You might find this useful for depression

[LilyCat]

One of my group-mates last night described to me something he found very useful in dealing with his depression. He's a really smart guy, and a heck of a nice one, and highly articulate. I always value what he has to say and admire him for what he's had to fight. (SO much!) At one point he admitted himself into a hospital for depression; he really knows whereof he speaks. (Of course, so does anyone who suffers from it.)

He said that he realized that, in the absence of positive messages from his FOO and their involvement with him (they are indeed cold and isolated people), he developed his negative, depressive voices to keep him company. (His word.) He said these thoughts became a genuine companion to him; they filled the void left by his family and also explained them to him.

He realized that this wasn't much of a friend, told it so, and told it to go away.

He said this helped him to manage it quite well; that now he gets various moods/feelings, but it's never returned at that level since.

I wish I were as articulate as he. He explained it so much better. (Of course! It's "his.") The way he said it was very helpful. Passing it along in case anyone finds it valuable also.

[Sela]

I find it helpful, thankyou!

The idea that that negative voice in one's head is not a good friend is a useful idea for me.  I hope next time I start hearing that voice, I'll stop and remember this post and tell myself that the voice I'm hearing is not my friend and that it is not helping.

Telling it to go away seems like a reasonable thing to do too.   I don't have to listen if I don't want to eh?

Thanks again,

Sela

[LilyCat]

You got it! Just tell that nasty old friend to get out of town. (He seemed to actually embody it in a persona.)

So glad it helped! Go get 'em, tiger!

[SilverLining]

I think this is a helpful approach.  Somewhere along the line I realized my internalized "parent voice" was almost entirely negative.  I was so used to the usual discounting and counterpointing I got from my parents, It became part of my "self".   To this day, I still cringe slightly anytime I hear my fathers voice, but at least I recognize it as something outside I don't have to internalize.       

[Certain Hope]

Thank you, Lily... this helps me, too.

Like Silver Lining says... that internalized parental voice is what troubles me most. In this case, it's my mother's voice/attitudes/rules/standards... just everything about her that so often pops up in a scornful tone - comparing what I've done or might plan to do with what she would deem "the right way".

Any way you size it up, it surely is not a "friendly" voice! Thanks for the reminder to choose our friends - the voices we allow within earshot -  wisely : )

Love,
Carolyn

[LilyCat]

Yeah guys, those internalized voices can really be the dickens.

Have a good night, everyone.