Can you suggest reading material for employers in managing employees who have been diagnosed as unipolar depressed? My employee has recently been hospitalized in an acute care center after a serious period of crisis in her personal life. This is her third time of having been hospitalized in the last 10 years. Her illness has affected her work to the degree that she's unable to be consistent in her attendance and performance. I am concerned that this is going to be an ongoing issue and I will never be able to rely on her to perform the job for which she was hired. I don't want to cause her further problems, but I have a business to run and this has created an undue hardship on both me and the rest of the staff. Is there an effective way to deal with people who have this disease? My normal management techniques are not working.    Dr. Pies' Answer

I'm a nursing student in the UK. I am interested in working with cancer patients, that is, supporting them with their psychological needs. How do you best facilitate communication when a cancer patient is in distress? What techniques would you recommend in helping them deal with serious illness?    Dr. Pies' Answer

I am wondering how self-talk, or inner speech operates while someone is going through a crisis or life change... like how and why someone's self-talk may get "off" in a crisis. Also, how it may get "off" in a life change. How can someone recognize and change the negative self-talk in these situations to become more positive and affirming?    Dr. Pies' Answer