Emotion: sadness
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: I live with my ex and he's having a break down and my current boyfriend lives far away and is struggling with addiction and money problems. I feel constantly worn down.

user: Hello?

assistant: hello. how have you been feeling lately?

user: Tired I want to sleep all my problems away

assistant: how long has this been going on?

user: Well the boyfriend for awhile the other thing for a day or two I got a hold of a therapist but they won't talk to me for two days

assistant: that's very good that you are going to talk to a therapist. you showed great strength by reaching out.

user: I am hoping it helps because I feel helpless, especially today and on edge

assistant: have you been sleeping mostly during the day, or at night?

user: I can't sleep through the day because I have kids but when my ex gets home I just go hide and try to sleep so it's typically late afternoon

assistant: it sounds like you are doing the very best you can under difficult circumstances. you should feel very proud about that.

user: thank you i feel very tired tho. i feel like i want every day to go by faster. the relationship i am in is a long distance relationship and i am supposed to go home to see him in ten days and i just want them to be over.

assistant: it sounds to me that your sleep issue is really weighing on your mind. you may be setting yourself up for sleep issues by thinking about this so much. is that possible?

user: yes it may be. i'm not sure. i sometimes wake up panicking.

assistant: you're under a lot of pressure. it's only natural that you would feel overwhelmed. dont be hard on yourself. you're doing the best you can.

user: thank you. that is very supportive i just dont know how to make the next ten days go by faster

assistant: perhaps you can spend some time doing pleasant things. it is true that time seems to go fast when we're having fun.

user: that's true. i thought about maybe playing video games

assistant: fantastic! that's a great way to spend your time.

user: maybe overwatch i haven't been playing them much

assistant: i'm wondering: are you a reader? do you enjoy reading? i'm asking because i find when i read a good book, time seems to move very quickly.

user: i am. but i have a hard time focusing as of late.

assistant: perhaps you can make a goal of reading a few pages and then see if you can build on that. then,if you want, you can make a goal of reading a chapter.

user: that's a great idea. that may help a lot with focus.

assistant: personally i love reading; especially non fiction. what type of books do you enjoy?

user: dystopian fantasy style books. and also historical nonfiction.

assistant: i enjoy historical non fiction very much. do you have any favorite authors?

user: lauren destefano her series the chemical garden trilogy is my favorite

assistant: has she written anything you haven't read yet that you think you would enjoy?

user: that's also another good idea. i haven't read all of her bookis

assistant: do you live near a library?

user: i do but they're closed because of covid

assistant: there may be some libraries in your area that are open, or have reduced hours.

user: i can try the bookstores are open

assistant: wonderful! do you live near a book store?

user: sorta but not that close but i can take the bus out there

assistant: you can call the store and see if they have anything written by your favorite author.

user: that's a great idea

assistant: getting back to the sleep issue, have you considered thinking some pleasant thoughts before going to bed?

user: i try but i get too stresed

assistant: i can understand that. the stress is interfering with your thoughts but you are still doing a good job. you are doing the best you can do; that's the best anyone can do.

user: thank you. that's true.

assistant: i'd like to offer a suggestion. please try, as best as you can, NOT to think about the sleep issue. millions of people have sleep issues. you are not alone. try thinking about other things, and if your mind comes back to the sleep problem, try thinking about something else.

user: thank you i will take that advcie