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Attitude is
Everything - an Adjunct to Medicine While Treating Depression (opinion)
Author:
Dr. Robert Zaid
 As
human beings, we have learned to think of everything in terms of extremes. Every
beginning has an end, and every good deed can be opposed with a bad one.
Likewise, many of us will equate details of our lives to determine our mood. We
develop patterns and if a few things in our lives do not follow our plans, we
tend to allow our mood to depress. Our mood then affects other aspects of our
lives and if we continue to have less optimal outcomes, we continue to depress
our moods. But if we know that we don't feel good when we are in a bad mood, why
do we choose to be depressed? Does this affect our
health?
Do we have control over our mood?
Depression, negative thoughts and inhibition of positive investment
The
state of depression spans well past our mood and usually affects our desires and
ambition. When our mind is depressed so are our actions. We procrastinate or do
not find the energy to tackle projects or to perform duties that need to be
done. Ideas present while we are in a good mood no longer exist while we are in
a bad one. It becomes a downward spiral that can quickly get out of control if
we do not stop it. As we take part in fewer activities, the list of things we
need to do becomes larger. This adds more
stress and anxiety
and we tend to feel bad that we are not accomplishing our goals, nonetheless
completing activities necessary to survive in society. So why do we choose to
allow ourselves to follow a downward spiral? Do we have control over our
actions, ambition and desires?
Depression, negative thoughts and the effects on the body
Depression affects the body both directly and indirectly.
Indirectly, we eat less, sleep less and exercise much less when we are down in
comparison to when we feel good. Our bodies, therefore, are more fatigued and
our immune system becomes worn and allows us to be more susceptible to disease.
Sleep,
good nutrition
and exercise all promote good health and these entities are vacant when we are
depressed.
Directly, we release endorphins when we are happy. Likewise, when we are
stressed and anxious, our hearts beat fast, our bowel system may be affected,
our pain thresholds decrease and our whole body suffers. Why do we let this
happen? Do we have control over how we feel?
Body,
health and the association with positive thinking
If
positive thinking can cause us to exercise more, eat better and sleep
appropriately, why don't we chose to think positively? Can we train ourselves to
put things in perspective, halt our minds before they take the downward spiral
and train our minds to work in a way that optimizes our health? It sounds so
simple.
The
truth of the matter is that everything in life is not so black and white and two
sided; there is a lot of interpretation that follows any circumstance in life.
We just have to interpret things in a way that benefits our well being. I make
it seem so simple, but I understand that our environment often overcomes our
mental capacity to look beyond what is happening to us. I also would like to
mention that some forms of depression are based on our brain chemistry. With
that said even though there are factors that we cannot control, we can enhance
or make our situation worse with good or bad thought patterns. So in a logical
perspective, if positive thinking promotes good health, then why don't we chose
to be positive thinkers?
Also See -
Attitude is Everything Page #2
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/attitude-is-everything-an-adjunct-to-medicine-while-treating-depression-opinion-542869.html
About the Author:
Dr. Zaid
is a family doctor in Novi Michigan who has a passion for writing and taking
good care of his patients. He believes that good communication is essential in
creating a healthy relationship between doctor and patient. He also believes
that continuity of care is improved when family doctors are able to see their
patients in the hospital. More information can be found at
http://www.primecareofmi.com or
http://www.drzaid.com
Webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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