The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-08-12
Nervous Depression.

The chief part of the cure lies with
the patient. Change, exercise, fresh
air, diet, tonic--all these together will
not cure any one who gives up and gives
way. The aim of the patient must be
to disregard and even defy his sensa-
tons, impressions, languor or whatever
form his sufferings may take, and just
go on as usual, doing all lie can to for
get self. Nervous people often rally
wonderfully under pleasant excitement,
sometimes even under sudden trial.
They surprise their friends by their &C.
tivity and endurance, and accomplish
the otherwise impossible. Let MS Illus
trate our meaning in one or two particu-
lars. Suppose patient so severely de-
pressed that he can hardly be persuaded
to move; he must begin--he must try.
No brooding over troubles and watch
ing for symptoms. Giving up is fatal !;
resolution and hope gain the victory,
with the help of Providence. And even
as to fears, forebodings, and SO forth,
the same direction, in substance, will
apply. A lady told the writer that, after
period of acute suffering from various
apprehensions, she one day said to her,
self: "Now I have long been fearing
all sorts of things, and they do not
come: have had all manner of distress,
and dreaded what has never yet hap.
pened. Nothing that I have been so
alarmed about has really occurred. I
will allow these tormenting fears no
longer" And she resolutely dismissed
her apprehensions. She strove against,
and in time overcame, her gloomy and
groundless forebodings, and now lives
to encourage others, to preach hope and
cheerfu!ness and trust.
Not q few of the habits of modern life
strain the nervous system considerably !;
hurry and excitement are far too preva-
lent. "Taking things coolly" should be
at least endeavored by those who may
have much in their work calculated to
stimulate the mind or the feelings. Ex-
cess Of any kind is constantly the parent
Of nervous depression. So, too, are ex-
citing amusements, such as gambling.
Too much novel-reading is an unsus-
pected, out often very powerful, contrib
uting cause. OverWork, alas is one
which it is not SO easy to remedy as to
denounce.
Little to earn, and many to keep,
Often strains the nerves and brain too
heavily. A good hobby is often Won
derful relief to the overtaxed mind.
Too little exercise and too much tea
ruin the nerves of many woman. Men
often try theirs by indulging too freely
in the use of tobacco. Young men, and
above all growing lads, are very unwise
if they employ tobacco at all. Their
elders have more excuse but the vigor
of youth cannot require it, and certainly
will not profit by it. The diabolical
cruelty of frightening young children is
almost certain to SOW the seeds of ner-
vous weakness so does harsh treatment
in later childhood. And over-driving
and harrassing young lads and girls,
whether at books or work, all tenl in
the same direction. Competitive exam
nations have to answer for some cases
of enfeebled nerves.
Simple habits, moderation in all
things, cheerful amusements or pas
times, and reasonable care, will 90 far
to prevent nervousness. But when,
through ignorance, indiscreton, hered-
itary tendency, or affection, it has been
developed. the sufferer will do we'll to
give all heed to the foregoing hints, and
take for his motto, "Hope on, hope
ever"