Dear Stephanie,

Life is full of ups and downs, and you don't indicate if some major negative event has happened in your life. I suspect so, and it is normal for you to have these feelings after a such a stressor. 

Time is a great healer -- in fact it's the best healer -- so if this is the case, maintain hope, and it will get better. I urge you to talk to family, friends or a coworker to help you through this difficult time.

Another thing you can do is to maintain a daily exercise regimen. This doesn't need to be elaborate; simply briskly walking several blocks in your neighborhood each morning or evening will boost your brain chemistry. 

Getting out of your house to do something- anything really-  will also boost your mood. Think shopping, seeing a movie, taking a course. You may not feel like it, and that's understandable; you may have to force yourself to get out, and that's okay to. Just do it.

I invite you to read my blog post on holiday blues, "A Shrink's Survival Guide To The Holidays", as well as letters pertaining to those feeling just the way you do, such as "How Do I Get Over Feelings Of Worthlessness?" and "How Can I Cope With Life's Problems?" Follow the suggestions, because what I encourage them to do pertains to you, as well. 

Be diligent, Stephanie, and I'm certain you will start feeling better. If you wish to tell me about a specific event that is the cause of all this then feel free to write back. I wish you the best.

Dr. Archer