Advice for the Depressed (& Happy)
Helping the Elderly
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The Soul Sister advises on depression, but actually, it's advice anyone could use. What are a few of your favourite things?
Dear Soul Sister
I don't know if I am just born a depressive and can't be helped or what. I have a good job, earn decent money and have nice flat, but I feel low 70% of the time. I'm bored, lethargic and never laugh. What do you suggest?
X
Well dear X, this is a complaint I hear all too often. Quite a few of my clients feel guilty about feeling down because from the outside their lives look perfect.
There may be several reasons for this.
If you suspect it's physical, have a doctor check you out and see if you're OK. Then look at the way you live. Are you helping your body and mind live well?
If you think it could be psychological, consider your past. When did you first feel like this? How was happiness practised and rated in your family? How about talking with a professional?
There also some deceptively simple things you - or anyone - can do:
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
I don't know if I am just born a depressive and can't be helped or what. I have a good job, earn decent money and have nice flat, but I feel low 70% of the time. I'm bored, lethargic and never laugh. What do you suggest?
X
Well dear X, this is a complaint I hear all too often. Quite a few of my clients feel guilty about feeling down because from the outside their lives look perfect.
There may be several reasons for this.
If you suspect it's physical, have a doctor check you out and see if you're OK. Then look at the way you live. Are you helping your body and mind live well?
If you think it could be psychological, consider your past. When did you first feel like this? How was happiness practised and rated in your family? How about talking with a professional?
There also some deceptively simple things you - or anyone - can do:
- Put a smile on someone else's face once a day. Smile at an old person or help someone out. You'll be surprised at the dividends this pays.
- Make a list of five things that make you feel good and practise one a day.
- Make a list of your strengths and keep adding to it.
- Make a list of things you are grateful for and keep adding to it. Don't forget the small things, like a perfect, sweet peach or a traffic-free journey home.
- Pay attention to the times you say 'ought to' or 'should' and remove them from your vocabulary (advice from eminent psychologist Eric Berne)
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
Here Is The Writer : Annegret O'Dwyer
Annegret O'Dwyer is a psychotherapist who has had a practise in Harley Street for 10 years, and recently opened one in Southbank. She is accredited and licensed by the UKCP (United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy) and the EAP (European Association of Psychotherapists). Her favourite book is How to be Happy by the Dalai Lama, and The Right to Speak by Patsy Rodenburg, and she likes spending her evenings at the cinema or theatre.
www.annegretodwyer.co.uk
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