PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
- I’m under 18, can I get birth control?
- What is the difference between sadness and depression?
- What are blue balls? Does this really happen to guys when they don’t have sex?
LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS
- My parents are getting divorced. What should I do?
- What are some common warning signs that someone is suicidal?
- What should I do if I am in an abusive relationship?
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
- What are “gateway drugs?”
- What is binge drinking?
- How can I recognize if I have an addiction or someone I know has an addiction?
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Q: I’m under 18, can I get birth control?
A: You don’t need anyone’s permission to get birth control. It is your decision. Try Planned Parenthood Hawaii for more information. Call 589-1156 (Honolulu), 871-1176 (Kahului), or 329-8211 (Kailua-Kona).
Q: What is the difference between sadness and depression?
A: Being sad is usually temporary and comes from an event that causes emotional pain. Depression usually lasts for more than a few days, often continuing for weeks or months. A person can have depression and not know why.
Q: What are blue balls? Does this really happen to guys when they don’t have sex?
A: This line has been used for years! A guy will sometimes use this line on a female if she doesn’t want to have sex with him. While there are times that the male’s testes and genital area fill with so much blood and sexual tension that he feels uncomfortable, a girl should in no way feel sorry for him or obligated to administer “sexual healing.”
LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Q: My parents are getting divorced. What should I do?
A: Depending on how old you are, you can talk to your school counselor. If you are out of school, find someone else you trust to talk to. It’s perfectly normal to have feelings of anger or frustration. You need to find a healthy outlet for these feelings. Usually talking it out with someone who will listen will help.
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Q: What are some common warning signs that someone is suicidal?
A: Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans. However, more people survive suicide attempts than actually die. If you know somone who may be suicidual, it is important to recognize the warning signs and then find them help.
- Talking about dying - any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting oneself, or other types of self harm.
- Recent Loss - through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, loss of job, money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss of religious faith, loss of interest in friends, sex, or hobbies.
- Change in personality - sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic
- Change in behavior - can’t concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
- Change in sleep patterns - insomnia, nightmares
- Change in eating habits - loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
- Diminished Sexual interest - impotence, menstrual abnormalities(often missed periods)
- Fear of losing control - going crazy, harming self or others
- Low self esteem - feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, “everyone would be better off without me”
- No hope for the future - believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever change
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Q:What should I do if I am in an abusive relationship?
A: Speak to a trusted adult who can help you get out of this relationship. This kind of situation for almost all people is impossible to get out of alone. You will need someone’s help to make sure you stay safe. If you do not have a trusted adult to go to, there are agencies you can contact. Try agencies such as Domestic Violence Action Center, 808-531-3771, or Teen Dating Violence HELP, 808-841-0822.
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ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
Q: What are “gateway drugs?”
A: The gateway drug theory is the theory that the use of a less dangerous drug will cause subsequent use of “harder” drugs. Substances such as, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are often referred to as gateway drugs.
Q: What is binge drinking?
A: A repetitive cycle that involves a period of out of control drinking, followed by a dry spell, then repeated again and again. General guidelines are 4+ drinks for a woman or 5+ drinks for a man or the amount of alcohol needed to raise a person’s blood alcohol level to 0.10% also known as the official level of intoxication.
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A: A repetitive cycle that involves a period of out of control drinking, followed by a dry spell, then repeated again and again. General guidelines are 4+ drinks for a woman or 5+ drinks for a man or the amount of alcohol needed to raise a person’s blood alcohol level to 0.10% also known as the official level of intoxication.
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Q: How can I recognize if I have an addiction or if someone I know has an addiction?
A: There are many signs that an individual may have a drug or alcohol addiction. The following signs listed are cues to look for. Be aware that showing several of these signs does not ALWAYS imply a drug addiction is present.
- Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain
- Smell of substance on breath, body, or clothes
- Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
- Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs, or bottom of feet.
- Change of overall atitude or personality
- Changes in friends: new hang-outs, avoidance of old crowds.
- Change in activities; loss of interest in things that were important before.
- Drop in school or work performance.
- Changes in habits at home; loss of interest in family.
- Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
- Lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, discipline.
- Defensiveness, temper tantrums, resentful behavior.
- Unexplained moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
- Violent temper or bizarre behavior.
- Unexplained silliness or giddiness.
- Paranoia, suspiciousness.
- Excessive need for privacy; keeps door locked or closed, won’t let people in.
- Secretive or suspicious behavior.
- Car accidents, fender benders, household accidents.
- Chronic dishonesty; trouble with police.
- Unexplained need for money; can’t explain where money goes; stealing.
- Unusual effort to cover arms, legs.
- Change in personal grooming habits.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia.
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