Virginia Ironside: Next week's dilemma

Dear Virginia,

I had a hard childhood. My mother was an alcoholic, my father beat me, and my only friend, my brother, died two years ago. I have managed to become a teacher, and enjoy my job, but suffer bouts of severe depression and I think my immune system is very low. I get every cough and cold going. My therapist says that until I experience the trauma of my past, I'll never feel really well, but it seems an impossible task. I know you've been depressed in the past. Can you help?

Yours sincerely, Rodney

What would you advise Rodney to do? Email your dilemmas and comments to dilemmas@independent.co.uk, or go to independent.co.uk/dilemmas. Anyone whose advice is quoted will receive a Belgian Chocolate Selection by Amelie Chocolat (www.ameliechocolat.co.uk)

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