Depression


Dear Dr. Woodchuck, 

     I don't want to be around anyone anymore. My friends want to spend time with me but I just don't feel like it. I don't understand what's going on...

Signed,

Harold H.

Dear Harold,

     Sometimes we want to be by ourselves after having an argument with a friend or if someone is being mean or bullying us. If that's not the case and you notice you have been wanting to be alone for some time, it might be helpful to meet with a therapist. Feeling down stinks, but you don't have to keep the sadness inside. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     Sometimes my sadness is so strong that everything feels so overwhelming. Have you ever felt like that before? 

Signed,

Hortensia H.

Dear Hortensia,

     Yes, I have definitely experienced that kind of sadness before. I have found it very useful to keep a journal where I can write down all my thoughts and feelings. Getting everything down on paper helps me feel a lot less overwhelmed.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I'm feeling really down lately and I don't want to do much. I don't even have any energy to watch cartoons and I used to LOVE watching cartoons. Is there anything I can do to start feeling better?  

Signed,

Garfinkle G.

Dear Garfinkle, 

     Sometimes when I'm feeling really down, I make myself go outside and do some kind of exercise or physical activity, even when I don't want to. I know that exercise helps my brain release chemicals that make me naturally feel good.

     This worksheet will help you name other feelings you might be having.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

   I can't stop eating. When I'm sad, I eat. When I'm angry, I eat. I'm hungry right now and I just finished my lunch. My tummy is getting bigger and the kids in school are starting to make fun of me... 

Signed,

Morris M.

Dear Morris,

     Sometime when we feel sad, we might want to eat more. The sadness can make us want to fill up on foods like breads and chocolate that release chemicals and make us feel better. Unfortunately, these foods can be bad for us and make us gain weight. While it can be really hard to go outside and do some exercise, it will make you feel less sad. Meeting with a therapist to talk about your feelings can also help so you don't think you have to eat all the time.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I get so angry and frustrated with everyone. My friends just want to do what everyone else does. My parents just want to tell me what to do. Nobody understands me...

Signed, 

Sam S.

Dear Sam,

     I can understand how angry you must feel when others want you to blindly follow the crowd. It's important to tell your family and friends how you're feeling. Sometimes we think others know how we feel but they really have no idea at all.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     The sadness is not going away. Is this how it's always going to be?

Signed,

Harold H.

Dear Harold,

     I'm sorry the sadness is not going away- it's really, really hard to feel sad all the time. It might be helpful to start by figuring out where you feel the sadness in your body. This worksheet well help you locate your sadness.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I've been writing in my journal the last few weeks and all my entries are really sad. When I go back to read some of them, I start to cry. Are you sure this works, Doc?

Signed,

Hortensia H.

Dear Hortensia,

     It's okay that some of your journal entries make you cry- there's absolutely nothing wrong with crying! Even though it might not feel good to cry, it is really important to get out all your feelings and emotions and not keep them inside of you. 

     In addition to journaling, this worksheet will also help you jot down your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I'm having a really hard time getting out of bed in the morning...is there anything I can do to make this easier?

Signed,

Garfinkle G.

Dear Garfinkle,

     It might be helpful to set your alarm clock and put it farther away from your bed so you have to get up to turn it off. You should also figure out a routine in the morning that works for you. Something as easy as sitting up in bed, reading a book for a few minutes, and thinking about what you want to eat for breakfast. Here is a worksheet that might help you out with your morning routine.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     My doctor said I'm still gaining weight and that I'm too heavy for my height but I still can't stop eating and watching soccer on T.V. The kids at school keep bullying me about how big I've gotten. Help!

Signed,

Morris M.

Dear Morris,

     It's important to let an adult, like Ms. Moops or Mr. Hamberger, know if you are getting bullied. Remember, Morris- it's not okay for anyone to make you feel bad about yourself.

     I know how easy it is to get in the pattern of eating and watching T.V. Maybe instead of watching soccer, you might consider going out with your older brother and playing soccer. This will lead to less screen time, more exercise, and you get to spend time with your brother. Also remember, the more you talk about your sadness in therapy, the less you will want to overeat.

     Here is a worksheet with a list of other activities you might enjoy.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     My parents keep asking me why I'm angry all the time. I don't know why I'm angry, I just am! I keep telling them to just leave me alone...

Signed, 

Sam S.

Dear Sam,

     Sometimes we can be super sad about something, but because it's hard to show that sadness it will come out as anger and frustration. The more you can try to talk about that sadness in therapy, the less angry you will be.

     Here is a worksheet that might help you figure out the other feelings behind your anger.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck, 

     Coach Nurrfle told us to pick a partner in P.E. today and nobody wanted to be my partner. I don't blame them. I'm not that great in sports, or anything, really... 

Signed,

Harold H.

Dear Harold,

    Sometimes when we are feeling really sad, we are really hard on ourselves. Take it easy, Harold. You won't be sad forever. And when the sadness goes down, you will start to enjoy doing things again.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     George got ahold of one of my journal entries and read it aloud to some of the other kids in my class. He had to go to Mr. Hamberger's office, but I'm still really embarrassed. I don't want anyone to know how sad I really am...

Signed,

Hortensia H.

Dear Hortensia,

    I'm sorry that happened to you- journals are meant to be private and George shouldn't have done that. I know that you don't like others to see you when you're sad, Hortensia, but it's okay if they do. There is nothing wrong with expressing your feelings and emotions. The more you can express them, the better you will feel.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I got out of bed this morning and walked to school. Mr. Wooley asked me how I was and I got really sad and wanted to go back home. I told Mr. Foozle I didn't feel well but he said I didn't look sick and that I needed to stay in class...I felt like crying all day.

Signed,

Garfinkle G.

Dear Garfinkle,

     I'm sorry you felt sad all day. If you would like, I can speak with Mr. Foozle about times when you need to take a break from class and come visit my office. Or maybe lay down in Ms. Bougainvillea's office. People have a hard time seeing that feeling really sad can be just as difficult and maybe even more difficult than feeling sick.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     Today Alfred announced that I look like I ate a horse. I was so embarrassed I wanted to hide under the desk. I know I've gained weight, Doc...but why does everyone have to be so mean to me?

Signed,

Morris M.

Dear Morris,

    Thank you for opening up about what happened today- I know it's not always easy. It's not okay for Alfred or anyone to be mean to you, Morris. At Rodentia Elementary School, there is no room for bullying and it's okay to let Ms. Moops or Mr. Hamberger know when someone is being mean to you. If you feel comfortable, I can talk to them as well. 

                                          Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,   

     Today, Ms. Noodle told me to put a basketball away . When I told her 'no,' she got angry and sent me to Mr. Hamberger's office. Does everyone think they can control me and tell me what to do?

Signed, 

Sam S.

Dear Sam,

     When you're a kid, a lot of the time you have to listen to the adults in your life and it can be really hard. I don't think Ms. Noodle was trying to control you as much as she needed everyone to help put things away before going back to class. Hang in there, Sam...it's not always going to be this hard.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

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