DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and should be a senior when school starts this fall. My problem is serious. I have an anxiety condition and I'm currently seeing a therapist. My main problem is that I can't go to school. Since I entered high school three years ago the situation has gotten worse. It started out that I just didn't want to go to school and soon it became an attendance problem because I found out I couldn't deal with kids my own age. I prefer to associate with adults.

Towards the end of my junior year it got so bad that I just couldn't go to school at all. I would become extremely nervous, suffer panic attacks and eventually throw up. My mom has been very understanding regarding my problem, but my dad thinks there's nothing wrong with me and that I'm pulling a "con-job." He says that if I would lose some weight my anxiety problem would go away. This simply isn't true! I've even thought about suicide.

I realize that it's important for me to get a high school diploma and I really want one. I was supposed to attend summer school this summer. I was all signed up to go, but the first day when I got to school, I turned the car around and returned home.

My question is, what am I going to do about getting my high school diploma? — Nameless, Lakeland, Fla.

NAMELESS: If you still can't attend regular classes, have your mom make an appointment for the two of you to meet at the school district office with a district employee who can show you the alternative methods for obtaining your diploma. Have Mom call the superintendent's secretary to obtain the name of the person who will help you.

I'm sure that since your case can be classified as a "medical" problem, you're entitled to a certificated teacher who will come to the house and teach you the courses needed for graduation. Some school districts offer adult education classes in the evenings. If yours doesn't, it might be possible that a neighboring school district offers such a program. I'm sure there are additional options including passing the G.E.D. test. Don't waste time. Have Mom call the school district immediately!

SEND A NOTE ASKING HIM TO CALL

DR. WALLACE: I dated a guy for over two years and he abused me both mentally and physically. I stuck by him only because he threatened my life if I ever left him. Thank goodness that entire situation is over and I'm now my own person.

About four months ago, I met my first true love. He was wonderful and treated me with respect. We had great times together and every day I looked forward to being with him. Then I made a big mistake. I listened to my best friend who advised me to break up with him for a few weeks to give us a little "space." She said that when we would get together again our love would be stronger than ever

It's true, my love for him is stronger than ever, but he is now dating someone else. I've called him several times, but he doesn't want to go out with me anymore.

This guy is a kind, considerate human being and I miss being with him terribly. What do you think I should do now? — Nameless, Honolulu, Hawaii.

NAMELESS: Write him a note saying that you miss him terribly and ask him to call you if he should change his mind about dating you. Do not sit and wait for his call. Spend time with your friends (but be very wary of their advice) and when the opportunity arises, start dating again.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.