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"nine qualities of an effective person"
LIVING WITH DEPRESSION
Author: John Boe
Article:
Andrea Yates shocked the nation when she admitted to
systematically drowning her five children in their Texas home. This
36-year-old mother had previously been diagnosed with depression and
consequently was prescribed antidepressants. Depression is an ancient and
prevalent mental condition that has been referenced throughout history in
song, poetry and literature. In a depressed state one feels hopeless and
experiences an overwhelming sense of despair. Depression immobilizes a
person; they lack both the desire and the energy to carry on their usual
activities. It afflicts men and women, rich and poor, young and old alike.
According to the November 1993 issue of the Journal of
Clinical Psychiatry, more than one hundred million people throughout the
world suffer from depression. Each year, more people seek relief from this
disabling mental condition than any medical disease, including the common
cold. In 1990 the cost of depression exceeded $43 billion in the United
States alone. The economic toll is staggering and includes medical
treatment, lost work-time, and depression-related suicide.
Why are some people more susceptible to depression than
others? Hippocrates, the father of medicine, theorized that we are born
into one of four primary temperament styles and that each style has it’s
own unique outlook on life; Choleric (aggressive), Sanguine (emotional),
Phlegmatic (passive) and Melancholy (analytical). Of these four styles,
the introverted Melancholy is the most perfection driven and depression
prone. The analytical Melancholy influence gives one tremendous attention
to detail but it can also create stress, anxiety and depression. In fact
the term melancholy has become synonymous with depression. People with the
Melancholy temperament style are by their very nature sensitive,
judgmental, and critical. This temperament style becomes depressed
primarily due to the fact that they fail to reach their own incredibly
high standards. This depression often leads to either suicide and or
violence against others.
We each have a personal responsibility for taking
control over our thoughts. Thoughts are highly creative and they lead to
action. Our thoughts create our emotions and our emotions determine our
mental state. Perhaps the most practical suggestion I can give people with
the Melancholy temperament style for dealing with depression is to guard
against the tendency to engage in destructive, negative self-talk. If you
consistently obsess on thoughts of self-criticism, you are automatically
setting yourself up for depression. Because of your Melancholy nature you
need to keep your drive for perfection in balance. Remember to keep your
standards and expectations of yourself and others realistic. Set
short-term goals and review them frequently. I have never met anyone that
was depressed who was actively goal setting. In my opinion, depression is
not a mental illness or disease as some might argue, but rather a choice
of mental state. No person, condition or circumstance can make you feel
depressed without your permission. President Abraham Lincoln was certainly
no stranger to depression. Abe came to the conclusion that man is about as
happy as he makes his mind up to be!
About the author:
John Boe, based in Monterey, CA, helps companies
recruit, train and motivate top-quality people. To view his online Video
Demo or to have John Boe speak at your next event, visit www.johnboe.com
or call (831) 375-3668.
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