ick, my grammer/typos are horrible, sorry.

Wow, can I ever relate to your problem! I battle negative thoughts all the time. And there was a time when I had to do the same thing----I would say to that hateful voice that yes I would go ahead and do myself in so that the nagging would stop. But then I wouldn't do it. And I hope you don't really actually give in to it either becasue the fact is our lives are more important than that voice in our heads. And the only cure for it that Iknow of is to stop hating ourselves and start loving ourselves

thanks, Heidi, I don't give in to it either, at least not yet. I am currently in a situation where I feel so trapped, so trapped, and I want out so badly but it is very small unimportant things that keep that cage door locked for me. I fight and rail against them, but they are very strong and it should not be, but it is.

I've never actively pursued suicide...sleep works well enough. I've had times when I wasn't depressed and I couldn't understand why I thought the way I did for so long. But when I'm depressed there are so many negative thoughts and just constantly running through your head. And they make so much sense at the time. And hope is scary.
Writing some of the negative thoughts down each day with a better more accurate way to see the that situation helps. It is very slow and seems useless at times but I think it helps in the long run. I had a therapist who gave me a book called "Feeling Good" by David Burns, MD. and one of the things in there is a list of errors in thinking people have when depressed. Using these to argue with the thoughts help me.
It also shows how to break things down into manageable tasks for when you are overwhelmed.
It helps. I'm not doing as well as I'd like but better. I guess better is...well better.
Hope you can feel better soon.

Oh, I have a problem feeling trapped in situations too and not being able to get out. Some are out of my control but some might not be but it's hard to see it when you just don't have it in you to hope, try or care.

Can you tell us what has you feeling so trapped right now? It might help if you share it.

When I feel negative, I try to get my mind busy with other things.
I listen to music, exercise, garden, play with my dogs.
I know it is a hard thing, when you are feeling down the negative thoughts just come pouring in, just have to try to find a way to distract from it.

Hugs to you. :)

The negative voice can actually be good. It warns you not to venture down certain paths, lest there possibly be a bad outcome. So it is really a contemplative voice, weighing all the options. When it immobilizes you, then it becomes a problem.

I choose to channel negativity into work of some kind that brings about a positive outcome. Then when the negative voice surfaces, you tell it that you'll work through whatever the negative voice says is a problem.

It has been years since I felt so low that I contemplated suicide. However, I have had two incidents in my life that did bring me that low. By the Grace of God, He intervened and Im alive today. I have suffered with depression since I was a teenager and I spent years in and out of therapy. They might seem simple self-help strategies, but they have worked for me over the years. Sometimes it takes a combination of more than one and sometimes all of them, but they do help me. My self-strategies include: (a) vigorous exercise - workout, run, etc. whatever it takes to exercise until you are exhausted (b) If you dont have one, start a journal write in it daily how you are feeling dont sugar coat it, write down your fears, anxieties, etc. (c) Talk to a friend or family member that you trust ask them to just listen if you dont have that someone special your can talk with, then stand in front of a mirror and have the discussion the point is to verbalize those feelings out loud (d) Meditate and/or pray again it is the act of verbalizing those feelings in the case of prayer, God does listen and He doesnt judge His love is healing (e) If you still feel overwhelmed, seek professional help immediately. You arent hearing this for the first time; feelings of suicide are serious. Contemplating suicide is one thing; however, planning or seriously desiring it requires professional help intervention. MAKE THAT CALL OR DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE ER. You need help and you are beyond self-help methodology. There is no shame in getting help. You would get help it you were having a heart attack, this is no different. Do whatever it takes, but dont suffer. HUGS to ALLCL

thanks for all the comments here, the place I feel trapped in is my current job. I make decent money but the work is not worth it. I don't have time off, that's the problem, and it's very very stressful and hard work, I have to deal with angry people on a daily basis and I work for the agency that pisses them off. I don't always agree with the agency but have no choice but to carry out thier orders. I have a job hanging in the air right now, they said they are going to do background check, which could spell out trouble because I got convicted of a misdemeanor when I was 18, that was many many years ago. I have NEVER gotten an interview when I listed it, so I don't list it anymore, but when I am waiting for that final call, and desperate as I am to get out of the current job, (Trust me, it's hell) well those thoughts can come, and all the negative self talk, what if I'm just stuck here, cause I dont think I can take it here much longer.

Perhaps, shutting them up is not to be had. Maybe training your mind not to believe anything have to say is the best we can do. "Smiling" then maybe after being not believed over and over they will go away.

"grammar/typos"... it is your message.... ya know.

RICHARD

thanks, I hate it when I screw up on typos and grammar and do not correct it before putting it out there.

well your prob right about training the mind to stop believing them.

If you're anxious about the misdemeanor on job apps, start putting it down as a "yes" on future job apps. A misdemeanor isn't a very serious crime, but lying about it on an app is a bigger affront to a potential employer when you know they're going to do a background check and find out about it anyway.

You have my sympathies about the crappy job. All the money in the world ain't worth your health deteriorating because you're putting up with abuse and hostility every day. Hope you find something better soon.

I found it impossible to stop myself from negative thinking alone. But it had to get dark enough inside, where I was on the floor crying, until I was ready to get help. When it got that bad, I started to walk in the park every day, change my music to more positive tunes and learn to feel my feelings. But it didn't go away. Now I'm seeking therapy. My family looked down on it and always told me not to be sad. They didn't know my pain. It's like telling someone with broken legs to get up and run a marathon. For me, it's denial that kept me where I was. And I have to go to work every day and still deal with the symptoms but I have to remind myself to be patient. I bash myself for my life circumstances and don't have enough energy to work on my art most of the time. My depression hits hard about once a week. The rest of the week is in waiting because I have strong reserves of denial to "get me through". You are not alone. Seek help if you can. I wish you all the healing and love you can find to overcome this. For the first time in my life I feel hope. I thought life was the way it was and wondered why other people could function and I couldn't. Now I understand. Thanks to honesty and being willing to live. Some people don't get to ever see happiness. Don't let it get you.

Come here and vent about your job any time. People post here 24/7. The more you talk the more suppoert you will get and the more support you get the less you will feel trapped at your job. Is there anyone there at your job you can talk to?Maybe a coworker who is also having to deal with the same things you are dealing with? And you might want to hire a job coach-----someone who can work with you while you transition out of the current job and in to something that is healthier and happier. Wishing you the best if luck.