Dear Jane,

I have felt very unhappy for months. There are times when my spirits lift but only briefly. I tend to worry a lot and feel stressed and cannot see any joy in life. I am 30 years old, a female and a lecturer.

I have a lot on my plate work-wise. Yet I have few fixed working hours and some of my work can be done at home or at the library. I am involved in several tasks as well as having written a thesis and waiting for feedback.

I had a bad experience when I left my previous job eight months ago as I couldn't give them notice. Physically I feel run down and long for free time; yet when I give myself time off I feel bored and unhappy.

I had a bout of pneumonia two years ago and tend to think about the possibility of a recurrence. I