Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Connect with others. Obtain a mental health diagnosis. Talk with a therapist. Talk to your physician.

Answer: Avoid isolating yourself from people you love and things you enjoy. When you disconnect from people and activities, it can increase feelings of loneliness and make you feel worse. Connect with friends and family regularly, especially face-to-face. You don’t have to talk about your feelings, but it can be helpful to be around people who support you. If you don’t have friends or family near you, participate in local social activities, volunteer, and make some new friends. Feeling anxious can lead to avoidant thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Many people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also feel emotionally numb as part of their symptoms. Additionally, depression can lead to numbness and loss of joy and interest in activities.  If you feel your emotional numbness is a result of one of these problems, see a therapist about getting a diagnosis and treatment. A diagnosis can help shed light on any other problems that may be occurring. Treatment can give you hope and help you feel more connected to your emotions. Numbness can stem from feeling depressed, anxious, or upset. A therapist can help you work through your emotions at an appropriate pace and not overwhelm you or hurt you. They may also help you gain a better understanding and perspective on past and current situations that are contributing to your emotional numbness. You can learn to identify and label your emotions and make sense of them.  A therapist may have you try psychotherapy as well as other practices like meditation, self-hypnosis, focusing, and centering. These practices can help you relax, soothe yourself, and allow emotions to flow in a manageable manner. Find a therapist by calling your insurance company or a local mental health clinic. You can also get a recommendation from a friend, family member, or physician. If you’re currently taking medications and feel like your emotional numbness may be a result of the medications, have a discussion with your physician. They might change your dose or switch you to a different medication. Your physician might ask  you to make dietary or lifestyle changes as well. Let your physician know how you feel and that you think it might be related to the medication. Be specific in describing how you feel. For example, you might say, “Since taking the medication, I feel emotionally disconnected and don’t feel like I can connect with myself or other people.”


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Combine the almond flour and powdered sugar. Add the almond extract. Add the egg white. Wrap the almond paste in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator.

Answer: Place the almond flour and powdered sugar into a food processor and pulse it quickly to blend the two ingredients together.  In doing this, you should also be able to break up any clumps, which will ensure that your final product is as smooth as possible. Note that you could use almond meal instead of almond flour if the former is all you can find. Alternatively, you could sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together to blend them and remove any lumps. Since you will still need to use a food processor, though, using a sifter may be more work than it is worth. If you do not have a food processor, a blender could used instead. Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) almond extract to the food processor and pulse to combine it with the almond flour mixture.  Taste the mixture. If the almond taste is not strong enough for you, add another 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of almond extract. It is important that you balance the flavor of the almond paste now before moving onto the next step, which involves the use of an egg white. Uncooked eggs are hazardous to consume. Lightly beat the egg white with a fork or whisk. Pour it into the contents of the food processor. Process the ingredients at a medium speed for a full 2 minutes.  When done, the almond paste inside the machine should be smooth and naturally formed into a clay-like ball. If the dough still feels sticky, add another 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of almond flour and process until thoroughly combined. Take the ball of almond paste out of the food processor and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place it into a resealable plastic bag or airtight container, and label the container with the contents and date.  You do not need to double your packaging if you do not want to do so, but doubling the packaging can keep the almond paste fresher for a longer period of time. If you anticipate using the almond paste in batches, you can divide it into individual portions ahead of time and package those portions separately. This is not necessary, though. Place the wrapped almond paste in your refrigerator and store it there for up to 1 month. If you want to save the almond paste for a longer period of time, freeze it. When frozen, almond paste retains its quality for about 3 months.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Talk to family and friends about your disorder. Join a support group for bipolar disorder. Have regular check-ins with a mental health professional. Seek immediate help if you feel a bipolar disorder episode coming on.

Answer: Reach out to family and friends for support as you seek treatment for bipolar disorder. Discuss your treatment plan with your family and friends. Let them know how you are addressing your mental health issue. Ask for their support when you need it. Having a good support system as you deal with bipolar disorder can be really helpful. For example, you may say to family and friends, “I am currently on a treatment plan for bipolar disorder. I appreciate all your support and encouragement. I hope you will continue to support me during my recovery.” Look for a support group in your local area or online that focuses on the needs of those with bipolar disorder. Try to go to the support group on a regular basis. Share your recovery with the other members of the support group and listen to their stories of recovery. Often, having others who can relate to what you are going through will make your recovery more manageable and feasible. Ask your psychiatrist or your therapist for a referral to a support group in your area. Look for support groups online for those with bipolar disorder. To ensure your recovery is on track, set up regular check-ins with a mental health professional in your area. Try to meet with the mental health professional once a week or twice a month to ensure you are recovering well. Share any issues you are having with your medication or your treatment plan. Work with the mental health professional to find a treatment plan that works for you. If you start to feel manic or depressed, reach out to a mental health professional right away. Describe your symptoms and ask them for immediate care. You can also call the Suicide Prevention Hotline or your psychiatrist for help. You may already have a plan in place for episodes if you are on a treatment plan. Make sure family and friends know the protocol for episodes so they can watch for the symptoms and help you get treatment.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Realize you have time. Know what you’re looking for in a new partner. Make new friends. Avoid contacting your ex-partner. Refrain from talking about your ex-partners to new partners.

Answer:
There is absolutely no rush to start dating again.  If you’ve constantly been in relationships for years, maybe it’s time to be alone for a while and concentrate on yourself.  Not only do you need to be ready to start a new relationship, you need to know you have the time and energy to dedicate to both the relationship and your new partner.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little bit longer if you aren’t sure. While it may be tempting to jump back into the dating market again without a lot of thought, you’ll find yourself having more success if you take some time to think about what you want first.  Think about what you do and don’t want in a new partner.  Think about the type of relationship you want to have with a new partner. When it’s time for you to start dating again, start by making some new friends.  You never know if one of your new friends may one day be your new partner.  When looking for new friends, look for the good in people.  Don’t judge new friends on the way your old friends or partners once treated you. It may be tempting to get back into the dating world by contacting your ex-partner and seeing if you can reconcile.  If you are to be the one who got away, you can’t be the one who is chasing someone else.  Instead you want to be the one who is chased. If and when you start to date again, don’t spend any of your time with your new partner talking about any old partners.  They’re in the past, so keep them there.  Your new partner will not appreciate you focusing on someone else, instead focus on your new partner.  Spend your time learning about your new partner.  Ask questions, tell funny stories, talk about family or work or school, etc. If you new partner asks about any of your old partners, don’t spend your time complaining about all the bad things you remember.  Stick to the interesting stories and basic facts.