Teenage problems

My lad is 18 ,and is causing me real concerns.He has got it into his head that he is ugly and that no one will ever want to be with him.No matter how much I talk to him ,he still does not have any confidence in his own looks.I ve tried to tell him that he is very "handsome" ,not to worry etc ,but nothing seems to work.This is effecting his confidence and starting to bring him down.He comes out with things like "i really like her ,but why would she want to go with someone like me?""Girls stare at me all the time because Im so ugly" etc.Ive tried to tell him that maybe girls stare at him because he is the exact opposite of ugly ,but that seems to make him worse.He thinks Im fibbing to him to make him feel better.
Any one else had to deal with this problem or got any advice?

Has he had girlfriends before?Does he lack confidence in general, or is he just self concious about his looks?
I for one lack confidence overall, but i find that talking to girls just as friends helps when there is one i'm actually interested in. Advise him to talk to as many girls as possible, not ones that he likes but just as friends to get used to talking to them, it's good practice.
A way to get over a lack of confidence in looks is to buy some new clothes. I find that when i go out clothes shopping, i feel more comfortable wearing different stuff that makes me feel better.

[Wideboy]

pfft birds look at me all the time, but mostly point as i am a ugly barsteward who can give shrek a run for his money

Originally Posted by Wideboy

pfft birds look at me all the time, but mostly point as i am a ugly barsteward who can give shrek a run for his money

very helpfull.Hope he does not read your post.

Probily not a permanant suggestion, but alcohol increases confidence.

Am quite shy/unconfident with people i dont know, so getting ratted helps me talk to new people..
And most likely, make a ar$e of myself too

Originally Posted by saoralba

Probily not a permanant suggestion, but alcohol increases confidence.

Am quite shy/unconfident with people i dont know, so getting ratted helps me talk to new people..
And most likely, make a ar$e of myself too

Says the forums obvious alcoholic

Na seriously though, i went on this college trip, got drunk and i managed to meet this really nice girl and actually have the confidence to approach her. I managed to not make myself look like an idiot as well.
Dutch courage ftw.

A way this can actually help your original post, advise him to go to a few parties, that way he can meet girls in a much more relaxed environment. It's much easier to talk to girls that way.

[Mr Speirs]

Im inclined to say that it is something that he is going to have to work out himself. I think no matter what you yourself do is actually going to help him.

Its something he could get over by having a good social life with the right people who don't put pressure on him to get with a girl but support him.

I guess the more he focuses on it the bigger the problem is going to be. The sooner he stops caring how other people may judge him, the more his confidence will rise. Its probably just something he is going to grow up through and emerge from a better man.

Tell him to do what ever he wants to do to look what he believes is good, altho he may want a girl the first thing he needs to do is be happy with himself, once that has been sorted the women will follow. When it comes to the women, dont let him go chasing after women, let him flirt talk whatever but let come to him ultimately as that will give him a massive confidence boost.

Also, remind him at 18 he is now a man with a lot of life ahead of him, a bit of perspective never hurts to realise, belive me, i'm almost 19 and i know that these things can help.

[DarrenSV650S]

Does he have friends?

Independent "rating site":

http://www.hotornot.com/

Although that's only if it is a straight forward answer, if the question is more complicated then a better solution is required.