Optimism and Its Effects on Mental and Physical Health

Optimism and its’ Effects on Mental and Physical Health 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 nurtured 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 depressive 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 would have prevented the bipolar disorder but using optimism as a coping skill has brought me 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.