Overcoming Depression
by Brenton G. Yorgason
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The emotion of depression is defined as a state of feeling sad and dejected. It is marked by difficulty in thinking and concentrating, a lack of ambition and desire, a loss of appetite and sleep, and a feeling of hopelessness.

Clinical depression is defined as that state in which a person is not able to set goals or organize behavior in order to reach their goals. If one is suffering from clinical depression, debilitative biochemical shock waves are sent throughout the body.

Depression may be brought on by pressures at work, low job performance, impending divorce, financial difficulties, etc. ad infinitum. It is certainly not an emotional state a person would wish upon themselves. Nor is it one they are able to easily leave. Likewise, it is very difficult to manage a significant relationship where the other person is depressed. Depression knows no reason, and thrives on self-pity and the sympathies of others.

Because of hormonal imbalances, as well as the emotional level at which women approach life, they are more inclined to depression than are men. This is not to say that men don’t become depressed, however. Regardless of gender, our negative thoughts can spiral us downward into a state of clinical (or measurable) depression.

Depression is found in most people who "live" in their negative past. Over and over these individuals play negative tapes from past experiences until they become depressed. How does one escape the bonds of depression? The answer is very clear: one moment (and one small victory) at a time. The decision to change our thoughts from negative ones to positive ones is mandatory. After all, nothing negative has taken place in our future. The even more structured process of daily goal-setting is also good medicine for depression. This is also a sound therapeutic response to depression once it has set in.

Depression can be brought on by anger-lock. It can also be brought on by careless habits of food and liquid consumption, excessive use of alcohol, or involvement with any drug not being used under the direction of a physician or psychiatrist. It can be brought on by doing poorly in a job or at home, or by failing in some major area of our life.

There is yet another side to prescription drugs, especially when they are not used wisely and with restraint. Even "legitimate" drugs can medicate us into darkness. Further, the more pills we take, the more are required to accomplish what only a few pills used to require. This condition is called the principle of regressive cell state order. The health of cells throughout the body deteriorate; they regress which means that they shift toward a lower, less perfect state. This is a horrible condition in which to find ourselves, and if not checked and reversed can fill us with emotional darkness.

If you find yourself becoming depressed, change your environment. Open the drapes, go outside, take a ride . . . and while you do, begin thinking new different and positive thoughts. Again, nothing bad has happened to you in your future. You are the captain of your every thought, the master of your feeling fate. To experience peace, you must accept the command of your life ship.

As a final note, if depression becomes severe and you are unable to regulate your emotions, consult professional sources. Avail yourself of the blessing of proper guidance, treatment, and counseling.

As a caution, more than eleven million Americans take some form of prescribed antidepressants. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvox are becoming almost as common as lipstick and shaving cream. They serve to effectively slow the brain’s absorption of the "mood-enhancing" neurotransmitter serotonin.

The downside to using these drugs is their ancillary effects. According to a recent Time magazine article (If Everyone Were on Prozac by Sanjay Gupta, M.D., January 20, 2003 edition, p.81), "they are associated with insomnia, restlessness, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, and tremors. For up to 60% of users, Prozac will interfere with sex drive."

The further risk of becoming reliant upon these drugs is the ultimate affect they have on cellular memory and cell state order. Regressive cell state order can medicate you into a darkness that may never end. If a prescription is required (and it may well be), wean yourself from it by taking increasingly small doses until you can manage on your own.

Regular exercise and good eating habits lay a good foundation for no longer being depressed. Remember, it is impossible to be "down" if you are up and about, laughing, working, and living. An entirely different biochemical state occurs during these good days, filling your mind and body with God’s own "natural high."

The Even Deeper Pit of Despair

Despair, a close cousin to depression, is reached when a person is at the end of their rope. It is defined as the utter loss of hope; losing the will to continue living. When entering the state of despair, outside help is often necessary in order to reverse it. This can include the nurturing encouragement of a partner or spouse, a close family member or friend, or the clergy. It may also include the steady words of a professional therapist, psychologist, and/or physician.

When people reach the point of despair, they often consider taking their own life. They don’t want to destroy themselves, to be sure, but they see no escape. Further, they view themselves as a source of perceived unbearable pain. Although their thinking is faulty, people want to remove themselves as this source of perceived pain.

There are 30,000 Americans a year who take their own life . . . almost all with this in mind. From their cloudy, anguish-filled vantage point, they erroneously view suicide as being an act of compassion rather than an act of sheer violence. This is a lie they convince themselves of, leaving family and friends to "live" with their act of supreme selfishness.

As the father of one suicide victim shared, "We have peace in the way our daughter lived her life, but every morning we awaken to the loss she inflicted upon us. There seems to be no way to remove this anguish, at least in this life."

As heinous as suicide is, it is becoming more and more an "out" for those who allow themselves to spiral into the pit of despair. If you are close to someone who is plummeting into this black hole of hopelessness, stay close to them while you get them help. If you, yourself, are sinking, seek medical or professional assistance without delay. Negative thoughts lead to destructive emotions, and when left unchecked these negative feelings often lead to acts with catastrophic results.

Permanent Change Can Occur

The good news, for those who suffer from depression and despair, is that healing is possible. Regulating negative emotions begins with a mind-set of recovering. It may be facilitated by the help of others, including professionals, but it takes place with those who "take charge."

Living with hope and purpose is possible, one hour and one day at a time. Living with promise and productivity is also possible, leading the afflicted into the warmth and light of a new day. Sometimes it is darkest just before dawn, but the sun can shine in one’s life again and will, if they but put forth the effort to walk outside and into the light.

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