Americans Snapping by the Millions – Record Depression, Suicide, Fear and Stress

What is it that causes some people to handle a situation with minimum of stress and another person to crumble and fall into depression?
What is the cognitive thinking process that is so different between the two types of people:  As a psychologist, we need to look at adaptive versus maladaptive and mentally healthy versus mentally ill.
Unfortunately, as a society we have accepted mental illness as a facet of the normal.  It is up to each of us in the community to recognize those with mental illness and get them help.
The person that becomes depressed is responding to circumstances with irrational behavior, fear, phobia and lack of control may lead to depression.
Being aware and alert to danger is different from becoming obsessed with something that rarely occurs or less likely to occur in your neighborhood.  Self doubts, irrational fear and continued pessimism may result.
Lack of socialization may affect our esteem and lead to depression.
A depressive personality affects their ability to relate socially may make them feel apart and alone.
They are unable to get off the depression merry-go-round.  The cognitive processes of dysfunctional attitudes leads to dysfunctional thought processes.
More Americans are becoming dysfunctional.  They experience fear, panic and stress.  When there is no sense of “security and belonging “ depression may occur.
Changes in memory function have a causal factor in depression.
Psychological studies indicate a decease in memory function fails into 4 categories: illness and death; relationships and family problems; abuse and assault and work and financial problems.
The high frequency of the intrusion of these negative autobiographic memories may occur even 6 months later. Often over time, there is a deterioration of memory processes.
Chronic depression focuses on the over-generalization of negative thoughts results in approximately 20% who commit suicide and even more will attempt it.
A chronically depressed person sees the future as “Today, is bad, tomorrow could be worst”.
Success in suppressing unwanted thoughts in everyday life is a coping skill for reducing stress.
The process of positive empowers a person to achieve desired results in esteem, success and the ability to control depressive thinking.
Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication are used to increase serotonin levels for the short term.  Long term results in chronic stress and depression need to be dealt with a team of psychologists, physicians and mental health professionals.
To avoid depression and stress

• Know the signs and learn to deal with it in a healthy way.  This may include a change in eating habits, exercise and increased social activities with your family and friends
• Know that stress and depression can occur and apply “coping skills” learned through cognitive thinking process
• Know the difference between rational fear and irrational fear
• Plan measurable, achievable goals for the future.  This will lead to success and not add to anxiety or depression