Here are some things I particularly liked:

• From beagles: "This can be an adventure. You get to see the doctor's waiting room. You will see the fish tank; what the receptionist is wearing...read about Eminem or Heath Ledger in People mag ... hey, can I come along?"
• From Sean: "You're assuming that you'll be given medication. That's not necessarily the case. There are now non-medication options that can be helpful."
• From Natalie: "In the meantime, don't be ashamed. Easier said than done, but we all have shame about our bodies and a mind that is a little out of control at times."
• From Gena: "If you had allergies, would you hesitate to get them treated?"
• From Penny: "Keep a journal of your mood experiences ... Writing it all down may help you identify patterns you haven't noticed otherwise."
• From Brian: "You very well may not need medication, just someone to help you understand your mood swings and how your period affects them. Some good advice or a shoulder to lean on couldn't hurt."
From Uma: "Please don't worry about the stigma. ... You are more important than any shame over this."

The winner is Amara, who offered solid advice in a voice a 16-year-old could relate to.

Below is the actual advice given by "Ask Amy"'s Amy Dickinson (pictured above):

"Dear Roller Coaster: I gather that your mother isn't a physician. Neither am I. So it isn't for either one of us to suggest anti-depressants for you. You really do need to see your doctor.

"You might in fact be depressed, but it sounds to me like you could have a galloping case of premenstrual syndrome that causes this sadness and moodiness. Many women suffer from crying jags and mood swings caused by PMS each month. Your physician might recommend that you try some natural or over-the-counter remedies (a recent study of 3,000 women shows that vitamin D and calcium can help).

"You are right to realize that exercise can make you feel better when you're sad. So can Joni Mitchell's Blue album or Nickelback's latest. The only thing that won't help is to keep these feelings to yourself. When things bother you, you really need to talk it out with someone you trust. 'Cutting' is not the answer and would only make matters MUCH worse."