A close relative in my family, who is now deceased, struggled for many years with mental illness.
Although she sought help from psychiatrists, had regular counseling sessions, and took prescribed drugs, she still dealt with the problem of depression.
Question: How does gratitude help me day to day? I have heard a lot about how practicing gratitude helps with depression but I don’t know how to practice it in an effective way.
Response: by William McKenna, M.S. Clinical Psychology Extern at Catholic Charities
Great question! Gratitude is a powerful antidote to depressive thoughts and feelings for a number of reasons, many of which I am sure you know.
Possessing only an abstract understanding of gratitude makes putting it into practice difficult.
MADISON — “Depression: Signs, Triggers, and Where You Can Turn for Help” is the topic of a presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Church gathering space, 401 S. Owen Dr., sponsored by the parish Respect Life Committee.
MONONA — “It’s basically goodness starting within myself and flowing out to others,” Dr. Robert D. Enright said as he explained forgiveness.
“When we have been treated unfairly by others and choose to forgive, we do two things: we get rid of something negative and then we try to offer the one who hurt us some kind of moral goodness, whether it’s respect, generosity, kindness, or even some kind of moral love.”
Q: Both of my parents are alive, and in their late 80s. They have some physical health issues, nothing major, and I am grateful that they are still mobile and able to live independently.
My issue is with my dad’s emotional health. He sleeps almost all day. He gets up to eat and then returns to bed or to his chair and naps. He has lost interest in gardening, helping around the house, and doesn’t even seem to want to go out or do anything.
My mother feels it is just his age and doesn’t expect him to help with anything. She does not want to force the issue. I say he is depressed but my mom doesn’t want to do anything about it. It is sad to see him sleeping away — should we force him to see a doctor? (From a son in Monona.)
There is no shortage of information in the media about how to improve your life through instrumental changes such as eating more nutritiously, exercising and not smoking.
Did you know, though, that nurturing a positive mental attitude can also go a long way toward maximizing your physical, mental and spiritual well-being?
Even if you don’t consider yourself a naysayer, make it a point over the next few days to scrutinize everything you think and say; you might be surprised.
