Dear Mel:
I wish that I was never born, and if it wasn’t for one thing, I would be happy to try suicide. What can I do?
~ Hating Life ~
Dear Hating Life:
I’m so sorry to hear you feel this way. Those are scary feelings. My first suggestion is to see your doctor and have blood work done to see if you have any underlying issues. Talk to your doctor about it and see if you need to be on some meds for the time being. I would also suggest talking to your pastor and seeing if he can recommend someone you can counsel with. Why do you hate yourself? Is there something that is triggering these feelings? Do you need to forgive yourself for something? Do you feel this way all the time or just sometimes? Making a list of things that you can do when these negative feelings come can be helpful but you have to follow through. Pray, listen to uplifting music, recite scripture, journal about what you are feeling, call a friend, go do something with a friend, or watch a funny movie or funny videos online. These things can help lift your mood temporarily but please seek help so that you can heal from this. Please tell someone close to you how you are feeling. If you are feeling suicidal, you NEED to seek professional help now. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255
Dear Mel:
I have been having intimate dreams about an ex lately. I feel horribly guilty when I wake up. What can I do to stop these dreams and to stop feeling like I am cheating on my husband?
~ Dreamin’ of someone else ~
Dear Dreamin’ of someone else:
I can understand you feeling guilty although I don’t think you have a lot of reason to feel that way. If you were deliberately conjuring up those sorts of dreams then you might feel a little guilty but dreams are involuntary. When I get into a pattern of bad dreams, I start praying for delivery from them.
* If you have a question to ask, see the form on the Dear Mel tab. Submissions are completely anonymous *
Definitely seek help if you are feeling suicidal. That’s nothing to mess around with.