Dear Dr Gray, I am worried that there is something wrong with me. I really didn’t enjoy Christmas, if I’m honest, I never do. I am surrounded by my family, have time off work and pretty much spend the whole time counting the days until I can return to normality. This makes me feel really depressed, everyone else is having a wonderful time and spends all year looking forward to it and I dread it then spend the time feeling depressed and anxious that I am not like everyone else. […]...
Dear Dr Gray, I’m not sure if this is a mental health problem, or even if therapy can help me, but I am scared of my emotions. I feel completely overwhelmed by anxiety, anger and depression, I even find positive emotions like excited and happiness a little hard to bear sometimes. I do my best to avoid feelings by bingeing on food and sometimes alcohol but usually this only works in the short term and I end up feeling twice as bad afterwards. All I want it to get off […]...
Dear Dr Gray, My GP thinks I might have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and thinks that maybe Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) could help me. However, I don’t understand how a ‘talking therapy’ can help a physical problem.. Simon – Clapham Dr Gray Replies…….. Dear Simon I think that it is fair enough to question how talking about a problem that manifests in such a physical way can possibly help. First let’s start with a general point, our minds and bodies are inextricably linked, the best example of this is the so […]...
Dear Dr Gray, I think I’m a comfort eater. Whenever I am feeling depressed or anxious I reached for the biscuits (or crisps!). It is usually worse during the evening and whilst watching tv I can sometimes eat a whole packet of biscuits without realising. I am putting on a far amount of weight as a result which is making me feel more depressed which of course makes me what to eat more. Jessica – Marylebone Dr Gray Replies…….. Dear Jessica Many of us turn to food when we are […]...
