Doctor, I need help coping with emotional distress and career-related stress.
I’m 22 years old, and I had a serious relationship during my college years. I deeply loved someone, and she cared for me in a way that made me feel like I couldn’t function without her. However, due to family pressure, she had to marry someone else. Her parents threatened to harm themselves if she didn’t obey their decision, so she chose to respect their wishes and got married.
After her marriage, she texted me, asking me to move on, saying that she already had. But I am struggling to accept what happened. I feel abandoned and betrayed, as if my feelings were never considered. I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself, and no matter how much I try, I can’t stop thinking about her.
At the same time, I am unemployed and facing immense career-related stress. I find it hard to focus on anything. My thoughts keep going back to my past, and I feel stuck. I’m scared about my future, and this overwhelming stress is turning into something I can’t control. It feels like depression, and I don’t know how to handle it.
I need guidance on how to move forward—how to regain control over my emotions, focus on my career, and overcome this constant anxiety and sadness