FEATURES
6A
What to do about depression
Dear Annie: I suffer from terri-
ble depression. My doctor has me on
antidepressants and suggested that I
seek therapy. However, I walked out
on therapy because I felt that it was
not for me and that it didn’t help me
at all.
I have no friends, so having any-
body to talk to about what I’m going
through is dificult. When I attempted
to discuss my depression with family,
they repeatedly told me it was just in
my head and I simply needed to get
ahold of myself.
I have turned to a few minor hob-
bies to help distract me from my
depression. However, with the lack
of support, it can be really dificult. I
do not feel valued by anyone. I have
contemplated suicide, thinking that
would wake people up enough to
realize how I feel. What do I do? —
Blue Water
Dear Blue: Please reconsider
therapy. It sounds as if you gave up
too quickly. You want someone to
talk to? Who will listen when you
pour out your worries and fears?
Who will be a means of emotional
support? This is what a therapist is
for.
Sometimes the irst therapist isn’t
a good it. It takes a little time to ind
one you are comfortable with. And
“help” doesn’t always appear obvi-
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
ous until you’ve been in therapy for a
little while. We are glad you are tak-
ing appropriate medication. Now it’s
time to take additional responsibility
by following your doctor’s instruc-
tions to seek therapy. Please ask for
another referral. We promise it will
help. And if you are contemplating
suicide, you can speak to someone
immediately at the National Suicide
Prevention Hotline (suicidepreven-
tionhotline.org) at 1-800-273-8255.
Dear Annie: As an only child, I
have the task of caring for my elderly
mother. I am in my late 50s, and
Mom is in her 80s. I have three chil-
dren of my own, one of whom is a
young teen, and I am also a grand-
mother. I love my family, but there is
only one of me and I can’t do it all.
I’d like to offer some advice for par-
ents who are lucky enough to have
someone living close by who can
help with their daily needs:
Please write down what you
need. I will invariably walk in the
door with several bags of groceries,
only to have you tell me that you for-
got to mention that you also need
eggs or milk.
I have no problem doing your
laundry, but please, if I say you need
to throw away an old piece of cloth-
ing, trust me enough to agree. When I
say you need a bath, believe it. All the
denial in the world will not change
how often you need to shower.
Please wear your incontinence pads
and change them frequently.
I am more than willing to do a lot
for you, because I love you. But I will
not bathe you or give you a pedicure.
When you ind that you cannot do
these things adequately, please hire
someone. You can afford it. For those
who cannot, Medicare often can pro-
vide help for some of these services.
It will make me less stressed.
I, too, am getting older and my
husband is ill. My body aches and
I’m in physiotherapy. Please lis-
ten with your heart. — Your Loving
Daughter
Dear Daughter: Your sugges-
tions are good, but please consider
that Mom may need more help than
you realize. It might be time to look
into assisted-living options or live-in
caregivers.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Making mon-
ey has more to do with finding a niche and
working it than it does to any kind of luck right
now. This will start with a special interest.
There’s something very specific you’re won-
derful at.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Everyone falls
into ruts from time to time. If you’re no lon-
ger going forward, look for something that
will help you lever yourself up, out, and onto
a path that allows for greater ease of move-
ment.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). What you’re in
love with at the moment may not be a person
at all. This feeling you have makes everything
outside it less important, including issues or
problems.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Savoir-faire
will move you along a career path, give you
standing in a social group or position you in
a family circle. Acts of diplomacy will advance
your interests faster than any aggressive play
could.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). With the introduc-
tion of a new person to your circle, a subtle
new enthusiasm will take hold. Where you
were having negative and neutral thoughts,
only powerfully positive feelings will remain.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Breath is the
anchor to life. Your breathing has a story to
tell you. What makes you catch your breath?
What makes you hold it? When is it deep-
er? What makes you exhale? Awareness of
breath is awareness of life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re the real
deal, walking your talk every day. Since you’re
always ready to meet and impress powerful
people who can help you achieve your aims,
it would be impossible for a networking op-
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
portunity to catch you by surprise.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Do you get
the subtle feeling that being around a certain
someone makes you a better person? This
isn’t in your head. There’s an energy bump
that comes with this person’s nearness, and
you’re making the most of it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve
kept your word and should not accept any-
thing less than integrity from those around
you. Love is a risk. You’re not going to take
risks around people if you don’t trust them.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s
trouble that pains you and then there’s trouble
you enjoy. You’re ready for a little of both and it
will come all wrapped in the same venture. Of
course, you wouldn’t even attempt this is the
prize wasn’t worth it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When you
turn away from the external goings-on and
journey inside yourself, you won’t be alone,
as there are worlds inside of you, too — some
even more compelling than the one you’re ex-
periencing on the outside.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Not all of the
offers are excellent now. There are some op-
portunities you simply can’t get excited about,
and it’s acceptable to leave those on the table
for someone else to take advantage of.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 11). Your
intuition feeds you a constant flow of legiti-
mate information. Some of it doesn’t make
sense — the intuition can be irrational and
figurative — and that doesn’t make it inaccu-
rate. Even if your only reason for saying “no”
to someone is that you don’t feel right about
“yes,” it’s reason enough. Scorpio and Cap-
ricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7,
20, 1, 13 and 17.