Posted by Shy_Girl on March 11, 2005, at 10:52:11
In reply to Re: What to do when feeling down? » Shy_Girl, posted by Impermanence on March 11, 2005, at 1:41:36
> Adrenaline which is the cause of your anxiety and Cortisol which brings moods of depression and hopelessness. I think it helps to have a scientific understanding of your condition, then it doesent seem so bad.
Hmmm...I think there may be something to the cortisol thing. I just realized that I was a little depressed yesterday, but then I had a little accident with the toaster oven, whereby I started a small (abeit extremely scary) fire. That fear reaction probably pushed my depression along futher.
Also, sometimes there is a sort of mis-attribution of the physical and emotional connection. I realize that sometimes when my heart pounds for one reason (like after exercise), and if I percieve a potentially anxiety provoking situation (like talking to a stranger), the panic reaction I may have is not wholly due to the anxiety itself...and that I have falsely magnified my sense of fear because I thought my heart was pounding because of the feared social interaction.
>... But Cortisol, it's a nasty one, my understanding is this hormone would have been useful when parents had to hunt, build and protect and leave the babies alone for long peroids of time. When the baby was worn out crying cortisol would do it's job and the baby would accept defeat and stay depressed and "quite" therefore would be less at risk of being eaten by predators. I can't see much other use for cortisol.
I've read similar reasons about the evolution of depressive and anxiety states. There is a facinating article somewhere that talks about why social anxiety is important for social structure. Don't remember where that article is.
>
> You must understand that chemical imbalance actually stems from our own thoughts and actions. Example; you found out you won the lotto = elation. A loved one died = sadness.I find that I'm almost always cheered up when I go to class (because what I'm learning is facinating and I forget about being depressed). Unfortunately I have dropped my classes. Studying also cheers me up, but it takes a lot of energy and motivation to overcome my inertia and not wanting to move. Sometimes it is hard even to get up and go to the bathroom...it's like I'm almost paralyzed. Going outside of the house and moving seems to help...looking at the cute hamsters and guinea pigs at the pet stores is fun. I think I will do that today : )
> A wonderful book you must read:
>
> "Awareness - Anthony De Mello"I may even go to the library to check that out. Thanks : )
poster:Shy_Girl
thread:469471
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050305/msgs/469666.html