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Life Stress and DepressionHow you are affected by life stress and depression may all be in your genes. Recent research indicates that people that have a short allele gene are more affected by stress, which can lead to depression, than those that have a long allele gene. Science 18 July 2003: Vol. 301. no.5631, pp. 386 – 389 DOI: 10.1126/science. 1083968 : Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene. In a prospective-longitudinal study of a representative birth cohort, we tested why stressful experiences lead to depression in some people but not in others. A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HT T) gene was found to moderate the influence of stressful life events on depression.  Individuals with one or two copies of the short allele of the 5-HT T promoter polymorphism exhibited more depressive symptoms, diagnosable depression, and suicidality in relation to stressful life events than individuals homozygous for the long allele. This epidemiological study thus provides evidence of a gene-by-environment interaction, in which an individual's response to environmental insults is moderated by his or her genetic makeup. Other studies that reviewed the influence of life stress and depression found that depressives have fewer social resources available to them and are less likely to try to solve the problems they face (Billings, Cronkite, and Moos (1983). The Language of those suffering from life stress and depression.Two linguists in Canada, McMullen and Conway (2002), followed the course of therapy of 21 clients, audio taping 471 psychotherapy sessions in order to determine which metaphors depressed clients employ to describe the disorder.  Descent accounted for 90 per cent of metaphors reported. Descent metaphors included “spiraling down,” “having a downswing,” “going through a nosedive,” “sinking low,” “getting mired down,” “needing to work one’s way back up,” etc. Cultural considerations of those suffering from life stress and depression. McMullen’s and Conway’s subjects were white, middle-class Canadians. Other cultures including Hispanics often use weight to describe depression as in, “My heart is heavy.”Where as American Indians often cite darkness, as in, “Every day is a dark day.” Those from African countries that suffer daily racism or are victims of war express more somatically or bodily experiences such as having loss of spirit or soul, or sadness trapped in the body, usually in the heart or viscera. Gafner, George 2004, Clinical applications of Hypnosis, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 153. Life stress and depression are altered by your cognitions.You have most likely heard the saying "you are what you think you are". Many of you probably spend much of your time at least attempting to think more positive thoughts over negative thoughts just in case the statement is correct. Research into cognition, your thoughts and beliefs, have shown that having a positive out look in life actually has an enhancing effect on health, life stresses, and depression compared with a negative attitude about life. Using constant repetition, doing hypnosis once a week or self-hypnosis two to three times per week, to change the things that you say to yourself actually changes the body’s chemistry and produces more “happy” chemicals over “sad” chemicals. Hypnosis is a powerful tool in the battle to reduce the effects of life stress and depression. I have included a free script to help you on your path to living a healthier more
stress free life regardless of what life throws your way.
See my self hypnosis page on how best to use script.
If you would like additional information, regarding life stress and depression contact me. Conquer depression and life stress and take charge of your life as you listen to this motivational video.
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