Kissing Depression Goodbye!

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) identifies specific signs and symptoms required to be diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. However, there are many faces to depression, and one should not wait to meet all the criteria from the DSM to get help.

Helpless and hopeless thoughts can consume us. They can take over all other thoughts. Thoughts that may help us complete daily tasks, engage in positive relationships and/or participate in physical activity. Our negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves will inhibit positive self development and growth.

How do we get out of these depressive thoughts? How is it possible to start believing in ourselves again? We may assume that no one will understand; that no one has the same thoughts. We may even think we are being very hard on ourselves or that we shouldn’t be feeling depressed because other people have it so much “worse” than we do.

Depressive thoughts and self-doubt have or will run through ALL of our minds. We question whether we will be successful; whether we will be good parents; or whether we will be good partners.  Sometimes these questions lead us to not believing in ourselves and what we are capable of.

With intentional cognitive effort, we have the ability to change our thoughts, which will thus change our feelings, and eventually will allow us to complete daily tasks, engage in positive relationships, and/or participate in physical activity again.

Intentional cognitive effort first requires us to take a look at the negative thoughts that we succumb to. Then we discover the underlying explanations to these thoughts (i.e., when did these thoughts first appear to us?). With an understanding of where our thoughts come from, we can successfully change them into encouraging, motivating and positive patterns of thinking.

To kiss your negative thoughts goodbye, call us today!