Assumption #6: Significant events or traumatic incidents can trigger periods of depression.

Many individuals seem to experience significant events that end up transforming into periods of depression.  The list is probably too long to list, but here are a few examples:

• A death of a family or close friend
• An assault, car accident or painful physical event
• painful mental or emotional event
• Marriage breakup, or love lost suddenly
• Constant physical, mental or emotional pain that goes on for a length of time
• Developing a disease or illness that will not get better
• Major financial setbacks
• Substance Abuse
• Rape, sexual assault, or other kinds of abuse

Now many or maybe even all of these events can cause anxiety or even feelings of sadness, yet depression is somewhat different than just a feeling of sadness.  I would even suggest that sadness, stress, and a disruption in your emotions is perfectly normal, yet depression is much more powerful and seems to rob people of motivation, emotion and can  create a substantial amount of pain.  I also feel that depression has more to do with the interpretation or judgment about the event.  Maybe I’m being a little too extreme when I say that all events are “neutral” by nature, and that we then color them according to our values, beliefs, fears, etc…  Is that too extreme??  Think that through for a minute though, what if events (things that happen to you) were by nature really just “neutral”?  What would that mean to you?  What kind of accountability and responsibility would that mean for you and for me?  It’s a difficult idea to swallow, that somehow we have to allow or honor (choose) a certain judgment of the event, and in that choice (our ultimate choice) lies our potential for happiness or misery!  Anyhow, just something to think about, yet the most important part to get out of this small article is your potential… your ability to read your events and transform what has happened to you… what is happening to you… and what will ultimately happen to you.  One quick last word, I feel that one of our ultimate purposes in this life is to grow, and with that in mind, I can color events as growth promoting.

Happy Day!