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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ihavea 22-year-old niece who lives in another state. She is depressed. She was a cutter in high school, and reacted badly from a boy- friend breakup in college. She ended up in a mental facility for a few days. She is now medicated and seeing a therapist. She doesn't think the therapist is at all help- ful, but she doesn't do anything to find a new therapist or to help herself. I have suggested join- ing a gym, yoga classes, biking, art classes, etc., which I would pay for. She doesn't want to do anything. She is needy and depressed. Is there something I can say or do to mo- tivate her to get better, to give her that "Aha" moment? I know the person has to be ready to help herself, but I worry about her and worry that she might harm herself. Talking to her parents does not do any good. Her mother doesn't care enough and my brother has his head in the sand. Any suggestions? —ConcernedAunt DEAR CONCERNED » You are kind and generous to try to help. But telling a depressed person to go to the gym, bike or take art classes will not work. It is challenging enough for h ea lt hy p eo pl e to e st ab - lish new positive pursuits; for a depressed person, it might be impossible. In this context, "aha moments" are a luxury. To paraphrase writer Andrew Solomon, "The opposite of depression is vitality." Baby steps might be the biggest steps she can take. It might be helpful if you could visit her and offer to review her treat- ment with her. Does she have other underlying health problems? Does she check in with her psychiatrist regularly? Her medication should be reviewed. Can you help her find a new therapist? Make some calls on her behalf (but she should stick with her current therapist until she finds another). Is there a sup- port group (in person or online) she could join? Read and share Andrew Solomon's helpful and harrowing masterpiece on depres- sion: "The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of De- pression" (2015, Scribner), or watch his TED talk on ted.com, for additional insight. DEAR AMY » "No Prior Precedent" described his wife's adult biological daughter severing from her adoptive parents and wanting to be adopted as an adult by her two birth parents. As an adoptive parent, I was offended by your advice. You should have told them all that her adoptive parents are her forever- parents. — Offended DEAR OFFENDED » If only this were true ... but it's not. Adults have the right to try to remake their families in a variety of ways — emotionally and legally. Loving aunt tries to quell her niece's deepening depression You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Take pride in doing the best you can. Bring about mental and physical changes that will encourage you to take action. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Hard work, discipline and bal- ance will be required if you want to achieve what you set out to do. Realistic ideas and expecta- tions will be necessary. Aries (March 21-April 19) — The experience you gain will encourage you to head in a di- rection that is satisfying as well as profitable. Personal improve- ments are apparent. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — You'll gain the most if you work quietly on your own. Don't discuss your plans until you are sure you have everything in place. Say less and do more. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Put home, family and personal concerns first. Love, romance and self-improvement projects are all highlighted. Serious talks will add balance and greater security to important relationships. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Find a way to help others. Your generous spirit and hands-on assistance will help alleviate stress as well as protect your reputation from someone trying to make you look bad. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Put your heart and soul into some- thing you love doing in order to find a way to earn a little extra cash. Physical activity will give you a sense of accomplishment. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Check out the job market or look for upcoming openings at your current place of employ- ment. Build good relationships with your peers, but don't get involved in risky joint ventures. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you share the workload, you will form an alliance with people you can count on in the future. Romance will bring about favor- able personal changes. Express your intentions. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Problems will arise if you get into an emotional debate with someone who doesn't have the same beliefs or concerns as you. Be cautious while traveling or taking on a physical challenge. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Invest in something that will lead to financial benefits. Explore opportunities that will allow you to use your skills in ways you hadn't considered in the past. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't step into the spotlight. You are best off gathering information, not sharing your personal agenda. Secrecy, cau- tion and taking your time are all in your best interest. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, FEB. 10 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017 6 B