Influence Of Psychotherapy And Gender On Depression

To determine “where” and “how” positive self-talk fits into the scheme of intrapersonal communication, and communication as a whole, some definitions must be derived. The reality of emotional choice - - that intrapersonal communication (IAPC), imaging, and visualization (Weaver and Cottrell, 1987). Positive self-talk is part of IAPC, but the part cannot be equal to the whole.
Having concluded that positive self-talk and IAPC are separate but related, what is IAPC? Shedletsky (1989) places it into the traditional model of communication, but all elements of “sender” “receiver”, and “transmitter” are carried out within individual people. Pearson and Nelson 9185) expand that definition as follows:
Intrapersonal communication is not restricted to “talking to ourselves”; it also includes such activities as internal problem solving, resolution of internal conflict, planning for the future, emotional catharsis, evaluation of ourselves and others.  Fletcher (1989) adds the physiological dimension to IAPC. Fletcher defines, “Intrapersonal communication … is the process interior to the individual by which reality evolves and is man tined.”
It is a process which involves other parts of the body including the nervous system, organs, muscles, hormones, and neurotransmitters. IAPC, as well as the internal thoughts and language associated with it, serve as another “control” system in the body, on much the same level as the body’s other system. This is the beginning of the mind-body, or psychophysiological, connection.

Medical professionals are beginning to take note of mind-body interrelationships in their treatment of patient. The basis of this is the recognition of the functions of inner speech. These functions are to:

• Coordinate other connective sensory and motor functions within the brain
• To integrate and link the individual to the social order
• To regulate human behaviour through spoken language
• To provide for human mentation as reflected in mental

Processes and activities (Korba, 1989). Positive self-talk is a health behaviour that has potentially far reaching effects. Although it will most likely be used by those who have a high internal locus of control and place a high value on health, it can also help relatively healthy people in health “maintenance” programs. Self-talk is categorized as being positive or negative. As its label implies, positive self-talk has good implications for people’s mental and physical well-being.

However, the negative is not all bad. The key to using self-talk is to strive for an appropriate balance (which is a tenet of holistic medicine itself) between the two.
The use of positive self-talk has been linked to the reduction of stress, in turn, can effect other positive health changes.
Positive self-talk, like thoughts, is not neutral because it triggers behavior in either a positive or negative direction. Both thoughts and positive self-talk are based on beliefs – which ‘can exist with or without evidence that they are accurate” (Grainger, 1989) --- which are formed early in life. Beliefs shaped our positive self-talk, which in turn affects our self-esteem.
However, negative thinking as the “thinking of choice,” may not be so bad, because it heightens people’s sensitivity to the situation they are facing. They are likely to think more clearly. Grainger says, “Negative thinking, then, is the most productive, the most useful, and the healthiest thinking to adopt “when risk is high”. Instead of categorizing negative self-talk as “negative,” it might be better to call it “logical and accurate” self-talk. Braiker (1989) emphasizes the “responsible” use of self-talk. She warms against confusing positive inner dialogue with positive thinking, happy affirmations, or self-delusions. Logical, accurate self-talk recognizes personal short-comings, but also modifies them to help people define a plan of correction.

DEVELOPING A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE
A positive mental attitude as a basis for self-talk does not require self-dilution. The development of optimistic thought patterns requires essentially three things; recognizing self-talk for what it is, dealing with negative messages, and harnessing the positive for the greater good of individual person. By using inner speech, people can influence their health states, but the benefits potentially react beyond that. To make self-talk positive, people must change what goes into their subconscious. All this hinges on recognition of inner messages.
Levine (1991) expands on the idea of noticing through patterns. Regardless of the thought type (positive or negative), she suggests people reflect upon the antecedents to and the feelings about the particular thought. When people determine which thoughts improve their sense of well-being, they can make those thoughts occur more frequently.
Again, this does not imply that people who practice positive self-talk will be a group of “happy campers”. Negative inner speech can and does play a constructive role in helping people create better realties for themselves. As was previously state, negative thoughts can trigger warning signals in high risk situations. The object is to deal with the underlying message, and then move to correct the situation.
Negative self-talk, like its label implies, has a downside as well. McGonicle (1995) categorizes “harmful” negativity as being “awfulisitc” (everything is catastrophic), “absolutistic” (using “must.” “always,” “never’), or should-have self-talk (‘I ‘should have’ done this”). These also are found on what Braiker lists as “cognitive trap”.

Other elements include:
all-or-nothing thinking; discounting the positive; emotional reasoning; and personalization and blame. Levine suggest examining “seed thoughts”, sometimes mindlessly – sued clichés, for negative elements - - either emotion or health related. For example, thinking “I’m a nervous wreck,” “I’m eaten up with anger,” “that disease runs in my family,’ and “Only the good die young” can undermine any positive thinking people try to achieve. Therefore, individuals must replace these thoughts with something more constructive.
In a society where people (especially females) are taught to downplay their good points, developing positive self-talk might be difficult at first. It necessitates a ‘reality-check.” Most of the time, people are a lot “better” (performance/health-wise) than they previously concluded. Keeping a journal, using your name as you talk of yourself, and releasing pent-up feelings are some of the ways Levine recommends becoming aware of and constructively using thoughts.

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Recently, people are realizing that chemotherapy (drug treatment) may not really be the treatment of choice for psychological problems. As a result of this, most people are now looking forward for treatment techniques that does not involve taking of drugs. Psychotherapy, through non psychopharmacological means, may not give individuals the type of control that they crave for. Hence, individual may resist some form of psychotherapy that puts them directly under the control of the psychotherapy. Such clients prefer therapies that will enable them carryout the treatments themselves after the initial training. Exercising and positive self talk gives them the type of control that they desire. Therefore, the present study seeks to determine whether exercising and talking positively to self will reduce feeling of depression among persons.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions of this study are as follows:

1. Will there be any significant difference on effect of exercise in combination with positive self-talk on depression than exercise alone.
2. Will there be any significant difference between males and females on the influence of psychotherapy on depression.
3. Will there be any significant difference on those administered high exercise than those administered low exercise on reducing of depression.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY 
 The results of this study confirm what has been acknowledged among people but with limited empirical confirmation that exercise has some mental health benefits. The study will also show find out whether  talking positively to self will help to reduce a lot of negative thoughts that people hold and that acts as poison to their minds and body.
Furthermore, the study will also know whether non psychopharmacological treatment techniques can help to reduce depression. 

1.4 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
 This study will be useful to those in the medical and clinical psychology settings and even private persons. This may contribute in better understanding and treatment of depression in our society.
Also, it will make people to understand that exercise is not only beneficial to muscle training and weight controls but also to control the psychological state for holistic mental health.