I've been feeling very down in myself lately and I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to go to work, I don't want to see my friends or my boyfriend and I don't want to even get out of bed in the morning. I just don't know where to go from here?
Lucy, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

Dear Lucy,
The way you're acting at the moment is a depressive behaviour. As you think, so your body will respond! you need to change your lifestyle. Perhaps you could take up a hobby like joining a gym. Doing exercise creates endorphins which in turn make you feel happier. Going to see a professional could also help you overcome your stress, anxiety and depression and get you back on the road to a happy and controlled lifestyle.

Dear Katie,
I was on my computer the other day and a chat room box suddenly came up on the screen with a girl talking dirty on it. I pretended to be my husband and it turned out they had been chatting for a good few months in this sexual way. I feel completely betrayed. What should I do about it?
Laura, Castleknock, Dublin.

Dear Laura, I understand why you might feel betrayed. He didn't physically cheat on you, but he did mentally. You must tell him what you have found. Explain that if he has any problems with the marriage it's better to talk about them to each other instead of satisfying himself with chat rooms.

Dear Katie,
My son is being bullied in school. He's 13 in in first year in secondary school. I've enrolled him in a different school starting in September, but in the meantime I don't know what to do.
Mary, Longford.

Dear Mary,
It's good that your son is moving schools, starting afresh will be good for him. Meanwhile, he might undertake a little psychological trick... tell him next time the bully comes near him, to just imagine himself out on the rugby pitch playing the game and ignoring his opponent by holding onto the ball. When he gets the feeling of confidence in ignoring the bully, he should put his thumb and forefinger together and make the letter 'O', this is his positive anchor. It will give him the confidence to stand up to the bully a little more - or at least walk away.