Can Being an Individual Put You at Incresed Risk for Depression?

 (culture) + (biology) = (depression)?

I just read a fascinating article about the complicated role a person's culture plays in their likelihood to be depressed.

I can tell you as one who lives as an iconoclast that such a life comes at great expense. There is a great cost for not conforming to group rules, and it makes sense that when a person is ostracized that she would be more likely to be depressed, anxious, or both.

Take a look at the article and tell me what you think. 

Happy Wednesday!

Why Not Create a 12-Step Program for Depression?

I am in the process of starting a new group for people suffering from depression and anxiety. And two of the new members both e-mailed the same question the same day. Basically they wanted to know if our group "is going to be a 12 step group?"

I had to think about it for a moment and then I typed this reply:

No, this is nothing like that format in that 12 steps are typically effective with addictions or dependencies (alcohol, sex, gambling). Depression is neither; it is a disease that effects a large swath of our people. The group will help members learn cognitive solutions to their depression (and anxiety) that are proven to be clinically effective.

The question exposes one of the key misconceptions of depression--it does not happen by choice. And since one cannot choose to be "depressed," it follows one cannot choose to be out of depression either--right? Depression is a serious disease that eats up lives, ruins careers and destroys relationships. And there are things someone suffering from it can do to slowly, ever so slowly, turn the tide in the opposite direction.

Want to join us for a discussion on depression and anxiety? Just click here for our first FREE monthly meeting.