Preventing
Depression
by
Charles E. Clifton
http://www.tpan.com/publications/positively_aware/nov_dec_01/medicine_chest_depression.html
Nearly
ten percent of the U.S. population, or about 19 million
American adults, suffer from depression, according to the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A bout of major
depression can last several weeks to several years, and have
devastating impact on one’s health and personal life.
Depression not only compromises a person’s ability to
function normally but can alter relationships with friends and
family. The NIMH also reports that depression is the number
one cause of suicide.
Depression is not a side effect of HIV
disease. However, depression is more widespread in people
living with HIV, as compared to HIV-negative individuals, due
to higher instances of social discrimination, economic
inequalities and a lack of institutional support.
Prevention
There
is no blueprint to prevent the onset of depression. Biological
makeup causes some people to be more susceptible to depression
than others, just as the psychosocial issues of living with
HIV impact everyone differently. No one’s life is empty of
conflict, stress and obstacles. The goal is learning how to
successfully manage issues when they do arise. Here are just a
few suggestions from Shaun Bourget, M.A., M.F.T., a licensed
marriage and family therapist in the Los Angeles area, that
could potentially help improve the quality of your life when
dealing with feelings of depression:
•
Try to accept that loss is part of life
•
Don’t be afraid to reach out and accept help and support
from others
•
Accept that we can’t control everything around us
•
Make better, more informed choices that create less turmoil
for you
•
Stop being so critical of yourself, and of others
•
Acknowledge the good in you, stop beating yourself up
•
If you’re good at caring for others, add yourself to that
mix
Therapy—“Just
get over it.”
For most people depression is a passing
mood. And with time, most people do “just get over it.”
However, for others, depression is a debilitating chronic
illness with potentially severe consequences. Popping a pill a
couple times a day may help shorten episodes of depression,
but they do not help you understand the causes or cope with
situations. Professional counseling (therapists and
psychiatrists) can help evaluate and reduce symptoms, shorten
episodes of depression, and prevent relapse. Sometimes
medications are not needed at all. The most common goals of
therapy are:
•
provide a safe environment
•
assess the need for medication
•
improve problem solving and coping skills
•
resolve issues of loss and correct irrational/negative
thoughts
•
improve self-esteem
•
improve eating and sleeping patterns
•
educate and encourage involvement of support persons
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