Outlook 2011 for Mac slows down and freezes the screen very often.

I have been using MS Office for Mac for 3 years. I use most often Outlook for my e-mail accounts.

Some 6 months ago I have noticed that Outlook slows down when downloading and sending mails.

More importantly, when composing an e-mail ( a new or a reply), the screen (new e-mail) freezes and nothing happens on it for a while.

The freeze is for 2-10 seconds, then I can continue writing for 2-3 sec., until the screen freezes again.

It is very disturbing and annoying, as anyone could imagine.

Ironically, this situation is getting worse every time I install new MS patch/update/fix for Office 2011.

(I have noticed that every time MS comes up with "an update", and I install it, Mac wants me to update their OS X. Is this a coincidence?)

Does anyone understand the reasons for this issue?

Is there a fix for it?

WIll be grateful for any tips.

Greg.

Question about Outlook Express