Depression is as a term commonly used to indicate stress, fear, frustration or unhappiness to imply a negative and possibly serious state of psychic hopelessness.
It is our own personal adventure to find out what we can do to help ourselves when we are feeling out of sorts and wish to restore the well-being which envelops us when we feel in tune with ourselves and life in general.
Unless this is remedied, other mental symptoms and problems will occur. So, as we ask ourselves, and can answer honestly the question ‘Why am I unhappy’? we begin to unravel any problem within the psyche. Although it may not be apparent, we really do know the answer, even if it at present resides in our unconscious mind.
We ourselves hold the key to the remedy once we face the real cause.
So what is it that makes you unhappy? What is it that makes you feel happy?
Medical cases of what is termed ‘clinical depression’ are those which doctors have determined a patient’s symptoms to derive directly from chemical constituents or conditions in the brain itself . In these cases chemical medicines or drugs are employed as a treatment method. Many serious cases are under threat of self damage and suicide and require surveillance.
Other than these serious cases of depression, which certainly require medical attention, we all must find our way through despondency or times when we are dispirited. One way is to become happily creative in some enjoyable enterprise and activity, particularly if it involves helping other people.
We can help ourselves by taking a different attitude to our problems.
We can take stock of all our positive good fortune and our good points.
We can cease wanting and practise contentment.
If we are depressed because of the pressures and hurts inflicted physically or mentally by others, it needs only our courage to be free of them.
If we suffer from feelings of hopelessness, we can take time to counsel ourselves and to simply write down your thoughts about what it is that you want to achieve. Try making this simple list before you seek professional counselling.
Sometimes, when we are really honest with ourselves, we get depressed because we can’t have our own way – about anything at all, even about our life itself when it doesn’t seem to be working out. But when we hold our vision and our private hopes, things always improve.
A simple technique is to smile – to smile at yourself in the mirror – to smile at others in the street – to smile when you see something beautiful – to smile when you go for a walk in the sunlight. It is the best tonic of all!
Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…
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