In psychotherapy and psychiatry, depression is a state of mind. It produces serious, long-term lack of enjoyment in life or an inability to visualize a happy future.
We all know someone who has or is suffering from depression. Perhaps you are currently depressed or have been before. The United States has been ranked the most depressed country in the world! And the current thinking in our prevalent medical model is that we suffer from a deficiency of anti-depressants. In other words, we treat our depression with medications. To be sure, there are times where an anti-depressant is indicated.
But to have a true discussion about treatment, one must ask first: what is the cause of depression? Is it a genetic illness? Is it environmental? Is it emotional? Is it hormonal? Spiritual? Could a poor diet cause depression? Depression can be a combination of all of those things! One could have a genetic predisposition, eat a poor diet for years, get exposed to environmental chemicals and experience a relationship break-up and --voila! They are over-whelmed, depressed and not coping so well.
When we are depressed, having happy positive thoughts are not enough to cure us. Positive thoughts are not something we can always permanently maintain and the pressure to do that can lead to a crash. To rid yourself of depression, you have to fully educate yourself with what caused it and how you can fix it.
Find a focus. Immerse yourself into a lifestyle, soul orientation, commitment, devotion or core value that honors all that is Sacred. Focus on everything to do with a pro-active approach to life that involves tackling the assaults and all crisis that you are up against. Live in your highest integrity. Share important information with people without fear.
At Alternatives, we provide many different ways to approach depression. There are times when we all need help. We are here with options for you.
- Patricia Ryan, MD, CCN
No comments:
Post a Comment