"I often tell people that feeling sad is like cutting your finger. Sooner or later, your cut will stop bleeding, get a scab, and heal. But if you pick at the scab, it will take longer to heal, and maybe get worse. You often can deal with sadness in the same way you deal with being upset; you have to be more careful though. Some people use feelings of sadness as an excuse to hurt themselves. Drinking, smoking, cutting yourself, and anything else bad you can think of will not make sadness go away. Talking to someone who is understanding, either a friend or a professional, can help you deal with sadness until you are feeling better."