Shannon Freeman
LCSW-R, LISW-CP
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
Syracuse, New York, USA
Answers questions in Addictions · Depression
What I do
I am a psychotherapist with 30 years of experience in the field. I work primarily with adult ADHD, dual diagnosis issues, trauma, self-acceptance or mood disorders. I provide hypnosis as well as other therapies such as CBT, DBT, ACT.
My story
I have private practices in NY, SC, and FL.
Treatment Offered
Specialties
Therapy approaches
Patient population
Modalities
Answered Questions(6)
antidepressants
If I am not depressed and I take an antidepressant what will happen to me? Will I be happier?
Read answer →Heroin as a recreational drug?
Is it possible to smoke heroin just on the weekends and not get addicted? My cousin says he does this and it is no big deal.
Read answer →Addressing Sleep Disturbance
Dear Shannon Rice, For the last few months I have been waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning most nights and I have a lot of trouble falling back asleep. I can usually manage to get back asleep just about as my alarm clock starts beeping, so that is stressful as well. The sleeping troubles are causing me to feel very fatigued during the day but I am also very worried because when I wake up in the night I always feel very down and hopeless and my mind races over all the things that I am doing that aren't good enough or how I am failing my children. Once I get up and start my day and get busy these types of thoughts generally disappear, but they always come back again late at night. From what I have read I see that this is a sign of depression but since I do not feel down during the day I do not think that this is what I am dealing with. I am tired of feeling like this in my bed every night but I do not know what I can do to make things better. I am 42 and in good general physical health. I work as a TV producer and I like my job and it is not overly stressful. I am happily married and have 2 elementary school aged children. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you.
Read answer →Addiction Can't Replace Self-Acceptance
I have been addicted to opiates, weed and alcohol, together and at different times in my life. I am generally able to quit using when things start to affect my life too severely but whenever I do I always feel better for a little while but then I get to this point where there is just this huge hole in my day where getting high or drunk used to be and I really start to miss it - that something to look forward to that you now is going to work as directed at the end of the day. Eventually, because of this hole I feel I always fall back into using something and I always end up getting addicted to something yet again. I can see that no matter how many times I quit using unless I can fill that hole in my life I am never going to win this battle for good. But the thing I don't have any idea of is how to do that? I am healthy, have a good job, friends and a loving family. My life is perfect - so why can't I be happy with what I have?
Read answer →Depression: How Partners Can Help
My fiancee has depression. She is on medication and she says it is helping her but all she ever wants to do is sleep all the time whenever she doesn't absolutely have to go to work. I am not sure if I should push her to do more or if I should leave her alone to 'heal' on her own terms.
Read answer →No Dietary Cure For Depression
Is there any certain diet that helps people with depression? My husband is having a hard time right now and he has been diagnosed with depression. He is seeing a therapist and is taking medication but I want to do what I can to support him. I have heard that a diet high in processed grains and sugars can lead to depression. Is this true? Is there a particular diet strategy that helps people recover?
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