesteem. Every “friend” I have is slim and beautiful, but I’m the nerdy fat girl who sits in the corner. I’ve been called fat multiple times and twice by members of my own family.

I skip public events and only leave the house when I have to, or if I know I’ll be around the friends who support me.

My mum says I’ll become slimmer because both my sisters did, but I just keep getting uglier. Please help me because I don’t know what to do any more.

Coleen says

I think you need to explain to your mum how deeply this is affecting you so she doesn’t keep brushing it off. It’s terrible that people close to you have made hurtful comments, so you should address this too. Don’t pretend you’re OK with it.

I think the problem is that the more beaten down you become, the more likely you are to retreat into your shell.

Take control of the situation and admit how you feel and that you don’t know what to do about it. Invite people to help you.

Why not ask your mum to go to the doctor with you to talk about your weight and your feelings of low self-esteem – I’m sure some expert advice and guidance will be more reassuring than your mum telling you everything will be OK.

Finally, life isn’t all about how you look, and you’ll learn that as you get older. Confidence is the most attractive thing in the world, so think about ways to build up your self-esteem – focusing on things you’re good at and joining groups with people who share similar interests. Good luck.