 |
Giving Up the Silence: Series on Depression and Mental Illness
Depression,
by Dr. Patricia Heras, San Francisco, California
Everyone gets the “blues” now and then. This feeling of mild, fleeting depression usually passes when we call a friend, decide to go shopping, or with the passage of time. When the mood persists for a longer period we may be depressed. Research shows that the rate of depression for teenage girls and young women have never been higher. Women are at higher risk for depression than men are. The ratio is 2 to 1. There are several biological, social, and psychological causes for this. One main reason has to may have to do with women’s sensitivity to the health of our relationships. This is especially true for Filipino women. Many of us measure our self-esteem by the state and well being of our personal relationships. Another reason has to do with our coping style. Men tend to involve themselves in activities (work, sports etc.) that distract them and give them a sense of power and control. Women tend to “brood” and dwell over problems. We tend to try and figure out why something happened. New research proves that the way we talk to ourselves creates and sustains pessimism and depression. The way we think about our problems, and explain a failure or defeat to us can influence our mood. For example if you didn’t get a job and you say “it’s because I’m stupid, or “it’s because they never hire Filipina American women” you are going to make yourself more depressed. If you say “it’s because I don’t know a lot about design marketing” or “Ms. X may not be comfortable with Filipina American women”, your less likely to get depressed for very long. How you explain bad events to yourself is crucial.
TIPS:
- Make the explanation specific to the circumstance - don’t make it a universal truth.
- Keep your explanation for failure temporary i.e. “I was exhausted that day”, or “My boss is in a bad mood today. Permanent explanations are often untrue and will make you more depressed.
- Challenge yourself to come up with at least 5 reasons to explain an event. Some reasons should be positive, some negative, and some neutral.
- Ask yourself “how” instead of “why” questions. How can I have a better relationship with my husband, instead of why do I have a bad relationship with my husband.
- Do something physical (even if it’s cleaning your home)
Giving Up the Silence: Series on Depression and Mental Illness
|
