Back in high school, a classmate of mine took his own life. The entire school was shocked and saddened by this tragic event. Rumor had it, he had fallen into a state of major depression when his girlfriend broke up with him and simply let it destroy his emotional state of mind. On any given day, 5% of the adult population suffers from major depression. Twice as many women than men suffer from this horrible illness. Major depression is much more severe than just a temporary sadness or mood swing. It can take over your entire life. It can affect your health, moods and everyday activities. Marriages and friendships can fall apart. Jobs are lost. People lose touch with who they are and what their purpose truly is. It is the leading cause of disability for adults.
Major depression can hit at any age and there isn't just one particular cause of it. Of course, certain traumatic events in one's life can easily bring an onset of major depression anytime. A death, an illness or a major life event can create lots of stress and depression for many people. Doctors and scientists have concluded that depression is biological and chemical, which also means that there is treatment for this illness. In fact, depression is very treatable as long as you are willing to seek help and reach out to others. Reaching out to others or to a professional is imperative in moving forward and returning yourself to being healthy once again.
The best treatment for major depression is therapy. Medication is a common and wonderful method of treating depression but therapy allows people to reach out and get help. Medication alone cannot help a person determine what an underlying cause could be for the illness or help to figure out some solutions. Major depression is not an issue to be taken lightly or be ignored. When left untreated, people can end up having harmful thoughts and wanting to end their own life. If you suspect that someone is having issues with depression, talk to them. Convince them to get some treatment. Let them know that they are not alone. In fact, they are in great company. It saddens me to know how many people suffer from major depression on any given day. I know that some of them suffer in silence, afraid to reach out to someone to seek help. It isn't something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. It's an illness that can be treated. Don't let it affect your life, take control of it before it controls you.
Showing posts with label anger depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anger depression. Show all posts
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Anger and depression sometimes go hand in hand
Millions upon millions of people suffer from clinical depression. Depression is sometimes a difficult diagnosis and may involve a number of components and trigger events. The causes of depression are many and varied, ranging from genetic predispositions to disease, aging, traumatic events such as the death of a loved one or divorce, along with hormonal imbalances and drug or alcohol abuse.
If you approach your physician for help, he or she will attempt to determine the root cause of your depression and may recommend psychological counseling, as well as a prescription anti-depressant. A person who suffers from depression may not be able to describe what events have brought them to this condition. Seldom does the physician make an inquiry in to a possible link between suppressed anger and depression.
The current crop of anti-depressive drugs carry a host of side effects that should not be taken lightly. There are a number of physicians who have conducted long term studies on the effects of these drugs and have concluded that the cure may be worse than the illness. Most anti-depressant drugs come with a warning against suicidal tendencies, as a result of taking the drug that is supposed to relieve the depression! While you may have a legitimate diagnosis of depression, these drugs may not be the answer.
Psychological counseling may prove valuable, but it's a long, hard road to a normal state. Often overlooked, there is a definite link between anger and depression. While this link is not always at the root, if you are diagnosed with depression, it's worth your time to do a little investigation on your own. Psychologists and psychiatrists are skilled in ferreting out the thoughts behind your depression, but they are not mind readers. You know yourself better than anyone. You might well do yourself a favor with a little self analysis.
Anger and depression often do go hand in hand. People who have suffered any of the traumatic events described above may understandably feel anger. In our society, we're trained to 'keep a stiff upper lip' in ties of adversity. However, this does not negate the anger that naturally accompanies these life changing circumstances. We are taught to suppress anger at all costs. When we suppress such volatile emotions, where do they go? We internalize them. While trying to put a fresh and cheerful face forward in society, the anger and depression only grows, without expression.
If you have suffered the death of a family member, you will naturally be depressed. This is universally understood. What is not common knowledge is that you may experience anger, of the dark-night-of-the-soul variety. You may be angry at the world, unable to understand why life has dealt you this blow. Depression ensues.
If you suffer from diseases associated with aging, you may be simply tired of the physical pain you suffer, day in and day out, with no relief in sight. Physical pain fosters anger, with no viable outlet. There's no one to blame, not even yourself. While you may feel angry, your anger is all dressed up with nowhere to go. This is yet another recipe for anger and depression.
Before you accept a prescription for an anti-depressant, make an analysis of the sources of your depression. Suppressed anger and depression do sometimes go hand in hand. If anger plays a major role in your depressed state, share that information with a counselor. Getting that anger out in the open may help you relieve some of the symptoms of your depression.
If you approach your physician for help, he or she will attempt to determine the root cause of your depression and may recommend psychological counseling, as well as a prescription anti-depressant. A person who suffers from depression may not be able to describe what events have brought them to this condition. Seldom does the physician make an inquiry in to a possible link between suppressed anger and depression.
The current crop of anti-depressive drugs carry a host of side effects that should not be taken lightly. There are a number of physicians who have conducted long term studies on the effects of these drugs and have concluded that the cure may be worse than the illness. Most anti-depressant drugs come with a warning against suicidal tendencies, as a result of taking the drug that is supposed to relieve the depression! While you may have a legitimate diagnosis of depression, these drugs may not be the answer.
Psychological counseling may prove valuable, but it's a long, hard road to a normal state. Often overlooked, there is a definite link between anger and depression. While this link is not always at the root, if you are diagnosed with depression, it's worth your time to do a little investigation on your own. Psychologists and psychiatrists are skilled in ferreting out the thoughts behind your depression, but they are not mind readers. You know yourself better than anyone. You might well do yourself a favor with a little self analysis.
Anger and depression often do go hand in hand. People who have suffered any of the traumatic events described above may understandably feel anger. In our society, we're trained to 'keep a stiff upper lip' in ties of adversity. However, this does not negate the anger that naturally accompanies these life changing circumstances. We are taught to suppress anger at all costs. When we suppress such volatile emotions, where do they go? We internalize them. While trying to put a fresh and cheerful face forward in society, the anger and depression only grows, without expression.
If you have suffered the death of a family member, you will naturally be depressed. This is universally understood. What is not common knowledge is that you may experience anger, of the dark-night-of-the-soul variety. You may be angry at the world, unable to understand why life has dealt you this blow. Depression ensues.
If you suffer from diseases associated with aging, you may be simply tired of the physical pain you suffer, day in and day out, with no relief in sight. Physical pain fosters anger, with no viable outlet. There's no one to blame, not even yourself. While you may feel angry, your anger is all dressed up with nowhere to go. This is yet another recipe for anger and depression.
Before you accept a prescription for an anti-depressant, make an analysis of the sources of your depression. Suppressed anger and depression do sometimes go hand in hand. If anger plays a major role in your depressed state, share that information with a counselor. Getting that anger out in the open may help you relieve some of the symptoms of your depression.
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