Summary
Protect yourself from absorbing other people’s negative moods, with:
- Strong coping skills
- Knowledge and understanding
- Healthy lifestyle
- Patience
You may have an upbeat attitude and a near-perfect life but sooner or later, you’re going to encounter negative people. These are people who can turn smiles to tears and a holiday into tragedy. They blame, complain, or start fights at the slightest provocation.
They may be your friends or your co-workers. You might be married to one. They may be smart or average, big or little, young or old. What they may have in common is some level of depression, and you.
Depression is not “caught” by infection, like the flu. But if you’re around angry, sad, or fearful people, you may start feeling the same way.
“Anybody can absorb negativity,” says life coach and author of Addicted to Stress, Debbie Mandell.
But, there’s a big difference between feeling down and being clinically depressed, which is a serious medical condition affecting family and personal relationships, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health.
At some point in our lives, we all drive through at least a few of life’s potholes, and most people do it without crashing. You may be temporarily upset by problems or disappointments, but you bounce back.
A clinically depressed person, on the other hand, can’t stop feeling worthless, guilty, helpless, hopeless, or regretful. He may have no energy or enthusiasm for work or family, be unable to form friendships or intimate relationships, and show no interest in the future.
How do you “get” clinically depressed?
Sometimes it’s brought on by a medical condition, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Or, it might be the side effect of a prescription drug, alcohol, or recreational drugs. Marijuana, for example, is a depressant. Depression seems to run in families, suggesting an inheritable biological component. Some people fall into depression after a tragic event.
But, a landmark study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente’s Health Appraisal Clinic indicates that the roots of most clinical depression can be traced to childhood, where we learn to think, interpret, and respond to events.
A child learns early on how to handle—or not handle—stress later in life. He studies adults around him, and learns by their example. He can absorb their inappropriate behaviors and negative thinking, then practice them. If his parents are depressed, he might never learn appropriate ways to combat stress.
If a child is surrounded by combative, sad, or fearful people, he learns to fight or hide his feelings. If ignored, neglected, or overprotected, he may never learn to build successful relationships.
If she’s told over and over in words or actions that she isn’t smart, strong, or attractive, she may grow up without the resilience she needs to fend off negative thoughts.
Since no one has a perfect childhood and stressful situations pop up in everyone’s life, we all must build coping skills, says Psychologist Richard Shadick, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director of Counseling Services at Pace University. If we didn’t learn them as children, we can do it as adults. The healthier we are emotionally, the less likely we will be to slip into negative patterns, especially if we find ourselves living or working with people who have depression.
To keep someone else’s mood from hijacking your own emotional well-being
Set boundaries.
“A lot of people will talk incessantly about their bad situation,” says Mandell. “Try to change the subject or assert yourself, nicely.”
Seek positive friends.
“We’re so focused on what we eat but not careful about who we hang out with,” Mandell adds.
Prepare for bad times.
You will face problems in your life. Determine what coping tools work for you, then stock your emotional-health arsenal.
Be careful what you think about.
Don’t exaggerate small problems, says Shadick. “Try to think positively.”
Get physical.
Exercise. The simplest way to reset your mood is to take a walk.
Don’t take another person’s ups and downs personally.
It’s not about you.
Don’t badger.
Be patient. If a depressed person asks for help, give it. Put a key in the lock, but let them open the door.
Knowledge is power.
“Depression can sap the energy and enthusiasm for a fulfilling life out of anyone living with or regularly interacting with a depressed person,” says therapist Joe Wegmann, PD, LCSW. “Family and friends can empower themselves by understanding this disorder, and getting their own needs met.”
Live well.
Follow a healthy diet. Get enough sleep.
Do something.
Go to a movie, spend time with friends. Have fun and be glad you are able to enjoy life.
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health/Depression Basics
866-615-6464 (toll-free)
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read/index.shtml
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
www.acestudy.org
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ACE
Summary
Protect yourself from absorbing other people’s negative moods, with:
- Strong coping skills
- Knowledge and understanding
- Healthy lifestyle
- Patience
You may have an upbeat attitude and a near-perfect life but sooner or later, you’re going to encounter negative people. These are people who can turn smiles to tears and a holiday into tragedy. They blame, complain, or start fights at the slightest provocation.
They may be your friends or your co-workers. You might be married to one. They may be smart or average, big or little, young or old. What they may have in common is some level of depression, and you.
Depression is not “caught” by infection, like the flu. But if you’re around angry, sad, or fearful people, you may start feeling the same way.
“Anybody can absorb negativity,” says life coach and author of Addicted to Stress, Debbie Mandell.
But, there’s a big difference between feeling down and being clinically depressed, which is a serious medical condition affecting family and personal relationships, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health.
At some point in our lives, we all drive through at least a few of life’s potholes, and most people do it without crashing. You may be temporarily upset by problems or disappointments, but you bounce back.
A clinically depressed person, on the other hand, can’t stop feeling worthless, guilty, helpless, hopeless, or regretful. He may have no energy or enthusiasm for work or family, be unable to form friendships or intimate relationships, and show no interest in the future.
How do you “get” clinically depressed?
Sometimes it’s brought on by a medical condition, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Or, it might be the side effect of a prescription drug, alcohol, or recreational drugs. Marijuana, for example, is a depressant. Depression seems to run in families, suggesting an inheritable biological component. Some people fall into depression after a tragic event.
But, a landmark study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente’s Health Appraisal Clinic indicates that the roots of most clinical depression can be traced to childhood, where we learn to think, interpret, and respond to events.
A child learns early on how to handle—or not handle—stress later in life. He studies adults around him, and learns by their example. He can absorb their inappropriate behaviors and negative thinking, then practice them. If his parents are depressed, he might never learn appropriate ways to combat stress.
If a child is surrounded by combative, sad, or fearful people, he learns to fight or hide his feelings. If ignored, neglected, or overprotected, he may never learn to build successful relationships.
If she’s told over and over in words or actions that she isn’t smart, strong, or attractive, she may grow up without the resilience she needs to fend off negative thoughts.
Since no one has a perfect childhood and stressful situations pop up in everyone’s life, we all must build coping skills, says Psychologist Richard Shadick, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director of Counseling Services at Pace University. If we didn’t learn them as children, we can do it as adults. The healthier we are emotionally, the less likely we will be to slip into negative patterns, especially if we find ourselves living or working with people who have depression.
To keep someone else’s mood from hijacking your own emotional well-being
Set boundaries.
“A lot of people will talk incessantly about their bad situation,” says Mandell. “Try to change the subject or assert yourself, nicely.”
Seek positive friends.
“We’re so focused on what we eat but not careful about who we hang out with,” Mandell adds.
Prepare for bad times.
You will face problems in your life. Determine what coping tools work for you, then stock your emotional-health arsenal.
Be careful what you think about.
Don’t exaggerate small problems, says Shadick. “Try to think positively.”
Get physical.
Exercise. The simplest way to reset your mood is to take a walk.
Don’t take another person’s ups and downs personally.
It’s not about you.
Don’t badger.
Be patient. If a depressed person asks for help, give it. Put a key in the lock, but let them open the door.
Knowledge is power.
“Depression can sap the energy and enthusiasm for a fulfilling life out of anyone living with or regularly interacting with a depressed person,” says therapist Joe Wegmann, PD, LCSW. “Family and friends can empower themselves by understanding this disorder, and getting their own needs met.”
Live well.
Follow a healthy diet. Get enough sleep.
Do something.
Go to a movie, spend time with friends. Have fun and be glad you are able to enjoy life.
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health/Depression Basics
866-615-6464 (toll-free)
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read/index.shtml
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
www.acestudy.org
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ACE
Summary
Protect yourself from absorbing other people’s negative moods, with:
- Strong coping skills
- Knowledge and understanding
- Healthy lifestyle
- Patience
You may have an upbeat attitude and a near-perfect life but sooner or later, you’re going to encounter negative people. These are people who can turn smiles to tears and a holiday into tragedy. They blame, complain, or start fights at the slightest provocation.
They may be your friends or your co-workers. You might be married to one. They may be smart or average, big or little, young or old. What they may have in common is some level of depression, and you.
Depression is not “caught” by infection, like the flu. But if you’re around angry, sad, or fearful people, you may start feeling the same way.
“Anybody can absorb negativity,” says life coach and author of Addicted to Stress, Debbie Mandell.
But, there’s a big difference between feeling down and being clinically depressed, which is a serious medical condition affecting family and personal relationships, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health.
At some point in our lives, we all drive through at least a few of life’s potholes, and most people do it without crashing. You may be temporarily upset by problems or disappointments, but you bounce back.
A clinically depressed person, on the other hand, can’t stop feeling worthless, guilty, helpless, hopeless, or regretful. He may have no energy or enthusiasm for work or family, be unable to form friendships or intimate relationships, and show no interest in the future.
How do you “get” clinically depressed?
Sometimes it’s brought on by a medical condition, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Or, it might be the side effect of a prescription drug, alcohol, or recreational drugs. Marijuana, for example, is a depressant. Depression seems to run in families, suggesting an inheritable biological component. Some people fall into depression after a tragic event.
But, a landmark study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente’s Health Appraisal Clinic indicates that the roots of most clinical depression can be traced to childhood, where we learn to think, interpret, and respond to events.
A child learns early on how to handle—or not handle—stress later in life. He studies adults around him, and learns by their example. He can absorb their inappropriate behaviors and negative thinking, then practice them. If his parents are depressed, he might never learn appropriate ways to combat stress.
If a child is surrounded by combative, sad, or fearful people, he learns to fight or hide his feelings. If ignored, neglected, or overprotected, he may never learn to build successful relationships.
If she’s told over and over in words or actions that she isn’t smart, strong, or attractive, she may grow up without the resilience she needs to fend off negative thoughts.
Since no one has a perfect childhood and stressful situations pop up in everyone’s life, we all must build coping skills, says Psychologist Richard Shadick, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director of Counseling Services at Pace University. If we didn’t learn them as children, we can do it as adults. The healthier we are emotionally, the less likely we will be to slip into negative patterns, especially if we find ourselves living or working with people who have depression.
To keep someone else’s mood from hijacking your own emotional well-being
Set boundaries.
“A lot of people will talk incessantly about their bad situation,” says Mandell. “Try to change the subject or assert yourself, nicely.”
Seek positive friends.
“We’re so focused on what we eat but not careful about who we hang out with,” Mandell adds.
Prepare for bad times.
You will face problems in your life. Determine what coping tools work for you, then stock your emotional-health arsenal.
Be careful what you think about.
Don’t exaggerate small problems, says Shadick. “Try to think positively.”
Get physical.
Exercise. The simplest way to reset your mood is to take a walk.
Don’t take another person’s ups and downs personally.
It’s not about you.
Don’t badger.
Be patient. If a depressed person asks for help, give it. Put a key in the lock, but let them open the door.
Knowledge is power.
“Depression can sap the energy and enthusiasm for a fulfilling life out of anyone living with or regularly interacting with a depressed person,” says therapist Joe Wegmann, PD, LCSW. “Family and friends can empower themselves by understanding this disorder, and getting their own needs met.”
Live well.
Follow a healthy diet. Get enough sleep.
Do something.
Go to a movie, spend time with friends. Have fun and be glad you are able to enjoy life.
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health/Depression Basics
866-615-6464 (toll-free)
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read/index.shtml
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
www.acestudy.org
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ACE