A psychiatrist suggests some couch-less cures for that low-down feeling
By ROBERT L. MEINEKER, M.D., with Theodore Irwin
AT one time or another, most of us have a bout
with the blues. Failure to be invited to a
party, a husband away on a business trip, a dis
approving remark by the boss, or sundry other
factors send our spirits plummeting.' We have a
deep-down, out-of-sorts feeling, our efficiency
suffers, we take on a don't-care attitude, depre
cate ourselves, brood over imaginary mistakes,
can't make decisions, and exaggerate our worries
about everything.
What can we do about such moods?
First, let's try to understand that a mild depres
sion is normal when we suffer a disappointment or
temporarily lose someone or something important
to us, whether it's "love" or prestige. A healthy
person should be dble to spring back in a short -time,
appreciate himself again, find renewed hope,
and gain perspective on the cause of his blues.
In contrast, some people are addicted to the
blues, becoming downcast over minor frustrations
or disappointments which shouldn't faze them.
More serious is the psychotic type of depression,
in which the feeling of sadness and worthlessness
goes far beyond the gravity of the disappointment
that set it off. In extreme cases, the victim may
become wholly incapable of coping with life.' '
Many people appear to have regular sieges of
gloom. It may come on the familiar "Blue Mon
day," which stems from confronting the long week
of work, frustrations, or tensions ahead. On the
other hand, it may strike on weekends when otherwise-busy
people face too much leisure, and an
inner compulsion to work develops guilt feelings
about being idle.
There are many acceptable ways to snap out of
the dumps. Ballerina Danilova, for example, takes
a bubble bath. TV actress Arlene Francis goes out
alone for a drive in her car. Screen star Jack Car
son brushes them off by watching his old movies.
I believe the following suggestions may help
break that occasional depression.- Some will work
for you, others will not,' for the roots of the blues
generally differ with each individual. Pick the
ways that are best for you: '"''
- 1. Search out the reason for your drooping
spirits. Is it trivial or really important? Bring your
feelings out in the open by discussing what's both
ering you with your spouse, a close friend, or
- someone else you respect and trust Sharing prob
lems often makes them seem less ominous.
2. You'll get a quick lift by doing something
nice for yourself, such as giving yourself a present.
For a woman, it can be a new hat or hairdo; for
a man, it may be only a new tie or perhaps the
fishing rod you-have wanted for a long time.
3. Try varying your pace, sharply altering your
routine. A change of scene, even for an afternoon
away from home or the office, often cures an attack.
" 4. Plunge into strenuous action a fast walk,
household chores, or hitting a bucketful of golf
balls on a driving range. Avoid a competitive sport
because defeat may only deepen your depression..
Yet if you have a special skill, such as at bowling,
ice skating, or golf, show your strength and prove
to yourself that you have something on the ball.
5. Escape from yourself by putting your mind
on a movie, a play, an absorbing novel, or a game
demanding deep concentration. Artistic expression,
such as painting or playing a musical instrument,
may also do the trick.
6. Avoid harping on unpleasant past Incidents
once you realize nothing can be done about them.
' 7. Stop thinking of yourself as the center of
the universe. Consider the problems of your fam-
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have done for you. ' -
8. The most effective antidote for the blues is
to give of yourself. Don't be stingy with your re
sources of time and effort.
9. Instead of sitting and counting your miseries,
say "thank you" for what you have. In finding
out your own riches, you'll realize that you're not
a helpless, hopeless, cast-aside creature.
10. Looking over your life, realize that perhaps
you're being selfish in demanding too much from
other people or expecting the world to come to
you. If you have a driving ambition and want to
run the show, you've got to accept full responsi
bility along with the disappointments. If you pre
fer passivity, you'll have to give in to others.
11. Stay away from pep pills. Taking such stim
ulants onlv means that.vou're deoendine on a.
crutch when actually, you have, ample emotional
reserves within you.
Finally, remember that your low-down mood is
self-limiting, healed by the passage of time.
Your emotions are remarkably resilient so that by
tomorrow you'll have bounced back from the blues
of today. But if these remedies don't work, con
sider getting psychiatric help, especially if you
increasingly continue to feel depressed.
- A little touch of sadness now and then seems
to be a common human need. The popularity of
blues singers, for example, is an index of the de
mand for this mood.
Your low spirits are not something unique. In
fact, brilliant men and women are most subject
to dejection, so you're in good company. Why not
relax, confident that you can banish your blues,
with just a little effort?
W3i
COVER:
There' flood reason for the big, bright
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Artnur Schatz. She has already seen the
new beachtoear fashions on page 14.
April 23, 1961
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