Cybersurfer

Health on server

Dealing with teen traumas

Review by Matt Leppard

Ever felt that the world is on your shoulders? That no-one understands you, especially your parents and teachers, and that your world and body are out of control? Then you're probably a teenager. When my mum said to me that I was just going though what millions of other teens have gone through so I should just put up with it and get on with life, I probably stormed off to my bedroom and sulked. Now, older and wiser, I can see that she was right, but that doesn't mean that the difficulties you might face as a teen are any less important to you than they were to me.

It's also one of life's nasty little tricks that just at the time when you most need advice and guidance, you are at your most sensitive and shy and often don't want to talk to anyone. Well, to be honest it really is good to talk to someone, but if your problem is too embarrassing or you are too shy, then try Teens Health at www.teenshealth.org/teen/index2.html.

rebel with a cause

This great little site is packed with all the answers you'll need to help you cope with what is the biggest time of change your body and mind will have to go through. "Why do I fight with my parents so much?" asks one section. Most of us who have now moved on into our 20s and (in some cases beyond) can remember rebelling against our parents and teachers. Such behaviour is natural, but it should be understood and Teens Health provides a clear explanation of why you feel like this and how you can cope with it.

Other topics include advice for those tempted by drugs as well as advice on love and relationships. There's also heaps of health and sports advice ranging from healthy dieting to yoga and strength training for the boys.

Everything is written in a clear and easy-to-read style and the site has quirky quizzes and online tests to see if you know as much as you think you know. So if you're feeling as if nobody understands you, that you cannot go out because your face is full of pimples, and that you are never going to get a boyfriend or girlfriend, give this site a try. And if that doesn't work then you have my permission to go off to your room and sulk.

Clickthroughs

If you like this site, you might like to check out these cool links as well.

AboutHealth.com (www.abouthealth.com)

Young people learn everything they need to know about growing up, and families learn how to talk about it.

Teen Health Centre (www.teenhealthcentre.com)

Resources for those aged 12 to 24. Deals with teen health and social issues.

Vocabulary

storm (v): in this usage, to walk away from a situation or argument in a very bad mood
sulk (v): to look angry and refuse to speak or smile because you want people to know that you are upset about something
wise (adj): with great understanding usually achieved through experience
guidance (n): in this usage, means the same as advice

sensitive (adj): unusually reactive to something � in this case, emotional problems
rebel (v): in verb form, to fight against or refuse to obey an authority; for example, a government, a system, your parents, etc.
topic (n): a subject that you talk, write or learn about
quirky (adj): unusual and interesting
pimple (n): a small raised spot on the skin

Idioms

the world is on your shoulders = the feeling that your problems are weighing down you as if they were as heavy as the world itself

put up with it = used to say that things won't change to stop moaning and carry on with your life