What to do with negative thoughts/depression?

I've seen plenty of posts on here about handling anger and controlling it, but how does one control depressive/negative thought processes? (i.e. "I'm no good for her", "I can't do anything right", or "Why am I so stupid?")

Same thing I do with pain... view it as a signal, try to disassociate the 'me' of myself from it and wait for it to go, or address the cause if applicable. I try not to let it define who I am, even though it might be trying to define how I feel. Sorry for the short reply, I'm having a busy day!! Good luck with it!!

http://www.templeofthejediorder.org/sermons/2100-reliah

I try to deconstruct those thoughts. They are the expression of a belief system. Who did they come from? What is the bias of the people it may have come from, and their authority, validity, honesty? How did I latch on to those thoughts? What have I found as evidence of that belief? Is that evidence valid or even true? And most importantly, why am I holding onto them when they do not serve me?

I don't accept that there's a problem with me, the problem lays with other's perception of me and that is their problem not mine....

I'm the absolute perfect me.....the world isn't good enough for me....

The point of the above sentence: give yourself a cocksure swagger...a little confidence goes a long way

RyuJin wrote: I don't accept that there's a problem with me, the problem lays with other's perception of me and that is their problem not mine....

I'm the absolute perfect me.....the world isn't good enough for me....

The point of the above sentence: give yourself a cocksure swagger...a little confidence goes a long way

The "fake it till you make it" concept certainly does help with a pick up in the short term, and there is something to be said for the ability to influence both thought patterns and certain chemical levels in that way (particularly if you're focusing on body language etc) but it doesn't unfortunately encourage long term change. An underlying belief system that has a well worn path in ones brain will surface one way or another. Unless you expose and correct the habitual thought pattern.

This is why cognitive behavior therapy and to a lesser degree NLP (depending on what research youre reading) are so successful in dealing with depression and anxiety. Brain retraining basically.

That's why I like "Fake it till you BECOME it."

Here's a nice TED talk to supplement:
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

Connor L. wrote: That's why I like "Fake it till you BECOME it."

Here's a nice TED talk to supplement:
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

This is EXACTLY what and who I was thinking about when I talked about influencing your mind and chemistry with your body language

I myself am a big advocate for meditation. Meditation is not a magic cure all for everything, however it does train your mind to see these thought processes as they begin to occur, and to essentially let go of that little voice in the back of your head saying you can't. It can also help to realize that everyone else out there is essentially in the same boat you are. None of us received an instruction manual to this thing called life, and we are all just stumbling around in the dark, wondering what the hell is going on. Some people don't show it, but we all feel it in some way.

Greetings Each

Having come of a course at Combat Stress here in the UK have PTSD. There are so many reasons that any individual will have negative thoughts , feel inadiquete, unwanted etc.

Actually what other people think of you. is none of your business. Happiness, self belief, has to come from within. The best place to start is not trying to be accepted by other but accept yourself for who you are. Do not search for happiness who will just become an expert at searching. PRACTICE Happiness..always.

Rumination anxiety depression disassociation detachment all interlink at some point and as we are all individuals we will differ in coping with such things.

The course taught me to identify the 'Triggers' which set these negative emotions off. You have stop and breathe. There is no quick fix you just have to do things step by step inch by inch and practice.

You are whatever you perceive yourself to be you thoughts determine what happens next. Mindfullness is also a good coping stratagy . It teaches you to focus on the very moment you are in. The past is past and done with. It is in the now that matters clear the mind and focus . 'Munen Mushin' No thought no mind .gives absolute clarity

Fix a smile on your face fill your spirit with vigour and let no one take it from you and share it with all that you encounter

Ki guide and protect

It would depend on what is causing these feelings. If this is depression (the mental illness) rather than depression (the feeling of sadness) then the best treatment would be seeing a doctor. A lot of people with depression know that what they think and feel is wrong, but that doesn't stop them feeling that way. One thing that you can try would be forcing yourself to do something new, to break the cycle of repetitive daily activities, it doesn't matter what it might be, just force yourself to do something different. I would encourage being outside, because that stimulates cortisol in your brain making you feel more awake and better.

What do I do with negative thoughts or depression?

Have them.

Life isnt all about sunshine and rainbows.

Most times such things persist because they are not given there due time or attention.

There is nothing wrong with feeling depressed, or having negative thoughts.

That kind of thinking actually puts undue strain, pressure, and and attempt to repress of deny them.

What do you do with positive thoughts and happiness?

Life is change.

Experience every part of it, because one thing you can be sure of, is that it will change.

As EEJim the use of meditation is an effective way to control negative and depressive thoughts. I have found it is not just about recognizing them. They also come with physical effects on the body. There are meditation techniques that help you to accept that you do think these things. Accepting does not mean you have to believe what the voice in your head is saying, but recognizing it is there can allow you to come to terms and understand why. The techniques can also teach you to become aware of your surroundings and physical feelings which can help assess where the negative and depressive thoughts are coming from. I personally use mindfulness to help me.

I think there have been a lot of good ideas mentioned in this thread on how to deal with depression and negative thoughts. For myself, I found working a 12-step program very helpful. During that time I developed a relationship with a higher power. Before I entered the program I was very depressed. But working this program helped with dealing with the depression and negative thoughts. My higher power is comforting and soothing and counsels me to think more positively when I am tempted to think in negative ways.