The Process Of Change From Depression To Optimism Depression is a medical condition leading to persistent feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, thought of death and suicide and an inability to feel pleasure or take interest in life. Some depressed people are physically depressed as well as constantly tired and sometimes insomniac or lacking in appetite (Harvard Mental Health Letter, December 1997/January 1998).
Weather you choose to take medication or other means to decrease your depression a process of change takes place. The change could lead to optimism. To be depressed is like seeing a “glass half empty” to be optimistic is to see the “glass half full.” First, treatment for depression can involve taking medications, going to therapy or counseling, or both.
You may need ongoing treatment to prevent it from coming back. Some people find comfort just by learning depression is a medical condition. Learning more about your condition is often a good first step toward feeling better. Treatment can improve your moods and can help you feel better by decreasing your symptoms.
A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry tracked some of the brain changes associated with drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Research has demonstrated that serotonin is an important chemical that nerve cells use to communicate. This chemical, called neurotransmitter, play a role in concentration, attention, and aggression. Shortages of serotonin are thought to play an important role in depression. By increasing the levels of serotonin through a mechanism in the brain called reuptake inhibition, certain medications can help to combat depression. Once you have controlled the depression, you may perceive everyday living in a different perspective.
The Essay on How the Great Depression Changed American Economy
The Great Depression was one of the biggest turning points in American history. Not only did it change the spending habits of U. S. citizens, but it changed how the government controlled the economy. New laws and acts were put into place that helped prevent something like the Great Depression from ever happening again. During the 1920s, America’s economy was extremely prosperous. Businesses were ...
Therapists focus on reducing unpleasant negative emotions — anxiety, fears, depression, anger, dependency and so forth. This is partly because patients frequently have gotten into a sinkhole of obsessive scary, irritating, or sad thoughts and feelings. Also, therapy methods are oriented toward reducing symptoms. Research, however, has shown that positive thoughts and experiences reduce the negative reactions we have to stress, loss, frustration, and helplessness. Note that how well we cope is related to (a) perceived characteristics of the upsetting situation, such as how changeable the situation is seen to be, (b) personality factors, reflecting such traits as optimism, self-efficacy, toughness, a sense of humor, and neuroticism, and (c) social resources the person has, such family support, a devoted friend or therapist, a fun group, etc. (Folkman & Moskowitz, 2000).
It is important to acknowledge that we will sometimes feel down. But by expecting rather than dreading down time, such periods become more tolerable. In addition, recognizing that we will have blue periods helps keep them in perspective. We will be able to say to ourselves, “I was depressed before, and got out of it; this time, too, it will pass.” After accepting that we will sometimes feel sad, and even experience self-pity, we can concentrate on ways to shorten these periods and make them fewer and farther between. Today’s cognitive therapists often ask their patients to schedule positive events and to look for positive meaning. The more positive events and experiences we can have, the more we reduce the depression (Dixon & Reid, 2000).
According to Family Life Specialist, Ben Silliman, “Healthy, optimistic attitudes lead to positive effort and positive results in a cycle of hope” (Ben Silliman, UW Family Life Specialist).
Optimism can be defined “A disposition to take the most hopeful view.” References Dixon, W. A. & Reid, J.
The Essay on Life Experience 2
After my brother and I had completed our exam, we felt happy and wanted to make a trip. So, we threw this suggestion to our parents. My father immediately agreed with it because he also wanted to relax himself. We decided to go to Tanjung Manis because that is the place that we can enjoy ourselves by swimming. On that day, my brother and I woke up early. My mother prepared sandwich, hotdog and ...
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Raising Optimistic Kids. 1.
