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What You Need to Know about H1N1 and Depression

Yes, it's flu season and people are experiencing it. I had it and I know a number of people who have had it too. I'm not sure if it's the swine flu or another flu as the symptoms are so similar, but eventually it has passed. However, one similarity that we want to be aware of is symptoms of the flu and how that could ignite a fall into depression.

Here's the deal, if you've experienced depression, you know that it's a traumatic event. Whenever a trauma occurs we develop a conditioned reaction in our minds (and our brains) that tries to avoid these feelings at all costs. Sometimes the brain mistakes the flu or a cold for depressive symptoms and goes into a reactionary mode that ends up pouring kerosene on the fire and because of this, we manifest our own reality of depression.

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Let's break it down:

• Physical sensations - When depressed, these could be feelings of tiredness, heaviness, achiness or maybe tension in certain areas of the body. When we look at physical symptoms of the flu, these seem to also be on that list. So because of the trauma of past depressive episode, the mind is hypervigilant and on the look out to anticipate any signs that depression is coming.
  
  When we get a cold or are run down, the mind kicks into gear automatic negative thoughts or maybe catastrophizing.  
  
  
• Thoughts -  Either these automatic negative thoughts that are connected to depression arise such as negative self judgment or the what if's game of anxiety arises, "oh no, what if I'm getting depressed?"  This further exacerbates the physical symptoms and brings on uncomfortable emotions.
  
  
• Emotions - Now that the negative thoughts have been triggered, we may begin to notice feelings of shame or unworthiness coming on. Or maybe we notice fear and anxiety in response to the catastrophizing and impending dark cloud of depression lurking overhead.
  
  
• Behavior - When sick we already tend to isolate and not connect with people. This is similar of depression further validating the idea that we're depressed.

In order to break out of this cycle we have to be aware of it and allow the thought that "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." In other words, maybe we're just sick and depression isn't inevitable.

With this awareness we can break the cycle of depressive auto-pilot and just allow ourselves to be sick and care for ourselves in order to get better.

During this flu season remember, what's restorative is rest, chicken soup, and kindness. With mindful awareness, we can change our relationship to ourselves from one of fear and anxiousness to that of nurturing, kindness, and support.

As always, please share your thoughts, stories, and questions below. Your interaction here provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.

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Thank you!

I Guess it's just the flu - Rose Minshall - Nov 10th 2009

I really thought I was getting depressed, but it makes so much sense. I tend to panic when I get these feelings, so hopefully in few days I will start to bounce back. I have never had a flu hang on for so long.

OH so right - - Oct 30th 2009

This is so right!  I have just gotten over the flu and have been questioning myself ever sense.  First is was questioning if it was really even the flu at all or just me again.  Then guilt, then depression all of the things you mentioned.  What you didnt say or I didnt catch was how to prevent it