D oes D epression H elp U s C ope ?
Many mental health experts blame the recent spike in mental illness on the DSM-5 (the standard classification of mental disorders) and the ever- expanding list of psychological conditions it identifies. But others, like neuroscientist Stephen Porges, aren’t convinced we can attribute increasing mental health problems to just diagnoses — and new ideas about mental health are changing how we view depression forever. We used to think depression started in the head and presented physical symptoms as a result, a behavioral representation of the turmoil within. But Porges, and researchers like him, believe it’s actually opposite of that. They theorize that the body can take in stimuli and internalize situational data much better than we thought, and that — at least for the Americans afflicted with mild or moderate depression — the mental illness is an immune reflex, similar to the swelling caused when blood rushes toward an injury to flood it with nutrients and, in some cases, immobilizing the area. Of course, that swelling can be a serious health problem in itself, and the same is true for depression.
For example, when people are in long-term traumatic situations, depression takes them “out” of themselves, and researchers posit that this numbing effect allows them to survive their daily difficulties, and memories of the period may be less damaging once they escape it. The question, then, is what do these new theories mean about the epidemic of mental illness sweeping America today? At the base level, it indicates that many Americans find themselves in unpleasant living situations, at the least, and hope for a future where that isn’t the case. Perhaps, Porges’ group says, modern people feel trapped in a world where comfort and convenience are the highest priorities. Mass depression is the result. This means that to survive, depression may be our buffer until we can pursue a vastly different way of living — a societal dilemma of the first order, and one we cannot afford to ignore.
However, the new school of thought points out the positive effects of depression in many situations.
M argaret B ryant , M arketing D irector Team Member Spotlight
“When I came across the opportunity with The Manely Firm, it felt like a perfect fit,” she said. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find work that marries all of their interests, and Margaret doesn’t take that for granted. She joined the firm in April 2020 with the pandemic in full swing. While the safety measures in place made parts of her job challenging, she said they also helped her come up with new ways of reaching people by taking their current mindsets into account. But she’s very pleased that there are more opportunities to gather safely now, and she’s looking forward to getting back to doing events in the community. A big part of Margaret’s job is getting the word out about what we do here at The Manely Firm and what sets us apart. Since she loves the team that she works with and the mission of the firm, this comes naturally to her. “I
have a sense of pride in what The Manely Firm does and the way we approach family law,” she said. “I absolutely love our team and have a huge respect for everyone.” And that work produces results that Margaret is proud of. “We get to help people get from a very dark place to a bright new start. It’s refreshing to see what we can do for families.” Outside of work, family is also central to Margaret. She’s been blessed with four kids whom she beams when talking about. They range in age from 8 to 16 and are busy with school and activities. Margaret says a lot of her free time revolves around their activities — from cheer camp to softball tournaments to Friday night football games — but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She also volunteers for several organizations, serves on the board for the Northside Youth Organization, and loves to run and travel.
Our Marketing Director, Margaret Bryant, is a Georgia native. As you might suspect, she studied marketing as an undergrad at the University of Georgia, but a study abroad program in Italy with the university’s political science department added a new set of interests. “It really sparked my interest in law and government.” Margaret got to learn more about it both in classes and by visiting historical sites in Italy and seeing things firsthand. After returning to the States, she completed her degree in marketing and retained her interest in law and government, though she wasn’t sure how that might all come together.
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