Best friends & family make world crash in

Dear Dee:
I feel like my life is falling apart. My best friend is giving me the cold shoulder for no reason. We didn't get into a fight or anything but she suddenly has hostility towards me. I just found out my other friend has been telling my best friend just about everything I say.

Is it possible my best friend's distance is caused by a miscommunication between her and my other friend? To top everything off, my mom and sister keep fighting and screaming at each other.

I feel like I have nowhere that can be my escape. My escape was always my friends, but now since things changed, I always feel trapped everywhere I go. And I feel like the problems in my life are caused by me, so I'm constantly analyzing everything I do. What do I do? I feel like I'm running out of options.

You are not trapped. You are letting circumstances get the best of you.

Who knows what's up with your friends -- if your best friend is playing you against your other friends, then it's time to evaluate who your real friends are. Show them you don't take that kind of BS and sit them down and find out what the deal is. If no resolution comes from you confronting them head on, then show them their pettiness isn't going to get the best of you (even though it hurts like crazy). You can do this!

Come on. You know this. There has been numerous movies on the subject -- girls are mean and vicious. Sometimes, these mind games are their main sources of amusement! You can either keep playing into it by moping around or you can face it head on and deal with it by working out the issues, or walking away from the friendships if they're not healthy for you.

As for your home life, if your sister's and mother's bickering is getting to you, you have got to let your mother know. She needs to know her behavior towards your sister, and your sister's towards her is affecting your emotional sanity. Your momma probably doesn't realize how it is affecting you and I am sure she'd try to come up with a solution. And if not, then it's time to talk to someone you trust -- i.e. another family member, pastor, trusted adult -- who can mediate the situation.

Hang in there. Don't lose hope. You are an important young lady and your world is not falling apart. You are just overwhelmed by situations that mean a lot to you -- but don't let these situations define you. Find solace in things that make you happy -- a hobby, school, a walk outside. Find a quiet place. Take a step back and most of all, breathe.