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By Dr. Isaac Schumann
Most of us feel depressed or "down" at sometime in our lives
but, fortunately, it`s usually short lived. Some people,
however, are unable to shake off their feeling of depression
and are diagnosed as "Clinically Depressed". Many types of
pills and drugs are prescribed but they often lead to
addiction
in addition to depression, thus creating a never ending
downward
spiral. Thousands, and possibly millions, of patients are
convinced they`ll never recover which only adds to their sense
of low-self esteem. Today, people suffering from depression
seek alternative remedies such as acupuncture and various
therapies. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most
popular as it encourages people to view their problems from a
different perspective. It is one of the most successful
therapies but not always available on a continuos basis which
is essential if the patient is to benefit. People who struggle
financially can find this particular therapy difficult to
obtain on an ongoing basis as their appointments may be weeks
apart. Wealthier people, of course, don`t encounter such
problems as they have sufficient money for private treatment.
Everybody would agree this is unjust but, regrettably, life is
frequently unfair.
There are other methods of coping, such as self-help groups
which some people find incredibly supportive. Friends and
relatives can also provide a "shoulder to cry on" but very few
are able to provide long term support because they are
emotionally too close to the patient. The majority of friends
and relatives find it hard to be objective. Some of them even
go so far as to tell those suffering from depression "to snap
out of it". This is fatal as this is exactly what they want to
do but are unable to do so.
One of the best ways of coping with depression is to enrol in
a
creative writing course. Not an obvious way of coping, it must
be said, but one that can produce amazing results. People who
enrol in these courses are not required to have any
qualifications apart from, obviously, a desire to write.
The reason these courses are so successful lies in the fact
that people who attend them have to think about matters other
than their problems for a couple of hours. This concentrates
the mind wonderfully and allows people to perceive things in a
different way which is reminiscent of the principals of
cognitive behavioral therapy. The courses cover story writing,
poetry, stage, screen and radio plays plus the outlines of
writing a novel. Topics include characterization, plot,
dialogue plus a host of other subjects. Each and every one can
offer countless ways whereby people are able to release their
innermost thoughts, desires and anxieties, so relieving
considerable tension. Poetry offers one of the best methods of
expressing emotion which in itself is extremely cathartic.
Listening to other people`s views is also particularly
therapeutic as, again, this distances people who are depressed
from dwelling on their troubles affording them a welcome
respite. Creative writing courses really do expand the mind
and
leave it open to new experiences which are of tremendous
benefit
to anyone suffering from low self-esteem. Writing, by its very
nature, depends on self expression which often helps people to
understand feelings which may have been suppressed for years.
This can result in a completely new outlook on life itself. It
is simply a question of being receptive to new ideas but the
rewards can be huge. In a nutshell, minds become focused on
looking outwards, rather than inwards, when involved in the
process of writing. In accomplishing such an achievement
creative writing must count as one of the best treatments in
helping people to overcome depression. Enrol on that course
today! You`ll find it can "literally" change your life.
About The Author: Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time
of experience in the mental health field
www.depressionhelpguides.com
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