Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/747048
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iam40and have dealt with depres- sion my whole life. Depression runs in my family (father's side). My father is an alcoholic. He was emotionally, verbally and physically abusive. He also sexually abused one of my sisters and another female fam- ily member. He and my mother are still married. I adore my mother, even though she has chosen to stay with him. So, being es- tranged from him means that I have very little contact with my mother, which is heartbreaking. I just know that after she passes I'm going to hate myself for not making more of an effort to keep in touch with her. I live in that gray world of depression. I hate myself. I have an internal mantra that is basically me telling myself how much I hate myself. The only shin- ing spot in my life is my husband. I love him very much, and he returns that love to me. I am also somewhat dependent on alcohol. I don't binge drink but I drink to be social, and also when I'm alone. It calls to me and I crave it. I have never seen a therapist or counselor. However, I have, in the past, been on antidepres- sants. I stopped taking them because I really didn't think they helped (we tried several different medicines). I haven't been on antidepressants for more than 10 years. My insurance covers 12 visits a year to a therapist. Would that be worth it? Would 12 visits a year re- ally help me? —InPain DEAR IN PAIN » Medica- tions have changed over the last 10 years. Please revisit this as a way to medically manage your depression, which could make it easier to deal with your other sig- nificant and important issues. Therapy is worth it. Your therapist can help you breach the gap between appointments by giving you reading materials and exercises to re-program that tape in your head. A therapist can also suggest nonmed- ical ways for you to cope with your depression. You are obviously extremely self-aware. A therapist can help you to use your self-awareness to gain more insight into ways to feel better. I would highly recom- mend you attend a group for Adult Children of Alcoholics (adultchildren. org). Finding fellowship with others who have faced similar childhood challenges could help. I hope you understand that your father's depres- sion and drinking have influenced your depres- sion and drinking. Alco- hol i s a depr essa nt. Your self-medication is actually making your depression worse. You can wrestle with this beast and I want to encourage you to get professional help right away. You won't feel instantly better, and you may continue to struggle with this, but therapy will help. Depressedpersonwonders, is therapy worth the effort? You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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 Scorpio(Oct.24-Nov.22) — If you offer creative sugges- tions, you'll persuade someone special to get involved in an important project. Don't let fear hold you back. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — If you use your imagina- tion, you will come up with a solution that will help get you back on track. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Strong emotions will surface, but your gut feeling will be on target. Follow your instincts and do whatever you must to secure your position. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Give your honest opinion or don't say anything at all. Your reputation will depend on how honest you are. Personal change should be your priority. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Investigate your options and negotiate to get what you want. Take care of your health. A rigorous routine and proper diet will get you into tip-top shape. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't let anyone or anything cause you stress or anxiety. Stay focused on what you do best, and spend time with someone supportive. Personal pampering will do you good. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Sharing information with a good friend will lead to an interest- ing venture. Personal changes should be made for the right reasons, not just in order to impress someone. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't lend or borrow money or possessions. An offer made to you will have unfavorable strings attached. Don't settle for less than you are worth or for anything that is not what you want. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If you express your interest in others' activities, you will gain insight into new possibilities. Exchange information and con- sider forming a partnership with someone heading in a similar direction. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Broaden your horizons. Make changes to your lifestyle or profession. Offering a service or personal skill in a different ca- pacity will lead to possibilities. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Communication will be your forte. Don't back away from trouble when you can use your insight to find workable solu- tions. You can't make everyone happy, but you can make a difference. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Avoid arguments; it will be impossible to win them today. Take a time-out to work on your own problems instead of getting involved in someone else's. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, NOV. 4 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B