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.

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richierich 06/04/2008

I find it very difficult to stop getting unhelpful and negative thoughts, i dont think its my fault im getting them because i try my best to be rid of them, maybe i can learn off other people how they deal with them.

ThePepperMan 06/04/2008

i think it depends on what the negative thoughts are. I have focused negative thoughts on people who, in my opinion, have wronged me terribly. I just have to let those thoughts go and focus on other thoughts.

What sort of negative thoughts are you having?

richierich 06/04/2008

Stupid ones like i will never get a job again and that im a complete loser and why are people such assholes

chelle37 06/04/2008

HI Rich, have you ever tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? CBT focuses specifically on thought patterns and changing them in order to change mood. It's a pretty effective form of therapy, there's quite a bit of research behind it. There's lots of techniques that go along with it.

deleted_user 06/04/2008

use positive thinking. write down each negative thought. look at it in black and white. if it still seems like something that u believe, write a positive thought to counter it. keep the list and every time that negative thought emerges, calmy repeat to urself the postive thought u had to counter it. eventually (hopefully) u'll internalize and believe the positive thought more than the negative one. good luck! (p.s. i learned this in DBT/CBT training)

deleted_user 06/04/2008

I can't remember where I read this information but this is what they said to do with negative speak: Ask your self 1) Is it true? 2) Can I absolutely know it's true? 3) How do I treat myself and others if I believe the thought:? 4) What would I do if I didn't believe the thought? It takes discipline that I haven't quite mastered yet. Good luck!

deleted_user 06/04/2008

Hey richie, good question on the post.

Medication can help - depending on what your diagnosis is. In the absence of medication (or, in my case, with it) I try to use diversion.

Actual physical activity help to divert your thoughts. Forcing yourself into a situation where you need to converse helps but not everyone can do that. And here's the strange one - singing. Yep, put your favourite song on, turn it up as loud as your neighbours will bear and sing. No, it doesn't matter if you have a voice or not - if you can't sing then yell.

Then, when you're feeling better, go look into CBT like these other great folk have advised.

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