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Post adrenaline depression and me

Tuesday, 29 June, 2010

I haven't been reading much lately, but one of the things I am currently in the middle of is Unmasking Male Depression by Archibald D Hart (W Publishing Group, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2001). A friend gave it to us a couple of years ago, hoping it would help, but it took me a while before I actually picked it up. Ben said that he started reading it but stopped in the middle of chapter 2 where Hart has a table on the differences between male and female depression (p. 29)—mostly because many of the behaviours that characterise male depression didn't apply to him. That sort of discouraged me from reading on, but I did anyway, and last night I reached the chapter on postadrenaline depression.

Hart starts the chapter by talking about adrenaline and stress, and how, when you've used up all your adrenaline during a stressful period, you end up in a bit of a slump (which apparently is common in male depression). Then he discusses adrenaline junkies and how, in between “fixes”, they're unbearable to be around—all grouchy and irritable, etc. I wasn't paying much attention during all this (and during his analysis of symptoms of postadrenaline depression and how to deal with it). But my brain engaged once more during the section towards the end of the chapter where he said that it wasn't just adrenaline addicts who are susceptible to these sorts of things; people who are subject to periods of high stress also experience similar symptoms.

I realised that, even though this is a book about male depression, that section applied to me and probably explains a lot about what happens to me—often from week to week: I power on busily at work and at home, hitting deadlines, getting things on my To Do list done, and then by the end of the week, I've run out of adrenaline and feel flat and unmotivated. I'm not an adrenaline addict; I just feel the slump when I've run out of steam or “hit the wall”.

Hart has an interesting solution to the problem: cooperate with postadrenaline depression. Don't fight it. Don't try to get your adrenaline going again. Work with what you feel. Here are his tips:

• As soon as possible after the activity is over, go aside and relax for a while.
• Allow the low mood to come over you, welcoming it as your friend.
• Pay attention to what the “healing” process feels like in your body; it's not really unpleasant if you interpret it as something good.
• Continue to relax for as long as possible, without tackling any task awaiting you, giving priority to your recovery.
• When you feel like it, mark time by doing routine, low-adrenaline-demand activities—the key being to avoid anything (like phone calls or personal meetings) that might get your adrenaline flowing strongly again.
• If you are feeling depressed, accept the feeling as part of the recovery process—it has no other significance, so don't try to interpret your feeling or believe any of the negative self-talk that always accompanies it.

(p. 122)

The second last point is particularly pertinent for pastors: on Mondays, Hart recommends doing something mundane and low-key—like filing or sorting out your desk—rather than engaging in meetings and one-to-one ministry. Then take your day off later in the week when you are better able to enjoy it.

I wonder if I need to set up something similar for myself so I don't feel so crabby on my day off. Food for thought ...

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