I have been so unfocused for such a long time. I can best describe it as looking lost or spacy. My thoughts are always racing through my head. People notice it. I want to get help, but I don't want to take drugs. Is this some type of depression?

C.N.

I can't say what might be going on with you without talking with you personally and getting a lot more information. What you're describing could be a type of anxiety or depression, a reaction to overwhelming and long-term stress, some type of attention deficit disorder, or even symptoms of a medical disorder such as a malfunctioning thyroid.

I recommend that you schedule a face-to-face consultation with a therapist who can evaluate you and discuss what might be going on and some of the options for help. Such professionals might include a licensed psychologist, a clinical social worker, a professional counselor or even a licensed marriage and family therapist.

It might also be a good idea to get a complete physical examination to make sure there's nothing medically wrong with you that might be causing your symptoms. If there is a medical problem, your physician can tell you the best options for treatment. If you are diagnosed with a medical condition causing your problems, but still do not wish to take medication, you can discuss that further with your physician or perhaps seek out alternative (or "complementary") medical treatment. (iVillageHealth's Dr. Elizabeth Burch may be able to discuss such avenues with you in her weekly "Alternative Therapy" chat, which follows my "Emotional Well-Being" chat on Monday nights.)

If your physician determines you are experiencing anxiety, depression or some other psychological condition, he or she may recommend psychiatric medication as a treatment option, but you have a right to say "no." You can tell the physician you want to first try resolving whatever's going on with you through therapy and other behavioral approaches. That's the approach I usually recommend anyway. Examining what's going on in your life and making any needed changes or learning better coping skills can make a huge difference that can persist past the end of therapy.

No matter what the source of your racing thoughts and "spaciness," it should be possible to get a better understanding and address them through SOME means, whether that's psychotherapy, behavioral approaches, natural health options or traditional medicine. I hope you'll consider consulting further with an appropriate professional.