Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression
Discussion
Read this information and discuss the questions below with a partner:
A recent medical survey in Britain revealed that 25% of the
population saw n o hope for the future and one in ten felt that life
was not worth living. Many teenagers were excessively worried
about their weight and general appearance. Approximately 25%
claimed they suffer from anxiety over their studies.
1. Are you surprised by these statistics?

2. Are you basically happy with your life?
3. When i s the happiest you have ever been?
4. What i s happiness?
Reading
Read through the article and answer this question -What exactly is this man's problem?
When I was married I thought I was 'stupid' and 'incompetent'. I shut my

miserable because of my wife. So, we got friends out and I became generally useless.
divorced, and then I thought things would Sometimes I would go out to do a bit of
change. But I was still depressed somehow. shopping and I would see happy couples
Friends used to invite me out, and though I walking around - some of them with
had nothing else going on, I'd tell them that children - and then I would feel even
I was busy or that I had other plans, but I'd worse. And so I thought, "That's it! I'm
just stay at home and watch TV or vegetate. lonely. I need a girlfriend." And so I got on
So, then I blamed it on my job. I used to the internet to try and meet people. And I
fantasise about just leaving the place. I did. And for a few weeks I actually thought
started taking days off sick. M y performance I was getting better. But it got worse.
went downhill. But I couldn't quit. I was I started thinking about old age and death.
scared. I would wake up in the middle of And pretty soon the things that used to
the night, just lying there -thinking. make me happy, things like nice weather
Then a job opportunity came up at a and a call from a friend, started to seem
different company, and for a few months more like irritations. Life began feeling
I actually thought I was getting better. But pretty pointless. I think I was on the verge
then it came back- with a vengeance. of giving up on it all when I met Judy.
I started crying - literally crying - for no The advice Judy gave me changed my life
reason at all, sometimes in the middle of for the better, and probably forever. I can't
the day. I started calling myself names like believe the difference it has made.
Read the article again and discuss these questions with a partner:
1. What seemed t o be the man's problem?
2. What aspects of the man's life did this problem affect?
3. Have you or anyone you know ever felt like him?
4. Who i s Judy and what do you think she said to him?
5 . What advice would you have given him?
31 Anxiety and depression Taboos and Issues

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Language Discussion
Complete the sentences below with these words: Some mental conditions are controversial, with
usual take low down some experts saying the problem is all in the
mind. Are the following conditions real?
under hard top weather
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
1.Things are just getting me . . . . . . .
permanent tiredness caused b y stress
2. He's not his . . . . . . self at all.
3. I'm feeling a bit under the . . . . . . . Seasonal Affective Disorder
4. I'm feeling a bit . . . . . . at the moment. depression caused b y long, dark winters
5. Things are getting on . . . . . . of me. Post-traumatic stress disorder
6. I'm finding life . . . . . . at the moment. persistent emotional problems after being
7. I'm . . . . . . a lot of pressure. involved in a traumatic incident
8. I'm not sure I can . . . . . . much more. Road rage
Which sentence above is usually used to talk getting angry and possibly violent because of
about physical rather than emotional or the stress of modern driving conditions
psychological health? Mid-life crisis
Do any of these sentences apply to you or anyone a sudden crisis of confidence suffered by men
you know at the moment? around the age o f 45
Reading
Read these ten tips on how to be happy. Which do you think are genuinely helpful?
HAPPY HABITS
Ten proven ways to increase your happiness
Most people are unhappy because they choose to be. All they have to do is change their
minds and learn some new habits and their lives will change for ever. Here are ten habits
of happy people. Try them and experience the results for yourself.
-
Act happy even if you don't feel it. A smiling face will get more smiles from others.
Enjoy the moment. Happiness is not produced by great things happening, but by
recognising all the little positive things that happen every day.
Take control of your time. Happy people feel in control of their lives. Set yourself
realistic goals for the day.
Take regular exercise. Get your body producing those depression-busting chemicals.
Get rest. We all need time on our own and enough sleep - make time to re-charge
your batteries.
Sing. People who sing are happier. It's the people who have to listen to them who are
unhappy. Be a singer.
Get a pet. Stroking a cat or patting a dog has therapeutic effects, calming anxiety.
Feed your soul. Studies show that actively religious people are happier. They cope
better with crises and are part of a supportive, accepting community.
Prioritise close relationships. Spending time in open communication with loved ones
stops isolation and independence.
Get out of town. Spend a few hours a week in the countryside. Smell the fresh air,
touch the flowers and hug a tree.
Discussion
Discuss with a partner or as a class:
1. Is this serious advice or just light-hearted?
2. Do you agree that to be happy you just need to 'change your mind'?
3. Could the tips above help someone who is seriously depressed? Are any unhelpful?
4. Have you ever had to help a friend who was depressed?
Taboos and Issues Anxiety and depression 31

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Anxiety and depression

1. Are you surprised by these statistics?

When I was married I thought I was 'stupid' and 'incompetent'. I shut my

31 Anxiety and depression Taboos and Issues

Taboos and Issues Anxiety and depression 31

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