The New Year is approaching and I need some guidance on how to move forward with my life. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 26, 2009 - 9 answers

I was diagnosed with depression and was in therapy for about an year. Do I disclose this on my university application? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 21, 2009 - 8 answers

How to deal with coming into my own without alienating those I love? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 20, 2009 - 11 answers

Help me figure out how to get treated for depression. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 16, 2009 - 15 answers

How to handle an abusive, alcoholic family for Christmas - now and in years to come? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 14, 2009 - 40 answers

Am I crazy or what? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 13, 2009 - 15 answers

How can I resist the temptation to despair as I get older and still find myself unable to break consistent patterns of frustration in my work and personal life? (long) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 12, 2009 - 14 answers

Third week of therapy. My psychiatrist has let me talk for 2 hours so far and not offered anything much in the way of a response to anything I say. I feel like I am spending a lot of effort and money to talk to a blank wall. Is this normal or should I be seeking a different therapist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 12, 2009 - 29 answers

Need any help I can get overcoming a lifelong major set of bad habits, all related to personal hygiene. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 9, 2009 - 43 answers

I've just been diagnosed with PTSD. Please help me understand it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2009 - 9 answers

I've had seasonal depression for much of my adult life. So far, I've managed to make it through each winter without ever having to resort to antidepressant medication. This winter season, however, I'm finding it harder than usual to stay on track. Can anyone recommend some strategies, exercises or even good books on managing depression med-free? I don't mean for my question to open the door to a debate on the effectiveness of the pharma route. Just a personal choice here. I really value the thoughtful advice of members here on askmefi, so thanks in advance.
posted by anonymous on Dec 1, 2009 - 30 answers

Can you recommend a good book about the WPA artists program, or a great book that came out of the Federal Writers' Program? Bonus points if you know of a fictional story that uses it as the main theme. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 30, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm am massively depressed right now. I have my Masters dissertation to hand in next month but cannot do anything at the moment involving complex thought and haven't been able to for at least the past year. I have awful memory recall - I can read something, put the book down and cannot tell you a thing I have read - I can barely string sentences together, I cannot think abstractly; in short, I'm a mess. I'm petrified that after two episodes of pretty intense depression, my hippocampus is permanently damaged. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 29, 2009 - 15 answers

How do I deal with my recently redeveloped confidence? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 28, 2009 - 5 answers

I need a prescription for meds for depression in central/western Florida. And therapy, if that's possible, but it's mostly for the meds. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 25, 2009 - 2 answers

My mom has always had high anxiety, been prone to fear and pessimism, and has tended to focus on her fears in a very repetitive, verbal way that is often tiring to those around her. Her situation has worsened recently for several reasons. I want to help her find help. This question is both about therapy in general and for recommendations in San Diego in particular. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 23, 2009 - 9 answers

I think I may have a hormone deficiency. I plan to see a doctor. What should I expect? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 22, 2009 - 7 answers

How can I make space for my emotions and feel safe letting myself feel them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 22, 2009 - 16 answers

What are the unintended, negative consequences of having a medical marijuana prescription? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 19, 2009 - 10 answers

Please give advice on how to accept my atheism, let go of God and the need for one, how to get over the fourth stage of grief/letting go (depression), and how to find my passion for life again! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2009 - 45 answers

Should I mention my mental illness on my graduate school statement of intent? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 16, 2009 - 24 answers

Why am I such a pathetic sad-sack these days, and how can I shape up before I drive all my friends away? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 14, 2009 - 15 answers

Friend with depression (treated with meds), seems to have plateaued with any progress and still occasionally thinks of suicide. I am there for him as much as possible but it kills me to see him like this. Is there anything I should know, or that I could do or say at the right time to help him move forward? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 12, 2009 - 13 answers

I am living a wasted life. Depressed and stuck. I know this question has been asked a million times in a million different ways by a million different people. But I want to ask it myself, and hear what you say to me, because I am at the end of my rope. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 10, 2009 - 57 answers

Seeking short-term coping mechanisms for being productive in school during a devastating breakup, and for comedy TV I can watch to help me through it. Long story inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 8, 2009 - 32 answers

Depressionfilter: Help me understand a sudden increase in libido and its emotional aftermath. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 5, 2009 - 9 answers

My boyfriend is depressed, again, and I'm starting to get concerned that I don't have the patience to get through it with him this time. I want to help him, but I'm not sure how many times I can keep doing this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 25, 2009 - 26 answers

How can I help my girlfriend who's coming out of depression, without going out of my mind? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 20, 2009 - 16 answers

Does anyone have experience with someone who is 21 applying for permanent disability benefits? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 14, 2009 - 13 answers

How can I help someone who has three young children but who doesn't want to be a mother anymore? I know that this sounds completely irresponsible and selfish and cruel but I would appreciate help if you can take the time to read the details. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 8, 2009 - 27 answers

Please recommend a therapist in Portland, Oregon. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 5, 2009 - 3 answers

Looking for a therapist in the DC area to deal with general anxiety issues and depression. Some restrictions apply: [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 5, 2009 - 7 answers

Best U.S. insurance company for a pre-existing condition (depression) - advice please! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 30, 2009 - 4 answers

My wife struggles with depression and, occasionally, suicidal ideation. But she doesn't communicate well (or nearly at all), so I have no real way of knowing when she's having a crisis rather than just another string of bad days / weeks. Is it ethical to monitor her internet activity without her knowledge so I have some idea of when I need to get serious about intervening? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 29, 2009 - 40 answers

I think having surgery made me anxiety prone and depressed. Is this possible and will I go back to being myself after I fully recover from the surgery? I know YANAD. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 29, 2009 - 16 answers

I need a temporary low-maintenance, but social, 'after work' place/thing/something to do while I try to get my health in order. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 24, 2009 - 26 answers

Anti-depressants: do they eventually stop working? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 24, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm trying to "detach with love" and get therapy. He's stuck and resistant. What next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 23, 2009 - 15 answers

My sister has an alcohol and/or prescription and/or depression problem. What can I do to help her, and in what order? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 20, 2009 - 7 answers

I asked This question a couple of months ago. Since then I've gone through one of the worst periods of depression of my life. I'm seeing a therapist and taking anti-depressants but they're not really helping. I'm depressed about my complete lack of meaningful relationships and experiences and the depression has made me more isolated and unmotivated than ever. I feel like I need to do something drastic to force myself to get out of my head and start living my life. I want to be in a situation where I have no choice but to work hard and interact with people. Volunteering abroad appeals to me a great deal but I have no real skills and I'm guessing my mental health problems would make it hard to get a placement. Would volunteering abroad be possible or advisable and is there anything else I could do?
posted by anonymous on Sep 20, 2009 - 33 answers

What are your experiences with St. John's wort? In particular, have you ever taken it at the same time as ADHD medications like Ritalin/Focalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine) etc? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 13, 2009 - 16 answers

What happened to my ability to trust in and connect with people? How do I regain it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 30, 2009 - 9 answers

My boyfriend is taking an antidepressant and didn't tell me, and now I'm worried for him and for us. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 16, 2009 - 30 answers

I'm a male in my early twenties who has washed out of college and is looking for a mental health professional of some sort in Northern Virginia. Issues I feel are likely to come up are my (long-ago diagnosed) attention deficit disorder, depression, and some form of OCD - I have a deep and (likely irrational) fear of psychosis and other impairments of cognition. I am deeply wary of psychiatric drugs, and want to work with someone who shares my attitude toward them, but would recommend them as a last resort. So what I'm after is some sort of talk therapy, preferably with a medical doctor (as oppose to "just" a PhD). [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2009 - 11 answers

When does occasional contact from a former colleague turn into stalking? What is the best way to handle unwanted communication from a person for whom rejection may cause real emotional hardship? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 11, 2009 - 19 answers

How do I learn intimidating material without making myself miserable? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 10, 2009 - 10 answers

So I’ve finally made up my mind to talk to my GP about the depression that I think I’m suffering from. I have a few days before my appointment and I’d like to get a clearer handle on things before I see him. Can you help me unpack some of this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 - 14 answers

Recommend a psychiatrist in NYC who accepts Oxford, for medication only; talk therapy component is already taken care of. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 3, 2009 - 2 answers

I use to self-medicate with marijuana for my social-anxiety and low-level depression...can that fact be used to direct me towards a specific antidepressant? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 3, 2009 - 13 answers

I spent my teens and early twenties struggling with undiagnosed social anxiety and depression which I dealt with by shutting myself off from the world and avoiding anything anxiety provoking (school work, social life, jobs, dating). I basically spent 7 years doing nothing but watching TV and reading stuff on the internet. I'm getting treatment for depression and my social anxiety has improved alot but I still spend most of my time doing nothing. I managed to get into a decent university (at the age of 21) but I just barely passed the first year and I almost had to drop out due to depression. I have no close relationships outside of my family and I've never had a girlfriend. How can I get my life back on track after missing so much?
posted by anonymous on Aug 3, 2009 - 14 answers