$Unique_ID{BRK01984}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Dealing With the Blues}
$Subject{deal Dealing handle handling blue Blues depression depress depressed
medical illness illnesses sick sickness tired fatigue energy feeling feelings
lonely loneliness agency agencies organization organizations self help group
groups assistance physical activity activities mood moody social}
$Volume{}
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Exercise has Overall Benefits*0003209.scf
Exercise Stimulates the Brain*0003201.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Dealing With the Blues


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QUESTION:  Do you think you could write to a lonely, distressed female?  It
feels like my life is coming apart at the seams, and every time I try to find
a way out, a new obstacle is in my path.  I know I have the guts and
intelligence to win, but there are times when I lose direction, and find
myself just sitting around the house, feeling sorry for myself.  Could there
be something medically wrong with me?  Come to think of it, maybe if you made
a house call, it would help even more.

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ANSWER:  Sure I can write to someone in distress, I do so every day.  But this
column is just for you.  It is hard to know whether there is some hidden
medical condition that is provoking your blues.  It certainly is a
possibility, but one which you would have to work out with your physician
after a thorough evaluation.  I just don't have enough data to go on.  Many
simple illnesses, particularly those that drain energy and cause fatigue, may
provoke depressed feelings, or a medical depression, in an individual.
Correcting the medical situation may be the solution to your problem.
     However, I think you are depressed, but not suffering from a depression.
Lots of us can relate to that.  With all the natural disasters we have been
reading about in the newspapers, when the new programs focus on the negative
campaign tactics of politicians slinging mud, when television talk shows,
motivated only by their hunger for ratings, dive deeper and deeper into
subjects that are weird, wicked and warped, sometimes bordering on outright
depravity, it is easy to think that society has lost its direction and
meaning.  That makes it harder for individuals to cope.  But there is
certainly hope for you, and I base that on the evidence in your letter that
you still retain a fine sense of humor.  And that makes a fine foundation upon
which you may reconstruct your existence.
     But you have to get out, and stop feeding your loneliness by remaining
shut up in your house.  No matter your present social situation, I think I can
offer a suggestion that might just do the trick.  For certain, there are lots
of agencies and self help groups that exist in your community, and you might
look to them for assistance.  But if you wish to take my advice, seek out a
good aerobics class, maybe one that is presented at your local "Y", and sign
up for a series of classes.  Use the session as an excuse to get out of the
house, for you WILL keep those appointments.  Use the exercise session to get
some of the steam up, some of the frustrations out, some of the knots untied.
The physical activity, in and of itself, can lift your mood, and make you feel
better.  Use the class as an opportunity to make some new social contacts.  I
know there are many people who attend such sessions with motives that are
similar to yours.  They can make excellent counselors, wonderful new friends
if you just take the initiative.  At the very least, they may provide an
outlet for some of your emotions, a sounding board for some of your ideas.
You will return home, uplifted and renewed, with a new perspective on your
life.
     As to the house call, you are a bit out of my territory, sorry.  It is
too bad that evolving patterns of health care have diminished the number of
doctors who do visit the home of their patients.  It was, and still is, a
wonderfully therapeutic process, one that links the physician and the patient
into a fine team, both striving for the best outcome.
     By the way, thanks for the photo, it is a keeper.  You look like a person
that will do just fine.  Just don't stop trying.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.