Depression

Letting yourself fall into depression is very easy. In this day and age it is not our fault we are surrounded by so much negative influence. We have a choice though to either fall into  everyone’s beliefs or choose our own. It takes work to stand aside from the trend.

We go to work and there is complaining and regret because people are not happy with where they are at in life. We are around family members and they are feeling the same way. We gather with our friends and the same prevails. This is the norm these days. We almost have to stay in a bubble to avoid this attitude or mindset. We drive on the highways and bi-ways there is the same mindset through their anger displayed by road rage. Unhappy people taking their rage out on the traffic. Where do we escape.

You do not have to run away from all of this thinking. You can be a glimmer of hope and or an example for others to be inspired by. We always have a choice to change the mindset to that of a positive one. It isn’t easy going against the grain. IF you decide to go against what everyone is thinking you will see an instant change in your surroundings. You will be aware of everything around you and be free of the stress of everyday life. If you learn to accept yourself for who you are and love that person in mirror you will feel better.

Guilt will leave your body. You will be able to forgive yourself and others. You will be able to love yourself and others. It always starts with you. You are the catalyst for the change in your life and the life of others in some cases. Whether you know it or not people are watching you always. Watching your every move because they look up to you. Decide to live happy. It will be the best decision you will ever make.

Am I depressed or am I Dealing with Depression?

That is a common question people ask me when they come to me for help when dealing with depression. Am I depressed? The question should always be, how can I be Happy? At least when you ask that question you are admitting you are not happy but you know the direction on which to focus on. Happiness. You have won half the battle when dealing with depression. Focus on wanting to be happy. Direct your energies towards that result. Asking, “why am I depressed?” is keeping in the state of mind of being unhappy. 

I am not a psychologist,
life coach nor am I a professional in any field behavioral science. I am a man
that has a passion for helping people and my life is committed to teaching
people how to be happy. My opinions and teachings have no agenda attached to
them other than this is what I want to do the rest of my life to give to
humanity. Right now there is so much suffering in this world that I think all
of us should contribute to the well-being of the world in some way. If the
majority of us will focus a portion of our daily lives towards this there will
be a dramatic change in consciousness.

There is a growing number of suicidal deaths in younger adults dealing with depression.(See Sucide among Youth Here) These individuals have not even given life a chance to develop into beautiful people. They are giving up on themselves. I have read children as young as 12 are taking their lives because of insecurity issues. A considerable percentage of these deaths are attributed to social media bullying. This is horrible. To me the social media aspect is out of my realm of understanding that a fake world is so influential in a young person’s life that they would take their lives. What was a fun activity of staying in touch with their friends turned into a threatening environment, as dangerous as walking in a bad neighborhood in the middle of the night. A virtual bad neighborhood. Weird! But very real along side with the stress of dealing with depression.

This is one aspect of a growing trend of dealing with depression in our world. Another growing area is in affluent adults. People with a lot of money. How the hell can they be unhappy? What triggers that part of them when they have everything? Why are these people dealing with depression? They have amassed a fortune in their careers and yet they seem to believe that they do not have anything. Is it Money cannot buy love? I have helped some individuals that have the financial freedom to go anywhere and be anything they want to be and they are unhappy [py. When posed with the question of why they are unhappy ultimately they give me that answer of being lonely. They alienate themselves from family and friends because they think everyone wants their money. Or in some cases they are ashamed because they are so “successful” they are embarrassed to be around others they know who are not in the financial situation they are in. They are not happy and cannot figure out why people in a lower financial class are more happy and abundant than they are. This fact alone haunts them and they search for external stimuli to replace the emptiness they feel from loneliness. They lie to themselves and surround themselves with superficial people and things as a substitute. This is very shallow and temporary. Eventually they realize the truth and fall in a deeper depression than before. 

First of all You have to “love Yourself” I know this is a cliché statement. This idea is very true. At least you have to accept who you are in your present reality. If you want to change this reality you have to know where you are starting from and focus on where you want to be. So instead of asking yourself “Am I Depressed?” you will start asking yourself “How can I be Happy?” Once this is figured out the work begins. It is hard work! This is a journey that never ends and always continues. When you figure out how experience victories through this work you will be addicted to the results and the problems in your life will seem ridiculous challenges that are overcome with joy. The sad and tragic moments in life will be what they are but you will appreciate the strength you receive from those experiences and can recover quicker. 

As I mentioned before, I
am just a regular person with a passion for helping people. You have decided to
read this far you have connected to some degree with what I have written. I
hope and pray you receive a message that can bring an answer to what you are
searching for. Read my other articles here. My style is very impromptu and
un-edited. I write as I think it and then post the shit out of it.

I Love You! I always have compassion for my fellow man and unconditional love for all the people hurting out there. Sometimes pain and suffering makes us do bad things especially when we are dealing with depression. That is where the unconditional part comes to play. There is a fine line. Only you know where it starts and ends.  

Please see my other articles on Depression.

Depression ( Five Signs of Suffering)

Clinical Depression 

Depression Treatment

Five Signs of Suffering

Nearly one in every five people, or 42.5 million American adults, hasa diagnosable mental health condition.1 Half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by age 14.

Often our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even family members are suffering emotionally and don’t recognize the symptoms or won’t ask for help.

Here are five signs that may mean someone is in emotional pain and might need help:

Their personality changes.

You may notice sudden or gradual changes in the way that someone typically behaves. He or she may behave in ways that don’t seem to fit the person’s values, or the person may just seem different.

They seem uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated, or moody.

You may notice the person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and seems irritable or unable to calm down. People in more extreme situations of this kind may be unable to sleep or may explode in anger at a minor problem.

They withdraw or isolate themselves from other people.

Someone who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends and stop taking part in activities he or she used to enjoy. In more severe cases the person may start failing to make it to work or school. Not to be confused with the behavior of someone who is more introverted, this sign is marked by a change in someone’s typical sociability, as when someone pulls away from the social support he or she typically has.

They stop taking care of themselves and may engage in risky behavior.

You may notice a change in the person’s level of personal care or an act of poor judgment on his or her part. For instance, someone may let his or her personal hygiene deteriorate, or the person may start abusing alcohol or illicit substances or engaging in other self-destructive behavior that may alienate loved ones.

They seem overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by their circumstances.

Have you noticed someone who used to be optimistic and now can’t find anything to be hopeful about? That person may be suffering from extreme or prolonged grief, or feelings of worthlessness or guilt. People in this situation may say that the world would be better off without them, suggesting suicidal thinking.

IF YOU RECOGNIZE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE IS SUFFERING, NOW WHAT?

You connect, you reach out, you inspire hope, and you offer help. Show compassion and caring and a willingness to find a solution when the person may not have the will or drive to help him-or herself. There are many resources in our communities.

It may take more than one offer, and you may need to reach out to others who share your concern about the person who is suffering.

If everyone is more open and honest about mental health, we can prevent pain and suffering, and those in need will get the help they deserve.

You can learn more at www.changedirection.org

What is Clinical Depression?

Clinical Depression is different from moodiness or a bad mood. It is a medical condition that is still misunderstood by many in the general public, except to those that suffer from it. This perception and misunderstanding compounds the problem for people suffering from depression. The individual experiencing depression feels overwhelming guilt because of the people they affect around them.

Clinical Depression is very simple to understand once the facts are laid out. Of course I am writing from my own research and personal experience for suffering for many years. There are a few types of depression that people deal with.

Major Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or uni-polar depression. The symptoms or characteristics of this type is as follows.

• Sadness and Emptiness
• Lose interest in general daily activities or interests.
• Sleeplessness or insomnia
• Weight fluctuations
• Easily agitated
• Tiredness or lethargy
• Guilt or a sense of worthlessness
• Lacking in focus
• Thoughts of suicide

These are just a few I am sure there are more. I and other people I know have experienced all of the above.

Bipolar Disorder, at this level a person will alternate between depression and mania.

Symptoms:

• Increased Energy
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Rapid Speech
• Hyper-sexual Behavior
• Racing Thoughts
• Grandiose Ideas
• Greatly Increased Activity
• Impulsive Behaviors
• Poor Judgement

Again as before there are more characteristics and I am sure I could list 20 more.

Causes of Clinical Depression are sometimes vague, misunderstood to the general public and in some cases researchers change their opinion or theories. Treatments will often change because of constant research. This is a growing “epidemic”.

The general consensus of research indicates that clinical depression is inherited. The process of neurotransmitters being produced is in simple terms “broken” this imbalance in the body is passed down generational. Environmental factors will trigger depression in these individuals with this imbalance.

Treatment Clinical Depression– Medicine like antidepressants are a general treatment for the diagnosis. It is a quick fix for short term to get the patient in a calmer state of mind. Therapy is introduced in most cases using the drugs as assistance. (Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac).

Psychotherapy with the medication is very successful in the majority of cases Clinical Depression. Group or Individual therapies are used to open the lanes of communicating the feelings and emotions of the patient.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a popular form of psychotherapy to root out and solve the causes of several mental disorders. The focus of this type of treatment is to change the mindset of unhelpful thinking and behavior.

In the end there is so much more discussion about this affliction. I wanted to share the highlights of what someone you might know is suffering so that you might understand a little better. If you or a loved one is suffering from this it is not the fault of the person or individual. In the majority of the cases it is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Although it is something they cannot control being supportive and understanding does help and make a difference. Loving them and expressing to them you have researched and understand what they are feeling is beneficial to people suffering from clinical depression.

My first instict to anyone I speak with that suffers is to “behappy!” I know what they are going through. I feel their pain. I hurt and suffer with them. I am happy around them. I hug the and love them letting them know I understand but I will not give into them even though I know it is a medical condition they cannot control. I will show them joy and usually more often that not they are receptive to my love. I hope this helps. I Love All of You! Please. If you have a choice. Choose to be Happy. It is worth the fight and the Work.