Depression is a severe mental health condition that, if left untreated, could end a person’s life. Thankfully, it’s also highly treatable with the right therapy and (if necessary) medication management. There are many different types of the condition, including major depressive disorder, dysthymia, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder. No matter what type of depression you have, there is a commonality: distorted negative thinking. Here are some of the ways that depression can influence the way you think, and as a result, how you feel.
How does depression feel?
The way you think when you’re depressed is different from how you operate in everyday life. When you’re suffering from depression, it’s as if there’s a dark cloud over you. It follows you everywhere. Another way to view it is that you see the world through glasses with gray lenses that make everything appear hopeless. Some people think of depression as heavy and exhausting. Others may experience depressive symptoms in their body, such as aches and pains. In addition to the mental anguish, your body reacts to depressive thoughts. That’s how impactful these thoughts and feelings are on a person.
Depression thoughts. What are they?
When a person is depressed, their thinking isn’t an accurate representation of reality. They may take one mistake and amplify it in their mind. That “depression thought” could be something like “I messed up, and now I’m a total failure.” In reality, everyone makes mistakes. Just because you goofed up doesn’t mean that you’re a complete failure. But, that depression thought convinces you that you’re no good. Depression thoughts are insidious. They creep into your mind and convince you that you’re doing things wrong or you’re a burden to your loved ones. If you notice that you’re having these types of ideas in your mind, you can do something about them.
Keep a thought journal.
Sometimes it’s difficult to notice when you’re having depressive thoughts as opposed to the everyday concept that enters your consciousness. Try to be mindful of what goes through your mind and how those thoughts make you feel. One way to practice that mindfulness is by keeping a thought journal. When you start to feel depressed, take out your journal, and write down what you’re thinking. That way, you can be aware of some of your triggers and notice if there are common themes. You may be thinking: “I’m afraid to write down my thoughts. They’re so dark.” That’s an understandable feeling. But remember, your thoughts are not who you are. They’re fleeting ideas that depression is telling you. When you write them down, you’re giving them less power. Once you know what you think, you can read it to yourself and see that it’s not an accurate depiction of reality. One place you can discuss the thought journal is in therapy.
Therapy, depression, and getting help
Depression thoughts can be tricky to understand. Thankfully, there’s a safe place to discuss depressive symptoms, and that’s in therapy. Online therapy is a safe and welcoming space to discuss depression and how it’s impacting your life. You can speak to a mental health professional in the privacy of your home. Depression wants you to believe that things are hopeless and bleak. You rob depression of its power by talking about it in therapy. You can also learn about the condition by doing online research, such as visiting Mind Diagnostics. No matter how bad depression is making you feel, remember that there is hope. Today may be difficult, but tomorrow has the promise of better days. Take the first step and reach out to a mental health professional. You can get the support and guidance that you need to confront depression and get better.
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