Q: I keep imagining things over and over again. Imagining conversations and living in them. This has been happening for five years and I don’t know how to get rid of it. Also I am not able to control my thoughts. Sometimes songs jus stay in my head and I’m not able to get rid of it. Also after studying I feel the words just lingering in my minds, and when I close my eyes I keep seeing them. The words come back to me many times, even several days later. Please help. A: It is difficult to know exactly what is creating this problem for you without a more thorough evaluation but it sounds like it could be of form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I ...  
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Q: I have had depression and anxiety for years. My depression is getting worse as well as the anxiety as I get older. Some days, I can't even get out of bed because I on those days, I wish I would have died in my sleep. I can hardly function anymore. I see a doctor, and I am on medication. I am a good patient and do what my doctor tells me to do. But no one in my life understands the depth and seriousness of my depression. How can I get the message to them what living like this is like? What resources are available for them to help them understand what I have to live with ...  
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Q: I have a best friend who is having a very difficult time in her life right now. She has little to no relationship with her parents, and the only attention she seems to get from them is negative attention. About two years ago, she had another hard time, and she began cutting. She never told me this until after she stopped, but she showed me her scars and told me about how her parents got her to see a therapist. She told me confidently that she stopped and was not going to start ever again. About a week ago, I noticed she was wearing sweat bands around her wrists, and I asked her what was up. Finally, she showed me fresh cuts in her ...  
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Q: Does Marijuana have an effect on the way antidepressents work? I have taken Effexor for 2 years and still feel 'crazy' sometimes, is it because I use the wrong medicine or is it the weed? A: Marijuana is a drug so of course it could affect your medication. There are many possible drug interaction effects with both prescribed and "recreational" drugs. I would suggest you talk to your doctor very openly and honestly about your drug use and why you use. It may be that you are not on the appropriate medication for you but it would be difficult to know this if you are continuing to self-medicate on the side. Please talk to you doctor. Good luck.

Q: I've been on anti-depressant medication on and off since I was 16 (I’m 24), and am currently on the waiting list for psychotherapy for my depression (I live in the UK so am on the NHS, waiting list is about 1 year). I previously paid to see a private psychotherapist who suggested that I may be suffering from manic depression, however I couldn't afford to pay for more than a few sessions so I feel that issue was left somewhat unresolved. I have taken some online tests, which I know can be unreliable, but seem to indicate that I could be bipolar. I have felt in the past that I may be having a manic episode but I don't really know how people feel when ...  
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Q: My mother doesn't trust me and hasn't since I was really little. Though it's not her fault, I have a problem with lying all the time and it's usually to get myself out of trouble. I steal things from family members all the time and I regret all of it. My mum has got to the point where she isn't even talking to me. I feel so bad about what I have done but I can't think of how to fix it. I am also having many friend issues and have found myself crying on a regular basis. I am never happy with the way I look and I am constantly stressing over school, boys, friends and my appearance etc. My school grades have ...  
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Q: I just recently tried to take my own life... I was in ICU for 7 days almost died twice while I was there. I pulled through with no permanent damage to my physical self, but all of the emotions I’m dealing with are driving me batty... I'm delighted to be alive! I'm just noticing how many people I would have affected if I would have been successful with my attempt. Now I have all of these emotions going through my head like embarrassment, not knowing how to speak to my friends that saw me in the state I was in @ the hospital. All I want to do is live my life and not feel ashamed of my self or like people are feeling ...  
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Q: Over the past year or two, I have been experiencing a lot of symptoms indicative of borderline personality disorder, such as severe mood swings, dependency, separation anxiety, unstable self-image, and self-mutilation. I wondered what I should do. Should I seek help from a local psychologist/psychiatrist? I just want the chaos to stop. Many of the symptoms that you have listed are included in the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. However, given your age of 19 there could be other factors leading to these symptoms, such as hormonal changes, moving away from home to go to college, any kind of trauma history, etc. I do suggest being evaluated by a mental health professional and you may also benefit from a thorough medical evaluation. ...  
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Q: I am writing a paper on why teens cling to specific groups or cliques during their adolescent years, and I wanted a professional opinion on the matter. Please get back to me as soon as you can. Thank you! A: Adolescents are developmentally supposed to go through a process of breaking away from their parents (to a certain extent) to find their own identity. This typically begins in middle school and continues on into high school. During this time period their peers become more important and have more influence over them than their family much of the time. Teens have to separate from what they have always known to try new things and explore new identities. While trying to “find themselves” they are usually drawn ...  
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Q: I am 13 years old. I live with my grandmother and grandfather. I know I am severely depressed, I want to die. I feel that I am a burden to my family and that they don't need me. I want help but I don't want my family to be embarrassed or hurt in the process. I’m scared that if I ask my grandma for help, she won't do anything or that she will get mad at me. Everyone at school hates me. I know this because they tell me so everyday. I have no purpose for life anymore and I don't know how much longer I can take it. Last year I made up a story about a suicidal dream at a doctor ...  
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Q: If a therapist were to help me by using humanistic-existential counseling what would that involve aside from medication? A: Both of these approaches to therapy are considered “client centered.” That essentially means that the therapist does not impose techniques of analyzing the client’s past and making interpretations, or by attempting to change thought patterns or behaviors. The therapist’s main job is to show “unconditional positive regard” and acceptance toward the client which will allow the client to make their own choices toward improvement. They stress the worth, uniqueness and dignity of the client while helping them work toward taking responsibility for their own lives and working toward a higher ideal. Existential therapy is more focused on one’s search for meaning ...  
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Q: I have been married for 3 months and all of a sudden my husband says he's confused.. He doesn't know if he wants to be with me..He doesn't know anything about his life..He is 30 years old.. He doesn't know if he wants me to stay or leave.. I don't know what to do..please help A: It often happens when people make an important major purchase. They think about it long and hard. They do the research. They comparison shop. They save the money. They finally write the check and take the coveted prize home. Then they torture themselves with thoughts about whether they did the right thing and made the right choice. Sadly, this keeps them from enjoying the very thing they ...  
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