“Depression is the number one cause of disability in developed countries.”
Claire Ainsworth, New Scientist 5 January 2008
Depression is as a term that sounds dark and grey. It also feels dark and grey. The mind can’t seem to spark a change. But we can and we must if we wish to overcome the problem. We have to seek for a way that suits us – a method that works. There will be an idea or a method that touches us in a profound way to motivate our progress towards health, happiness and mental fitness that allows us genuine life enjoyment.
It is not correct to believe that there is nothing we can do to alter depression. We must be patient, but also sincere in searching for our own inspiration and perception of a better reality beyond the grey clouds of our unhappy mood. We have to find an idea that feels right and lets some light into our minds – a real ray of sunshine that will inspire us to go forward. This applies whether we are under medical care and already on chemical medication or whether we are seeking our own self help path.
It is true that many people take drugs, both medicinal and otherwise, hoping to avoid any further personal effort to let the light back into their mind and heart. But outside assistance will generally prove temporary and if we get caught in addictions of any kind, matters become worse.
One way examines causes. These are numerous and can include a lack of self confidence through a habit of comparing ourselves with others; we may dislike our appearance; feel deprived of talents or seeming good fortune that others enjoy; we may get depressed because of physical illness or pain and many other difficulties within ourselves or in circumstances. It could also be that we are being deprived of specific nutritional agents in our diet. But inevitably we must consider that the root of difficulty is also within our own thinking and responses where also lies our potential to make correction.
Most of us are a little careless about our use of the word ‘depression’. Only those who are clinically depressed require serious medical attention. It is commonplace that we all at some time feel negative when things don’t seem to be going well for us. Such mild states of depression are easy to overcome.
In more serious cases of brain disease it is a different story. In spite of the medical advances in neurological science that can actually locate the brain areas that are involved when we are in a state of depression there is as yet no immediate cure. We must remember that it is our own intelligence that utilizes and directs the brain resources, not the other way round. However, the results of neurological research hold promise of new avenues for trial in therapy for depression should our self care prove unsuccessful.
There are also other professional avenues to assist us that includes psychologists, nutritionists, exercise therapists, aromatherapists, teachers in gymnasium, and yoga clinics where a most reliable method teaches the art of relaxation and meditation to disperse the clouds of depression.
Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions.
