DEPRESSION AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONS...

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Thread started 12/07/04 4:18pm

Natisse

DEPRESSION AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONS...

WHAT IS DEPRESSION...

Depression is a medical condition characterised by feelings of extreme sadness and dejection. Depression is not just the feeling of sadness we all experience at times, particularly when faces with loses, or feelings of grief. These latter are called "reactive" feelings - feelings which occur when faced with loss or grief.

On the other hand, depression is more than a low mood, or feelings of sadness at a loss. It is a serious medical condition which causes both physical and psychological systems but, which, if detected, can be treated using a range of effective and safe treatment approaches.

Depression is a common disorder. In Australia, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience depression at some time in their life. Unfortunately, only about 20% of depressed people are correctly diagnosed - because depression can "mask" itself as physical illness (such as chronic pain, sleeplessness, or fatigue). Therefore, many people who suffer from depression are not treated and may suffer for years from what is a treatable condition.

Depression can contribute to, and be caused by, many physical illnesses. It is a major cause of health problems. Untreated depression can lead to the onset of medical problems.

The World Health Organisation has concluded that, by 2020, depression will be the world"s major health problem, costing many billions of dollars to deal with.

What Causes Depression?

Depression results from a combination of physical and psychological factors, causing chemical changes in the brain. Physical factors may include: medical illness and treatment; inherited traits; chemical changes; and drug/alcohol use. Psychological factors may include: life stressors; negative experiences; and high anxiety. It is important that diagnosis and an assessment of the causes in any particular case must be carried out by a medical practitioner.

Depression Symptom Checklist

Have you or a loved one experienced any of the following in the last two weeks:

Felt sad or depressed
Lost interest in most things
Lost pleasure in your normal activities
Lost your appetite or lost weight
Unable to get to sleep, or waking early
Felt tired all the time
Had trouble concentrating
Felt slowed down
Felt restless or agitated
Felt worthless
Felt guilty
Felt like life is not worth living.
If "Yes" you may be suffering from depression and you should see your doctor to discuss the issue.

Treatments of Depression

In every case, there is a need for careful medical and psychological assessment, as people feel their depression in a variety of ways and the effects of the condition will also vary from person to person.

In cases of depression there is a need for a range of interventions, including: specific drug therapy; education; and psychological therapy.

The most common drug therapy is a prescription for an antidepressant, which helps control re-orient chemical message systems in the brain. The help improve sleep, concentration, energy and contribute to a better mood and less anxiety. Antidepressants are not addictive and are relatively safe and effective.

There are a range of psychological therapies for depression, aimed at helping the person decrease anxiety, stop drug/alcohol use, resolve life stresses, and, overall, to promote better coping skills. Education and counselling help the person reduce stress, resolve conflicts, manage their life more effectively, develop new ways of thinking about themselves and the world and develop new ways of enjoying activities.

Part of the treatment may involve helping the person avoid family conflicts and develop ways of using their family as a means of support and encouragement.

Your medical practitioner can help develop the most appropriate treatment approach for any individual, possibly also drawing upon the expertise of other professionals

UNDERSTANDING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS...

A negative emotion can be described as any feeling which causes you to feel miserable, undermine your confidence, or feel negatively towards yourself or others. Obvious ones are hate, anger, jealousy and sadness.

Negative emotions are not bad: the sadness involved with bereavement is natural and appropriate. What causes problems with negative emotions is how we express them. An example of expressing them in an inappropriate way is anger with violence, or anger expressed by ignoring or avoiding a person or situation causing bad feelings. AN appropriate way of expressing anger could be by using assertiveness to express anger through non-aggressive language, facial expressions and tone of voice.

Strong negative emotions can impair people"s ability to think rationally and see the situation in it"s true perspective. People see only what they want to see, or remember only what they want to remember, thus perpetuating the grief of anger. Negative emotions can be acute (momentary), involving a brief episode, or they can go on for long periods of time causing constant discomfort (chronic).

The longer a negative emotion goes on, the more it becomes an entrenched pattern of thinking and the harder it becomes to change. If it"s not attended to it can become and illness, like depression, and require drug treatment or counselling.

Why are negative emotions so hard to cope with?

Humans are conscious beings and have more emotions than most other creatures. Also our range of feelings is also much greater. For example: · Anger can range from mild irritation to blind fury · Envy over our partner"s apparent interest in someone else can turn to jealousy and hatred.

Anger can range from mild irritation to blind fury
Envy over our partner"s apparent interest in someone else can turn to jealousy and hatred.
Our emotions have a biological or physical component. Our brain responds to our emotional state by releasing chemicals and hormones which send us into a state of arousal. Theis cam be either pleasant (in the case of positive emotions), or unpleasant in the case of negative emotions. So they are psychological (what we think) and biological (what we feel). This is a complex process and often we don"t acquire the skills to deal with bad feelings (for example boys are taught not to show emotion).

Often we lack the coping skills to deal with negative emotions. In today"s complicated society with job insecurity, confusion over gender roles and relationship difficulties, these skills are invaluable.

How can we cope with negative emotions?

Don"t catastrophise (blow things our of proportion and constantly go over and over them in your head). This is guaranteed to keep your arousal levels topped up and help you feel bad. Try to be rational "I know I"m bound to feel bad from time to time but I can cope, so what can I do to make myself feel better now" (walk, read, music, etc).
Learn a relaxation technique. Regular relaxation reduces stress levels and allows you to cope better with negative emotions.
Learn about the process involved in grief and loss.
Exercise. Exercising briskly for 20 minutes, three times a week can lift you mood by releasing "feel good" chemicals in your brain called "endogenous opiates". The effect is accumulative so allow a couple of weeks to begin to feel the real benefits. Walk up to 20 minutes a day.
Let go of the past. Constantly going over negative events in the past robs you of the present and makes you feel bad.
Don"t be embarrassed to seek professional help. Ask you doctor, Citizens Advice Bureau or Community Health Centre. They can all refer you to a counsellor or help you find what your looking for (perhaps a support group).
Life is not always easy. However, you have a right to comfortable emotions for as much as the time as is possible. Information about coping skills and the right help from the right people and professionals can go a long way towards helping you deal with negative emotions

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Reply #1 posted 12/07/04 4:25pm

ReturnOfDOOK	I can only say that if you're suffering from any of the above symptoms, go see someone. It'll make your life MUCH better...
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Reply #2 posted 12/07/04 4:30pm

applekisses	Nat...are you ok?
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Reply #3 posted 12/07/04 4:33pm

Natisse	I'm sorry I didn't intend it to seem like that I'm fine...I posted it to create awareness, I guess - awareness is very important with these things
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Reply #4 posted 12/07/04 4:33pm

subhuman09	It can be managed, it can be dealt with.
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Reply #5 posted 12/07/04 4:36pm

Heavenly

Depression Symptom Checklist

Have you or a loved one experienced any of the following in the last two weeks:

Felt sad or depressed nod

Lost interest in most things nod

Lost pleasure in your normal activities nod

Lost your appetite or lost weight nod

Unable to get to sleep, or waking early nod

Felt tired all the time nod

Had trouble concentrating nod

Felt slowed down nod

Felt restless or agitated nod

Felt worthless nod

Felt guilty nod

Felt like life is not worth living nod

[Edited 12/7/04 17:05pm]

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Reply #6 posted 12/07/04 5:03pm

applekisses	Natisse said: I'm sorry I didn't intend it to seem like that I'm fine...I posted it to create awareness, I guess - awareness is very important with these things We were just worried about ya! These things ARE important to get awareness out about...especially at this time of the year. The holidays can be really difficult for some. PS: Ignore my signature... [Edited 12/7/04 17:04pm]
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Reply #7 posted 12/07/04 5:09pm

drcoldchoke

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I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again.

www.myspace.com/drgoldsmoke

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Reply #8 posted 12/07/04 5:18pm

Natisse	drcoldchoke said: I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again.
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Reply #9 posted 12/07/04 5:21pm

Natisse

applekisses said:

Natisse said:

I'm sorry I didn't intend it to seem like that I'm fine...I posted it to create awareness, I guess - awareness is very important with these things

We were just worried about ya! smile

These things ARE important to get awareness out about...especially at this time of the year. The holidays can be really difficult for some. hug

PS: Ignore my signature... lol

...and that's what I love about you guys thank you for caring

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Reply #10 posted 12/07/04 6:18pm

CarrieMpls

Ex-Moderator

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Natisse said:

drcoldchoke said:

I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again.

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Reply #11 posted 12/07/04 6:20pm

Natisse	CarrieMpls said: Natisse said:
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Reply #12 posted 12/07/04 6:24pm

senik

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Natisse said:

drcoldchoke said:

I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again.

Nat

"..My work is personal, I'm a working person, I put in work, I work with purpose.."

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Reply #13 posted 12/07/04 6:25pm

Natisse	senik
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Reply #14 posted 12/07/04 6:25pm

senik

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Natisse said:

I posted it to create awareness, I guess - awareness is very important with these things

Very true

Cheers Natisse

"..My work is personal, I'm a working person, I put in work, I work with purpose.."

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Reply #15 posted 12/07/04 6:28pm

Natisse	senik said: Natisse said: I posted it to create awareness, I guess - awareness is very important with these things Very true Cheers Natisse
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Reply #16 posted 12/07/04 9:31pm

AndGodCreatedM
e

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Natisse said:

drcoldchoke said:

I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again.

Thx for posting this Tisse hug

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Reply #17 posted 12/07/04 9:42pm

Natisse	AndGodCreatedMe said: Thx for posting this Tisse Petra!!! ...I posted it in response to being called boring
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Reply #18 posted 12/07/04 9:50pm

applekisses	Natisse said: drcoldchoke said: I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again. The perfect response
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Reply #19 posted 12/07/04 9:52pm

Natisse	applekisses said: Natisse said: The perfect response
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Reply #20 posted 12/07/04 9:59pm

Byron	Natisse said: drcoldchoke said: I always felt that Natisse is dull and boring. She has a knack of proving this 2 me time and time again. Omg!!... Nat ....The beauty in life, is knowing for a fact that you are loved...and you know that.
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Reply #21 posted 12/07/04 10:07pm

Natisse	Byron said: Omg!!... Nat ....The beauty in life, is knowing for a fact that you are loved...and you know that. I do know that ...and you too! we haven't seen much of you lately
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Reply #22 posted 12/07/04 10:08pm

Byron	Natisse said: Byron said: Omg!!... Nat ....The beauty in life, is knowing for a fact that you are loved...and you know that. I do know that ...and you too! we haven't seen much of you lately yeah...I've been off working and still doing some more Xmas card shopping and such..lol... Gotta send out the next batch by Friday.
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Reply #23 posted 12/07/04 10:09pm

Natisse	Byron said: Natisse said: I do know that ...and you too! we haven't seen much of you lately yeah...I've been off working and still doing some more Xmas card shopping and such..lol... Gotta send out the next batch by Friday. as long as you're OK
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Reply #24 posted 12/07/04 10:13pm

RONNYRON

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Reply #25 posted 12/07/04 11:04pm

Natisse	RONNYRON said:
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Reply #26 posted 12/07/04 11:16pm

BinaryJustin	Thanks for posting this Nat. You may find this thread interesting: http://www.prince.org/msg/3/124610
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Reply #27 posted 12/07/04 11:22pm

Natisse	BinaryJustin said: Thanks for posting this Nat. You may find this thread interesting: http://www.prince.org/msg/3/124610 wow...thanks Justin for the backup
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