If you’re feeling empty, you’re not alone. Many of us feel empty in different ways. For instance, you might feel empty because something is missing in your life, said Kaitlyn Slight, a marriage and family therapist in Raleigh, N.C. This might be emptiness from a loved one moving or passing away.

Or the emptiness might stem from “slowly abandon[ing] ourselves, not listening to our own hopes and desires.” For example, you might stop caring for yourself while focusing on your career. Abandoning ourselves can spark anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame, she said.

If you’re feeling empty, seeing a therapist can help. In particular, it’s important to get screened for depression. How you handle your emptiness depends on what’s causing it. Here are several suggestions for what to do if you feel empty.

Read on at PsychCentral here.