How The Mind, Body And Environment Can Lead To Depression

Syd Baumel discusses, in his book Dealing With Depression Naturally, a model he developed on how depression comes about.

3 Psychological Conditions

The first requisite is the presence of three psychological conditions, the first of which is “discontent”. One feels that something is lacking, or that something is not right, in one’s life.

1. Discontent

Such discontent can come in a few forms. One involves what we have or do not have which is different from others. Another involves things that we have done which have fallen short of expectations or which have resulted in feelings of guilt. Then, there are also issues with one’s identity, and this is where problems like lack of self esteem, lack of self worth, shame, inferiority complex, etc, come in.

It is human nature to be perpetually discontented and unhappy, to look out for what is missing in our lives rather than to focus on what we do have and what is actually good about it. So, a problem alone does not typically lead to depression, and other elements must be present.

2. Hopelessness

The next condition is “hopelessness” – the feeling that a problem or life issue has hit a dead end and cannot be solved. Other than “dead end”, other terms which come to mind include “giving up”, “loss of hope”, and “lost cause”.

Baumel elaborates that these two conditions are still not enough to take us into depression. Human beings have a philosophical quality which helps us maintain our sanity. This quality allows us to accept and live with things which we know cannot be changed. There is a Christian prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi which goes: “Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Acceptance of undesirable circumstances in life will prevent one from falling into the depths of depression. For example, if one’s loved one passes away, or one goes through a heartbreaking breakup, but is able to accept the loss and move on in life, one will likely not be consumed by the jaws of depression.

3. Irreconciliation

The third condition, according to Baumel, is therefore “irreconciliation”, where one is unable to either accept and live with a problem, or unable to at the very least walk away from it. In such situations, the problem can quickly become all-consuming, seeming more important than everything else in life.

The Physical or Physiological Aspect – Body and Environment

This three-condition model of depression which Baumel presents goes beyond just the mind or psyche. How is that so? A human being, you see, is inextricably made up of the mind, body and environment, and their interconnectedness dictates that each has a strong and profound impact on the others.

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