Hey Davidar,

I found your post really affecting. You summed up so much of what young people feel, it brought back some memories for me as well as showing me what my children are about to go through or, in the case of my daughter, are actually going through at the moment.

Have you considered the Alexander Technique? My daughter is having Alexander Technique lessons at present and they have made a huge difference to her. The Alexander theory says something like we carry our experiences around in our body and how we stand or move can influence how we feel and how others respond to us.

My daughter was bullied badly at her last school. She started her new one in September and it wasn't the whole new experience she had thought it might be. She had panic attacks, thought everyone was talking abuot her and withdrew. She was starting to be bullied all over again. The school has been great, very supportive, and she is seeing a counsellor, sees the nurse regularly and the teachers are all doing everything they can for her.

However, things didn't noticeably change until she had a course of 6 reflexology sessions and then started Alexander lessons. After 2 lessons, she looks better, feels better, told someone off who was trying to bully her and has started to make some friendships. I feel she has turned a corner in every way.

Why not try finding an Alexander teacher in your area and having a chat with them? From what I have seen, Alexander teachers will not take you on if they feel they are wrong for you, will expect you to see several teachers before you find the right one and will work with you rather than treat you.

Good luck with whatever you do,

Jodi