Will Power and Self-Discipline

By Remez Sasson

Sometimes, you wish to go for a walk, knowing how good it is for your health
and how wonderful you feel afterwards, yet, you feel too lazy, and prefer to
watch TV instead. You might be aware of the fact that you need to change your
eating habits or stop smoking, yet, you don't have the inner power and
persistence to change these habits.

Does this sound familiar? How many times have you said, "I wish I had will
power and self discipline"? How many times have you started to do something,
only to quit after a short while? We all have had experiences like these.

Everyone possesses some addictions or habits they wish they could overcome,
such as smoking, excessive eating, laziness, procrastination or lack of
assertiveness. To overcome these habits or addictions, one needs to have will
power and self discipline. They make a great difference in everyone's life, and
bring inner strength, self mastery and decisiveness.

Definitions of Will Power and Self Discipline

Will power is the ability to overcome laziness and procrastination. It is the
ability to control or reject unnecessary or harmful impulses. It is the ability to
arrive to a decision and follow it with perseverance until its successful
accomplishment. It is the inner power that overcomes the desire to indulge in
unnecessary and useless habits, and the inner strength that overcomes inner
emotional and mental resistance for taking action. It is one of the corner stones
of success, both spiritual and material.

Self-discipline is the companion of will power. It endows with the stamina to

persevere in whatever one does. It bestows the ability to withstand hardships
and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental. It grants the ability to
reject immediate satisfaction, in order to gain something better, but which
requires effort and time.

Everyone has inner, unconscious, or partly conscious impulses, making them say
or do things they later regret saying or doing. On many occasions people do not
think before they talk or act. By developing these two powers, one becomes
conscious of the inner, subconscious impulses, and gains the ability to reject
them when they are not for his/her own good.

Will power and self-discipline help us to choose our behavior and

reactions, instead of being ruled by them. Their possesion won't make life
dull or boring. On the contrary, you will feel more powerful, in charge of yourself
and your surroundings, happy and satisfied.

How many times have you felt too weak, lazy or shy to do something you
wanted to do? You can gain inner strength, initiative and the ability to make
decisions and follow them. Believe me, it is not difficult to develop these two
powers. If you are earnest and are willing to become stronger, you will certainly
succeed.

In this article you will find some exercises and techniques for developing these
abilities. These simple, but effective exercises, can be performed everywhere and
at any time. Go slowly and gradually, and you will see how you get stronger and
your life start improving.

There is a misconception in the public mind regarding will power. It is

erroneously thought to be something strenuous and difficult, and that one has to
exert and tense the body and mind when expressing it. It is a completely
wrong concept. This is one of the reasons why people avoid using it, though
they are conscious of its benefits. They acknowledge the fact that the
employment of will power in their life and affairs will greatly help them, and that
they need to strengthen it, yet they do nothing about it.

Will power gets stronger by holding back and not allowing the expression of
unimportant, unnecessary and unhealthy thoughts, feelings, actions and
reactions. If this saved energy is not allowed expression, it is stored inside you
like a battery, and it becomes available at the time of need. By practicing
appropriate exercises, you develop your powers the same way, as a person who
trains his/her muscles in order to strengthen them.

Developing Will Power and Self Discipline

An effective method for developing and improving these abilities is to perform
certain actions or activities, which you would rather avoid doing due to laziness,
procrastination, weakeness, shyness, etc. By doing something that you do not
like doing or are too lazy to do, you overcome your subconscious resistance,
train your mind to obey you, strengthen your inner powers and gain inner
strength. Muscles get stronger by resisting the power of the barbells. Inner
strength is attained by overcoming inner resistance.

Remember, strengthening one of these abilities, automatically strengthens the

other one.

Here are a few exercises:

1) You are sitting in a bus or train and an old man or woman, or a pregnant lady
walks in. Stand up and give up your seat even if you prefer to stay seated. Do
this not just because it is polite, but because you are doing something that you
are reluctant to do. In this way you are overcoming the resistance of your body,
mind and feelings.

2) There are dishes in the sink that need washing, and you postpone washing
them for later. Get up and wash them now. Do not let your laziness overcome
you. When you know that in this way you are developing your will power, and if
you are convinced of the importance of will power in your life, it will be easier for
you to do whatever you have to do.

3) You come home tired from work and sit in front of the T.V. because you feel
too lazy and tired to go and wash. Do not obey the desire to just sit, but go and
have a shower

4) You may know your body needs some physical exercise, but instead you keep
on sitting doing nothing or watching a movie. Get up and walk, run or do some
other physical exercise.

5) Do you like your coffee with sugar? Then for a whole week decide to drink it
without sugar. You like to drink three cups of coffee each day? For a week drink
only two.

6) Sometimes, when you want to say something that is not important, decide
not to say it.

7) Don't read some unimportant gossip in the newspaper, even if you want to.

8) You have a desire to eat something not too healthy. For the sake of the
exercise refuse the desire.

9) If you find yourself thinking unimportant, unnecessary, negative thoughts, try

to develop lack of interest in them, by thinking about their futility.

10) Overcome your laziness. Convince yourself of the importance of what is to be

done. Convince your mind that you gain inner strength when you act and do
things, in spite of laziness, reluctancy or senseless inner resistance.

Never say that you cannot follow the above exercises, because you certainly can.
Be persistent no matter what. Motivate yourself by thinking about of the
importance of performing the exercises, and the inner power and strength you
will gain.

Trying to attempt too many exercises when you are still a beginner, might end in
disappointment. It is better to start training yourself through easier exercises at
first, and gradually increase the number and difficulty of the exercises. Practice
will improve and increase your power, giving you a lot of satisfaction.

Most of these exercises can be practiced anywhere, anytime. You do not

have to devote special times for them. Believe me, they are very effective.
Practicing them enables you to be strong and exercise will power and self-
discipline in everything you do. This power would become available whenever
needed.

If you practice weight lifting, running or doing aerobics, you strengthen your
body. When you need to move something heavy, you have the strength for it. By
studying French each day, you will be able to talk French when you travel to
France. The same thing happens with will power and self-discipline. By
strengthening them, they become available whenever they are needed.

It is important to remember not to choose exercises that might affect adversely

your body or health. Deny and give up what is not necessary, futile or is harmful,
but not what is vital for your well being. Always use your reason and common
sense, so that you do no damage to yourself.

If for the sake of an exercise, you stop doing something that you usually do, and
overcome the inner resistance concerning it, you may resume doing it, if it is not
harmful. For example, if you love drinking orange juice, and for the sake of an
exercise you switch to drinking apple juice, after doing so for some time and
after it makes no great difference to you, you may go back to drinking orange
juice, if you still like it. The point here is to develop inner strength, not making
life difficult for you or continue doing things you don't like to do.

Advantages of Possessing Strong Will Power and Self Discipline

You need both of them in order to rule your thoughts and to be the boss of your
mind. The stronger they are, the more control you have over your thoughts, and
consequently your powers of concentration get stronger.

When you are the master of your mind you enjoy inner peace and happiness.
Outer events do not sway you, and circumstances have no power over your
peace of mind. This might sound too unreal for you, but experience will prove to
you that all the above is true.

These abilities are essential for self growth, spiritual growth and meditation.
They give you control over your daily life, help you improve your habits and
behavior, and they are the keys to every success.

Practice the exercises presented here earnestly and persistently, and you will go
really far.
Developing Your Inner Strength
By Remez Sasson

How many times have you wished you had more inner strength, willpower or self
discipline?

How many times you lacked enough persistence and inner stamina to follow your
decisions and plans?

Do you admire and respect strong individuals, who have overcome obstacles and
difficulties and reached far, because of the inner strength they possessed?

Most people are not are not born with inner strength, but it can be developed
like any other skill.

Inner strength consists of willpower, self discipline, self control, persistence,

detachment, the ability to concentrate and peace of mind. In this article we will
focus on two of the ingredients, willpower and self discipline. These skills are
important and essential tools for success in all areas of life. They can be learned
and developed like any other skill, yet, in spite of this, only few take any steps to
develop and strengthen them in a systematic way.

Willpower is the inner strength to make decisions, take action, and handle and
execute any aim or task, regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort or
difficulties. It manifests as the ability to overcomes laziness, temptations and
negative habits, and to carry out actions, even if they require effort, are
unpleasant and tedious or are contrary to one's habits.

Self discipline is the ability to reject instant gratification or pleasure in favor of

something better or a higher goal. It manifests as the inner strength to stick to
actions or plans in spite of obstacles, difficulties or unpleasantness. It is one of
the pillars of success, and bestows the inner strength to direct your energy and
attention to your goal, and persevere until it is accomplished.

Both of these skills are required for the efficient handling of all activities and
decisions. They are required for doing a good job, for success in business, for
studying, losing weight, exercising, maintaining good relationships, changing
habits, self improvement, meditation, spiritual growth, keeping promises and for
almost everything else.

There are simple and effective methods for developing these powers and
attaining inner strength:

1. Refusing to satisfy unimportant or unhealthy desires.

2. Doing things that are useful, but which you resist doing.

By overcoming inner resistance you develop inner power and strength.

By refusing and rejecting useless, harmful or unnecessary desires and actions,
and sometimes intentionally acting contrary to your habits, you sharpen and
strengthen your inner strength. You get stronger through constant practice, just
like exercising your muscles at a gym makes your muscles stronger. In both
cases, when you need inner power or physical strength, they are available and
are at your disposal.

Here are a few exercises to strengthen your inner powers that use ordinary day-
to-day activities:

• Don't read the newspaper for a few days.

• Now and then drink your coffee or tea without sugar.
• Climb up the stairs instead of taking the lift.
• Park you car a little farther away from you destination, so that you have
to walk.
• Now and then choose not to watch one of your favorite TV programs.
• Read a book that is useful and informative, but which you find boring.
• Curb your desire to criticize people.
• Delay your desire to retort angrily.
• Try to get out of bed quickly on a cold day.

These are only a few examples to show you how you can develop your inner
strength. By practicing these or similar exercises you gain inner power, which
you can use when you are in need of it. By practicing them you develop your
inner muscles, just like lifting barbells develops your physical muscles.

By following a systematic method of training you gain control over yourself, your
habits, your reactions and your life, and can more easily attain your dreams and
goals.
How to remove depression, tension and insomania without medicines at
52. Herbal remedies may be recommended?

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

yoga, pranayama, meditation, physical exercise and eat lots of fruits and vegetables and
drink lots of water.

Five simple exercises for improving your willpower

Being successful is largely about gaining control over some aspects of the
external world. But it's difficult to do that until you've got control over
the internal world of yourself. In life, the strength of your
self-discipline very often determines the likelihood of your success.
Because of that, self-control is a skill worth developing.

And it is just another skill that can be practiced and improved upon - like
tennis, playing the piano or programming a computer.

You can see evidence of this simply by watching children. Most of them have
terrible self-control. They squirm, lose their tempers, and do the wrong
thing no matter how much you threaten or reward them not to. A cookie jar
and an adult with a turned-back is all it takes to shatter any child's
self-discipline.

Here are some simple exercises you can do if you need to build up your own
willpower.

1. Drop a small bad habit: I went to the dentist for a check-up a couple of years
ago and found I'd developed my first ever cavity. The dentist asked me if I'd
been eating anything sweet. The only thing I could think of was the teaspoon
of sugar I added to my twice-daily cup of tea. Apparently, doing
this coats the teeth in sugar and leads to cavities.

No problem, I simply stopped putting sugar in my tea. At first, it didn't taste as

nice, but now I actually prefer it that way.

This is an example of dropping a small bad habit. Other examples include

giving up a regular afternoon snack, pressing the snooze button on the alarm
clock, or having one too many coffees a day. Giving up something small but
significant is great self-discipline practice.

2. Learn something boring but useful: Most people skip learning important
skills simply because doing so is boooorrrrrriiiing. Consider skills like
grammar, punctuation, financial literacy, technical skills and the like. I'm sure
you can think of at least one such skill that you could do with brushing up on.

Go down to the library or bookstore and pick up a book on the topic you
choose. Make sure it's something necessary that you have distaste for. Now
read that book all the way through within the next week.

3. Do something you know you should every day for a week: We all have
things we know we should be doing but aren't. Perhaps for you it's regular
exercise, household chores, or getting up earlier. Choose one such activity
and set a week where you'll do it for a set amount of time every day. Make a
rule with yourself that for every day you miss, you'll add two days to the
end of that week.

4. Set yourself an achievable, but difficult goal with a date for reaching it: Build
yourself a willpower game around a particular goal. Perhaps it could be giving
up smoking, losing a certain amount of weight, or reading a particular number
of books. Organized events such as fun-runs are also good.

Make sure it's something that's reachable with a high level of certainty (such
as quitting smoking) as long as your will holds. In other words, no external
events other than your own self-discipline should be able to have a major
impact.

Develop a single-minded focus on achieving that goal by the set date. Don't let
yourself pass the day without reaching it.

5. Have a month where you ban yourself from putting anything off: Every day
we get tasks, which can be done immediately, but usually, aren't. Good
examples are paying the bills, emptying the dishwasher, or starting a college
assignment. Put aside a month where you'll refuse to allow yourself to put
such things off. As soon as the task becomes known, force yourself
just to do it. Don't allow yourself to wait for even five minutes before getting
started, and get the task finished as soon as is humanly possible
Overcoming Sadness and Depression, Naturally

by David Dancu

It's often difficult to differentiate between sadness and depression. Each has certain qualities
that frequently overlap; yet both can impact our lives dramatically. Sadness can range from a
simple momentary unhappiness to a long-term grief or sorrow. Depression is defined as
gloominess or dejection, either of which can be debilitating. With the realization or diagnosis of
either sadness or depression, there is a tendency for physicians to quickly follow with a
prescription for anti-depressant medications to mask and suppress negative feelings. I
wouldn't say this is necessarily a good thing, as failing to address the true cause only prolongs
rather than alleviates the problem.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to consider, such as mild exercise and more light. One can
take a walk in the evening after dinner during the longer days of summer. In the winter
months, better lighting in the house and walking around a mall or other large structure would
help alleviate the lack of specific brain chemicals relating to depression. I will talk more about
that later.

First we should define the typical symptoms of depression. This can assist in evaluating
whether or not depression is even an issue. There are four key areas to consider: behavior,
appearance, feelings and communication. With respect to behavior, we generally look for
changes in "normal" behavior patterns. A person may show disinterest in their usual
surroundings or neglect to perform regular chores. Signs that a change in usual patterns is
occurring are when there seems to be a greater desire to be alone; the person is sleeping
more than usual; or they become forgetful about special hobbies. A loss of appetite is also an
important sign. This isn't to say that other factors would not be considered, but given the
following additional symptoms, depression would be a primary diagnosis.

Appearance is something that is difficult to hide. As caretaker, you should pay attention to
uncombed hair, dirty clothes, facial expressions, unusual quietness, skin tone or gestures.
Concealing one’s feelings may be easier for some than others, but obvious feelings may be
more apparent. Look for recent signs of grief from the loss of a loved one or pet or a sense of
hopelessness with unusual anger and impatience. Also look for new or unusual reactions such
as self-blame or ongoing criticism of friends and relatives.

Finally, pay attention to the words being used. There are words and phrases that are reflective
of suicidal thoughts based on underlying depression. The key is to be aware of unusual
behavior or words and take action before they reach a self destructive or suicidal stage. These
can include phrases like: "I wish I were dead", "What's the point of living", "I have no joy in
my life", "Things will be better when I'm gone", or "They won't have me to kick around much
longer". As a preliminary response, you might consider counseling or one of the following
alternatives. Please bear in mind that depression is difficult to self diagnose, but the feeling
that "something is not right", with a chronic desire to continually sleep, should lead one to
consider help.

Certain herbs have wonderful curative abilities relating to depression. A few are discussed
here:

St. Johns Wort is probably one of the most discussed and available herbs around.

It has nutrient value to the nerves and has quietly provided an alternative to
Prozac as an antidepressant. Remember that when taking any traditional drug or
herbal compound, there can be unexpected side effects. In this case, St. Johns
Wort can CAUSE anxiety as it increases levels of dopamine in the brain, so avoid it if
there is recurring anxiety.
 Licorice Root tends to replenish the adrenals, allowing a more relaxed state. This herb
should not be used for those with hypertension or high blood pressure.

Passion Flower is another calmative for the nerves, reducing anxiety and high blood
pressure while encouraging sleep.

Valerian assists with all types of mood problems, as well as nervous tension, anxiety,
stress and insomnia.

Scullcap is another adrenal herb, but also has been very effective for nerves, high
blood pressure, worry, restlessness and emotional conflict.

I recommend that these herbs be taken from liquid tinctures, 40 drops once a day, after the
evening meal. As with any type of herb, do not overdo it. More is not necessarily better. If you
notice improvement, reduce the amount taken and find a maintenance dose. Try one at a time
to determine how each will work for you. Give it a week or so before adding another herb. As
these herbs are generally considered calmatives, they tend to quiet nerves and may increase
serotonin. Serotonin acts to eliminate depression at higher levels in the brain.

Brain chemistry is another factor that plays a significant part in depression. When levels of
serotonin are low, many symptoms can result. These can include insomnia, depression, low
confidence, anger, irritability, lack of emotional control, negativity, low energy and even a
greater desire to control others. Often, low levels of serotonin correspond to either high levels
of dopamine possibly causing anxiety, worry, fear, increased heart rate, aggression and
inability to focus attention. High levels of acetylcholine may also be seen causing restless
sleep, poor confidence, insomnia, decreased listening skills and decision-making problems.

Testing is available for evaluating brain chemistry and correcting the underlying problem.
Generally, a product called 5HTP can be helpful for low serotonin levels, taken with B6 for
absorption. Also consider SAMe, inositol, Folic Acid and a multi B complex at 100mg or higher,
twice daily. Sometimes just a better diet can help achieve a healthful balance. It can be helpful
to have an increased intake of complex carbohydrates, such as grains and pasta. It's best to
maintain a balance between fats, carbohydrates and protein, although with depression, protein
excess may deplete serotonin rather than increase it.

One of the most powerful, effective and curative means for re-establishing balance and
restoring health is a 200-year-old healing modality called Homeopathy. My book, Homeopathic
Vibrations provides a glimpse into its basic components and can assist in understanding its
concepts and principles. There are specific Homeopathic remedies for depression but rarely
does a Classical Homeopath look to one symptom or disharmony. Homeopathy addresses both
the person and the disharmony equally, so check with a Classical Homeopath or review the
remedy in a Materia Medica (a book explaining all the symptoms of each remedy) to see how
it relates to the totality of symptoms, not just the depression. A couple of examples include
Aurum and Sepia.

Aurum is a remedy used for depression, sadness, insecurity, anger, self-reproach, suicidal
thoughts, and fears of failure, worry, tension, stress, bouts of depression from lack of sunlight
and heart problems. A potency of 30c should be sufficient to determine its value. Take once,
wait 4-5 days and then repeat only if no changes have occurred. Repeat only once more and if
there are still no changes, consider another remedy.

Sepia is a Homeopathic remedy that helps with bouts of depression from loss of sunlight, but
it can be differentiated from Aurum by its grief, fatigue, sarcasm and irritability aspects. The
individual needing Sepia can be indifferent, weepy, angry, overwhelmed and exhausted.

There are many additional remedies that may be of value, based on the totality of the person
and their combined symptoms rather than singular symptoms such as depression. If none of
the above Homeopathics seems to be appropriate for your circumstances, put some light in
your life and see a Homeopath. There is a good chance that you can get through your
depression without drugs or their side effects. Of course, if you are on medication, do not
discontinue without proper supervision.

All of these herbs, supplements and Homeopathic remedies can be used in conjunction with
medications, generally, without causing any harm. But remember; stop dosing if an
aggravation occurs, as there is no need to over stimulate depression. Once triggered the body
finds its own way of rediscovering balance, even on the emotional level.

We all feel sad sometimes. Sadness is a normal emotion that can make life more
interesting. Much art and poetry is inspired by sadness and melancholy. Sadness
almost always accompanies loss. When we say goodbye to a loved one we
usually feel sad. The sadness is even deeper if a close relationship has ended or
a loved one has died.

Sadness alsohelps us appreciate happiness. When our mood eventually changes

from sadness toward happiness the sense of contrast adds to the enjoyment of
the mood.
10 Simple Ways To Overcome Depression and Sadness 

We've all been upset. Sadness is a totally natural emotional response to certain environmental stimuli. 
Most of us have support, or systems in place to overcome sadness, reach balance, and go on to be 
happy as quickly as possible.

There are two groups of people that have prolonged sadness, or depression. One group consists of 
those that have a severe chemical imbalance, which requires a doctor, and possibly medication to 
treat. This article is not geared for that group. Rather, this is directed to the people in a funk or seem 
stuck in a rut, those that lack the tools, know­how, and support systems to bounce them back.

In my opinion, and I'm no doctor (BA, Psychology; MS, Biomedical Science), the latter group of people 
are wise to seek natural treatments instead of simply medicating the symptoms. That's why we're 
going to look at 10 ways to overcome sadness, without the happy pills.

1. Set Goals
Something special happens the moment the paper meets the pen and we write down our 
goals. Our brain chemistry changes, neurons fire, hormones are deployed, and we start 
thinking about how we can achieve those goals.
2. Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is healthy for our body and mind. Some argue that sleep 
deprivation treats depression, but I don't buy it. I think it's a cheap distraction that catches up 
to you within days. Get enough rest.
3. Exercise
If you're physically capable, try one hour of cardio (or as much as you can). If you're tee­shirt 
is soaking wet, you're standing in a puddle of your own sweat, and you can feel the 
endorphins pumping through your body, you did it right. Shower up and try not being happy, I 
dare you.
4. Forgiveness
Many times we're making ourselves sad for no good reason at all. People have been known to 
keep grudges for lifetimes (most religions and nationalities keep them for generations). When 
you forgive, you remove this weight off your shoulders and put yourself in a position to be 
happier.
5. Gratitude
Many times when we complain we can cause ourselves to be sad. Complaining is just a factor 
of not taking into account what we're grateful for. Sit down and make a list of 100 things you're 
grateful for right now (and I dare you not to feel better).
6. Sunlight
Certain people have a disorder, in which, due to a lack of sunlight, they experience seasonal 
sadness. I'm somewhat affected by this in the winter when the days are shorter. That's why it 
pays to grab your iPod (or your friend) and go for 30 minute walks each day and embrace the 
sunlight.
7. Hydration
This has always been my downfall; I don't drink enough and chances are you don't either. 
Some days I drink only 1 cup of water, and I feel horrible. When I remember, and drink 2­3 
liters, I'm happy as a kitten on cat­nip, and productive as a bat out of hell.
8. Friendships
Your life force, support system, and everything that matters. It's not hard to make friends if you 
put the time in. Everyone wants to be heard, appreciated, and loved. Start off by listening, 
appreciating and loving, and it will come back your way.
9. Reading
Take a temporary leave from reality and bury yourself in one of your favorite books. A lot of 
wise people have been through what you're going through and they made it through to the 
other side to tell about it.
10. Journal
This could be an escape but it doesn't have to be. You can write about fiction, and transport 
yourself to another world, or you can write about what's going on, and let your thoughts carry 
you through to a solution. Many great books were written by people who were, at least at the 
time, going through a period of pain and suffering.
Sadness and Depression Are Not Synonymous
by Ian Magill, M.D.
1997

Many use the terms sadness and depression interchangeably, as if they were
synonymous. But they are profoundly different. Whereas sadness is an emotional state of
mind; depression is an illness, a mood disorder, and a constellation of symptoms.

Confusing depression and sadness can lead to estrangement, strife, turmoil, even death.
Learning the differences between the two can increase our feelings of empathy and
compassion, and perhaps save a life.

We've All Been There

Sadness affects us all from time to time. It is part of the everyday human repertoire.
Sadness has many names and descriptions-people have "the blues," they are "long-
faced" or "under the weather." Sadness is familiar to us, easy to approach. Depression,
on the other hand, can be a paralyzing affliction that has a drastic impact on daily living.

Speaking metaphorically, we might say that sadness is a superficial scratch, while

depression is more like a wound that may require a tourniquet. Sadness can distort our
vision, so that rich colors are dimmed, but depression blots out all light and leaves a
blackened, desolate landscape. And while sad people may need to be comforted,
depressed people need to be treated.

Sadness is the easier condition to understand; we've all "been there." There is no stigma
associated with being sad. Sadness is seen, heard and discussed everywhere. We can talk
about it over dinner, at a sporting event, even at work with our colleagues. It is found in
novels and on the silver screen, and television actors suffer through it on our favorite
situation comedy. Because its reach is short, sadness always remains above the surface,
never penetrating through to the depths of the human psyche.

In addition to the dimensions of sadness, we know its origins. It started with a bungled
interview, a perceived humiliation, some added stress at work or a disappointing blind
date. We mull over the source, and shortly the unhappiness goes away. We reveal our
discomfort to an intimate, and we rebound. We are like emotional clones of Charlie
Chaplin: we trip and fall, then dust ourselves off and start all over again.

Even when we are sad, we can continue to parent our children, function at work and still
enjoy our hobbies. We may not be moving at the same pace, but we arrive at our
destination just the same.

In some instances, sadness can even be a positive or motivating force. It can nudge us to
reevaluate our circumstances and empower us to view ourselves differently. Sadness can
prompt us to challenge our reactions to life's events and trigger a new perspective.

Depression is a different entity altogether. It is a serious mental health problem, and

fortunately not as commonplace as sadness. Depression, sometimes called melancholia,
is referred to in lay terms as a "nervous breakdown." Depressed people are not actually
broken, but they are bending downward. And if sadness is like walking through a muddy
swamp, depression is like flailing helplessly in quicksand. When it overtakes us, we feel
powerless, lost, with no options.
Roots of Depression

Depression is a biospsychosocial disorder that can be caused by diverse psychological and

physiological mechanisms. Environmental factors may include a deteriorating marriage, a
threatening or abusive relationship, or the loss of a close friend or family member.
Depression can also be triggered by the chronic abuse of alcohol or sedatives, or by the
use of certain prescription medications. In addition, a medical condition such as thyroid
disease, stroke or hormonal imbalance can directly lead to depression. A physical
condition such as arthritis, cardiac impairment or cancer can also indirectly cause
depression due to impaired functioning. There are instances in which a brain
neurotransmitter deficiency is the culprit-a "chemical imbalance." Moreover, a
combination of those or other factors may contribute to a depressed condition.

Regardless of the cause, depression is always recognizable in its appearance and

presentation. Depressed people are typically lethargic, tearful, reclusive and less inclined
to interact socially. They may have difficulty with memory and concentration. Their
sleeping patterns and eating habits change, and they may feel helplessly defeated-
useless to others and themselves. This mental disorder is agonizing and painful, and may
lead to thoughts of self-harm.

Many people unwittingly deny or fail to distinguish depression from common sadness.
While sad people do not experience shame or embarrassment about their condition,
depressed people often view themselves as weak or deficient, and thus force themselves
to look away from their own anguish. Some depressed people assume the role of the
happy entertainer and feel too awkward to disclose any genuine discomfort. Others are
caretakers who subjugate their own health needs, feeling obligated to manage the
emotional affairs of others. Some just don't have the time for depression; they are too
busy or important-as if depression can be brushed aside, willed away or easily lifted. Still
others may be too fearful of channeling their anger at the appropriate target and instead
unconsciously redirect their guilt-ridden rage inward.

This mental condition is not only denied by the sufferer but often minimized by others.
Some of society still perceives depression as a problem afflicting the feeble, the
unambitious and the dim-witted, though in reality no such linkages exist. Well-meaning
parents sometimes vehemently challenge the diagnosis of depression in their children.

Witnessing depression in others can incite strong and unpleasant reactions in us. We may
feel powerless and impotent over not being able to effect change in a loved one. Because
of the isolating effect of depression, we may also feel alienated, unwanted and betrayed.
And finally, we may experience anger if unfinished tasks and increased responsibilities are
foisted on us as a result of the depression of a loved one. But denying the reality of
depression does not erase it.

Many people adopt the attitude of "Pay no attention, and maybe it will go away." Few talk
openly about the qualities of depression; they are whispered about with a hand cupped
beside the mouth.

Depression unconfronted, however, will not go away. Fortunately, with proper treatment it
can be overcome. For this to occur, the disorder must be addressed professionally
through psychotherapy and medication. Without these interventions, depressed people
can be robbed of their ambitions and consigned to an aimless, dreamless state.

To those who suffer from depression, therefore, we should extend ourselves and listen
carefully.
Dr. Magill is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He is in
private practice in Jenkintown, Penn., specializing in the treatment of outpatients
suffering from mood disorders, work-related psychological injuries and posttraumatic
stress disorders.