Overriding Depression with Optimism |
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| Did you know that Major Depression is the fourth most debilitating problem in this country following heart disease, cancer, and traffic accidents? Did you know that one in 4 people is likely to have Major Depression? Did you know that women are twice as likely to have it than men? Did you know that people with Major Depression often suffer from anxiety disorders or alcoholism or some other problem, too? Did you know that depression runs in families with a 1.5 to 3 times higher rate of occurrence between siblings and a 3 times higher rate of it happening if you are the child of a parent who has or had Major Depression? | ||
| Depression is contagious in a way. Most depressed people significantly affect at least 3 other people in their life. Thus, approximately 6 million people in this country are affected by knowing someone with Major Depression. The downtrodden mood, irritability, aggressiveness, pessimistic outlook common with depressed people rubs off on others. The negativity and criticalness of a depressed person affects others interpersonally. A child reared in a hypercritical, negative or perfectionistic environment is more at risk to feel depressed and have low self-esteem by learning to see the world through this type of outlook. | ||
| Depressive people are not able to separate the good from the bad. They tend to globalize problems and paint a bleak outlook when one thing is not good. They are not able to compartmentalize problems and focus on the good in people and situations. Disappointment frequently results from unrealistic expectations of others. The hurt that ensues often translates into anger directed outwards at those people, or sadness directed inward from the belief that happiness is not deserved. | ||
| The way to minimize depression is to help those suffering from it to learn to think and cope differently. An optimistic approach to thinking and resolving problems works. Optimistic people realize that bad things are temporary. They believe in their ability to change things in their control. They know when to stop trying to change things they have no control over. They do not dwell on things that cannot be changed and are able to plan ahead to find ways to reach goals and affect changes. They are able to take on all information, good and bad, and process it in a realistic way. | ||
| In learning to be more optimistic to cope with feelings and problems, therapists can teach people more about Positive Psychology. This focus has been pushed by Psychologist Martin Seligman who studied learned helplessness. Seligman feels that we should study how healthy and happy people feel joy, love, and contentment and then use their tools to help others do the same. Learning to put goals ahead of feelings of stress, fear, anxiety and how to trust one’s gut is a big part of that. Recognizing that we are more than just our abilities, our appearance, our body, our job and our history is key to staying healthy. We need to manage our moods and stay happy despite our problems. Learning to love and accept others despite their shortcomings is necessary in healthy relationships. And, people involved in healthy relationships are less likely to be depressed. | ||
| Optimistic people look for the good in people and situations. They tolerate ambiguity rather than assume negative outcomes. They don’t personalize bad things. They recognize that the best way to be happy is to create possibilities to make the good things happen. Learning to be more optimistic fights depression. Building hopefulness combats feelings of “why bother, nothing will change anyway…I will always feel this way.” Learning relaxation and meditation skills can turn off obsessive ruminations of painful past events, fears of future, overanalyzing the motives of others, and can aid in getting proper sleep. Addressing distorted thinking and challenging the perception of being a victim helps, too. Finally, taking action to move forward will free someone from being stuck in depression and from feeling like they are living their life in a jar of molasses. |
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This article was written by Dr. Laurel A. Sills, a Fully Licensed Clinical Psychologist (since 1987) and Life Coach. She provides direct, down-to-earth, short-term therapy with long-term results. She is passionate in her work and will help you stay motivated to change your life with regular commitment to changing habits in thinking and behaving. See her website at: www.DrLSills.com or www.BuildAStrongerYou.com |
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Copyright 2006© Laurel A. Sills, Psy.D. All rights reserved Back to Articles |