It is a sad testament to our culture that instead of the word ‘happiness’ we hear all too often its opposite – that is ‘depression.’ Although it was once used as a common term to describe a negative mood of passing fear, frustration or concern it now is used with more serious medical implications.
Many people are being diagnosed as suffering long lasting negative states instead of temporary ones and the condition of serious cases is termed clinical depression. The cause is seen to be based upon chemical imbalance and brain disturbances of various kinds requiring medication with drugs. In many cases this would seem justified.
However, it should be first that we try to help ourselves in seeking to restore our love of life and well being in an attempt to overcome any sense of helplessness or hopelessness we may be feeling. It is possible that our unhappy states and moods may actually create the chemical imbalance.
So before we seek medical consultation and consider drug medication, we must seriously ask ourselves what is wrong in our lives. What makes us feel so negative as to allow days without pleasure, joy, peace and creative endeavours to bring us life satisfaction. Our wonderful life opportunities are being lost.
Many complexities are readjusted in our nature when we take a little time to contemplate our situation and the factors that seem to have the power to make us suffer. Some of the causes for our negative reactions are ones we can do nothing about. These, we have to acknowledge, are not in our power to change. The other factors however, become our personal ‘homework’. No one else can make the inner changes in our heart and mind that will allow us to feel the positive moods, feelings and states of mind return us to mental fitness and the welcome, safe feeling that presides when we feel happy and back in tune with life.
We must not let the grey mood of depression destroy us and our chances for happiness.
Answering honestly why we are unhappy and feeling depressed will give us a starting point for those of us who choose to attempt to control our states of consciousness for ourselves. However, if our attempts are not successful, we should seek medical advice.
Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: The Complete Self-Help Guide”, offers timely solutions.
