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Road Less Traveled

Depressed About Life Direction

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW August 21st, 2023

First off thank you for taking the time to read this and, hopefully, reply to it. I’ll try to keep it as brief as possible as I know you have a lot of these.

I’m a twenty year old male who is struggling with depression. This is caused by a number of things. Primarily I have been single my entire life and being in a relationship is something that truly matters to me not because of the physical nature of a relationship but because of the emotional connection one receives from it. Another primary cause would be due to the fact that my family beliefs and my own personal beliefs are beginning to diverge. This is a double edged sword because it at once severs a strong connection I’ve had with them over the years and also causes me to believe that life is ultimately pointless as I have been taught that this particular belief is life’s sole purpose.

Secondarily I struggle to gain friendships. I seem to be far more serious and focused deeper issues than my “friends” who never invite me to anything although they hang out with each other frequently.

To further extenuate the problem I believe that the reason I have been so alone and lacking in relationships is because I am far too nice and giving. I am well aware that people tend to think more of themselves then they actually are, but I truly am a “good guy”. I hold open doors, I don’t swear, I almost always put others first and I always have an open ear for others problems. I am genuinely interested in the well being of others. It would seem as though this quality is not desirable among men in this society (America). My desire for a relationship is great but my desire to hold fast to my morals is also great (and there enters the beliefs problem with further confuses the issue).

While each individual problem might be bearable they have, combined, brought me to a very heavy low. I know that many people have lives far more difficult and dire than mine and this ironically only makes me feel worse as I am genuinely compassionate towards these people. I have been brought to what will hopefully be my lowest point. I have considered ending my life a few times but I know how much that would hurt my family. I do not consider myself to be in danger of actually doing it but I suppose that line is what separates the dead from the living.

I’ve many interests but primary among them is psychology. I would be most grateful if you could direct me towards studies, terminologies to look into, and self treatments that might alleviate the issue. I seem to be stuck in several double-binds and I am vaguely familiar that my framework of mind needs to shift somehow but I am unaware as to how it may be shifted. I do not ask you to give me a fish, but a net if you wouldn’t mind that I may catch my own and that my solutions may increase with my predicaments as time progresses.

Thank you much and my apologies for the length.

I would suggest that you read the works of two important authors: Abraham Maslow and M. Scott Peck. Abraham Maslow is important because he studied the characteristics of self-actualizing individuals. Those in the process of self-actualization are thought to be the mentally healthiest individuals. Reviewing those characteristics may provide guidance about how to live, think and view the world.

M. Scott Peck’s most famous work, The Road Less Traveled, is a classic and timeless book. Peck discusses common life problems. He addresses anxiety, depression and how one can change their attitude to improve their life. I would highly recommend it.

In your letter, you provided a rationale for your depression. For example, you and your parents no longer share the same thoughts, opinions and values. You see that as something negative but in reality, nothing is more important than becoming an independent thinker. Maslow observes that many non-self-actualizing individuals don’t know their own thoughts, opinions or values. “Too many people don’t make up their own minds but have their minds made up for them by salesmen, advertisers, parents, propagandists, TV, newspapers, and so on.” In other words, they are not thinking for themselves. The fact the you are beginning to develop your own identity is a sign of growth but that is inconsistent with suicidal ideation.

You are also concerned about not having developed quality friendships. It is very difficult to form true friendships. It is easy to have work friends, school friends, etc. Though those relationships appear to be very real, they are almost always based on convenience. When you are no longer going to school together or working together, they almost always end.

Don’t assume that something is wrong with you. It may be that as you grow and change your values and interests are also changing. That is perfectly normal. In addition, very few people maintain deep personal connections to childhood or adolescent friends. People grow and change and they move apart. That’s the norm.

You also stated another area of concern; never having had a serious relationship. For you that is a sign that something is wrong. An alternative and more realistic explanation may be that you have yet to find the right person to devote your love, time and energy to. That same logic could apply to friendships.

Whenever someone has suicidal thoughts, they should seek therapy. One can be down. Life can be hard. Though this can be endured and may even be necessary to do so, suicidal thoughts are not normal and should never be ignored. Don’t hesitate to see a professional. If you had a rash on your skin, you could read many books on dermatology, take classes at a university and study case histories. I have no doubt you could learn to treat your skin condition but in essence you have done all of the work necessary to become a dermatologist. It would have been much easier to have gone to a specialist who has already done the many years of study. Learning to fish is a relatively easy thing. Learning to diagnose and treat depression is not. Please do not ignore your suicidal thoughts and feelings. They should be brought to the attention of a qualified professional.

I have limited information about your life and history. Thus, my response is limited but a therapist could take the time to learn many details about your life and provide a more thorough analysis. Therapy could also help you to move past this difficult period in your life. I wish you the best luck. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

August 21, 2023 0 comment

Hating Myself and Humanity

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW May 31st, 2022

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

Well, I should begin by saying I grew up in a few broken homes and the stereotypical dysfunctional upbringing. Moving from school to school and really only having stability the first six years of my life. I use to be an outgoing kid, but in high school I started to get really nervous and quiet around people. I missed a lot of school to play video games or smoke dope(only because a girl I like did it). I started doing very impulsive things with my life(joining the army, getting married to someone I never met, randomly hooking up with many women in different sexual environments recklessly, having a kid with someone I didn’t know, etc).

Now to the issue. I’m at a point in my life, where I look in the mirror and hate the person staring back. I feel like an empty void, a shell of a human. I don’t get sad when people close to me die and I’ve really only felt jealously and rage when in a relationship. The only positive feelings I’ve had in a long time are that for my daughter. Even then sometimes I wonder if I love her as much as a normal person would. There are lots of things in my life that I’m capable of doing and want to do, but for some reason I just don’t. Some of these are easy task like going to the bank or to school. For some reason, most people I meet I find boring or annoy me. I try to stay friendly for society’s sake, but I don’t know if there is one person that I enjoy. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just want to get motivated and do what I need to give my child the life I never had, but all I can seem to do is play video games or exercise. Sometimes I think of my death and how blissful it would be, but I know I would never fulfill that fantasy because I love my child too much. I’ve went through life thinking I’ve had myself in control, but I can’t function correctly. I can’t sleep, I can’t feel anything, I make poor decisions financially, I use women although recently I’ve even grown tired of sex. I don’t know what to do.

When I was younger my mom took me to a therapist once and I found myself just manipulating the therapist to think how I wanted her to. There is probably more, but I’ve been losing my memory as of late.

I would recommend trying therapy again. Perhaps you were not ready for therapy then but are now. You are likely very different now than you were then. You may be more motivated. In the first therapy experience, your mother may have forced you to attend. In this case, you’d be going of your own volition. Your choosing to go and being motivated to go could make the difference this time. It is worth a try.

If you decide to pursue therapy, it is important that you find someone with whom you feel comfortable. How can you achieve this? I often recommend calling 5 to 10 therapists and discussing in detail what you would like help with. Ask direct questions such as:

Have you helped others with similar problems?
What were the outcomes of those cases?
How would you help me?

Ask for specifics. If you speak to a therapist with whom you feel a connection, then the next step would be to meet with him or her in person. It may take time to find the “right” therapist but when you do, it could make a significant difference in your life.

If you are not interested in therapy (which I would advise), then you may want to read several self-help books that have helped many others. I would highly recommend two books in particular: M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled and Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning.

You should also consider being evaluated by a psychiatrist. You may benefit from medication. Medication may not “solve” your problems but it can help you to feel better and to temporarily eliminate the “void” that you feel. I wish you the best. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

May 31, 2022 0 comment

Chronic Anger & Anxiety

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW March 29th, 2021

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I am a 21 year old male and for as long as i can remember i get so mad i break everything i own nomater how valueable it is. Ive been in psych counceling, tharapy, and on more meds than i can count ever since i was 13. Ive been diagnosed with ADHD, Major depressive disorder, and anxiety. I feel scared all the time and cant really go anywhere or do anything with people, I dont know why but im scared of pretty much everything. Its extreamly hard to focus on anything and if things dont go how my mind thinks its gonna go i pretty much break down and have no idea what to do. I dont really have any friends and cant get a job because i fear talking to people or approaching people i dont know. Life for me always feels like 1 step foward and 2 steps back. I was in counceling for about 6 years and as stated been on so many differeny medications. Nothing ever felt like it took the pain or fear away. Im tired of living in what i would describe as “a personal war within myself” It feels like i can never let myself be happy. I just dont know what to do anymore ive been living with this hell for my whole life. I wasnt abused or anything like that. I had a good childhood with caring loving parents. I was an only child by the way. When I was 18 I went to jail for getting into a fight and while i was incarsarated I lost my grandfather who was my idol in life, the person i cared about most. Im sure that didnt help my mental health state. Even 3 years later i still lay awake at night sometimes thinking about it. I feel alone all the time and thats my biggest fear in life is being alone, i feel alone all the time. When im by myself at home i feel extreamly depressed and lonley. I feel like if i had someone with me life would be easier. Im a nice person who pretty much is always trying to help people out but for some reason people dont want to be around me. I just really need some REAL advice, seems like everybody tells me the same things to do with my anger, depression, and anxiety. I just need some real direction. thank you for your time.

It is important to realize that psychological pain can be eliminated from your life. It’s often a matter of finding the right therapist and combination of medications. You have been in therapy for a number of years but it does not sound as though you have found the right therapist to help you. I would recommend continuing to try.

How will you know if you’re being helped in therapy? You should feel as though the therapist “gets it.” You should leave every session feeling a little better. You should feel a connection with your therapist. You should feel that the therapist understands you.

It is also important to understand that therapy can take years to be fully effective. Don’t give up. Many of the problems that individuals are dealing with are complex and may stem from childhood.

Two self-help books that I would recommend include The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck and Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I consider these books to be timeless in that they contain a great deal of enduring wisdom and address a wide variety of problems including anger, depression and anxiety.

I would also recommend that you consider an anger management program. There may be one in your community. Many are highly effective. You also might want to consider an anger management workbook. I hope that you’re able to find the help you are looking for. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

March 29, 2021 0 comment

Severe Depression For 30 Years

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW July 8th, 2019

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I have suffered from severe depression for 30 years. I have literally been on every medication and combos listed in the PDR. I have been on medication for well over twenty years, I have had numerous therapists and psychiatrists. I have had ECT. I havve been hospitalized many times. I have done every thing from Bi-lateral stim, energy tapping, aromatherapy, exercise, relaxation techniques, yoga, etc… I have had several suicide attempts. I can not afford the $10,000 of Transcranscranial Stim, nor the $40,000 for Vagus Nerve, or the newer brain surgeries, because they are all “experimental”. I suffer daily with bouts of hysteria from the frustration and pain of the depression and anxiety. I yell and scream “help me, help me”, “I can’t take this anymore” like a mantra. All I want to do is die, because I am worn out and exhausted. I am so tired of the pain. I feel like I am being crushed but will never die. There is nothing left of me, and even finding a peaceful end of life is elusive. Even this feels like throwing a message in bottle. What do I do?

I am very sorry to learn of your depression. The tone of your letter suggests that you feel exhausted, overwhelmed by your depression and perhaps hopeless. I want to convey the message to you that there is hope even after 30 years of severe depression. In every case with which I am familiar, with treatment, the depression eventually dissipates and in many cases disappears completely. There is hope.

For many people it’s a matter of finding the right therapist. You have tried many treatments but finding the right therapist can make all the difference. I typically recommend evaluating at least five or 10, and more if necessary. You should continue to interview therapists until you find one you are comfortable with. One therapist may work well with one client but not for another. The reason for this may be that cognitively both are different. The same is true for reading a book. Perhaps you read a book by a particular author about a certain subject and find a partial or total disconnect. You may read another book, by a different author, on exactly the same subject but the text makes perfect sense. What’s the difference? It may be that you and this author are cognitively on the “same page.” It is a form of communication. You and the first author were speaking slightly different languages. You and the second author were speaking the same language and thus the communication of information was quantitatively and qualitatively greater. This effect is true with authors, plumbers, MDs and therapists.

In addition to interviewing other therapists, I would also encourage you to read several books. These include Life After Life by Raymond Moody, The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.

Life After Life is a book about individuals who have had a near-death experience (NDE). This book is particularly good because it discusses the profound impact on attitude and the approach to life that the experience of a NDE can cause. Many who have read it report that it helps them to fully appreciate life in a way that they had not before.

The Road Less Traveled is a classic and timeless book. Peck discusses common life problems. It addresses anxiety, depression and how one can change their attitude to improve their life. To get a sense of how important this book has been for many people, read the reviews on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Your library likely has a copy and I would highly recommend it.

Man’s Search for Meaning can show you how to see all the good in life. Dr. Frankl saw the good in life while living in a concentration camp. That horrific experience allowed for the creation of logotherapy. Logotherapy focuses on the idea that life is difficult, suffering is unavoidable but great meaning can be found in suffering. Pay particular attention to the section about how to create meaning in one’s life. Dr. Frankl discusses how his techniques have worked with individuals who have suffered from severe depression and were seriously contemplating suicide. I think you might find this book particularly beneficial.

Please realize that even though you’ve suffered, things can change. Your life can improve. It has for many people and it can for you too. Please take care. I wish you the best of luck.

Dr. Kristina Randle

May 27, 2011 0 comment

Anxiety & Procrastination

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW March 17th, 2019

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I am having this problem and it is not a regular well I will put it off another day, Procrastination problem. I seriously cannot get anything done if it is on my own time. I face anxiety and get to where I am afraid of failing and seeing what the outcome will be no matter what.

When I was a kid, I had to make straight “A’s” in school, my father was verbally abusive and I was so afraid of him, the thought to this day makes me cringe how he use to be. I always had to be perfect at everything and I was always doing whatever my parents asked because that is what made them happy. I always would wait to the last minute to do projects, papers anything at school and still to this day do the same in school( as well as in my marriage) I want to be a good person and I want to be able to be normal and have that drive to get things done, but I do not know what to do, I am so afraid sometimes and sometimes wish I had someone to tell me to do it, in order that I would feel that I had to get it done. I also have this really bad problem of watching T.V. if any show is on, no matter what it is, I zone out forget what I am doing and completely will give in to watching hours and hours of nothingness just so that I can “escape” in my opinion to another life- somewhere that I can just be a bystander and not live my own life. Letting others do it for me. TO me, I feel like I have no control over my life at points, that it is up to others, why is it I have this problem? Am I just lazy? Am I “needing to grow up”, I feel like that is not the answer. I feel like there is a deeper part of me that is afraid to do what I need to do, that if I do it, it will turn out wrong and that someone will be disappointed in me. I am in a dead-in job, which is something I have not wanted for a while, but the fact that I want another job is burning in me. I am pretty good at what I do because that is what is expected of me. The company and my boss would tell you that in a heartbeat, but I am being used in my job, since I am so good, I am always getting the short end of the stick. This is a problem, not only am I not able to get myself out of the house to get the job but that I am too afraid of what might happen in all other situations ( that are in my control) how can I get over this, if there a class, online class? Some type of internet group that can help me with my Over Anxious Procrastination problem. Is there anyway I can fix this on my own with certain steps? Please help me, it will not only help me, but my spouse and my family. Help me know how to do what I need to get done.

Laziness is not the problem. Nor is the “need to grow up.” This problem likely stems from your childhood experiences and interactions with your parents. You were raised to believe that you had to be perfect. This fear was instilled in you. The fear has stayed with you and it is degrading your life. It is clearly holding you back. It is keeping you from realizing your full potential.

Keep in mind is that you are no longer a child. You don’t have to impress your parents. You don’t have to answer to them or be “perfect.” No one is perfect. The standards that you felt compelled to meet were unrealistic. No one could have met those standards.

Understanding “why” you engage in certain behaviors is an interesting analytical exercise but it does little to assist you in correcting them. I would recommend psychotherapy. A psychotherapist could teach you more efficient behaviors. By your own admission, when it comes to almost every activity, you procrastinate. You may simply need to be taught a different way of doing things. Learning a new skill set could greatly assist you in breaking the cycle of procrastination.

Psychotherapy can also help you learn new ways of thinking. Both you and your therapist could analyze your thought patterns to determine psychologically what is holding you back. Fear and anxiety are the symptoms but what thoughts underlie those feelings? What keeps the fear and anxiety alive? The goal of this process is to determine how logical or illogical your thought patterns are and to correct them accordingly.

Analyzing and systematically correcting your behavior and thought patterns are the essence of cognitive behavioral therapy.

If you are not interested in psychotherapy, then you may want to read self-help books. M. Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Traveled discusses issues such as anxiety, procrastination and the fear of living. You may want to check Psych Central’s book reviews for other recommendations. Others find cognitive behavioral and other related therapeutic workbooks very beneficial.

In terms of finding support groups, I would encourage you to do a Google search for procrastination or anxiety support groups. Psych Central hosts anxiety forums that you may like. Check with the community mental health center or local psychotherapists to determine if anxiety support groups are available. I hope this helps. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

May 13, 2011 0 comment

Can Social Anxieties Lead to Other Symptoms?

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW August 23rd, 2019

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I have always dealt with anxiety issues throughout my life, I am just beginning to learn that I had it though. I have all the symptoms of SA, sweaty hands, weak voice, fear of talking to others, and pretty much every other symptom as well. This anxiety has really affected my life. When it is at its worst, I can hardly get out a rational thought, it just keeps building on itself. It feels like the world is collapsing in on me. That is why I stay inside a lot, and play my video games. I hate being stuck inside though, I would love to be able to go out and just enjoy myself with my friends.

I realize all of this is normal for a person suffering from Social Anxiety but I have experienced a few other problems that I am not sure are related the SA or not.
In my spare time I am a level designer and this takes a lot of patience and creativity. It seems lately that whenever I work on levels I immediately start tearing myself down. I tell myself that it is worthless to do this because I will never be good enough at it anyways, and Ill never learn. I become very frustrated when things don’t look great (or at least I don’t think they do) and it puts me in a bad mood for a little while. It really limits my capability and hinders any learning that could be done.

Another problem that I have been dealing with is whenever I talk to people (especially girls) I constantly wonder if I said the right thing, if they thought I was cool, yada yada yada, everything a normal SA sufferer would think, but in addition to this (if it was a girl I talked to) I would start thinking that maybe she likes me. Once I start thinking this it doesn’t stop, she is constantly on my mind. For example I talked to a cute girl today in class and had a short meaningless conversation, just kind of a getting to know someone conversation. Now I keep seeing her face in my thoughts, and thinking how nice it would be to date her. Its like I almost become obsessed with them on accident. I continually run different conversations that we might have, and how they would turn out and maybe we will get married or maybe she really likes me and we’ll date, etc. The problem is that with all these thoughts running through my head I being to feel pressure and anxiety (my hands are actually shaking just thinking about this) to do something about it. Though I never end up doing anything… This has happened a few times throughout my life, and some are worse than others.

In addition to social anxiety, I believe you may have low self-esteem and are engaged in rumination. People with social anxiety generally don’t think highly of themselves. They lack confidence. They often believe they are not “good enough.” They may not believe they are likable people. Individuals with social anxiety are often afraid of what people think of them. If they felt better about themselves, they would have less social anxiety. In addition, they would have less difficulty interacting with others and their focus would not be on what others think of them.

Rumination is repeatedly thinking about a distressing event or situation. Some individuals who experience rumination report that it prevents them from relaxing or sleeping soundly. Rumination is thought to contribute to depression and anxiety. The more an individual ruminates, the more likely it is that he or she will become depressed or anxious.

Social anxiety and low self-esteem can hold you back in life. You are already seeing evidence of this. As you attempt to work, you psychologically terrorize yourself. It is very self-destructive. You are, at this point, your own worst enemy. At the heart of social anxiety is fear. Fear can be crippling. It can keep an individual from realizing their full human potential. If you have not done so already, it is advisable to seek help for these issues. Social anxiety and the other issues you are struggling with are common and very treatable. Help is available. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of talk therapy can teach you how to have a more realistic and positive opinion about yourself. Medication may decrease your social anxiety. Many people have found the combination of medication and talk therapy to be very effective for the treatment of social anxiety. Please click the find help tab at the top this page to locate a therapist in your community. Self-help books may also be beneficial. I would recommend all of the books by David Burns as well as The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. I wish you the best. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

February 6, 2011 0 comment

Someone Please Help Me

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW September 21st, 2019

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

Hi, I am 20 years old, and I am currently on my 3rd year of college, working part time, and planning a wedding. From the time I was little, up until now I felt as though something is not quite right with me….

~I have always had a hard time with deadlines. No matter when it is, I cannot make it. (since elementary school)
~I have always been withdrawn and have a hard time making friends.
~In elementary school, my mom said that during recess all of the girls would stand in a circle and talk, and I would stand outside the circle waiting for my friend to come play with me.
~I cannot express my feelings in words.
~I have had good grades up until now, (I’m smart). I have never studied (until college), and when I got to college I can’t study without being distracted, or daydreaming, or reading what I am studying over and over again, because its just not getting into my head. So, I naturally give up.
~When I am under stress, I shut everything out, and completely forget about what is stressing me…. (so, I have bad grades this semester).
~My test taking time is about 20 minutes to 30 minutes, no matter how many questions…. I always have to be moving on to the next thing.
~I can’t seem to enjoy the present… I am always focused on what comes next.
~I have a hard time talking to people, because I have a hard time putting what I am thinking/feeling into words, and tend to get frustrated…
~There are so many things going on in my life right now, I just don’t know which way is up or down.
~I have a fear of losing my love…. I get mad when he hangs with his buddies, because I fear he won’t come back.
~I get very jealous of other activities taking his attention from me…. I was invisible to my family growing up.
~When things aren’t going the way I would like, I feel as though it would be easier to those I love if weren’t around to bother them. (sometimes, dead)
~I blame everything on myself.
~I have always bit my nails, and pick my hair constantly. I get mad or burst into tears if someone tells me to stop… which, everyone does…. and secretly, I want to stop, and cry because I can’t seem to.
~I have a quick temper
~I forget everything
~I am flustered 90% of the time.
~there are a million things in my head
~I never finish projects, and I start a million at once.
~I think I can take on the world until I ultimately fail.
I feel as though I am a crazy lunatic sometimes, and I am so tired of feeling this way. I want help, but I cannot afford it. I want to feel better about myself, and I know if I don’t start being more optimistic and get rid of my bad habits I will lose my love. I don’t want to feel this way anymore…Someone please help me!

I believe you are dealing with several issues including low self-esteem, pessimism, procrastination, anxiety and possibly attention deficit disorder. You mentioned that sometimes you feel like a “crazy lunatic” but the truth is all of these issues are very common. The good news is that very effective treatments exist to help you deal with these problems.

Therapy can be affordable. The two main low-cost options for therapy are local community mental health centers (CMHCs) and your university counseling center. CMHCs may charge a sliding-scale fee, which essentially means that they negotiate a payment plan based on what the patient can afford. University counseling centers offer free counseling to all of their students. Usually, a student is eligible for up to 10 to 12 free counseling sessions per year. You may also want to call the local health department to inquire about what low-cost or free mental health services are available in your community. Explain your situation. They should be able to direct you to the appropriate resources, if available.

I would also suggest calling the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Mental Health Information Center, at 800-789-2647. They may be able to direct you to free or low-cost mental health counseling in your community. You may also be able to locate affordable therapy services by clicking on the “find help” tab at the top of this page.

To help deal with the attention deficit problems, you may want to contact your local primary care physician and inquire about the possibility of a stimulant drug trial. Stimulants are medications designed to treat attention deficit disorders. You can work with your physician to determine which medication, if any, would be appropriate for you. To improve your study habits, contact the university career center. University career services centers typically offer services such as study groups, seminars to teach better study habits, exam preparation, time management, stress management, etc. Many students find these services very helpful and you might too.

To help decrease your anxiety and increase more balanced thinking, I would recommend reading four books: The Feeling Good Handbook and Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated, both by David Burns; Motivation and Personality by Abraham Maslow, and The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. These books may serve as useful guides for how to change and improve your thinking. They can also help you to learn healthier models of thinking and behaving. These books are most likely available at your school library. They are very good.

I wish you the best of luck. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

January 8, 2011 0 comment