Professor, I have a question. I find myself in a tough situation and I'm unsure as of what to do.You see my parents are very ill, I mean very, very ill. I worry and I know there's nothing I can do. It's effecting my work, my attitude. What should I do to snap myself out of it?
"Hello, Greyface. To begin, I wanted to offer my condolences on your parents' illnesses. I've been in a similar situation myself and I know how difficult it can be.
"Second, I'm afraid there's nothing I can tell you to do to 'snap out of it'. Something of this magnitude will not be quashed or resolved with the reading of your favorite book or sipping a cup of soothing tea. Something like this must be handled delicately so that it is easier for you to handle your predicament.
"My suggestion is to seek help in others, Greyface. Seek the help of friends, extended family...more notably, perhaps you should seek council in the form of of a licensed therapist or counselor. They can help you through your dilemma and rather than 'snapping out of it', you can instead get help in the form of dealing with your issues instead of trying to rid yourself of them. It is not healthy to bottle up or try to forget what you're going through. You need help getting through this, to talk about it with someone that can help.
"I truly apologize that I do not have any more proactive advice than this, but it is what I truly recommend. Professionals or even friends can be exceptionally helpful in these situations. You need to talk to someone. It will help you to work through what you're experiencing instead of pushing it back, trying to forget it. It will be better for you in the long run, I assure you.
"I hope that I helped in any way, Greyface. I hope you find solace in your current situation and that there is hope for your family in these hard times."
