Watch Dr. Kanner discuss this very important topic this Monday, October 13th @ 8:20am on San Diego 6 News In The Morning.
Background: With the recent financial crisis that has effected just about each and every American household, more and more people have become worried, anxious, and even depressed. Depression, like any other psychological disorder is due to internal conflicts which include anger, anxiety, and often times guilt. Depending upon the individual dynamics and circumstances that effect each individual, how they manage such strong feelings is individualistic. For example, one person going through such hardships might become slightly anxious, while another with the same external conditions could become seriously depressed and worried. Such differences are based on a combination of constitutional factors (genetics) and personal experiences that each individual has had throughout his or her lives related to situations which provoke stress and anxiety.
The effects of depression in an adult also trickle down to their children and other family members as children look to their parents as the foundation for their comfort and stability. When a parent becomes depressed, children often regress themselves and develop their own symptoms as a reaction to their worries and concerns about their parent or parents. Granted, as adults, situations, such as a depression in the stock market will naturally cause stress and worry, but how adults manage such difficult conditions will have effects on both their and their children’s mental health. Again, past experiences typically dictate how each person personally manages stressful times, but there are some practical techniques that adults can do when they are worried, stressed, and angry that could avoid turning into a depression.
1. Allow yourself to feel your anger about situations that are unfortunate.
2. Talk with close friends, who are supportive, about your concerns.
3. Keep yourself on your daily routine.
4. Keep eating and exercising.
5. Try to maintain a positive attitude towards the future, like knowing that the stock market goes through periodic highs and lows.
6. Do not make any rash decisions.
7. Stay away from self-medicating – this will increase depression and decrease good judgment.
8. Plan ahead for the future in positive ways.Following these strategies will often keep people from developing a depression and making them more consciously aware of what they are concerned about. When people are “comfortable” with their feelings, such as anger, psychological symptoms often do not develop. If you are finding yourself falling into a depressed state however and the above mentioned techniques are not working or you are unable to complete them, seek a consultation with a trained mental health professional. I have such a list of one here on my Blog on San Diego6.

Dr. Keith Kanner l Morning Show Host
Your Family Matters
XETV l Bay City Television
8253 Ronson Road, San Diego, CA 92111
San Diego Living Show
(: (619) 261.2346 8: Dr.Kanner@sandiego6.com
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