Dear Jane,

I have felt very unhappy for months. There are times when my spirits lift but only briefly. I tend to worry a lot and feel stressed and cannot see any joy in life. I am 30 years old, a female and a lecturer.

I have a lot on my plate work-wise. Yet I have few fixed working hours and some of my work can be done at home or at the library. I am involved in several tasks as well as having written a thesis and waiting for feedback.

I had a bad experience when I left my previous job eight months ago as I couldn't give them notice. Physically I feel run down and long for free time; yet when I give myself time off I feel bored and unhappy.

I had a bout of pneumonia two years ago and tend to think about the possibility of a recurrence. I'm also worrying about doing too much work and missing out on life -- but then I worry about not doing enough!

I am not married and have no-one

in my life. I have creative tendencies but they are not made use of in my work at the moment.

M.

Dear M, Your letter gives a clear insight into the origins of depression. It's all there!

Trauma. That bout of pneumonia. That bad experience when you left your last job.

Stress and suspense. Waiting for feedback on your thesis. A lot of work, unstructured so you can never feel quite sure that you've finished for the day.

Lack of flow. You are not using your creative tendencies. Your work is not bringing you joyful challenge and achievement. Your talents and skills are not being satisfyingly expressed

Lack of people in your life. We all need friends and intimacy, the feeling of being loved and needed.

Worry, worry and worry.

On top of this you may be physically in poor shape. Not enough good quality food, fresh air and exercise.

Every improvement you make, however small, in any of these areas towards the direction of life and fulfilment will make you feel better. A priority is to reduce the amount of time worrying. Pointless worry is corrosive.

• Mail to a friend
• Print It
• Rate It
• 

 Previous      Next