The word “depression” may be used in many contexts. For the purposes of this discussion, it means to denote a major depressive disorder. This could be one a few mood disorders that present with a relentless feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in activities that once excited you. Your self-talk can drive your depression leading to another cycle in which the depression feeds the self-talk.
Your relationships can impact your depression in many ways. The most fundamental relationship you can have is with yourself. If you feel anxious a lot, your inner monologue may sound like a blend of criticisms and warnings. This pattern can escalate and get out of balance.
As the negative begins to outweigh the positive, depression can gain a foothold. As depression begins to expand, it can push your inner voice into a place of despair. It may feel impossible to discern if the self-talk or the depression is in the driver’s seat.
Talking Back to Your Self-Talk
Turn on Your Inner Skeptic
Several times a day, you casually question something you hear. You may hop on the nearest search engine to verify if something is or isn’t accurate. It’s time now to assign that same skepticism to your inner monologue. How? Try the following:
Look for evidence
Seek other ways to view the situation
Differentiate between facts and interpretations
Perhaps most importantly, ask yourself how you’d be feeling and what you’d be thinking if you chose to find a positive spin.
Be Your Own Best Friend
Let’s say a friend or loved one comes to you with news that their partner has left them. They feel worthless and certain they will never find love again. What might you say to them? Like any best friend, you’d comfort them and offer them some alternative perspectives. The next time your self-talk drives your depression, treat yourself with the same compassion and sensitivity.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
If your goal is recovery, it makes sense to gauge your actions as they pertain to achieving that goal. When your negative voice starts up, assess it in terms of your needs and wants. Just as you challenge thoughts that are unproductive and impede your emotional progress, so too, address choices that reinforce negative beliefs about yourself, your abilities, and your relationships.
Talking to Someone Who Can Help
A pattern of negative self-talk can make you feel like your own worst enemy. Try as you might, it can be a very difficult pattern to reverse. This is the ideal time to hear a voice other than your own.
Ideally, this voice outside your own head voice would be that of an experienced mental health practitioner. Self-talk often arises from embedded patterns and old or unconscious beliefs. It really helps to have someone work with you to reveal those factors for what they are.
With this work begun, you can start to develop a new mindset and new approaches to life. Fresh internal scripts are written…with more fulfilling stories. and happier endings.
Please read more about depression treatment and reach out today for the compassionate support you need and deserve. Let’s work together to relieve your depression and help you reach your highest potential.
