Causes of Depression II
Anger and Depression II
Depression
and Alcohol II Stress and Depression
Anger and Depression.
One way of defining depression is to call it anger turned inward.
Some people, especially those who are introverted, bottle up their
feelings of anger and depression instead of letting out their rage
and sadness.
Even though men in our society are less apt to cry or show their
emotions, men are just as likely to experience anger and
depression as women. When men feel anger or depression, they often
cover up their feelings.
Men are often afraid to cry because they might be considered a
wimp. Boys who might feel anger or depression are ridiculed for
showing emotion and learn to hide feelings instead of being
shamed. Men may hide feelings of sadness or shame by expressing
anger. They may even show their anger when they are really feeling
depression or fear.
While depression and anger might seem as though they are
opposites, the underlying emotions are often the same.
People who are angry feel intense, loud, powerful while people who
are experiencing depression come across as though they have given
up the fight. However, the nagging feelings beneath the surface
are painful emotions. To be more scientific about the
similarities, people with depression and anger could be
experiencing a chemical imbalance that leads them to either
externalize or internalize their anger.
Depression and anger are similar in that they both affect the
human immune system.
All people, but especially older men, may have a weakened immune
system due to depression and anger. Depression is particularly
common in people who are taking care of loved ones with major
illnesses.
Caregivers and older men are the most vulnerable to depression and
anger due to the tremendous stress they feel.
Researchers studied 82 senior citizens who cared for a spouse with
Alzheimer's disease. They hoped to find a connection between
depression, anger and the immune system by comparing the subjects
to a control group of 83 married non-caregivers of the same age
and gender.
The study showed feelings of depression in men were connected to a
diminished immune response. The men, they found felt depression
due to feelings of loneliness. Older men experience depression
because they don't talk about their problems and have fewer
friends.
Men are also not traditionally the ones who act as caregivers.
Therefore, men who care for ill spouses might feel even more
stress that leads to anger and depression because they can't cope
with the responsibilities. The study showed men had a higher level
of stress hormones released in their bodies when facing the stress
of caring for an ill spouse.
Meanwhile, higher level of anger correlated to reduced immune
function in both in the males and females. Even more interesting
to note, the combination of anger and stress appeared to result in
reduced immune function.
Judging from the results of the study, it would appear the best
way to deal with feelings of anger and depression is to talk it
out and form a close circle of friends.
Anger has been linked to depression in many other studies as well.
In one 1993 study, anger attacks were found in more than 40
percent of subjects with major depression.
People with anger or depression might want to
consult a professional such as psychiatrist, psychologist,
counselor or minister.
A professional might diagnose a person with depression and anger
as being bi-polar. It's not uncommon for psychiatrists to
prescribe antidepressants to people who express a mix of
tearfulness, euphoria, anger and irritability. However, only a
medical doctor can prescribe medication. Furthermore, a
professional will be better equipped to judge whether or not the
anger and depression are fleeing based on traumatic event or part
of a chemical imbalance.
Serotonin is often referred to as the body's natural mood-altering
drug and changes in serotonin levels can quickly alter mood. If
serotonin levels drop to low levels, depression is almost sure to
follow. Some antidepressant medications work specifically to
affect the action of serotonin. Deprex, a natural antidepressant,
naturally works to stimulant serotonin levels without the side
effects commonly associated with antidepressants.
