A Multitude of Causes"What are the causes of his depression?" This is the earliest question asked, and one of the most difficult to answer definitively. There are as many contributors to depression as there are men who get sick from it. The Essential "Cause" Principle Your Husband Must KnowDepression is a physical illness related to a problem in the brain. This illness is treatable with counseling, medication and the pursuit of optimal wellness.
So what?Good news: Your husband understands physical cause and effect. He knows that a blow to the face will result in a black eye. He understands that a vicious tackle will result in a knee injury and that it will eventually need surgery to make it right. He will understand that diabetes is an illness where the body is not producing enough of a certain chemical called insulin. Steps have to be taken to manage that disease.Your husband needs to learn the working theory of depression that professionals use. What he nees to know is that something has occured in his brain that is depriving him of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Those chemicals are necessary for communication between cells in his brain. Because of this deficiency his brain is slowing him down. My psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Lockhart, defines depression as "believing things that aren't true." Your husband's brain is telling him a lot of untrue things by refusing him access to comforting reality. It is flooding him with negative thoughts and emotions that are overwhelming his defenses. It is trying to get him to stop something, and change his behaviour and decision making so that his brain can recover. You might say that his brain is in pain and wants him to do something to alleviate the pain.
What is optimal wellness?Wellness Definition: Stedmans Medical Dictionary 27th Ed.Wellness: The fullest realization of physical and mental potential; attitude, fitness, diet, and avoidance of unhealthy practices. We will talk interchangeably about "stopping depression" and "pursuing wellness" even though they are not the same thing. Pursuing wellness is the positive way to view life. You are going to help your husband move toward a better future. It is a forward movement toward greater health that encompasses exercise, nutrition, changes in life style and medical help. Pharamaceuticals are designed to stop something. They stop pain and other symptoms of illness. It is the pursuit of wellness that pushes us toward correcting the underlying physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. What Makes the Imbalance Happen?The answer to this question is where the uncertainty lies. We must discover the underlying behaviour and decision making unigue to your husband that got him to that point.More good news: There are several broad categories of primary causes of depression in men. With the help of a professional your husband can identify the behavior that is contributing to his physical brain chemical imbalance. Once the enemy is named, the strategies can be applied. Don't worry! Even when your husband's depression defies easy description, there are many strategies that will help move toward greater wellness. Causes of Depression: Three Broad CategoriesBiologicalConsider what happened to our daughter Jenny. As a healthy sixteen year with no pre-disposition toward depression we were shocked when she started saying "now I know why people kill themselves."Jenny went to the dentist and had her wisdom teeth removed. He gave her two medications to bring home, one was an anti-biotic and the other for pain. The day after the extractions, Jenny was sobbing and saying "I feel so sad and I don't know why." Another 24 hours and she was sobbing more and spoke the words about those who kill themselves. We took her off both medications immediately and within 36 hours she was back to normal. Her depression was real, it was severe, it was very dangerous! It was triggered by medication designed to help. It could have been deadly. I give you that personal example to say this: Our bodies are complex and sensitive to the many harsh chemicals in our environment. No matter if your husband is exposed to pollution, toxins, or pharamaceuticals, the reaction can be sudden and severe. Check out this list of questions about potential triggers from Drs. Les Carter and Frank Minirth. Seventeen biological triggers of male depression. Spiritual Triggers of DepressionInsights from Dr. Robert Lockhart.Consider these spiritual causes of depression in your husband. Psychological Factors in DepressionMore to come in the near future!
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