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Unhappiness, Depression,
Apathy, and Index What causes depression? The immediate cause may be that we have (1) given up on some important goal (e.g., felt failure), (2) had some important source of goal fulfillment removed from us (e.g., someone left us), (3) be in a state with no important goals on our mind (e.g., completed a goal or become uncertain about what we want), or (4) be underchallenged and understimulated by our situation. People who experience depression habitually often have one or more of the following characteristics: (1) a negative or underdeveloped philosophy of life, (2) low self-esteem, (3) a bias toward negative thinking or "deprivation thinking" , (4) expectations that are unrealistically high, (5) low assertiveness or interpersonal skills, (6) low emotional coping skills, and/or (7) beliefs that cause too much self-sacrifice and self-deprivation. ADVICE To overcome more habitual (chronic) depression, then look at some of the factors described above and honestly assess yourself on these factors, and develop a self-development plan for overcoming them. Counseling (see below) can be an important part of that plan, as can reading self-help books, taking self-development classes, and exploring the recommended Internet sites. Some people may require medication, but that should be determined jointly by a psychiatrist and your own observation of what helps you. Also, if you have not already done so, take the SHAQ CARES assessment that is a part of this web site (click here) to see which factors may be causing your depression. INTERNET
LINKS For readings by Dr. Tom Stevens that deal with
each of the factors causing depression mentioned above, see below: (3) A bias toward negative thinking,
deprivation thinking, or expecting too much of others. (4) Self-Expectations that are unrealistically
high (5) Low assertiveness or interpersonal skills (6) Low emotional coping skills (7) Beliefs that cause too much self-sacrifice
and self-deprivation. Additional Internet References:
**** American Psychological Association: *** Online Depression Screening Test ***World Health Organization Clinical Research Unit for
Anxiety and Depression information about depression *** National
Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association ***AAS - American Association of Suicidology
***Virtual Pamphlet Collection of the
University of Chicago--SEE DEPRESSION ***NIMH Suicide Information ***NARSAD - National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression Self-Esteem, Internal Control, and Assertivenes Low self-esteem and low Internal Control and Assertiveness are often part of the root causes of depression. Go to help sections on Self-Esteem, Internal Control, Assertion Training. Victor Frankl M.D. Man's Search For Meaning. David Burns M.D. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Tom G. Stevens PhD, You Can Choose To Be Happy: "Rise Above" Anxiety, Anger, and Depression. GO TO: book_sites.htm To be developed later. Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS) Other student services and
student organizations may also be helpful ssx
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and Happiness
Home Page Free, full-length self-help manuals.
Psychologist Dr.Tom Stevens' Web Site
at www.csulb.edu/~tstevens California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Copyright 2006, Tom G. Stevens PhD URL of this web site is www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/success
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