The term "depression" refers to a wide spectrum of mood disorders, that differ in terms of causes, symptoms and severity. This means that treatment is very complex for a large proportion of people. Depression is a serious, confusing illness, which for many of us is a very hard reality.

The motivation for creating Optimism is straight-forward. It is something that everyone with depression can benefit from.

The program is basically an advanced health and mood diary. It helps you discover your depression triggers, the symptoms that they produce, and based on this knowledge, effective strategies for staying mentally well. Its great strengths are its charts and report, which together give you a visual "birds-eye view" for identifying the important cause and effect relationships. Many people discover, when looking back over their health records, that their depressive episodes have been quite predictable.

Monitor your health easily. Optimism prompts you to keep a record of all things that impact on your mental health, both positive and negative, creating a valuable record of your depression triggers, symptoms, and useful stay-well strategies.

Identify cause & effect relationships. Simple to follow, visuals highlight connections between the factors that positively and negatively affect your health.

Plan your health. Formulate a Stay Well Plan within the software, a dynamic document that you adjust as you learn more about managing your depression. Print or email it to your health provider or carer, together with a report, so they know how to help you stay on track.

Succeed. As most people who have recovered from depression will agree, it takes an awful lot of work to get better and then stay well. Those who are active and determined to pull things around tend to have the most success.

James, your little program, Optimism, is exactly what I needed to finally start keeping track of my mood swings, and of what I do that encourages the ups (and the downs). I love how simple it is to use. And I appreciate how dedicated you are to improving Optimism, personally responding to my feedback and incorporating many good ideas from your user-base. Wow! Nice work you've been up to... I love all the things that are on your list. This little program is growing quite nicely!
Rees

Hi, I have been using optimism for one month now, and find it a fantastic program...Keep up the great work. Regards Michael.

Thank you for creating this wonderful product!
Samira

I've been on meds for 9 years, but I am still learning how to deal with depression. Thanks for making this tool.
Jack

I LOVE this and wonder if you've considered a version for women...kudos for this great product.
Pam

Very interesting, and my wife the school social worker agrees that you seem to have pretty well covered the waterfront. I would buy it except I don't want to get my life in order or to feel any better than I do.
Richard

Hello James! I bought Optimism...and I'm happy I did this because I think that it can help me to be aware of certain situations.
Montse

I'm very impressed with your product and have started using the reports with my therapists.
John

You have made depression software? What a world we live in. I’m quite amazed.
Bitter Animator

Thanks for putting into words what I ‘discovered’ through my clinical depression.
Alinda

very nice advice indeed!
Deepak

This is a really, really good post. I tried to write something similar, but your post is way more detailed. Thank you for posting this.
Paul

This is a great resource for anyone trying to beat their illness. I’ve recently been diagnosed with manic depression and felt so helpless. The therapy helps...but you can only really help yourself. This is a great collection of articles and advice for someone looking to get well...Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
Chantal

You have a wonderful site and I am going to put ta link to it on my blog.
Thanks so much!
Catherine

This has to, BY FAR, be the best post I’ve seen in a long time, that actually gives some assistance to both parties involved in any chronic illness! ...Thank you for this post!!!
Amber

This is wonderful. Sometimes even the most well meaning people don’t quite how to support a depressed person and would value from this information.
Diana

I’m grateful to have found this site and these marvelous people. I hope I can associate for as long as I need to (which will be the rest of my life). Hugs to all...
Sharon

Anna, this is a wonderful guest post. I have depression myself, so I can feel for the carers. Your understanding and self-control are amazing. I’m not sure I could be that loving if I were the carer instead of the depressed one. Thanks for sharing your experience and ideas.
Holli Jo

Anna,
This is so helpful both professionally to share with other families who suffer with the depressive, but also personally. I’m going to print it up and make Eric read it. Thanks!
Therese

I love this blog. You have done an awesome job. I will definitely be back.
Aimee

Hey - thanks for making me not feel so alone. I have friends and family who love me and are great at supporting me, but there’s nothing like hearing from other people who know what this is like.
Newt

This was my first time to this sight. For me I am the depressed one and a lot of problems with family members I think that should read this. Not only depression I have Hepatitis c & siroccos of the liver & ostiopenia. Many reasons among others for my depression. I have copied and printed this to let my family know just what is going on with ME. I did also copied Things to say to someone with Depression and Ways to insult someone with depression. I am hoping that my Son, & Mom so they can advice other family and friends. I do believe this information should help a lot. Thank you.
Laurie

Great topic. Great tips. I have no life, no leisure. I’m thinking I might need to do something about that.
Therese

Just found your blog and am really enjoying it. I’m very interested in the research on mood improving throughout the day. I have a hard time getting moving during the morning. Waking up early can cost me a full day. My husband does not understand it at all.
Leigh

Fasinating and I can certainly relate...I am saving this and sending it along to others. Thank you!
Jeanne

Thank you for this (and your other) helpful, practical post about dealing with a depressed person. My husband (and, by extension, I) has been struggling for a while and today is the day I am finally telling him he needs professional help. I still don’t know exactly how he will handle it, but there are a few good phrases you suggest and an attitude I can adopt so I don’t somehow make things worse. I wish you speed and love in your healing process. Thank you for reaching out at what is surely not an easy time.
Amanda

It’s nice to hear someone say something good about bipolar for once...not that it’s a party...it’s not, but I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today if I had been born without this illness. If I had the chance to live my life again, I would choose for bipolar to be a part of it, despite that pain that comes with the package. Thanks for the article, I really enjoyed it.
Greta

Another informative and excellent post on your blog. I hope many of my patients read english.
Thanks, walter

That is great that you have such an intimate knowledge of the relationship between your body and food. I’ve just recently started a food diary to try and make some connections myself. Timely post for me, thanks.
Karen

Thanks for this site and all of your input! I have a sister who I am trying to care for and I too am very frustrated with her illness. Now I see more light and feel empowered by all of the above letters. I was ready to give up and become very angry at her and now I feel I can become a better carer. Thanks so much xxoo
Ange

You’re ZEN - deliciously right - can’t say otherwise.
Confabula

hi, been reading all your letters, wow! gave me a real eye opener.
G A

Very helpful post, thank you! That’s so true for me about feeling that horrible lack of control when I’m having a depressive episode.
Canadian Coco

sigh
Jackal

Thanks for this, I was talking about this very thing with my husband this morning.
Karen

Great posting and a good reminder to beware of putting too much emphasis on results of searches, especially when it comes to seeking help, advice or support.
mtdepression

Wow, I really had no idea about the food/mood relationship. Sure, I’ve often thought chocolate would cheer me up (haha), but I’ve never done any research about the ways foods affect our moods. Thanks for sharing!
Alicia

Excellent article. My wife has been wondering if one of our girls is having a food allergy (suspect: milk), so I’ll point her in your direction so she can read up on it. Thanks.
Douglas

James. This is quite weird. I was browsing the comments over at ‘Unclutter’ in regards to that massive storage unit. I came across your comment ‘Amazingly awful’ and had to chuckle, as that’s exactly what I would have said. I clicked your link (something I rarely do) and hear I am. The ‘weird’ part is that I am a depression sufferer as well, and have just come out of yet one more spell down in the depths. I’m always looking for ways to stay optimistic, and coming across your sight made me smile. So...thank you.
Karen

This is a great post - your point is good and your analysis seems good as well. Thanks for posting it.
elizabeth

I like your article and experience up there. I can relate what your tying to do. Its true that it is hard to do in action than thinking, dreaming and hoping about what are you going to with your life to make you happy. I think it is all in the mind. Our minds create a negative thinking that our body response could not move or do anything.
Fred

Great site man thanks
bob