Incessant negative thoughts are the brain's way of telling you something is wrong.

Depending on factors such as genetics, the physical environment or psycho-social influences during childhood, one's emotional system can become overly sensitive to negativity and easily overwhelmed. When traumatic events occur, those with compromised emotional systems can face challenges greater than their ability to cope. For those with weak emotional systems, one overwhelming event can lead to the onset of emotional disorders like Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression. Although these two emotional disorders are different, they share similar symptoms, they often occur together, and they present the same risk factor: death by suicide due to feelings of hopelessness.

Usually, it's the depression that leads to feelings of hopelessness, but more than 40 percent of the time, PTSD already co-exists with depression, and the two emotional disorders become intertwined. Left untreated, these emotional disorders working together can have devastating effects for individuals and their families. Unfortunately, on average, less than a third of those suffering symptoms of an emotional disorder get proper treatment, and this increases the risk of suicide.

Emotional disorders such as PTSD and depression are highly treatable. Treatment can be provided by a licensed mental health professional or through self-help therapies. Yet, on average, less than a third of those suffering symptoms of an emotional illness get treatment. Unfortunately, emotional illnesses and disorders do not disappear on their own. They require some type of intervention.

The first step to intervention is knowing the symptoms:

• sadness, feelings of emptiness
• incessant negative thoughts that occur constantly
• changes in weight for no apparent reason
• loss of appetite
• thoughts of suicide or attempted suicide
• loss of interest in favorite things
• unexplained aches and pains
• inability to concentrate or poor problem-solving ability
• intense or confusing feelings of hopelessness, irritability, anxiety or guilt
• feeling so tired it affects daily activities
• drinking, drinking more than usual or taking prescribed or non-prescribed drugs. 

Our brain works to keep us feeling safe and contented. When the emotional system becomes overwhelmed, the brain can malfunction and become flooded with incessant, negative thoughts which indicate the existence of an emotional disorder like depression. As depression sets in, bodily functions slow down, making it difficult to perform duties, solve problems, or manage daily affairs. This is the brain's way of telling us, something is wrong.  That's when we need to stop and listen to our thoughts, write down symptoms, and if they persist for more than two weeks, go see a health care professional. Having an emotional disorder is not anyone's fault. In fact, 15-20 percent of the population will suffer an emotional disorder sometime in their lives.

Emotional disorders can be a blessing or a curse, depending on what steps are taken to remove stress factors from our lives and build emotional skills. There are many types of intervention from creative arts or integrative therapies to psychotherapy administered by a licensed mental health professional who will help in determining which practices work best for an individual. 

Negative thinking is the depression talking. It serves as a warning against greater problems to come. Emotional disorders like depression and PTSD are highly treatable disorders. It all begins to listening to thoughts and knowing the symptoms. No one should feel isolated or suffer in silence.