I went for a Dharma Talk last Friday at the
Signs and symptoms
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
These are some of the ways depressioners think (using Cognitive Models)
- Overgeneralization of things and events
- Castrophic Thinking - to project the worst of the future
- Dicothamus Thinking - black or white thinking, good or bad
- Personalization - finding fault with oneself, low self esteem
- Absolute Thinking - the MUST philosophy
Coping with Depression
The trick here is to identify these thoughts and replace it with happy ones.
The common trades of these types of thinking are finding fault, dissatisfaction and discontentment. Contentment is the greatest wealth next to health.
Dr. Phang had a good suggestion to help us deal with our depression. He has suggested that we keep a diary of our joys and happiness. It is good practice to write down our contentment as an exercise. I have tried it and it works wonders. Whenever you feel unhappy, sad, down or low take it and read it. It helps me reflect on my life and always makes me feel better with what I have accomplished so far in my life. No one is perfect and I’m not perfect but I must always give my very best.
- Be grateful for the things that went right. We should rejoice on our success, achievements and things that have gone right for us. We shouldn’t condemn and complain all the time. Be thankful and grateful.
- Be grateful for things that went wrong. All of us here learn most from mistake and hardship in our lives. We grow stronger and last longer in life. That’s how we grow to be a better person in whatever we do. Be it school, college, university, work, family and life.
Here’s a beautiful story that has touch my heart and I hope it touches you too.
The story of the Professor and the Butterflies.
This Professor studies butterflies and has over 100 observations done on process how butterflies come out of a cocoon. Conclusion of his study shows that to come out from the cocoon is a very difficult process. The butterflies would have to struggle to get their way out. To make it easier for the butterflies, the Professor has help to make a small cut of the opening of the cocoon so that they don’t have to struggle so hard and it’s easier to come out. But soon after the come out they fall of from their cocoon and die. Why?
Therefore the hardship we go thru life, can transform us to grow better and stronger.
