Michael,

Often I find myself with a distinct sinking depression. After being positive for 16 years and receiving both combination therapy & intermittent counseling, I usually keep my mood on a very even, light-tempered, happy note. However, once or twice a year I feel something come over me that seems inescapable where usual, everyday problems distinctly send me into the throes of serious sadness. It seems every thought becomes related to inadequacy that always leads to unworthiness from being stricken with this disease. I am hoping you have some enlightening technique to eliminate these sudden anxiety/depressive attacks. Since I am on 14 pills a day already and do not want to take anti-depressents, can you recommend any thought adjustments or strategies to allow this severe anguish to pass through me?

Unfortunatley there are not any simple strategies I can suggest to you. If this really bothers you and counseling has been helpful to you in the past, then why not see a mental health professional with whom you can have an ongoing relationship? You don't need to see this person all of the time. But once you have an established relationship, if you feel yourself going into one of those periods you can call to set up an appointment and resume the work to help you get through it quickly. Michael Shernoff, MSW