[Dear]

Greetings, I'm new to the site. But I've come for help and advice and to get a better understanding of myself and if others may have been experiencing some of the same things I have.

I always feel very uncomfortable in all of my clothes, most of the time I just wear a hoodie, jacket with a loose t-shirt and jeans. I'd love to dress nicely, and keep up with latest trends but I'm just not willing to do that because they'd be even more uncomfortable. But that's not really my concern, I want to know why I may be feeling so uncomfortable in my clothes? I'm 17 years old and have been struggling with just staying in school. I laid out of highschool for a year due to some issues of my own, and I tried going back the next year but I just couldn't go through with it. I want to go back at the end of this week (christmas break just ended) but it seems very doubtful considering I still feel uncomfortable in my clothes and my social anxiety just makes it so fearsome for me. I may be overwight. I'm 17, 5'1 and last time I checked I was around 145-150, and I've done nothing but sit around on my computer and eat and sleep at odd times so my weight has probably increased.

The original reason I laid out of school for a year was because the atmosphere was too much for me, it got extremely boring, my body was drained by the end of the day and I had no energy at all. I'd come straight home, throw everything down and just sleep until the next morning. Staying inside my home 24/7 didn't help me at all. my social interactions have suffered because of it, I get very nervous and scared in public and just fear school so much. I don't want to go back. But I also don't want to settle for a GED or even worse, accept the fact I'd be a highschool drop out.

Going back to my clothes issue and weight. I could easily fix my body by working out and exercising but I seriously have no energy at all. That's probably a bad excuse but I just don't have the motivation to do anything, yet when I look in the mirror, and feel how restraining my clothes are, I jsut feel so disgusted with myself. And my clothes aren't even tight on me, I constantly have to pull my pants up just because I WANT them loose.

Forgive me if I went a little overboard in my first post, but I've just really been looking for answers, and this is something I can't quite figure out myself. My friends and mother tell me to just "Make yourself" do it, but that's easier said than done.

Please help. I'm honestly really worried and tired of living this way, especially being so young. I want to enjoy all kinds of cute clothes, and feel GOOD and confident in them. At this age, image sorta kinda does matter. And I don't wanna miss out on the fun I could have, y'know?

[manwithnofriends]

...you're a female?

(If you're a male, you'll find that none of this really matters. There are plenty of overweight men around where you live. Some have been famous - and it's not because of their weight!)

[UnderRugSwept]

Have you tried exercising, even just walking, getting some fresh air? How well are you eating? A multi-vitamin can do a world of good! You might be low on Vit D, esp...

You sound depressed. Is there anyone you can talk to, get help from?

[healingme4me]

Sleeping a lot, no motivation, no routine to speak of. How you feel in clothes, could be indicative of how you feel, emotionally. Trapped, not fitting, uncomfortable.

Anything, that gives you joie de vie?

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

[Miswimmy1]

I think healingme4me had a good point that the way you present yourself physically might be a reflection of how you feel emotionally. Were you feeling more secure before you took a year off school? If so, it sounds to me like taking that year off to deal with your personal issues didn't really solve the anxiety you still continue to feel. Am I right? Because the root of the problem hasn't been solved, I would guess you are experiencing bouts of depression. And that manifests itself in your outward appearance. Until your anxiety gets treated, it will be hard to feel happy and secure in your own skin. Just my opinion...

[Dear]

Originally Posted by manwithnofriends

...you're a female?

(If you're a male, you'll find that none of this really matters. There are plenty of overweight men around where you live. Some have been famous - and it's not because of their weight!)

Yes I am female.

[Dear]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I think healingme4me had a good point that the way you present yourself physically might be a reflection of how you feel emotionally. Were you feeling more secure before you took a year off school? If so, it sounds to me like taking that year off to deal with your personal issues didn't really solve the anxiety you still continue to feel. Am I right? Because the root of the problem hasn't been solved, I would guess you are experiencing bouts of depression. And that manifests itself in your outward appearance. Until your anxiety gets treated, it will be hard to feel happy and secure in your own skin. Just my opinion...

You're absolutely right. I've recently talked to my mother about what could be done. She suggested taking me to the doctor and having me put on anti-depressants. Does anyone think this is a good idea?

[UnderRugSwept]

Originally Posted by Dear

You're absolutely right. I've recently talked to my mother about what could be done. She suggested taking me to the doctor and having me put on anti-depressants. Does anyone think this is a good idea?

They can certainly help for a lot of people, but a lot can also have side effects. Not saying antidepressents aren't a good idea for you, but sometimes a therapist or counselor is a great place to start...

[Dear]

Originally Posted by Elsewhere

They can certainly help for a lot of people, but a lot can also have side effects. Not saying antidepressents aren't a good idea for you, but sometimes a therapist or counselor is a great place to start...

I see.. It's currently 2:46AM and I usually have to wake up for school at 6:30-7:00 so I'm a little worried about that. Reason I'm up so early is because I slept a long time yesterday.
I won't be able to see a counselor or therapist until my mother gets paid again, which will be at the end of this month. So that's sort of a drag. Though I am sure I can "deal with it" until then. Though I'm a little fed up with just "dealing with it."

thanks for your suggestions, though I have no idea where to even start looking for a therapist or counselor. I suppose I can call and ask my doctor.

[UnderRugSwept]

Originally Posted by Dear

I see.. It's currently 2:46AM and I usually have to wake up for school at 6:30-7:00 so I'm a little worried about that. Reason I'm up so early is because I slept a long time yesterday.
I won't be able to see a counselor or therapist until my mother gets paid again, which will be at the end of this month. So that's sort of a drag. Though I am sure I can "deal with it" until then. Though I'm a little fed up with just "dealing with it."

thanks for your suggestions, though I have no idea where to even start looking for a therapist or counselor. I suppose I can call and ask my doctor.

I am sorry your sleep is so off (mine is too and it sucks). Maybe someone at your school could help as far as someone to talk to? Guidance counselor might be a place to start at least? I haven't been in school in years so forgive me if that sounds silly. I totally get you about the money thing, too. And kudos to you for trying to help yourself...you should never have to live with feeling miserable and "just dealing with it."

Originally Posted by Dear

You're absolutely right. I've recently talked to my mother about what could be done. She suggested taking me to the doctor and having me put on anti-depressants. Does anyone think this is a good idea?

Before you jump on the antidepressant bandwagon could you ask to check your levels and see if there if there is something related to that? For one, if you have been inside you may need vitamin d and that could effect your mood. There are other easier to fix possibilities that could be the cause and AD's potentially long lasting implications.

[avlady]

I agee with Missmimmy1about the way you feel pshysically may reflect the way you feel emotionially, and the root of the problem probably could be depression.

[Dear]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Before you jump on the antidepressant bandwagon could you ask to check your levels and see if there if there is something related to that? For one, if you have been inside you may need vitamin d and that could effect your mood. There are other easier to fix possibilities that could be the cause and AD's potentially long lasting implications.

Yeah, I was always one to scrunch my nose up to anyone who suggested I be put on anti-depressants. No offence to anyone who takes them, of course. I just feel like I'm too young to be taking such thing. If being so young and having to take medication just to make it through the day is the way I have to live, then I will. But I want to see more options before, like you said, jumping on the antidepressant bandwagon. Thanks for that.

[too SHy]

Your mother wants help for you, how fortunate you are! It's so hard sometimes to get family to understand. I hope you feel better soon.

[postblue]

I also feel uncomfortable in most clothes and will usually opt for oversized tops and hoodies when possible, I like to sort of hide inside of large clothes. I dropped out of high school halfway through my final year but I haven't found it has stopped me employment wise. If I really want a degree in something I can do it through tafe which is similar to community collage in the states I think- I'm from Australia.

Right now I'm unemployed and I found that getting into a morning routine has really helped me in terms of motivation. I will try and get out of bed before 10.30am on most days, make a coffee and sit outside while drinking it. I have to really push myself to exercise but after following a routine for a few weeks I have found it easier. Make a playlist of songs you like and listen to those on an mp3 player while going for a walk around the block. Even starting with a 5 minute walk is great, any exercise is good exercise.

As for the anti depressants, they can help but they're not a quick solution. They can take weeks to start working and some people have to try different types before they find one which works for them. My advice would be to give light exercise and routine a go before you talk to a doctor about medication, but it's obviously completely up to you!

Sorry for the huge wall of text, feel free to message me if you want to talk more

[transient]

@ the person who said if you're male it doesn't matter& to any males reading this thread w/ similar issues- that's not true. It does matter. Males can be effected by their appearance too.

Anyway. I have the same issue as you, and was recently searching the web for solutions. I feel constricted and I easily get upset by the types of fabric. One day I might like a certain pair of jeans, but the next (or even a few mins-hours later) the texture will cause me to get aggravated.

I'm not overweight but I have seriously low self esteem and my anxiety plays a huge role into whether I'm comfortable or not. I've taken to hiding something small and squeezable in my hoodie pocket that I can squeeze the heck out of when I get uncomfortable and can't do anything about it.

I'm still figuring out how to fix this and not get so stressed over how my clothes feel... I had to donate more than half of my clothes because they don't fit or piss me off. I looked up my body shape online and found a pair of jeans that go well with my shape. They were expensive, but I wear them multiple times before I wash them (they're my only jeans that fit now). Maybe that could help?

Something that might help your energy levels is to force yourself to wake up around a certain time. I had a very erratic sleep schedule and a few weeks ago I decided to wake up around 9-10. I had to set a bunch of alarms on my phone at first, and would even sleep through all of them, but now that I've gotten used to it I can wake up on time.
Since I did actually drop out and get my GED for your reasons and more, I had the time to slowly adjust like that.
Also, doing research and finding a vegan supplement (so you don't get any unnecessarily added ingredients) for your energy might help. I go to walgreens for mine &they're kind of cheap compared to health food stores.

I hope you're doing better and feeling more comfortable today