The daily Astorian., July 17, 2017, Page 6A, Image 6

6A
FEATURES
Discussing mental illness
Dear Annie: It’s no secret subject to come up naturally.
that there is a stigma when it It is a hard thing to say out
comes to mental health in loud. The thought of telling
today’s society. I’ve strug- him overwhelms me, but I
gled with anxiety and depres- am even more overwhelmed
sion for several years now, knowing that he doesn’t
and I’m fortunate to have it know this huge thing about
me. Should I just go
“under control,” so
DEAR
ahead and bring it up
to speak, thanks to
to him out of the blue
therapy and medica-
ANNIE
and get it over with,
tion. I like to think
or should I wait? —
that I am in charge
Smitten and Scared
of my illness rather
Dear
Smitten
than the other way
and Scared: There
around, and I don’t
is no set timeline
want to be shy about
for divulging men-
it, because it is part
Lane
tal health issues to
of who I am. How- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
a new partner. The
ever, I’m now not
right time is when-
sure when it’s appro-
priate to share this informa- ever it feels right for you.
That means when you trust
tion with someone.
I am in a happy, healthy him, when you’re sure the
new relationship, and I care relationship is serious and
about my boyfriend very when the fact that you hav-
much. I feel that this is some- en’t told him is really bug-
thing he needs to know about ging you. If you’re at that
me, but I’m scared to bring it point, then you’re ready
up, because I don’t want to to have the conversation.
scare him off. I’m sure that Decide ahead of time just
he will be very understand- how much you want to
ing once he knows, and I divulge. A short, simple
really do want him to know, explanation like the one you
but I don’t know how realis- gave me would be perfectly
tic it is for me to wait for this acceptable, and you can
reveal more as your relation-
ship progresses. He will not
break up with you over this,
and if he does, you’re better
off without him.
Dear Annie: In my local
newspaper this past week-
end, there was a wonderful
column in which you pro-
vided information about
Al-Anon (the support group
for friends and family mem-
bers troubled by someone
else’s drinking). I just wanted
to thank you for putting the
word out there. Many people
don’t know about Al-Anon.
They say that for every alco-
holic in a family, at least 10
others are affected by his/her
behavior and are unaware of
it. I know that Al-Anon has
helped many people learn
to live and even love their
alcoholic family members.
Thank you. — Lori H.
Dear Lori: Alcoholism
truly is a family disease, and
I believe it’s as important for
loved ones to seek help as it
is for the problem drinkers to
do so. For more information
and to find a meeting near
you, visit http://al-anon.org
or call 888-425-2666.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s smart to store
up what you will later need. It’s wise to know
what that will be; it’s a trick question of sorts,
too, as your basic needs will stay the same
but what fulfills them will change considerably
through time.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re getting
more and more specific in your desires. Not
everyone will understand you, but the ones
who do will feel an immediate bond and form a
lasting kinship.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you keep
making the same goals but you don’t seem
to be getting any closer to them, that’s a sign
to give them a rest. Maybe having no goal is
better than having one that keeps you stuck.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The good things,
such as winning the lottery, seem to happen to
someone else. The bad things seem that way,
too. But don’t forget, you’re “someone else” to
someone else!
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Each state of mind
and mood has its purpose, and most only last
as long as we let them go on. Sadness is like
entering a dark room. Happiness can be as
simple as reaching your hand out to turn on
the light.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The same people
who bring out the best in you also bring out
the stress in you. The grace of the day is that
those two things won’t happen at the same
time. If you keep on the sunny side, so will
those around you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Those who are
slow to anger will reap the best outcome from
today’s situation, which will require patience,
a lack of ego and great flexibility of mind. The
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
gentle answer will bring the best results.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Success isn’t a
number you reach; it’s a ratio. Even if you have
the means you desire, if you are not satisfied,
you are not successful. If you are satisfied,
even if you are not rich, you can consider
yourself a success.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When time
and distance don’t seem to make you forget
someone, it’s a sign of true love, which is
impervious to the effects of miles, clocks and
calendars.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The fact that
everyone is running around saying there’s a
problem doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a
problem. Check it out for yourself. Avoid wast-
ing your time with issues that aren’t.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Stay away
from the kind of people who have a problem
for every solution. It’s not funny, and it’s not
charming. What it is — a dark cloud obscuring
the sunshine you need so much today.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The true sign
of intelligence is not in the accumulation of
knowledge but in the ability to change. Exer-
cise your right to alter things — your mind,
your choices, yourself.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (July 16). This
year, you’ll develop a whole new list of things
you want to try. The experts often make things
look easy that have in fact taken long hours of
hard work to perfect. This doesn’t scare you.
Your ambition will make your life interesting,
and you’ll be very attractive to the new friends
coming into your world. Leo and Sagittarius
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 11,
32 and 17.