I was reading about a suicide of a college student recently and when I read his friends description of his behavior it was clear that he had a major depression. I wondered if his friends did not recognize his depression or simply did not know what to do.

Some of the advice for helping a depressed friend goes something like:

• Listen
• Suggest professional help, facilitate an appointment and offer to go with the person.
• Have the person call a suicide hotline  or helpline

Although this is good advice, often with severely depressed persons these interventions are not enough.

Valentines Day is one of the worst days of the year if you are wanting a relationship but are without one.

Bah Humbug you think, but thats not what you feel. So what can you do to feel better?

Here are 10 Ideas to Help you get Through the Day.

Stay up the night before and work then you can sleep the following day away.

Go to a movie about bad relationships. (How about fatal attraction).

Spend time with a couple who is always bickering. Go sit in divorce court for the day.

Happy Holidays

I was being silly here mostly because I was with a friend who has 5 year old twins.  Kids can always put me in the holiday spirit and make the world seem better.  If you are not feeling so jolly its ok,  you are not alone!

Here are two references that  might help you

The first is a professional article that offers scientific evidence for alternative and complementary treatments for depression.

Below you will find my answer to a question about holiday blues.

Hope you find something helpful here.

The Grief Process

This is a guest post by Richard Moyle from the Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. Asbestos.com is committed to providing the latest, up-to-date information to our visitors in the hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos cancer.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer has an unusually long latency period and symptoms do not begin to show for at least 25 years after exposure. Because of this, the cancer is typically diagnosed in its later stages and is usually difficult to treat. The typical life expectancy of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma is about one year after diagnosis.

Are your worries overrunning the good stuff in your life?

Learn life lessons from your cat. Learn to ignore little things and keep them  from taking over your life

Little problems & concerns that often get blown out of proportion:

• Unfair criticism
• Doing the lion’s share of work
• Worry, worry, worry about things you can’t control
• Feeling misunderstood
• Feeling unappreciated
• Unable to change things

Lighten Up

• Surrender to the fact that life isn’t fair
• Don’t make things a big deal of things that aren’t

Question to Dr. Duffy

Dear Dr. Duffy,

This is one of the worst days of the year if you are wanting a relationship but are without one. Bah Humbug  you think, but thats not what you feel. So what can you do to feel better?

Here are 10 Ideas to Help you get Through the Day.

1. Stay up the night before and work then you can  sleep the following day away.
2. Go to a movie about bad relationships. (How about fatal attraction).
3. Spend time with a couple who is always bickering.
4. Go sit in divorce court for the day.

Are you ready to come out of your hibernation or do you have the urge to run back in your home and hide?  Because of the cold winter and what feels like constant bad news about the economy, many of us continue to feel like staying inside and avoiding the whole thing. It’s not so hopeful out there and we are barraged with so many things that can bring us down. Anxiety about money and our economy tops the list. When I say our economy I mean our personal budgets, how to pay rising bills, deal with less income and stretch our dollars. This constant worry about money seems to be there all the time, even when we are thinking about other things. Are you experiencing that feeling in the pit of your stomach (anxiety) whenever the issue of money arises (which is often)?

Ambivalence is said to be a common experience of the human condition. I have always believed this but have never felt it as clearly as I do about Kenya.  Talk about a love –hate relationship!

  So much to love: people who always smile and are extremely welcoming and friendly, children that are so engaging and loving, take care of each other, and are resourceful, strong and independent, gorgeous scenery, animals and natural resources.  These are the thing I remember most that will draw me back to Kenya.

Research has shown those who are pessimistic have a higher risk of dying young.

Those who are more optimistic have better health, and better immune systems. Although pessimism may not be easy to change, you can tone it down with practice. No one expects or wants you to be a Pollyanna, trying to keep a positive attitude does not mean to tell yourself everything will be ok when you know it won’t.