Most of us have experienced this feeling. It is common in middle age when many become lost in sorrow. The health we accepted as our right, the body we have not had to worry about previously may give us a nay shock and we could find ourselves faced with one or more spells in the hospital. Also, domestic trouble are most likely to come at this time. Parents must be nursed through long illnesses and lost in death. The growing family is at an age when they may cause grave concern, and many nights and early-morning hours must be spent listening for the key in the door before sleep will come. Troubles may follow in such rapid succession that, even when absent, we feel as if they are hovering in the background waiting to return.
Time and acceptance alone can dispel this. However, they may take so long to do their work that the sufferer may seek a doctor’s help. The patient often describes herself (it is usually a woman) as feeling more “flattened” than actually depressed or unhappy. She is easily discouraged. She thinks, “Wouldn’t it be nice to see Alice?” but when she considers bathing and dressing she doesn’t want to go. If she could materialize and say a few words, she would quite enjoy it, but to dress and catch a bus? No, that is too much! planning any pleasure ahead is a burden.
These people sometimes come to the doctor almost in tears. They think they have a real problem. How are they to become themselves again? Are they going mad? Or (hopefully) is this the “change”?
Most people are greatly relieved to hear that they are no different from many others who have passed through this period of life. They are especially comforted to understand that their trouble is an emotional habit, is not mental, and that they can be cured.
