Relationships with Friends, Parents, Dating

Stress

Depression "The Blues"

Anxiety Disorders

Relationships with Friends, Parents, Dating

Positive relationships are generally essential for emotional health and well-being, especially for girls and women, whose self-esteem is often closely linked with the quality of their close, personal relationships. However, the female tendency to be a nurturer and caregiver in their relationships may at times interfere with their ability to ask for help or support. They often feel as though they shouldn't bother the people around them.

photo of teen couple It is important to access the supports that you have, particularly during times of stress and emotional challenges. There are many benefits to relying on your social support system, including friends, family, or a boyfriend or girlfriend. Being able to talk about our troubles helps us to feel less isolated or strange for having a particular problem. You may be surprised to find that you're not alone in the way that you are thinking or feeling.

You also don't need to feel alone in finding a solution. Friends and loved ones can help us in a variety of ways. Just listening is helpful. But often they can help us think about different ideas or ways of approaching our difficulties that we may not have considered.

Recent research on gender differences in stress response suggest that females may favor more of a "tend or befriend" style than "fight-or-flight"; that is, getting together and sharing may be more helpful than dealing with the stress alone.