But how can this happen to someone?
Let's concentrate on how these illnesses affect the way we value the self. Of all of the destructive patterns of behavior these illnesses cause, the way a sufferer talks to the self is the fuel that maintains their illness.
I have experienced depression from two sides. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events triggered a personal nightmare I believed would never end. One of these events came when my lover was diagnosed with depression. At this time, I too had entered into the spiral of anxiety-induced depression. Both of these experiences have given me an insight into how sufferers destroy any value of the self.
Let me give a couple of examples. With my partner, if I'd arranged an evening out with friends, she'd say:
"No, I won't come, you go without me. I never have anything interesting to say. I just bore people. They'll find me an effort to be with. I'll stay here."
If I made a mistake, I'd say to myself:
"I'm useless. I'm no good at anything. Everything I do I get wrong."
This self-deprecation then spreads into other areas of life. You begin to criticize the way you look, the decisions you make or don't make, and you focus solely on the downside of life. Each time a little bit of self-worth, a little bit of self-respect and a little bit of self-confidence are eroded. Eventually, they are lost completely. When I reached my lowest point, having lost everything and everyone I loved, I'd say to myself:
"If I died tomorrow, no one would know and no one would care."
So, what helped me to come out of the fog?
Well, the reason I thought I'd become depressed was because of a series of traumatic events occurring at the same time. I was wrong. The root cause of my depression lay in the ways I reacted to them. One of the ways I'd reacted was to blame myself for events I couldn't control. The more I blamed myself, the more I beat myself up. The more I beat myself up, the more my self-esteem decreased.
The phrases I have used to briefly illustrate self-deprecating phrases we continually use against the self are mild. I'm sure you realize that many people use much stronger phrases than I've given here. The point is that these phrases would be totally unacceptable to say to others. You wouldn't tell a person that they were boring, an effort to be with and that everyone found their company dull and it would be better for everyone else if they kept away from people.
Agreed?
Yet, if I say to people:
"Pay yourself compliments. Accentuate your good in all areas of your life. Write down your good points, your triumphs, your achievements. Remind yourself as often as possible about all the good you have done."
They look at me like I'm an alien and say they'd feel stupid. Or uncomfortable. Or even embarrassed.
Yet they don't feel any of these emotions when they talk to themselves using emotionally charged, self-deprecating phrases! And like rust upon metal, these phrases gradually erode our self-esteem and our confidence.
OK, here's the bottom-line. I'd like you to inscribe what you are about to read into your mind over and over again until it is permanently etched there:
It is NEVER acceptable to talk to myself in a way I know is inappropriate and even offensive if I spoke in the same way to others.
Time for me to sign off, but before I do, here's a phrase I say to myself every single day without fail. Please use it, it is very powerful:
"If you put yourself down, down is where you will stay."
Chris Green is the author of the new book "Conquering Stress", a special program which will show you how to conquer stressful illnesses such as depression, anxiety, panic and worry permanently and without taking powerful drugs. You can learn more about this new book and purchase it at http://www.conqueringstress.com
quick home cleaning Morton Grove ...I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
We are not designed for long term stress.It causes us... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
Punch a pillowScream into a pillowTurn on your favorite music... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
The day wasn't going well already. You know how it... Read More
Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More
If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More
... Read More
A friend has this quotation on his office wall: "I... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
Everybody deals with fear and anxiety, however some people have... Read More
interior house cleaning Lincolnshire ...Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
"Do you want to be a lump of coal or... Read More
Why Stress Management programmes don't work?It seems that every week... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
Stress is an interpretation of an event or circumstance which... Read More
In our article about Exercise & Stress, we looked at... Read More
For those who are suffering from stress, just about the... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More
There is good stress, and there is bad stress. Good... Read More
Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More
Did you ever feel like your "get-up-and-go" got up and... Read More
The predominant role human conditioning plays in a stressful environment.... Read More
Stress Management |