Here’s what people in therapy tell me when I ask about a moment of anger. “I didn’t think anything. I just felt angry.” And I say, “Yes you did think something. You just weren’t aware of it. And thinking influences feeling. Anger is an intense emotion that leads people to yell, curse and say things they often regret. Behind that red-hot feeling is a “thinking” you who contributes to your emotional state.
Usually your thoughts go like this, “I’ll never…He’ll always…How dare she…My life is over…How could he…I can’t believe… I ought to…No one treats me like…The nerve of… Can you believe… He’d better… I won’t take…Angry thoughts often come when we demand things from people, e.g., he’d better not treat me this way. Well guess what? He just did. Thinking you didn’t deserve what happened doesn’t help you feel better.
We all get upset when things don’t go our way or people treat us poorly but thinking negative thoughts just gets us more wound up. Instead of demanding people behave “the right way,” try changing your thoughts. Say, “I wish I could control people but I can’t. I’m not going to let this get to me. It’s not the end of the world. It’s frustrating but I can handle it.” Acknowledge your disappointment but don’t rev yourself up with negative thoughts of revenge, injustice, hopelessness and drama.
It’s that time of year again. Daylight is shorter. The air is brisk and people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) know it’s time to get more light! Winter depression, know as the “winter blues” or SAD, gets activated by decreasing daylight. It usually begins mid October and ends around April.
SAD is a treatable depression that affects about 35 million Americans. The farther north you live, the greater your chance to be one of the 10 million people diagnosed, or one of 25 million that have some symptoms. People in the northern states get half as much sunshine as those in the South.
Symptoms can include tiredness, irritability, inability to concentrate, weight gain, craving carbohydrates, isolation, and difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. Women in their 30s are most susceptible but the disorder affects men and children too.
Treatment is relatively easy.
Because light therapy regulates brain chemistry, you need to get more
light. Light interacts with the eye through the optic nerve and
increases brain chemicals that alleviate depression.
COMING MAY 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Like most of you, I waited in line to vote this morning for 2 hours and 15 minutes. I actually got to know more of my neighbors and it was exciting to see the voter turn out. Now, I wished they had more than 3 women checking us in! This is what created the lines--poor planning for the crowds anticipated. But people were upbeat and friendly and we all felt a part of history for the moment. Whatever the results, we'll see the first African American President or first female Vice President! Pretty amazing wither way. My encouragement to you today. If your candidate loses, don't allow depression or anger to over take you. God is still in control and pray for our country is drastically needed. Keep the faith--not in government, but in God! Dr. Linda
Thursday December 18, 2008Holiday Family AngstI'm getting ready to go on a PBS radio show to talk about being with... read more
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