Think I’m going crazy

Dear Pastor,

I have written to you before and you gave good advice, so I am writing to you again. As I am writing to you, I am currently practising to be a Christian.

By practising, I mean reading and praying every day. I know that I am nothing without God and I do want to commit my entire being to him.

I am 31 years old. I have been in a relationship for five years now and I have a two-year-old child. We are planning on getting married soon. That will be the final step in making my life totally right with the Lord. For that I can say I am happy he agreed to marry me.

But, Pastor, I am wondering if I am having some mental challenges. I talk to myself a lot in my head. Is this normal? I think a lot and sometimes have trouble sleeping at nights.

I have been through a great deal in life. I have been betrayed by people who I thought were my friends. I have set out to achieve my goal, which is to get a house.

I almost achieved that once. I was fought out of a job I had because of bad-minded people. I think all these disappointments took a toll on my mental health. I don't feel pretty or confident as I used to and it is really a struggle for me.

My child's father, whom I am with, is a good-looking man. Sometimes I wonder if someone will try to steal him away from me. I have never had any incident of him cheating and I normally never used to think like this.

I don't know where these thoughts are coming from but sometimes I feel as if I am going to die while other times I feel perfectly normal. I have my daughter to live for so I won't do anything stupid. What do you think of my situation and what do you suggest I do? I will be looking for your answer in THE STAR. God bless you.

Initial withheld by request

Dear Writer,

I believe that you need to see a family counsellor or a psychologist. You have issues you are dealing with and you cannot resolve them on your own; you need professional help.

You look at your life and you feel that you have not done well. And you are blaming others for your failure. You might think that other people don't like you and that they are out to destroy you, but you have no proof.

Nothing is wrong in talking to yourself; many people do so. But that does not mean that they are going crazy. So don't believe that if you talk to yourself something is wrong with you.

You can discuss that with the psychologist when you meet with him/her. I strongly suggest that you ask your child's father to accompany you to see the therapist.

I would also ask you to let me know how that session went. I assure you of my prayers and I hope that by reading your Bible, your faith will be strengthened.

Pastor