Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
In therapy yesterday, my psychologist asked me what was so daunting about having a positive relationship with myself. We've identified so many cycles and patterns that come out of avoiding, come out of wanting to take the easy way, of reinforcing negative beliefs..... she said if I only thought well of myself I'd be better able to handle each situation, and manage my anxiety better. I keep hoping too that I'd find someone. I recently got broken up with and I have been on several dates trying to find someone. Why am I so invested in finding someone and why can't I seem to be content with finding myself? I wonder if I don't trust myself because of my depression and anxiety, and I learned that in my head is a scary place..? That someone else always has the key..the better life, or better dream or bettter answers..
We pick up our friends hangups in high school. We pick up the self-putdowns, the self-shaming, the low self esteem stuff. We try it on like clothes and then we forget we're in costume.
you have to find a previous you. One that was four, or five. One that had not yet learned how to do all this stuff. What was that kid doing? Gazing at its navel? or climbing a tree?
You need continuity with previous versions of yourself. go back to a 'save point' as it were that was working for you. find her. How did she think? How did she analyse situations? Did she put herself down, or just cry when she got hurt and then forget? What techniques was she using, and why have you now collected techniques that are destructive to you?
Why have you lost your sense of you and where do you think you can go to get it back?