Lifestyle Choices

If you have a history of depression in your family, statistically the chances are higher that you may be prone to periods of depression. How much of this correlation is hereditary and how much environmental cannot be answered quantitatively. Although there has been some dogmatic insistence on hereditary factors by geneticists, and on environmental factors by psychotherapists, most will at least agree that susceptibility to depression is affected by both heredity and by early environment, whatever the proportions. These influences weave a complicated and inextricable pattern: a depressed parent may pass on hereditary qualities of susceptibility to the children, but the children will also learn by copying the behaviour of their parent. Depression occurs much more frequently in certain types of personality, and personality is affected by hereditary factors, by copying parents and by reactions to the family environment. The family environment is affected by the general culture, which may be more or less depressive. (more…)

For most people, however, repression is less necessary than is often taught. It is nearly always possible to find ways of expressing feelings which can create more contact and understanding, or which at least are not destructive. Some of these ways are mentioned in the self-help section (see Express the feeling, page 122). The following section explores the area between holding back entirely which is likely to make you depressed, and letting go indiscriminately which is likely to have repercussions beyond your desired result.

Containing feelings

Expression or repression are not the only two alternatives. It is also possible to contain feeling so that it is not expressed, yet not avoided, but remains simmering below the surface. Repression involves making the feeling unconscious by a process of diminishing body energy and feeling, whereas containment involves no deadening of feeling but a “movement” of feeling within. Containment is not related to depression. (more…)