I have a history of romantic involvements that usually never get past three or four months (with a single exception that went on for 3.5 years). This didn't used to bother me so much, but it's now starting to make me ridiculously sad. I'm 30. How can I learn to hold someone's interest in me and/or choose better? Sorry for the book below, and thanks for any suggestions. [more inside]
posted by oogenesis on May 2, 2013 - 34 answers

How did you summon the strength to bounce back and/or change your life? [more inside]
posted by twentyfoursummers on Sep 1, 2012 - 19 answers

Ok, so I've been having this problem lately (and I think it's related to my recent depression) where I meet new people and kind of expect that I'll never develop any friendship with them, but then it actually does happen, and I realize in horror that when they bring up previous conversations we've had, I act completely clueless because I didn't bother to remember it in the first place, and they say something like, "Remember we were talking about how my mom lives literally right next door to you?" (seriously, that happened today) and I remember suddenly, but clearly have already made it obvious that I didn't remember it in the first place... That's been happening a lot lately, and I want to know how to recall what I talked about with people more. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 1, 2011 - 8 answers

I'm a recent college graduate and long time depression sufferer. Now I've suddenly been cast out into the "real world" with no directed day-to-day course of action and I'm feeling lost and needing help. Currently near by the San Francisco Bay Area, I'm needing to settle down soon to make some money and also receive the mental health care that I believe I need. The problem is that I'm totally broke. Any practical advice on breaking a stubborn depression when you're not made of money would be sincerely appreciated. [more inside]
posted by robobrent on Nov 5, 2011 - 5 answers

My dad is 63. He's been diagnosed with pancreatitis, but there are a whole host of complicating factors, for that and for everything else. I'm at pretty much the end of my tether. Some advice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 17, 2011 - 5 answers

My other half seems utterly paralyzed. How do I talk to him about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 9, 2011 - 22 answers

I need help with my life especially what's going on with me nowadays. How to defeat my fear of failure? How should I start living a fresh life? How do I actually start? [more inside]
posted by Johnkx on Apr 25, 2011 - 11 answers

[Life Path/Career Advice Filter]: How can someone a person with diagnosed depression work in the field of human rights and social justice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 12, 2011 - 5 answers

I'm looking for songs that explicitly give advice to make one feel better. [more inside]
posted by daninnj on Dec 17, 2010 - 59 answers

Stuck in a rut. Help me find meaning, direction, and help me get back on my feet. [more inside]
posted by saragoodman3 on Sep 19, 2009 - 16 answers

So I'm about to start my 7th year of community college... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 21, 2009 - 11 answers

I'd like advice on how to overcome my fear of disapproval from others. It manifests itself as lack of confidence/assertiveness, self-consciousness, anxiety and fear of not being good enough. Looking for all kinds of techniques, suggestions. [more inside]
posted by richar4 on Mar 8, 2009 - 16 answers

My friend's boyfriend sucks. She knows that, but she doesn't seem to realize how serious it is. Please help me help her. [more inside]
posted by neblina_matinal on Jul 9, 2008 - 44 answers

I'm in the bottom the stereotypical bleak pit of a crushing depression. I'm doing the therapy. I'm doing the medications. But what do you do with your brain meanwhile? How do you keep going on? [more inside]
posted by beautifulcheese on Mar 5, 2008 - 58 answers

I am 21 and have serious money problems, including a huge debt. The problems are turning into a depression. They affect my ability to commute to work (by car). And now, To top it off, an old friend of mine hung himself 2 days ago. Why? Because of money problems. I dont want to kill myself at all, but I am deeply depressed. Happy Stories, Life Advice, or insight .. all deeply apprecaited. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 5, 2006 - 58 answers

Trying to find ways to chill out. I need something that can occupy my mind and entertain me during the evening without putting me in a trance or putting me to sleep. I can't relate to characters on TV or novels, so all I read is non-fiction. With music, it either puts me in a trance or I get bored. I've tried meditation but it just makes me go to sleep. Basically, if I'm not actively engaged with learning something new, being creative, or solving a task, my mind shuts down and I get bored or zone out. Other people tell me, oh that's good that you don't watch TV or anything, but you know, I'm just sick of being so intense. I'm 20, male. Any suggestions, fokes?
posted by Laugh_track on Oct 9, 2006 - 35 answers

Help me help myself. I have had social anxiety for almost as long as I can remember and for the last few had also been depressed as a result. [Gory details inside] [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2005 - 10 answers