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.
Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com
Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience
in the mental health field www.depressionhelpguides.com
