It’s also essential to wear clean underwear every day, and wear a fresh school shirt, if possible. Natural fibres like cotton and wool allow your body to breathe, so are better for staying confident. There may still be times when you perspire a little – when nervous, for example – but sticking to these rules will make sure you keep your cool.

Grace and Priya can help their friend by bringing up the subject of personal hygiene and talking about their own routines. Their friend will, hopefully, get the message. Grace and Priya should also tell their guidance teacher about the teasing and ask him/her to keep an eye on things.

Mixed-Up Feelings

Hey Cathy

My best friend seems to be moody all the time these days. One minute she’s laughing, the next she gets all snappy and stressy. It’s driving me mad!

Tyler, age 10

Dear Cathy

I don’t know what’s up with me lately, but my moods are all over the place. Silly things can make me tearful and sensitive, and at other times I find myself getting stroppy and crabby for no reason at all. My family are getting fed up with me, but I don’t know what to do!

Louise, age 12

When your hormones are going crazy, your moods can be crazy too. Many girls have mood swings at puberty, especially in the week just before their period.

Tyler needs to try to be patient with her friend – she’s either struggling with mood swings, or she has a few problems at home. Tyler could try talking to her and seeing if there’s anything she can do to help – but even just taking a step back from things and refusing to take the stressy moods personally can help.

Louise needs to see that she’s not the only one going through all this… and accept that hormones are responsible. She’s not going mad, just going through puberty! Being aware of what’s happening can help – when Louise feels herself getting sad or stroppy, she can remind herself what’s behind the mood and maybe pull back a little. Louise can also let her family know she’s aware of the mood swings and doing her best to control them – this should help them to help her.

Dear Cathy

I hate being a teenager. I just don’t feel like me any more, and I hate my body – it seems so big and clumsy and annoying. I wish I could be little again, and not have to worry about bras and boys and periods. Am I the only one who wants to turn the clock back?

Ruth, age 14

Cathy, please help me!

I can’t seem to stop worrying lately. I worry that something bad might happen to my family, or that I might get ill and die, and sometimes when I watch the news I cry over things that are happening even though they’re miles and miles away. I didn’t realize the world was such a scary place. I never used to feel like this. What’s going on?