[lonelyperson92]

I really have a low self-esteem these days. I feel extremely ugly; I'm fat, I wear big goofy glasses, I have hair loss. I hate when other people see me, especially anyone popular kids from my class. I have the feeling of being inferior to many other people and sometimes, it would be better if I just had disappear...

[pachyderm]

How old are you, lonely? If you have big goofy glasses, can you get smaller non-goofy ones? Contact lenses?

You feel ugly? You feel inferior? Does not mean you are...

[billieJ]

Originally Posted by lonelyperson92

I really have a low self-esteem these days. I feel extremely ugly; I'm fat, I wear big goofy glasses, I have hair loss. I hate when other people see me, especially anyone popular kids from my class. I have the feeling of being inferior to many other people and sometimes, it would be better if I just had disappear...

I, too, would like to know how old you are, lonely. I have felt ugly and stupid most of my life, so I know what it is like. Now I am old and getting senile, so I really feel that way. It sounds like you are in your teens or early 20's, which means that your blossoming years are still ahead of you. Have Hope! billieJ

[lynn P.]

I agree with Pachyderm - can you ask your parents to get you more styish glasses or contacts. I think you're struggling with low self esteem and the good news is you can work on it. Many young people feel awkward in their high school years. I don't think you would tell a friend they're stupid and ugly so you shouldn't do it to yourself. Regarding your hair loss - I think you need to go for a physical and have some blood tests done to check your thyroid levels - if you have a low functioning thyroid this can cause hair loss, weight gain and depression. A poor diet and stress can also affect hair loss.

Try not to compare yourself to those popular kids - I find many of those popular people are actually MEAN people. Talk to your mom and see if she can help you with your appearance. Although maintaining your outward appearance is important, it's how you feel on the inside that's most important.

I think one of the best things a young person can do is to exercise regularly and get involved in a sport. It's well known when young women are involved in exercise they have more self confidence. You also need to learn how tomake healthy food choices. Exercise will also elevate your mood as well. I hope you feel better soon.

[Yoda]

It sounds to me like you have black and white thinking. I used to have it too. In my mind people were either beautiful or ugly, smart or stupid, popular or unpopular. I couldn't see how somebody could be in the middle and just be average or at least I could not see myself as in the middle. I wanted to be "model beautiful" but because I was not I thought I was ugly. Now when I look at pictures of myself when I was younger I realize that I wasn't ugly in fact I was sort of cute. Not gorgeous but cute. I wish I had realized that back then because I had low self esteem too.

It is fine to want to better yourself but please accept yourself for who you are now. If you don't like your glasses get a friend to help you pick out some attractive ones. If you don't like your hairstyle try something a little different. Be realistic about improving yourself for what you value not what the cliques in high school value. And remember that one of the most attractive things a person can have is self confidence. Try to build yours.