Depression, low self-esteem and the brain
Since I am writing about depression, self-esteem and the brain I want to give you some tips on strategies you can try if you feel depressed.
So no matter if you find out that you are gentically more prone to be depressed or if you find another reason to why you are depressed you still need to do some strategies in order to become better. I want to point out that I think that antidepressive medications are great sometimes but you still need to train on new thoughts and behaviors yourself. Here are some strategies to think about if you are depressed:
1. Write down a daily activity schedule. If you feel that you don´t have the energy to write one, look into your calendar and write down things like, when you are going to get up in the morning, when you will eat breakfast and so on. Make sure you don´t write down an ambitious schedule and make sure you have a balance between things you have to do and things that make you relaxed.
2. If you can´t think of anything you like to do, try to think about things you used to like, may be talking to a specific friend, drink coffee at a coffee store, take a walk etc.
3. I think a central point in depression is that you are probably good at critisizing yourself, that reinforces the depression. Try to register how much you critisize yourself and when you do, try to think that you will for a period of time try to take care of yourself as you would with someone you love.
4. If you can´t stop thinking critisizing thoughts about yourself, do good things to yourself anyway despite the thoughts, then you signal to your psyche that you want to take care of yourself
To be continued…
Cognitive Behavior Psychologist Monica Emanell
www.kbtemanell.se
Depression, low self-esteem and the brain
Since I am writing about depression, self-esteem and the brain I want to give you some tips on strategies you can try if you feel depressed.
So no matter if you find out that you are gentically more prone to be depressed or if you find another reason to why you are depressed you still need to do some strategies in order to become better. I want to point out that I think that antidepressive medications are great sometimes but you still need to train on new thoughts and behaviors yourself. Here are some strategies to think about if you are depressed:
1. Write down a daily activity schedule. If you feel that you don´t have the energy to write one, look into your calendar and write down things like, when you are going to get up in the morning, when you will eat breakfast and so on. Make sure you don´t write down an ambitious schedule and make sure you have a balance between things you have to do and things that make you relaxed.
2. If you can´t think of anything you like to do, try to think about things you used to like, may be talking to a specific friend, drink coffee at a coffee store, take a walk etc.
3. I think a central point in depression is that you are probably good at critisizing yourself, that reinforces the depression. Try to register how much you critisize yourself and when you do, try to think that you will for a period of time try to take care of yourself as you would with someone you love.
4. If you can´t stop thinking critisizing thoughts about yourself, do good things to yourself anyway despite the thoughts, then you signal to your psyche that you want to take care of yourself
To be continued…
Cognitive Behavior Psychologist Monica Emanell
www.kbtemanell.se