Dear Abby: I moved to Florida now I’m miserable

Dear Abby: I’ve lived in New York all my life. I moved to Florida a year ago because of my health and to be close to my daughter and granddaughter. I’ve been depressed since I got here. I miss New York and my best friend so much. I can not sleep. I sit and cry and have no motivation to do anything. My daughter has been great to me, but when I try to talk to my husband about how I feel, he just doesn’t care. He screams and turns away. I am very confused. I feel like I can’t move on. Can you give me advice? – displaced in the south

Dear displaced: Your reason for moving to Florida was rational. However, feelings are not always rational. Your move has put you in a situation where your surroundings are unfamiliar and your support system (your best friend) is no longer there for you.

The symptoms you described are symptoms of deep depression. Don’t allow it to become chronic. Some sessions with a licensed mental health counselor may help you adjust to your new circumstances so that you can explore your options for more social interaction.

note I wish you had asked me about the wisdom of moving before I did it because I was going to tell you to rent For a year to make sure you’ll be happy in Florida before you make it permanent.

Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for six years. The problem is his sister and the emotional hold she seems to have. There have been many instances where she has been disrespectful and invasive in relation to our work.

When I protest to my husband about it, his response is either that he’s sorry or he acts like he doesn’t understand why I find her behavior so intrusive. When he speaks to her on the phone, it is as if he is obliged to tell her of our affairs, namely the financial situation, which she repeatedly tells him is none of her business, to which he agrees. However, he did it again recently.

He acts like he’s afraid of her – like she has some sort of emotional hold on him. I’m about to inflate the gasket. I want to revisit it in a way that he finally understands my point and won’t be so eager to share everything that goes on in our house. Any thoughts? – Someone special at ILLINOIS

Dear Special: You and your husband grew up in two different types of families. Its open tomorrow. Yours, not so much. I would be curious to know if your husband divulged this financial information of his own volition, or if his sister questioned him about it. Because this makes you uncomfortable and you have asked your husband to refrain from doing so, it may require professional mediation to get through. Please consider it.

Abbey Abbey was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jane Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.