Depression Support Group

waiting for replies too...need suggestions, too.

well i try to say positive things about myself, like when I go on a walk, when i get home I tell myself "good job" just little things like that help, but it takes time*hugz*

Damned if I know. I would welcome any suggestions as well.

Not sure, cause I struggle with self hate on a regular basis.
:-(

This may sound dumb . . . but try meditating and finding your "inner peace" . . . . once you find that, which I haven't as of yet but know, we have found what most of us desire . . . . Peace always . . .

You must love yourself before you seek to love others- a mistake too many make: "I can find the method to love myself through loving others!"

Even if all you've done is squander your soul- you must love yourself for doing so... This is the only advice I can really give for beginning to "repair" your self-image.

That is a hard question especially when depression is in the way. What somewhat works for me is sticking to an exercise routine, getting pampered once in a while, doing good things for others, and setting goals. I hoped this helped.

I do like sweetsis. It is so important to say positive things to yourself. Depression beats you up with negative thoughts and pretty soon you believe them. It is just a lie that depression tells, that we are not good enough, blah blah blah. You have to counter that with positives.

Be careful who you allow to judge you. Look at the people who tear down your self esteem. Do they really care about you? If not then use the Ignore feature of life!

You know, something that has really worked well for me is this.

I make a plan for myself each and everyday. It consists of a minimum of 5 things I need to accomplish that day. Now these all have to be things that can be accomplished in a days time- and the complexity of them vary each day by how good or bad I am feeling. For example on really bad days number 1 on my list is to get out of bed for say a half hour. 2. might then be to take a shower and get dressed.... so on and so forth.. But on better days something on my list might be to go to a coffee shop and actually speak to 3 people(like say hi or oh I like that shirt). On great days I really challenge myself and make myself face some of the things that really scare me. I always have at least 5 but sometimes more.

NOW- here is the important part- it doesn't really matter what kind of day it is- it matters that I accomplish the things on my list AND THEN RECOGNIZE MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE DAY- and allow myself to be proud that I did positive things to help myself stay well.

Another thing is start with one common negative thought you have about yourself. Now if that thought has some truth to it- take steps to address it but most likely it doesn't have truth to it so call yourself out on that specific negative thought with the reality of the situation..
For example: I am not working right now and often beat myself up for that and call myself lazy. But the truth of the matter is I am not lazy. I am working very hard to make myself better- going to doctors appointment. I am facing my demons head on and fighting them with all my strength. Not only that, I contribute to my household in other non monetary ways. I am not at all a lazy person- I am just not working at a "job" right now.

As you do this your thoughts will start to change and you can take on more of them.

Its a long, slow, hard process but it can be done.

One last thing and then I will shut up.... The other thing I am doing for myself is I am learning to listen to those around me who are honest with me and whom I respect because then when they say something good about me I can believe them or when they tell me you know you need to address _____ I can believe that to- and that it comes from a place of caring and support. I am learning to tune out those people around me- for whatever reason that have to continue to be a part of my life but do not have my interests or my trust- because it truly doesn't matter what they have to say to me.

Its not a cure all but all of these things are truly helping me- I hope maybe they will you too!