Trying Positive Self Talk

Andy70 · Post by **Andy70** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:53 am

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for many years. Recently I have experienced extreme financial/business problems and entered a bad depression and I am on medication. I know that part if not all of my problem is the way I beat myself up and focus on the negative. I can see the value of positive self talk and can also make a solid attempt to implement it when things aren't so bleak. However, as I'm sure you know, depression has some very big dips and I seem to feed off the negative. I have trouble breaking out of the down mood even though I know I should talk to myself in a positive caring manner. Feeding off the negative will only make things worse but so hard to do when you are in these dark moments. Does anyone who has been through or is currently in the program have any advice on how to positively talk yourself through these dark mood swings? Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:04 am

Sometimes it helps if you ask what the negative thought is trying to tell you. If you see the positive intention behind the negative thought you can understand why it's there in the first place.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:25 am

Andy, I struggle in this area as well. I guess the term "lost in thought" could best describe the phenomenom. When the thoughts are bad you don't want to get "lost" in them because then you begin to feel bad. I suggest that you distract yourself as quickly and completely as you can. I turn on the program and that helps me immediately then I think of other things I can do such as visit a museum or exercise to take my mind off of whatever the thought is that is trying to ruin my life.

My Path to Peace · Post by **My Path to Peace** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:42 am

Andy, I am right where you are man. I have been fighting this bout since Febuary. Negative thoughts and low self esteem are the enemies for sure. I am doing this program, laughing in the chatroom, listening to <A HREF="http://www.HISRADIO.org," TARGET=_blank>www.HISRADIO.org,</A> reading books about depression, etc.
exercise, drink more water, etc. Knowing that I am fighting better than I ever have is the most positive thing I know. I guess I just got fed up with all this crap. I have a long way to go, but we will not surrender. We will not give up. We will fight this in our minds, at the mall, at our jobs, at church, at play, and we will be victorious because we fought back.

SOON TO BE HAPPY · Post by **SOON TO BE HAPPY** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:15 am

You guys I SWEAR by this...put signs up all over your room that say "ALL IS GOOD" "I am creating A PERFECT REALITY" "I am fully empowered in ALL ASPECTS of my life" "I HAVE THE POWER" "I BELIEVE IN MYSELF" "I have PATIENCE" "ALL IS GOOD!" "ALL IS GOOD! "ALL IS GOOD!" " I am IN MY POWER AND ALL IS GOOD!" and put them up all over your room so you see them first thing when you wake up in the morning and randomly. Your subconscious will eventually start to believe it and then...this is the great part...MANIFEST IT! I swear by this. I know how horrible darkness can be...when you feel like negative thoughts and feelings are literally running away with you..THIS WORKS! Just make em pop out...do bold letters with red and black writing...and remember...there is ALWAYS A POSITIVE EMOTION JUST AS POWERFUL ON THE OTHER SIDE...you just gotta get there...this really helps you 'get there'...if you feel like you literally can't get out of your freaking head then put something positive in there to help you while your still in there! You will naturally forget about the negative cause you wont WANT to think like that once you get a foothold in the positive.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:29 am

very good replies. Andy I understand how you feel. That how Ive been lately and boy it is so hard to get out it. And yes depression does have some very big dips like you said. I feel for you. I am going through this right now and I am scared of the way I feel but like everyone has said, it def goes away!! Please keep me posted with how youre doing. I know eating right, drinking lots of water is good to do. . When I am depressed I cant eat anything. . I dont know If youre the same way. . So whatever i do eat i try to keep it healthy and drink alot of water. And like my therapist says, Its understandable to have depressed feeling. They are there for a reason its not like there is something wrong with you. You will learn how to deal with it. . And so will I.

Philip M Thompson · Post by **Philip M Thompson** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:00 am

When I am feeling down that hole, I have found it helpful to use the image of "turning that ship around" with positive self talk. If you were an ocean liner...OK, don't pick the Titanic

..but any other ocean liner, and you needed to use positive self talk to turn yourself around, you would begin by very slowly losing speed. You wouldn't all of a sudden flip and HEY! you're going the other way. You would slowly slowly stall, and slowly slowly start to turn, and it would take a while but you would be making little steps to your eventual destination which is the other way. Maybe this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:13 pm

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and excellent advice! Andy

derfy · Post by **derfy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:37 pm

Love the ship turning around analogy, will use it, thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:11 am

Hi....

Know what you mean. I am off for the summer and have struggled with the up and down mood since school was out in May....among other things I just decided to get busy....I have painted, built shelves, done laundry, cleaned out closets....have done just about everything but spray paint my wife's cats!!!! (Mainly because they run every time they see me!)

But....staying busy doing some things that make me feel like I have accomplished something really helped with the depression. Have also been writing a lot....been writing in a journal for years.....helps me. Am now working creating a small workshop space for myself.....to everyone around me it may look stupid for me to stay so busy....but just sitting around is a garantee that my mood will plummet....just hang in there......

JChick