I've been stressed to an unbelievable degree over these past couple months and now my husband will be switching jobs which means I won't be seeing much of him. I dread the lonely nights ahead, especially when I am so anxious and depressed. I'm trying to come up with a way to occupy my time because I can't handle things getting worse.

For me I'm going to put more time into my kids, but sounds like you don't have them. I know I need to get exercise involved. For me I always take at least one fitness class a week. For the past 4 years it's been dancing. I plan to do some dancing when he was gone, even though I'll have to stay home and do it on my own.

In the past I've volunteered to help deal with my stress. It feels good to help others out. Again I can't do that because I have kids that need to be watched, but I am considering making and donating quilts for a shelter I used to stay at.

Friends can be exhausting when you're depressed, but if you have some you can spend time with that would help.

Do you read or anything like that?

I also think I'll start a blog on psych central. Not that I care if anyone ever reads it, but I used to enjoy writing. I no longer have an interest. probably not an ability, to write the light, happy stuff I used to write about, but on a blog hidden from anyone who knows me, I may have it in me to write what's on my mind.

Do you have old hobbies from before this guy came along that you think you could revisit? Myself, I've had to force myself to continue some of the things I used to do. I no longer want to spend time with friends, the kids, or even dancing, but i force myself to go through the steps because I see it as a lifeline. It's hard to do, but when I can get myself there it often does work as a distraction.