Optimism and Its Effects on Mental and Physical Health Essay Example
Optimism and Its Effects on Mental and Physical Health Essay Example

Optimism and Its Effects on Mental and Physical Health Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (667 words)
  • Published: June 11, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The article I chose supports the idea that optimism does play a great role in our mental health as well as our physical health.

Optimism is said to have a great effect on mental health, especially the association between optimism and the presence of mood and depressive disorders. It has been found that the more optimistic a person is the more likely they are to not have depressive disorders and suicidal ideation.The article also states "that compared to optimists, pessimists urtured little hope for the future and were more at risk for depressive and anxiety disorders, with subsequent impairment of social functioning and quality of life" (http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih.

gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894461/). My opinion on this subject is mostly that of agreement; I know in my personal experience with those who have de

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pressive disorders they do tend to have dominantly negative outlook on the future, I believe that it is possible that optimism definitely helps to deflect depression and brings about a better quality of life.I read somewhere the other day that optimist may be Just as wrong or even more so than pessimist, regardless they would have happier lives. I do not think that optimism Is the cure for depression and mood disorders as I do believe that a lot of the time It can be genetics and situations that trigger such mental ailments but I do believe a realistic amount of optimism Is necessary to survive these types of disorders.I myself have been diagnosed with bipolar 2 and borderline personality disorder, I know that no amount of optimism ould have prevented the bipolar disorder but using optimism as a coping skill has brought m

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through very many severe lows. I would go as far as to say that my optimism as well as my support system has even saved my life and several times prevented me from suicide attempts.

Optimism has also been a key factor In my sobriety; I was four years clean this March.As with mental health optimism does affect our health, especially In the cardiovascular area In a positive way. The article states "Although optimism Is commonly believed to be a protective factor with regard o well-being and physical and psychical health some research has suggested that this Is not always the case. Schofieldet al. found that optlmlsm did not predict lower mortality rates among lung cancer patients.Also studies concerning the Immune system turned out contrasting results" (http://www.

bl. nlm. nlh. gov/pmc/artlcles/ PMC2894461/). While optlmlsm certainly has a posltlve effect on health In general there are many Instances where It will not make a difference. Although It may Improve your quality of life It Is not match against diseases such as certain types of ancer and AIDS.

I agree with this also for the simple fact that I have seen many people live long and good lives on the basis that they were optlmlstlc.Those with an optlmlstlc outlook are also more Inclined to take better care of themselves and pay attention to health Issues as they arise Instead of letting them get out of hand. I have also known people to prolong their lives with modern medlclne and an optlmlstlc outlook. In truth we all have a death sentence anyway; no one will ever get out of life ou live but the way you live them,

we will all die anyway but why not make the best of things while we are here.While optimism is important to having the best life you possibly can it is not a cure all for what ails you.

There is tremendous power in the human mind and our way of thinking and positive thought is definitely a weapon against all life's negatives but it cannot win over genetics and it will not win over certain life threatening disease, however, if we learn to turn our negative thoughts around we can learn to be as happy as possible our short time here on earth.

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