Depression is a Choice


There is one very simple reason for all emotional depression.

In a recent article entitled "Intelligent Emotions" I discussed how the feelings of "happiness" and "saddness" emerge spontaneously from within one's Self with every decision one makes for themselves in their lives.

When the feeling of happiness emerges it does so in recognition of the fact that the particular decision made is beneficial to the individual. Conversely, when the feeling of saddness emerges it does so in recognition that the particular decision made is not beneficial to the individual.

In other words there is an inner intelligence inside each of us that is monitoring and commenting on every decision that we make in every moment. It is there essentally to tell us whether we are on the right track in our lives. When we are, that is when we choose to listen to this inner intelligence and heed its advice we wind up feeling happy, joyful, content, fulfilled and therefore successful. After all isn't the definition of "success" tied to one's happiness and fulfillment?

What happens when we don't, for whatever reason heed the advice of this inner intelligence? In other words, what happens when we "think" that our logical mind, or someone else for that matter, has better answers than this inner intelligence and choose to follow it or them? Well if you try this experiment for yourself you will likely find yourself feeling unhappy, sad, unfulfilled, and therefore unsuccessful.

Now what happens if you go on not following this inner intelligence for a lenghty period of time, say months or even years? Well, eventually the sadness and unhappiness start to turn into something even more severe.

This emerging state is what many psychiatrists and psychologists call the state of Depression. If it becomes bad enough it brings with it a host of other symptoms i.e. anxiety, hopelessness, loss of energy, loss of motivation, sleeplessness, worry, and even suicidal thoughts.

Now, most mental health practitioners would say that this "theory" as they might call it is too simplistic to explain the state of Depression and will try to invoke some biological cause. In other words they might imply that there is "something biologically wrong" with the person who suffers from Depression.

I ask you to judge for yourself. Just say to yourself, if you are suffering from Depression "there is something biologically wrong with me" and notice if this makes you feel happy or sad?

Does it make you feel good inside or not? Does it make you feel in charge of your life or out of control? Where would you rather be? Well I'm sure that most indiviuals prefer to feel happy, in control of their own mood state and in charge of their lives.

How do you feel now knowing that you have deep inside you everything you need to move you towards that state of happiness?If you have not been used to listening for these inner guiding feelings it will take some practice reacquainting yourself with them.

Nick Arrizza M.D. is an Energy Psychiatrist, Life and Executive Coach, Healer, Speaker, Researcher, Author of "Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation" and developer of the powerful Mind Resonance Process(TM) (available in e-book at: http://www.telecoaching4u.com/ebook.htm). He holds international telecoaching sessions and teleconferences on healing mind, body and spirit

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Depression Information:

Related Articles

I'm Not Depressed; I've Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself
Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the meeting, one of the women went into a litany about how terrible things had been in the past few weeks and how depressed she felt as a result.
Depression Keeps 19 Million Adults From Being Productive
Approximately 19 million American adult workers allow depression to limit their productivity. According to the American Medical Women's Association, this includes 5 million women, many of whom will quit or loss their jobs directly due to the depression.
The Formula for Preventing Depression
While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable, there are many cases, when using the following ideas, will keep you in good spirits - most of the time. Unfortunately, we cannot be happy all of the time, but there is something we can do about it.
Get Rid Of Depression Once And For All
Depression is something that will occur in many people'slives, for various reasons. But the "normal" occurrence ofa plunge in mood due to stressful events in your life,usually doesn't last very long, before a person's naturalresilience responds to the environment of friends andfamily.
Reclaiming Your Life From Anxiety Symptoms
Only somebody who has lived with anxiety - as either a sufferer or a carer - knows how devastating it can be. The affect can be seen and felt across every aspect of your life for years and years.
Antidepressants 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know
IntroductionChange in social and economical states throughout the world although has brought prosperity among the individuals of the world but at a price. It has brought both physical and mental stressors.
Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression
On June 15th, 2004, FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended that the U.S.
Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw?
A major survey on depression symptoms from the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), released in july 2001, revealed adramatic degree of progress in public understanding. Yet even amid this promising trend, the survey sheds light on thedifficulties faced by millions of people striving to manage this sometimes chronic, life-long illness.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: What are the Benefits and How Does It Relieve Depression?
Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than antidepressants and is not related to brain surgery or shock treatments. It is a 60-90 minute out-patient procedure, with robust antidepressant affects on the brain.
Aspartame and Your Mental Health
In 1965, a chemist working to develop an ulcer drug accidentally discovered a substance 200 times sweeter than sugar. The FDA initially shunned this substance because it caused seizures and brain tumors in lab animals.
Depression is the Number One Cause of Disability in the United States
According to the World Health Organization, 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability in the United States and other developed countries are mental disorders, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Approximately 23% of American adults each year have a diagnosable mental disorder and as many as 5.
5 Surefire Tips to Beat Depression Now
Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives..
Depression - Causes and Treatments
Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of morally weak minded individuals. However, new research clearly shows that depression has distinct biochemical roots that affect the way nerve cells work.
Acidity Depresses Thyriod Function
THE RISKAccumulation of acids in your body, due to insufficient digestion of food, food allergies and consumption of acid-forming substances, can depress thyroid function. Acid-related causes of hypothyroidism also include exposure to heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the water supply and in highly processed food.
Depression Mantra
Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. This may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection.
Recognizing Depression
Depression is a serious issue. There are simply hundreds of thousands of people who deal with depression on a daily basis.
St Johns Wort and Depression
The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.
Know the Signs of Depression and Improve Your Life
Typical signs of depression actually show a change in the way a person has come to think about himself."I just can't get myself to do any work around the house.
FDA Nears Completion of Review of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Depression
On June 2 at 8:00 pm ET, Reuters news service issued a press release announcing that the FDA have nearly completed final review of the conditions outlined in the February "deemed approvable" letter for VNS Therapy as a treatment for chronic depression. Cyberonics Inc.